We're back in Switzerland, and after over a month in the States with family and friends, it's a bittersweet feeling. It is, however, good to be home and a relief to be done with the trip that I've been fearing for so long. Yes, it's true I've made this trip about 12 times now, but this was the first time I've done it alone with my 2 kids. Here's the break down of our journey:
Wake up 3:30 a.m. Monday morning
Depart for San Francisco airport 4 a.m.
Plane departs for Phillidelphia 6:30 a.m.
(travel time to Phili - 5 hrs. 29 min.)
Layover time 4 hours
Board plane for Zurich 5:30 p.m. local time
Plane supposed to depart 6:20 p.m.
Plane actually departs 8 p.m.
(travel time to Zurich 8 hours)
Arrive in Zurich (finally!) at 9:30 a.m. local time Tuesday morning!!
It was a LONG trip, but thankfully the kids were great and didn't completely ruin the experience for me. I might even consider traveling alone with them again in the future. For my fellow ex pat friends and anyone else planning to make a long trip with the kiddos, here are a few of the things I loaded into my carry on that proved to be extremely helpful in occupying my little ones attention.
The Crocodile Dentist Travel Game
This game is perfect because it is small and has no loose pieces. It said it was for ages 4+, but Danny and Rachel loved it!! You take turns pushing down a tooth and if you push the wrong one, the croc snaps its mouth shut. It also proved to be quite entertaining for the people sitting across from us.
Color Wonder Finger Paints and Paper
This is so awesome!! These magical paints have a vaseline like consistency and are completely clear until you rub them onto the Color Wonder Paper. It occupied at least an hour of their time on the plane with zero mess! (Thanks for the tip Corinne)
Matchbox Pop Up Play Set
This play set literally provided hours of fun for Danny. He loved it! When it's open, it fits perfectly on the tray table and it folds up very compact. It is also light weight and includes one matchbox car.
Other items in my bag included:
- quite books (made out of file folders)
-crayons and coloring book
-travel magnidoodle
-books
-LOTS of snacks
-portable dvd player (thanks Dad!) and a few new dvds (thanks Mom!)
-video ipod loaded with their favorite cartoons
Hopefully this has given you some good ideas for your future trips and will help take a little bit of the stress out of traveling.
Bon Voyage!
7 comments:
Great tips... Good travel suggestions are invaluable! I'm glad the trip was smooth for you... my last journey home alone with the kids was a Nightmare! We've missed you.. glad you are back!
Thanks for the tips! I need some new ideas as we set out on our summer voyages, first the trip cross country to Seattle, then to CH!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.
Ah- that brings back some memories. Not good ones. It sounds like you were prepared! It makes all the difference, huh?
i will definitely be using these come january. we've decided that we are for sure going home this winter and i will be probably be staying longer with the kiddies than anthony (thus flying home alone too). glad you're back!!
YOU ARE SO BRAVE! I fear that flight with even with a husband!
Tiffany referred this post to me and I am ever-so-grateful! I plan on stocking up on all of your recommendations. I have about three weeks until take off :) Thanks again!
I can't believe you come and go and we haven't seen you in so long. We miss you all so much. Both the kids are getting so big. So Exciting!
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