Tis’ the season for pumpkin spice and everything nice! I love everything about Fall from the crisp air to the warm apple cider. Just like how Lorelei Gilmore can smell snow, I can smell Fall from a mile away… it’s a gift! My family and I have gathered a list of all our favorite fall things to share with you! Enjoy! 🍁
1. Go Apple Picking
2. Carve a Pumpkin
3. Take a Hayride
4. Drink Apple Cider
5. Drink Pumpkin Spice Coffee
6. Make Apple Crisp
7. Make Apple Pie
8. Make Apple Turnovers
9. Buy a Pumpkin Candle
10. Rake Leaves & Jump in the piles
11. Wear your favorite fall sweater
12. Eat Apple Cider Donuts
13. Make Pumpkin Muffins
14. Make Pumpkin Pie
15. Decorate your home in fall decor
16. Go to a Pumpkin Patch
17. Watch Hocus Pocus
18. Go through a Corn Maze
19. Dress up for Halloween
20. Eat lots of Halloween Candy
21. Check out local fall festivals
22. Go to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
23. Make Carmel Apples
24. Enjoy the Crisp Air
25. Wear your Favorite Scarf
26. Take a Scenic Drive
27. Take a Fall Photo
28. Tell Ghost Stories
29. Go to a Haunted House or go on a Haunted Hayride
30. Eat Halloween Oreos (my favorite)
31. Eat Candy Corn
Hope you enjoyed our Fall Bucket List! Comment below with your favorite things about Fall!
Happy Fall Y’all
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company.
Before my husband had received his acceptance letter to medical school we knew we wanted to move south. We loved everything about the south from the southern charm to the Barbecue and the Sweet Tea! Once we found out we were moving to Greenville, SC we were more than thrilled! I am going to share with you all of our favorite things to do and places to eat in Greenville, SC! So pack your bags because your next adventure starts now….
Let’t start in the heart and soul of the city… Downtown Greenville. This little city is filled with everything you need from nightlife to southern culture to the fine arts. While living in Greenville we saw some amazing plays such as Junie B. Jones meets Pinkalicious to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. It even has something for the kids like Mice on Main which is a well known scavenger hunt made up of tiny bronze mice that are hidden up and down Main St! (Can you find them all?) While you’re downtown be sure to check out Falls Park on Reedy River. This gorgeous park is located right in the heart of downtown. It has a footbridge so visitors can take in the picture perfect view, it also has plenty of nature trails, picnic areas and of course the Reedy River in all of its glory!
Since we are downtown lets take a trip to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate! This museum is the first children’s museum in the US that is a Smithsonian affiliate, and trust me it shows because this place is amazing! The exhibits range from a children’s hospital, to a news studio, and a Publix market! My kiddos loved the Construction Zone as well as the Reedy River Bend! If you are traveling with little ones this is a must do!
One of my absolute favorite things to do with my kids downtown is the Greenville Zoo! I love that the parking is FREE! There is also a huge playground out front with plenty of picnic tables and sometimes the Kona Ice truck will even pay a visit, so be sure to have some cash on hand. Most of all I love the animals! The zoo is on the smaller side but that is fine by me because it means, most kids will be able to walk it with out a stroller. They have a great selection of animals to view from Giraffe’s, to an Orangutan, to the Red Panda’s and the African Lions! What’s not to love! My favorite time to visit is in the fall just before Halloween when the weather is cooler and this is also when the zoo holds a special event called Boo in the Zoo. The zoo is decorated for Halloween and on select days your kids can go trick or treating in the zoo. Be sure to go early because this event is very popular!
Forget to pack something or are you looking for a quick bite to eat? Then I have the place for you! The Haywood Mall has it all, from great stores to delicious food. When we first moved to Greenville, this mall had just started it’s renovations. So we have seen how far it has come over the years. Our favorite store is the Palmetto Moon, it is where we bring all of friends and family when they come into town to stock up on Greenville, SC one of a kind merchandise. Our favorite restaurant is the Cheesecake Factory, because who doesn’t love a 30 page menu and the cheesecake is to die for! My favorite is the Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple Cheesecake, so yummy! Even if you aren’t in the mood to shop or snack, this mall is a great place to get some exercise on rainy days, so lace up those sneakers and grab a friend to join you!
If you are looking for a place for little ones to burn off some energy or to watch some planes take off then check out Runway Park at GMU. This park is located right next to the downtown Greenville airport and you have a front row seat to watch some incredible aircrafts take flight. The park has picnic tables, a small track for kids to run or ride scooters on, plenty of benches for parents to sit back and relax, and the playground is our kiddos favorite because it is aviation themed. I will warn you this place gets pretty busy on the weekends so go early!
One of my favorite things to do in the Palmetto State is eat! (Food is what the south is known for!) South Carolina is known for the best southern food around! My husband stuffed his face with shrimp and grits, collard greens & barbecue! Although his biggest weakness comes from a gas station called QT in the shape a maple frosted donut, haha. These donuts are delightful and don’t forget to grab your QT cup to grab a drink to accompany this tasty treat! I, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of the biscuits! I don’t know how South Carolina does it but I have never eaten more delicious biscuits in any other state in my life! I have two favorite places to eat biscuits. My first favorite place is Biscuit Head. Here the biscuits are literally the size of the plate, so I suggest sharing. What I love most about this place is the Jam Bar! Every jam, jelly and butter is made in house and is fresh daily and you can mix match and blend till your little heart desires. I am a big fan of the classics and the strawberry jam is my favorite. My second favorite, is Maple Street Biscuit Company. I lucked out big time because Jacksonville, FL happens to be the headquarters of this wonderful business which means even in Florida I still get to eat my favorite biscuits! Score! What I love about Maple Street is that they take my two favorite things, chicken and biscuits, and put together one of the most unique menus I have ever eaten. I also love how the question of the month is different. So each visit seems like a new experience. The one thing that is hard to find in Greenville is good pizza. The closest thing we could find to good pizza was a place called Copper River Grill, they have the best Stone fired BBQ Chicken Pizza around. I also, highly recommend ordering a side salads as well, mostly because they come with a butter croissant that melts in your mouth that is drizzled in a sweet glaze. Yes, it tastes as good as it sounds!
If you are traveling in the summer and are looking to beat that Carolina heat check out the Greenville County Waterparks! Greenville has three small waterparks: Discovery Island Waterpark, Otter Creek and 7th inning Splash. Discovery Island is our favorite it has a small lazy river, two water slides, and a great water structure that our kiddos loved to play on! Another great summertime activity is catching a ballgame at Fluor Field and if you are Red Sox fans like us than you are in luck because the Greenville Drive happens to be the affiliate team for the Boston Red Sox!
If you are traveling in the winter months our favorite thing to do is to get in the car turn on some holiday music, grab some hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts (since I am a New England girl) and check out the holiday light displays throughout the city. If you are looking to extend your car ride, take a day trip to Asheville to see the lights at the Biltmore. Another holiday treat is ice skating on Main St also known as Ice on Main! To the folks of Greenville this is a must do holiday activity!
I hope you love the Palmetto State as much as I did! If not then bless your heart! One of the best things about Greenville, SC is the people who live there. You will never meet nicer people in your life no matter where you travel. These people will give you the shirt off their backs. They bring a whole new meaning to southern charm and hospitality. Now every time I travel and hear a “Hey Y’all!” it brings me back to the upstate and the amazing memories we’ve made there!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by any of the companies listed above.
Tis the season to be jolly, or in our family tis the season of birthdays, holidays and stretching our budget very thin! Over the years I have learned a few ways to embrace the joys of the season, without blowing our budget. After all, this is the time of year to spread holiday cheer so I am going to share my favorite tips with you…
Start Saving Early– I learned early on that in order to actually save for the holiday season sometimes that means you have to put a little bit a side each pay check starting in January. This amount can be as little as $10 a week. Some banks even have special programs called holiday savings accounts that are designed so you can only pull the money out of the accounts on designated times of the year, to prevent you from spending the money.
Get Crafty– Everyone loves handmade gifts! Every year my husband and I bake cookies and make peanut butter balls that we wrap up and give as gifts. Not only are these delicious treats but people seem to really love getting them as gifts! Some other ideas I have done in the past are made photo books, candles, ornaments and knitted scarves! So whatever your crafty talent may be, you can put it to good use!
Shop Around– (and I don’t mean department stores…) I’m talking about checking out yard sales and online market places for used and gently used items. Sometimes you can even get items for free or for half the cost as the department stores asking price. You just need to be willing to put in the extra TLC and give it a good cleaning or a fresh coat of paint.
Split the Cost– When buying a larger gift for someone, sometimes you can split the cost with another person or a group of people like you might split the check with a large group at a restaurant. I have done this in the past and it works out great when everyone contributes. It is a wonderful way to get that special someone the gift that you want to get them without breaking the bank!
Cheapest way to Travel– This can get a bit tricky! If you need to fly during the holidays be sure to save up for your flights ahead of time and be sure to book the flights early or as soon as a deal hits. There are tons of flight tracking websites that can help you find good prices for the flights and cities you are looking for. Some can even help you find deals for last minute travel. To save on the cost of hotel, ask to stay with friends and family instead. My advice is if you have to travel during the holidays always look into your cheapest transportation options. Ever since we started having children, we are always comparing flying versus driving for our family of five. Holidays have become more complicated for us and, because of that, it is cheapest around the holidays for us to spend the holidays at home. If family wants to visit then they are welcome too! Just be sure to chose the best option for you and your family!
Shop Online– As much as I love shopping in stores, sometimes it is just better for my budget to shop online. Especially when the store offers free shipping or with free curbside and/or in store pick up. Shopping online keeps me sticking to my list and my budget! Plus you can compare the cost with other retailers with a click of a button.
Swap Names– My three kids love to buy each other gifts around the holidays but our budget can’t be stretched for nine extra gifts. Swapping names saves us a ton of money! To do the swap, we have everyone put their names in a hat and each draw a name. Then we give them a set dollar amount limit and take them to the store and let them shop for one another. The best part about this is they get really excited to see their brother or sister open their present since they put a lot of thought into their gift. Some schools even offer holiday store programs where the students can shop for gifts at school and they will even wrap the gifts at school. We have done this in the past as well.
Shop Sales– I am a clearance rack shopper, a couponer, a discount store hunter, you name it I will hunt down the sale to find the best price. So don’t be afraid to do your research and find the best coupon or the best store price for the item you are looking for. Also, don’t be afraid to shop on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These can be hit or miss depending on the item you are looking for but sometimes they can save you a pretty penny! My husband and I love shopping on Black Friday at the outlets. We get some great deals plus it’s the perfect date night! Win-Win!
Stock up on Promotional Gift Cards– Anytime I can take a survey or refer a friend, I get a free gift card. I stash it away for the holidays. These make great gifts or can be used to buy great gifts for the holidays! For the foodies in your life be on the look out for restaurant gift card deals in the winter months. Many restaurants like to have promotional gift card deals where you buy a certain amount in gift cards and you get a bonus gift card for free. Just make sure you check to see if the gift cards have a use by date before you stash them away!
Yankee Swap or White Elephant Gift– I love these gift swaps because they are outside the box. Usually you play these types of holiday swap games at parties but I have done them with family as well. It is a great way to mix up the holidays, plus it’s an easy gift that stays within our budget. If you don’t know what a Yankee swap is, it is when you bring a wrapped or unwrapped gift to an event. Usually the gift has to be under a certain price point and most of the time it is cheap! The gift is usually something practical like a candle, a blanket, sometimes if it is an adult gathering you could do wine or scratch tickets. Then you draw names or numbers and when you are called you pick a gift and unwrap it and you chose to keep it or swap it with another person for another gift. It is a fun little game. White elephant has the same rules except the twist is that the gift is usually something silly like toilet paper or used gift cards. The point is usually to buy or find the most outrageous gift… plus it makes the game more fun! These are great games to play if you are hosting a party so everyone goes home with a gift and plus its a fun game that everyone wins.
So there you have it folks, I hope you enjoyed my tips! I also, hope you have a season of savings, a season of cheer, and to top it off a wonderful New Year!
In our house we love all things Disney! But most of all we love visiting Walt Disney World. My family and I like to visit multiple times a year. Since my husband is in residency and we are on a tight budget, Disney vacations for a family of five can get costly quick, so I have to get creative. Here are a few budget friendly ideas that are sure to bring that Disney magic to your vacation just without the additional theme park ticket cost!
Spend the day relaxing by the pool– The number one complaint I always seem to have about our vacations is I always wish we had more down time. So make sure to plan a day to do just that. Pool days are my favorite days to sit back and relax! Be sure to pack a bag filled with drinks & snacks. Don’t forget the sunscreen and some pool toys for the kiddos! The one benefit for staying on Disney property is they have the best pools (in my opinion). They also have life guards and cast members who have all kinds of fun events and pool activities. My kiddos have made Mickey Tie-dye t-shirts, played bingo, and have played Disney trivia. The amazing pool bars are also a huge benefit, too!
Spend the day at Disney Springs– I love to shop and ever since Downtown Disney has become Disney Springs it has nearly doubled in size and doubled in fun! We have gone at least a dozen times and still have not seen or done everything they have to offer. Disney Springs has a little of everything for everyone in your family. They have several toy stores for your kiddos to choose from. They also have amazing boutiques for the fashionista in your family. For the little ones in your family they have a carousel and a small train they can ride for a small fee. For the adventure seekers in your family, be sure to check out Characters in Flight. If you love bowling and billiards be sure to check out Splitsville, which is a luxury bowling alley. Maybe you are in the mood to kick back, see a flick and grab a bite to eat? If so, then head on over to the AMC theater in Disney Springs. For the car lovers in your family you can ride in a vintage amphicar at the Boathouse. These guided tours are the thrill of a lifetime as they drive on land and into the water. As you can see, there is a little something for everyone!
Go miniature golfing– Disney has two miniature golf experiences just outside the parks. Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf is located in the Epcot Resort area just outside the Walt Disney World Swan hotel. This course is great for families and beginner golfers. I love the Fantasia theme, it makes you feel like you stepped into the movie! The Winter Summerland miniature golf is the second course. My family loves this one because you can choose either the winter side or the summer side. Both take you on a crazy adventure that lead you to Santa’s workshop in the end. My kiddos love the magical surprises you come across as you make your way through the course.
Check out the Disney Resorts arcade– All Disney Resorts have arcades. Now I know what you are thinking, I must be crazy listing this as a suggestion. But on our most recent trip to Disney the weather was not the best and this was a great way to entertain the kiddos for a few hours. They even have a few massaging chairs for the adults to relax in while the kiddos are off playing games. We also found that not all the games cost money, which is always a plus when you’re on a budget! We found a few that were free of charge and those ended up being my kids favorite games. Disney uses an arcade card system which is usually located at the entrance of the arcade. You can load cash or card onto an arcade card which is then used to swipe at all the arcade machines. These arcade cards can be reused so be sure to hold onto them for future use. Some of our favorite games were pinball and the air hockey table!
Ride the Monorail– My kids love to spend a few hours every Disney vacation riding the monorail. We have to do it every trip we take. My kids love to stop at all of the monorail resorts and go into all of the shops. Plus, the views of the Magic Kingdom and the Disney Resorts are spectacular. It is such a magical and unique element that only Disney offers. Another fun up and coming ride is the new Disney Skyliner! We still have yet to ride it, but if you have then it let us know if you enjoyed it in the comments below!
Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing Along at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Explore other Disney Resorts– If you are looking for a fun way to add a touch of Disney to your vacation be sure to explore the Disney Resorts. You can grab a bite to eat, shop in the resort boutique, rent bikes, or even take a stroll to take in the unique Disney decor. Some of my favorite resorts to explore are Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. I love Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because it’s one of the only places to get a Dole Whip outside the parks! Right now, if you head on over to the Barefoot Pool bar you can even check out the Lime Dole Whip Margarita which features Disney’s Special Heart of Te Fiti Lime Dole Whip with margarita mix. I can’t wait to try it myself on our next trip! I love Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground because they offer an archery experience (which makes me feel like Merida, from the Disney movie Brave!). They also offer Horse-drawn carriage rides, pony rides and wagon rides. Be sure to check out the Chip ‘N’ Dale Campfire Sing-A-long, for some good ole’ fashion fun roasting marshmallows over the campfire. I also love Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge because it feels like you just stepped into the heart of Africa with the exotic animals to view on the savannah and the spectacular African decor. Don’t forget to grab a Zebra dome and some Jungle Juice in the quick service on property called the Mara. While you’re exploring the resorts be sure to check out the amazing restaurants on property.
Go For a Round of Golf– Tee off and hit the greens! Disney has four gorgeous golf courses on property:
Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course
Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course
Disney’s Palm Golf Course
Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
Disney offers discounts for Florida Residents, Annual Passholders, Cast members, DVC as well as Resort Guests. They also offer FootGolf, which is a 9 hole course that is like traditional golf but instead of a golfball you use a soccer ball.
Run in a Fun Run at select Disney Resorts– As you all know there is nothing I love more than running and Disney. Well I am here to tell you that select Walt Disney World Resorts host Fun Runs pretty much all time! (how cool is that, right?!?) Here is the list of resorts that participate:
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside & French Quarter Resort
Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
Be sure to check with your resort for times and weekly schedules as well as Fun Run fees!
Rent a Boat or Sea Raycer- Set sails on Seven Seas Lagoon! I will be honest this is a bucket item for us. Every trip we talk about renting Sea Raycers and we never have enough time but that is not going to stop me from telling you all about this nifty little activity! The Sea Raycers seat up to two people and cost $32 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be at least 12 years old and at least 5 feet tall. There are two kinds of boat rentals you can rent in Disney. One is the Boston Whaler Montauk. This love boat seats up to six people and costs $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Lastly, you can rent a Sun Tracker Pontoon boat which seats up to 10 people for $45 plus tax for 30 mins. Drivers must be 18 years of age. Disney also offers Specialty Cruises but those are very pricey and I could never afford them on a residents budget.
Jellyrolls dueling piano bar located at Disney’s Boardwalk
Check out Disney’s Boardwalk– Our favorite time to head to the Boardwalk is just after dinner once the sunsets, this is when the fun is just about to begin on the Boardwalk. You never know what kind of entertainment you will find from magicians to jugglers. You can even have a caricature artist draw a picture of you to capture the magic! My daughter loves to get her hair wrapped and beaded by the hair wrappers. They also have some carnival games, for a fee of course! One of my favorite things to do on the Boardwalk is grab a slice of pizza from the Boardwalk Pizza Window the head on over to the Boardwalk Joe’s Marvelous Margaritas stand and grab myself a frozen strawberry margarita! (They are sooo good!) Then my husband and I like to get a sitter and head on over to Jellyrolls which is a dueling piano bar (Don’t be fooled by the name, trust me this place is rowdy and a ton of fun!) They do have a cover charge of $15 and doors open at 7:00pm. If you love to dance head on next door to the Atlantic Dance Hall where you can dance the night away… well actually only on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00pm-2:00am. The Boardwalk also has restaurants and shops so while you are there, be sure to check them out!
I hope you enjoyed my tips and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite non-Disney park day things your family enjoys to do! Be sure to check out my article, What’s in my Disney Park Bag for Disney packing tips! I hope you have a magical trip!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by Walt Disney World or any other Disney company. If you are looking to rent a boat please contact Walt Disney World, as I can not rent boats on your behalf.
Just like Olaf, I’m at my happiest in the summer! It must be that summer sun!☀️Lucky for us we moved to the Sunshine State and are blessed with 265 days of summer a year, haha just kidding (it’s actually probably more than that! 😉) Looking for ideas when little voices are whining they’re bored? My kiddos and I have put together a list of our favorite things to do in the summer. Enjoy!
1. Go to the Beach
2. Enjoy a day at the pool
3. Eat ice cream for dinner… this is my favorite summer activity!
4. Meet up with friends at the playground
5. Go for a family bike ride
6. Go mini golfing
7. Go see a movie -we love to check out the $1 movie’s that play at our local theater on select days
8. Have a water balloon fight
9. Roast marshmallows & make s’mores
10. Go camping -since our kiddos are “glampers” we like to camp in our living room
11. Check out your local Children’s Museum or Science Museum
12. Have an PJ day and watch old movies
13. Have a picnic
14. Go for a hike
15. Go to a water park -our favorite water parks are Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park near Orlando, FL check out our review of Disney’s H2O Glow Nights a special ticket event on select nights this summer.
16. Make slime
17. Go roller skating
18. Read a book-check out your local library and bookstores for summer reading programs.
19. Make play dough
20. Have a dance party
21. Have a family game night- our family favorites are Bingo & the game of Life
I hope you enjoyed our list and I can’t wait to hear what your favorite things to do in the summer are! Be sure to comment below! Just remember sunshine is the best medicine! Happy summer! ☀️
It’s that time of year again, between the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and holiday parties we are always on the go. We have tested out of our share of travel gadgets and some have won over our traveling hearts and some have not. So this year we have put together our must have travel list of all our favorite travel items and gear and we can’t wait to share them with you!
First lets start with luggage! Our favorite luggage is by American Tourister, we love the Disney prints which are always easy to find in airport baggage claim. We love how these roll smoothly as we run through the airport to get to our gate in time. They have a ton of pockets and the 28″ is quite large, it holds all of our family of five’s clothes for short trip.
Our next must have item is luggage straps. I am an over packer for sure, and this little gadget gives me the travel security and peace of mind I need to ensure my luggage wont burst open on the runway. I like how inexpensive they are and how they come in every color imaginable. I also love how I can use them to strap luggage together (again over packing at it’s finest!).
While most people travel with neck pillows, I am a full pillow kind of gal. Those fancy neck pillows just don’t do me any justice when traveling, especially when traveling in the car! My head and neck need full support but instead of carrying around a huge pillow. This travel pillow is the perfect compact cushion for my noggin. I have also found it to be the best pillow for my kids when traveling because it is small enough for their little heads too.
The next item is not only our favorite tumbler to travel with, but a daily must have in our family. It’s a YETI stainless steel insulated tumbler. This baby beats out all other travel tumblers in my opinion. It keeps our drinks ice-cold all day long. I have tested out a fair share of tumblers and I always come back to my YETI. They are a bit pricey but they go on sale often and trust me, they are worth every penny!
Now, let’s talk sleeping arrangements. As you know, we are a family of five and most hotels only accommodate four people so we purchased a Regalo My Cot which is a portable toddler bed. It folds up to be the size of a camping chair and comes with a fitted sheet and a carrying case. If you are traveling with little ones, this toddler bed has saved us from squishing together into a tiny full size bed. Some airlines will even not charge you to fly with it since it looks like a portable crib when it is folded up (and those fly free!). I like to pack toddler sized bedding for it too since it is a cot and could use the extra bedding for comfort.
Speaking of travel with little ones, I always seem to be potty training (those dreaded words still send a chill down my spine!) one of our kiddos every time our family takes a cross-country trip. Rest stop bathrooms are not built for our their little bottoms. I found this handy-dandy folding potty seat which is worth its weight in gold. A quick tip for littles that are scared of automatic toilets is to carry post-it notes with you and place a piece on the sensor until your little one is finished their business. Just make sure to remove it before exiting the bathroom!
When taking a long car ride or road trip a good backseat organizer is a must. I love this Munchkin backseat organizer because it has plenty of pockets for toys, books, snacks and cups. Some pockets are deep enough to fit a few larger heavier items. They also sell some fancier backseat organizers that have a place to store an iPad so that children can watch a show or movie or even store it when they are not using it. A clean backseat equals a happy mom!
I mentioned my favorite travel tumbler, now it’s time to tell you about my kids favorite travel cup! Snackeez Jr is a snack and drink cup all in one. It holds a small snack in the top of the cup. Then you can unscrew the lid and the bottom of the cup holds your drink. I love this cup for traveling because we do not have a ton of cup holders in our car so this cup is a great space saver! They come in cute designs and even Disney prints.
As you may already know, we have a kiddo that has sensory issues and that can sometimes make traveling a bit more challenging. We love these Snug noise canceling headphones because they fold up nicely and can be easily thrown in a purse or bag. They come in 9 different colors and are my kiddos favorite for those sensory overload situations. They have also come in handy for movie theaters, concerts, loud parades and firework shows.
My last must-have item comes in handy when traveling on business or for a special occasion. This URPOWER garment steamer is portable and heats up fast! A travel steamer was a must-have travel item for my husband when he was traveling for residency interviews. It includes a small travel pouch which is small and great for packing into a suitcase or carry on. Trust me you will thank me when you show up to that wedding or interview wrinkle free! You’re Welcome!
So there you have it folks, those are some of our must have gadgets and gear. Feel free to comment below and let us know what your favorite travel items are or if you have one of the products above a try!
Happy Travelin’
Disclaimer: This article is based on my opinions and is not affiliated or being endorsed by any of the products or companies listed above.
One of our favorite Disney Resorts you will not find in Florida or California. I know what you’re thinking, how is it possible that our favorite Disney Resort is not even near a Disney Park? Crazy right? Well, if you are a lover of the beach and all things Disney like me then this is the place for you! The resort is Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and it is located in the beautiful Hilton Head Island, SC it is also a Disney Vacation Club Resort. We love to travel here during the fall when the resort has low capacity and amazing weather. Disney has done a wonderful job with the decor at this resort. It feels like you have stepped into a glamorous rustic fisherman’s cabin (I know what your thinking “how could a cabin be glamorous” …..trust me it is!). I am not a lover of fishing myself but I can assure you that Disney has sprinkled their pixie dust all over the resort and it is stunning! I am a northern girl living in the south and Hilton Head Island is my favorite place to visit in the south for their laid back manner and southern charm. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted with a Mickey hand wave and a “Hey y’all!” upon arriving!
Since the resort is an exclusive Disney Vacation Club Resort all the rooms are either studio, 1 bedroom villa or 2 bedroom villa. The rooms are stunning and so spacious for our family of five. I love it when a resort combines the comforts of home such as adding a washer and dryer with the elements of a relaxing vacation, like the amazing views from our balcony. The views of Hilton Head Island alone are worth a stay at this resort in my opinion. They were so gorgeous that I even decided to snap some photos of my kiddos for our holiday card. My kids thought it was so much fun getting dressed up and couldn’t wait for to share these memories with our friends and family this holiday season.
The biggest downside for me is the fact that the resort does not have a sit down restaurant or offer any character meals. The resort does have two quick service dining options though. Both were very good! Signals is located at the Beach House and is only open seasonally from April to October. They have a large variety of sandwiches, salads, and sweet treats! You can even purchase a refillable mug that you can use throughout your trip. My favorite treat to get at Signals is the famous Dole Whip! It is the best sweet treat to enjoy poolside! Tide Me Over is the resorts main quick service restaurant that is open year round for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer some of South Carolina’s specialities such as the Carolina pulled pork sandwich and the Southern Fried chicken sandwich! They also offer seasonal treats such as the Halloween Mickey waffle sundae and a Jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel. While the resort does not have a sit down restaurant they are within walking distance to many restaurants as well as restaurants that offer delivery.
My kids not only loved the beach but they also loved the resort pools. The resort has two pool locations: One on the resort property and one next to the beach at the Beach House. We loved the Big Dipper pool because it has a water-slide. It also has a small pool for little ones and a hot tub. In the afternoon Cast member’s play games poolside. So be sure to check out the daily schedule to see what games will be offered. The Beach House pool is perfect for those who want to sit pool side while still enjoying that beach breeze. The Atlantic Ocean is steps away and they have a private walk way and secure gate for the Beach House, so don’t forget to bring your key card! You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas from outside vendors or bring your own. Disney does provide beach towels, just be sure to grab them on your way to the beach. The Beach House also has a quiet recreation room for those that may not want to enjoy the beach or pool. If you’re looking for a quite place to sit back relax, maybe enjoy some TV or play a game and escape the southern heat than this is the place to for you! The Beach House also offers a beach ball themed splash pad which my kiddos loved! They have a pool table, foosball table and a ping-pong table for your enjoyment. One of my favorite amenities, believe it or not, is the bathroom facilities at the Beach House (I know, pretty silly right?!?). I love how they have shower facilities with shampoo, conditioner & body wash to clean off all that sand before heading back to the resort. There is nothing I can’t stand more than spending all day at the beach then spending hours cleaning the beach sand out of my car the next day.
The cast members, like many Disney resorts, are top-notch! From check-in to check-out we were greeted with smiles. Over our stay we became quite close with the cast members and we were calling them by name by the end of the trip. Everyone you come in contact with at Disney Hilton Head Island Resort is well-mannered and will do anything to ensure your stay is simply magical. Chrissie was by far our favorite cast member who went above and beyond to make sure my son’s birthday was amazing. She brought him a special birthday surprise and treated us like family throughout our stay. It was a nice touch to make you feel welcome and at home.
The Magic of Disney is overflowing at this resort. It’s unlike any other Disney resort you may have ever stayed at in the past. For one, it has it’s own beach!! The resort also offers their guests free parking at the resort and the Beach House. If you don’t feel like driving to the Beach House don’t worry, leave the driving to Disney and take their free Beach House shuttle. Stan was our van driver during our most recent stay and he was another one of our favorite cast members. He has been driving for the Disney Hilton Head Island Resort for years and knows all the best places to grab a bite to eat on the island. The longest we ever waited for the shuttle was five minutes. If you happen to wait longer, feel free to pick up the shuttle phone and let them know you are waiting. I don’t know about you but I always seem to forget something at home. The Broad Creek Mercantile Shop has all the necessities you will need. They also offer exclusive Disney merchandise such as Goofy’s Candy shop candy and Disney Parks merchandise and food (be sure to grab a Mickey ice cream bar here!). The Broad Creek Mercantile Shop is conveniently located next to the Tide Me Over quick service restaurant and the Bend and Stretch Exercise Room. I can’t tell you much about the exercise room because I had little ones in tow that were unfortunately not interested in letting Mommy exercise during our trip. I still got my fair share of exercise in chasing them around the resort and spending hours in the pool with them.
If you are looking for the daily resort activities list check out the Today’s Happenings Board on the deck of the Tide Me Over quick service restaurant. It lists all the days events such as beach walks, a meet and greet with the resorts special pup “Shadow”, a nightly movie playing under the oaks and campfire time. It also lists the High and Low tide times for the day. My kiddos and I loved watching movies under the oak located next to the playground. We also loved the campfire. It was unlike any other campfire we had ever been to. It was filled with songs, dancing and roasting marshmallows for s’mores! Some other unique and fun things to do around the resort are the shuffle boards, plenty of Disney themed corn hole’s, free mini golf, a butterfly walk through garden, a gated playground and lots of hammocks to relax in. I was quite surprised how many things there were to do in and around this resort. There is also a place to rent bikes if you would like to explore the island or just for riding around the resort grounds.
Disney Hilton Head Island Resort is truly a gem! Disney is by far the best place to travel to if you want to receive top of the line service for an affordable price.This resort is the perfect place to enjoy the magic of the south or is also a great place to stay for a night or two on your way to Walt Disney World. It is located off I-95 and is just a short drive away. The only downside for us while staying here is that we didn’t stay long enough! Even if the weather is gloomy the resort still has plenty to do. While the resort is covered with hidden Mickey’s the theming is definitely not over the top Disney like some of their other resorts in Orlando, FL. So if you are looking for a nice place to stay with the Disney touch this is the place for you! Don’t forget to say “Hi!” to Chrissie and Stan for us!
After moving south for medical school, my husband and I thought we would never be able to afford to travel until after he graduated. Boy, were we wrong! We have traveled more during medical school than we have at any other time in our lives. Prior to med school we agreed that we would not just put our life on hold and try to enjoy this new life adventure to the fullest. We saved as much as possible and with the help of these eight simple tips we have been able to travel the East coast on a budget!
Tip 1- Drive– We found that we could never afford five plane tickets on our budget so we drive everywhere. It only costs us one tank of gas to get to Florida from our home in South Carolina and it costs us three tanks of gas to drive home to Massachusetts. As you can see driving is a no brainer.
Tip 2- Bring your own food– I cannot even begin to tell you how much money we save when we bring our own meals from home. It saves us time because that is one less stop we need to make along the way.
Tip 3- Play car games– Growing up we did not have fancy electronics to keep us entertained when taking long road trips. Even now, my kids and I enjoy taking a screen time break to play some good ole fashion road trip car games. One of our favorites is the license plate game where we try to find the most unique license plate states. You can even pass the time with a game of eye spy! This game is a favorite of my younger kiddos since they can’t read license plates yet.
Tip 4- Pack a potty seat– I know this tip is more for potty training but I have found that sometimes your kiddos just have to go and there is no potty in sight for miles. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times the potty seat saved us from a potty disaster!
Tip 5- Bring grocery bags and Zip-lock bags– Now is the perfect time to make use out of all those grocery bags that you have stored away. Grocery bags come in handy to control the trash chaos that can happen in the back seat on a road trip. You can never bring too many! I will never forget what our car looked like after our first road trip. It looked like a tornado passed through my car! Zip-lock bags are my best friend when traveling because when it comes to road trips my kiddos cannot stop snacking and they never seem to be able to finish anything. Using a zip lock bag I can just bag it and save it for later. They also double as storage for car chargers or cords and are great for holding small toys with little pieces that you don’t want to lose in your car.
Tip 6- Bring muffin tins– Muffins tins are perfect for travel because they are small enough to place on your child’s lap but also the holes are deep enough that you can put snacks and meals in them. A bonus tip: Muffin tins double as additional drink storage, so you’re welcome! We also like to use these special travel divider plates that I keep in our car year round. It is perfect for travel because it has a food separator to keep your condiments from spreading into your other food.
Tip 7- Bring pillows and blankets– I hate sleeping in the car without a pillow. It is so uncomfortable! I never leave for a road trip without bringing my pillow from home. I also bring blankets to layer on us since it is easier than driving in hot stuffy jackets.
Tip 8- Drive at night– My husband loves to drive at night. With less traffic and cars on the road it saves time getting to your destination. It makes the trip go by faster because we put the kids to bed in the car then when they wake up in the morning we are almost to our destination. He loads up on coffee and snacks and will pop in an earbud to listen to podcasts to keep him alert and pass the time.
Hope you enjoyed my road trip traveling tips! For more traveling tips be sure to check out my article “Ten Fabulous Traveling Tips.”
As many of you may know my youngest was diagnosed with FPIES (Food Protein Induced Entercolitis Syndrome) as an infant. FPIES forever changed our lives. The outside world suddenly became a terrifying place to bring my infant son because all it would took was a single crumb to turn our day into a medical nightmare. The FPIES foundation was not only an amazing resource but also a ray of light in the darkness of this disease. They became our only support and guided us to where we are today. I am forever grateful for them, their support and their resources.
Recently, the FPIES foundation reached out to me and asked if I was interested in writing a blog article for them about traveling with FPIES. Not only was I honored to have the opportunity to give back to them for all they have done for us but they also asked me to write a Disney article! (One of my favorite subjects!) Please join me in spreading FPIES awareness. I hope you enjoy my articleTraveling to Walt Disney World with FPIES
Recently The Traveling Fab Five turned one!! Yayy! I am beyond thankful for all the love and support you all have shown me. I started blogging back in 2012 but life took a crazy turn and writing got put on the back burner. Fast forward to a year ago, my husband was about to start his third year of medical school and another one of my kiddos was about to start school. I was desperately trying to find a hobby to keep me busy while staying home with our youngest. I told my husband I wanted to redo my website, start fresh and really commit to blogging this time around. Go big or go home, right? So here we are a year later.. 10 wonderful articles that I have put my heart and soul into. I am so grateful for the people who have checked out my page and shared it. Last month I was approached by @LifeofaMedStudnt and was asked to share my life & tips of a medical student’s wife. I was beyond honored to be approached by them in the first place, so I obviously said Yes!! You can read my article here: 5 Tips for Surviving Med School
Medical school has not been an easy journey for my family. We have been faced with medical problems with our children and dealt with the ongoing financial burden that comes with being a medical student. My husband is now a fourth year medical student and we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are looking forward to the next chapter in his medical career. We hope that you continue to follow us on our crazy journey and enjoy our traveling tips. Thanks again for all the love and support!
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