Vacation/Not a Vacation with a Toddler

I mean, really, what were we thinking? That going away for a week with a 16 month old was going to be a vacation? That we would have all this time to chill and relax and whatever? Um. No, say hello to the little girl who always wants to be outside and getting into dirt.
Yep. See, she's even ready to drive the van!!

Seriously though, we DID have a nice week up in Tahoe with Steve's extended family. We learned some very valuable things about traveling with our little girl.

1) water and ice keep her occupied for HOURS in the car seat. Books, toys, songs, etc do not. Just give this girlie a plastic water bottle with a block of frozen water in it and she's good to go.
2) ditto for apples. Apples are awesome.
3) if you can, stop at the gas station that has the chickens, goats and horse to run around after. (no joke. Eastern California can be a very rural place, ya'll). Much better than Mickie D's playplace.
4) Find all the playgrounds in the town along your route. This will save you from running around the truck stop store and trying to get into the showers. (Eek). Needless to say, Stella went to more swings and slides in one week than we ever do here. Sometimes (on the way home) twice in one day!
5) Ten hours is a damn long car trip.
6) Sleeping in the same room is not preferred, but after 4 nights of waking up periodically throughout the night and getting up to soothe her so as not to wake the rest of the condo inhabitants, she'll sleep like a charm. And then of course, that's your last night there and you are now exhausted.
7)If you have a daughter who is addicted to water, maybe going out on a power boat is not the best idea if you want to enjoy yourself.
8) But if you have awesome grandparents and an uncle who just happens to be captaining a boat, take advantage of everyone's generosity and go out by yourself for two hours (seriously, is that us smiling? really and truly?)
9) Pictures like this make the whole trip worth it. but do remember that because she likes water so much, she will sit and play in 55 degree lake water until she practically turns purple and you have to make her sit on the beach.