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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10 Tips for Taking Kids to a Drive-In During COVID-19

10 Tips for Taking Kids to a Drive-In

Although the word is full of unknowns, we can’t stop having fun and making memories.  We simply need to figure out how to do it safely.  One good thing about social isolation, is it brought back some nostalgic activities…like baking bread, family game night, and movie nights.  Every summer we do something that screams nostalgia…DRIVE-IN MOVIES! Do you know there are less than 350 drive-ins left in the US? I wasn’t going to let anything stop us from doing it this summer.  Here is an article I wrote last summer, but I’ve added some tips for safely doing it during COVID-19. Enjoy!

One fun thing to do during summer is take your family to the drive-in.  Not only is it cheap (It was only $28 for a car of 4 people), but it’s a fun nostalgic thing you can do together.  Many drive-ins run throughout late summer/early fall in New England but in many parts of the country they are lucky to have them run year-round. 

Here are 10 Tips for Taking Kids to a Drive-In:

 BEACH CHAIRS/CAMP CHAIRS

 Most people don’t sit in their cars like I had expected.  Cars get hot and the windows can get foggy so it’s best to find a spot in front of your car.  Bring a chair you can comfortably sit in for 2 hours.  One family even brought bean bags for their kids! (Many drive-ins are operating at 50% capacity and making you leave space in between cars.  Practice social distancing by always keeping 6-feet away from others and wear a mask if you’re near others.)

 THINK COZY

 There’s no one to impress, so dress code is all about being cozy.  This is the time to bring out the yoga pants or sweats.  Even better…best things for kids to wear to the drive-in are their PJ’s! 

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10 Tips for Going to the Beach During Covid-19

Summer for our family always includes trips to the beach to build sand castles, go boogie boarding, read, and play games in the sand.  Last summer we thought we might miss out our summer tradition, but we made it. We hadn’t gone ANYWHERE all summer, so it was a hard decision to make. With a little planning, we spent an amazing day at the beach and can’t wait to go again this summer.

Here are 10 tips for going to the beach during Covid-19:

GET THERE EARLY

The early bird gets the worm…as well as the best beach spot.  They may be limiting the number of people allowed in, so it’s a good idea to get there before the crowds.

STAY 6-FEET APART

By now you know…6-feet apart is the new norm, and at the beach I would suggest WAY more than that.  No one wants people sitting close to them (even when there’s not a pandemic going on…lol), so make sure you are far enough away that everyone feels comfortable.  You also want to be respectful and stay away when you are playing games, going on walks, and collecting shells around others.

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May Product Roundup

Hello May!  I’ve been waiting for you and praying for some nice weather! As you know, I love sharing new products I’ve started using! Here are some great products I’ve used this month.  Enjoy!

PlaneAire Hand Sanitizer

WHY TRAVELERS WILL LOVE THEM

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First Class…Behind the Magic Curtain

I know I’ve said it before, but I have one of the sweetest husbands around.  Last February, on our way home from Europe he sat with the girls in coach for our 9-hour flight and gave his mom and I first class seats! We felt like queens up there and it was a trip home we will never forget.  If you’re like me, you may have wondered what it’s like to sit up there behind those magical curtains. Could it really be worth it? Here’s a peek at our first experience traveling in first class! (Remember that all planes are different, so experiences will vary.  This was our United flight from Switzerland to Boston.)

OUR SEATS…

The seats were probably one of the best things about our flight.  Our seats lowered into that dark area where your feet go so you could recline it as much as you wanted to, even making it completely flat.

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Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront

Photo Credit: Hampton Inn Downtown Waterfront

You know one of my favorite places in the United States is Portland, Maine. Lighthouses, cobblestone streets, quaint boutiques and waterfront views make it the perfect destination for families. My girls have not traveled in over a year and we were thrilled to finally be escaping to this fabulous city.  When staying in Portland, location is key and I always stay in the Old Port, the historic waterfront district. The Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront is a wonderful place to stay.

Read all about our stay…

Pineapple Ketch Sailboat, Kennebunkport

All aboard…

Your adventure starts when you arrive at the gorgeous Nonantum Resort

and head down to their docks towards the amazing 1976 Pineapple Ketch sailboat.

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Kennebunkport, Maine Itinerary: Day 3

Kennebunkport, Maine: Day #3

Day 3 of exploring Kennebunkport, Maine gets you out on the water, lobster rolls, and some fun on Ocean Avenue.  Take a peek at your Kennebunkport, Maine itinerary for day 3 Enjoy!

Grab a quick breakfast at the resort before heading out for the morning.

Ocean Walk

There is no better way to see the beauty of this part of the coast than a walk on Ocean Avenue.  Walking this route allows you to enjoy the dramatic views. The mansions will give you a peek at how the other-half lives and you can pick out which one you’d buy if you had a few extra million dollars lying around.

First stop is St. Ann’s Church. This beautiful church was built in 1887, and has been in continuous use as a summer chapel since that date.  It is one of the most charming churches I’ve been to in the United States.  It is located right on the coast and the views are breathtaking. The architecture of the church matches the beauty of its surroundings.  It looks as rugged as the coastline with its stone walls.

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Kennebunkport, Maine: Day 2

Kennebunkport, Maine: Day 2

After all the fun of day 1, it’s time to continue exploring all the beauty Kennebunkport, Maine has to offer.  Day 2…

Grab Some Breakfast

Head over to Mornings in Paris, and enjoy a pastry and a latte.

21 Western Ave

Take a Walk

First stop is an amazing place to go on a walk. The town of Kennebunkport, Maine, is a peaceful coastal town and Saint Anthony’s Franciscan Monastery is a wonderful way to begin your day.  The grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset and the friars welcome visitors. The grounds have two lovely outdoor chapels.

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Kennebunkport, Maine: Day 1

Kennebunkport, Maine: Day 1

Kennebunkport is one of my favorite coastal towns in Maine.  It is classy, yet welcoming, and the perfect destination for families.  It has it all… beaches, art galleries, lobster boats, and seafood restaurants.  Did I mention lobster?  Here is an itinerary for three perfect days in Kennebunkport!

Check into Your Hotel

The Nonantum Resort is one of the most beautiful resorts in Maine and the perfect destination for families, a girlfriends’ getaway, a couple’s romantic escape, or a solo trip.  Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or one filled with adventure, this is the resort to book.  Look at how gorgeous it is!

 

After you drop off your bags in your room, head down to the water, find a cozy Adirondack chair and watch the boats go by for a while.  You can feel your stress melting away!

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