Rather than giving an update to this thread: https://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/sh...-for-this-trip I thought it might be easier to start a new thread about with reviews of the luggage, packing cubes and other stuff i tried.
After reading reviews at ebags and Amazon, we ended up purchasing 6 of these in different colors: https://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/...uctid=10362788. We wanted spinner wheels but spinner wheels leave less space for packed belongings and I've heard that spinner suitcases can run away so we opted for these bags. I got them with a coupon code for $109 each. They barely fit in United Airline's carry-on tester at the airport (the wheels got stuck) but I shoved and they fit. As long as the bags are not unzipped to extend, they fit. They do unzip to allow for another 2 inches of space but then they don't fit in the carry-on tester. I read a lot about using packing cubes and I was hesitant. It's true that using the cubes means that area around the cubes get wasted. But on the way home I fit tiny souvenirs in those spaces so it worked out fine. I loved the cubes for keeping organized. I bought each kid a set of these packing cubes in their own colors: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...-2-spons&psc=1 and for each kid I rolled up 2 days worth of clothes in one cube (they had to wear their pants 2 days in a row and they wore their hoodies several days in a row.). I bought some of these compression bags for additional heavier sweatshirts and rain jackets: https://www.amazon.com/Packing-Trave...-1-spons&psc=1 I tried both the Eagle Creek brand and the Amazon knock- off brand "Tripped." Eagle creek bags were lighter and the zippers never caught but it was so much more expensive. The Tripped brand was fine and worked as well at compressing the sweatshirts and jackets. We even had room to pack 3 alter boy cassocks so the boys could serve mass with our pilgrimage group. Those fit in 2 of the Compression cubes as well.
The kids brought their school back packs to fit in the underseat area of the plane and they brought persona snacks, electronics and books in them.
In order to reduce liquid toiletries, I tried shampoo bars, conditioner bars and toothpaste tablets from LUSH cosmetics. I LOVE them! They smell amazing and they work well. I particularly love the tooth tabs. I also reduced my makeup to a Trish Mcevoy stick foundation and Trish Mcevoy cheek and lip stick. I brought a sample of mascara and a small eyeliner pencil but never used them. I reduced all my facial skin care to the tiny sample packets from Paula's Choice and tried out those dry Oil of Olay daily facial clothes (dry until you add water to them). I did bring some Oi oil for my hair, a travel gel and travel hairspray and fit those in my quart liquids bag. I also tried those lotion sticks from Bubble and Bee and LOVE them as a replacement for liquid lotion. I also brought sunscreen stick and Repel Deet stick. Both are mini and easily fit in my backpack (love that they are not liquids!). I still brought all the same medications we use, I just brought less of them in a smaller LLBean cosmetic bag. With the Large LLBean cosmetic bag, and 4 of those Amazon packing cubes, I still had room for 2 additional pairs of shoes, my liquids in an easy-to-access compartment of my carry-on, and room for a coatigan for me. Those carry-ons fit a ton of stuff!
I found a travel scarf/poncho at TJMaxx that is basically a smaller poncho which can be looped around the neck to make a scarf. That was my favorite new travel clothing accessory. The kids ended up needing it on the plane because they were cold. They wore it laid out flat like a blanket.
For our next trip to France which is 14 days (I don't know why i was thinking it was only 8 days), I plan to pack almost exactly the same clothes and items but a few extra sundresses and pretty clothes because we have tacked on 6 days in Paris at the end of our trip. For 4 of the wheeled carry-ons I bought the matching TLS motherlode junior backpacks which look like I can bring some more clothes and will have more room for souvenirs to bring back. It will be cooler in France at that time of year so will bring maybe another layer of clothes for the kids. Those backpacks look amazing. My only concern is that they won't fit under the seats in the airplane. I think for the big international planes, it won't be a problem. But we make a connecting, domestic flight in France via AirFrance and I've heard they can be more picky about carry-ons and personal items. I guess I'll deal with that then.
Thank you for all your advice on that previous thread. I helped TREMENDOUSLY! And thank you, Frugalmom, for encouraging me to downsize. The kids only needed one pair of shoes! You were so right!