Before our trip I received a little box of labels I had ordered with the SweetPod logo on them.  (More about that very soon!)  I was also in the process of perfecting my Saddlebag pattern.  I just HAD to have a carrier and bag with the new labels, and it seemed trekking through the airport with all the kids in tow, along with all of the other things we had planned for our trip, would be the perfect opportunity to really test out the bag and carrier together and see if there was more tweaking to do.  That, and I had some beautiful Anna Maria Horner Sketchbook fabric begging to be made into a SweetPod set.

I have to tell you that my SweetPod really made the whole trip that much better.  With Hunter in the carrier and Ian in a stroller, getting through the airport wasn’t too bad.  (I don’t think going through security with 5 kids will ever be enjoyable, though.)  It was so nice to have my hands free, and my bag was just the right size for the necessary diapers, wipes, and board books.  We didn’t take pictures in the airport, though, so you’ll just have to believe me when I say it made things easier.

We did take it just about everywhere else, though.  Hunter had a safe, comfy place to see the view from the fire tower at Pawtuckaway.

We navigated the “T” (the trains and subways in Boston) with the Saddlebag attached.

And hiked 2 1/2 miles of the Freedom Trail to places like Faneuil Hall and Paul Revere’s house.  (Did you know Paul Revere had 16 kids?  I thought 5 was a lot of kids!)

We also made a trip to a farm near Barry’s sister’s home in Massachusetts with the toddler on my back some more.

I have to say that the Saddlebag passed the test with flying colors.  Now to get those changes I made onto the pattern pieces in my computer and those pesky illustrations done.  I need super human powers, I tell ya.

Oh, and did you notice the labels?  I’ll show them up close soon.