Someone Really Does CARE

If I had posted this in the “Things I Have Learned” category I would tell you first and foremost that it is not advisable to travel to New York City in what is likely to be the still freezing month of March.  If you must though, I have to warn against taking four young children with you.  If you must though, have plenty of cash on hand so that you can remain on the good side of the doormen at the ridiculously expensive Times Square Doubletree Hotel.  Please take my advice on these things.  I offer it to you in hopes that your family is never stranded on the corner of 47th and Broadway in Manhattan looking like this

I really shouldn’t complain.  We did, after all, make it home without having left any of our precious children belongings on the streets of New York.  That is, of course, unless you count Torri’s cell phone and Kennedy’s purse with her prepaid spending card tucked neatly inside.

The streets of New York were tumultuous enough, but that chore paled in comparison to our jaunts through the airports we traveled through.  Maneuvering through the tight spaces and inpatient crowds with that much stuff was, ahem, interesting to say the least.  That Washington DC/NYC trip alone taught Jeff and I the importance of carrying at least some cash at all times.  Not just for the doormen, but also for those handy luggage cart things they have at the airport.  It’s truly a miracle that we didn’t both end up with broken backs after lugging all that stuff through not one, but two airports, three east coast cities, and multiple hotel rooms.

There is an easier way though.  One that we plan on putting to practice during our upcoming trip to Walt Disney World.

First of all, we’ve invested in larger suitcases.  All with wheels.  Plus it will be much (much much much) warmer in Florida in September than it was in New York in March so we’ll need far fewer scarves and fur coats and space heaters.  Okay, we didn’t really travel with space heaters but we gosh darn should have.  Portable ones preferably that I could have tucked nicely into my socks and pockets. 

But I digress.

Possibly the most ingenious thing we’ll be bringing along on this trip though is the CARES for kids aviation safety device.  It will be replacing the awkward 20 pound carseat we use for Jayce every time he flies.  Instead of that hunk’o’heavy plastic we’ll scoop this little diddy up and put it to good use.

If you’ve never seen one, it’s basically a portable car seat for the plane.  It may be hard to tell in this picture but there is no seat involved, only straps.  It’s the only FAA approved device of its kind and I, for one, think it’s simply brilliant.  It takes about a minute to install on the plane and it works in combination with the lap belt to provide a level of safety equivalent to that of a car seat.  It weighs about one pound.  And, as if all that weren’t cool enough, it comes in its own handy dandy little transport bag.  I know.  They thought of everything right?

Betcha want one huh?  Well today just might be your lucky day then because I am giving one away to a Mama (or Papa) who wants to lug one less thing through the airport.  To be entered to win, all you need to do is click your way over and read the CARES story and then come on back and leave me a comment here telling me what you found most interesting about Louise’s letter.  I’ll announce a winner on Thursday, September 4th.  If you don’t win though, and you want to be a lighter traveler like me, you can order CARES right on the website. 

And…

I’ll be sure to post a picture of our much lighter trek through the airport come next month.  Good luck and happy travels!