gearing up for a simple trip...not always so simple

If one baby requires a car load of stuff to venture out of the house, how much more do 5 kids take?

Depending on how you look at it, either a lot, or not much.

You see every time we go in the car we are supposed to have with us, a cup, a hat, shoes (yes you have to specify shoes) and Mom or Dad carries a backpack and food.  Oh and supplies for whatever event we are going to.

On the one hand that is 5 hats, 5 cups, 5 pairs of shoes, making 15 random objects I have to make sure head out of my house with the kids.  But on the other hand, 3 of the kids find everything on their own, and just need 'checked'.  The next in line at 2 can help find her own but really we do have to fill the cup, and help buckle the shoes, and usually the hat is out of her reach.  

Now on to the latest entry into the family.  You would assume from traditional advertising she would need the most equipment.  But really her 'cup' is self contained in mommy (breastfeeding) her hat is prolly a blanket tossed over her head on the way out, and shoes we skip :).  

The backpack does contain at least 2 diapers, maybe wipes, and a wet bag,  plus a spare outfit if I remembered. Oh and the sling.  (yes it fits easily)

What about the spare medicine, and cream, and extra clothes, and bottles, and and and.....

After 5 kids, I can honestly say you don't usually need them.  The only exception would be medicines your baby needs regularly.  Like an active diaper rash, or on going health issues.  For a time one of my sons needed an inhaler, so we carried it.  As of now no one has any issues, so we get to pack light.

In a pinch babies can go naked, wear bigger siblings clothes, or dads undershirts as a nightgown.  Rarely happens, but even with the best prep you need to be inventive.

For those super pooper days, the kind where you go through a whole pack of wipes and they are still going....moist paper towels or napkins work great.   Or you can  use the sink (and soap to clean after).

OK what about a playpen or bouncer or 'baby center'.  Where do you put baby once you get there?  Remember that blanket tossed on Baby's head?  It makes a perfect surface to place a baby.  If you are outside place your own body as shade for baby.  BTW remove said blanket from head when not outdoors....

So if packing the kids up is so easy, why are we always running late?  I really don't know.....