(excuse me if this has been discussed a lot, i haven't been able to get on here much anymore 
 so i've missed any discussions on this)
I'm really unsure how to handle xmas eve and keeping E on his schedule. We're going to my uncle's about 20min. away probably around 6pm. Normally E has dinner around 6pm, plays, and then i start his bedtime routine at 7:30pm and he's asleep before 8pm. I'm thinking the earliest i'd be leaving the party is 8-8:30pm and i don't know what to do w/him.
Do i do his bedtime routine there (read books, change into pj's, bottle) at normal time? And then what, just put him into the car when we're ready to leave, drive home, and pray we can get him from car to crib w/o much hassle? Can his routine be fudged (no bedtime routine and just have him fall asleep whenever) for just this 1 night and not have any issues? I'm so lost on this and would really, really appreciate any advice please!
Re: Xmas eve and LO's schedule
We stray from Drew's schedule about once a week, and he always goes right back to normal the next day.
We also still have infant seat (he fits length-wise) so we put him in there if he gets tired, and rock it til he falls asleep if we are at someone's house. It makes an easy little "bed" for awhile. Last night I got locked out of my house, and we went to my mom's - he slept 8hrs in that carseat! haha.
We usually have LO out past her bedtime at least once a week.
I do a condensed version of her night routine. I don't give her a full bath, but I'll give her a wipe down in a handbasin (just her face, neck, bottom, knees, feet- all the bits that get grimey).
Sometimes she goes into the car and falls asleep and transfer to her cot fine. Sometimes she's still awake when we get home.
If we're going to be quite late, I'll put her down to sleep where we are, and have to wake her to put her in her carseat (I feel awful doing this)
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
We usually just let DD stay up until we're leaving, and pacify her with toys or a bottle or whatever if she starts getting fussy (though most of the time there's so much going on and so many fun people around that she doesn't even care it's past bed time).
And then, she usually falls asleep in the car on the way home. Sometimes I'll change her into PJs wherever we are, so she's already in them when she zonks out in the car. Other times, when we get home I just change her really quickly, make a little 2oz warm bottle to soothe her and rock her back to sleep.