Last week the family and I took our first trip to Disneyland! Planner that I am, I did a A LOT of research before we left. I’m not the type of vacationer to get super hung up on schedules and plans once we’re there, but I also don’t want to waste any time looking stuff up or figuring things out when we could be taking in a show or screaming our heads off on the kids’ favorite ride. Plus, there’s enough waiting around at Disneyland as it is, no need to test the kids’ patience any more than we … [Read more...]
Why Dinner and a Movie Isn’t Enough to Keep the Spark Alive
Being a parent to young kids is no joke. There's a lot on our plates; busy schedules, sleepless nights, and the responsibility to keep those little ones well fed, stimulated, learning, happy and just alive! One important part of parenting as a couple is also keeping the spark alive, something that is often a lot easier said than done. But science is here to help. Studies show there's one big thing couples can do to stay happy and sane while dealing with it all. So what's the … [Read more...]
27 Must-Know Tips for Happy Family Travels
If there's anyone that's qualified to write about how to travel with kids, it's our talented contributor Kaley. She's currently living in Vienna, Austria with her husband and two little girls and "on a mission to see as much of Europe as possible before heading back stateside". Her blog is full of gorgeous photographs of her family's travels to places like Berlin, Slovakia, and the Netherlands. She also shares lots of smart tricks she's learned along the way, including how to make a DIY … [Read more...]
Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa: An Insider’s Guide
All this month we're talking about New Year's Resolutions and today I am SO VERY EXCITED to finally share with you one of the most amazing experiences of my life, which came about from a 12th-hour New Year's resolution- to travel more as a family. This story is actually a little crazy, and more than a little out of character for my Type-A self. Here's how it all started... It was early November last year when three important things happened. First, I came across a very compelling … [Read more...]
An Inside Look: Snowland at Great Wolf Lodge
It's about this time of year that the folks in my neck of the woods start making plans for family vacations come spring. (It's somewhat of a natural consequence of the start of the rainy season.) But our family isn't joining them this year for two reasons: We did the vacation thing BIG last year and it seems prudent to keep it much more low key this year Our youngest is at the perfect age (20 months) for making the idea of a plane trip or long lines at an amusement park sound … [Read more...]
An Organized Car In Time For Summer Travel
Is your car road trip ready? If not, don't fret. Our resident professional organizer, Annie, is here with a summer-themed post for Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life today that will get you there in no time. She's got lots of great tips as well as some handy product recommendations. (I've been meaning to buy the last thing on her list for ages - this is just the push I needed!) The summer months are fast approaching, and with them, lots of day trips and long-haul journeys. Regardless of … [Read more...]
Travel Tip: Magnet Magic
Now that we've just barely finished unpacking all the boxes (inside at least - the garage is a different story), guess what - we're packing some bags and hitting the road to visit our family lake house in Montana. Naturally, a 7 hour road trip calls for breaking out the big guns and this idea from Kaley is one of my favorites. Hope you can use it too! With summer in full swing, we have been doing a lot of traveling (get more of our tips here). Planes, cars, even buses. And no matter … [Read more...]
What To Do To Prepare For Travel Departure (with Free Printable)
Summer is the time of travel, which can be great, but also a bit trying. So over the next week or two, we'll be featuring ways to increase the fun, decrease the stress. Kicking us off today is Annie with tips for getting your home and life set for your return before you leave. Plus, there's a free printable - so be sure to read all the way to the end! There's a lot to think about when it comes to planning for travel. All too often, the focus is solely on packing for trips and travel … [Read more...]
We’re Off! 7 Books to Take On Your Summer Travels
There's lots of parts of travel that can be overwhelming (packing for a whole family, anyone?), but the trip itself shouldn't be one of those things. Some of the best memories of childhood can be the time squished in the backseat of a car with your siblings or experiencing your first plane ride! Whether you're traveling by plane or train or car this summer (or even if you're staying home and just have antsy kids to entertain), these books will keep everyone engaged and happy for hours, no … [Read more...]