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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

Phoenix Eats: Flower Child, Delux, Chompie’s

Besides seeing my friends and family, I make sure to eat from as many local restaurants as I can when I visit Phoenix. I am so thankful to have been able to revisit old favorites on our January trip to Arizona. Planning a trip to Phoenix? I’m sharing my meals at three spots, plus linking older posts about local restaurants. Hope it inspires you to visit one of these places and gives you an idea about what to order (or not order).

Flower Child

I usually get the Late Riser bowl at Flower Child, but I decided to try something different last time. I kind of regret my decision. I chose the ramen bowl, which contains spicy tofu, pickled cucumber, roasted corn, bok choy, bean sprout, and miso sesame broth. Not sure what I was expecting, but it just doesn’t compare to any ramen I’ve had. It wasn’t that spicy either. I would pass on the ramen bowl in favor of a build-your-own plate. This restaurant, which is on Central Avenue and Camelback Road but has three other locations, doesn’t serve soda, but you can enjoy fresh juices and lemonades, cold brew, teas and other beverages.

I would choose the Late Riser (pictured) and skip the ramen bowl (not pictured).

Delux

Graham and I were able to go on our first date night in months, too. We wanted sushi but our old place has closed, so we decided to try Delux. I used to eat here regularly when I worked nights at the newspaper, but I would mostly stick to burgers. We asked for a spicy sushi roll and we got what we asked for, but not in the best way. The Delux Phoenix roll is a super spicy roll that contains jalapeño, chili paste and spicy mayo, but I prefer a nice crunch or balancing flavor, like avocado. I would never order it again. The other rolls were decent. I did love the sweet potato fries, which are typically presented in mini shopping carts. (I asked for a half order, which apparently is just served on a plain plate.) Your best bet when eating at Delux, near 32nd Street and Camelback Road, is grabbing one of their delicious burgers. They are what the place is known for.

Chompie’s

It’s been many years since I’ve been to Chompie’s, a New York deli and bakery at Paradise Valley Mall. The menu is so extensive it can be difficult to choose what to eat. I went with breakfast for lunch on my visit because why not? It was delicious and SO MUCH FOOD. My skillet came with a bagel and cream cheese, and I picked the jalapeño option. I ate every bite. So good.

Have you visited Phoenix or any of these restaurants?

Phoenix Restaurants: Delux, Flower Child and Chompie's

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PURE SUSHI

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Photos to Inspire a Trip to San Diego Zoo

Our family had the opportunity to visit the San Diego Zoo last month during a quick escape from the Polar Vortex. It was our first family outing just the four of us in quite some time. We spent an entire Sunday under sunny San Diego skies admiring the animals and the impressive grounds. We lucked out when a local resident handed us a 50 percent admission coupon as we walked to the entrance to buy our tickets. Thank you, kind stranger, for helping us share such a memorable day.

You definitely need a map to wander the grounds and cover everything, like we did. The canyon trail where the bears lived was a highlight.

This mama hippo was nursing her little one, who was sitting under the water as I snapped this photo above.

The red panda highlighted my mood in January 2019. I began the year with motivation but struggled during the never-ending month.

I share this photo of the panda, which a volunteer called the highlight of the zoo, because this is what we saw after waiting 20 minutes in line. I would recommend arriving early in the morning when animals are typically more active, but who knows — maybe the panda likes naps?

The flamingos were the first animals we spotted and greeted.

The koalas would be another spirit animal. Aren’t they just SO ADORABLE.

We always love seeing gorillas.

The jaguar was super active when we visited, which I have never witnessed at any other zoo.

Doesn’t this photo above give off “Black Swan” vibes?

I thought I would be terrified to ride the Aerial Tram, but it wasn’t too scary, even for someone afraid of heights. It was included in the cost of admission.

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The elephant cooled off on a warm day. I wished I could have splashed around in the water, too!

We also had to say hello to the giraffes.

Have you been to the San Diego Zoo?

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Tips for Taking a Road Trip With Kids and a Dog

** This post contains affiliate links. I am compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!

Graham and I both had to go to work in Phoenix last week, so we planned a family trip there from Chicago. We floated the idea of flying, but the reality was that we needed a car and a lot of stuff our kids require, such as two car seats, a stroller, a Pack and Play, etc. We decided that driving, although a long distance, was the best option for us to give us the flexibility we needed and the space to fit everything we wanted to bring. Along the way we learned many things that could make future drives flow more smoothly. I’m sharing these tips in hopes of helping other parents have a better time in the car.

Road trip tips:

  • Take your time. You will have to stop a lot to change diapers, take bathroom breaks, walk the dog, and eat. Practice patience and give yourself enough time and then some.
  • Don’t forget a changing pad or something to change diapers on. You’d be surprised how many rest stops or restrooms don’t have family bathrooms or even a changing table.
  • Plan car rides for when your kids are more calm and less fussy or antsy. For us, this means the morning and early afternoons. By late afternoon/early evening they start to get anxious to leave the car. It’s not fun.
  • Switch out toys every hour or so. I brought toys for the baby and V and then switched them out as often as needed to prevent boredom. I wish I would have brought more, but they both did great in the car.
  • Bring plenty of snacks and water/drinks. Reusable cups are perfect. If you can pack healthy snacks in glass containers, even better, because most of the snacks and food options on the road are not healthy.
  • Get a lap desk tray for toddlers to use as a table and to contain snacks. This prevented messes because it has a cup holder and kept V entertained because she could put her books on it and she could color. The tray was a recommendation from A Toddler and a Top Knot blog. 
  • Consider books vs. screen time. While we didn’t give V much if any screen time during the ride, we have in the past. I think long road trips are an acceptable time to bend the screen times rules a little bit if it means keeping everyone’s sanity. You can always reinforce your rules when you get home, if you have them. If you’re against screen time, coloring books and books that you can trace letters on are a great option.
  • Keep your pup contained with a pet barrier (if you have an SUV). I bought this at Weathertech to keep Capone in the back. In the past he liked to jump into the front and eat our food or leave dog hair all over everything. With this rack he is safely in the back and has plenty of room.
  • Pack a weekend bag in addition to luggage. Pack a bag with everything you need for the road trip (if it’s more than one day of driving), so you don’t have to unload and load multiple bags when you stop overnight. You can just leave your larger suitcase in the car if possible.
  • If you’re pumping/bottlefeeding, check whether any hotel room you book will have a fridge to store any milk/formula that needs to be refrigerated. Also, if you pump consider whether a car power adapter would be helpful to you.
  • Bring a Pack n Play or DockaTot for the baby to sleep/nap in. We brought both but she mostly slept in the Pack n Play.
  • Bring an extra bag for dirty laundry and a small detergent bottle to hand wash clothing on the go. Babies and toddlers especially wll have accidents and spills. It helps to be prepared to do some laundry in the hotel room if needed. You could also use the hotel’s laundry service, but it’s typically not cheap. Some hotels might also have laundry rooms.
  • Bring foldable, portable dog bowls. These are so easy to travel with and don’t take up much room. We also bring natural dog freshening spray for in between washes.
  • Invest in a small travel baby booster chair to use for feeding. Instead of bringing her hair chair, we bought an affordable one to use for travel in the future. We find that it’s too difficult to feed her unless she’s strapped into a chair because the girl is on the move and won’t finish her meals otherwise.
  • Have plenty of towels or napkins, wipes, air sanitizer and hand sanitizer.

And my best tip: Try to have fun and enjoy the journey! What tips would you add? What are your travel essentials?

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road trip tips with kids and dogs

 

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Flying With a 2-Month-Old Baby

Flying With a 2-Month-Old

I mentioned last year that we canceled our trip to Puerto Rico right after the hurricane because the island was hit hard (No hotels were available at the time.) and pregnant women are advised not to travel to places affected by Zika. We ended up with Southwest Airlines credit to use before it expired at the end of June. I didn’t think I would be able to use it after giving birth, but we asked ourselves, “Why not?” This is our how our first experience flying with a 2-month-old came about over Father’s Day weekend.

We booked a quick weekend trip to Phoenix so that Adelina could meet my side of the family and we could check up on our condo. To say I was nervous to fly with a 2-month-old is an understatement. I was terrified she would cry incessantly because of the ear pressure change or that she would be fussy the entire flight. (We typically don’t worry about V because she is an expert flyer by now.)

Here’s how it went:

We got a late start heading to the airport. We booked a parking spot at the airport on SpotHero, which I’ve written about as a great source of cheap parking, especially in the Chicago area. (If you use my referral link you get a $7 credit and I get $7. Win, win!) This required a shuttle ride to the airport, so my first tip would be to give yourself at least an extra hour to get to the airport and through security than without kids. It was valet parking, which I recommend to save time. We also brought our stroller, which allows V to stand or sit on the back and connects with our infant car seat. This stroller** is great if you have a toddler and a newborn!

Security wasn’t terrible; we went through the family line. Remember to put all your breastmilk and formula in a clear bag and in its own tray for security check. The stroller and car seat had to go through the scanner, which we weren’t prepared for. (Last time they let me push the stroller through with V in it!) Second tip: Take your time and feed your baby before you go through security. I gave A a quick snack feed because she was starting to get fussy.

We got on the plane during family boarding and headed toward the back of the plane. I wanted to be near the bathroom and on the aisle in case I needed to change her. Tip and something I wish I had done: Keep a small bag of what you might need handy, or put everything in the same pocket so you’re not fumbling around on the plane. I had diapers, changing pad, paci, wipes, nursing cover and bottles in different pockets of a backpack, and it was not that easy to find what I needed in the dark. It would be easier to set up mini packets of what you might need for feedings, changings and entertaining.

As far as travel times, we went with flights that were around the kids’ bedtimes. This was a gamble because Addi has been fussy before bed lately, but luckily she wasn’t. I made sure she napped enough during the day and was well fed. I rocked her in the stroller while waiting in the line at the airport and she fell asleep for a bit. Tip: Go with flight times that work best for your baby. If your baby is happier and sleepier at a certain part of the day, that might be the best time to travel. Try not to travel during the busiest times at the airport, either.

My last tip is to go hands-free. We gate checked our stroller and car seat and Addi was my lap child. She was in my carrier for most of the time but I also just held her. Don’t try to carry too much other stuff. Learn from my mistake: I spilled a venti Starbucks drink on the plane because I had too much stuff in my hands.

Overall the first two flights went well! The most stressful part of the trip was getting to the airport with enough time, and that was our fault for not leaving earlier. As long as you allow enough time, it’s fine!

Have you traveled with a baby? What tips do you have for my future flights? Share with me in the comments!

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Lessons From First Month With Newborn

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Our Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

We’re typically low-key travelers who prefer affordable places to stay that are easy to get to and conveniently located near the activities we enjoy. However, the booking of our Hawaii trip was a bit last minute because we had to cancel our Puerto Rico plans. That meant that almost all the Big Island hotels in the Kailua-Kona area were near capacity and we had to book whatever was left. We decided to venture a bit farther north to the Waikoloa area because we had skipped that part of the island on our honeymoon trip in 2014. We had heard there were some beautiful beaches nearby that we wanted to check out. With the help of Ebates and Priceline I was able to find a deal on a stay at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort, so we went for it despite the slightly higher price tag than we are used to paying. (Use my referral link to get started on Ebates; you’ll get $10.) Today I want to share the pros and cons of staying at the Hilton Waikola Village Resort.

Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in Hawaii

Waikoloa Village was like a small village. (Actually someone we met in town called it their Disney World.) We had to take a tram to our hotel room tower and walking to the lobby from the room could take up to 20 minutes (if you’re preggo like me). Overall, though, we enjoyed our stay at the resort. This was where we waited in the basement during the false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii, too.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Pros

  • Activities are plentiful.
  • Nice views from the rooms.
  • The lagoon was convenient and perfect for V to swim in. There are plenty of lounge chairs to use and you can rent kayaks, paddleboards and other equipment. You can also snorkel and see fish and turtles!
  • Just about everything you need is available.
  • Close to Hapuna Beach.
  • Spacious, comfortable rooms.
  • The walkway to lobby was also a museum with incredible artwork.
  • You can take a tram or boat to your tower.
  • The resort is gorgeous.
  • Nice shops.

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

 

Hilton Waikoloa Resort, Big Island, Hawaii

Cons

  • Not convenient to leave the resort.
  • Parking was $20-something per day for self-parking. Also, parking is far from your room.
  • Dining prices were higher as to be expected.
  • Resort fee was $20-something per day.
  • Construction near our tower was an eyesore.
  • Waikoloa is a bit of a drive (30 minutes or so) from Kailua-Kona and seems a bit isolated.  We didn’t like having to drive so far for more food and activity options.

What kind of accommodations do you prefer when you travel?

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Unforgettable Beach Day: False Ballistic Missile Alert

 

An Unforgettable Hawaii Beach Day | False Ballistic Missile Threat

When you wake up one morning, grab breakfast and begin to get ready for a beach day, you don’t expect to hear what sounds like an Amber Alert ringing on your phone. I looked at my screen and read aloud the words I was seeing:

Extreme alert

BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.”

This is not a drill. How could this be? I immediately suspected a hack. It had to be! I looked over at my husband, though, and his face said he didn’t think so at all.

We grabbed the remote and flipped through the channels, looking for any sort of news. We picked up the hotel room phone and called the front desk only to hear a busy message. I scrolled through Twitter looking for any sign of whether this was a real alert, but I only found tweets asking the same.

What were we supposed to do? Were we in danger?

After notifying a few family members, just in case, we decided to head downstairs to see what others were doing. From our balcony we had seen both people running toward the lobby and others lounging on their chairs, soaking up the sun.

On the elevator, a man told us he was headed to his room because “what else can you do?”

No one seemed to know whether to actually be concerned. Most figured a ballistic missile would be directed at Oahu vs. the Big Island, which is maybe true but doesn’t make the situation any less scary.

A small crowd had started to gather around the concierge desk, one of many throughout the sprawling resort, which had many towers. A maintenance/resort worker called out that anyone who wanted to follow him to the basement was free to do so. He unlocked a door and many of us followed him down the stairs to a service tunnel, where we spent the next, I don’t know, 25 minutes?

A woman came over to us and handed V a snack. Some people laughed nervously while others stared at their phones. You could see the stress in my husband’s eyes.

It wasn’t until then that we were notified by a manager that we were never in any real danger, and that he apologized for what we experienced.

It wasn’t until 38 minutes after the initial alert at 8:07 a.m. local time that a correction was sent out.

There is no missile threat or danger to the State of Hawaii. Repeat. False Alarm.”

By then we were in our room again. It’s weird, though, I didn’t feel any sort of anxiety until I knew it wasn’t real. But from then on, I was on edge. All day long. It was then that I thought, What if it were real? How can people live under this ever-present threat?

As you can imagine, I was reminded yet again how lucky I am for so many things.

We did end up going to the beach and you can watch the video below. While it looks like a magical, gorgeous day — and it was — just know that behind every social media post is a story. It’s not all rainbows!

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How to Make Your Road Trips More Eco-Friendly

** This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #EarthDayDriveAway #CollectiveBias

It’s no secret my family goes on a lot of road trips. Some people think we are a bit crazy to travel far distances by car, especially with a toddler and a dog, but we love being on the road! In the past we have driven from Chicago to the Florida Keys, and from Chicago to Phoenix, so we know a bit about travel by road! Still, I am always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint while traveling. Being more mindful has been especially on my mind with Earth Day approaching. If you have a similar mindset, perhaps you might enjoy my tips for how how to make your road trips more eco-friendly! It’s easier than you might think! Also, be sure to let me know what tips you would add to make your travel a bit less more green.

5 tips to make your road trips more eco-friendly:

Keep reusable bag (or two) in the car to store recyclables until you see a recycling container. I have found that not every stop will have a recycling bin, so it’s always a good idea to bring a reusable tote. We also have a car organizer in the back where we can store things while traveling.

Carpool with family and friends when going on trips to together. Instead of more wasteful forms of travel, perhaps you can plan trips to destinations to which you can drive together, saving gas and money!

Plan your road trip times for off-peak traffic times to reduce gas usage. Keeping a steady speed makes your car more efficient.

Bring refillable water bottles vs. buying disposable plastic bottles at convenience stores. Same with coffee cups; many places will fill your own bottle. I also like to pack my own snacks in reusable containers, but if you must buy food on the road, try to buy local products as much as possible.

Use Mobil 1™ Annual Protection synthetic oil, which results in fewer oil changes, reduces oil consumption, and less waste oil. You can check which motor oil is right for your car using Walmart’s Oil Selector Tool.  We like to get our oil changes at Walmart’s Automotive Care Center to save time and money before road trips. Mobil 1 ™ can reduce the carbon footprint of your vehicle by the CO2 equivalent of 96 pounds!**

**Estimates made based on CO2 equivalent emissions derived from Life Cycle Assessment of Mobil 1 vs. conventional motor oil. Assumes switching from a conventional motor oil of higher viscosity grade to Mobil 1 Annual Protection. Include Production, Use, Disposal, and Fuel Economy attributed to motor oil over its lifetime. Calculation based on average U.S. vehicle engine oil sump size, average MPG, average oil change interval and average annual driving distance. Assumes nominal fuel economy improvement when switching from a higher viscosity grade to lower viscosity grade. Assumes new vehicles under warranty follow OEM recommend oil change interval. Mobil 1 Annual Protection is guaranteed to protect for one full year or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first. You may or may not obtain these benefits depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

If Mobil 1™ Annual Protection is not the best option for your car, there are plenty of other Mobil 1™ motor oil options to choose from, either through the Automotive Care Center or purchasing 5 quarts of motor oil to do the oil change yourself. Be sure to bring your motor oil back in for proper recycling, so you can also enter Mobil 1™’s exciting sweepstakes!

Right now until April 30, 2018, Mobil 1™ is giving Walmart customers a chance to win a Chevy Equinox, plus $10 off their next Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart!

Details on the Earth Day Drive Away Sweepstakes offer (exclusive to Walmart)

The Mobil 1™ display in store has details on how to enter to win a Chevy Equinox.

  • You can enter for a chance to win a Chevy Equinox in two ways until April 30, 2018:
    1. By purchasing 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ in the store or a Mobil 1™ oil change at the Auto Care Center.
    2. By recycling any used oil at an Auto Care Center.
  • As a bonus, shoppers who purchase 5 quarts of Mobil 1™ synthetic oil or a Mobil 1™ synthetic oil change at the Auto Care Center are also eligible to receive a $10 Select Certificate valid on a future Mobil 1™ purchase at Walmart.
  • Once you have made a qualifying Mobil 1™ purchase or recycled any used oil at Walmart, you can enter to win the Chevy Equinox and/or receive their $10 Walmart Select Certificate at EarthDayDriveAway.com.
  • Limit 2 entries in the sweepstakes per customer (1 for purchasing and 1 for recycling).
  • Receipt required to receive $10 Walmart Select Certificate.
  • Terms and conditions, FAQs, and other information can be found at EarthDayDriveAway.com.

Walmart Oil Selector Tool

Use the Oil Selector tool on Walmart.com to determine what type of oil you will need. DIYers can pick up their preferred Mobil 1™ product as well in the motor oil aisle in the store.

 

Enter the Mobil 1™ Sweepstakes!

Baby Wish List Gift Guide for On-the-Go Parents

** This post features the DockATot and Binxy Baby products that I received compliments of the companies, but all opinions are my own. This post also contains affiliate and referral links. Thank you for supporting Floradise!

Baby Products Wish List

Lots of changes are heading our way when our baby girl is born next month, but one thing I’m sure will remain the same: We will be constantly on-the-go. That inspired me to share items I had my eye on and that would be helpful for other busy new parents. Some of these may be baby items you might not have heard of or maybe you recognize these products as essential, beautiful, useful and innovative. I need all the help I can get with our new baby and in case you do, too, I’m sharing my baby product wish list gift guide for on-the-go moms and dads! These are items I think will make life so much easier for those who travel often, have a busy schedule or sometimes need to multitask.

Baby Product Gift Guide for On-the-Go Moms

Baby carrier: I already own a carrier that we used for Victoria, but I wanted one that was more comfortable and wasn’t as bulky and complicated. I was so excited to be gifted a baby carrier at my first baby shower and I plan to use it a ton during Chicago summer and when we travel so family can see the baby. There are so many different kinds and brands of carriers out there, but listening to how the mom wants to carry her baby and what features she is looking for can point you in the right direction.

Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock: I first read about the Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock on a mommy blog I follow. The blogger has five children, so I listen to her recommendations because she clearly has some knowledge! I wanted to try Binxy Baby to make my future solo store trips with the girls as easy as possible, so I was thrilled to have been gifted this innovative product by Binxy Baby! I had been wondering how the heck I was supposed to fit my groceries into my cart and where nearly 4-year-old V would sit, but now I will be able to have them both safely in the cart and I can actually get my shopping done. The Binxy Baby shopping cart hammock has been tested for safety and can hold up to 50 pounds with an infant car seat, or I can simply place the baby into the hammock itself until she can sit up unassisted. (Binxy Baby fits most shopping carts that are 20 to 24 inches wide and it’s not for use in double shopping carts or mini carts.) When I am done I can easily roll the hammock up and put it in my purse or diaper bag. It sounds super convenient! Plus, I picked out the floral print that matches so many of baby girl’s little clothes and accessories. She will look so cute in this hammock. You can get 10 percent off your purchase at Binxy Baby with my referral link. 

Binxy Baby flower print shopping cart hammock
I’m keeping the instructions handy for when I use the hammock.

 

Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock | Baby Gift Guide
The Binxy Baby hammock rolls up easily and can fit into my purse or diaper bag.

Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock Floral Print
The floral print matches with some of baby girl’s accessories!

 

Stroller/car seat gate check bag: We travel often and our families are out of state, so I wanted to have bags to safely transport our stroller and car seats while flying. In the past we simply check our car seat without a bag, but it’s taken a beating. I want to be more careful with baby’s car seat and the new stroller we plan to purchase so that it will last and won’t need to be cleaned as often. Babies have enough accidents to clean as it is! If you know parents who also plan to travel often, a gate check bag might be a thoughtful gift for them!

While a stroller gate check bag is shown, I plan to buy one for our car seat as well.

DockATot: The DockATot portable baby lounger is another raved about product I knew I needed in my life. Because we suffer from Chicago apartment space problems, the DockATot is going to be so helpful in saving space and being flexible! It’s a multipurpose item, too, which the minimalist in me loves. It can be used as a lounger, cosleeper and for playtime. DockATot gifted us the Deluxe size for 0 to 8 months, but a larger Grand DockATot suits ages 9 to 36 months. I fell in love with La Vie en Rose print from DockATot among the company’s gorgeous prints. I also really loved the Bananas for You leaf print cover, and I can always change up the cover if I want to later on. The lounger feels soft (It’s made from 100 percent cotton.) and looks super cozy for our little one! I like that I will be able to easily move the DockATot and our baby girl from room to room as needed when she’s here and when I eventually go back to working from home. Also, we can bring this along when we travel to Louisville or Phoenix for the baby is sleep in as we visit family. The DockATot comes with a bag that we can use to transport it and keep it clean. Get $10 off your DockATot purchase with my referral link.

Dockatot Packaging
We like that we can store or transport our DockATot in its plastic bag.

Milk Snob multipurpose nursing/car seat cover: As I mentioned when describing the DockATot, I enjoy items that have more than one use so I can make the most of the product and so I can minimalize the amount of belongings I have. That’s why I added a Milk Snob nursing cover to my registry, and my friends were kind enough to gift it to us this week! I like that the cover I received can be used as a car seat or stroller cover and while I nurse. I could even use it to cover the shopping cart seat for my toddler while baby rides in the Binxy Baby hammock.

Bonus option: A diaper bag: This is the hardest item to shop for in my opinion. I still don’t have the perfect bag because I want to take my time and find a bag that is comfortable to wear, has conveniently located pockets, and isn’t too bulky or heavy. I tend to prefer cross-body bags over backpacks and totes; I just don’t think it’s convenient to have to take off the backpack to grab items quickly. I used a backpack for my then-2-year-old V and I didn’t like it at all when I was on the go. If you’d like to gift a diaper bag to someone, it’s a great idea to figure out the mom’s preferences for her bag!

What items on this list would you like to own if you have/plan to have kiddos?

Shop the products:

DockATot: Get $10 off your DockATot purchase with my referral link.
Binxy Baby Shopping Cart Hammock: Get 10 percent off your purchase at Binxy Baby with my referral link. 
Milk Snob Nursing Cover
Baby K’tan Baby Carrier

 

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Family-Friendly Snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach Park

When we decided to visit the Big Island again, I wondered if the beaches would be suitable for a toddler. Many of the beaches we had visited during our Hawaii honeymoon in 2014 were rocky and the waves were sometimes rough. We were pleasantly surprised by how family-friendly Kahaluu Beach Park, a popular snorkeling beach in Hawaii, turned out to be.

The park doesn’t have a huge chunk of sand, but it has food trucks, picnic tables, a snack shop and restrooms. We spent our last full day on the Big Island at this beach. I relaxed and snacked on nachos (about $6) while G and V swam with the fish and turtles. Tip: Bring water shoes! (You can also rent snorkel gear and get reef-safe sunscreen, though on the day we visited rentals were halted due to the water conditions.) V had a wonderful time in the water and then making sand castles with me. Tip: We purchased a sand castle toy set for about $9 at an ABC Store in Kailua-Kona and we brought it back home with us. A life jacket was also super helpful for us. You can save money by bringing your own beverages and snacks vs. buying from a food truck.

One part of the beach is for surfing and the other is for snorkeling, so be aware of where you are swimming. (Lifeguards were on duty when we were there.)

The Kahaluu Beach Park parking lot filled up quickly, but we found that if you drove around someone was always leaving.

Have you visited Kahaluu Beach Park or the Big Island? What was your favorite snorkeling spot?

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Related posts:

Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii
EXPLORING HILO, HAWAII
PU’UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK IN HAWAII

 

 

 

Cheap Family-Friendly Things to Do in San Francisco

I hadn’t been to the Bay Area since I was a child, so when my great aunt hinted that we should visit, I jumped at the chance. I really don’t know why it’s been this long since I reconnected with my family in the Oakland and Union City area, but I’m glad I finally took the opportunity. It was also a perfect time for Victoria to meet family members she had never met before, like her great, great grandfather!  In just one short weekend we were able to see and do so much in San Francisco. We did splurge on a couple of meals, but mostly our trip was affordable. We found that San Francisco has plenty of things you can do without spending a lot of money. The most costly expenses were typically parking (if you wanted to be close to the attraction) and dining. Luckily my great aunt hosted us so we didn’t have to pay for lodging and our flights were purchased with credits we had from canceling our Puerto Rico trip last year. Today I’m sharing cheap family-friendly things to do in San Francisco!

Cheap things to do in the Bay Area with kids:

  • Visit Ghirardelli Square and get your free sample. We also purchased chocolate but you can save by sticking to the samples.

  • Drive or walk down Lombard Street (the Crooked Street).

  • Walk through Boudin Museum. See how the sourdough is made!

  • Walk around Pier 39, soak in the view of Alcatraz and say hello to the seals. Take in the street performances at Fisherman’s Wharf. We paid $10 to ride the carousel at the pier.

  • See the view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the city from the Marin Headlands. Drive, walk or ride a bike across the Golden Gate Bridge.

  • Picnic at Golden Gate Park. We stopped to admire the bison. I loved people-watching as people ran, walked, and just hung out.

  • Hike Muir Woods. (You do have to pay admission, but kids age 15 and younger enter free. Save by bringing your food and taking the shuttle or carpooling.)

Muir Woods National Monument

  • Search for the Full House facade house. I had no idea this was a different house than the Painted Lady, but it was cool to see.

  • Hang out Alamo Square in front of the Painted Ladies. We visited the city on an absolutely gorgeous weekend. People brought their snacks and drinks and took in the views from the park.

  • Walk around Chinatown. You don’t need to buy anything, just take in the sights, sounds and smells. We visited before the new year; it would have been nice to catch the celebrations.

Have you visited San Francisco? Also, are you a “Full House” fan? I pretty much had the theme song in my head the entire time.

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