USA TRAVEL

Not mad about this view at @diplomatbeachresort

Did you know General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park is the largest tree in the world? I didn’t until we had a chance to visit. National Parks make *awesome* family trips. What National Parks are on your wish list?

I thought this was the most thoughtful touch at Hotel Milo in Santa Barbara. Guests can borrow bikes for the day to explore around town. My kids were too young for us to make use of this, but I fully plan on going back (either when they’re older or without them) to ride these adorable blue bikes along the seaside, the breeze blowing through my hair...⠀ ⠀ ⠀ What’s something you haven’t been able to do while traveling because your kids were too young?

"Play is the highest form of research." -Albert Einstein⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ...and boy is it a wonderful thing when your "work" so often feels like play.

Seeing Iguazu Falls was one of the most surreal moments of my life. What is the coolest thing you've checked off your bucket list?

What age do you find the worst for travel? For me, it's from about 12 months to 24 months. These sweet, pure toddlers are actually hurricanes of activity, but they're still learning to communicate. They CRAVE freedom to walk and run, but they know no danger or boundaries. They're curious, which leads to injuries and destruction. You can't leave anything within their reach (coffee, phones, cameras, makeup, pens, anything that belongs to their siblings, etc) because they will find it and destroy it (or make a huge mess). You can't reason with them about why they need to sit on your lap and not scream on planes.⠀ -⠀ -⠀ All in all, it's just really exhausting. Yet we do it anyway! Why? Because it means someday they'll be good travelers. Because life goes on. Because we want to show them the world.⠀ -⠀ -⠀ I've got a whole blog post dedicated to the top mistakes parents make when traveling with toddlers. Check out the link in my bio, and let me know which of those mistakes you can relate to!

SAHMs with a blog, side hustle, or business: do you ever feel like you're drowning, unable to give 100% to your family or business? I do. This past week was really challenging for me. I felt like I was in a creative rut and had a pretty poor attitude about caring for my kids (potty training...need I say more?)⠀ -⠀ -⠀ I had heaps of writing and blogging to do, but every time I sat down to work I procrastinated. I just felt completely stuck.⠀ -⠀ -⠀ After talking it through with my husband, I realized I needed a BREAK. He graciously took the kids all day on Saturday, and I took off for a local outlet mall. I had iced coffee, a comfy place to work, free WiFi, and beautiful sunshine. The quiet time was SO good for me. I finally came up with an angle for the story I was working on, and suddenly the words were flowing again. (Plus I got some shopping done afterward...but mostly wandered through stores aimlessly because NO KIDS).⠀ -⠀ -⠀ If your main responsibility is stay-at-home-mom, but you still want or need to bring in income, you are a superhero. You are more resourceful than you give yourself credit for, and find time to get things done in the early morning hours or after your kids go to bed when you're exhausted.⠀ -⠀ -⠀ If you feel like you are drowning, communicate that with your significant other. Lean on family members or close friends. Ask for help, and accept help when it's offered. If you can swing it, take a day, an afternoon, or just an hour to get out of your house and work.⠀ -⠀ -⠀ Ok fellow SAHMs with work-from-home jobs: how do you survive? What are your best tips?

Did I ever tell you guys about that time I flew in a helicopter over Iguazú Falls? It was my first chopper ride ever! I almost cried it was so beautiful. Motherhood has made me soft and emotional. - - Anyway. It was a really cool experience and you should try it sometime!

Show them the world...not just through travel, but through books, toys, and games. 🌎

Cheers to the perfect weekend getaway. We swam, played in the splash pad, ate amazing food, took tons of pictures, enjoyed a laser show, and relaxed like it was our job (or as much as we could with a 1-year-old). Thanks @orlandoworldcenter for such a fun weekend 🍹

Splashing into Saturday with my babes 💦

We interrupt your regularly scheduled travel photos to share this extremely average photo of my child playing blocks at home. - - Despite what my Instagram feed might suggest, not every day is an exotic adventure. Some weeks you’re walking among giant sequoias and other weeks you’re stuck at home potty training your three-year-old and surviving your one-year-old who’s honestly kind of a bully (although the cutest little bully ever). - - Still eternally grateful for this life, even in the mundane. I can’t believe I get to stay home with my kids, write my blog (and earn money from it!!!), travel a bit, and write articles about it. It’s a better life than I ever could have dreamed up for myself. Even the potty training. Even getting hit over the head with a board book by my toddler.

When the paparazzi won’t stop taking your photo but you’re just trying to live a normal life.

One of my favorite views for a morning coffee in Santa Barbara 🙌🏼

Has anyone else believed the lie that adventure and travel are OVER once you have kids? We are called to nurturer and care for and even sacrifice for our kids, but we are not called to completely give up who we are. - - I am a person that loves to explore and learn more about the world. Why would I have to give that up not that I have kids? Why not share the adventure with them? Yes, travel has become a lot more difficult and exhausting, but it has also become richer now that I have more people to share it with. - - What’s something that makes you feel like the best version of yourself? Did you continue to do it once kids entered the picture?

My little loves carrying their own carry-one through the airport. I’m so proud of how they did on our cross-country flights! The 17-month-old...not so much. - - I’ve got my best tips and takeaways for flying with toddlers and small children on the blog today! You know what to do. Head over, give it a read, or pin it for later. You’ll be glad you did next time you have to fly with your offspring!