Great Wolf Lodge opens in Georgia soon and they just shared THE BEST NEWS

Parents, you probably know that Great Wolf Lodge is opening soon in Georgia. You may also know that it will be an easy road trip from Atlanta, offering comfortable accommodations for families of all sizes, fun activities, restaurants, and an awesome water park. 

Today, they announced some pretty fabulous additional news.

Great Wolf Lodge Georgia will introduce a new concept called Camp H.O.W.L (Habitat of Wild Learning).  The space was designed to feel as though guests have stepped into the Northwoods forest, complete with a Great Wolf Kids cabin that serves as  a stage and play space with an assortment of interactive activities. It is a multi-functional space with a variety of complimentary family activities to enjoy together during the daytime. And here is the best part... in the evening, Camp H.O.W.L. transforms into a parent-free, secure kids’ club! Parents can relax after a day full of kid-friendly fun while the children enjoy supervised educational and entertaining activities.

Dinosaur roadside attraction near Palm Springs, California #travelwithkids

The silliest stop on our southern California adventure was also one of the most memorable. We took the family to meet the large and amazing Cabazon Dinosaurs! 

These huge dinosaurs are an easy road trip from the Palm Springs, California area. The drive was about 22 minutes on Interstate 10. My husband surprised the kids with a stop to visit the dinosaurs on our way to Joshua Tree National Park. Parking was plentiful and we were able to snap some photos of the California dinosaurs and visit the gift shop. The Cabazon Dinosaurs roadside attraction is a must for dinosaur lovers! (And I know many of you remember the movie Pee Wee Herman's Big Adventure, whether you will admit it or not.)

The kids, ages 3 and 9, thought the dinosaurs were funny and we had a good time snapping photos and waving hello to these giants, way up high. If you are near Palm Springs, California, do not forget to drive the kids over to this entertaining attraction. The Cabazon Dinosaurs certainly make a BIG impression!

This post was not sponsored, I just think you should visit! Especially if you have kids along on your adventures. Roar!

Spring break in the "top-shelf" 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum! #Ford #Auto

According to professional reviewers at AutoWeek,  
"Ford dumps everything it can find into [this] top-shelf Explorer." 
 This rookie auto reviewer, mom, and blogger definitely agrees. The vehicle is loaded!

Our spring break plans included a short 3-night road trip to a theme park and indoor water park resort. We were thrilled to be able to use a gorgeous, totally maxed-out 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum for our adventure. When your current vehicle is about to reach it's 11-year birthday with a dent on one side, kid crumbs galore, and pretty basic interior gadgets, any brand-new vehicle is exciting and full of special electronic perks. I am fascinated by push-button start, heated seats, massage seats, full-size third row seating with powered up/down/stow, Sirius radio, and a buttery soft leather interior. This new Ford Explorer has all of those luxury features and more.

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.

Washington D.C. with young kids #familytravel

Is Washington D.C. a good vacation choice for younger children?

It can be! 

As with any family vacation with kids, it is important to manage expectations, understand the children's needs, and focus on the sights that can delight everyone. We just returned from our Spring Break family trip to Washington D.C. with a one-year-old and a birthday girl who turned seven during the vacation.

Washington D.C. can be overwhelming to anyone, especially if you have limited days. I have visited our nation's capital several times as a child, a teen, and an adult so I felt prepared when it came to touring the sights with kids. I knew what to see, what to skip, and what to expect along the way.

Washington D.C. with young kids -- tips for making it great:

• Understand before you go: you won't see everything - There are literally hundreds of sights you could see in Washington D.C. and many, many miles of walking so it is important to stick to a plan and avoid wearing everyone too thin. Especially with younger children who do not yet understand a lot of the history behind the sights. Make a tentative plan before you go, or at least a list of the "must-see" attractions and the "if we have time" attractions so you can focus on what matters most to the group. (Remember, most D.C. attractions are free of charge, so even if you pop into a Smithsonian museum to see just two highlights, it's okay! No money wasted.)

• Focus on what the kids know and build upon their excitement - Sure, Washington D.C. history is fascinating to adults, but younger children may have no idea what a lot of it means. Our one-year-old was simply along for the ride, so we were able to concentrate our efforts on finding the artifacts, monuments, and museums that were of the most interest to our daughter. She learned about early presidents in school and she got very excited about Abraham Lincoln, which led us on a 2-day mission to find Lincoln artifacts like his top hat and coat (currently at a special exhibit with Ford's Theatre to commemorate the 150th anniversary of his killing - April/May 2015). Because we followed her interest, we ended up with a special adventure that created a lot of great family vacation memories. 

Southeast summer vacation destination ideas for family travel

Looking for summer vacation ideas? Researching southeast USA road trip destinations?

Are you trying to decide where to go for your summer vacation with kids? We have so many family travel experiences, and I can point you to some of our favorite destinations. Browse through some of these past family travel posts for some destination tips and photos:
 
Tips for a great Gatlinburg, TN weekend

Grab flashlights and trek into caves at Mammoth Cave in Kentucky

Our favorite road trip pit stop near Bowling Green, KY 

Best outdoor activities in Chattanooga

Beaches, mini golf, and great food on Hilton Head Island, SC

Whimsical folk art castles in Calhoun, GA

Also, don't forget your sunscreen!

• I keep a sample size sunscreen in the car.
• A sunscreen stick in the diaper bag (or purse).
• A lotion or mist sunscreen in the garage and the house.
• And one in our swimming bag as well.

Wherever we go, we can almost guarantee that some sunscreen has tagged along with us. I really have no excuse to forget it!     


If you aren't an avid family traveler yet, take a peek at this short post about how to keep travel with kids happy: Four steps to happy family travel

Get out there and see the sights!

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.  

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.

Hometown Tourist: A spring break #staycation with the kids

Many parts of the country are still covered in snow, and here in Atlanta we still are facing on-again-off-again temperatures as low as 40 degrees. Mornings are chilly! However, the all-day sunshine is just around the corner and spring break is almost here. It is time to plan how you will make your family memories.

Our spring break is not going to include a big vacation this time around. We will spend just a couple nights away on a mini road trip. Otherwise, we will be at home. Daddy will be working, so I am the activities coordinator for most of the week!

What do you do when you have extra time with the kids? And it's finally not a snow day!?

How to be a Hometown Tourist with children

Have you visited your local family attractions in a while? Pick a couple and be a tourist in your own hometown. Here are some tips for making your hometown the coolest vacation around:

Talk it up. Get the kids excited just like you might do for a vacation. Let them know about the fun days you have planned ahead. If every spring break day is mundane, that's no fun! Give them something they can happily anticipate. Even let them count the days on the calendar until the fun day begins.

#WW: Thinking of Throwback Thursday... #Arizona

Arizona family vacation, 2011. Amelia is so sweet and little in these photos!

For more on that vacation, see the post I wrote for a Tuesday Traveler feature: Family Fun in Arizona

Planning an infant-friendly vacation

Summer vacation poses a new challenge for us this year. We not only need to find exciting activities for Amelia (who will be six years old), but we also need to consider infant-friendly options. Andrew will be 4-5 months old when we will likely travel.

We took Amelia many places at a young age. At five months old, we traveled to Maine. We had a fantastic and peaceful vacation, even if we did have a few extra hurdles with a baby. At fourteen months, Amelia went on a family vacation to Europe. We had a lot of extra family to help with her, but it was still a big accomplishment. She has been to various beaches, on cruises, and to national parks in the western U.S.. Also Hawaii. Clearly, we are not afraid to enjoy vacations away just because of children.

Magnificent TN Aquarium for the family! #Chattanooga #familytravel

It was a gorgeous and warm Sunday, and we had plans to meet my family in Chattanooga for an aquarium visit. I know Chattanooga well; I lived there for four years as a UTC student. But that was quite a while ago - and I had not seen the Ocean Journey building of the aquarium.

What a fun time! We all enjoyed meandering through the paths by each and every brightly lit window, full of amazing and interesting creatures. Amelia and I even got up close and personal with some Giant Japanese Spider Crabs!

 

#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"!

How to turn vacation into a "letter of the week" lesson plan

Amelia's friends and teachers have been anxious to hear about her Hawaii vacation. She missed two weeks of school - an eternity in a preschooler's world.

Amelia wanted to talk about her trip, but she has a streak of shyness when it comes to individual attention. Also, I didn't want to take class time for vacation photos. So we had an idea...

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 Shrek & Friends, Opryland

The Shrek and Friends experience at the Gaylord Opryland resort is fantastic! It runs a few more weeks, and is well worth it. We had a blast meeting the characters and exploring the gorgeous "jungle hotel".

#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.

An almost-wordless Wednesday haiku

Footsteps in the sand.

The sea washing onto shore.

Where I long to be.

It seems like a lifetime ago, when I took that long weekend trip to Jamaica with my sister. I missed my little girl like crazy, but the trip was fantastic. The quiet peace of a beach (without kids) is the ideal remedy for my tired, balancing, sometimes failing self.

#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!