Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love

I love taking my kiddos on vacation, well most of the time.  Yes, like every other parent I have experienced the occasional temper tantrum but nothing is more fulfilling than seeing the smiles on their faces when you walk into the hotel for the first time or hearing the excitement in their voices because they see the ferris wheel from the parking lot at the amusement park.  Here are a few ideas for some stress free kid friendly vacations. 


1.  Museums - We recently took the kiddos to Washington DC for the weekend and visited a few of the museums.  They had areas for kids with teaching activities and they kept our little guy busy for hours.  You don't need to go to Washington DC for great museums though, there are museums in every state check out the listings by state at the Museum Market website.  If you visit local museums you won't need to spend the extra money on a hotel (everyone loves a cheap, great time).  Make it a perfect day trip with a picnic lunch at a local park.

2.  National Parks - The breeze blowing through the trees, wildlife all around you and free family fun.  National Parks have so much to offer!  Go hiking, let the kids play in the water or go whiter water rafting.  Did you know there are over 400 National Parks?  Visit the National Park Service website to find one close to (or far away from) you!

3.  Camping - Bring on the great outdoors!!  Load up the tent, food, clothes and kids and you are ready to go!  Imagine waking up to breakfast on the grill (made by your hubby of course) and hearing the laughter of your children as you take them on a nature scavenger hunt.  I LOVE camping, being away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is welcome any day!  Need a less pricey trip?  Try camping in the back yard, just sleeping outside in a tent will put a smile on your little ones faces!6

4.  Amusement/Water Parks - We take our little guy to Hershey Park every year, we all love the rides and the water park.  Although some a pricey, you can usually find one in your area that is affordable.  You might want to check out the prices on season passes if you are planning on going more than once, you will save bunches!  There are also indoor water parks for those winter days when you are craving a does of "summer".  Most parks will offer a twilight pass for just the evening hours or a discount if you go two days in a row.  Also, check to see if they are partnered up with any local hotels for a discounted room.

5.  Beaches - If your family craves sun, surf and sand then head to the beach and have some fun!  Collect sea shells and walk on the beach at sunset after everyone else has gone home.  Some beaches allow camping on the beach, sounds fun right?!  Pack lots of sunscreen and aloe if you plan on spending most of your time on the beach.

Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms introduced a new blogging program which asks you to write about "Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love."  Check out what other awesome bloggers do for their fun summer vacations on TwitterMoms.

Kayla

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

Or maybe just a funnel cake!!

I recently went to a Yankees/Orioles game in Baltimore MD.  I had been to one before but it has to be at least 8 years.  I was raised an Orioles fan (my Mom...OBSESSED with Cal Ripken) but married into a Yankees crazed family which puts me in the middle of all kinds of teasing and bantering.  My Mom has what I consider a deep hatred for the Yankees so I hate to say this, I kinda like them (Shhhhhhh....don't let her know!).

I couldn't believe how many Yankees fans were at the game.  For every Orioles fan we saw I think there were 10 Yankees fans...kinda sad considering we were at Camden Yards.  The food was excellent (but a little expensive), nothing better than munching on nachos, french fries and funnel cake while watching a game.  And no, I didn't go just to eat!!

I will say though, there was a lot going on in the stands while the game was going on.  It actually made it difficult to want to watch the game.  The "beer man" was constantly yelling in my ear, there were people up and down in front of us and there was a group of guys who were seat hopping the whole time.

Best part of the whole game was watching the guys stretch ;)  I think they purposefully bend over in front of you, and I don't mind it one bit!

Remember to get out and there and support your local teams, they will appreciate it!  If you live in Baltimore, please get out to an Orioles game it really is a great way to spend an evening. 

Kayla

Wordless Wednesday :)

I am a SLACKER!!!

I love vacation! The food, relaxation, no need to clean, cook or do laundry. I love the smiles on my kids faces as we find exciting things to do.

What is the one part of vacation I absolutely hate??? PACKING! And knowing how much I hate packing you would think that I would have started before today (we are leaving at 6:30 tonight) AND that I would be packing right now instead of playing on Facebook and Blogger. I just can't help it, I am a self proclaimed slacker! I have most everything together (and by most I mean I have the kids stuff on their beds) and our stuff in a suitcase. But, I still have to pack the diaper bag, snacks for the road, toys for the beach and house, toiletries, towels (which I have yet to find, don't you love it when you clean and forget where you put something?) and tons more. One word for my day so far...STRESSED! Yes, I know that if I had started early this week I would be able to relax today buuuuut things rarely work out like that. So here I am, playing on the computer and complaining about how much I have to do. Time for me to get to work!

Hope you have a great weekend, I know I will!

Kayla

Wordless Wednesday – Sand and Shells and Sunshine!

 

Why beach pictures you ask?  Because tomorrow evening we will be on our way to Ocean City, MD for Springfest!  The last time we went was for Sunfest when Little Man was 3.

This will be the baby’s first trip to the ocean so I am excited to see her reaction to the sand.  I’m sure Dillon will love the sand, seagulls, seashells and food so much that he begs us to move there like he does every time we go on vacation.  I just hope the weather is good and the kids don’t make me want to pull my hair out on the way there.  Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

                                                   Kayla

Friday Night Lights Is Back!

Ahhhhh!!!  I am so excited! Friday Night Lights (the t.v. series) is back on NBC!  The show has had some problems when it comes time to renew their contract, but NBC has picked up the 4th season which will air on Friday May 7th at 8:00/7:00 central time.

If you have never seen FNL you should definitely tune in on Friday.  You can catch up on season 3 on the Friday Night Lights Episode Recap page.  I really hope they can keep this show on NBC for a few more seasons, the story line is great and the actors are AMAZING!  And ladies, there is some major eye candy on the show.  Who is my favorite you ask??  Matt Saracen for sure (although, Tim Riggins is a very close second)!  So make sure you check it out, I promise you wont be disappointed!

                                                                       Kayla

Like The New Look??

Hop on over to

The Cutest Blog On The Block

 and check them out.  There are tons of backgrounds and banners to choose from (and so much more).  Best part, they are FREE!

I am hoping to one day understand HTML enough to create my own, but until then I’ll be searching the web for one  :)

Kayla

No Way! Did he really do that?!?

So last night I was getting ready to go to bed and I was doing my normal walk through of the house.   Every night I check the kids, doors/windows and appliances and make sure lunches are packed for the next day.

I walked into my sons room to check on him and kiss him goodnight and stepped in a wet spot on the carpet.  Not knowing what the it was, I did what any Mom would do…I took my sock off and smelled it.  No smell (not sure what I was expecting though).  Why I would even think about smelling it is beyond me!

I look around, is there a cup on the ground?  No.

A washcloth maybe?  Not a chance.

I do however find the underwear he was wearing laying about 6 inches from “the spot”.  And Guess what??  They were dry!  So I ask myself…

WHY WOULD HE PEE ON THE FLOOR???

I can only think that he got out of bed to pee and thought he had walked the 10 extra steps it would have taken him to get to the bathroom.  Pulled his underwear down and did his business…am I ever glad all he had to do was pee!

Note to self:

1.    Never smell your sock after you step in something….nothing good can come from it!

2.  Always make sure little man uses the bathroom before bed.

This isn’t the first time a thing like this has happened.  A few months ago I woke him up to go to the bathroom (I knew he fell asleep without going) and when I walked into the bathroom to check on him he was peeing on the floor right beside the toilet.  UGH!  I guess it could be worse…

 

Maybe I should invest in this sign!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Babygirl loves her ring pops!

Spice Up Your Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, celebrate Mexican heritage with this yummy recipe.

I have used this recipe many, many times and everyone LOVES it!!  Try it out for Cinco De Mayo this year, you won’t be disappointed.

Chicken Enchiladas

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 onion, chopped

1/2 pint sour cream

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

2 cups salsa

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/3 cup chopped chilies

1 clove garlic, minced

8 (10 inch) flour tortillas

1 1/2 cups red enchilada sauce

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear.  Drain excess fat. Shred the chicken and return it to the skillet.  Add the onion, sour cream, cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and ground black pepper.  Heat until cheese melts.  Stir in salt, salsa, chili powder, chilies and garlic.

Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas.  Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non stick cooking spray with the seam down.  Cover with enchilada sauce and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes then eat and enjoy.

The original recipe can  be found at allrecipes.com

Serve with Mexican Rice and some Southwestern Corn…DELISH!

Don’t forget to rinse it down with a cold Margarita  :)