#4 - Planning for Central America

We've been home for a week from Hawaii, and we're preparing for our 3-month journey to Guatemala and beyond.  It is a much different trip to prepare for, we're used to 8 suitcases on a flight for 1-2 weeks max.  Here we're talking about a car full of stuff for three months.  Since we'll be gone for so long, we don't want to kids to leave behind all their routines, so we're adding some stuff.
(Click below right to read more . . . . )

​​> We're taking musical instruments - 4-5 violins, 1 cello, and a full-size electric keyboard.  We've gone ahead and bought an electric cello, so it wouldn't take up quite so much space.  We've also bought a storage platform that attaches to the trailer hitch, and a rooftop cargo bag.  This adds a great deal of space, which almost is a problem in itself, because I worry a little bit about over-packing.  Having all the instruments will allow us to have the kids do some practicing while we're on the road.  As a "contract" to buy the electric cello, Anna has committed to 30 minutes of practicing every day. 

> We're taking a portable kitchen - hopefully we'll be able stay in a few places for a some weeks, we've already planned for a month in Panajachel, Guatemala.  We have a instant-pot, a smoothie nutri-bullet blender, and some plates and utensils, etc.

> We're taking homeschooling and Spanish study stuff - This adds a crate or two of books, and then some, when you add all the music books.

Plus, as we're packing up to leave for this trip, we're also packing up to leave our temporary home  house in Tera's parent's house.  For the past 4 months, we've lived in their upstairs: Tera and I share a double-bed bedroom, and all six kids are sleeping in the attic loft on a double bed frame bed, queen size blow up mattress, and full size futon mattress on the floor.  We have four months of living to clean up from, so that Grammy and Grampy might actually welcome us back at some point.

So it's a little stressful, but it's a good stress, Clem.

(for any Far Side aficiondados, you might get the reference)