I have never been one to pack lightly.
If we go on a trip, I generally pick out a bunch of clothes and shoes and purses and sunglasses and makeup and jewelry ... and, if everything I pick out of my closet and drawers will FIT in my suitcases - then it goes with me.
I don't take the time to decide which 12 outfits will suit me best and which pairs of shoes will go exactly with which outfit - I just take as many as I can FIT in my suitcase and I am good to go.
I figure ... I will be happier to have some choices.
Not to be restricted to wear some ol' somthin' that is not quite right or does not fit the mood I might be in.
Nope.
PACK IT ALL - THAT IS MY MOTTO!!! IF IT FITS - IT GETS TO GO!
Nobody I know agrees with this sort of travel preparation.
My family and friends - all - think it is ridiculous and love to make fun of my over-packing tendencies.
That's okay - it doesn't bother me.
Much.
Well ...
It bothers me a little.
All the making fun.
So ...
Just imagine how happy I was ...
How thrilled ...
How proud ...
When ...
While I was packing for an upcoming vacation that my husband and I will be taking ...
Alexis - sitting on the floor nearby - watching me ever so diligently - observing - digesting lots of useful travel tips and information - LEARNING THE RITUAL ...
She sees that I am having difficulty zippering my suitcase shut.
She does not yell across the room, "Why do you need to take so much stuff?"
She does not yell across the room, "Maybe you are taking way too much stuff!"
She does not yell across the room, "Maybe you need to take some of that stuff out of there?"
Nooooooooo ....
This girl, after my own heart ...
This girl that has paid such close attention and learnt the rules and tactics and techniques passed down from her ever so intelligent and resourceful mommy ...
This six year old girl ...
She yells across the room ...
"DO YOU WANT ME TO SIT ON IT? I CAN SIT ON IT FOR YOU SO EVERYTHING WILL FIT!"
On the upside ... I looked over into my sweet girl's face and said, "Yes. You. Can! Get your little butt over here and sit on it," and she did. I was so proud - it brought tears to my eyes (*tee hee*)