First, bring a grandparent or two…..haha!!!  Seriously though, the most recent trip we went on my entire family came so Maxwell sat next to my parents on the plane.  It was magical!

This is all of the kids walking with my dad!

Getting back to being serious, we have traveled quite a few times with just Maxwell and now with both kids.  I am by no means an expert.  You really have to decide what is going to work for you, especially depending on where and when you are going as well as the age of the children.  I always sit and think about every step of our trip before I plan anything.

A few factors to really think about:

1-Do you really need car seats or can you rent them?  Will you even be driving once you reach your destination?

We have done basically all of the different options.  Traveled with a car seat that we used on the plane, traveled with a car seat but checked it immediately, and have also traveled with a car seat and gate checked it.  To be totally honest traveling with car seats is SUPER annoying, safety first though, and that is truly why we have traveled with them so many times.  Most, if not all car rental places have car seats you can rent but my experiences have been horrible.  Not only are they filthy dirty but I am not even sure all of them are street legal.  lol, I wish I was kidding.

If you are going to bring a car seat, this cart is great to pull it through the airport!

2-Are your children mobile on their own or will you need a stroller?  If so, what kind of stroller?

We have the Uppababy Vista that we prefer for travel with the kids being the ages they are.  The convert-ability is amazing.  Since we were bringing Emme’s car seat on this particular trip, it was awesome to be able to fit her other seat in the basket.  Plus both seats totally recline so we used it on the beach when the kids would nap!!!  I mean, genius, right?!?!

Before we had Emme we have traveled with our Maclaren umbrella stroller and our single bob!  Both were great, obviously the umbrella stroller was easiest to fold when you are boarding the plane but I love the ease and comfort of pushing the bob!

Also, just a tip, anything you gate check still needs a tag. So as soon as you get to your gate, make sure you go up to the counter for tags!  And buy these gate check bags to keep all your goods clean!  Uppababy makes their own travel bag but I just couldn’t splurge so we got this similar version for WAY less!  I also have a fabulous cup holder that attaches to my Uppababy that isn’t made by them.  I think it’s way better because it holds 2 drinks and has TONS of compartments!  Great for travel!  It works with almost any brand of stroller too!

3-Are you staying in the US?  If not, think about food and or formula, etc. for younger kiddos.

On our recent trip to Mexico, Emerson was still only 10 months so even though I was nursing I brought formula along as well as LOTS of pouches for her to eat

4-Where will you be staying once you reach your destination?  Will you need a crib, Pack n play, etc?

Tip: Call the hotel in advance to make sure they have cribs or pack n plays!  There are also companies that will deliver baby items to your hotel, I have never done this but have friends that have.  Traveling Baby is one of them that services a lot of the USA.

5-Snacks!!!!!  I usually load up on the kids favorites, Max LOVES m&m’s and this isn’t something we always have.  Plus, he can count them and talk colors!

Some other good snacks:

Yogurt melts

Pouches(especially for the little ones)

Goldfish in individual packs, although they usually get smushed!

Peanut Butter & Jelly bars(Trader Joes)

6-Lots of activities for on the airplane

Ipad or tablet-Make sure you download shows because we definitely made the rookie mistake of not doing that and had a screaming one year old when the wifi wasn’t working on the plane yet!

I usually hit up the target dollar spot and buy a bunch of little toys that are new to the kids and aren’t something I really care about losing or getting dirty!

Something I have always wanted to try but haven’t is filling up a pill box with candy or toys.  I guess the kids love to move stuff around in them and open/close the boxes!  Genius, not sure why I haven’t done this!

7-For mom & dad, well we pretty much don’t get to bring anything for ourselves!  haha, seriously though, bookbag all the way!  I am obsessed with my Fawn Design bag, and Dusko is never seen without his herschel bookbag.  Even when he travels alone, it’s a great work travel bag.  I have the grey fawn bag, and recently just got Emerson the blush mini!!  Tip: only buy when they have a promo, Emme’s was 20% off and I think I bought mine at 25%!  Another Tip, this bag, looks almost identical to my fawn and is only $29.99!!  OMG!  Also, grab yourself one of these fun Carry-On Cocktail kits!  Might help pass the time!!!  lol

IMPORTANT!  A lot of airlines require you to bring a birth certificate for your children.  Especially if they are lap riders.  Don’t make the same mistake we did(our first time traveling with Max we didn’t realize until the night before)!!!

Some of my favorite travel pics!

Just Remember once you get to your destination, it is ALL worth it!!!!

I linked what I have on here: Hat | Sunnies | Necklace

Leave a comment below if you have any tips!!!

XOXO,

Lissa

One last thing, I know I don’t need to remind you to bring diapers & wipes but DON’T forget an extra outfit for the kids!  You know if you don’t bring one, you are going to need it!  Isn’t that how motherhood works?!?!?

*None of this is sponsored, just my own opinion on some of my favorite items!*

Ideal?  I think not.  Fun?  Most definitely!  One of my favorite things about Dusko and I’s relationship is that is has always been based on being very sporadic/spur of the moment.  This has absolutely changed since we have children and is not the most practical way to live life.  Dusko recently mentioned he had to go to Baltimore for work and would have to be there on a sunday since they start at 8am Monday.  He had an idea-Let me tell you, the man has GREAT ideas!  Usually better than mine.  lol.  At any rate, that is how I ended up in the nations capital for one day.

Our agenda:

(after lots of fb recommendations and searches)

8:45am-Land at DCA

10am-Arlington National Cemetery

This came recommended by almost everyone and I am SO glad we went here.  It is just beautiful and leaves you mesmerized by the lives that have been lost fighting for this country.  Make sure you watch the changing of the guards at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It’s quite cool to see that the USA still does something like this.  I mean there is literally a soldier that stands there ALL hours of the day, EVERYDAY of the year.

Noon-Georgetown

So awesome here, the shopper in me wanted to park and just walk the tree lined streets of unique boutiques but knowing we had so much to squeeze in I just couldn’t!  So we went to the harbor and had lunch at Farmers Fishers Bakers.  Would highly recommend this, the brunch buffet was the best buffet I’ve ever had.

2pm-Check into Hotel

The Kimpton Hotel Palomar, it was cute, trendy, perfect for one night but I wouldn’t suggest this hotel.  I have stayed at quite a few other Kimpton properties and this just didn’t seem to be at the same level.  Good location though and that is what was important to us.

2:30pm-Walk to the White House

This was probably my favorite part of our visit.  I am 36 years old and have never been to Washington D.C., so to see the White House in person was pretty cool.  It was way smaller looking than I had expected.  There was also a TON of caution tape blocking the street so you can’t even stand right by the fence.  We actually thought for a minute that maybe there was a different view of it because of it being blocked.  When we were there we actually saw Trump(I still can’t believe he is our president) land in his helicopter which was also pretty cool.

3pm-Washington Monument

This monument stands so tall that it really is awesome just to look at.  We spent quite a bit of time walking around here and just enjoying the scenery as it was a beautiful day!

4pm-W Hotel-Washington

We came for the alcohol!  lol, really though, the hotel is steps from the White House, so we went to the rooftop bar for a drink.  The view from up there is something everyone should see!

5:30pm-Find Graffiti wall full of hearts

I thought Dusko was going to kill me, we got in an uber to find this wall full of graffiti hearts that I just had to take pictures in front of.  Of course we had the wrong address and our uber driver had no clue what I was talking about.  Good news, we ran into a nice family that the daughter knew exactly what we were looking for!!!

Jackpot:  the wall just so happens to be outside of a super cute and trendy market-Union Market.  Do yourself a favor and visit the market!  You feel like a local and the food venues are delicious!

7pm-National’s Game

For those of you that know us, did you think we were going to head to Washington D.C. and not go to a sporting event?!?!?  Really this is what Dusko’s idea was about me heading to DC with him!  lol, I obviously turned it into us prancing around this awesome city!  At any rate, no baseball stadium will ever top Wrigley Field in my book but I do enjoy visiting them!  And hot dogs/beer are a nice bonus.

Some people may think we are crazy, but this was such a fun 24 hours with my husband!  No diapers to change, no strollers to grab, just running around exploring!  Don’t think about it, just do it!

XOXO,

Alissa

Disclamer:  there were a TON of other things we wanted to see and do, but for 24 hours this fulfilled both of us!

Ahhhh!  Where has the time gone. I really thought I’d be better at this blogging thing. Ha. Wrong!  We went to Vegas and then Florida, I’m back so hope to start up with my blog a bit more!

I think the day I found out I was pregnant, Dusko, my husband, was like, YES!  We can go to Disneyworld!!!  I cringed. The thought of ALL the people, strollers, public restrooms, the Florida heat. The amount of money it costs to go to the biggest money pit in the world!!!  The list goes on. Well, fast forward to February in Chicago, I really needed an escape to somewhere warm, anywhere with sunshine. So naturally when I found out my parents would be in Florida, I told Dusko we can go and we will stop at Disney first!!  Woo Hoo!  Really I’m thinking our son is 10 months old and this is so dumb-he won’t remember any of it!!!  But it worked!  We booked our Florida Adventure. #maxexploresflorida

All of a sudden I found myself getting excited to see the Big Mouse. Off to The Magic Kindgom we went!  And I have to say, I don’t care how old you are there is something magical about that place. It’s so clean, a little vintage now, and just magical???!

 As we walked through the park, Maxwell was just in awe looking at everything, and I was reminiscing about my childhood-the trips I had taken to Disney!  One of my favorite trips to Disney, I was in 7th grade???  Megan correct me if you choose!  I can’t remember all the details. We walked around that place like we owned it. Ha!  I think that trip was on the top of my mind because Megan’s father and mother took us. Her father passed away unexpectedly not too long ago. He was a great man full of knowledge and wisdom!

I’m not sure what Dusko was thinking as we strolled through but he was definitely geeked out about Max meeting the characters. Turns out this was fun too!  He screamed so much when he met most of them, especially Mickey!  Turns out it was kind of cute to have someone throw their arms and cry that they want you so badly. It was kind of a sweet mom moment, to know that they just want you.

I’m a shopper, so naturally we had to get in costume too!  Vintage Mickey ears for the boys, and Minnie ears for mom!  Minnie was always my favorite as a child. I guess because I’m a girl and she wears a polka dot dress!!!  That’s pretty awesome. About 5.5 hours into our adventures, it stated pouring rain. In Florida. Turns out it was time to go home anyways!  I’m really glad we went and if you are on the fence just because you child is so young. It’s still fun for mom and dad!  Definitely a trip I will cherish

  for a lifetime ❤️❤️❤️.