Pack it up, pack it in

Today I have a quick lesson in the art of diaper bag packing. Three kids in, I must be an efficiency expert now, right?

Haaaaaaaaaa.

I present: The Newborn Edition

Mama things: wallet, sunglasses, a pen, hair ties, chapstick, phone, and keys (not pictured, but tucked safely in the outer front pocket). Easy peasy.

Baby things: diapers, wipes, extra outfit, hand sanitizer, wet bag, changing mat. 

When the baby doesn't even know he has hands yet, the packing is delightfully light. 

And now...Diaper bag packing: The 3, 3 & Under edition

Kid things: 

• toy cell phone (so they have something to fight over)
• more pens...I somehow always end up with so many pens
• tissues (that they'll either use up in 2.5 seconds, or refuse to bother preferring their sleeve instead)
• sunscreen (that they must apply their "own self"!)
• assorted bows and clips that they've ripped out of their hair (minutes after demanding to have them put in)
• (broken) crayons
• chapstick (yes, there should be two...I will regret that error)
• random toy pieces from a kid's meal purchased at some point in the last month
• sippy cups, because: so thiiiiiirstyyyyyyy (apparently all the errands I take my kids on take place in the desert)
• sunglasses (again...Ohio is a hot, blinding desert, obviously)
• shoes (because the preschooler will eventually need them because she insists upon wearing flip flops even though they hurt her feet) 
• more shoes (because once the preschooler has shoes, the toddler will want to change out of her flip flops too)
• stuffed animals, more stuffed animals, and the head of a pig costume that the toddler has gotten strangely fond of carrying around
• art masterpieces that should not under any circumstances be folded or "crampled"
• at least 7 baby socks so little mamas can dress up their baby brother

Not pictured (but likely in tow): used tissues, toddler diapers (not because I forgot to photo them...more likely because I forgot to pack them...) and my behavioral incentive of choice (bribe): fruit snacks, 

So basically I'm one kid away from official pack mule status. Throw a blanket on me and call me burro. (Do burros get naps after their treks? If so....I'm in.)

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Can anyone else relate to this struggle? What's the strangest thing you've found lurking in your bag?

{Madeline diaper bag care of Lily Jade. All thoughts (and excessive amounts of junk) are my own}

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