What I have to show for *this* week:
1. A revised draft of A Lady of Persuasion.
2. Two darelings pleasantly exhausted from four days of playing with the grandparents. (I’m sure the grandparents are pleasantly exhausted, too!)
3. A miraculously still-organized kids’ room.
4. No blog topic.

Announcements:
Tiny still needs your vote! He’s made it to the final round, and the voting is fast and furious. But he is obviously the cutest, so help him out!

The Manuscript Mavens are celebrating their first anniversary all this week, with a Jamboree. They asked a whole bunch of authors to answer questions, and they’re posting quizzes and giving prizes. If you’ve ever wondered what one book I’d take if stranded on a desert island, go on over and have a look.

Hey, here’s a question, while I’ve got your attention –
Anyone have bright ideas on how to entertain two small children on a fourteen-hour plane flight? Geez, I can’t even entertain them for fourteen hours at home…


11 comments to “Miscellany”

  1. CM
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 8:39 am · Link

    For the “how to entertain kids on a 14 hour flight,” the first thing that popped into my head would make you Most Likely to get Chucked from the Plane.

    And that is: Kazoos.

    Other than that, pray for individual video screens on the back of the seats.



  2. Tessa Dare
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 8:47 am · Link

    LOL. I think *I* would jump off the plane after 14 hours of kazoos.



  3. Santa
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 8:57 am · Link

    Give them each a backpack and tell them to put their favorite teddy in it and slam in crayons, paper, books, activity books from the dollar store.

    Oh and those video screens on the back of the chairs which may mean you’ll have to change airlines.



  4. Elyssa Papa
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 8:58 am · Link

    Oh god, I feel sorry for you. Maybe coloring books—lots and lots of coloring books. Hand-held video games. Treats (can you still bring food on planes?).

    And for you…lots and lots and lots of alcohol.

    When are you leaving for your trip and where are you headed?



  5. terrio
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 9:08 am · Link

    How small are we talking? Kiddo and I drove half way cross country (18 hour drive!) every other weekend for 8 months when she was 5. I know a thing or two about entertaining kiddos.

    If they are old enough, investing in the Nintendo DS (if you haven’t already) would be a good one and well worth the price. Movies are a must. My kiddo could while away many hours watching her favorite movies. Lucky for you, they will take naps. But I’d pack some sort of person pillow, blanket or really fluffy stuffed animal to make them feel comfortable enough to nod off.

    Paper and pencils/crayons are always good. And I’m thinking you would have a blast just telling them stories. Wouldn’t that be fun?! With princes and swords and dragons and the beautiful (yet weight challenged) princess.

    Just some ideas. GO TINY! And yay for the newly revised ALOP!



  6. terrio
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 9:09 am · Link

    That was “personAL pillow.” *sigh*



  7. Maggie Robinson
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 9:17 am · Link

    I just came back from vacation. The family in front of me had what looked like a very small laptop that the mother programmed to play movies for her daughter. I have no idea what it was, but it looked nifty. Younger moms out there will know. I’m sure there will be some onboard entertainment on such a long flight. Books. Lots of snacks. Bribery. Have a wonderful time!



  8. Tiffany Kenzie
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 10:13 am · Link

    I’d give them gravol or something to knock them out… lol! Sorry… but 14 hours? My kids love the nintendo thingy.. so do I—shhhhh….

    Yay on ALOP *g*



  9. Sara Lindsey
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    · July 15th, 2008 at 11:10 am · Link

    Maggie, that was probably a personal DVD player… you can get them pretty inexpensively now, but I have no idea what the battery life is.
    The movie channels usually have a cartoon channel or something suitable for Dareling #1. As for #2, drug him!



  10. irisheyes
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    · July 16th, 2008 at 7:28 am · Link

    We took an 18 hour car trip when my kids were 3 and 5. We mounted a portable TV in our van (this was before they became a standard in all vehicles), brought all their favorite shows with along with some movies. I also packed a bag with all sorts of coloring books, drawing pads and crayons.

    We are going to take another 10-12 hour trip next year. They will be 12 and 14. Now we have gameboys, a portable DVD player, MP3 players for them to listen to their own music, and portable games (Clue, Sorry and Battleship). Neither can read in a car or they get car sick so books are out of the question.

    Planes are a tough one. My suggestion is bring along lots of adults to switch places with you. That way you won’t be ready to murder them at the end of the flight! LOL

    If you go with CM’s suggestion make sure you wear a parachute for when the other passengers throw you out of the plane!



  11. Tessa Dare
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    · July 17th, 2008 at 9:45 pm · Link

    Thanks for all the great ideas! My kids are a little too young for the Nintendo thing – and sadly, I doubt the airline we’re flying on has those individual screens. But maybe we’ll load a bunch of videos onto our MP3 players for them or get a portable DVD. At least we’re leaving late at night, so they should sleep through the first 6-8 hours.