Origins with the family

We took our family vacation last week to Origins Game Fair and Convention in Columbus, Ohio.  Here are some of the lessons I learned:

1.  Board Room Passes for EVERYONE with a badge.  We didn't do this and while Josh had lots of time to play games, the kids and I were left with way too much down time at the Convention.  

2.  Be sure to NOT let anyone pack the diaper bag without checking it twice for first aid kit, wipes and plenty of diapers.  Between a bloody nose, poopy diapers and a killer tension head ache brought on by the lack of first aid kit and wipes, my stress level was high by the end of the day on Thursday.

3.  Get a hotel room a year in advance - when all the hotels book up quickly, reserving the room well in advance of the con is really important.  We were about 6-8 blocks from the con and riding the bus with a stroller is not fun.  We've booked at the Hyatt already for next year.

4.  Children 3 or under need naps and a schedule - plan accordingly.  We had planned for this somewhat, but not enough. 

5.  Children over 3 get homesick.  The cure for this - physical exhaustion so they will sleep really well.  The best release for Asher on Friday was going to the park with my dad's three sisters.  Next year, after lots and lots of gaming, I will be taking my children to some park or play ground to romp for a while.  They need to romp and run.  

6.  Hotel Sofa Beds are crap.  The springs on the kids' sofa bed were broken, the mattress was awful and the kids were miserable.  Next year, I will bring an air mattress or something if it is needed.  

7.  Leave the baby home.  Oz was great, he rode in his stroller, he napped in his stroller, he played nicely at the hotel room.  But he was exhausting to me - next year, as he will be entering his terrible twos, I think I'll see if Grandma would be willing to keep him for the week.  

8.  Find a way to separate the children for some individual activities.  Asher and Evie had the most fun when he was sword fighting with the Bruce Willis looking guy and she was getting her face painted.  Seriously, the guy looked like Bruce Willis...  No joke...  

9.  Be careful what you eat.  Stomach upset at 3 a.m. when the baby is wanting to sleep with you and the 3 y.o. is already in your bed is so not fun.  Thankfully, Josh took over the baby and Isaac just snuggled up to me really closely between bathroom trips.

10.  RELAX.  I was way too uptight about this trip.  I think next year will be more pleasant whether we take all 4 children or just a couple of them.