[alias_neo]

Absolutely; I think that's one of those things some of us learn the hard way; I don't know that it's specifically a dad thing, but at least for me and my wife; she's a planner, I'm a "FIWB"; If I think I can quickly fit a fun activity in by grabbing the keys and being in the car in the next 30 seconds we go, if we had to plan it we might not have time, but it's not necessarily always the best approach.

I look forward (though not rushing for) a time when the children are old enough that I can say "grab your coats and be at the car in 2 minutes" and we can just go do something fun on a whim, carpe diem, and all that.

[bombcar]

I've started to come around to realizing that the van isn't the size it is because of the number of kids, it's because the thing should be packed full of "emergency" supplies so that you CAN grab the kid and run somewhere (within view of the van).

So far it's mainly a change of clothes (for everyone!), diapers, pacifiers, bottles, and water, but that's going to grow.

[RugnirViking]

long-life snack food (couple different types of nuts, salty crackers), umbrellas, a large towel (for putting around someone who's cold, drying someone, or sitting on at the beach or on grass), plastic bags (for putting muddy/wet/sandy shoes into),