We stayed rock solid in the house. My parents always dragged us north to see grandparents on Christmas day. So we'd open gifts and leave. All those fun toys back at the house, and six hours in a car. It was a quiet ride, since we were all sulking.

Punch buggy. Convertibles you get two punches. My brothers said so. Heaven was driving by a dealership that sold them. They've changed so much now that I don't know if I'd be able to pick them out while driving. I miss the old style.

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Moof, the other white meat.

My family stays at home for Christmas. I think it's my way of having my own tradition. Everyone gathered at my parents house till they passed. All sisters and brother get together still down in MD, but I really like to let my kids stay home and enjoy their gifts. It was a wonderful day!

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Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the heck is my ceiling?!"

Sheila.. it's a novelty for kids to use their imaginations nowadays. We need to encourage it when we can. It is also a lot of fun and interactive!!

With the Punch Buggy Game.. My kids are not allowed to just say Punch Buggy color of car here no punch back.. I made them take it one step further... (Mean mommy remember) For instance..if the car is green they will Go Punch Buggy Lime Green car no punch back.. makes them think a second or 2 longer. They also may not repeat a "color" for the duration of the trip. After that.. they must tell the story of the person driving the car. What kind of music they like, the job they hold..etc... sometimes we end up laughing so hard... It's fun. Makes for interesting and creative conversation. Ohhh and they can not punch any harder then they would want to be punched back!!! Mom and Dad can only play if it is an OLD punch buggy.

Word of caution...if you go to Mexico... tell them the game is suspended. Punch Buggies are found by the 1,000's on every street there!

"I spy with my little eye", anyone?

Tricky part is the kids always pick something stationary and it's way behind us before I have a chance to spot it.

I think they do it on purpose.

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Moof, the other white meat.

Janis, that reminds me of the grocery store game. Hey, could be used on trips too! First person says, I'm going to the grocery store and buying apples. Second person: I'm going to the grocery store and buying apples and balls. You get the idea, it follows the alphabet and takes some concentration when getting to the end!

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Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the heck is my ceiling?!"

This actually ended up being a topic at dinner tonight.. We are planning on taking the autotrain down to Florida in December... I did buy travel battleship and some soduku puzzle books for my daughter... Then my son said.. "Remember when we used to play going on a camping trip?" I forgot about this game... I'm sure you all have heard some variation of this..

I'm going on a camping trip and I'm bringing a tent.. next person would go..I'm going on a camping trip and I'm bringing a tent and a canteen.. next person.. I'm going on a camping trip and I'm bringing a tent and a canteen and a sleeping bag.. etc.. You need to build on what the last person said.. It used to bring a lot of laughs.

If we come up with any more.. I'll sure and let everyone know!

Sheila you can also make up some bingo cards using different road signs or if you are going to a familiar place and know some town names on the way that are on the exit signs make up a few different cards. Use the familiar "stop", "exit", "hotel" etc... but add some variety to it. It should be pretty easy and then you can just throw them away when they are done.

Now.. I am the coordinator of games for a group of 35 girls on an 11 hour bus trip. Some of the "games" I have come up with ..

Pipe Cleaners.. we have a crown making contest..

I have gotten those foam hats at the craft store for a dollar.. they make a hat for their little sister/big sister. Decorating them with markers

I have gotten the tubs of foam cut outs.. This year we are telling prince/princess stories. Each girl will get a selection of these cut outs and a plain sheet of foam to lay out a story and tell it.

You can do this on a smaller scale for your children. I know from last year the crown making contest was a hoot. We had some of the dads participate and we had everything from a spinning beanie hat to a dazzling princess tiara. It's amazing how creative kids can be!