The Crunchy Bag of Fun

Okay...
Getting ready for another vacation. I love traveling. I just get myself all worked up before I go. What do I have? What am I forgetting? What will I regret not having. I have my Kindle this trip, so I don't need a bag of books...not for myself at any rate, but maybe for the kids.

The kids. Oh yes. I have to put together the Crunchy Bag of Fun for the kids. We've had a CBoF for at least four vacations now, and it is the hit of the parade. The kids wonder what treats I will put into the CBoF months in advance, and I'm afraid that this year it won't live up to expectations.

I started the CBoF in desperation when we started traveling further afield (aka-beyond Wisconsin) in an effort to keep the kids quiet and interested when we travel. It's stocked with little toys and cards, and things that the will keep the kids quiet engaged while we drive along the boring stretches of road. Treats stocked in the CBoF in the past have ranged from robot action figures and little ponies, to trading cards and a new set of crayons. This year the craze is Pokemon. I'm about poked out, but the kids are really hoping that they get something pokie related. I will not disappoint. I also got some books though, and some drawing and coloring things--I don't even remember some of it. I have to go through my closet. I really do.

The real power behind the CBoF is in the threat that if the kids don't behave they won't get a treat from the CBoF. Therefore, there's some pressure on both sides of the equation. If the treats aren't worth behaving for, the CBoF loses its power. If they don't behave, they can't check out the power the CBoF might hold over them. So, in addition to planning for our vacation, I am also gauging their reactions to the "fun" I'm hoarding in my bag.

Ugh. I don't need the extra pressure... (sure I do. Who am I kidding?)