Hilton Head Island for a family vacation

Hilton Head island, located just over the South Carolina border and under one hour from Savannah, is a natural beauty with family vacation activities for all ages. Hilton Head Island has been named one of the top 10 family beaches in the country, and my family would agree! The island has numerous family-friendly vacation rentals from condos to coastal homes to palatial estates and top brand resorts like Westin and Omni also. You can always find Hilton Head accommodations to fit your needs, regardless of the size of your family or the length of your stay.

What is there to do on Hilton Head Island? The top five activities on Hilton Head listed by Trip Advisor include bike trails, Colingy Beach, boat tours, a forest preserve, and the Coastal Discovery Museum. Our most recent trip consisted of plenty of beach and pool time, some bike rides, a mini golf night, and several delicious meals at top-rated Hilton Head seafood restaurants.

Four reasons why Disney Cruises are better for #familytravel

We went on our very first Disney Cruise the other week!

 

We have been cruisers in the past and we have traveled on three other major cruise lines. All cruise lines are a ton of fun and we don't have major complaints about any of them. However, you always seem to hear that Disney Cruises are the best! We thought about those proclamations throughout most  of the week because honestly, Disney Cruise Lines usually costs more than the others.

Is Disney Cruise Lines better?

In many ways, YES. In some ways, I'd say it's a tie. And in other ways, I think it depends on the ages of your children. My oldest is not into characters or princesses anymore and she didn't want to go to Kids Club on her own (note to self: travel with friends the next time). Our youngest was still too little to understand much of the excitement, but this mama really loved the optional nursery care.

So... in what ways did my family find that a Disney Cruise was better than others?

#1 - Service. We were asked about service by various managers and staff at least twice per day. They always wanted to know about our experiences and if we had any problems at all. We had no problems, but I am sure if anything had come up, it would have been addressed happily and quickly.

Thrilled to be a #BeachesMom again!

About two months ago, I clicked into my email and happily read this subject line:
You're Invited: Beaches Resorts Social Media on the Sand

I am honored and extremely excited to have received the coveted invite once again. I will be attending the second annual Social Media on the Sand conference at the glorious Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos!

Our 2014 experience at Beaches Turks and Caicos was one of luxury, impeccable service, and amazing natural beauty. The conference was inspiring with great sponsors and influential speakers including highly successful working moms, beloved bloggers, and the CEO of Sandals Resorts himself, Adam Stewart. Last year, I was thrilled to be able to travel with my husband and daughter (baby boy was only 9 months old and had a great time with grandparents at home). Seeing Beaches through a child's eyes really makes you fall in love with the fantastic vacation experience.

I will be traveling without family in 2015, unfortunately, as it just did not work out this year with timing and finances. I look forward to focusing on the valuable conference content and seeing the resort through adult eyes this time! I am seeing more rum punch and extended relaxation by the pool for this busy mama!

If you want to check out Beaches Resorts for your next family vacation, I do highly recommend it. It is comparable to a cruise in many ways and actually so much better in others. Huge resort rooms, non-stop service with genuine smiles, and everything you could ever need is included in the original price. If you are a social media influencer, you can learn more about the Social Media on the Sand Conference and sign up for more information and a chance to be invited next year.

Turks and Caicos, Beaches Resort, and fellow #BeachesMoms and #BeachesDads.... see you in a few months!

Mommy & Me Monday: The winter white, beachy windblown look #familytravel

How do people look good at the beach?

Is it some kind of misleading false conspiracy?

When I am at the beach, my hair is windblown and frizzy (even if I pull it back, it has a mind of its own), my arms tend to have a bit of "farmer tan" from usual wearing of short sleeves, my legs are winter white (year-round, unfortunately) and I am certainly not lounging attratcively in a chaise while sipping an iced drink. 

So, I usually stay out of photos. However, since today is another Mommy and Me Monday with my friend Krystyn, I will share our family photo. Memorial Day weekend was a lot of fun at Isle Of Palms in South Carolina. Our schedule was this: eat, beach, swim, eat, sleep, repeat. Not a bad start to the summer season!

So what if the photo is not worthy of a Christmas card? It is not posed at dusk by a sand dune in windless conditions with everyone wearing matching colors. That would not show the real "us", anyway. We mix chaos, casual, and a little bit of dirt - pretty much all of the time.

Happy Monday!

You can share your (good or not-so-good) mommy and me photos also. Hop on over to Really, Are You Serious every Monday!

National Water Safety Month: SAFE tips for families

It is almost time to get out the swimsuits and head to the pools, lakes, and oceans in your area! Water can be a ton of fun for kids and adults alike, but we need to remember to play it safe while having a splashing good time.

In recognition of the popularity of swimming and other water-related recreational activities in the United States, and the resulting need for ongoing public education on safer water practices, the month of May 2015 is National Water Safety Month!

I take to the blog annually to remind as many people as I can that water safety includes more than just drowning. When out in the water, everyone needs to remember these SAFE tips:

S - Sunscreen. Water reflects light and can give anyone a nasty burn. Also remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied often when in the water. Use at least SPF 30 and a waterproof variety. 

A - Always abide by the signs/flags. Pay attention to Coast Guard flags and do not enter ocean water if warnings are present. Even the best of swimmers can get pulled by an undertow. Also, NO DIVING if the water is shallow. Diving is one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury in the summer and unfortunately, I see kids diving into 5-foot deep pools way too often. One wrong move and it could mean major paralysis. Please do not let them dive unless it is an approved diving depth of around 12 feet. 

F - Friends or family. Do not let children swim alone. Even adults should not swim alone in case something unexpected happens. Keep a friend or family member close. 

E - Eyes and ears. The pool and beach are great places to catch up on some relaxing waterside reading, but parents cannot forget to keep their eyes and ears open and on the kids very, very often. A drowning child is often very quiet, and many parents think their child will yell or scream if drowning. Do not stop watching when they are in the water. 

Enjoy the summer, get wet, have a great time, and stay safe! 

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.  

DIY coffee body scrub from @BeachesResorts Red Lane Spa #BeachesMoms

It has been almost two weeks since we departed ATL for the BeachesMoms Social Media on the Sand conference at Beaches Turks and Caicos. I am desperately trying to cling to the "no problem" attitude and relaxation from being completely pampered by fantastic service.

An aromatic body scrub in a warm bath may help... and it's a good thing that Beaches Resorts invited us to special DIY experiences over the conference weekend. I attended a DIY at the Beaches Red Lane Spa.

Not only did they spoil us with a goody bag of luxurious spa products, they also taught us how to make our own body scrub at home with items from our pantry!

#BeachesMoms via Instagram

I am dreaming of ocean breezes and luxury today, but when I glance out the window, the rain is drizzling and skies are gray.

So, I think this Wordless Wednesday calls for another look at #BeachesMoms!  Some of my adventures via BalancingMama on Instagram:

How does all-inclusive compare to a cruise? We investigated from @BeachesResorts

If you took a glance at BalancingMama on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook this weekend, you probably already know how I spent the weekend with my husband and daughter: meandering along wooden plank boardwalks nestled within tropical foliage, sinking my toes in the softness of white sand while admiring a water color that, surpisingly, can actually be found in nature. Part of my weekend was spent with energetic people who all have a passion for family experiences and writing all about it. And also with some of the most accommodating, friendly resort employees I have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Yes, our weekend was truly grand. Our weekend was... #BeachesMoms! We attended the Social Media on the Sand conference hosted by Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos.

Beaches Resorts are family-friendly and all-inclusive. As any employee will tell you, the only 'no' you will hear is 'nooo problem' (insert Caribbean accent). As a fan of cruising, I found myself continually comparing a cruise vacation with the experiences we were having at Beaches. Repeatedly, I said to my husband "this is like a cruise" or "wow, this is better than a cruise!".

So, how does an all-inclusive resort compare to a cruise?
My response: You definitely need to put it in your list of options when planning family travel. It may be very well worth it.

Mommy and Me: Beach Vacation

Fall break was wonderful! I am struggling with the to-do list already this morning, after an early and hectic back-to-school routine. Why must vacations end?

We enjoyed Destin, FL very much. It is a nice fall-season locale for families with lots of activities, restaurants, and stores. The white powdery sand is soft and smooth, and perfect for baby hands and feet. Andrew was not a fan of the ocean, but he managed to investigate the sand without shedding a tear. Amelia was a mermaid the entire week - catching waves in the ocean with her new boogie board and swimming, swimming, swimming.

I will catch up to real life eventually this week. Until then, enjoy some favorite photos!

For the "Best Summer Ever"? Get on the boat!

“I participated in an Ambassador Activation on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Banana Boat® Sun Care. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”
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Get on the boat...
Do you remember those commercials? I can still hear the jingle, "get on the boat, the Banana Boat®", sung by a happy man with a Caribbean beach vibe. The advertisements used to make me dream of the beach, a place I could only be for one week each year. Ultimate summer memories.

Fast forward to 2014, I'm all grown up and a mom to two. The beach continues to be one of my favorite destinations for all ages. We splash in the surf, build sand castles, and search for shells on leisurely evening walks. If the tide is too high for beach play, we retreat to the pool for splashing water battles or pull out the board games on the condo balcony. We play outdoors, read outdoors, relax outdoors, and eat outdoors. If it can be done in the sunshine of a summer day, we are there. With our sunscreen applied and reapplied, of course!

#WW: Adventures in the sun

We took a break in between the moving chaos to enjoy five days at the beach with family. Photos are from my iPhone because (1) we forgot to pack the Nikon, and (2) the cord to the waterproof camera is packed inside a box, somewhere in this mess of a new home.

Amelia loved her very first waverunner ride! We saw at least five dolphins and went "super fast"!

Stressful thoughts reach no more

I like to sit upon the shore,

Where stressful thoughts can reach no more. 

Where breath is deep,

Where pace is slow,

It is my favorite place to go. 

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Linked up to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop: 
Write a poem about your favorite place to be

#WW: Heavenly Hawaii

I'm glad it is Wordless Wednesday... Hawaii is too beautiful for words!

Rainbows and Sunsets...

Amazing sea creatures...

 

Beautiful beaches...

Aloha!  And A hui hou - until we meet again. 

Mommy & Me: Beach Babes

Our annual family beach vacation is something I look forward to every year. It is something my family did when I was growing up. We frequented condo #202C on Myrtle Beach year after year, then spent some time at Caswell Dunes on Oak Island when I was a teen. These days, we have a Hilton Head Island tradition. Extended family, fantastic food, extra attention for Amelia, and lots of beach fun.

Did I tell you that we are master sand castle builders?

#WW: Space for the spirit to breathe

"Space for the Spirit to breathe."

                                  -Rainer Maria Rilke

Photo from our Hawaii vacation, September 2006.
Our reward after a long drive along the Road to Hana.

#WW: Deep blue sea

I could not get enough of that gorgeous blue water. I try to conjure it still, in my brain. Just picturing it brings a little bit of the calm back into the reality of life back home.

Truly amazing.

Adventures at sea!

We just returned from a fabulous vacation aboard the Carnival Glory funship. Amelia had a blast with her cousins and we all enjoyed the gorgeous sights of the western Caribbean.

There is something to be said for being completely unplugged. No international cell phone or data plan for us - we were 100% unreachable!

I am having a hard time getting back to reality. So for now, enjoy some of my favorite moments from our 7 days at sea:

Boarding the Glory

Waterslide!

Ice cream - every day!

Passion Island, Cozumel

Pink & purple braid

Towel elephant

Silliness on our balcony

Tabayana Beach @ Isla Roatan, Honduras

Snorkeling @ Tabayana Beach

Mahogany Bay, Roatan

Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Our Fun Ship!

More photos and vacation memories to come!