Captain's Log: Operation Road Trip - Day Three

We didn't spend a lot of time in Redding, arriving last night at 7 and departing this morning at 9, but I can confidently say that I don't feel the need to return in the near future. It was a convenient stop for our road trip. We had an excellent dinner at In-N-Out Burger (though I can now confirm that I'm a Five Guys gal at heart). Our hotel had free wifi. I'm grasping at straws trying to find positives. ​

We left Redding and drove over 900km to Disneyland. Spoiler alert: 900km is too much driving. We are all feeling fried and exhausted-but-full-of-beans. Grady has been such a trooper but even he is reaching his limit. ​

Poppy hadn't pooped since a few days before we left so today, on our longest leg of the trip, she had three diaper blowouts in her car seat. ​I'm slightly traumatized and also a bit annoyed that I'm going to have to spend her college fund on more wipes and diaper rash cream at Disneyland. (I packed EVERYTHING but diaper rash cream. She's never had diaper rash! Ever!)

The weather forecast is calling for rain tomorrow but I'm not complaining because back home is covered in snow with more on the way. And tomorrow? We Disney. 

Captain's Log: Operation Road Trip - Day Two

We arrived in Seaside long after dark last night so even though we could hear the ocean, we couldn't see it. When we opens our blinds this morning and stepped out onto the balcony, Grady was speechless. We stayed at the Best Western Ocean View Resort because I wanted to hear the waves crashing at night and it's right off the beach. The hotel is a bit dated but the room we stayed in had a gorgeous view and was clean. 

We bundled up and went for a walk on the beach (and to find coffee!). Grady hunted for crabs (and found only empty shells) while I tried to keep Poppy's face against my chest to shelter her from the chill. She was like a dog sticking its head out the car window, pulling against the baby carrier to push her face straight into the wind. 

It was the perfect start to our day. That and the amazing lattes we found at Beach Day Coffee.  

The rest of our day was consumed by driving 800km (hold me) down the I-5. Now, I've lived my whole life in two places: BC and England. I am not unfamiliar with rain is what I'm saying. But the rain we hit today was unlike any rain I've driven in before. It was coming down in sheets so heavy that the windshield wipers couldn't keep up, even on full speed. It definitely slowed our progress but fortunately the majority of our trip was dry. 

Grady has been an excellent traveller, keeping himself occupied with his doodle pad and crayons or sleeping most of today. Of course it's now 10:30 at night and he's still wide awake. We can only ask so much of him I guess. 

Poppy is definitely over being stuck in her car seat. Today she pulled the full plank when I tried to put her in after we stopped for lunch. I don't remember Grady ever pulling that move until he hit the toddler years. Our gal isn't afraid to let us know what she likes and doesn't like.  

We have another full day of driving tomorrow but hopefully the sportsball keeps people at home and off the roads. Grady is practically vibrating with excitement because tomorrow we arrive at Disneyland (DISNEYLAND). 

Captain's Log: Operation Road Trip - Day One

This morning we woke up to snow. There wasn't much on the ground but it was coming down quickly. We've been planning our road trip for a while but unavoidable faffery meant we didn't hit the road as early as we'd hoped. ​

There was barely a lineup at the border. The only snafu we hit was when I declared my apples (the sign says to declare fruit! I am a rule follower!) and they were confiscated because I had removed the stickers. ​Fun fact: you can take apples from BC or from the USA across the border as long as they have their stickers on them. (But then how do you wash them for transport? It's all very stressful. Next time: no apples.)

The kids were great travelers until the last hour. Then Poppy decided to cut two new teeth and tell us all about how much it sucked for her. We managed to do 530km and arrived at the beach, tired and hungry. ​Tomorrow we have 800km on our schedule! We're crazy and/or stupid. 

The highlight of the trip so far was seeing Grady's mind be blown when I folded down his wall bed. Simple pleasures. ​

 (Don't ty to rob my house while we're gone, okay? My father-in-law and the world's sweetest-but-dumbest dog are there.) 

Meal Plan 1/30/2017 - 02/03/2017

I haven't started the year off well when it comes to planning meals and grocery lists and not eating takeout pizza 87 days in a row. It's time to buckle down and get serious.

Monday: my Mom's cauliflower soup (the ultimate comfort food) served with cheddar biscuits and green salad. Grady's got a no-school day so my plan is to make the biscuits with him while Poppy naps.

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Rosemary Garlic Beef Stew served with roasted broccoli.

Wednesday: Meatballs in a simple marinara sauce served with green salad. I've started tripling my meatball recipe and freezing them for quick and easy dinners. I freeze them in portions after they're cooked. I pull out a bag to defrost during the day and then whip up a quick marinara and drop the meatballs in to heat up when it's time for dinner. I feel like a kitchen ninja every time I pull together a healthy, delicious meal in less than 20 minutes.

Thursday: Leftovers!

Friday: We're not home for dinner so no cooking.

What's on your meal plan this week?