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Original poster

Help! Abroad for the First Time with The DCs.....

51 replies

moonblushtomato · 24/04/2012 19:51

Off to Spain in June and am starting to think about what to pack. LOs are 3 and 5.

Here goes.....

Calpol, plasters, sun cream, after sun, sticker books to keep them occupied at dinner, ........agh! Have I forgotten anything essential??

Arm bands!!

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Original poster
moonblushtomato · 25/04/2012 22:08

Good idea re shorts. Think we arrive in menorca at lunchtime, so, all being well it'll be baking hot!

We're going all-inclusive but still like the idea of little snacks, cheeselets etc, DCs never seem to stop eating!

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lop37 · 25/04/2012 22:18

Which resort are you staying at moon?

hifi · 25/04/2012 22:18

If ai,I take bananas/yoghurts/pastries at breakfast as sometimes all that's available is pizza and chips.

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 25/04/2012 22:47

lop37 its called the Leibeg and Mestral apartments (or summat!)

Hope its all gonna be ok......

hifi thats a superb idea, yes I can imagine its not gonna be the healthiest week in our livesSmile

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Original poster
moonblushtomato · 25/04/2012 22:49

Just been looking on MN holiday check list and wondered where I can get a European Health Insurance card???? Is this the same as the old E111?

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hifi · 25/04/2012 22:50

Yes the e111.

Ponders · 25/04/2012 22:59

yes, but you can get an EHIC easily online, you don't have to go to the PO

but DON'T PAY FOR IT -when you google, the first few links up are 'helpful' agencies who'll charge you a tenner

look for an actual nhs site Smile

Ponders · 25/04/2012 23:00

\link{http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/EHIC/Pages/about-the-ehic.aspx\this one's legit}

lop37 · 25/04/2012 23:03

in cala Blanca? The European health card can be applied for through the NHS website, I think, it will entitle you to free emergency care. I think just to see the private doctor is 60 euros. You would have to pay that upfront in resort then claim it back later, so better to use the local hospital instead!
hope you won't need to though!

girlywhirly · 26/04/2012 08:41

I got our EHIC's free of charge from the NHS website, very easy to do.

DH and I take shorts, top and some underwear in hand luggage in case our hold luggage gets lost. Good to know that you have something to change into if there should be a food or drink spill on the plane as well. I like those trousers that you can roll up to 3/4 length to travel in, so often we have an early a.m. flight and it's cold, then really hot on arrival at the destination.

GiantPuffball · 26/04/2012 08:46

Piriton, you can only get it on prescription in Spain. Inflatables from the pound shop.

CaurnieBred · 26/04/2012 13:18

Take talc as really good for drying intimate areas and to get sand off if you go to the beach.

For the age of your kids I would recommend a little plastic teaset for them to play with in the babypool: DD used to love playing with hers.

Fluffy1234 · 26/04/2012 13:57

When my DC were younger I used to buy new cheap art and sticker bits before we went away and give it to the children gradually during the holiday to keep things fresh.

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 27/04/2012 21:25

Love the tea set idea caurniebred!!

Our flight is at 6:30AM!! So also like the idea of rolly uppy trousers.

Got out all the DCs summer clothes today to see what they need, can't wait to go shopping now!!

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pigleychez · 30/04/2012 13:17

Great thread! We are venturing on our first trip abroad with the girls in June too. Off for a week in sunny Majorca (hopefully!)
Flying with kids is a whole different ballgame! Its been 5years since DH and I flew too!

Been reading and taking notes along. Some fab ideas! Also pleased to say that i already have alot of it on my list already. :) Must be on the right track!

Have sunsuits with matching hats!- DD1 (3.5) picked the dayglow one so there will be no losing her on the beach! On that note.. anyone used any wristband type things with a phone number on in case they get lost??

Girls have towelling ponchos as their swimming towels anyway so they are sorted. Moon- we got our Character ones from Play.com .-£5 each!

Im in the middle of filling both Dh's and my ipads with kids apps so that should keep them busy on the flight anyway and just ordered an Otterbox case (think armour plated!) for mine to protect it from DD2 who will only just be 2!

Thankfully I stocked up on inflatables at the end of last summer when they were dirt cheap in anticipation and have a large ride on crocodile and various balls etc to take with us. The girls Dh and I will love them!

Dh has sorted the E111 cards so they are sorted too.

Ohhh im more organised than I thought! Grin

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 30/04/2012 19:21

Wow pigley you are tres organised!!

Thanks for tip on Play.com!

I need to sort E111s.

OOhhh let's both hope the Balearics are behaving in June, they can be a bit hit and miss. But didn't want the heat of Greece or Turkey for first time abroad IYSWIM

I'm still not sure about these sunsuit things. They seem a bit over the top and I always associate them with children with skin conditions, or am I just not with it? My eldest is 14 so kinda missed that boat.

PS just looked at your profile, your girls are boootiful!! My 2 LOs are 22 months apart and, just like I thought, this means that they play together all the time.......Hmm

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pigleychez · 30/04/2012 20:17

Hehe, oh yes Moon they are best friends! and also worst enemies!

Thanks for the comments :) They are very cute... but boy dont they know it! Madams!

The girls have sunsuits mainly as DD2 is about the inherit one from DD1 and DD1 insisted on having one too! We go through swimsuits like anything as the girls have weekly swimming lessons and have tons of costumes! Plus the idea of covered shoulders means not so much worry of sunburnt shoulders. DD1's new one (Minnie mouse) was from Matalan for about £10. Oh and they also have Poncho towels for £6.

We got an email today saying that the keys to our apartment have been sent to us so will have them in the next few days... Sooo exciting! :)

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 30/04/2012 23:09

That is exciting!!

I need to find out when and how we get our tickets!! THe last time I went abroad was on honeymoon 7 years ago so its all a bit scary! Add 2 tiny people into the equation and, well, cocktail hour here I come!

DH seems to think we're gonna get time to relax, tee hee! I think not, unless they want to go to the kids club. Not sure what I think about the kids clubs. Would hate to think anyone would "dump" their children just to get a few hours to themselves but if the children actually want to go..... Guess we'll have to wait and see!

Only 5 weeks to go!!

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pigleychez · 01/05/2012 11:14

Same here.. our last holiday was our Honeymoon in Thailand 5 years ago. In fact it will be our 5th Wedding Anniversary whilst we are away!
Also need to sneak something for Fathers day in the suitcase too! Confused

Relaxing?! whats that!? Grin
We have rented a penthouse apartment so the plan is to sneak up to the rooftop balcony for a drink or two when they are asleep of an evening! No kids club so im sure the drinks will be well earnt!
Not that the girls wouldn't go to any clubs without me or DH anyway, too clingy! but they are only little so id only worry about them anyway.

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 01/05/2012 19:18

Relaxing.....what is that indeed!! (Tho I have managed to plan a mini escape in November with some girlfriends to Center Parcs which will hopefully be veeery relaaaaaaxing!! Hope I don't chicken out at the last minute! Havent left the wee ones for a whole weekend before!)

Happy 5th Anniversary!! Its our 7th this year....oohhh, "the itch"!!!

Your accommodation sounds lush!! Yes I guess our 2 LOs might prove clingy about going to clubs when it comes down to it!!

Bought DS2 some crocs today and DD a sunhat!! Still got lots of clothes to get, what a trialGrin

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pigleychez · 01/05/2012 21:48

Love buying holiday clothes :)
Ive bought DD's matching sunhats and shoes. They look so cute!

I dont need to buy much for them though as they still fit in all of last years summer dresses! They even have dresses that were presents from last years birthdays that were too big as they are so skinny!
DD1 will be 4 in July and still wearing her 2yr old dresses and 12-18mth old shorts! DD2 will be 2 and is still in 9-12 clothes!

A friend and I have just arranged a girls shopping day so I can shop for me in peace! :)

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 01/05/2012 22:44

Know what you mean, DS2 is still looking good in his 12-18mo denim long shorts!

DD does have lots of lovely summer dresses from last year, tho there's always room for a couple more!!

I've had a couple of days away from the sprogs recently so not sure if I could swing another to go shopping Sad Enjoy yours!

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Vicky08 · 05/05/2012 18:27

I'm loving this thread, it's making me get so excited about doing on holiday this year. We're going to Spain in August. I also have two small DCs and while out today I bought DD two lovely swimsuits and a sundress, love holiday shopping, it makes me feel so good. Think I'll go now and check out play.com thanks for that -pigleychez-

Original poster
moonblushtomato · 28/05/2012 21:00

Well, only 5 days to go!!!!!!!

Excitement levels are running high! Thanks all for all your very excellent ideas!

Started packing the cases today and realise that my 3yo DD has more clothes than me!!

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Autumnmumm · 08/11/2012 13:27

Moon lush how was your holiday? We are thinking of that resort for next year.