My friend likes to collect memberships to museums. I always joke that if there’s a new museum out there, she probably already has a membership there. So, when she told me she just got a membership to the Washington State History Museum (located a good 45 minutes away from our house) I just laughed and thought “of course you did.” But then she invited my family to join them for their Model Train Festival and I totally got it.
Northwest Railway Museum’s Santa Train
I’ve spent the past month hearing my toddler ask me, “Are we doing the Santa Train today?” It’s my fault, really, for telling him as soon as we purchased tickets. It also prompted questions about Santa. I told my son that Santa goes to everyone’s house on Christmas Eve and brings them presents. My son’s eyes widened as he inquired, “Santa is coming to OUR house and bringing US presents?” And when I told him we’d be leaving cookies out for Santa because he gets hungry visiting so many houses, he almost couldn’t handle it. Oh, and this was all before Halloween.
Holiday Magic: Christmas in Seattle
Christmas in Seattle is such a fun time, especially with kids.
Our toddler was born just a few days after Christmas, so he was almost one before he experienced his first Seattle holiday season!
I really wanted to start some family traditions and I thought heading to Seattle to participate in their festivities would be a great tradition to start!
What to Pack in Your Travel Diaper Bag (and my pick for a modern diaper bag)
The Bag: Lassig Green Label Neckline Diaper Bag
I’m absolutely in love with my Lassig Green Label Neckline Diaper Bag! It recently won the 2016 Eco Excellence Award. The Lassig Green Label Neckline Diaper Bag keeps me organized and looks like a super chic handbag. I know how hard it is to find a modern diaper bag that’s also functional. Made from pollution-free and recycled plastic bottle fabrics, it includes a 2 large main compartments, lots of pockets, a changing pad, wet pocket, zip pouch, and more. Also notable is that it’s free of PVC, AZO, Phtalates, Nickel and Cadmium. Mine is in Black Melange and it’s my favorite travel diaper bag.
Baby’s First Pumpkin Patch
I absolutely adore holidays where our family can celebrate and do something fun together. While I used to love Halloween when I was growing up, it wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I really got into the Pumpkin Patch experience. I love the crisp air and drinking hot apple cider while strolling down the fields searching for the right pumpkins. Now, that is the highlight of Fall for me and my family!
How to Take Good Photos of Kids at Tourist Attractions
Guest Post by the Happy Film Company for Marcie in Mommyland
When traveling with kids there’s a big pressure to come home with gorgeous photos but my oh my is it stressful to keep smiles on those little faces. At the Happy Film Company, we specialize in keeping kids happy in front of the camera. These are our top tips for capturing happy vacation memories with beautiful photography.
Waterways Cruises Review
My husband Darren and I love to be on boats! Whenever we travel, we usually try to squeeze in a boat trip of some sort as an activity. We like to sit and relax while looking at the scenery from a different viewpoint. In fact, we even had our rehearsal dinner on a boat! So, when our toddler Owen kept telling us that he wanted to “sit down on a boat,” we thought maybe it was time for him to share our excitement for boats. I immediately contacted Waterways Cruises.
Things to do in Maui with Toddlers + Lessons for Solo Travel with Kids
This post is sponsored by Maui Marketing. All opinions are my own.
Are you wondering if you should even try to take your toddler to Maui by yourself? There’s so many things to do in Maui with toddlers that it’s understandably appealing.
I’ve done it and I’m here to share what I learned from this experience.
Weekend in Suncadia
For Father’s Day weekend, our family joined two other families for a long weekend in Suncadia in the foothills of the Cascades in Washington. From the Seattle-area, it’s about a 2-hour drive East. A mid-way point just happens to be the North Bend Premium Outlets that offers a Gymboree, Carters, Osh Kosh, Children’s Place, Stride Rite, Gap Kids and Motherhood Maternity. This is a great stopping place to stretch legs and find some good deals! We also went to Cle Elum to stop by Owens Meats to load up on steak, beef jerky, bacon, summer sausage and smoked meats to stock the fridge at our rental house.
Why the Seattle Museum of Flight is the Perfect Museum for Toddlers
Originally published June 17, 2016 and updated May 20, 2018
My family has now been members of the Museum of Flight in Seattle for the past 2 years. My husband and I love this aviation museum. We actually had a Museum of Flight wedding there 7 years ago and we’ve taken our kids since they were babies. It’s a great place for Seattle toddler play dates. We usually go on Friday mornings and can easily spend 2-3 hours. Here’s what you need to know about the Seattle Museum of Flight with kids:
A Toddler in Santorini, Greece
Santorini was one of the stops on our Royal Caribbean Cruise around the Mediterranean. I’d wanted to see Santorini, Greece ever since I watched The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. It seemed like such an exotic island and the white houses and blue doors simply sold me!