Enter to #win 4 Adventure Passes for Stone Mountain Park: It's Spring FUN Break time!

Are you in or near Atlanta next week for Spring Break? If so, you should not miss Stone Mountain's extraordinarily entertaining Spring FUN Break week!

Spring FUN Break at Stone Mountain takes place from April 4 - 11, 2015. Special attractions and entertainment will delight the whole family, including:

• RIO: The 4D Experience
• Clint Carvalho's Extreme Parrots
• Easter Bunny and Penelope the Parrot at the Character Meet and Greet
• The usual fun features including Geyser Towers, Sky Hike, The Great Barn, Summit Skyride, and the nighttime spectacular laser show 

Spring into adventure at Stone Mountain Park with Spring FUN Break featuring attractions and entertainment, fun for the whole family!

Stone Mountain has offered one of my readers a family 4-pack of Adventure Passes! I highly recommend you visit during Spring FUN Break for the special featured entertainment, but the winner may select a date any date between April 4 - July 30, 2015. Tickets will be made available via will call once a date is provided by the winner. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
A winner will be emailed within 24 hours of the giveaway close. Winner must respond to the email within 24 hours or a new winner will be chosen. If winner opts to visit during Spring FUN Break, they should provide the date of visit in the email reply. (Otherwise, a future date can be emailed to me by July 15th.) 

Good Luck!

Five reasons why the beach is ideal for multi-generational travel #vacation

A beach vacation is an ideal choice for vacationers of all ages.

My family has enjoyed a multi-generational beach vacation for the past six years. We love family travel. Months prior to departure, we select a vacation rental condo after searching specifically for  layout, location, and rates that suit our varied needs. Each household packs up their vehicle and we all drive from our home state at our own pace, meeting up eventually at our family vacation destination.

Five reasons why a beach vacation is ideal for multi-generational family travel:

#1 - Vacation rentals
Beach destinations have hundreds of vacation rental properties. Websites such as VRBO or HomeAway allow future vacationers to search many listings at once with their own specific parameters and easily get in touch with the property owner or management company. Our family uses vacation rentals to customize the living space that fits our growing family. Number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, types of beds (queen, king, bunk), pool access, beach access, parking availability, wi-fi... all of these are important considerations for us. Vacation rentals allow us to have togetherness for morning breakfast and evening game time while also providing privacy via our own sleeping and bathroom spaces for a family vacation that is free of elbow jabs and cramped quarters.  

Happy spring! It's a Kitchen Aid stand mixer #giveaway - #WinKitchenAid

We are celebrating spring in the south! Easter Egg hunts begin tonight and tomorrow, trees are in full bloom, and outdoor play is BACK! A few local bloggers have teamed up to celebrate spring by offering you a great giveaway! The Kitchen Aid stand mixer is one powerful, helpful, awesome kitchen tool and now it comes in a rainbow of colors!

Spring is in bloom and what better way to celebrate then by bringing a little color into your kitchen! I’ve partnered with JaMonkey to share this awesome giveaway with you. One lucky winner will get to pick the KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Mixer in the color they want. Make sure to visit all of the sponsors blogs! JaMonkey Really, Are You Serious? Redhead Baby Mama In the Kitchen with KP Balancing Mama Mamalicous Maria JaMonkey KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway Our Facebook Fans get an extra entry! (Lucky you)

Open to US residents only. Giveaway ends at 11:59pm (EST) on April, 17 2015 . One winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook or Pinterest. Facebook and Pinterest will be completely released by each entrant. One entry per person. Entry includes filling out the Gleam form above. Winner will be chosen using random.org. and will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway closing time. Winners will be announced on the post, not on Facebook. The winner must respond within 48 hours of receiving the email or a new winner will be chosen. No purchase necessary.This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.

Snacks from a 1980s childhood

In the Autumn of 1983, a five-year-old me entered Kindergarten. I was in elementary school during the heart of the 1980s. That meant permed hair, giant plastic glasses, the "amazing" Apple 2C computer (with Oregon Trail, of course), little girls doing hand-slap songs, and boys trying their hardest to get their Hot Wheels to actually achieve a loop via the flimsy yellow track.

What about snacks?  I definitely ate a few things in the 1980s that I would steer clear of today, like:

Vienna Sausages - No offense to anyone who enjoys these, but what was I thinking? I probably ate a little can of these water-packed meat sticks every day after school for years.

Handi-Snacks - Do you remember those individual packs of crackers with a compartment of "cheese" spread and a little red rectangular plastic stick? 1980s kids thought it was so cool to spread our own "cheese" product over our crackers all by ourselves. Unfortunately, it was much less actual cheese than it was a concoction of oil and salt. A lot of salt.

Wordless Wednesday: Nice, France

The gorgeous south of France! I want to go back!

A supervised dexterity exercise for baby/toddler

We stumbled upon a great dexterity and coordination exercise for baby last Friday.

Andrew's curiosity about our slide-out recycling bin drawer finally got the best of him, so he dug right in. He happily pulled out empty milk jugs and a few 20-ounce bottles. One bottle still had a lid screwed on and after a few minutes of trying to remove the lid, Andrew handed it to me with a grunt (which meant, "open this!").

So as it turns out, older babies are fascinated by lids and things that can open and close. Andrew spent a solid ten minutes trying to put the little lid back on the bottle. (Note: do not let a baby or toddler have a 20-ounce bottle lid unsupervised, as it may be a choking hazard!) It was a fantastic exercise in using his hands and improving dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

I watched him as he turned the little gray lid over and investigated the top and bottom. I observed as he brought the lid to the bottle mouth and tried to figure out which way it should go. Finally, I saw him get the lid on to the bottle - and he broke out in a huge grin. He learned how to manipulate a small object with his hands and he learned a bit of cause and effect (once I get the lid turned the right way, it will stay on the bottle). A useful baby dexterity exercise!

Here's a short clip of Andrew hard at work:

Find what makes you happy, then do what it takes

When you don't like something in your life or things do not go as you planned, what do you do?

Personally, I complain about it for a while. I let it get me down. And then, when I am tired of feeling let down or aggravated, I release the build-up of "oomph" inside and embark on a journey to fix it.

 My career aspirations have pretty much gone unattained at this point. I stepped backward for the sake of my then baby girl, because the only day care where I felt peace and joy was only available for part-time hours. I found a friendly career home, a perfect fit, that satisfied my needs for several years. I had plans for a long-term future there, but circumstances beyond my control changed that plan as I faced reduced work hours. Plus, the 70-minute one-way commute, even at only twice a week, was wearing me thin. Baby Andrew came along and I felt lucky to not have to worry about too many work hours. I took several months away from work entirely. As he reached 6 months old, however, I did not enjoy the isolation from grown-up discussion and yearned to work again. I finally realized that I was depressed and bored and not treating myself well. I took the unexpected curves in life and allowed them to veer me into a ditch where I sat and felt bad.

This is what I do. I get sad, feel bad, and eventually something snaps. A fire burns in me again and I set my mind to making a change.

You cannot expect anyone to make your positive life changes for you.

A mere seven months later, I no longer commute.

Healing my hands after a mean winter: Dial deep cleansing moisturizing hand soaps

Winter was pretty forceful this year, wasn't it?! I do not have much to complain about given my southeastern location; we are watching flowers bloom and grass grow by now, while many of you are still seeing snow. But even in the South, our temperatures were low and we saw a few more snowy or icy days than usual. My hands were their usual wintry dry, cracked, and red for two months. During the winter months, I have to be especially careful about the types of soap I use on my skin and I slather on lotions and creams several times per day.

I found a hand soap that I really love for year-round use: Dial Boutique Collection hand soap with refreshing moisture. I was familiar with this deep cleansing hand soap line prior to receiving a sample of the newest scent, Sugar Cane Husk Scrub, and I was already enjoying it. The Dial Boutique Collection deep cleansing hand soap line is gentler on skin than other brands I have tried; it actually feels silky. The vibrant scents in the Dial Boutique Collection have the power to briefly transport me to warmer, relaxing places. I also enjoy the micro-scrubbers in the soap to lightly exfoliate flaky winter skin and the fact that it does not have added anti-bacterial alcohol in it is a plus for this mama (parents overuse antibacterial these days!). It is also perfect for the entire family. My daughter loves the scents and it keeps her sensitive skin clean and smooth as well.  

The newest member of this line of high-quality moisturizing hand soap is Sugar Cane Husk Scrub. It offers an indulgent scent inspired by freshly cut sugar cane and reminds me of past vacations, cruising past sugar cane fields in Hawaii with the warm sun on our faces.

If winter has wreaked havoc on your skin, I would recommend giving this Dial Deep Cleansing Moisturizing Hand Soap a try. In addition to the scrumptious new Sugar Cane Husk Scrub scent, you can find the Dial collection in Water Blossoms, Coconut Lime Verbena, and Yellow Raspberry Black Sugar. 

- - -
I received free hand soap from Dial for the purposes of this review via Purex Insiders. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Atlanta: 2015 Baby and Child Expo - May 2nd

Are you a mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunt or uncle to a baby or small child - or expecting one?

Are you in or near Atlanta on May 2nd?

If so, you should not miss the annual Baby and Child Expo at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. The Atlanta Baby and Child Expo is considered the premier event for expecting and new parents in the Southeast. It is a celebration for expectants, new parents, grandparents and other loved ones.

When is the 2015 Baby and Child Expo? 
May 2nd, 11am-2:30pm (VIP ticket holders get early entry, starting at 10:30am)

What will I see at the 2015 Baby and Child Expo?
This event features a Maternity Fashion Show, Red Carpet Photos of attendees as they enter, awesome baby gear to buy and try, thousands of dollars in giveaways and so much more! 

Where is the 2015 Baby and Child Expo?
 Fox Theatre Ballrooms, 660 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

How do I attend the 2015 Baby and Child Expo? 
Just visit this website: www.atlantababyandchildexpo.com for details and tickets

I will receive tickets to the 2015 Baby and Child Expo in exchange for sharing this information. Any opinions remain 100% mine.

Shhh... Mommy is hiding

I am hiding in my bedroom right now. I dare not make a peep, for you are finally settling down in your own room nearby. You tested me well today, little one.

I am hiding now. Shhhh, don't tell. Close your eyes and drift to sleep. 

I am hiding from the sticky dishes that await in the sink downstairs

...from the scattered crumbs under the table

...from an unfinished project sitting in limbo on my hibernating PC

...from my cell phone that sits downstairs

I am also hiding, in a way, from your Daddy and sister outside. I could go out and play, but I just want to hide. Savoring silence. I am hanging on to the only free moment I have managed to grasp today.

It is quiet in here now that you have assumed your sleeping position: face to the side, little rear end up in the air, one arm clutching a favorite blanket, your body smooshed into the corner of the crib. Yesterday was a big day of playtime and today was a first attempt at consolidating to one nap. You worked me hard today, baby boy, but Mommy understands. You are tired. I am too.

Any moment now, the door will open downstairs and sister and Daddy will enter. I will move from my quiet spot in my room to help them with whatever they may need. I will swiftly switch on the Mommy mode. I will sweep up the grass they trail in from the yard and clank tonight's dishes into the dishwasher. I will select Amelia's green clothes for St. Patrick's day and urge her along as she completes her usual bedtime routine with inevitable stalling. We will prepare for another busy day to arrive when the sun rises again.

I have a few fleeting moments left to hide from whatever, whomever it is that calls for me. So I pause. And I breathe. I watch your little bottom on the video monitor. I feel stillness and listen to silence.

It is good that a mother can recharge quickly, because it's time to assume the role again. The other pieces of my heart have come back indoors. I have mere seconds until I hear, "Mom! Where are you?"

three...
two....
one....

So of course, I reply. "Yes, I'm coming!"

 

Jeff Foxworthy writes poetry? (And we played outside)

Jeff Foxworthy is a famous Georgia native who clearly loves his home state. He uses fond memories of childhood, old neighbors, and everyday happenings to make people laugh. Most of you are likely familiar with his "You Might Be A Redneck If..." wise cracks, but did you know he has also published many books, including some adorable books of children's poetry?

I was going to tackle this Mommy and Me Monday post much like I did last week.... the lazy way, with a cute poem and some photos. I discovered Jeff Foxworthy's Dirt on My Shirt as I searched for the words I wanted to honor adjacent to my fun family playtime pics.

 

Surely, Jeff reminisced about the turning of Spring in Georgia as he wrote about outdoor play. He knows first-hand how our area is transformed from cold, gray, and wet to a sudden burst of light and flowers. Playgrounds and parks are instantaneously filled with people as soon as the springtime "light switch" is flipped.

Have courage and be kind #Cinderella

Sometimes, a movie is breathtakingly beautiful and inspirational with an important life lesson. On March 4, I was able to bring my daughter to a free advanced screening of the new Disney Pictures film, Cinderella.

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

On her death bed, Ella's mother begged her tearful daughter to

"Always have courage. And be kind."

Ella (played beautifully by Lily James) strives to live her life according to this advice, even as she is made into a servant, forced to sleep in the attic, and treated miserably by her stepmother (the incomparable Cate Blanchett).

In the end.... well, you know the tale. A life well lived leads to great rewards.

The film is truly gorgeous and alive with color.  It opens in theaters across the nation today!

Follow Cinderella on Instagram

Visiting Atlanta with kids - make your #SpringBreak plans for a city adventure

Are you trying to decide what to do with the family over spring break? If you are in Atlanta, take advantage of our numerous family-friendly attractions and fun festivals that are taking place over the next two months. Not from Atlanta? Maybe you should put it on your vacation bucket list. A big city may not be everyone's first thought for a family vacation, but Atlanta has tons to offer. The Atlanta Convention and Visitor's Bureau website has tons of information about events, dining, attractions, and a hotel search so if you don't quite know where to start your planning, click over there.

Here is a list I published in 2013. Amelia is older now and we have Andrew too, but these attractions still rank as our very favorites. I haven't been yet, but don't forget that Atlanta just recently opened the College Football Hall of Fame and the Atlanta Civil Rights Museum which, I hear, are captivating for older children as well as parents.

The new international terminal welcomes the entire world to the ATL

Visiting Atlanta with children? What to do:

• The Georgia Aquarium - numerous exhibits through several galleries and an exciting dolphin show. Be sure to check their specials and events via the website for deals and dates.
• Imagine It! Children's Museum - Winter/Spring 2013 special exhibit was "Body Carnival: The Science and Fun of Being You". But right now, check out "Super Kids Save the World" until May 3rd, 2015. The museum offers various ticket deals as well as special events and summer camps. 
• Legoland Discovery Center - We took Amelia and out-of-town family to Legoland at Phipps to escape the heat (and have returned a few times since!). Legoland offers several 4D movie experiences, a couple cute rides, and all the Lego building you can handle! Not to mention an entire Atlanta cityscape built from... what else? Legos!
• Atlanta Braves - I admit, we have yet to take Amelia to a game; I thought she would be bored. My conversations with the Braves folks changed my mind and I can't wait to take her soon! Check out Braves Kids, where you can get special VIP access to child-friendly activities (like running the bases after Sunday games!), free admission to the Braves Hall of Fame, a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich, a letter from a Braves player, and more. And at Turner Field, you can also let the kids release some energy in the Taco Mac Family Zone. And after every Friday home game? Fireworks! Check the most recent information to see what's happening in 2015.
• Atlanta History Center - Includes one of the largest Civil War exhibitions in the country. They also have something for everyone, with the farm house, Swan House, outdoor areas, and 1996 Olympics memorabilia. In past years, they have offered a "Sheep to Shawl" event - a full day of engaging activities at Smith Family Farm, which includes music and storytelling as well as demonstrations of various period crafts. Check their website for the latest events, exhibits, and dates/times.
• Stone Mountain - A bit of a drive from the city, but well worth it. Stone Mountain has just about everything for all-day family adventures. In the spring and summer, enjoy Geyser Towers and the laser show. In the winter, Snow Mountain snow tubing is so much fun! Check out the Stone Mountain event schedule for all the info - I could not possibly list everything here!

But wait... there's more! Atlanta also has The World of Coca-Cola, The Center for Puppetry Arts, The Atlanta Botanical Garden, Zoo Atlanta, and the Inside CNN Studio Tour. You could entertain the entire family in Atlanta for a week. 

Big cities may not be a first thought for families looking to travel, but I highly recommend visiting Atlanta with children. We have a perfect mix of city culture and good old southern hospitality!

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Georgia Aquarium

We met Freddie the Falcon this weekend!

Don't bloggers just reach other bloggers? #socialmedia

I don't know if bloggers are as influential as they think they are... don't they just reach other bloggers?

This question makes for an interesting conversation, doesn't it? As a real-life advertising professional with over a decade of paid media experience and a parenting/family travel blogger, I love to jump in when these kinds of questions are asked. I'm the one getting antsy in my chair, ready to educate any misguided souls on the pros (and maybe a con or two) on working with bloggers.

Bloggers do have a large audience of other bloggers; this is true. The reason is because bloggers, at least those in my genre, seem to be very supportive of each other. Groups like Type A Parent and The SITS Girls have group forums for sharing ideas, opportunities, and asking/receiving advice about technical, creative, or other blog-related issues.

It is also because... get ready for this... bloggers read blogs. I believe it is in a blogger's nature to enjoy writing, and what follows is a love of reading quality content. Bloggers who write and share within the same genre have natural similarities and an enjoyable camaraderie with one another. A fellow blogger is no different than any other visitor; in fact, a fellow blogger may actually be more receptive to the message because they have a strong interest in the genre.

This is not to say, by any means, that bloggers "just reach other bloggers". You only have to take a look at following on other social platforms (Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) to illustrate this point. I highly doubt a blogger with 100,000 Twitter followers knows 100,000 bloggers. Reasonably, due to conferences and networking groups, a professional blogger could have made actual acquaintance with 400, 800, even 1,000 other bloggers - but not 100,000.

The best bloggers are experts at...

• Writing with SEO in mind 
• Crafting timely posts
• Creating the very best images for Pinterest/Instagram popularity

These writers (the ones much better at the craft than I) understand how to create captivating content that is easily discovered by an audience with a heightened interest in that topic at that very moment.

Bloggers, especially the working, adventurous, cooking, parenting kind, are busy. They are highly scheduled individuals trying to get everything done for children and spouses including (but not limited to) tasks for school, work, the blog, sports, outside consulting, and networking. If one blogger knows 500 other bloggers, they certainly cannot expect all 500 of those colleagues to read and interact with every post. It just is not possible.

So no, brand client X, bloggers do not only reach other bloggers. They reach interested and targeted audience groups that fit within a niche genre. They do so with skill and expertise, and have created for themselves an influence that can help spread the word about the best products, attractions, experiences, recipes, crafts, advice, etc. I think the right bloggers are absolutely without a doubt, influential. Don't take them for granted. A blogger can be a loyal and trusted partner in your marketing mix.

(And if you need assistance finding the right marketing mix? Well, I am a freelance media consultant. Let's have a chat.) 

Mommy and Me: Days of sun and childhood

They are only young for what seems like a moment. One day toddling across a playground with a chubby hand in yours, the next swinging like Tarzan across monkey bars with ease. If I blink, one will be off to college while the other prepares for high school. 

Sometimes I manage to stop the chaos in my head and just... watch. 

"There are no happy endings. 

Endings are the saddest part, 

So just give me a happy middle,

And a very happy start"

-Shel Silverstein, Every Thing On It

"How do you like to go up in a swing,  
Up in the air so blue? 
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing  
Ever a child can do!"  
-Robert Louis Stevenson, A Child's Garden of Verses

 

If you got out from behind your camera this weekend, link up with us at Really, Are You Serious.

Theme Parks opening soon! Georgia and Tennessee

We might have a newly-fallen dusting of snow on our back deck (melting by afternoon), but spring IS coming! The daffodils are beginning to bloom in the Atlanta area and, eventually... we will see the sun and green grass again. The arrival of spring makes me want to get out and have fun with the family and it is always an exciting time when the theme parks open again.

To get you in the theme park, roller-coaster, bumper cars kind of mood, here are a few quick news updates about area theme parks and their opening dates:

Georgia and Tennessee Theme Parks: 
Opening Dates 2015

 Six Flags Over Georgia is the largest and best roller-coaster theme park in Georgia. Six Flags Over Georgia opens on Saturday, March 14th! This season, for the first time ever, dare to take on an all-new experience — BATMAN™: The Ride BACKWARDS! Be sure to visit Six Flags Over Georgia this spring, because the fast and smooth steel coaster will only be backwards for a limited time.

photo: Six Flags Over Georgia website

Another Georgia theme park with rides and coasters is Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia. March 14th is also the exciting opening day for this theme park and this year they have a new ride. Jungle Rumble opens for the season Saturday, March 14 immediately following an Opening Ceremony at 11:00am. On Rumble Jungle, you will feel like a monkey swinging through the trees with screaming views from four stories high!


Tennessee offers two theme parks just a few hours' drive from the Atlanta area. Dollywood is the largest ticketed attraction in Tennessee and Lake Winnie offers an old-fashioned boardwalk fair type of feel.

Photo: Dollywood media images/ website

Dollywood in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee opens for the season on March 21st. Dollywood is celebrating its 30th season in 2015. Festival of Nations kicks off Dollywood’s 30th anniversary season through mid-April, with many returning guest-favorite acts from the festival’s colorful history.

Photo: Lake Winnie website

Lake Winnie is referred to (even on their website) as  Chattanooga, Tennessee attraction when it is, in fact, located in Rossville, Georgia. However, Lake Winnie is conveniently close to Chattanooga and makes for an easy and fun family road trip in the sunshine of springtime.Lake Winnie is a smaller theme park, reminiscent of a boardwalk fair with smaller rides, games, and great family fun for even the smallest children. It opens a bit later in the season, on May 2nd.

All of these parks have special pricing for season passes going on right now so if you think you want to experience rides and thrills more than once this year, look into those deals. You can save some money and use it on funnel cakes and ice cream!

Things we did before kids: our $70 breakfast in NYC

Throwback Thursday: before kids. When coming home from work meant eating something random from the fridge and watching TV. Using the bathroom in peace and quiet. Waking up at 9 am on weekends. My husband and I having the freedom to join each other on business trips once in a while - because we only had a cat who didn't care if we left him alone as long as he had an overflowing food bowl.

One such business trip was mine, to New York City. I had a conveniently-located hotel room at the Fitzpatrick Grand Central. It was an older and small hotel room, like many boutique accommodations in The Big Apple. But it fit us just fine - we didn't have a pack-n-play, toys, or extra little bodies to worry about. My husband did some sightseeing while I worked and we enjoyed two evenings out. We had read about the amazing breakfast at Norma's in the Le Parker Meridien Hotel and managed to score a reservation. So one morning we ventured just past Carnegie Hall, mouths watering for what was to come, and we waited for our table at Norma's.

Click image for Norma's webpage and original photo

Our breakfast came to $70.

Encouraging kids to try new adventures

My six-year-old mastered skiing on blue trails with her dad this weekend, something I have never been able to do.

I attempted to learn to ski much later in life (around 27 years old). My childlike sense of adventure had waned by then and I let fear take over my experience. What if I fall? What if I break my leg? What if I go too fast and can't stop? I have attempted to ski three times, the most recent time with an 80-minute private lesson in Lake Tahoe. I still could not do it - so I quit. I won't ski again.

Pushing children to try adventurous things is, in my non-expert opinion, a very good thing. I know many parents who would prefer their children to live in a bubble, far from anything scary or the least bit dangerous. They hover at the playground, micro-manage playtime, and would probably not dream of sending them down a snowy hill on a set of skis. Of course we all want our children to be free of "boo boos", but sometimes a firmer push towards adventure can create a most amazing response.

Summer vacation in Arizona? Yes! #FamilyTravel

Would you ever consider a summer vacation in the hot desert in the summer? We did!

Looking back at past family travel  photos this week, I was reminded of the fun we had in Arizona (June 2011). If you seek out specific locations and fantastic swimming pools, Arizona can be an enjoyable and kid-friendly family vacation. If you are from a non-desert area like the southeast or northeast, Arizona provides a unique landscape and an experience that isn't your same-old summer beach trip.

How did we decide to do a summer vacation in Arizona? I was looking for a kid-friendly US resort with a great pool area. Several travel articles popped up in my Google search which led me to The Arizona Grand Resort - a hotel with an attached waterpark!  Amelia was only three years old at the time, so swimming and light sightseeing were the only things on our summer vacation agenda. Phoenix was also an easy flight from Atlanta, so it seemed like a perfect summer vacation choice. We began searching for things to do with kids in the Phoenix area and ended up with a fantastic summer trip.

Water is a must for summertime in the desert, so start your vacation search by looking for water activities and inviting family swimming pools.  We began our Arizona summer vacation with a few days at the Arizona Grand Resort enjoying their attached Oasis Waterpark and on-site dining.

Arizona Grand Resort and Oasis Waterpark

We took a drive one day to Slide Rock State Park in Sedona, Arizona where visitors can climb over red rocks and venture into a valley with a natural slippery rock water slide.