Darcey,

I've travelled with my parents and 2 brothers ever since I was a baby. And we camped!!! So my belief now as a mother of 2 kids is that travelling with kids is great for bonding, as long as you relax. I think that you could suggest that each kid takes a notebook to make a journal. They really like that and it's a great thing to remind them of this trip later in life. They can clip some pictures from brochures, even pictures of their own during the trip. Even your 4-year-old can take one (not to feel left out, at least) and make drawings. My 6-year-old daughter is taking one to our upcoming trip. She plans to use that even during museum trips (she loves to draw her own versions of some paintings).

I don't know about you, but staying without my kids for almost a month is unconceivable. I'd spend half of the time just thinking of them anyway. Might as well take them with you and have find memories to fond together!

Daniele

topping for coulter