Tips for a stress free, house move and a welcoming new house

[nasa]

moving in 2 weeks.
any tips to make it as stress free as poss.
also the house we are moving too is going to need quite a bit of work to make it our home so any ideas on how (in the first few days) to make it feel like ours IFYKWIM.

Can anyone have the kids for you on the day you move? MIL had our DD when we moved and it was so much less stressy knowing that she was happy elsewhere and we didn't have to worry about what she was doing or getting in to!
Get kids rooms sorted asap with stuff to keep them amused.
don't forget the kettle and tea/coffee making equipment.
Make sure the utilities are connected - when we moved into current rented place there was no gas (subsequently discovered it was on a card system too and hadn't been told!) so didn't have hot water for nearly a week!!!

Nasa

When we moved house twice within 6 months the things that I did to ease the stress were as follows:

I spent the two days before moving house gettign the playroom and children's bedroom sorted out at the new house. In one move this involved decorating them as well. I ferried virtually all their toys across in the car and sorted them all back out again at the other end. Took across tv and video, kettle mugs etc. Took the children across several times in the couple of days so they could see their new rooms and the new playroom and get used to teh idea that we were moving (they were 2 and 4 at the time).

On moving day this meant that children could come and go a bit with the person looking after them and had a safe place to play away from all teh upheaval going on.

Childrens beds and rooms were first to be done so that they could go to bed at the normal time with as little disruption as possible.

Then adults room, then kitchen.

The over a much longer period living room and dining room.

Try and make the most of your high energy and excitement levels in the first few days by getting as much out of the way as possible, as once this initial high dies down, it is much harder to motivate yourself to empty those last few boxes...

Oh and , GOOD LUCK

sorry, i have none, moving was the most stressful day of my life.
iu can only send you good wishes.
(and wear comfy shoes!)
and dont let DP try and convice you that you " dont have time to eat" this caused a major disagreement outside our new home with new neighbours looking on.

good idea re: sorting out toys for DS.
I have to say that I'm not looking forward to it. The house is not our 'dream house' and is a compromise due to budget (but we're sure we can make it really lovely with some work). I always think that when you see a house without all the previous owners stuff in you feel a bit disappointed and I'm slightly worried that as we don't have the 'oh but we love this house' type of feeling that it's going to be harder than usual to make it feel like home. (if that makes any sense at all!

As far as possible pack boxes with stuff from one room in them and then label clearly so they can at least be deposited in the right room (even if not unpacked...) Pack stuff you will need immediately in boxes and label as such....i.e. 'kitchen everyday' meant unpack it now....! Get the beds made first! (well after getting the kettle out...) so you have somewhere to crash at the end of a fraught day! Find the addresses/numbers of nearest takeaway for the moment you decide you are knackered and you are not going to cook...
Bottle of bubblie (or whatever your poision is) to celebrate