Packing, again

The pre-packing for this move was not fun.  Reviewing many, many websites and memos about what items can't be packing into the luggage container because they need to get through customs without hassle.  Even emailing Australian customs for clarification on wool and cotton in their unknit (balls of yarn) and knit (Christmas stockings and clothing) forms.  (Yarn must be declared, so it can't go in the luggage truck, handknits that are clean and free from soil or animal debris are fine).  But, overwhelmed with information and facing a deadline, I was ready to pack...

The first stage of packing is done: the top level "of course I can live without this stuff for six weeks" extra clothes and toys and 'comforts of home' items are tucked away into our big containers.

The second stage, "what has/will the baby outgrown that can return to storage and what clothes am I just not going to need during a year in sunny & warm Australia?" is mostly done.

I've even made headway into the, "okay, you can only have one week's worth of clothes, no doubling up on baby blankets or toys, do you really need that?" third stage of packing.

Now we're at the, "Okay, Dylan, your turn to make the room feel less cluttered and more like what's left will fit into our airplane bags," stage.  This is not my favorite stage.  After four days of packing, looking around and still seeing full-to-overflowing drawers and clutter on counters... it's disheartening.  But, tomorrow he goes into work later, and has promised much packing will occur.  And Monday & Tuesday are a double-dark (no shows for two days!  everyone gets a break!) so we can get the last of the things done then.

But, luggage goes into the truck on Wednesday.  Complete with comprehensive inventory lists for each bag, so that they make it through customs.  Then, there's just a week left until our month-long vacation before leaving for Oz.

Getting excited.

Hey, mom!  Were you trying to pack these socks??