How did I ever travel to Europe with one small suitcase for 12 weeks?

Having packed one car so full that Dan will have to squeeze himself in to drive - with no visibility, I find myself wondering what in the world I am packing to take with us for 9 weeks at summer camp. All of it is stuff that at one time or another I felt was "essential." Here is a very incomplete list (notice how much of it is for a certain 2 or 4 year old): a box of outdoor toys, kid clothes, a box of indoor toys, kid clothes, art supplies, kid clothes, tons of sunblock and toiletries, kid clothes, alarm clock with CD player, kid clothes, towels, kid clothes, sheets, kid clothes, pillows, kid clothes, blankets, kid clothes, swim suits, kid clothes, towels, kid clothes, stroller, kid clothes, clothes, kid clothes, pajamas, kid clothes, diapers, kid clothes, swim diapers, kid clothes, wipes, kid clothes, diaper bag, kid clothes, tons of snacks, sippy cups, water bottles, shoes, music, writing supplies, computers, fan, flashlights, children's books, mommy books, art books, recycle-able art supplies (baby food jars, cereal boxes and more), a coffee maker (with coffee of course), camera, and kid clothes. Have I mentioned how much clothes I need for the girls? Laundry will be done for us (I know Hallelujah), but here's the catch - about every 2 weeks! Yes I said 2 weeks. Hot summer + little divas who like to put on fashion shows + messy eaters + dirt = tons and tons of laundry! I am sure that I am overpacking - I can bet money on it, but since I don't have to pay for extra baggage this seems like the right way to go. At this point I am just hoping that when we go to leave tomorrow I have room for the kids! More to come - must return to packing!

A Reason to Blog?

This is my first night blogging. I am an art teacher in Georgia (and have been for the past 10 years). I also am a wife and a mother of two. Why am I blogging now you ask… because my husband, Dan, and I have decided to pack our family up for a 9 week adventure to summer camp. Yes - summer camp. He is a fundraiser and works for this camp. When they heard I was an art teacher, kidding around they asked him if I would like a summer job - to his amazement I was extremely interested. I grew up going to camp every summer and working at arts and crafts at both sleepaway and day camps. I am thrilled to be heading out for 2 months as Art Director for his camp. A few perks - babysitter for the girls (Lily, age 2 and Sophie, age “almost 5″), eating in the dining hall (no cooking or grocery shopping) and laundry pick- up! I signed up immediately! On the downside - our family will be sharing one large room (I like to think of it as a studio apartment (just going to pretend I am in Manhattan). I think that this has the makings for an fun and art filled adventure with laughter, tears, plenty of paint and more. As for starting right now (9:20 on a Friday night)… it is pure procrastination. We are leaving Monday morning and our house is cluttered with half packed crates and duffel bags. I am supposed to be pulling out the baby wipes and 5 bottles of sunscreen, instead I sat down on the couch and ended up here. Keep checking back to see where our adventure leads and all the bumps along the way!