** 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 ... Read more
Flying With a 2-Month-Old Baby
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 ... Read more
Our Stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort in 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 ... Read more
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 ... Read more
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 ... Read more
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! 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 ... Read more
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, ... Read more
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 ... Read more
Big Island Fun: Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii
Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, seems be a popular attraction on the Big Island. It's easily accessible and free, so visitors of all ages can see its beauty. Even if you've been there before, Rainbow Falls is worth revisiting because you just might catch a glimpse of a rainbow in front of the waterfall, depending on the weather. We first went to Rainbow Falls during our honeymoon on the Big ... Read more
Muir Woods National Monument With a Toddler
When we booked a last-minute weekend trip to the Bay Area recently, we had only two must-dos on our list besides seeing our family. One of them was visiting Muir Woods National Monument. We've been fans of redwood trees for a long time as nature lovers, so we couldn't wait to see them in person. Muir Woods recently enacted a new parking and shuttle service, which means you must make a parking ... Read more