Surprise! We are going to Disney World!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
This past October, we attended the Niche Parent 2014 Conference held in Orlando, Florida as a family. I kept the trip a big secret from the boys ("T" 5 years old, "A" 2 years old & our new baby "Q") and decided to surprise them. Booking the resort room was quite easy and we received our personalized Magic Bands in advance, which would unlock the door of our Disney Resort hotel room, enter the theme & water park once we purchased the admission in advance as well as charge food & merchandise to our Disney Resort hotel room.
The morning of our flight, I woke everyone up and told them we were going to the airport to get on a plane, they kept asking where we were going but we kept saying, "You will see when we get there". The boys were excited about the adventure and could not wait to see what our final destination was. We landed in Orlando and tried to carefully make our way to Disney's Magical Express bus without the boys figuring out that Disney was our surprise destination, but by the time we made it to the bus, they had figured it out and were ecstatic. The driver loaded our luggage on the bus and we watched a welcome video on the way to our resort. The bus took us to Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, we checked in, received "First Visit" & "Happy Birthday" buttons, changed our clothes and headed out to the welcome dinner at Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. The weekend was filled with more Disney adventures: Disney themed recreational activities at the resort and a trip to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World. Thanks to the Niche Parent conference, the boys were able to experience Disney Magic throughout the whole weekend on and off the resort which kept them grinning from ear to ear and made their first trip to Disney, one they will not soon forget! -SD |
"A" at the airport on the way to Disney World
"T" at the airport on the way to Disney World
Family Picture with Safari Mickey & Minnie
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The boys on the bus on the way to Disney's Animal Kingdom
"T" waking up with a smile & his Mickey ears
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"A" trying on R2D2 Mickey ears
The boys ready to swim at Disney's Coronado Springs resort
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Family picture at Disney World
"T" enjoying a Mickey ice cream sandwich
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#BOBsays Get Moving...I did!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I was given a complimentary product for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Earlier this summer, I had the opportunity to attend an event to learn about the B.O.B line of strollers. I had never owned a jogging stroller because...I don't jog & hardly exercise. I was excited to learn more about them, test them out and even get one of my own to utilize in the park across the street from home and on our off-road summer adventures. Our B.O.B. Revolution Flex stroller took us on weekly walks in Prospect Park where we visited playgrounds, took nature hikes and explored plus we even took it to Coney Island beach! Even though, I was in my second/third trimester this summer, our B.O.B. stroller had me moving and maneuvering rough terrain effortlessly. Even, ThirtyDaddy, found the stroller quite easy to use and began weekly runs in the park with "A" (2 years old). His favorite feature is the 9 position adjustable handlebar because his 6'1" height has been an issue with all our other strollers and he is finally able to push the B.O.B Revolution Flex comfortably. We love our B.O.B stroller & can't wait to go on more adventures with it!
-SD FEATURES: * Swiveling front wheel allows for superior maneuverability. Locks forward for increased stability when jogging or if the terrain turns tough * Easy, two-step folding, lightweight frame for convenient transport and storage * State-of-the-art, adjustable suspension system provides an exceptionally smooth ride * Accessory Adapter allows for quick and easy attachment of BOB Infant Car Seat Adapter or Snack Tray * Ultra-padded, adjustable reclining seat for enhanced seating comfort. Five-point padded harness helps keep your child comfortably secure * Multi-position canopy adjusts for protection against the elements. Large viewing window lets you keep an eye on your baby * High-impact polymer composite wheels with pneumatic tires and tubes take on tough terrain * Low Boy Cargo Basket provides plenty of undercarriage storage. Additional space in large seatback pocket. Internal seat pockets provide a great place for snacks and toys * A simple twist of the front wheel tracking adjustment knob keeps you rolling straight * When engaged, the parking brake helps secure a stopped position * The wrist strap helps you secure stroller when strolling and provides handy fold lock when folded * Also available as a double stroller. *US MSRP: $479.99; CAN MSRP: $519.99 |
Out at Coney Island beach
Thirtydaddy & "A" out for an adventure in the park
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Thirtymommy's Summer Travel Must-Haves!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received some items complimentary for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
We recently headed out on a week long family road trip to Hershey, PA to attend the Pennsylvania Suzuki Summer Institute and some fun in the sun! Family travel can be stressful and packing for a trip can be overwhelming, we compiled a list of our ultimate must-haves for summer travel!
1. AlexToys has a number of great products and we packed our Tots Art Gallery ($28.95) filled with 12 simple art projects and all the material required to complete them, Car Valet ($43.95) art space & activity area which includes storage space for paper, books & art supplies & Crayons in Travel Case ($5.95) to occupy the boys in the car as well as when they had some down time during Summer Institute. Everything was super portable and the boys were engaged and had a great time creating masterpieces. Get 20% off any Alex Brands Products from alextoys.com or poof-slinky.com using the code ALEXBGET20 now through 8/31/2014.
2. Coolibar, sun protection you wear, had the whole family sun safe & stylish with the Island Swim Trunks-Batik , Boys island Board Shorts-Batik, Toddler island Boy Shorts, Coastline Cover Up Dress. These pieces were fashionable, comfortable and rated UPF 50+.
3. Trunki water resistant paddlepaks allowed the boys to carry and be responsible for their own water gear. "A" has Chuckles the clownfish paddlepak ($25) and he carries his swim diaper, towel, swim trunks and snacks. "T" has the larger Shark paddlepak ($30) and he carries his towel, swim trunks, sunscreen and snacks. The boys love packing and carrying their paddlepaks which is great because it leaves mommy & daddy to carry our own water gear!
4. Lenscrafters provided our stylish eyewear. The boys chose Ray-Ban Jr. aviator sunglasses and I decided to get my first pair of prescription sunglasses. I chose a pair of Tiffany & Co. aviators that have been truly amazing this summer.
5. Vera Bradley allowed me to travel & carry necessities in style with my Vera Bradley Day Tote which is spacious and contains lots of inside pockets to store smaller items.
1. AlexToys has a number of great products and we packed our Tots Art Gallery ($28.95) filled with 12 simple art projects and all the material required to complete them, Car Valet ($43.95) art space & activity area which includes storage space for paper, books & art supplies & Crayons in Travel Case ($5.95) to occupy the boys in the car as well as when they had some down time during Summer Institute. Everything was super portable and the boys were engaged and had a great time creating masterpieces. Get 20% off any Alex Brands Products from alextoys.com or poof-slinky.com using the code ALEXBGET20 now through 8/31/2014.
2. Coolibar, sun protection you wear, had the whole family sun safe & stylish with the Island Swim Trunks-Batik , Boys island Board Shorts-Batik, Toddler island Boy Shorts, Coastline Cover Up Dress. These pieces were fashionable, comfortable and rated UPF 50+.
3. Trunki water resistant paddlepaks allowed the boys to carry and be responsible for their own water gear. "A" has Chuckles the clownfish paddlepak ($25) and he carries his swim diaper, towel, swim trunks and snacks. "T" has the larger Shark paddlepak ($30) and he carries his towel, swim trunks, sunscreen and snacks. The boys love packing and carrying their paddlepaks which is great because it leaves mommy & daddy to carry our own water gear!
4. Lenscrafters provided our stylish eyewear. The boys chose Ray-Ban Jr. aviator sunglasses and I decided to get my first pair of prescription sunglasses. I chose a pair of Tiffany & Co. aviators that have been truly amazing this summer.
5. Vera Bradley allowed me to travel & carry necessities in style with my Vera Bradley Day Tote which is spacious and contains lots of inside pockets to store smaller items.
Alex Toys Tots Art Gallery
Alex Toys Car Valet
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Coolibar Batik swim trunks & Coastline cover-up dress
Trunki Paddlepaks
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Aviators from LensCrafters
Vera Bradley Day Totes
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Hershey, PA is the Sweetest Family Place on Earth!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. We received complimentary passes to visit the attractions for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
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We visit Hershey, PA for a week in the summer to attend the Pennsylvania Suzuki Institute for "T" to be truly immersed in his Suzuki violin experience. Last year, was our first year and we has a blast exploring the hidden historical gems that Hershey has to offer. This year, we decided that we would finally check out the infamous Hershey Park as well as Hershey Gardens, Hershey Story & Chocolate Lab.
The Hershey Story is an interactive museum that honors and preserves the life and legacy of Milton Hershey in a fun way. "A" had a great time exploring the exhibits. Even though we visited last year, we were amazed that we learned a few new things on this visit. about Hershey-- the man, company & the town. The Chocolate Lab is a must when visiting Hershey...you get to make your own chocolate in a 45 minute hands-on lab. "T" and u attended the "Make Your own Bar" class where we were educated about the rich history of chocolate and had the opportunity to create our own chocolate bars using the ingredients provided: mini marshmallows, raisins, puffed rice, sprinkles & white chocolate chips. After making our own chocolate at the Chocolate Lab, we headed to Cafe Zooka for a Chocolate Tasting of chocolates from around the world: Mexico, Venezuela, Ghana, Sao Thone, Tanzania & Java. Our server brought over a tray of 6 warm drinking chocolate samples ranging in cacao percentages and suggested that we taste them from light to dark. The tasting was delicious and we each had a favorite: mine was the 32% cacao from Java, "T" was the 40% cacao from Ghana, "A"s was the 75% cacao from Tanzania & hubby's was the 66% cacao from Mexico. The boys loved the tasting and comparing the difference in taste between the chocolates. HersheyPark was certainly an adventure and the boys were super excited to check it out after driving past it everyday for a week. We packed our swimsuits, swim bags, sunscreen and set out to explore HersheyPark for the first time since none of us had been there before. Upon arriving to the park, we were pleasantly surprised by its cozy feeling and were "tricked" into thinking the park was not as big as it really is. Our first stop was Hospitality Service where we purchased a few "meal tickets" for $13.75 each which allowed us to eat at over 20 places to eat throughout the park plus a souvenir cup that could be refilled throughout the season for only 99 cents. Then, with our map in hand we began our HersheyPark adventure. We followed the main path and I was quite pleased to find "kiddie" rides scattered throughout the park that worked well for a much needed break from walking. The Candy Brand Key showed which rides the boys were tall enough to ride: Hershey's Miniatures: M Up to 36" Hershey's Kisses: K 36"-42" Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: R 42"-48" Hershey's Milk Chocolate: H 48"-54" Twizzlers: T 54"-60" Jolly Rancher: J More than 60" I was also impressed that there were over 30 rides that both boys would be able to get on even though they are little guys. They rode the Dinosaur Go Round, Granny Bugs, Mini-Himalaya, Miniature Train, Pony Parade and Swing Thing. Our next destination was The Boardwalk to check out the wave pool and some water rides. We had a great time alternating cooling of in the wave pool and lounging on the surrounding beach chairs and the boys enjoyed East Coast WaterWorks: 7 slides, 2 crawl tunnels & nearly 600 interactive water toys. After our water fun, we wanted to dry off and enjoy some family rides, we decided to get on the Ferris Wheel & Carousel before calling it a day. We had a great time at HersheyPark and can't wait to return to check out more rides! Our last attraction in Hershey was Hershey Gardens: a 23-acre botanical display garden. There are a number of themed gardens and the boys wanted to check out The Children's Gardens first where there were a number of interactive hands-on activities for them to enjoy. We entered the caterpillar shaped tunnel and the boys were immediately drawn to the 3 Hershey Kiss shaped misters to cool themselves off. We decided to visit the Butterfly House which houses hundreds of North American butterflies. We were given a butterfly identification sheet to help us identify some of the butterflies in the house. The boys enjoyed searching for particular species and observing the butterflies up close and personal. After the Butterfly House, we explored the rest of the Children's Garden and they touched, smelled and played their way through the chocolate scented, named and colored flora. We enjoyed strolling through the rest of the grounds, admiring the trees, flowers & plants, stopping to take pictures and pointing out the koi in the Japanese pond. We had a great family trip to Hershey and will be returning next year for another sweet adventure! -SD |
Hershey Story: "A" explores the museum
"T" and I create our own chocolate bars!
Our chocolate tasting experience
HersheyPark fun!
Exploring Hershey Gardens
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Let the Hampton Hotels Help Host your Holiday Guests! #HamptonHoliday
*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Hosting for the holidays? Let Hampton Hotels including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites and Hampton by Hilton help alleviate some hosting duties with Hamptonality with over 1,900 locations worldwide, there is bound to be a Hampton Hotel near you! Hampton Hotels offer FREE hot breakfast which includes fresh-baked waffles as well as free wired or wireless high-speed internet access in all guest rooms. Here are some #HamptonHoliday tips to help with your holiday hosting!
-SD The 5 Tenets of Hamptonality are: *Unexpected delight *Being anticipatory *Sharing a compliment *Providing a moment of humor *Showing empathy Hampton has partnered with entertaining expert, Jenny Steffens Hobick, to celebrate little holiday moment makers by providing "Hamptonality” to travelers this holiday season. Whether staying at the local Hampton or with family and friends, Hampton and Jenny are here to help hosts create those lasting moments that everyone looks forward to around the holidays – reuniting with family, reminiscing about the past, and partaking in general holiday merriment! Here are just a few of Jenny’s holiday hosting tips for this holiday season, which will help hosts create lasting memories for their guests and celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Tip 1: Be the best OFF-SITE host ever… Let’s be honest. You love your friends and family, but cramming everyone into your house for days at a time can be stressful and add to your already lengthy holiday host to-do list! If you simply don’t have enough room to host all of your holiday guests or you just think everyone would be happier with their own, comfortable space, consider booking them at your local Hampton. With more than 1,900 locations, Hampton is the perfect place to stay no matter where your guests may be traveling from. Tip 2: Surprise your guests with welcome treats I always like to make sure my guests know how excited we are to have them for a visit by surprising them with a little treat when they arrive. One of my favorite ways to greet them is with something personalized with their name on it, like a decorated sugar cookie or a festive welcome sign. I love staying at Hampton Hotels because they take a similar approach. They often add a personal touch for a guest’s stay by offering a favorite local snack or fun local item when guests check in. Tip 3: Be prepared with lots of snacks We all get a little grouchy when we're hungry - adults and kids alike! Anticipate those moments by having snacks planned for afternoons and before dinner to keep everyone happy. Be sure to include fresh options like fruit and crunchy veggies, along with filling cheeses and more decadent treats so you have something for everyone! Tip 4: Post the plan I post a schedule for everyone to see so they'll know what to expect during their stay. Don't overbook your guests, schedule plenty of free time for them to do their own exploring or relaxing. Channel your local Hampton front desk concierges and be your guest’s hometown concierge by providing them with a list of activities to do in the area. Tip 5: Make time for exercise and fresh air We all feel better with some fresh air in our lungs. I'd be lost without my daily exercise to clear my head and invigorate my spirit. Invite your guests on a walk with hot coffee (or hot cocoa!) and everyone will feel refreshed! Suggest an evening stroll through your local neighborhood to check out the holiday decorations. Guests at Hampton can also get energized and make time for a workout as most locations boast fitness centers and swimming pools. |
*Winner will receive a (1) night stay at a US Hampton Hotel location
*Hampton Hotels will mail winner a “Be My Guest” card, which entitles the bearer to (1) free night stay at a US Hampton 
*The Hampton Hotels brand, including Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn &
Suites and Hampton by Hilton, is an award-winning leader in the mid-priced hotel segment, serving value-conscious and quality-driven travelers. *With over 1,900 properties totaling more than 186,000 rooms in 14 countries and territories, Hampton Hotels is part of Hilton Worldwide, a leading global hospitality company. *All Hampton hotels offer comfortable surroundings and a friendly service culture, defined as "Hamptonality," delivered by over 50,000 Team Members and supported by the 100% Hampton Guarantee®, reinforcing its commitment to providing excellent service to both business and leisure travelers alike. *High-quality and consistent accommodations and amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and free hot breakfast, and the latest technology and innovations, such as multi-unit Power Cubes and the brand’s signature Clean and Fresh Hampton Bed®, combined with numerous locations globally have made Hampton a leader in its segment and one of the fastest growing hotel brands worldwide! Connect with Hampton Hotels online at www.faceboook.com/Hampton, http://twitter.com/Hampton, +Hampton, http://www.instagram.com/Hamptonality or www.youtube.com/Hampton |
There's more to Hershey than the Park!
*Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post; we received complimentary admission to Zoo America & The Hershey Story.
We decided to enroll "T" into the Pennsylvania Suzuki Institute this summer to fully submerge ourselves into the Suzuki way of life. The week long institute was held at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA and since none of the family had ever had the opportunity to visit Hershey, we decided to make it into a whole family vacation. We booked the hotel, rented a car and I began researching additional activities for us since "T"'s days would mostly be from 9am-4pm. I was unaware of the rich history of Hershey, Pennsylvania and was amazed to find so many different attractions besides the park. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Harrisburg East which had complimentary wireless Internet access in the rooms, an outdoor heated pool, complimentary hot breakfast bar and a microwave, mini fridge and coffee maker in the room. We had a great time at the hotel and we would definitely stay there again.
We visited Hershey's Chocolate World and had great time on the Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour Ride where we learned all about the history of the cacao bean and how chocolate is made. We followed the path an actual cacao bean would take on it's journey to become a delicious chocolate bar. After leaving the ride we were even treated to a complimentary piece of chocolate.
We visited Hershey's Chocolate World and had great time on the Hershey's Great American Chocolate Tour Ride where we learned all about the history of the cacao bean and how chocolate is made. We followed the path an actual cacao bean would take on it's journey to become a delicious chocolate bar. After leaving the ride we were even treated to a complimentary piece of chocolate.
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Zoo America was next on our list. We chose a beautiful day and headed there right after "T" was done with his classes. We followed the suggested route and had a great time. First we stopped at the Southern Swamps and saw the roseate spoonbill, cottonmouth, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Gopher tortoises, an American alligator and a snapping turtle. Next, we visited the Great Southwest and saw a desert box turtle, Gila monster, desert tortoise, blue spiny lizard and a roadrunner. We were also able to experience nighttime in the dessert and look for nocturnal animals: ocelot, vampire bats, burrowing owl and the white throated wood rat. When we visited the eastern Woodlands we saw a wild turkey, bobcats, a red-tailed hawk, white tailed deer and black bears. In Big Sky Country we saw American elk, a turkey vulture and a sandhill crane.The super playful prairie dogs had both "T" & "A" captivated as they seemed to play their version of a game of tag. We were even able to catch the show, Paws, Claws Scales & Tails where we were able to see a few animals up close and personal as well as learn a few new facts about the turtle, skunk, barn owl ,an alligator. Zoo America is a great zoo and definitely a place to visit while in Hershey, PA.
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Our final Hershey destination was The Hershey Story which consists of a museum, the Chocolate Lab, a cafe & a Museum Shop. We were excited to visit the Chocolate Lab for the opportunity to make chocolate beach bars. The session began with a fun game of trivia where we won 3 Hershey kisses for answering 3 questions correctly. Next, we were outfitted in the appropriate Chocolate Lab attire: apron, hair nets...and yes a beard net for dad. Our chocolate instructors walked us through the process of creating our own bars after providing us with melted chocolate, molds, sugar transfer, graham crackers (sand) and sea salt. "T" made his chocolate & mine and was ecstatic when the instructors announced that he could lick the bowl!!! While we waited of our bars to set, we learned more about the fantastic world of chocolate, held an actual cacao pod and tasted coco nibs which are 100% chocolate! Next, we headed upstairs to the museum where we played the interactive scavenger hunt, "The Official M.S. Hershey Apprentice Guide" and the "I Spy at The Hershey Story". WE had to look for items, answer questions and check in with the tour guides to receive items to help us complete the hunt. The museum was packed with interactive exhibits and lots of history; we all learned a few things from our visit. "T' even had a chance to create & print an issue of The Hershey Press starring himself! The Hershey Story is a must whenever you find yourself in Hershey, PA. We had a great time and I can't wait to return to visit more of Hershey, PA's hidden gems!
-SD
-SD
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First Family Road Trip
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"T" waiting patiently on his Trunki
"T" & "A" "playing" checkers at Cracker Barrel
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Trendy Travel Time with Momtrends
*Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. I attended the event & received a gift bag.
Kerri, Raising Three Savvy Ladies, and I in deep travel & fashion conversation
I recently attended the MomTrends Travel Event 2013 to learn about WHERE to travel, HOW to get there and WHAT to wear on vacation. The event was held at one of my all time favorite Swedish Brands: Polarn O. Pyret and of course, I picked up a few things for my boys. Home Away was on hand to give us some info on the top travel destinations and to introduce us to their amazing vacation home rental services. Travel Sort gave an informative presentation as to how to get the most of reward points to use toward an amazing family vacation. London Times showcased a few of their amazing dresses, most of which are non-iron, which some of my fellow bloggers modeled and Polarn O Pyret pointed out some travel essentials for the children when on vacation. I really enjoyed learning more about these companies and I feel that I am now prepared to start planning an amazing family vacation.
-SD
-SD
Monica, So Family Online, rocking the London Times Eyelet Shift Dress
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Nicole, MomTrends, looking fabulous in her London Times dress
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Divina, The Dancing Hotdogs, showing off a London Times Scuba Peplum Dress
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