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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Summer 2021 Bucket List

Summer 2021 Bucket List

 

Happy first day of summer!!!

Summers are short and sweet in New England so we always make the most of them. We try to spend our days outside and make every moment count.  A Summer Bucket List helps keep us on track and creating one lets us daydream of days to come.  Last summer was a crazy one, but it did let us fill our days with family time.  Here is our list for 2021!!

Go to a drive-in movie

Sunset dinners at the sandbar

Watch all of the X-Men movies 

Go to Lake Fest, a summer concert on the water

Make our own gelato with fresh fruit

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Tips for Nervous Flyers

Confession…I’m a travel blogger that doesn’t love flying.  I can’t sleep on a plane, am never fully relaxed, and squeeze the heck out of the hand of the person next to me during takeoff.  Kids learn from your behavior and I want mine to love flying so I’ve learned to keep it together during flights.  I’ve developed some coping strategies that really help me while flying.  Here are my top tips for nervous flyers:

GET DISTRACTED

Some of my tips for nervous flyers happen before they even get on a plane. Make sure you have plenty of things to do that will keep your mind off your worries.  I love to get lost in a good movie, so I always download some onto my electronics. Don’t count on the plane to provide good movies; it’s always better to bring your own and not use them.  I also load new music onto my phone.   

PLAN ON NO ELECTRONICS

 Ironically, takeoff and landing are the times when I’m most nervous and that’s when you can’t use electronics! I always plan things to do like a new book, a magazine, or a crossword puzzle. Here are some great books. 

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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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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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