May 26, 2013

Tips for travelling with children



 Happy Memorial Day weekend 

The stomach flu decided to come round and like a bad house guest, over stayed  his welcome. I have so much catching up to do...it isn't even funny!

Hope y'all are enjoying this glorious time of year...pre-Summer.
With the start of long weekends come long car rides and did I mention my girls don't travel well?...at all. 
So I was thrilled when Kendra Thornton, former Orbitz Director of Communications and a mother of 3 offered to share her expertise travelling tips. 

Kendra has travelled to 28 countries on 6 continents, and has been quoted in the news about seasonal travel trends and destinations all over the United States. Now she has stepped out of the corporate world to take on the role of being number one wife and mom to her family.

Enjoy these wonderful tips to help y'all on your travels. 
I know I sure will.
Gracias Kendra!


Photo Credit

Why Prepared Moms Are Happy Moms


Going on vacation with kids can resemble work more than anything else for us moms of small, active children. Although we may be tempted to whisk our spouses away for a relaxing, adults-only sojourn, that isn’t practical as a family.  After all, we want our kids to grow into well-rounded adults themselves, and travel certainly does a great job of expanding personal horizons.  Fortunately, I've got a treasure trove of tips for harried moms that can help make traveling with the family much less of a grueling ordeal and much more like a pleasant journey for everyone. Remember that when it comes to traveling with kids, a prepared mom is a happy mom.


Stay as Close to Your Normal Routine as Possible

Particularly if your children are very young, straying as little as possible from your normal routine will keep them from becoming overly cranky while you're en route to your destination. Keep meals and nap times consistent with your daily routine at home. If you are traveling through time zones, try to adjust their sleep schedule in the weeks leading up to the trip.  Slight adjustments now will make your vacation a much more pleasant experience as you all acclimate to your new location.


Do the Bulk of Your Traveling Early in the Day

If you are going to be flying on a commercial airline, making your reservation early in the day can keep you from having to experience airport delays. Many major airlines now offer passengers the option of printing their boarding passes within 24 hours of the flight's scheduled departure, and this can save you from having to endure long lines at check-in as well.  Security checkpoints should be less congested earlier in the day as well, but make sure to wear slip-on shoes and minimal jewelry to make this process as smooth as possible.  If you’re checking your stroller at the gate, make sure you know ahead of time how it collapses as you will likely be required to put it through the x-ray conveyor belt during security.


Choose the Right Hotel

When traveling as a family, opt for a child-friendly hotel.  This will make entertainment, meals and safety much simpler throughout your stay.  Make sure that your hotel is equipped with a refrigerator and a microwave so that you can provide your kids as well as yourself with snacks and drinks. This is essential for children who still need bottles.  I know my kids often leave leftovers – having a microwave to heat up chicken nuggets when tummies begin to grumble is always a plus. If you’re looking for a true kid-centered vacation, try planning a trip to a family resort like those with indoor water parks.  When my family traveled to Oahu, we picked a beach resort with entertainment for kids and adults alike.  Choosing a kid-friendly accommodation does not mean you have to skimp on quality either, as our Hawaiian resort was still rated amongst the top hotels in Honolulu.


It's Your Vacation Too

To follow my previous point, you need to reach a balance on your family vacation.  Even though it isn't quite the romantic getaway with your husband that you sometimes dream about, there is no reason the two of you can’t have some alone time together while vacationing with the family. Hire a sitter and go out for the evening to a grown-up restaurant or enjoy a glass of wine together on the hotel patio after the little ones have drifted off to sleep.  Many resorts have kids clubs that will provide safe entertainment and excursions for the kids, allowing you to relax.


Don't Be Caught Without Essentials

Although you don't have to load yourself down like a pack mule, taking necessary, everyday essentials with you while traveling will cut down or eliminate those inconvenient times when you're left without something that you really need. For instance, if your toddler is prone to spilling drinks, make sure to bring along a few changes of clothes for the travel there.  Extra snacks, drinks, diapers and plastic bags are not items you will regret and will prevent you from having to pay double at expensive rest stops or airport convenience stores.


As a traveling mom, the best thing that you can do for yourself is be prepared.  

Happy travels!

Guest blog post by Kendra Thoroton


May 10, 2013

Happy Momni Day Ideas and free printables

Feliz Dia Mamas!
May your day be Blessed as mine!!!!
Tomorrow we are going roller skating which is my perfect Momni day activity.
After my husband bought me a pair of quad skates from the Dominion Skate Company for my birthday , roller skating has become our new family past time.
The happiness these skates have brought me and mi familia is immeasurable!
Everyone should have a pair and enjoy this happiness.
If you are looking for a pair of roller skates like mine then go to dominionskate.ca
You won't be disappointed!
Below are Cesina's skates.
Beeeeeeeeautiful aren't they!
Not to mention it's great exercise..perfect timing with summer being around the corner!
These are Valentina's skates. Yes they make skates for children too, don't worry....
I was equally surprised and ecstatic when I found out.
Now we got ourselves a new family tradition!
Roller skating every Saturday morning , Birthday's and Momni day.
Thank you Dominion Skates Company  for continuing to make roller skates!!!!!!!
Drop by Dominion Skate Company's Facebook page to check out their
fabulous links on learning how to roller skate...
When I think back on all the tricks I used to do. Sigh....best of times!
Just in case y'all wondering..
This is not a sponsored post and
I have not received any money or free products from the Dominion Skate Company.

We hit the jackpot when we discovered DSC still made roller skates.
New and old school boot quads like the ones we learnt on as kids growing up in the 80's.
It's such a wonderful experience being able to relive this part of our youth that it would simply be
criminal not to share this Canadian treasure with y'all!!
Especially after savouring that joy of gliding along on a sweet pair of roller skates!
Just look at these Roller skating smiles. 

Here are some other Happy Momni Day ideas to help y'all celebrate the day.

Like placing this Mommy Money in a beautiful wooden box or container that is hand painted by the children.
Or having the kids write down a favourite memory and make a book.

Perhaps have Mother's Day party.
Click on the picture below for the free kit
Here is the matching pink gingham template to make your own Mommy Money.

Let the children write down why they think their mama is the best and frame this sign.
Cupcake toppers or favour tags.
Mother's Day meme for social media.
 This year I will be taking my abuela to the Greenhouse for their hydrangea display.
Mums for the Moms...but come for a glance at
Greenacre's Spring garden.
The early bloomers found themselves opening ...
amongst the signs of  Summer.
Everything is celebrating the return of the warm weather
and MORE ROLLER SKATING!
cool picture effects
However y'all spend this day.
I wish y'all a very Happy Momni Day!

Omni Hotels & Resorts is running a Mother’s Day Pinterest Sweepstakes
called “Happy Momni Day“! Pin your tribute to your Mom (or yourself!)
for your chance to win!

April 29, 2013

Evicting ants and deterring bugs from your home


Spring has sprung after a week of rain. 
These springful delights of colour.
Remind me of the glorious season that comes behind it...Summer.
My husband came home with these fabulous signs and I am debating on whether or not to change our Asian themed bedroom to a beach theme. I love the tranquil blue and neutral palette. Perfect for relaxing!
Which is not something I have been able to do since I found ants roaming around the house.

It's almost insulting that they are even in my house because I am extremely clean.
It's not uncommon for us to see a couple around this time of year but I always put out a couple of ant traps and they are gone within days. This year the traps became water coolers and the ants got bigger. That really got me worried because I thought they might be carpenter ants which would mean a worse problem then just regular ants.
After goggle searching what the difference between black and carpenter ants  .I breathed a sigh of relief because they are not carpenter ants. Yay!
Some of the differences just in case you too have this concern are;
that the carpenter ants have heart-shaped heads'
a smooth thorax
 and carpenter ants can be black, brown, red or a combination of these colours like this one pictured below.


Some tricks I picked up on the Internet are to place bay leaves in the cupboard.
because bugs don't like the smell of it. So I have one on every shelf in my pantry. So far so good. (touch wood)
Ants and cats are supposed to be repelled  by coffee grounds. Turns out I have one big ole'can of coffee grounds with their name on it.
You can also sprinkle cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic in the area where you've seen ants and along your home's foundation to deter them.
I literally poured some cinnamon spice in a small crack I follow the ants too and that was the end of that. I was very but very liberal with the cinnamon!!

Click on the picture and read more information from Wikihow on how to stop ants coming into your home
and how to get rid of them once they are already in your home.


I am doing whatever I can to evict the ants for good!
Or at least until next year. At this point...I'll take it. 
 Oh my lovelies....Spring brings joy and vermin.
 Such beauty..
just bursting with life and colour.
Beeeeeeeeeeeautiful!!!!
 Just don't understand why ants would my prefer my kitchen over living out here with their compadres.
They must be the suicidal ants is all I can come up with.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
This page contains affiliate links. I receive a referral if you use them to purchase these services with no additional cost to you. Thanks so much for supporting the adventures!

My favourite place to get amazing graphics!