Catching Rays

As soon as school let out, we took a quick trip to the beach...

On My Travel Bucket List

If I were young, stupid and didn't have a family, I would...

Postcards from Spring Break

Ever wish time would just slow down? I do. Sometimes I find myself trying to bottle moments, so they can last longer...

My Happy Place

What is the one place on earth that brings you the most happiness? For me, it's that place where, when you get there, you immediately start to smile, and all your worries and troubles just seem to fade away.  For me, that place is even happier when my family is there.  My happy place has always been the beach...

Spring Break Faves

Tomorrow I'll return to school after having a glorious ten day break from life. I'm sure my middle schoolers will be just thrilled to get back to school, and I can't wait to face their lovely pre-teen moods on Monday. Sounds like fun, right?

So on this eve before returning to work, I'm thinking about all the things I appreciated while on spring break:

1. I didn't have to set an alarm clock for 10 days; in fact, most days I wasn't even aware of the day...or time! 
2. I didn't have to rush and eat my lunch and use the restroom in under 20 minutes.
3. I could use the restroom whenever I wanted.
4. I could take a nap.
5. Lounge by the pool.
6. Walk on the beach.
7. Eat. Eat. Eat.
8. Play board games with my family.
9. Stay up late.
10. Spend good quality time with my family.

Here are more photos if you'd like to see...

Weekend Getaway

A few weeks ago our friends asked us to go away with them on a weekend trip to Chattanooga, and we said yes!

So over the long weekend we took in some of this city's most notable attractions.  We visited Ruby Falls and did a ropes course and some zip lining.  We took a ride on the Incline Railway, stopped at the aquarium, went to Rock City where we overlooked Lover's Leap and saw seven states. And if that wasn't enough...we ended our third day at the children's museum. We did a lot in three days!

Chattanooga is a kid friendly city and great for families looking for a quick getaway in just under two hours from nearby Atlanta. Here are more photos if you'd like to see...

Florida Vacay

We spent ten glorious days in Florida this summer visiting family and soaking up the sun's rays. It was a lovely time. We got to sleep in when we wanted, we played when we wanted, and as always, we made our mouths happy sampling some of South Florida's tastiest fares.

One of the things I'm truly grateful for, and appreciated the most, was the time we spent with my mother-in-law, Twinks. Because of her, we truly got to experience a true vacation with her being so attentive to all of us.  Whether it was making us delicious home-cooked meals, spending quality time with Buddy Roller while The Hubs and I stole away for a date, or just playing board games as a family most nights...it was truly a treasured time.

Here are more photos if you'd like to see...

Re-adjusting from Vacay

I'mmm baaaaaack!!!

Back from vacation...that is. Just wanted to pop in and say a quick hello and let you know I'll try to get back to regular blogging soon.

We returned home a few days ago, and I've been trying to adjust to reality after living the "vacay life" for almost two weeks. It's hard! So I've been in a little funk, and this is the other reason why I haven't been writing...

In Pursuit of...

I'm currently searching for...

What Tops Your Frozen Yogurt?

I love this new trend of frozen yogurt shops all over. It's like having things your way...any flavor and any toppings you want.

On our recent trip to the D.C. area, the BFSF and I went in search of a little frozen yogurt shop in walking distance of our hotel...

What I Always Forget to Pack

We've been in four different hotels in seven days. I'm pretty good when it comes to packing. I think of everything. Well. Nearly everything...

Why Atlanta Needs an Eggspectation

Chocolate chip pancakes

 I've said before that I love to eat. Eating is an experience that brings everyone together, around a table, sharing, laughing and living.  We recently had the opportunity to dine at an eatery in Silver Spring, Maryland.  It's called Eggspectation, and I strongly believe that we need one of these in Atlanta. I do.

They serve the fluffiest pancakes.  For real!  You can get breakfast all day long, they have an extensive menu to choose from, and everything from their crepes and omelettes to their beverages are just simply...delicious. The restaurant itself is warm and inviting, and the staff gives you the VIP treatment making you feel like a treasured guest.

Check out more photos of their amazing food...

The National Harbor, The Mall and More

We're taking in the sights, sounds and eats of this popular destination just south of Washington, D.C. I've been wanting the ride the Atlanta Ferris wheel for quite some time. Go figure...I had to come to the Maryland area to do just that!

Here are more pictures if you'd like to see our journey to the top of the wheel and our mini tour of the D.C. area...

We're Going on aTrip...

We're going on a trip, in our favorite rocket ship...

Theme Parks and Random Thoughts This New Year's Eve

We returned home last night after spending three days in theme parks at both Disney and Legoland. Our friends, The Smiths, met us in Orlando and it was a great decision as they were like our personal tour guides; they pretty much planned each day and the rides we would all take, even FastPassing us through long lines at the more popular rides.

Family trips can be stressful, right? Have you ever taken a family trip where there wasn't even a smidgen of stress? There's the packing, the driving (or flying), and if you're driving with kids there's the what do you do to entertain them for several hours of driving.

Our trip was stressful for me because one, I was really moody and extremely sensitive. Two, I didn't get to leave Atlanta at the time I wanted. Three, I wanted us all to wake up early every day and take full advantage of the theme parks, but that is really hard to do when the majority of my family likes to sleep in. And fourth, the parks were more than crowded which added to my impatience, and I felt "under the microscope" every time I took a picture, which, to be honest, was a lot. I love taking pictures; I admit it, but it can annoy my family. It does get a bit aggravating each time I stop my family and ask them to pose for a shot and...yada yada yada.

On our long ride back home, The Hubs and I talked about our trip and what we could have done to make things more enjoyable. We agreed we need to manage our expectations better and clearly communicate so that everyone has a good time. We also compromised on taking pictures...looks like I will be taking lots more candid shots from now on. And you know what, that's okay too. So here are some of the photos from our trip. Despite the drama, we did have periods of fun and good times. We've already talked about visiting Disney again, but during off-peak times!

My feeling moody during our Orlando trip over what seems really trivial now was made crystal clear today.  Earlier I went to Chipotle to get something to eat.  The line was really long, as it always is...I even timed my wait. I stood in line for 21 minutes and 34 seconds. Seriously, but it's always worth the wait. Anyways as I waited in line, I happened to look outside when I noticed a SUV pull up into a parking space. Sitting in the passenger side was a woman. I couldn't tell how old or how young she was, but her hair was completely gone and she was frail thin as if she was suffering from a life threatening illness, possibly cancer.  It took a great effort for her to muster enough energy to cover her head with a hat and then make her way out of the car. I looked at the driver, her mom possibly, and my heart went out to her. Not in a pitiful way, but in a manner that understands no human being should ever have to suffer. And worse, as a mom myself, I never want to imagine what it's like to watch your own child endure such a thing. This really helped put things in perspective for me.

As far as New Year's resolutions go, I don't make them. I don't think you need the start of a new year to make changes in your life. You can and should make changes at any time. I did see a post on Facebook that I liked. A friend posted that he, too, doesn't believe in resolutions, but he wanted to live his life by the four principles in the book, The Four Agreements: Be impeccable with your word (use your words to speak love and the truth). Don't take anything personally (nothing others do is because of you). Don't make assumptions (communicate clearly and ask questions to avoid misunderstandings). Always do your best (whether you are sick or healthy just do the best you can at that moment).  I think these are wise words to live by, and I think I need to read that book. I also need to continue to work on me becoming a better person.  

What are you up to this New Year's Eve?  After spending all day yesterday on the road stuck in a car for seven hours, and the last three days at theme parks, this girl is just happy to spend the night at home doing absolutely nothing. You feel me? And that's exactly what I did.  Our neighbors came by (with yummy snacks, thank you!!!) and we just hung out.  Here's most of the happy bunch; they really do have a lot of fun together.

Happy New Year and may you have your best year ever in 2015!