Jack and I arrived in Honolulu (the winning destination of WanderTot’s poll) tonight after Jack’s longest flight yet. I still can’t believe he stayed awake for the ENTIRE seven-and-a-half-hour flight.

We were scheduled to arrive yesterday, but our flight left without us even though there were 11 empty seats, thanks to weather-related weight restrictions. I was like, come on people, you can let on the skinny chick and the baby!! No such luck. Thank goodness we got on today and, not only that, we got an entire middle row of three seats to ourselves.

Everything was going great until, an hour into the flight, the top popped off Jack’s sippy cup, which was FULL of apple juice. It spilled all over him, so he was soaking wet from neck to toe, I mean DRIPPING wet and screaming because a) he had no idea what just happened and it terrified him and b) he was cold and wet. I took off his shoes and braces to make it easier to change his clothes in the cramped airplane bathroom. BAD IDEA. He stood on the floor while I took off his pants and diaper. The second I took off his diaper, he peed. Did I mention I left his socks on? Yep. I brought a clean shirt and clean pants, but I did not foresee him peeing on his socks.

Yeah. So. I just let him go barefoot while the socks were drying out. We went for a much-needed stroll around the plane and I definitely got some looks. The where-are-that-poor-baby’s-shoes looks. Eventually, I had to put them back on because Jack has to wear braces on his feet and he can’t wear the braces without the socks. Also, pee is sterile so don’t give me that look.

So then, THEN, we had another little incident, which you may not care to read about if you don’t yet have children. Let’s just say some of the airplane food didn’t agree with Jack and we had a leaky diaper situation. I had only brought the one extra pair of pants onboard and now they were ruined too. I had two choices. Let Jack rock the diaper, shoes and shirt look or put back on the apple-juice pants. Luckily, they had had about four hours to dry out, so they were only damp when I put them back on. Now the only clean thing the poor kid was wearing was his shirt.

Lesson learned: bring one change of clothes for every few hours on a flight. Plus extra socks.

The rest of the flight actually went really well and Jack was pretty much an angel aside from the forgetting-to take-a-nap thing. He ALMOST fell asleep after we touched down, while taxiing to the gate. He completely conked out on the shuttle ride to the hotel.

I hope he can sleep on the plane on the way home. Especially since it’s an overnight flight.

(Quick note: If you are reading this and you don’t have children yet, you still might see something helpful. But mostly, I want you to think about this next time you’re going through airport security and realize how easy you have it. Because I know I had NO idea.)

My son and I are usually by ourselves when we fly, so I have to be incredibly organized about getting through security with all our stuff. Because of that, I’ve developed a little system to get us through security faster than most people without kids. I have, in fact, cut in front of such people who were taking too long untying their shoes and putting all their stuff in the bins.

On our recent trip to Orlando, my “little” brother (who happens to be 6′ 7″) joined us for the flight home. I did my usual thing when going through security and he commented on how amazed he was, so I thought, what the heck, I should share the method to my madness with you all. Maybe you will glean a tip or two you hadn’t thought of before.

I try to keep Jack in the stroller while in line, using whatever means necessary: snacks, toys, etc. It’s just too much to manage a stroller, luggage AND a toddler who wants to run around instead of standing in line. When the line stops and Jack is occupied, I get out my boarding pass and I.D. so I’m ready when I get to the checkpoint.

When it’s time to get through the x-ray machine, I usually use the Family/Medical Liquids Lane (you can read more about that here). I leave Jack in the stroller while I get everything ready to go through. This part is a little like a juggling act. There are a lot of steps involved, but I can do it super fast. I HAVE to do it super fast because at this point, Jack wants out of the stroller BAD.

I grab three bins and put them on the counter, along with my carry-on suitcase. Then I get my laptop and ziplock bag of liquids out of the suitcase and put them in separate bins, using the third for my diaper bag. Then I throw my slip-on shoes and Jack’s shoes in with the ziplock bag. This process goes much faster since I plan for it when I pack, so you also might want to check out my packing tips.

At this point, I get Jack out of the stroller and have him hold on to the table leg (so he doesn’t run off) while I fold up his stroller and put it up on the table. Then I pick him up and have him put anything he’s holding into a bin, whether it’s a toy, his lovies or a snack. The TSA agents will not let him through with anything besides his clothes. If I ask him to drop it in, he thinks it’s fun. If I just take it away, not so much. Then I push everything through the x-ray machine and we walk through the metal detector.

Now I have a loose baby and all this stuff to gather up, so I get his stroller down first and put him in it. Then I can get the laptop and ziplock bag back in the suitcase, grab the diaper bag and slip my shoes back on. I usually wait until later to put Jack’s shoes back on so that we can just get moving out of the area and onto one of Jack’s favorite parts – the TRAIN!

Of course, you might have additional luggage or children or a helper, but I guess the main thing is to have a plan ahead of time, even while you’re packing. Getting through security can be quick and painless, even with kids, as long as you think ahead. You will be much more relaxed and probably less likely to forget about the metal on your baby’s pacifier clip, get pulled aside for screening and then, in a panicked state, imagine the TSA took your baby away, as one mom recently did.

I have actually found TSA agents to be very family-friendly, often doing little things like getting my stroller down for me or giving Jack a sticker. Of course, I’m sure other families have had bad experiences, but being organized and knowing the rules ahead of time helps make it easier for everyone.

McCarran Airport in Las Vegas boasts the most missed flights of any U.S. airport. I can’t imagine why . . . If you find yourself stranded at LAS after missing your flight or not getting on your standby flight, I have some ideas for you after spending eight hours there yesterday. I’m pretty sure I could even draw you an accurate map from memory if you want.

Last Thursday, I decided I would go to the Blog World Expo in Las Vegas on Saturday in hopes of finding out more about the whole blogging world, since I am so new to it. I had to leave my baby for the first time, which was extremely hard for me. He did great, but I was a mess. I cried at the airport when I said goodbye to him, while he waived and cheerfully exclaimed, “bye-bye mommy!”

The conference was great. I met a ton of people, including many other travel bloggers and Johnny Depp (seriously). I flew in Friday night and by Sunday morning I was very ready to get home to my baby. I had originally planned on leaving on an 8:00 p.m. flight, but decided to go to the airport earlier and get on the standby list for a 1:00 p.m. flight. Well, I didn’t get on that one. Or the next one. Or the next one.

I ended up on the 8:00 p.m. flight after all. I had been at the airport since noon. I now consider myself an expert on Terminal D at the McCarran Airport in Las Vegas. I have been at McCarran probably 10 other times, but this was definitely the longest I’ve spent there. So, should you find yourself stuck at McCarran for an hour or two or ten, check out my list of things to do in Terminal D.

Many of these things you couldn’t really do if you had your kids in tow, but I have included a few things I’ve done there with Jack before.

1. Go to Brookstone. Sit in the most amazing massage chair ever until they tell you your time is up. They give you a good 10-20 minutes and it seriously feels like a real person is giving you a deep massage, with tons of varying techniques. It even massages your legs. It’s almost better than the real thing since you can relax in a comfortable position on your back instead of laying face first with your head in an awkward padded circle thing. I seriously want to own that chair someday. I have tried other massage chairs. They don’t even compare. Just as soon as I can find an extra $3,000, it’s all mine.

2. Get a free makeover at The Body Shop. The employees there are really nice and they don’t mind doing it just for fun. There’s no minimum purchase or anything, unlike some other places.

3. You could also get a massage, manicure and other spa services at XpressSpa in Terminal D, but their prices were about double that of the average prices here in Denver (I think it was $120 for a 60-minute massage). I was happy with the free makeover and massage chair.

4. Take your young kids to the play area behind Aunt Annie’s pretzels. Jack had more fun at this play area than any other place in Las Vegas. There are stairs to climb up and down and little windows to play peek-a-boo through. Great fun for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

5. There are also large animal statues around the terminal your kids will love to hang out with. There’s a bunny and a turtle and some others.

6. If you are without children, there is, of course, gambling and drinking. You are still in Las Vegas after all. It’s the only airport I’ve been to where all the wait staff and bartenders will, after encouraging you to order the large 32-oz. beer for only $2 more, offer you a shot for only $4 more. Ah, Vegas. As far as the slots go, they are rumored to be fairly generous. I have probably about broken even in all my times there, which I suppose is pretty generous compared to the rest of Las Vegas.

7. McCarran Airport is a great place to meet people you wouldn’t normally hang out with. I guess any airport is for that matter. I ended up having drinks with a sommelier from Vail and his boyfriend, then later a priest and his firefighter friend en route to a hunting trip in Montana. Later I introduced the two groups and we all had a drink together. It sounds like the makings of a good joke: a vegetarian mommy blogger, a priest, a hunter and a gay couple walk into a bar . . . but the ending would just be . . . and they all watched football and drank beer.

8. There are plenty of places to get a bite to eat. The Burke in the Box has the best food of any of the alcohol-serving restaurants; otherwise I would recommend the California Pizza Kitchen.

9. Buy a book or magazine at one of the many Hudson bookshops around the terminal. I had planned on turning $10 into $30 so I could get the new Dan Brown, but I nearly lost it all, won a small jackpot, lost my nerve and cashed out at $14.

10. Try out the lotions at Crabtree & Evelyn. Yummy!

11. Visit Kid’s Works for LEGOs, licensed Disney toys, kid’s clothing and toy planes.

12. Browse the souvenirs at various little stores. I liked Wild Gecko the best. Yes, I was there long enough to decide which gift shop is my favorite.

Have you ever been stuck at McCarran Airport? What did you do to pass the time?

**UPDATE** Thanks Jessica for reminding me that McCarran is one of the few airports that offers free WiFi. I would have been all set had I brought my laptop, but, then again, I might not have made such interesting new friends.

Usually our trips to the airport are pretty standard. I have my ziplock bag of liquids under 3 oz. and we just make our way through the security checkpoint without anything interesting happening. I usually bring an empty sippy cup and Tang to mix with water from a drinking fountain inside the terminal so that my toddler has something to drink while the plane takes off to prevent his ears from popping. I breastfed my son when he was a baby, so I never had to worry about bringing formula.

On our way home from San Diego, I happened to have some juice in a sippy cup when we went through the security checkpoint. I had totally forgotten about it in the crazy trip to the airport. So, when the security officer picked up the sippy cup and asked if I had any liquids he should know about, I told him I had forgotten about the juice and he could just dump it out if he wanted. Well, he looked at me like I was totally crazy for thinking they would just dump something I might be trying to make a bomb with.

So after we got our shoes back on and all that, we were whisked away to the side, where they performed all sorts of crazy tests on this little yellow sippy cup half full of apple juice. I couldn’t help finding it a bit humorous, although I don’t mind all the security procedures since they help keep us safe. The juice came back clean and off we went. It only took a few extra minutes, but make sure you don’t have any extra liquids if you’re running late!

If you do want to take some formula, milk or juice for your children, here’s what you need to know:

•  You can bring over 3 oz. of baby formula, breast milk or juice through the security checkpoint in reasonable quantities.

• Breastfeeding mothers can bring breast milk even if traveling without their child.

• Separate these exceptions from the liquids in your quart-size ziplock.

• Look for the family/medical liquids lane. We always use this lane anyway, since no one behind us gets all anxious while I’m folding up the stroller and all that. It actually seems to go just as fast as the other lanes anyway.

• Declare to the security officer at the checkpoint that you have the item(s).

• Your extra liquids will undergo special screening, which should only take a few minutes.

• You or your child will not have to taste the liquid to prove it’s safe.

For more information, visit the TSA webpage about traveling with kids.

This week, I’m recommending Voyage.tv, mainly because I’m super excited about this promotion they’re doing called “Tweet Your Trip.” It is worth checking out regardless of the contest though, if only to watch the videos of luxury hotels and drool. I love the idea of having video on a travel site. If a picture says a thousand words, then a video is worth . . .  well, a lot more.

To enter Voyage.tv’s “Tweet Your Trip” promotion, all you have to do is follow @voyagetv on Twitter, then describe your dream vacation in 140 characters or less for the chance to win it. Each week through the end of October, they will pick a new winner. My favorite entries last week were:

sfpeach @voyagetv Curacao’s bright hues beckon me in striped clothes, on a red bike, by the turquoise sea and white beach. My straw hat blows away.

K_Gut @voyagetv I want some sushi, sake, and sashimi. So, to Japan, let’s go. From SFO to T-O-K-Y-O. And, an ichi-ban hotel for 2. BTW, thank you

And, of course, my own entry:

WanderTot @voyagetv Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street … a trip for 3 to Beaches in Turks & Caicos would be so suite!

The winning entry was:

cheapestairfare @voyagetv Oh No I/Have Not Seen Moai/On Easter Island’s/Grassy Highlands/Nor Wild Horse Scurry/Near Unseen Quarry/LAN 767/To Island Heaven

What’s your dream trip? Tweet it and it may no longer be just a dream.

Last week, I took advantage of SeaWorld San Diego’s current deal for an adult ticket at the kid’s price ($55) plus a second day free. Since my son is under two, he got in for free both days. We had a blast. Here’s what we learned:

Shows

“Believe: The Spectacular Shamu Show,” which is indeed spectacular, is an obvious must-see at SeaWorld, even if you only catch the first five minutes of it while chasing your toddler up and down the bleacher stairs. Is it weird that I think killer whales are beautiful? Because I do. This show captures their beauty, contrasts it with their awesome power and adds the amazement of their training.

Unless the park is so crowded that you’re worried about getting a seat at all, there’s no need to follow everyone’s advice to get to the show at least half an hour early unless you really want to sit front and center. In my opinion, it works much better to just go in right before the show starts, especially for young children who won’t want to sit and wait a half hour. I suppose one parent could save seats for the family, but really you can see just fine from anywhere.

I thought Jack would really enjoy the “Pets Rule!” show, and I think he might of if it weren’t for the extremely loud music. I actually had to cover his ears. And, FYI, for the animal’s safety, once the pet show starts, you’re not allowed to leave. So, that was a fun 20 minutes.

The “Sea Lions LIVE” show is funny for older kids and adults, but relies very heavily on pop culture. Since Jack has no idea what CSI and American Idol are, he was not very interested.

The best show for toddlers and preschoolers is definitely the Sesame Street presents Lights, Camera, Imagination! 4-D movie. Jack didn’t want anything to do with the 3-D glasses, but happily watched the blurry 2-D picture. The 4-D aspect was neat, but scary to some younger kids and babies, as water shoots at you suddenly.

Sesame Street Bay of Play

I wish we had spent more of our time here instead of at some of the shows. This two-acre Sesame Street-themed play area has tons of stuff for younger kids to do. There are three rides: “Elmo’s Flying Fish,” ”Oscar’s Rocking Eel” and “Abby’s Sea Star Spin.” Kids under 48″ can ride these with an adult, but they were still a bit too much for my one-and-a-half-year-old son. There are some other parts of the play area with height restrictions, but there’s plenty for kids of any height to do, including a sand play area, a soft “pool” with soft blocks, nets to climb on, water fountains, tunnels and even an area to play musical instruments.

Note: Sesame Street Bay of Play opens an hour AFTER the rest of the park; so don’t plan on going there first thing.

Animal Exhibits

The animal exhibits are very nicely done. The highlights are definitely “Rocky Point Preserve,” ”Wild Arctic,” “Penguin Encounter” and “Manatee Rescue.”

At “Rocky Point Preserve” you can go right up to the dolphin pool. You can even pet and feed the dolphins for $6. I couldn’t believe that! I always thought you had to pay hundreds of dollars to get that close to a dolphin anywhere. There is an age requirement though (I think it’s 6?), so we’ll have to save that until Jack is older. The sea otters right next to the dolphins are also a must-see.

“Wild Arctic” has polar bears, walruses and beluga whales as you wind through a cool building with helicopters and boxes and stuff to make it feel as if you are on an arctic expedition. Jack loved the blinking red lights, of course. I was thrilled to be able to check off #51 on my bucket list to see a beluga whale, although I would still like to see one in the wild someday.

“Penguin Encounter” cracked me up. It was EXACTLY like the penguin enclosure in Happy Feet. They obviously based the enclosure in the movie on this one, but it was just funny to see something from a cartoon in real life. The penguins were funny too.

“Manatee Rescue” was Jack’s favorite. When he hears me telling someone about San Diego or SeaWorld, he immediately chimes in with, “Man-a-tee! Man-a-tee!” They were pretty darn cute. We saw two of them kissing a few times and another one was just floating around in circles, which Jack thought was hilarious. Expect a lot of questions if you have older kids, as these animals have been rescued and many have obviously been pretty mangled. This exhibit made me feel good about spending the money on the hefty entry fee, if even just a small part of it goes toward SeaWorld’s conservation and rescue efforts. Very cool.

Rides

There are several rides Jack and I didn’t go on, two because Jacks too little and two because they cost extra. “Journey to Atlantis” is part roller coaster, part water ride and looks like it would be a lot of fun. If you go as a family, you could take turns riding it while one parent stays at the “Bay of Play” with the kids. Same goes for the “Shipwreck Rapids,” which also looks really fun. On this one, you splash through rapids in a chair on a raft. For an extra $3 (or $5 for both), you can ride across beautiful Mission Bay in the “Bayside Skyride” or go up in the “Skytower” to see the San Diego skyline for up to 100 miles in every direction.

Finding your way around

The way SeaWorld is laid out makes no sense at all (at least to me), especially since they are doing construction right now right in the middle of the park. So to get from one side to the other, you have to go ALL the way around. Plus, all the signs are wrong thanks to the construction. We got lost over and over trying to get to the different shows. I wish we would have just done everything on one side and then the other instead of wandering around trying to find a specific exhibit or show.

Other SeaWorld tips

• Since SeaWorld is owned by Anheuser Busch, you can see the famed Budweiser Clydesdales here in addition to ocean life. You can also get a cold beer pretty much anywhere in the park.

• Be sure to check SeaWorld’s website or call about attraction closures before you go. I saw many excited people come up to the “Journey to Atlantis” ride, only to be terribly disappointed to find it closed for maintenance.

• Before we went, I heard all about the terrible, overpriced food, which I kind of expect at a park like this. We did have some not-so-great food, but we got some good pizza at Mama Stella’s at our last meal there. Next time, I’m only eating there.

• Expect to get wet. Bring ponchos if you want to sit up front at a show. Bring ziplock bags for your camera and phone, just in case. And bring swimsuits and swim diapers for the kids to splash around at the “Sesame Street Bay of Play.”

• Don’t forget the sunscreen! There is very, very little shade at SeaWorld.

• Speaking of the sun and heat, go to the left when you enter the park in the morning and save the right side for when it gets hotter. Then you can cool down at attractions like “Wild Arctic” and “Penguin Encounter” in the afternoon.

• Members of the military and up to three of their dependents can get complimentary admission for a single day in 2009. SeaWorld also does a nice tribute to members of the military at the beginning of the Shamu show.

Each week, I will feature a useful travel website or blog worth checking out. This week, I’m recommending Disney’s family travel site. You would think their advice would be limited to all things Disney, but they have tons of great vacation ideas that are completely unrelated. You can search by vacations for babies, toddlers, school-age kids and pre-teens. They have family travel ideas, attractions, tips and more. Their pre-trip ideas are great; for example, if you’re traveling to London, they suggest making scones; watching Peter Pan, Mary Poppins and Harry Potter; and reading Oliver Twist and Madeline in London.

Now that many airlines are charging per bag you check in, including the first bag, it matters more than ever that you pack smart. Even if you can bring more bags without the extra charge, it’s still another piece of luggage you have to lug from your car to check in and then again from baggage claim to your hotel. Plus, if you can manage to get everything in your carry-on, you can skip baggage claim altogether.

I find I can travel with my toddler for up to a week with no more than a carry-on bag, a diaper bag and an umbrella stroller. We parents are lucky in that we can usually bring a carseat, diaper bag and a stroller for free and none count towards our allotment of luggage. I was very surprised (and thankful!) to learn that the first time I flew with my baby. Still, packing all we need in one suitcase and one diaper bag is quite a challenge.

The most helpful technique I know is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. Not only does this save space, it also helps keep wrinkles at bay. Try it and see what I mean. We are able to bring about three outfits a day for Jack (one for each meal) and a few extras for me this way.

Make the most of your diaper bag. Even if you are carrying on another bag, try to keep everything you’ll need to access during the flight in the diaper bag. Trying to get something out of a second bag mid-flight is just way too much of a headache.

Our diaper bag packing list:

• iPhone
• Wallet
• Boarding passes
• Two stackable sippy cups (one for me and one for Jack—if I want to get a drink on the plane, I pour it in the sippy cup so Jack can’t spill it)
• Snacks (including a lollypop for emergency use only)
• Easy-to-rinse bib
• Enough nighttime diapers (why nighttime?) to last until we get to the hotel
• Travel-sized package of wipes
• Shorts for Jack in case his pants get wet or dirty
• Several small toys
• Three or four small board books
• Jack’s lovey

All of the non-toy items also do double duty as toys. My wallet or iPhone will entertain Jack for longer than any of the actual toys.

You also want to be as smart as you can about packing your suitcase. When deciding what clothing to bring, try to consider what will take up the least space. Do you really need a thick sweatshirt or will a thin sweater do? Consider packing dresses (unless, of course, you’re a guy who’s not into that sort of thing). Dresses give you a whole outfit for practically no space at all. If you’re really tight on space, you can stuff your socks into your shoes to make the most of space that would otherwise be empty. Also be sure to make the most of any outer pockets on your bag. I usually stuff as many diapers as I can in those.

Our carry-on suitcase packing list:

• Clothes
• More nighttime diapers, plus regular diapers and swim diapers
• Package of wipes
• More stackable sippy cups
• Laptop
• Camera
• Ziplock bag of toiletries, including travel-sized baby sunscreen and baby Tylenol
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Flip-flops
• Sunglasses
• Baggallini Bag in a Pouch

Be sure to keep anything you need to take out at the security checkpoint easily accessible, which in our case includes the laptop and ziplock baggie of liquids.

It is also important to pay close attention to what you wear on the plane, as that’s part of what you’re bringing with you. I wear black pants, a patterned dark shirt and black slip-on shoes. The slip-on shoes are a given; it is hard enough to get through security with kids in tow without having to tie and untie or buckle and unbuckle your shoes. The black patterned shirt and black pants look nice, which puts passengers around us at ease (the frazzled-mom look is not too comforting in a row-mate), but more importantly, it is pretty darn good at hiding anything Jack decides to spill/wipe/etc. on my clothing. If you have a young baby, I would recommend adding a shirt underneath in case you need to take off the top layer due to a bad spit-up incident or leaky diaper.

Jack’s airport outfit is similar to mine: dark pants and a T-shirt under a patterned button-up shirt. I like to put layers on him so I can take one off if he gets warm and put it back on if he gets cold. Plus, that’s more clothing we have with us without taking up space in our luggage.

Consider your options carefully before giving up and adding another bag to the mix. Can you purchase diapers at your destination? Can you do a load of laundry at the hotel? Do you need your shampoo or can you use the bottle the hotel provides? Is it really worth the money to pay to check the suitcase there and back and have the hassle of another bag or can you do without some of the stuff?

Even if you do end up bringing another suitcase, hopefully these tips will still help you make the most of it!

To me, vacation is about indulgence, whereas travel is about seeing the world. How many times have you bought something or ordered something more extravagant than you normally would, saying, “Well, we are on vacation.” Staying at a luxury hotel, eating gourmet meals and buying up souvenirs can add up to thousands of dollars in just a few days. I can see why many families can only afford to take one vacation a year.

But it doesn’t have to be that way if you just change your mindset a little. I think especially when you have young children, a luxury vacation just doesn’t make sense. Children aren’t going to care if you eat or sleep at the nicest place in town. Plus, they might throw a fit or decide not to sleep and you’ll probably regret spending the money. Not to mention that part of a vacation is relaxation, which is nearly impossible with children.

If you concentrate instead on showing your children the world, you can turn a budget for one vacation into tons of trips throughout the year. Shop around for cheap destinations, travel during off-peak times and get groceries instead of eating out for every meal. There are a million little ways to save on a vacation and it adds up quick.

When shopping around for hotels, if you find a good rate with a good cancelation policy, book it! If you find a better deal later on, just cancel the booking. Also consider trying Hotwire. They are able to have the very lowest rates by not telling you what hotel you’re getting until after you check out. That way, the hotel can offer a price much, much lower than it’s cheapest advertised price. You can pick the star rating and even the neighborhood. I think it’s kind of a fun adventure to let fate decide your hotel for you. The only downside is that it’s completely nonrefundable. I still think it’s often worth the risk.

Do the math to see if it really makes sense to get a rental car. I find it’s often cheaper to take a shuttle to and from the airport and use a taxi to get around town, especially if the hotel charges for parking. Don’t forget to add in parking fees from the attractions you plan to visit and gas as well.

While things like getting cheap accommodation and flights make a huge difference, remember the small things add up. Before you buy something on your trip, ask yourself if it’s really worth spending the money, lugging it home and taking up space in your house. I think you will find you don’t really want that keychain or mug or snow globe. If your kids want something, try asking them if they would rather buy that now or use the money to do an activity later.

If they’re old enough, I highly recommend giving your kids control over the entire vacation budget, as seen on the Travel Channel’s The Kids Are In Charge: Family Vacation. What an excellent opportunity to teach kids about money, budgeting and planning! If you have three kids and you’re going for three days, you give each kid 1/3 of the money and have them each be in charge of one day. You might be surprised how much more aware they are of how the money is being spent.

I think you will find it even more fun and rewarding when you decide to travel with this mindset. Traveling is a great time to bond with your family and teach them about the world around them. Make the most of it while you can.

1. Be sure to bring your toddler’s favorite juice mix with you to the airport to make sure he will drink it during takeoff and landing, thus preventing ear problems. When he drinks it all before you even get on the plane, make him more. By all means, just keep giving him more because he’s thirsty for goodness sake. And you still need some for him to drink on the plane. Then, when his diaper leaks just before boarding, soaking the only pair of pants you have, put him in a regular diaper instead of the thicker nighttime diaper you have RIGHT THERE, because it’s only an hour-long flight and that just HAD to have been all the pee. Then, when that diaper leaks during the descent (when it’s too late to change, thanks to the seat-belt sign being illuminated), you can just hope that maybe no one will notice that you and the sleeping toddler you’re holding are wet and reek of pee, because you probably already smelled like pee when you got on the plane and maybe they are used to it by now.

2. When taking a road trip with your newborn baby, marvel at how well he sleeps in the car. He can sleep for four-and-a-half hours on the road! That never happens at home. Be sure to drive during the morning or afternoon, when your baby should be awake. This will ensure he will be up ALL NIGHT the first night of your trip and his schedule will remain messed up until the end of the trip. Be sure to let him sleep on the way home too; he’s so tired from not sleeping at night. Then, he’ll be even more messed up when you get home.

3. Take your baby on a camping trip while he’s teething. Make sure to pick a crowded campground so the maximum number of people can hear him screaming in the middle of the night. Proceed to pack up all of your camping gear and take down the tent, while consoling the baby, in the PITCH DARK. Make sure to put that black suitcase you are packing next to a wheel on the car. That way, when you leave and forget it’s there, you will run over it. Then you can cram it in the car instead of accidentally leaving it behind.

4. Check into a beautiful historic hotel and forget to make sure they have air conditioning. Proceed to enjoy your evening in your gorgeous, well-appointed room, attempting to get your fat, hot, pink, sweaty, mostly naked baby to sleep in the heat. When he finally passes out from exhaustion, you are free to sleep in the comfortable bed for the two hours left before morning.

5. Take many trips to the airport with your kids, juggling them, your stroller, your check-in bag AND your carryon bag. Watch as strangers marvel at how crazy you are to try to manage all this stuff! Then, one day, notice the Smarte Carte luggage carts you can check out for $4. Put your kid in the seat up front, pile your luggage and stroller in the back and get around the airport pushing ONE thing. Proceed to feel silly for not doing this earlier.

Hope you and your family had a great Labor Day weekend! If you have a good family vacation disaster story, please post it in the comments.