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where to stay in Tampa Bay: Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park Hotel review

When I traveled the world as a young adult, I didn't care where I slept. It could be a hostel, the floor of a friend's bedroom, or a couch. Now that I'm a 30-year-old with three little kids, I'm much more aware of our accommodations when we travel. We need somewhere quiet, with a spot for the baby to sleep peacefully where the 2- and 5-year-old won't wake him up. It also has to be kid-friendly and a great location. On our recent trip to Tampa Bay, the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park was the perfect choice for serenity and calm after a crazy day of travel and exploration.

TravelEmily KrauseJuly 9, 2018hotel review, Florida Comment

how to make road trip binders for your kids

The first time I took a really long road trip with a toddler I was 9 months pregnant with my second and moving across the country. I basically let her watch as many movies as she wanted because I didn't have the mental space to think of other activities nor the physical agility to turn and help her out in the back seat.

Now that I'm a mom of three, and I have taken countless road trips ranging from 1 hour to 20 hours with my little ones, I am determined not to get out of the car ready to pull my hair out or have my kids be movie zombies.

TravelEmily KrauseJuly 4, 2018road trip, travel tips, travel gearComment

Things to Do in Sarasota with Kids

My family lives on the east coast of Florida, so we are no stranger to beaches, palm trees, and warm weather. But driving across the state to visit Sarasota felt like the perfect tropical getaway with my two youngest. My boys are 2 and 13 months, so I'm always on the lookout for kid-friendly locations whenever I travel, and Sarasota was bursting at the seams!

TravelEmily KrauseJune 29, 2018destinations, travel guide, Florida, Sarasota Comments

creating my summer capsule wardrobe as a stay-at-home-mom

I'm done nursing my third baby, and I have successfully lost all the baby weight and then some. I'm also officially done with teaching so I can be home with my kids, which means I no longer need work clothes. I'm staring at a closet full of ill-fitting, too fancy, or out-of-style clothes that I never wear, and it needs to change.

MotherhoodEmily KrauseJune 15, 2018mom styleComment

pippa's 5th birthday

Happy fifth birthday, Pippa! It's hard to believe that it's been five years since we first met you. You were my first baby, and I have such sweet memories of those first days after you came home from the hospital. We had nothing to do during those lazy summer days except nurse and watch Netflix and go for long walks. Pips, you and I share a bond that can never be broken.

FamilyEmily KrauseJune 5, 2018Pippa, BirthdayComment