Wordless Wednesday - SHARKS!

Two weekends ago we were in the Outer Banks and took the kids over to the North Carolina Aquarium....

It got a little dicey and scary....they have some big sharks there...

 

 

 

Luckily we were able to all walk away safely!

 



 

 

Wordless Wednesday - Us - Fall 2013

Pictures of "us" don't happen very often....and pictures of 'us" where we are all smiling and looking in the same direction (notice I'm not even saying looking in the right direction) NEVER happen....so imagine my surprise to look through my camera card and find this..

 

Now of course I wish I had taken a little extra time and worked on my hair, and put on a little bit of makeup...but oh well!  So to the nice man who walked by us talking, and asked us if he could take a picture of us with my camera - thank you from the bottom of my (our) heart(s).

This was taken at Carter Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville, VA (about 45 minutes from us).  This was our second year going and we had a ton of fun.  I promise a detailed post with all of our pictures soon (I know...I have 30483094 posts that I have promised you...I will sit down soon and play catch up).

I have two giveaways that are live right now, make sure you go enter them HERE (ends 10/25) and HERE (ends 10/28).

Wordless Wednesday - Why We Have Crazy Kids

I've always wondered why our kids always seemed to be wild, crazy, and energetic.  Then I realized that the apple....well it doesn't fall too far from the tree...

And I can't even say that these pictures were taken away from the kids because O took every single picture by himself...I guess he got tired of us always taking his picture.  He even directed us....this one, he told us to sleep.

And this next one....yep, it's all me 100% unassisted....I probably have 409538457 pictures of me this same exact way.

They may be a bit out of focus - but for being 6 years old and 3 hours past his bedtime, I think O did a pretty good job! 

Oh, and yes, those are Cheslea jerseys....more to come on this soon!! ; )

Wordless Wednesday - Twins

While we were in Disney we had a few twin sightings,




T & O in their camo!

 

Me & B w/our polka dots!

 

and now that I'm looking at these, I LOVE them!!  I promise a Disney post soon!!

Wordless Wednesday - Daytona Beach

This was pit stop #1 on our way home from Disney a few weeks ago.  We were hoping to leave earlier and pick up breakfast to eat on the beach....we ended up just letting the kids play for a few minutes and then loaded back into the car.  Troy took this picture, which I adore!

It's a cell phone picture, but I LOVE it!!  We took some with the big camera, but this one was still the best.  My babies are growing up so fast!!

Guest Post - Top 5 "Pack Light" Tips for Kid-Friendly Travel by Kendra Thornton

This weekend starts the official start of summer, bbq's and family trips (at least in my book it does).  Traveling with kids is fun, but can be stressful which is why I was ecstatic when Kendra Thornton contacted me to do a guest post with some tips to make it easier!

Here is a brief introduction from Kendra:

"My name is Kendra and I'm 37 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mom, I was the former Orbitz Director of Communications where I was able to travel all around the world.  I believe I have some great tips for traveling with kids that will certainly come in handy this summer!

 Personally, I’ve been to 28 countries on 6 continents, and have been quoted in the news about seasonal travel trends and destinations all over the United States. I have now stepped out of the corporate world to take on the role of being number one wife and mom to my family."

And now, what you have been waiting for:

Top 5 "Pack Light" Tips for Kid-Friendly Travel

If your world is full of bag lunches and rushed kisses on the way out the door, you may yearn to get away from it all as soon as possible. Just think. All your kids in one place - one wonderful place - having the time of their lives and giving you the chance to have yours too! Family vacation time. If you're not careful, you run the risk of bringing along just as much baggage as your every day hurried world back home. Be prepared and pack light with these top five tips for kid-friendly travel.

1. Plan What You Pack and Put Your Foot Down 

There's one last 'mean Mom' moment before you whisk the family on the vacation trip. Whether you're traveling by car or airplane, space is at a premium. Plan with your kids what they can and cannot bring and help them make good choices. If you have older children, give them each their own carryon so they can stay occupied. Make sure each kid knows they will be carrying their own bag if possible. 

2. Blend the Old and New for Comfort and Fun

A favorite toy may bring comfort on a long trip. But will it hold your child's attention long enough to give you some peace while driving? Buy some new toys or games and a special vacation-only bag as well. The surprise at new things will keep them busy for a good part of the trip.  My kids really enjoy arts and crafts - I am amazed at how much enjoyment (and peace and quiet) comes from just a new box of crayons. Crayola has thousands of printouts for your little one as well if you want to avoid bringing an entire coloring book.

3. Keep Important Stuff Accessible

All the usual things such as medication, paperwork and a change of underwear need to be kept close at hand on vacation. Traveling with kids expands the important stuff list to include a favorite toy or a baby's pacifier. Snacks and drinks should be readily available too. If you are leaving the U.S. or traveling by air without both parents, make sure to check what documentation is required for each child.

4.  Picking your Home Away from Home 

As much as you’re looking forward to spending quality time with your family on your trip, vacations can definitely take a toll on everyone.  Whether its jetlag or cramped legs in the backseat, it is crucial to have a relaxing place to crash at the end of the day.  Make sure you are picking the accommodations that make the most sense for your family.  Use your Internet skills by researching your options – take into account proximity, amenities, and price when choosing your hotel.  On a recent trip to Hawaii, I was able to find a kid-friendly hotel just by reading up on the best hotels in Honolulu. Taking full advantage of recommendations and reviews from your peers is a sure fire way to ensure a soft pillow and restful sleep for your family after a long vacation day.

5. Avoid the "Are We There Yet?" Blues 

Have you found yourself desperately wanting to get away but dreading the inevitable question?  Get the kids involved with the journey itself. Older kids may enjoy following along on a map or GPS. Consider using Google Earth and looking up interesting facts about the towns or cities you go through. Even younger children can join in the fun of plotting a course and playing travel games as you go. The more involved everyone is in the vacation adventure, the more likely it will be an exciting and relaxing time.

You can follow Kendra on Twitter to find more of her knowledgeable information or ask her a question!!