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This Isn’t a List of the Top Things to Do in OBX
In the world of the Outer Banks (OBX), along the coast of North Carolina, I consider myself a newbie. My family and I have only been at it two glorious years. But I think it’ll be the first two years of many. But no matter how much I come, I don’t know that I’ll ever be able to give an accurate list of the Things to Do in OBX. Layout OBX is a small sliver of land, rarely more than a mile wide. The 130 mile stretch of barrier islands sprawls from the Virginia coast and continues south through four counties. The small towns and fishing villages spotting the islands…
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Three Kids and a…High Tide
This was supposed to start as a cliched story of a fabulous vacation photo with two of my little people. In fact I had spent countless hours in the shower working out the story in my head (or minutes really, just minutes, because I'm a mom and they're always lurking, even when I'm in the shower while on vacation). And then it happened; high tide happened. And the story seemed like it was gone for good.
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The Dos and Don’ts of Dining at Disney World
Food. It seems like it should be a pretty simple topic, but when traveling with kids, it’s anything but (because, you know, kids). It seems my little people are often hungry on “off times,” sleeping during “dining hours,” hating whatever it is I ordered for them (usually the only thing that would eat the day before), and wiggling about as they struggle with sitting quietly in their chairs while everyone at the table finishes. It just isn’t easy. Think it’ll be easier at dining at Disney World? Well, actually, maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. (But hopefully it will.) Because, again, you know, kids. But there are a few things…
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The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real Family Concierge Reviewed: A Family-Friendly Resort
I wanted to melt into a chaise by the ocean, float in a pool, swim up to a bar, and stretch along the balcony as I watched the sun set. And, as any parent with preschool-age little people knows, to find this elusive vacation one must find a place to stay that would make one's children feel like the little royals they often believe themselves to be (insert eye roll). Que The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.
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Guest Spot: Elyse from Kauffman Tànxiǎn 探险 Blog Offers Her Advice on Traveling with Kids
We got split reactions from everyone. It was either "you're crazy, I could never do that" or "that's amazing! I wish I could do something Ike that!" The truth is. You CAN do it. ANYONE can. I promise. Before you start rolling your eyes and stop reading, hear me out. Sure, it takes some serious planning and patience, but it's totally worth it. And, let's be clear. I don't mean "move to China." But if you have the opportunity to do that, please take it!
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Three Kids and a…Dash of Karma
So, my gut instinct when told that I was "brave" for going on a trip with my children, was to feel defensive. What I wanted to say was that it wasn't brave. There was nothing brave about it. My children, whether at home or traveling, don't need a parent to be "brave" to be with them. They're good kids. Great kids. The best. My mother bear wanted to come out. Claws. Fangs.
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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Book Your Walt Disney World Vacation (and Why You Need to Answer Them)
It's these hiccups that really end up being the stories we carry forward as a family. And it's these hiccups that helps us plan our next trip. Through the past seven years of visiting Walt Disney World a number of times a year (for any number of days, any time of year (except summer...we just don't do Florida Disney sticky, sweat-inducing summer heat)), we've figured out some questions we ask ourselves each and every time we book a new trip. Only after we've figured the answers to these questions out, do we really get to the task of actually making the magic happen.
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Edaville Family Theme Park is Worth Your Weekend (Let’s Be Honest, It’s Thomas Land)
For a family that typically does Disney World at least three times a year and a momma who grew up working at a family-owned theme park in Pennsylvania (which we visit annually), we really didn't know what to expect before showing up. But it was perfect. It was small and sweet. It was managable. It was suited for everyone. And, most importantly, it had Thomas.
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Hotel Review-Embassy Suites, Chevy Chase, MD-Child Accommodating (With a Watchful Eye)
The main issue facing the hotel is the same issue that makes it appealing: it is part of a mall. That's right. A mall. A mall with a CVS (yay late night candy shopping), a World Market (because I always need to buy more whimsical notebooks or napkins for the house), and a Starbucks (because I'm a mom and I need it to go with the wine I just bought at World Market). So, there are some pretty impressive positives to staying at this hotel. But that mall aspect? Oh it isn't without it's down side as well.
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Three Kids and a…Mother’s Day Hike: an Ode to My Father
There is no reason a grown man should wake up at 2 am infectiously giddy. He has no right to be singing about going to “Wally World” and moving swiftly, floating even, turning on lights, rousing children. He shouldn’t have the ability to make a house pulse with life when just a week earlier it had been flatlining with the comings and goings of the everyday. And when that man then has to take his once sleep-weary children, put them in the car, and proceed to drive 1500 miles, there are even fewer reasons said man should be anything less than entirely spent and growling. He should have every right to…
