Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored in any way. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I just really like telling people about places and things they might enjoy themselves. This is simply a weekend at the Hilton Anatole Dallas.
A few weeks back, my sister invited us along on their annual weekend getaway to Dallas. She has 2 boys and likes to take them to a water park resort for a weekend before school starts.
I immediately jumped on board because we haven’t been anywhere this year because we are currently saving for our next home (I’ll do a post about this process soon). However, I got a great deal on our hotel and it was too good to pass up. I’m so glad that we went.
Traveling with a toddler can be hectic to say the least. Last weekend we went on a last minute trip to Dallas and stayed at the Hilton Anatole. We took full advantage or their Jade Waters Resort, which allowed us to get some much needed R&R. I wanted to share some of the tips and tricks I’ve picked up from staying in hotels with Isla, who is currently 21 months old. These are a collection of hacks that I’ve done her entire life while traveling so I know they are baby and toddler tested and approved. Without further ado, here is my guide to traveling with a toddler and the hotel room hacks that work for us!
I could tell that today is going to be a “meh” day. I woke up at 4 am because I literally could. Not. Breathe. I was so stopped up. Thanks a lot, Oklahoma allergies. At least it was sunny and warmer today.
We had a great weekend as a family. Evan was off work this weekend so we took Isla to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. It was not all that crowded so I let her run around and she had a blast looking at the new exhibits. I’ll do a post on some fun stuff around OKC soon.
I really am excited to tell you about a trip to San Francisco that I took a couple of years ago. I write really detailed travel journals when I’m on vacation and when I re-read it for this post it’s like I was just there yesterday. If you don’t keep a travel journal when you take trips, I encourage you to start. Pictures are great to have but it’s hard to remember the little details like that cool restaurant you tried.
I am SO tired, guys. No amount of coffee is going to work today. Isla was up most of the night coughing and she is so congested. Seriously, what did people do before NoseFrida snot suckers? Those things are amazing. And gross. But amazing. Those old school aspirators are terrible and I’ve never been able to get them to work.
Anyway, let’s talk about travel! More specifically, let’s talk about how to plan a trip.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
These affordable ways to keep your home safe while out of town can be used year-round so be sure to save it somewhere if you’re going to be on vacation throughout this next year. These are all items you already have around your house or at your local hardware store.
I’m sure you’re aware of the rise in crime during the holidays and we ourselves have been victim to porch pirates more than once. I will never understand what could possess someone to take something that doesn’t belong to them, in broad daylight no less.
I am not an expert on home security. If you’re looking for an expert then you should watch my good friend, Kevin McCallister in Home Alone for ideas.
Alright, let’s get into it!
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We took Isla on a road trip to northern Illinois this last summer. She was 8 months old at the time and we learned a lot during the 12 hour car ride. Since the holidays are upon us and some of you may be traveling for the first time with your baby, I’d like to share some tips about what I learned from this experience. You probably already know to bring EXTRA outfits for yourself and baby, but if you’re on a road trip then you should already have those items in the car with you. I hope this list of road trip essentials for baby helps you to stay on top of things when packing for an upcoming trip.
Before I begin, let me give you some background info on Isla Rose. The longest car ride she had been on prior to this was the hour and a half it takes to get to Evan’s parent’s house. She might doze here or there, but never for very long. Even when she was a newborn the car NEVER worked. Oh, how I wish it had. Our baby is not a car seat sleeper. I thought it was because she hadn’t ever had to sleep in the car and she would surely be fine on a 12 hour road trip. Boy, was I wrong. She did not have a good time. She likes to be sitting up when she is awake and she likes to sleep on her stomach which is not ideal for the car seat.
So, let me tell you a few kernels of wisdom I picked up during this trip:
I absolutely love cold weather. Bundling up to play in the snow is my favorite. I also enjoy planning a vacation here and there. I have an ongoing list of places I’d like to visit and places that I’d especially like to visit in the winter months!
Glenfinnan Church, Glenfinnan, Scotland
Over the course of the last few years, I’ve been able to put together a list of some travel essentials that I can’t go without. These items have all played a role in my previous travels, both domestic and international. Any traveler you know will appreciate a gift from this list!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- Backpack– (Eagle Creek 45L/S) – This is the bag that I recommend. It’s got enough room for more than a week’s worth of clothes, it’s durable and has a “No Matter What Lifetime Warranty”. Best yet, it only weighs 1.8Lbs when empty and folds up into itself for storage inside of another bag if needed. I’ve used this bag on every trip that I’ve gone on for the last 3 years.
- Anti-theft Purse– (Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim Day Bag) – I bought this one from ebags and it has been great! I like that it just looks like a small cross body bag. It’s lightweight and can easily fit in my luggage or duffel bag if I need to store it. Since it’s an anti-theft bag, it has reinforced straps, and is made from an RFID blocking material that is slash-proof. Small enough to stay out of the way, but large enough to fit my credit cards, cash, makeup, and even my iPad Mini.
We haven’t been to Chicago at Christmas time in couple of years, but we have our favorite places to visit when we go. I love Chicago at Christmas time. It is magical. All the stores are decorated, and they actually have winter weather. If you like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, then this list is for you. We live in Oklahoma and we get ice storms sometimes and maybe a little snow, but it doesn’t stay very cold for very long. If you like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, then this list is for you.
Here are our favorite things to do in the windy city when its chilly out! If you’re planning a trip during the holidays, then you need to check these places out.
Here are my favorite tips for air travel with a baby. These are all things that we have done to make the plane ride a little easier but you’ll still get dirty looks from people for bringing a baby on the plane. It’s inevitable. Just kill them with kindness because you’ll never have to see them again and if your baby cries during the flight try to remain calm. It is not the end of the world and remember that your baby’s cries sound so much worse to you than to other people because you are programmed to respond to their cries and meet their needs.
