There’s no place as cozy as autumn in New England. For the next few months it’s all about crisp leaves, comfy sweaters, dark nail polish, lattes, and pulling out my UGGs. (Yes…I’m aware of how ugly they are, but is there anything more comfortable?) It’s the perfect time to slow down, unwind from out fast-paced summer, and enjoy the simple things.
It is so important for kids to get outside…especially when we are stranded at home during this pandemic. It’s so easy to let kids play on electronics, but it is so bad for them and it sucks up all their time if you let it. I spent my childhood making memories outside and I want my kids to experience the same. The key is to help them find things to do outside that they love.
10 Things to Look for When Renting a Lake House
After so many months of self-isolation, many people are hoping to salvage some sort of normalcy and go on a summer vacation with their family. Many people are not crazy about the idea of going to a hotel and being surrounded by other people. So what could be the solution? A lake house! Are people renting lake houses? Absolutely! We own a rental property on a lake and we were worried that everyone would cancel their reservations for this summer. Not only has no one canceled, but we even have 6 families on a wait list. It’s a great alternative to a hotel because you have your own space and don’t have to worry about being in contact with people other than your family. If you are looking to rent a lake house, there are some things you need to consider. I wrote this article a few summers ago and have updated it with specific tips about COVID-19.
Location can make or break a trip. There are lots of things to consider. Is the house on a quiet bay or on a channel where boats will constantly be going by? Is it lakefront, lake view, or away from the water but with lake access? It’s also good to know a little about the lake itself. Is the house located near a sandbar that’s know for it’s crowds? You may want to ask how close the neighbors are.
It has been a long, exhausting few months all across the country and many of us are struggling with how to adapt to this “new normal.” There are many activities that are off the list for now, but there are still plenty of activities to do as a family. Here is an article I wrote last summer… but have added some tips that are appropriate for COVID-19 times. So grab your hiking boots and head out for a hike!
Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to go on a hike. To avoid a hike filled with whining, it helps to plan a bit. Check out these 20 Tips for Hiking with Kids:
Before I had kids, winter meant long months of counting down the days until spring. Then these two little winter-loving girls were born. All of the sudden winter turned into months of being…dare I say it…outside! Yeah…outside…in cold, wet snow for hours at a time. All of these new items appeared in my house like hand warmers and sleds. Snow pants somehow crept their way into my wardrobe. So that’s when I decided to give in and try to find out what the heck people like about winter. After all, I live in New England so I may as well join these snow-lovers! No one was as shocked as myself to discover I actually have fun outside. My husband says the key to enjoying winter is to make sure you’re warm, and he’s right. (Don’t tell him that! Lol) With the right clothes and toys, I found so many things I loved to do out there. Here are some of my favorites:
Talk about a no-skill-needed activity! If you can walk, then you can snow shoe…it’s that easy! After a fresh snowfall there’s nothing more peaceful than walking through the woods or along the side of a frozen lake. Snow shoes are pretty inexpensive and they will last you a long time. They make great snowshoes for kids as well. It’s also good to have a nice warm hat for both adults and kids!
If you’re looking for a place to truly see the masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi, a Spanish architect and an overall hero in Barcelona, Park Gϋell is the place you’ll want to be. I’m sure Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s famous church, is on your itinerary, and if it’s not then you’ll definitely be missing out. (Click here for tips on a perfect visit to Sagrada Familia.) But today is all about the outrageous architecture of Park Gϋell! First, I’ll fill you in on ten tips to make the most of your visit, and then I’ll take you on a little tour of my favorite areas of the park.
Park Gϋell (pronounced Gwell, as my cab driver corrected me) was intended to be a housing development for the wealthy citizens of Barcelona. Eusebi Gϋell contracted Gaudi to design it, but the plans fell through because of lack of interest and funds and only two out of the 60 planned houses were actually constructed there. The city, who has a love…and I mean LOVE for Gaudi, turned it into a public park. It is now one of the most visited places in Barcelona.
HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!! We are so excited to relax by the lake until Labor Day…except there will be a tent involved this year…but more of that to come.
For our family, summer means…
After-dinner boat rides wearing PJ’s
Tomato salad and fresh grilled corn on the cob
Reading books on the hammock
Dolphin Quest
Royal Naval Dockyard
My kids were already jealous enough that I was headed to Bermuda without them for a few nights, but it pushed them over the edge when they found out I was going to also be swimming with dolphins while I was there. They even told me I might as well change my blog’s name to “My NOT Traveling Kids!” Sorry kiddos…this was one experience I couldn’t pass up.
Our experience
We took a car to the Royal Naval Dockyard on the tip of the island and made our way into Dolphin Quest. The Royal Naval Dockyard is a converted 200-year-old fort built by the British Royal Navy.
The White Mountains is the perfect destination since there are countless options to spend time together outdoors as a family. Cranmore Adventure Park allows all members of the family to participate in the activities. There really is something for everyone! We were lucky enough to spend the day making memories on the mountain.
Here are 10 of our favorite things to do at Cranmore Adventure Park:
1. MOUNTAIN COASTER: Our absolute favorite ride at the park is the mountain coaster and we keep going back for more! Since each rider controls how fast they go, it is perfect for the entire family.
When you think of March in New Hampshire, the first thing that comes to mind is maple syrup!! In fact, the New Hampshire maple industry produces close to 90,000 gallons of maple syrup annually. However, this phenomenon of Mother Nature is dictated by weather, not calendar. It is the freezing nights and warm days that make sap flow, so it can begin in late February and run into early April. The magic is that no one can predict what the season will bring. Charmingfare Farms, in Candia, NH, offers a fun way for your family to experience sugaring on a working farm. This farm has been a favorite spot for my family since our kids were young, but we had never done the Maple Express. It was such a pleasant way to spend the afternoon and I would strongly recommend taking this tour. Let me show you how we spent our day.
