Kendra Thornton on Traveling

Since the summer vacation months are in full swing, I thought it'd be appropriate to touch a bit on the subject of traveling with the littles and keeping sane.
Kendra was so gracious to contact me and ask that I post a little bit of an article on my blog, here....But OF Course!!!
Here is her take on Traveling with the family! Seriously, this is some GOOD Info!

Planning to Succeed on Your Next Family Vacation
It’s time for a family vacation!  Does your head throb at the thought of long airport lines, endless highway miles, or grubby hotel rooms?  You can eliminate these travel hassles, and more, by
planning with a few new strategies ahead of time.  Planning ahead of time will yield the best results for your family’s vacation.

1. Getting There is Half the Fun!
Whether your vacation involves taking a plane or driving, preparation is essential.  Book your
flight as far ahead as possible, and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare.  Hands-free is best when travelling through airports with children.  A baby carrier helps with the littlest member of the family, while tots through teens can sport individual backpacks.  Pack only essentials in carry-on bags, as they must pass through security screening.  

2. Where in the World…?
Choose a vacation destination that has something for everyone. If you’re traveling to visit a family member, do your homework about cool attractions along the way or near her house.  If the budget allows, go for resorts or cruises that feature kids’ clubs, as well as fun for parents.  Comfortable lodging, with all your family’s desired amenities is the vacation centerpiece.  I used Gogobot to look through a wonderful list of Orlando hotels, and was able to find one that best suited my family’s needs.  Be sure to read online reviews before you book your stay.

3. On the Road Again
Families opting to travel by car should plan ahead to neutralize boredom and stress.  Keep everyone comfortable during long hours in the car with pillows, blankets and favorite stuffed animals.  Bring your kids favorite book for them to enjoy, or download audio books to your electronic devices for passing time while on the road.  Finally, don’t underestimate the morale boost that a well-planned pit stop can give a car full of weary travelers.  Smart phone apps and GPS devices are great for finding restaurants and attractions along the route.   

4. Supermom Savings 
Do you want to vacation without breaking the bank?  Research travel deals before you go. Whether you’re renting a car or purchasing park tickets, a few mouse clicks can mean the difference between full price and a nice discount.  Calculate a food budget that incorporates a variety of dining options, and then search online for restaurant coupons.

5. Time to Thrill, Time to Chill
Don’t wake up on Day 3 of your vacation and ask, “What are we doing today?”  Plan beforehand to get the most out of your trip.  Schedule the major attractions and also incorporate some down time to rejuvenate tired bodies and minds.  Keep activities within the usual rhythms of naps and mealtimes for your family.  Balance busy days with days for unwinding. With your vacation plan in-hand, get ready for your family’s best trip yet! Enjoy your trip, and safe travels!

3rd Birthday Prep

Well, I finally took the leap and ordered our birthday invites for Chloe's princess themed birthday party! Omg, I couldn't be happier. Seriously, Kristen Lawlor over at First Name Smith is like some kind of genious or something. I can't even believe that she pretty much read my mind alllll the way from Florida and made my Princess Themed Birthday invite dreams come true! It's perfect in every single way and I couldn't be more excited to send these out! Eeeek!!!!

6 Years and Counting

Wow, can you believe it? I'm actually blogging....maybe this is the time I'll make my comeback. I've just been out of the blogging world lately, and it's actually felt pretty good. We've just been living life. Ya know, that thing you do when you have a toddler...not stuck behind a computer. Yep, that's been us. We've been pretty busy. Chloe had an allergic reaction to her antibiotic, so that was fun....that was about a weeks worth of Urgent Care, Dr visits, tests, freaking out.....ya know, the whole 9. Husband walked in his graduation ceremony. That was an exciting day until the end of the day when Chloe started to blow up like a balloon from her reaction. Gah!
Our 4th of July was fun....pretty low key. We went over to Husbands parents house. Had some snacks, and then just came home. Watched some of the neighborhood fireworks after Chloe was out for the count by 8pm.
So, now I'm sitting here thinking to myself, this post should actually be longer then a Twilight Novel, buuuutttt, I really don't want to write all this out. I'll save it for another day. Today I want to focus on the fact that it's July 7th 2013 and Hubs and I have been married for 6 years......WHAT!? 6 YEARS?! Seems crazy to me, but it's the truth! I can't believe it. July 7th, 2007 was the BEST day of my life (besides the day I gave birth) and it's a day I'll never forget. So, today in honor of our Anniversary we're going to have Grandma and Auntie babysit and go to a movie and dinner. I'm pretty excited.
Oh, and as for gifts? I did a Boudior shoot and make hubs a photo book. And he got me a new bike!!!! I LOVE IT! And I wish it wasn't threatening to rain today or else I'd be out riding that sucker right now. He bought a new bike about a month ago, and I told myself that if my bonus from work was big enough to buy a bike and pay off credit cards, I'd get myself one too....but it wasn't. So he surprised me with a new bike. He's amazing!
Well, that'll be all for now. I'm really sorry that I've been MIA lately. I promise I'm going to try and come back here soon....Living life is just way more important to me right now. I have a few posts that I'm going to be writing up here for this week, so stay tuned!