Travel With Kids- Some Thoughts

July 19, 2011 by 10 Comments

If you are like me, you want to make travel with your kids as easy and pain free as possible. Road trips are not for the meek of heart- here are a few ideas on how to make them easier, more fun, and how to avoid unnecessary trouble along the way.

1) PLAN!!! You need to plan as much as you can- but be prepared to be flexible and make changes along the way. Be like the tree…..sturdy, rooted,…and pliable 😛

2) Where are you going? Do you have favorite places to eat, or know what restaurants are in the area? How about activities, theme parks, other events? I assume there are things you plan on DOING while on vacation, right? Soooo….bring coupons! No reason to pay full price. Take advantage of travel deals, coupons, text message percentages off, and all sorts of other ways to save money! Great places for information? BLOGS. Yes, of course the places you will be traveling will showcase the deals of the minute- but your favorite bloggers and deal sites can also give you the insider info- the real what’s what, and point out some other fab deals. Checl out travel blogs, savings and deal blogs, area blogs- AND the visitors bureau of the area you will be travelling to (and through! don’t forget those!). SAVE YOUR MONEY!

3) Have a newly potty trained, or potty training kiddo? Bring a little potty along- keep it accessible- and some sani-wipes as well to clean it out after using. Nothing worse then a wet kid in a wet seat on a LONG drive! Plus- who needs more laundry? Don’t push it- just pull over if they have to go. Yes, it’s annoying. They are kids- being annoying is sort of thier “thing” LOL

4) Bring laundry detergent, stain stick (for those “fun” accidents), and a laundry bag. Chances are great that you will be doing some if you are gone more then a few days!

5) Don’t fight the silly/small things. Is your kid insistent on bringing a bag of stuffed toys he sleeps with? Wearing a tutu for the whole trip? Maybe- like mine- won’t sleep in a hotel bed and makes me bring his pack and play even though he is nearly 4 and sleeps in a bed at home???? (Did I mention I hate that?) Whatever- you can fight them, and have a whiney, buggary kid on your trip, or just go with it. For me? Sleep is more precious then his sleeping (or not sleeping) in the area I would prefer. I bring the pack [Read more…]

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Enter to win two fun trips to PA!

July 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
Strasburg Rail Road is giving away two tickets for the Wine & Cheese Train. Perfect for a date night or girls night out!  
Amish Country Inns is giving away a $200 voucher, redeemable at any of their lodging properties!
Property info: www.AmishCountryInns.com
You know how much we love this area of PA, have fun and Good luck!
~Samantha

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Have Sippy- I’m traveling!

July 13, 2011 by 2 Comments

Ohio has been a really fun place to visit so far. My expectations have been surpassed time and time again. I am used to much more congestion, lines, and longer waits for just about everything then I have experienced in Ohio. Even in local activities, we usually have to wait longer then we have had to for our thus far visited Ohio area attractions. So! Where have we been? If you follow me on Twitter, FaceBook, or Foursquare, you can see all the great places we have been so far.  I have also been posting updates all up and through them, as well. If you are not? I will be posting all about these exciting and fun family adventures, little by little, over the coming days and weeks.

OK, so I owe you a few on Pennsylvania as well- but don’t worry, I will get them all to you! I don’t want you to miss out on anthing fun.
But, since it is nearly impossible to post with the frequency I would need to, getting them all to you AS I do them- while giving you something of substance, of course!- they will come to you as I can while I am away, and then of course I will get the rest to you when I get back. Not to mention keeping up with your product reviews and giveaways, and the Birthday Bash celebration! Oh my goodness, I am a busy girl right now, LOL. Packed days, bloggy nights! You know how it is. But, you know me, and you will get ALL the good stuff.
So hang tight- and happy reading!  🙂
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Wordless Wednesday

July 13, 2011 by 4 Comments

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So- you are in Lancaster- what’s a good spot to stay in?

July 10, 2011 by 13 Comments

Yep!  That IS a giant, stuffed bacon on his head…and a Zoobie, and a Yogi Bear.  What, you don’t travel like that???

Last night we stayed at the Best Western Village Inn in Intercourse, PA.  (I know, funny name- especially for such a very religious area!)  As soon as we got there, the first thing I noticed (besides the well-kept property and friendly service) was how clean the room smelled.  As soon as we opened the door, we were hit with the smell of “clean”.  The room- while on the smaller side, it had everything you needed for the night.  Clean beds, bathroom, towels, they had a large TV and a mini ‘fridge as well.  One of the best aspects of the Best Western was the location- it was  right in the middle of so much- lots that you didn’t even need a car to get to, in fact.  Kitchen Kettle Village, home to many shops, restaurants, and the famous ” Yummy”, is about 2 blocks away.  The Lancaster, PA area has some fabulous shopping- from Amish-made treasures, to quite a few outlets- whatever your heart may desire.  And the food will not leave you wanting!  If you can’t find something you like- forget that- something you LOVE- you need to get your taste buds checked.  You can have fantastic PA Dutch Smorgasbords (Family-style dining experiences), the BBQ can’t be beat- and farm fresh produce is found at nearly every corner!  The Herrs factory is local, as is a pretzel factory, several places to see and buy fresh “canned” veggies, and- lets not forget the desserts!  Shoo-fly pie, apple pie- and let’s not forget the famous “Whoopie pies”, which are really tiny cake sandwiches with frosting in between- my son’s favorites!  Home made ice cream, lemonade, and pretzels are local favorites as well. (DO NOT miss these!)

The restaurants all close by 8- something this city girl didn’t know!  So that is a consideration to be aware of.  But it is no big deal- just know it ahead of time.  This area could not be more family friendly.  There are many historical, hands on, and active events and attractions for you and your family to enjoy.  Working farms, buggy rides, adventure farms, petting zoos, museums, puppets shows, live theater- you name it!

Did I mention how safe it feels here?  Or how friendly?  People wave and say hello. If someone bumps you- they say “excuse me”.  It is a great place to be, and a fantastic place to visit.  Don’t forget all our other adventures are in the area- Day out with Thomas, The Strasburg Railroad, Choo Choo Barn, Hayloft Candles and Petting Zoo- they are all just a little drive from the Best Western.  I love Lancaster.   I love being here with my kids, and I am here all the time- if you have not been here, get planning!  If you have, then when is your next visit?  Yummie’s birthday is coming up- you know you want to come on over for that!!!  If you are looking for a place to stay in the area, I am definitely recommending the Best Western Village, in Intercourse.  Fast, friendly, local to so many attractions, a restaurant on site (open from 6 am until 8 pm)- and even FREE wifi and continental breakfast!  What more can you want in a hotel?  Happy Trails to you, and I hope to see you soon in Lancaster– there is so much more then meets the eye!  Take your time, relax, enjoy all the local delicacies, and have fun!
~Samantha

Disclosure- I received a complimentary night at this hotel for the purpose of this review.  This is my honest review, all opinions are my own.

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Turkey Hill Experiance

July 9, 2011 by 8 Comments

Well, we made it to PA, and we made a few stops before calling it quits for the day.  The first one- the Turkey Hill Experience, in Columbia PA.
I have to say, and I am sorry to start this travel post extravaganza with a “meh!”  but, there it is!  Not so fab.  It was neither a factory tour, not a “tasting tour”- there were some fun things to do and see, but……For small kids- it’s not the most entertaining, and while all the background is super interesting, it is better suited for adults and teens, I think.  The kids had fun- but there was little absorbed, either about the Turkey Hill family, history, “experience”, or about farming.  Just wayyyy over their heads.
Brightly colored, clean, and NEW- it just opened on June 4th, of this year- it is visually stimulating, and has a cute, small ball pit, slide, and a few other things for the kids- but in general?  I would not recommend it if you have young kids.  They really tried- but I just think it fell short.  Cute things to mention are a slide, a small ball pit, and a little game where you can shoot germies with a little light beam.  They give you little paper ice-cream-man hats, and you can take photos in a little pretend ice cream truck.  You can pretend to milk a cow.  There were flavor scents, that you could punch onto cards, you could create a picture of your own ice cream image, along with an ice cream carton to match, and a “commercial” (and the kids DID enjoy crating the commercial, go check out the previous post, LOL)- but the touch screens were not appealing to them, and it took a long time in general, otherwise.  There was a line, then the touch computers were sllllooooowwwww, and you had to do this 3 times (once for each thing).  Also?  OK, so- the company makes ice cream and iced tea- you would expect to have fun with that, yes?  No.  You are given a thimble-sized sample of one iced tea, and the same of an ice cream.  ONE teeeeeeny, tiny bit of each.  And the price?  The price is all sorts of wrong, in my opinion- $11.50 for adults, $9.50 for kids, under 4 is free.  But really?  For $11.50, and for a family- which multiples the prices fast!- you should really be able to maybe try the ice cream you created- or have more then a spoonful of ice cream and a swallow of iced tea.  It’s supposed to be an experience of Turkey Hill- minus the products?  Of course, you can always buy them in the Creamery downstairs, with the gift shop- 10% off all food with the ticket stub!  But who is going to the Creamery without buying a ticket?  So that’s nothing, really- it just felt like a way to lure people into a themed restaurant and to buy souvenirs.

Outside, near the entrance, with a giant cow and BIG ICE CREAM!
Some Lancaster and Turkey Hill history

Even in a 3 year old’s hands, that’s a small drink!

Disclosure- I received tickets to this attraction to facilitate this review- this has in no way affected my writing.  All opinions are mine- yours may differ.
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On the road again….

July 8, 2011 by 13 Comments

So, first thing tomorrow morning, I am out of here!  Car is packed, house sitter is already here to watch the house and the dog- we are good to go!  I’ll still be posting while I am gone- and I will get to all your emails, tweets, and all the other fun things as soon as I can  🙂  Just not as quickly as usual! 
Tomorrow we begin in Pennsylvania- in one of our favorite places, Lancaster! 
We will be checking out the Turkey Hill Experiance, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm,eating at the famous Good ‘N Plenty PA Dutch County restaurant- I’m SO going off my diet while there!- and staying at the Best Western Village Inn for the night.
I will give you plenty of updates when I get back to the room tomorrow night- and tweets galore!  If you are not yet following me on Twitter, Facebook, or Foursqure, now’s the time!  You want to keep up with all the latest and greatest family fun- where to stay, where to go- what’s fab!  We are hitting the road, old school- NO portable dvds or i pods, etc for the kids, either!  Just family fun. 
Most of us can’t afford that luxury vacation that we want this year. Times are hard!  But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast, on a budget.  Come travel along with us, and I will show you a bunch of great places where you can have a blast- and you don’t need to break the bank to do it!
Happy Travels, see you there!

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Getting Ready!

July 6, 2011 by 4 Comments

In addition to posting tonight, I am getting ready for our 2 week vacation extravaganza! We leave on Saturday, and while we have a house-sitter- there is still so much to do!

ALMOST done with laundry and shopping for the things to take with us- now, for the packing! AHHHHHH!

2 weeks, 2 kids, 5 states. ROAD TRIP!
See you there!
~Samantha

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