Ah, the MV Squad… We are a family that thrives on adventure!
Meet the Players:
- The Chaos Planner (Mom): The mastermind behind it all. She claims to be the ultimate organizer, but her color-coded spreadsheets always seem to have a way of going haywire no matter how hard she tries.
- The Five boys: These five boys are a whirlwind of action, always armed with lots of energy, a thirst for heights and the goal of giving mom a heart attack.
- The Biggest Kid (Papi): The patriarch of the family, who’s as eager as the kids to dive headfirst into every adventure. He’s the guy trying to balance on the baggage carousel, with a kid on his shoulders, two in his arms and two more wrapped around his legs who are all a ball of giggles at his antics.
The MV Squad: As a collective whole, we are the three-ring circus that lines up and storms through the airport, makes an entrance at any hotel we visit and makes the most of every vacation.
Now, let’s dive into how, exactly, we do it!
Disaster Preparedness
The chaos begins the night before the flight. It’s just me, alone in my element, opening drawers, grabbing matching outfits to fit every adventure, with suitcases flying and lots of crossing items off my list. 
This is the most stressful part of any vacation, making sure I haven’t forgotten anything is the easy part, but packing for the days not the kids as I’ve written about before, is an artform that takes real creativity and perseverance!
Meanwhile, Papi is likely showing the boys YouTube videos of extreme sports to “get them pumped up for the trip.” This results in an impromptu living room parkour session, complete with somersaults and questionable landings.
The boys usually go to bed that night so stoked on energy and anticipation that when we wake them up “in the dark time” as they call it, their little eyes pop open and they run around in a frenzy to get, dressed, grab their water bottles and jump in the van for their next adventure.
Airport Acrobatics
We drive to the airport, find whatever spot we can at the ever-crowded MCO, and spill out of the van into the dark morning with bulging backpacks and high spirits.
Most all passengers, and security personnel for that matter, brace themselves as they see a family this size, of all bustling boys, descend on the security line like the elite squad they are. They boys know the drill; they line up in number order with MJ leading them off. And one by one they load their own bags onto the conveyor belt, walk swiftly through the metal detector and off to the gate, not setting a single alarm off along the way,
On the way to the gate, the boys, true to form, can’t resist the allure of the moving walkway. It’s like a treadmill to them, but with a view. And if you ever spot someone doing cartwheels on a conveyor belt, chances are, it’s one of them. We grab a quick bag of food at one of the not so tasty airport restaurants, get to our gate and find a big floor space to sit crisscross-applesauce. Getting 5 boys to sit in chairs is impossible, don’t judge!
Mile-High Entertainment
In-flight entertainment? Yeah, it’s us! The Fearless Five would be completely out of order if it wasn’t for the two hacks that the Chaos Planner has discovered. If you offer a challenge, they will accept and if you instill the love of reading early, they will be quiet for at least part of the trip!
Each plane ride comes complete the Lollipop Challenge! Whoever can make it through the airport, wait at the gate, board the airplane and get to cruising altitude without being spoken to for bad behavior gets to spend their first 30 mins in flight with a lollipop of their choice. And when presented like a challenge, the boys can’t turn it down. Phew, we are happily in the air!
Flights can be long and one of the ways we’ve survived them is due to years of hard work instilling a love for reading in each of the boys, including baby Jack! The boys spend their time reading, filling out page after page of puzzle books and we try to surprise them with at least one fun new activity like a sticker activity page for Mateo or a new Elmo figurine for Jack. But the biggest win on a plane is definitely FOOD! Keep them snacked, especially with fun, not so healthy, options and they stay happy and crabby.
We keep it pretty simple, but as Chelsea from Global Guides Travel has written about in the past, there are 14 ways to survive a long plane ride with small children if you need more ideas!
The Adventure Itself
Ok, by the time we even reach our destination I am already exhausted! But those kids, and Papi, are just then gearing up to go! And I only survive it all by being completely prepared and oraganized… prepared and organized for utter chaos.
From the moment we embarked on our first family trip, I realized that embracing the chaos is the key to a successful adventure. Traveling with five boys, each with their unique preferences and needs, requires patience and adaptability. Delays, spills, and impromptu pit stops are par for the course, so a flexible mindset goes a long way in maintaining your sanity.
As a self-proclaimed “Chaos Planner,” I can’t stress enough how important it is to plan strategically. Research family-friendly destinations, accommodations, and activities that cater to a wide range of ages. Make a loose itinerary but leave room for spontaneity because things never go exactly as planned. And make sure you get the kids involved! I let the boys pick an activity or attraction to visit, anything from a zoo to a playground, which not only adds to their excitement but also gives them a sense of responsibility and involvement in the vacation. Also, be sure to factor in nap times, meal breaks, and downtime to avoid meltdowns (and not just from the kids).
Don’t Forget… Enjoy it!
And lastly, enjoy all the moments. It’s impossible to see and do everything, especially with a large crew in tow. So, instead of trying to tick off every tourist hotspot, focus on immersing yourselves in a few meaningful experiences that resonate with everyone. Plus, some of the best memories are born from unexpected situations. Whether it’s a spontaneous dance party in a hotel room, a giggly game of “I Spy” during a layover, or a joint exploration of a local market, cherish these unscripted moments that make your family’s journey truly unique.
The Homecoming
When we return home, we leave a trail of dazed boys, piles of dirty laundry, and more rocks hidden in pockets than I care to count.
And of course, I’m in charge of unpacking bags, doing laundry, putting away tokens from our trip and Papi helps me get 5 exhausted boys showered and snuggly tucked into bed. After a whirlwind adventure, I breath a giant sign of relief, but also think back on our memories for months, replaying each laugh, each hug, each shout of triumph and know it was all worth it! And that’s why we continue to do it again and again.
Conclusion:
The MV Squad is living proof that travel is not for the faint of heart, nor for those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground. With each adventure, we add another chapter to our legendary family saga. It’s an opportunity to bond, learn, and create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime. The boys rarely remember what they got for Christmas last year, but they remember every detail of the adventures we take and places we go.
So, fellow parents, don your Chaos Planner hats, pack your bags, and set forth on an epic journey of chaos, discovery, and unbridled fun. Your family’s unique adventure awaits!