Mama Knows Best » Travel

we need a vacation

Jessica — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:09:27 +0000

Before I had children, I had the luxury of just packing up ‘n leaving town.

Now that I have children, I spend more time planning a vacation and less time winging it. I am extra cautious to pick a location that both myself and the children will enjoy, but will also allow for a little adult time.

For our Disney trip this coming winter, I am trying to decide on vacation rentals by owner or using my grandparent’s time share. Some of the rentals I have looked at are amazing, but would I really want to take away from the Disney experience by not staying right there at Disney? It’s sort of a toss up, you know. Doing what you want to do versus doing something the kids would love to do.

Either way, we’ll have a fabulous time as a family. Our itinerary is already planned (completely). It’s hard to believe that in less than four months we will be headed to Orlando for the kid’s first Disney adventure. I’m beyond excited to take this trip, but also a little nervous because of Addie’s attitude problems.

for the love of Boston.

Jessica — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:52:07 +0000

Shortly before E was born, a good friend and myself traveled to Boston to see her fiancee. It was a kind of spur of the moment, but a trip I had anticipated for years. Boston is one of the few cities I had truly wanted to see. I fell in love with it’s architecture and the overall appearance of the city. While the crazy love birds spent quality time together, I spent time perusing the neighborhoods and taking in the gorgeous fall scenery.

Now that my good friend and her fiancee have finally settled on a wedding date, after all these years, they are actively looking for their first home to purchase. She has been awesome about texting me photographs of all the houses they have looked at, as it will be some time before I get out that way again. Some of these places are absolutely fabulous! I am in complete awe of the architecture and woodwork inside of these places.. such attention to detail.

While she should be busy looking at homes, we have also found ourselves busy looking at the Boston classifieds and my local classifieds. We are both looking for very specific pieces of furniture and if we can find ‘em for one another, we will ship them which ever direction if need be. My friend even went as far as downloading an app called ‘zaarly‘ to help in our search. Lord help us, as shopping and home decorating seem to be our main addictions!

The Outer Banks

Jessica — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 14:53:22 +0000

To say that I need a vacation would be an understatement. With everything going on around my house as of late, the children and I could use some time away. Whether it be by ourselves or with a group of friends.

A place I have never been, but have always wanted to see is the Outer Banks. Several of my friends have visited the Outer Banks and have had nothing but good things to say. From the gorgeous views to the tourist attractions, it just seems as though it would be the perfect vacation place for me, the kids and the boy. We are all avid fishers and loving driving off-road, both of which are fairly popular.

So while everyone else runs off to Las Vegas, the Bahamas or even Jamaica; me and my little group will be looking into a Outer Banks vacation rentals. And really, to be completely honest, I was surprised at how inexpensive it can be to visit the Outer Banks. I looked at a house (Seahawk from Carolina Designs) which could run me anywhere from $795/week to $3,495.00/week depending on the timing of our vacation. Obviously for someone like myself, $3,495.00 is a lot of money to spend, but $795 is cheap. Especially when you consider all of the amenities.

On retirement.

Jessica — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:15:01 +0000

I remember very clearly my grandfather’s first attempt at retirement. We threw him an enormous retirement party, danced the night away and celebrated his 30+ years in the educational system. He was retired exactly three weeks before another one of our local schools snagged him up temporarily. After helping out, he decided to retire officially, though he was not sure how he would manage to keep him self busy once he did. My grandparents were afraid of becoming old when they retired, old and useless, which neither of them are. Both are avid golfers, crafts people and travelers. Two summers ago, they spent 9 weeks driving to and from Alaska. Last summer, they perused the Outer Banks homes. Next year? They want to travel the entire east coast. I hope I am as active as my grandparents when I reach their age, just as I hope I am as fashion conscious as my grandmother at her age.

How the time flies..

Jessica — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 02:23:10 +0000

Each morning as I struggle to wake up, I remember why I made the decision to take this particular class. When I feel like life is spiraling out of control, I look to my anchors to keep me grounded. Ethan and Addison have been the biggest rocks through all of the obstacles life has thrown my way this year. They are what keep me going and help me get through the days. Because of them I will never give up on my dreams, no matter how long they make take me to achieve. I want to give my children the love they deserve, teach them all that I can and be by their side during new experiences. I hope to give them things I never had and take them places they have never been.

By December 2011, I am hoping to take the kids on a vacation- just the three of us. They will be at the perfect age for a trip to Disney, which is why my bedroom is flooded with pamphlets with information about various Disney vacation packages. I know we tried to go this past winter, but things did not work out and it crushed me. I will make sure my children get down to Disney before the magic runs out..