10 Tips for Taking Kids to the Fair

fair

  Fairs are a fun activity to do with families, but they can also be a lot of work. Rides, animals, food…so much fun!  Here are 10 tips for taking kids to the fair. 

HOW MANY RIDES WILL YOU DO?

Decide before you get there how many rides you are going to allow them to go on.  Some fairs have unlimited rides but others require individual tickets and that can cost a fortune.

   MINIMUM HEIGHT REQUIREMENT

Nothing is worse than having your kid wait in line only to find out they are one inch too short to ride.  Save the tears and have them check the height requirements first.  There is usually a place to measure your height right at the entrance. 

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What to Pack for Sleepaway Camp

Summer camp is right around the corner and that means it’s time to start planning.  One of the most stressful things about camp is your kids needing something but you not being able to give it to them right away.  That’s where the planning comes in. With the right list you can sit back and relax that they’ll have everything they need. So, what should you pack for sleepaway camp?

TRUNK

My girls got their trunks from Everything Summer Camp.  It has so many fun colors to choose from! Word of warning…they will be using this trunk for many years and bubblegum pink may be great for a fourth grader, but will they still like it in high school?

Fun stickers to decorate their trunk

Their camp requires you to bring a plastic chest of drawers

CLOTHING (Label everything!)

T-shirts/shorts

Long sleeve shirts

A pair of jeans

Athletic pants or leggings

Sneakers

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To-Do List for a Trip

suitcase

If you know me then you know I LOVE LISTS!! I get so nervous about forgetting things that a list helps calm my anxiety.  Getting ready for a trip can be really stressful because there are so many little things to remember.  I thought I would share with you my to-do list for a trip …it’s a lifesaver!

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Solo Travel…15 Things You Can Do Alone

Solo travel can be intimidating but also good for the whole family. I love my kiddos but it’s also nice to get away and have some “Me Time.”  My kids don’t mind because they know I recharge, regroup, relax and come back with much more patience.  My husband doesn’t see the fun in traveling alone and often asks me why I’d want to do it.  Friends seem shocked when I tell them I’m doing a solo trip and ask me if I’m bored and what I could possibly do while I’m there to entertain myself. 

Here are 15 things you can do when traveling alone:

 

 Dinner

 You’ve got to eat so why not make the most of it.  This trip is all about you so find something the rest of your family may not enjoy.  I always find it’s the perfect time for sushi, Thai, or Indian, since not everyone in my family will eat it.  It is also a great time to get room service, pour a glass of wine, and eat pizza in bed without anyone asking if they can have a bite!

Get Lost

  I plan everything out when I’m on a trip but when I’m alone I often leave down time to wander the streets or take a drive to see where it will lead me.  I’m open to changes in plans and welcome last-minute adventures.

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15 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

Who doesn’t like to save money when possible? Traveling can be expensive, but with a bit of strategizing you can bring down the cost.  Try these 15 tips on your next vacation and your wallet will thank you.

15 Ways to Save Money While Traveling

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Blue Lagoon with Kids: 10 Tips

When many people imagine Iceland they immediately think of the Blue Lagoon.  Pinterest is flooded with pictures of this amazing man-made geothermal pool.  It is a great way to start or end your vacation since it is so close to the airport and the whole family will have fun there. 

Here are 10 tips on doing the Blue Lagoon with kids:

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Travel Like a Local: 15 Ways to Plan the Perfect Trip

Vacations are the perfect time to immerse yourself into a new culture.  Many people like to feel like they are part of a new community and experience what everyday life is like there.  So how can you feel like a local when you are a tourist?  Sounds impossible?  Here are 15 ways to travel like a local:

STAY IN A CONDO OVER A HOTEL

 If you want to travel like a local, a condo/townhouse/house will surround you in everyday life.  Staying at your own place lets you immerse yourself into the community.  Enjoy some coffee in your backyard, people-watch from your front stoop, and say hello to your new neighbors.  Check out my article on how to choose the perfect rental. 

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Tips for Staying in a Hotel During COVID-19

After not traveled for six months, I was finally ready to step out of my comfort bubble, kiss the kids goodbye, and peel out of my driveway head to one of my favorite states…Maine.  I base my travels on risk vs. reward and for a while I felt safer at home with my family during this pandemic. I had to come to the realization that travel would not be the same right now.  However, it was doable.   I knew that one day I would feel comfortable packing my bags and heading off on an adventure, but I also knew I would have to put new safety measures on my agenda.

Here are 10 tips I learned from my first trip during COVID-19.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY

I decided that the first place I would go to would be somewhere I’ve previously stayed so I’d know exactly what it is like. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the hotel in an area that has a high amount of positive cases? Does the state have any requirements for quarantining before you go? Are attractions open, like beaches, state parks, or hiking trails.  I chose Maine because they were so strict with self-quarantining, and I knew I’d feel safe. Is there enough to do on the grounds of the hotel or will you just be confined to your room?

RESEARCH HOTEL SAFETY MEASURES

Does the hotel stress what they’ve been doing to sanitize rooms? Have they changed the amount of people they allow to book? Does the hotel offer contactless check-in? Do they provide sanitation stations throughout the hotel? The hotel may have closed many amenities, so make sure you research before you book.

SANITIZE YOUR ROOM

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How to Cope with the Not-On-Vacation Blues

How to Cope with the Not-On-Vacation Blues

We’ve been home for 7 months, and with no travel plans for the time being I’m starting to get a little stir crazy.  My planning notebook is starting to collect dust and It’s time to do something about it.  I am starting to get vacation fever and am daydreaming about sunshine, sandy toes,  and sand castles.  So, what do you do when you’ve got the not-on-vacation-blues?  Here are some ways I cope:

Have a quickie.

Ok…get your mind out of the gutter…I mean a quickie vacation! Plan a weekend getaway and stay in a hotel for a night or two.  Pretend you are somewhere far away and swim, order room service, or do absolutely nothing.  A change of environment can make all the difference. Choose a hotel you feel comfortable staying at and bring any items that will make you feel safer like your own pillow, towel, or blanket. Don’t forget to bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.  

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What’s On Your Travel Bucket List?

“We grow great by dreams. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days until they bring them to the sunshine and light, which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.”
– W. Wilson

Many of us are taking a pause from traveling, but that isn’t going to stop us from daydreaming.  Now is the perfect time to create your Travel Bucket List so you can do a little daydreaming about your next adventure.  After all…#wewilltravelagain!

Why did I start my list?

When I was in college I had an English professor that was the stereotypical hippy, turtleneck wearing, book loving, ‘Let’s have class outside’ kind of professor. I absolutely LOVED him! (Ok…it helped that he was also really cute!) He had a philosophy that everyone should have a Bucket List. However, he called it a Life List because it should be about your life, not your death. He suggested always having 100 items on your list at all time. When you accomplish one, you need to replace it with another.  As the years went on, a new list was created…my Travel Bucket List.

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