Pre-trip packing

Preparing for this trip, with 3 young children, took time and planning.  We ordered luggage that they could manage months ago.  I was looking for a duffel-bag type article that would stand on end without support.

After looking for weeks and weeks...we finally settled on these beautifully functional, reasonably priced, quality bags from www.kidstravelzone.com.

The attempt was made to pack light (and with many mix/match item to keep the volume down).  Each child managed their OWN back pack and rollie-luggage bag with minimal problem.  The only issue was...the number/weight airline guidelines as discussed in a previous post.  With this "new" information, it may be wiser to get one more "large" back for check-in and pack it tight to minimize the weight in the carry-on bags since we underestimated the amount of bags we'd have to check and the weight of the carry-on bags (combined with the 'personal items').  

Update 5/18/14:  Kids handling their own bags in a busy train station (very necessary!!).