Tuesday's Time Saving {On The Go} Tips

Before I needed a diaper bag, I never had anything pre-packed and ready-to-go, other than my purse. But now that I have kids, I've established a few different "On The Go" type bags that are packed and ready to go at a moment's notice. I keep all of these in our back hall closet by the garage door.

Water bag

When Ryan was little, we didn't have a pool, but we were often invited to friends' houses for swim dates. I quickly tired of gathering all of the pool toys, swim diapers, towels, and floaties each and every time we wanted to swim with friends. I came up with the idea of putting together (and keeping together) a water bag. All of the contents are in a wicker-like basket I got with a shower gift (thanks, Jenn!) and it works well for the pool, beach, water parks or splash pads.

Contents: a swim suit for each child, a sun hat for each child, a visor for me, spare sunglasses for all, sunscreen, pool toys (cups, water balls, dive sticks) and a swim diaper (when we needed them). I throw a towel or two on top of the bag as I walk out the door and make sure everyone is in flip flops and we're good to go. It's worth it to have an extra sunscreen and a second set of each item for the bag to simplify the process.

Car Bag
When I know we'll be driving more than 15-20 minutes to our destination, or will be sitting in a waiting room somewhere, I bring our car bag. If we're going somewhere that will take over an hour, I also charge up our portable DVD player and bring that along for movies.
Contents: smaller Dr. Seuss board books (I don't rotate these, this way they're "new" for the kids and they keep their interest), Ryan's Leapster with spare games, coloring book and crayons (I have a Ziplock with spare crayons we collect from restaurants), Kaylin's pretend camera and cell phone, an Etch-a-Sketch and an erasable doodle pad.

Gym Bag

Mike goes to the gym during his lunch hour, so this one's for him. He just grabs a towel and his shoes before he walks out the door. When he gets home, he takes out the dirty gym clothes and puts clean ones in, so he's ready to go the next morning.

Contents: shampoo, shower gel, hair gel, deodorant, comb, cologne. Back when I worked, I also had a magazine and my Walkman (yes, I said "Walkman" - I still don't have an ipod) in my bag.

Cosmetic Bag

I got this idea from my BFF, who spends at least one weekend a month at her in laws' house who live an hour outside of town. It's easier for her to keep duplicates of most items and just keep this bag packed. I noticed on a girls getaway weekend that she had everything needed in her cosmetic bag, and I had forgotten several little things. That's when I found out that she keeps the bag stocked and ready to go at a moment's notice.

Contents: shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, hair products, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, make up, Q-tips, Band aids, a few tampons, tweezers, nail clippers, nail file, clear fingernail polish, contact case and travel-sized contact solution.

Park Bag

Similar to the Water Bag, but with sand toys. (mine is a plastic basket so the sand can fall through the bottom)

Contents: sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, sand toys and baby wipes case for dirty hands.

Errand Bag

I don't have one of these yet, but I know people who swear by them.

Contents: library books to return, movies to return, packages or letters to mail, dry cleaning to drop off, etc.

I hope one or all of these ideas are helpful!