Our New Boat: December 2015

Our first sailboat! It is officially ours, just in time for Christmas. We have gone around and around with a name. As you see in this Christmas card, we started out with the idea that we would name it Seven C’s. We were talking one day and said all of us like being the chief (leader) and never the follower. All seven of us! This should come as a surprise to absolutely no one.  So jokingly, we said we would name her Seven C’s. It was fitting as we toyed with the name even further. The Seven Sea’s!!!! The name did not sit well with us, then we decided on Anchor’s Aweigh, nope. Next, name Neverland, sounds good. Works well. Fits us. Done. Nope! Back to the original, original. When we first got our boat, my husband suggested we name it Fancy Face. He came up with that name because I told him when we first met that whoever I marry will call me Fancy Face, like Bo would call Hope on Days of Our Lives. I thought it was so romantic. It has been the name he has called me for the past 15 years. It was cute. An ode to our love story. Sign, sealed and delivered. Meet our new to us boat, Fancy Face!

Her information:

Name: Fancy Face

1987 Islander Bahama “30

Inboard engine: Gasoline, Atomic 4

Sleeps: 1 v-berth, 1 quarter berth, 2 settee’s

Heads: 1 with vanity area

Galley: microwave,  refrigerator, storage, sink

Cockpit: New cushions, helm, extra battery, bbq

 

A large port quarter berth

Forward v-berth

 

Saloon area with a large couch considering the size

 

Dining area/sitting area in the Saloon area

 

A fold up table in the saloon area

The head

My favorite part: the cockpit with the beautiful cushions and the helm (spacious for the size)

Traveling (Space Available) with Kids

Phoebe, 4, will show you how it is done!

People movers. our best friend!

Did you pack your sleeping bag?

Full-fare paying families traveling with kids is not for the faint of heart… Non-revving? You better have packed an AED, along with a bunch of patience, time, energy, new toys, and a huge stash of snacks in that carry-on bag of yours! This method of travel is not suggested for just anyone! Especially for those who need complete and utter control in their life. Period. Flexibility is a must. We are a family of seven, who love to explore the world, on as little of our own dime as possible. The less we spend on flights, the more places we get to go! As far as we are concerned, it is a win-win!

 

Here are a few pointers I have learned along the way. In no way am I claiming to be an expert. These are just some of my experiences.

 

Be Flexible

1. Have a backup plan; and a backup plan to that; and then a backup plan to that! Get my drift?
2. Plan to split up once you are on the plane. Figure out who will sit where, right when you get your seats. Usually, people will move to help accommodate your large family; but don’t count on it. Sometimes we are scattered throughout the plane.
3. Plan on dividing your family up among several flights. We have stayed in different cities overnight, just to get the family to our final destination. Part of the journey is getting to the destination, right?
4. When you pack, pack for both cold and warm weather; you never know where you will end up.
5. DO. NOT. BOOK. ANYTHING. Until you arrive at your final destination. This means, car rentals, hotels, excursions, etc.

Be Prepared (for anything)

1. No really! You might end up in a different state than you initially expected. Maybe, even a different country. But, hey! You are here to travel and see different places.
2. A flight before your flight can cancel at any given moment, and the people may get added to your intended flight. This will set you back significantly. What is your back up plan?
3. Stuff each individual child’s backpack with an i-Pad or tablet (pre-loaded with movies and games that do not require wi-fi), headphones, snacks (and lots of them), and games. Keep these kids so entertained that they will want to stay on the plane, even when it is time to get off.
4. They may sit next to a stranger; are you prepared for that? You should be! This new neighbor will become a fast friend or foe. Educate your children on how to interact with strangers on planes. This is a very crucial part of the experience.
5. ALWAYS, bring a bathing suit. Even if you are in Alaska, the hotel still may have an indoor pool. When the kids get restless, and you want cheap entertainment, a hotel or community pool is always an easy sell.
6. I bring a blanket for each child. This is multifaceted. I use it as a boundary for their personal space. I use it as a blanket when they are tired. I use it as a catch-all, kind-of-thing. Play games, time out… the list goes on. Get creative with this space.

Divide and Conquer 

1. Each person has to have a responsibility. Everyone will have their own backpack, but what else will they be responsible for? Another sibling? A suitcase? Boarding passes? Passports? Stuffing backpacks? Charging electronics? Grabbing food? You get the picture.
2. When I say divide and conquer, I am not kidding. This might mean you divide on completely different flights. Really! Are you ready for that?
3. Assign a child or two to an adult. Having an adult assigned to a specific child helps control the uncontrollable a little more. Each day it can vary on who is responsible for whom throughout the vacation. This decision is of course, based on personalities. We usually team up a big and a little, with each parent. Mix it up if this helps get through the vacation a little easier.
4. Run bathroom breaks and meals in assigned groups. This makes this a little less chaotic.

Expect to Encounter some Disapproving People

1. I am not just talking about other passengers here. I am talking about gate agents, flight attendants, and anyone else you might encounter throughout your travels. Think hotel clerks, car rental agents, etc.
2. The agents, no matter how rude or disrespectful, literally have your ticket in the palm of their hand. Be nice to them and kill them with kindness.
3. The flight attendants are usually helpful; but, not always. Be sure to brief your children about children flyer etiquette. I will expand on this in a separate article.
4. Fellow passengers might not be so supportive of your nomadic lifestyle, much less with all of your kiddos in tow. Be mindful of others as you navigate security, sitting at the gate, being on the plane, and anywhere else your troop decides to plow through.

 

This list is not entirely complete. It never will be. I have given into this reality. Things can and will change at any given moment when you are non-revving. Especially, when you are non-revving with kids. As long as you are willing to make the best of whatever the situation becomes, you will do okay. If you take anything away from this article, remember this: Before you check your luggage; check your control issues at the front door of your house. Period.

 

On a final note, I will leave you with some advice from our little travelers:

 

“Never pass up a seat; ever!”

-Molly, 10

 

“Be sure to pack a ton of snacks!”

-Zoe, 9

 

“Bring food and toys; lots of them!”

-Elijah, 6

 

“Don’t forget the headsets!”

-Phoebe, 4