Family Vacations
We just recently came back from our family vacation trip to San Diego. It's one of our favorite vacation so far.
SeaWorld was decked for the holidays, from Christmas trees with a seaside theme to twinkling blue lights. There were also several holiday-themed activities there. The Arctic attraction with the polar bears changed from a simulated helicopter ride to a Polar Express ride. Shamu also put on a special Christmas version of Believe (although we went to the classic Believe show).
Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure are where we spent day two of our holiday visit to Orlando. The highlight of the day at Universal Studios for the grown ups was probably seeing the Mystery Machine and the Simpsons area, and the kids enjoyed the Feivel play area the most.
"I'm really here."
That's what my 3-year-old son said yesterday, softly to himself soon after we arrived at Disney World. I know many families do the traditional Thanksgiving, but this year we decided to pack up the minivan and head south. Today, Thanksgiving Day, was our first day at the parks during this visit. A statement like that, so simple, so almost adult-like, is exactly the reason why this is known as the most magical place on earth.
On a Thursday evening in July 2009, my toddler (20 months) and I were scheduled on a direct flight from DC's National Airport to Chicago's O'Hare. The original direct flight was delayed and then canceled due to thunderstorms and rescheduled for a one-stop flight with plane change in St. Louis the next morning. That flight was diverted into a cornfield with an airstrip in Illinois for an hour due to fog, resulting in a missed connection and second rescheduled flight. We finally arrived in Chicago 22 hours after we'd initially left for the airport in DC. This article was almost titled: "Keeping a toddler happy during nightmare air travel to Blogher '09."
Read more: 5 Air Travel Tips for the Solo Parent with Toddler
Ever wondered where the most delicious spot is in all of Disney World? Well that has to be Epcot’s 14th Annual International Food & Wine Festival, which runs from September 25-November 8, 2009 this year at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Read more: The Most Delicious Time of the Year: Epcot's Food and Wine Festival
Every year, 16 million people visit Washington, DC. While travel and accommodations can sometimes be pricey, once you are in DC, you will find there are find hundreds of free things to do in and around the nation's capitol. All 19 museums that make up the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Zoo, are free for admission. The Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorials are free. The Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol tour, and White house tour are all free, though require tickets or advanced appointments.
My parents, like most couples, were complete opposites. My mom is a Type A planner, list-maker and agenda-keeper. Even before she settled into her 3rd career of selling cruises, I used to call her our family Cruise Director. My dad, on the other hand, was as laid back as they come. Typical Southern gentleman, he relied on spur-of-the-moment plans and taking things as they came. He eventually rubbed off on his prepared-for-anything Yankee wife.
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