Traveling
Make the best with family vacations!
Children’s Place Styles for Cruising and New Year
Headed to The Children’s Place just before the cruise and stocked up on classic, stylish and affordable pieces! Isabella’s Girl Power graphic t-shirt from The Children’s Place just might be her lucky shirt now after being selected to play in the Hasbro Game Show aboard the Carnival Breeze in December! What are your favorite classic items […]
Hasbro Game Show Aboard Carnival Breeze
We had a star in our family. During our incredible trip aboard the Carnival Breeze we attended the Hasbro Game Show in the Ovation Theater. Modeled after the TV hit Family Game Night, participants play life sized games such as Simon, Sorry and Connect 4 to win prizes. Butch, our wondeful Cruise Director, began the […]
MIAMI: Coconut Grove Candy Candy Village – Win Tickets!
This weekend, December 21-23, Peacock Park in Coconut Grove will transform into its 1st ever Candy Cane Village! Based on the tremendous success of the Pumpkin Patch in October, families will have a blast making memories! There will be over a dozen rides that are INCLUDED in the entrance fee! Yes, that means no additional ride […]
Initial Carnival Breeze Memories
For 8 glorious nights, we sailed the ocean waters aboard the Carnival Breeze. We returned Sunday and not only do I still have sea legs, I really, truly miss the boat! Over the next few weeks, I will share, in great detail, the tremendous aspects of the Carnival Breeze and how cruising works for families. […]
Finding Serenity Aboard Carnival Breeze
Ahhh. Traveling is wonderful. We are loving every minute on the Carnival Breeze, and today I was able to sneak away for an entire hour to chill. I’m lounging in the Serenity Deck of the Carnival Breeze. This adults only area provides a break from the common cruise ship buzz. Comfy lounge chairs, hammocks and […]
First Thoughts Aboard the Carnival Breeze
We boarded the Carnival Breeze at Port Miami yesterday, beginning an 8-night cruise throughout the Eastern Caribbean. We will stop at St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau, Bahamas. In these first 24 hours, I have been very impressed, especially with the food, the quality of service and the variety of activities and entertainment. Also, the […]
3 Reasons to Hit Up Downtown Disney
As South Floridians we’ve been to Walt Disney World about 12 times in the last 5 years. Yes, we go a lot. Nearly every trip includes at least a morning in Downtown Disney. Why? Besides the fact that even my older one still thinks it’s one of the Disney Parks (cheap date!), I have 3 […]
Playworld Playground at Zoo Miami
The playground at Zoo Miami is ready for families! A visit to the acclaimed Zoo Miami has gotten even more exciting for the kids! This year Zoo Miami opened it’s renovated playground near the Oasis Grill and added a water play area. Now called Playworld Playground, the two areas Jungle Journey and Ocean Voyage give […]
Learning How To Cruise with a Toddler
In just a few months the 4 of us will embark on a 7 night/8 day Carribean cruise. One of us will be a toddler, turning 19 months during the trip. I’m sort of freaking out about cruising with a toddler. Calm me down. I know it’s possible. I know many people do it, and […]
Going Local at the Black Point Ocean Grill
Miami locals love the Black Point Ocean Grill! Last weekend we headed to the Black Point Ocean Grill in Cutler Bay for seafood, cold beer and great entertainment. Have you ever been? This casual, feels like you’re in the Keys restaurant, had a fantastic menu of soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees. The portions were plentiful […]
3 Reasons I’m Celebrating at BlogHer12
August 2-4 the largest blogging conference, BlogHer will have thousands of bloggers obsessing all-things social media and beyond in New York City. It’s the Mac Daddy of conference. I attended in 2010 thanks to my partnership with Huggies Every Little Bottom. This year I return through a just launched partnership with CVS MinuteClinic! I’m thrilled […]
Our Memorable Juicy Route 27 in Florida
South Floridians drive to Orlando regularly, it’s understandable. Our family has done it nearly a dozen times in the last 5 years. Visiting Disney World or other amusement parks, with just a 3-4 hour drive is manageable, especially when traveling with the family. One of our more more memorable drives up was when we took […]
Don’t Lose Sight of Miami at the Great Taste of the Grove!
Eyes wide open. See the sites. The weather is gorgeous. There is so much to enjoy in and around Miami. The year at the infamous Great Taste of the Grove, Transition Lenses will help you keep those sightseeing eyes in check with a FREE vision screening and more! The Sights of Miami Miami is filled […]
Big City Moms Biggest Baby Shower Comes to Miami
It’s time for the Biggest Baby Shower for Miami Moms! Yes, the Big City Moms are hitting the Magic City on April 2 with an event all moms – expecting and new – must attend! Held at the Jungle Island Treetop Ballroom, The Biggest Baby Shower is a fantastic celebration! There will be delicious food, […]
Zingers Deli – NY Deli Hits Streets of Boca
Zingers Deli – NY Deli Hits Streets of Boca Living out of the NY tri-state area doesn’t mean depriving oneself from the delicacies we find in a quality NY deli. A Reuben, matzo ball soup, latkes, rugelach, and egg salad are staples in delis in NY but are often hard to come by, in good […]
Traveling in Miami – 4 Great Spots to Take the Family
Miami Resident Turns Tourist! When traveling in and around Miami, no need for planes or trains…just automobiles! Have you ever just looked at the tourist map for your metro area and realized the number of tourist destinations residing within an easy drive-able distance from your home? I recently set out to see the sights of Miami. I […]
A Marco Island Vacation is an Ideal Family Travel Destination
This year’s summer family trip was a Marco Island vacation. This island sits less than 2 hours west of Miami, just south of Naples. Traveling to Florida, with the exception of Disney, is slow season during the summer months. Intense heat and possibility of hurricanes makes it not always ideal when traveling. However, slow season […]
The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 Book Review
This Smart Mama family has been to Disney 14 times in the last 5 years. Yes, we know Disney. But, Julie & Mike Neal, authors of The Complete Walt Disney World 2011 know better, having tallied over 1500 visits! Most guidebooks focus on the magic of Disney but their guide goes beyond that with great tips […]
Great Miami Breakfast Choices
Finding great breakfast choices in Miami isn’t too hard, there are some great one’s to pick from! We love Sunday mornings. With a child in our house and one arriving any day now (I’m 37.5 weeks preggo,) waking up early isn’t much of our choice. On Sundays, we get out the door by 8, head […]
Smart Travel: The Humming Game – My daughter the songwriter!
This week I shared 5 games that we play in the car. http://smartypantsmama.com/2011/04/smart-home-5-car-ride-games-to-occupy-the-time/ My daughter’s favorite is #2 The Humming Game (just like the classic Name That Tune). Here’s some video proof of the made up songs she hums and tries to get me to figure out! Do you think she’s an aspiring songwriter? […]
5 Car Ride Games for Road Trips
A family road trip may last a few hours, days or weeks. Sure enough you spend plenty of time with the kids in the car each week. “Mom, are we there yet?” gets old so finding car ride games to occupy and distract the kids from the drive are essential for Smart Mamas. I’ve shared some […]
An Organized Suitcase is Necessary on a Weekend Getaway
[ad#Google in Content] We are the weekend getaway family, as you may remember from Smarty Pants Daddy’s post this summer. We getaway when we can, especially when we find a good deal and have a free weekend! On most trips, I am able to pack our clothes in 2 suitcases, often a backpack comes too […]
Flying with Toddler Tip
If you will be flying with a toddler, you’ll want to be prepared. Children want to be entertained on and off board! Pre-wrapping little trinkets will provide loads of entertainment and hopefully peace when you embark on flying with a toddler. A Bag, Wrapping Paper + Cheap Toys = happy child on plane We’ve flown […]
Smart Travel: The Weekend Getaway
[ad#Google in Content] Guest Poster: Smarty Pants Dada I guess about a year and a half ago, our family started doing weekend getaways. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made. As a dad who works all week it is nice to get away from home for the weekend. It doesn’t have […]
Non-Theme Park Destinations are Great for Family Vacations
There parks aren’t necessary for fun family vacations. Did you know that a 2010 Family Vacation Survey found that 97 percent of parents who go on family vacations want a trip that both they and their children will enjoy? I can’t imagine what the other 3% prefer! Travel Ticker®, a leading inspirational travel website, today […]
Key Largo Conch House, Key Largo, FL
Key Largo Conch House 100211 Overseas Highway Key Largo, FL 33037-4418 (305) 453-4844 www.KeyLargoCoffeeHouse.com We expected a lot and were pleased. The Key Largo Conch House on Overseas Highway in Key Largo (MM 100.3), comes recommended by nearly every online guide of the Florida Keys. It was even fortunate to be reviewed by both the […]