5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now

Come find out why there is no time like the present to get traveling with your little ones with these 5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Disney. The opinions and text are all mine.

I speak from experience when I say that traveling with younger ones can be challenging and downright exhausting at times- we started traveling with Little Miss when she was about 5 months old. :) But even with all it's challenges (disrupted routines, missed naps, car sickness, etc), we have always believed that traveling with our kiddos from a young age was definitely doing them much more good than harm. 

You can only show and teach so much to your children from books or a television show. Sometimes you just have to take them to the source, let them get their hands in it all (yep, and sometimes that means getting a little dirty ;) ), and experience the world around them hands-on and in-person. 

While I am not really going to touch on solutions for the challenges and obstacles that traveling with a preschooler (and younger) can present, I am going to chat with you all about why you should shove those fears and concerns aside, pack up the car, and hit the road or head to the airport with your little ones. 

I will just let Scholastic.com and their Ultimate Preschool Travel Guide handle all of those other tips and advice on traveling with your younger kiddos for you. You can click on over to those once I have convinced you all that there is no time like the present to get traveling with your little ones with my 5 Reasons to Travel with Your Preschooler Now... 

3 Must-Dos with Kids While in Puerto Rico

From visiting a tropical rain forest to playing on the white beaches of a private island, these are my 3 Must-Dos with Kids While in Puerto Rico...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

Almost four years ago, my husband and I traveled to Puerto Rico for the first time together for our honeymoon.  We spent about a week in this Caribbean paradise lounging at the resort, exploring Old San Juan, taking in the beauty of the El Yunque, and enjoying a little private island relaxation. Since our couples only trip there, I have been daydreaming about traveling back to Puerto Rico with the kids. 

There is so much from the island that I want to share with them, for them to see and experience firsthand. Puerto Rico may be an island, but it definitely packs everything that a traveler dreams of within it's 3,515 square miles! :) From amazing food to white sand beaches to a 16th century citadel to even a lush rain forest- the travel experiences & possibilities in Puerto Rico are almost endless. 

I thought long and hard, and I came up with my top 3 must-do's whenever we do finally make the trip back to Puerto Rico with the kiddos in tow. Now this list of my top 3 is strictly based on what my husband and I were able to see, do, and experience on our first trip to the island.  I know the island has SO much more to offer though, and I look forward to exploring a few new sites with my family when we do return. But I can personally speak for and vouch for these 3 Puerto Rican must-dos... 

The Best Resources for Planning a Summer Family Vacation

From deciding where to go, how to get there, & how to get the most bang for your buck, here are The Best Resources for Planning a Summer Family Vacation...

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Scholastic. The opinions and text are all mine.

Another school year is quickly coming to a close, and soon the kiddos will be home for summer school break. Time for long summer days at the pool, s'mores around the fire pit, weekend road trips, and the annual summer family vacation. 

Okay, so maybe you hadn't really thought about that last bit quite yet. But there is no need to panic, folks. I gathered up some of the best resources for planning a summer family vacation to share with you all today. So whether you need a little help deciding where to go or maybe you just need some tips for the actual traveling part, I got covered in today's post!

Deciding Where to Go.

If you haven't already pinpointed just where you and the family will be packing up and heading off to this summer, then this is where you need to start. 

Now you can either close your eyes and throw a dart at a map (hey, I am not necessarily ruling that one out ;) ), or you can start by asking yourself a few key questions-

Exploring Fort Wayne in 3 Days: A Family Friendly Itinerary

From kayaking with views of the city to a budget friendly baseball game to a hands-on science museum, here is a family friendly itinerary for exploring Fort Wayne, Indiana is just 3 days...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Fort Wayne. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

I will be the first to admit it that Fort Wayne, Indiana is not typically the first destination that comes to mind when planning a vacation packed with family friendly fun. But my family & I's three day visit to Fort Wayne earlier this summer totally changed my preconceived notions of this Midwestern city. 

Fort Wayne is a vibrant & diverse city that deserves more credit & props than I originally afforded it. From kayaking with views of the city to a budget friendly & fun minor league baseball game to a larger than life, hands-on science museum, Fort Wayne just may be the perfect family friendly getaway that you & your family have been looking for. :)

Since there is so much to do & see in Fort Wayne, I thought I would share our 3 day itinerary with you all to help you narrow down some of the must-see & must-do attractions & activities in and around the city. You will find that most every place we visited in this post is no more than a 10 minute drive from one another. That is one of the things we found most attractive about Fort Wayne as far as a family friendly destination goes- the city was extremely accessible, easy to navigate, & most everything there is to do and see there is fairly close together. 

10 Disney Trip Must-Haves for Kids

Planning a family vacation to Disney World soon? Then you will definitely want to check out this collection of 10 Disney Trip Must-Haves for Kids...

This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website.

Can you all believe that summer break is already here? My youngest just graduated from Pre-K this week, and my oldest will be walking across the stage to receive his high school diploma next weekend. 

Both of the kiddos are out of school for the summer, and we are looking ahead to lazy days by the pool and of course, a couple of family vacations. 

One possible trip that is currently on our radar is a Walt Disney World vacation. We are still looking at dates and crunching the numbers, but we might be taking our daughter to Disney for the first time some time this July (fingers crossed we can make it work!). 

With Disney on the brain as we chat about the details with our favorite Pixie & Pirate Destinations travel agent, I have found myself browsing Amazon lately looking for the must-haves that I have to buy before our daughter's first trip to Disney. After adding a few to my wish list, I thought why not share some of my favorite Disney finds with you all? ;) 

5 Essentials for Your Road Trip Survival Kit

Ensure the survival of everyone's sanity in the car on your next family road trip with these 5 Essentials for Your Road Trip Survival Kit...

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Single Edition Media.

We are gearing up for our last big family road trip of the summer & heading to the Midwest next week (Be sure to give me on a follow on Instagram to discover exactly where we will be traveling to & to follow along with our travel adventures!). Our hotel rooms are booked, the route to our destinations have been plugged into the GPS, our itineraries are just about finalized, & I am starting to throw together our road trip survival kit. And yes, I said survival. Because it is ALL about the survival of everyone's sanity when there is a restless 5 year old in the backseat. ;)

In addition to the usual road trip must-haves (think coloring books & crayons, snacks, water bottles, headphones for each member of the family, etc.), I will also be adding the 5 essentials listed below to my family's road trip survival kit...

7 Reasons You Need to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2015

In partnership with Puerto Vallarta Tourism, I am sharing with you all the top 7 Reasons You Need to Visit Puerto Vallarta in 2015...

Traveling to Mexico has been on my travel bucket list for some time now. While Cancun seems to be one of the more popular tourist destinations there, I have had my eye on visiting Puerto Vallarta. And while its beaches with their deep blue waters is what first caught my eye and piqued my interest in this breathtaking resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast, there is so much more to Puerto Vallarta than what meets the eye. And this is especially true if you happen to be planning a trip there during the fall or for the holidays.

From the end of October right on through to the New Year, Puerto Vallarta hosts a myriad of festivals and exciting competitions that offer visitors to the area a true taste of the flavors, sights & sounds, history, and rich traditions of Mexico. Need a reason to plan a visit to Puerto Vallarta before the end of 2015? I have 7 of them for you below... ;)

A Family Friendly Guide to Savannah

If you have been pondering a family trip to the charming hostess city of the South, but are not sure if it is really the spot to pack up the kiddos to visit then today's post is for you, friends. :)

Since my first visit to Savannah nearly 10 years ago, this city has been close to my heart.  

I have been drawn in by it's history and colorful past.

It's old buildings and homes- a hodge-podge of gorgeous architecture from Gothic to Federal to pure Georgian.

It's people who genuinely embody the very essence of Southern hospitality.

It's family of stately and elegant oaks draped with swaying Spanish moss that seem to wave you into the city and gesture for you to stay a while.

I knew at some point I would have to share this beautiful city that I had fallen in love with all those years ago with my now growing family.

With this trip being my first time traveling there with a husband, a teenager, and a toddler in tow, I did a little research from home and started searching for deals for family friendly activities we could do while in Savannah that all of us would enjoy and love...

Booze & Brews with a View: 8 Must-Visit Wineries & Breweries in Loudoun County, Virginia

It doesn't matter if you are wine lover, a craft beer connoisseur, or if you happen to appreciate small batch spirits- you can craft the perfect booze-filled itinerary in Loudoun County, Virginia...

This post was created in partnership with Visit Loudoun. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

After almost a year of Covid-induced homebody-ness, I was finally ready to venture out on a girls' trip last month. A little road trip to one of my favorite areas of Virginia became the obvious choice for our first girls' getaway in over a year. Not only is Loudoun County home to some of the best wine country in the state of Virginia, but their local foodie scene has recently seen an explosion in growth when it comes to locally owned and operated breweries and distilleries as well. 

It doesn't matter if you are wine lover, a craft beer connoisseur, or if you happen to appreciate small batch spirits- you can craft the perfect booze-filled itinerary (responsibly, of course!) in Loudoun County, Virginia. Loudoun County boasts over 30 breweries, almost 40 wineries, and about 7 distilleries & cideries, but that number continues to grow every year.

While our two and a half day girls' getaway didn't allow us to try every winery, brewery, and distillery in the county, we did get to visit at least 8 on the list. All 8 of these wineries & breweries (plus 1 distillery!) had to meet certain discerning criteria to make it on our girls' trip list ;) :

• They had to have plenty of outdoor spaces and seating. I mean, what is seriously better than being able to sip on a glass of pink bubbles or enjoying a cold draft beer on a patio or deck?
• They had to be locally owned and operated.
• And being nestled in the rolling, green foothills of the Shenandoah, a beautiful view was definitely a must!

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 14- 15 Tips to Get Through Life

This one was truly a challenge.  I started on my list well over a week ago.  I am not sure in my 34 years that I am quite qualified to give life tips, but I have lived and learned a little along the way, and this is what I know...

1. Pay attention to the "nudges" from the universe.  Because when you ignore the nudges, then the universe, fate, God tends to start shoving you in the right direction. I learned this a couple of summers ago.  I was meant to move back home from the big city, but I was stubborn and fought it.  The school I worked at ended up closing (poof! no more job!) and then I couldn't afford my duplex.  I was forced back home, but now I know it was because I had a whole new life, the life I was meant to live here. <3
2. If a relationship is making you miserable more than 50% of the time, then it is time to walk away.  I didn't practice this one very well myself.  I always ended up staying with someone for the sake of not being alone.  Often it is better to be alone and happy, then with someone and completely unhappy.
3. Love yourself. Treat yourself with the same respect and compassion you afford to those you love and care about. You have to or you can never truly love anyone else with your entire heart and soul.
4. Be mindful of how you are spending your day.  Make sure it is worth one day of your life.
5. Don't ignore those little excited twinges you feel when you come up with an idea or a project that resonates with you.  Those twinges mean you are onto something!  We spend entirely too much time trying to talk ourselves out of pursuing our creative impulses.
6. If you are on the fence about a purchase (a new dress, that pair of shoes, or that bake ware set), wait one day.  If you wake up the next day and still want it, go buy it.  If it is still there, then you were ultimately meant to have it.
7. Never stop reading.  Ever.
8. Try to practice random acts of kindness whenever you can.  It doesn't have to be a huge thing- put coins in that meter that is about to expire, stick a post-it note with an uplifting message on a bathroom mirror in a public place, pay for the coffee of the person in the drive-thru behind you.  Just remember, karma doesn't always have to a bitch. ;)
9. Always remember there is someone else out there who is fighting a harder fight than you are today.  And yes, that person may be the person who cut you off on your way to work this morning. Or the co-worker who snapped at you.  Take a deep breath and smile. (<< P.S.  This one is hard for me too!  I hate rudeness.)
10. Let your kids help in the kitchen. It may not turn out exactly how you want it, but your children will never forget those times with you.  Let go of the Type A, folks and have fun with your babies.
11. Always externally back up your photos and files on your computer or laptop.  Trust me on this.  It sucks to lose everything.
12. Plant something, anything every summer. Even if it is just a basil plant or some sunflowers.  There is a certain satisfaction in watching something you have planted grow and thrive.  Bonus if you plant something edible because you can look at that tomato or pepper and say, "I did that.  That was all me." :)
13. Cherish your babies while they are still little.  Before you know it, they will be too big to cuddle with or lay on your chest anymore.  I know people say this to you all the time, but take it from the mama of a 13 year old and a 4 month old- they grow up way too fast.  
14. When traveling to a different city, state, country, always eat at places you cannot eat at back home.  Find out where the locals like to go- just ask!  You can always eat at that fast food chain any time you want back home.  I firmly believe that you can never really experience a new place until you eat how the locals eat. ;)
15. I say if you are going to indulge every once in a while, then do it well.  Have a good dark chocolate.  Have a nice bottle of craft beer.  Have the good ice-cream (you know, the ones in the pints. ;) ).  It is all about moderation, folks.  

5 Must-See Outer Banks Attractions (From North to South)

Traveling from the north to south, these are the 5 Must-See Outer Banks Attractions that are worth both your time & money...

Located just off the coast of North Carolina, you will find a chain of barrier islands known as the Outer Banks (otherwise known as the OBX). In general, the Outer Banks has a laid back vibe with wide open beaches and only pockets of touristy craziness. 

And unlike many popular beaches along the mid-Atlantic coast, you can spend an entire week completely avoiding any kitschy tourist traps (however, avoiding the traffic on and off of the islands can be a whole other story though!). 

But just because you can hide away during your entire visit to the islands, doesn't mean that you should. ;) Not when there is so much to explore and discover among the five major islands of the Outer Banks!

My family & I have vacationed in the Outer Banks now three times in the past 6 years. During those week long visits, we have learned which OBX attractions are worth your time & money and which ones are not. 

And I happen to be sharing my personal list of the 5 Must-See Outer Banks Attractions with you all below, starting from the north at Kill Devil Hills & working our down south to the southern most island of the chain, Ocracoke... :)

Where to Eat in Gettysburg

Gettysburg isn't just for history buffs! This city also offers its visitors a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

This post was created in partnership with Destination Gettysburg. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own.

(Updated May 2023)

Food happens to be a big part of our family travels. I genuinely believe it is one of the best ways to get a true feel for the flavor & local vibe of any new city or area that we visit. We do have a few rules in place when dining out while we are traveling though...

1. No fast food restaurants or national chains, aka nothing that we can eat back in our hometown on any ole day of the week.
2. Locally owned & operated. Bonus points if most or all of their menu happens to be locally sourced as well.
3. And they must be family friendly (a decent kids' menu, friendly atmosphere), but still appeal to the adults (aka, the hard core foodies) and the almost adult in the family. ;)

During our recent visit to Gettysburg a few weekends ago, not only did we get to immerse ourselves in the rich history and Civil War heritage of the city, but we also got a taste of the city's local food scene largely thanks to our friends at Destination Gettysburg. 

From local coffee spots to dining in buildings where history was created to locally crafted brews, Gettysburg is not just for history buffs, folks. Gettysburg also has a very delicious and vibrant local food scene making it the perfect getaway for die hard foodies as well...

I'm a Natural Parent- BUT...

Welcome to the second edition of the "I'm a Natural Parent - BUT..." Carnival This post was written for inclusion in the carnival hosted by The Artful Mama and our feminist {play}school. During this carnival our participants have focused on how mainstream society has affected their natural parenting and how they have come to peace with this.
***
I do not cloth diaper with my baby girl.  I know.  <Gasp!>, right?

We babywear.  We co-sleep.  We breastfeed.  We follow baby's natural schedule (I am a stay-at-home mama, so that is the only reason we are able to do that one.).  I make my own baby food from local fruits & veggies we buy at our farmers market each week.  We have switched over to almost all eco-friendly cleaning products (heck, I have even started making some of our own cleaning products!).  Baby girl uses all natural, organic baby wash and lotion. 

But, we do not do cloth diapers.  
I think most people just often assume that we do because of all of the other natural parenting practices we subscribe to.  Sometimes friends will post little cute things about "fluff stashes" and cloth diapering humor to my Facebook page.  And I have to admit that we do not cloth diaper... I then feel a twinge of natural mama guilt.

Now, this isn't to say that I haven't thought about trying it.  But I will be honest- it is daunting and somewhat overwhelming to me.  There seem to be SO many different kinds of them out there!  Ones with removable inserts.  Ones with sewn-in inserts.  Ones that need covers, and ones that do not.  How can you know which ones you and baby will like best?  I often see the cloth diapering veterans advising that you buy different kinds and try them each out, and that brings me to another obstacle that seems to be keeping us from going the nappies route...
The cost.  
Very often the cost of just one cloth diaper is about the same as one entire jumbo pack of disposables. (In our defense, we do buy the natural disposables made without the chemicals and such.) We are on such a tight budget doing it all on a single income.  I know everyone says it saves you money in the long run, but I think that maybe that would have been true for us had we started cloth diapering from the get-go.  Baby girl is now nearing 7 months old.  

And to be frank, the idea of washing all her diapers (especially the messy poopy ones) almost every day?  It doesn't appeal to me.  In the slightest.

Now, I will tell you what does appeal to me...

This. ^^^ 

And yeah... this ^^^ too. ;)

How crazy adorable are these??  I would love to see my baby girl's cute little bum in these! 

Please someone convince me to take the plunge.  (Oh, and then convince my husband to get on board with me too! ;P)

Both of the cloth diapers above are made by my good friend Kassandra over at Green Grizls.

• I'm a Natural Parent- BUT... - Carrie at Frugal Foodie Mama says "We breastfeed. We co-sleep. We babywear. But we do not cloth diaper. This post is about my reasons why I haven't, and why I would still like to try it."
• Am I Really a Natural Parent? - Valerie at Momma in Progress confesses maybe she's a bit more mainstream than she thought.
• I'm a Crunchy Mama, BUT... - Shannon at GrowingSlower has learned that her food doesn't grow on grocery store shelves, but she still has a long way to go.
• I'm a Natural Parent, but...my kid loves a screen - Lyndsay owns her son's love for television programming, ipad and apps.
• Ashamed to Breastfeed - Kym at Our Crazy Corner of the World talks about how she was ashamed and intimidated to breastfeed in public.
• When they gotta go... - Jorje of Momma Jorje shares her EC weakness...
• Love For the Mainstream - Amy W. explains how letting a mainstream family into her life increased her self-awareness, and helps her to maintain balance while advocating for natural parenting.
• Weaning My Nursling - Alisha at Cinnamon&Sassafras reflects on her decision to wean her son, rather than waiting for him to decide.
• I'm a Natural Parent But...My Toddler is a Junk Food Junkie - Chanisa at City Girl Slash Hippie Mom talks about how she's trying to get her two year old to have healthier eating habits
• I'm a Natural Parent - But...I'm Socially Awkward - Shannon of The Artful Mama talks about the difficulties she experiences maintaining her conviction when she experiences social resistance.
• Holding onto connection when traveling - Lauren at Hobo Mama wants to respect her children rather than demand obedience … but it's so hard around family.
• What would the neighbours think?! - Teresa at This Savvy Mama talks about the pressures of balancing life skills with the realities of having two young children.
• French Fries and Diaper Blowouts - Arpita hosts a guest post detailing how, just every once in a while, the chaos of running a business can hamper even the most regimented natural parenting plans, and the sometimes messy (and stinky!) consequences!
• Confessions of a mostly natural parent - Jessica of Crunchy Chewy Mama feels good about many of the choices she makes but there are things she wants her kids to do, practice, and believes that she is not modeling for them.