Spring Breaking in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale

I'm not a Winter person. In fact, I hate the cold weather with a passion. I tolerate in during the holidays, but I'm literally ready for warmer temps as soon as it hits January 2nd. Which makes Winter really, really brutal for me.

Also, seasonal depression is a real thing.

A couple weeks ago, I was so over Winter that I booked a fairly last-minute trip to Florida for the boys and me. I just needed a few days of sunshine and warmer temps to get me through these last few weeks of NYC Winter (and since it was our spring break, I figured why not.)

I really wanted to go to Miami, but the flights were too expensive for all three of us so we flew into Fort Lauderdale, spent a couple of days there, and then took the metro over to Miami. So for an hour of our time (how long it took to get from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami) and five extra bucks (the price of the train ticket), we were in Miami.

Woot!

can't come to Florida without Mickey

Throughout our trip, we got to do all of the things that I love to do during the Summer -- dine outdoors, hang out at the playground, go to the beach, take long walks, and just sit in the sun. It was exactly what my spirit needed.

Except for when it got rough and I got tired of my kids and tired of being "on" 24/7 and tired of being the only one they could talk to all the time.

And tired of August's tantrums. I mean, it got to the point where I only fed him Pirate's Booty or cheetos because he would throw a tantrum for them and I was over it. But at least he had water and fruits, right?

And tired of Aiden's backtalk. I mean, is there something in the water for the pre-teens nowadays?! Dude's got a response for everything! Pray my strength and patience, y'all.

There's a reason that people go on trips with kids with more than one adult.

After a while, I needed a vacation from my kids. Comes with the territory, I suppose.

Needless to say, when we got back to NYC last week Friday, I sent August to daycare, sent Aiden to his bedroom, locked myself in my bedroom, and binge-watched TV shows while laying in bed and eating snacks.

Woot woot!

Talk about the perfect way to end my week off of work.

happiness is... 

Don't get me wrong: getting a little sunshine was exactly what this delicious momma needed to make it through these final weeks of Winter, but recharging after being "on" for so many days straight was also important.

Self-care y'all. Self-care.

December Traditions and Creating Sweet Memories

Decking the halls, 2015 (8-years-old)

"You know, Santa's elves are on the roof of this place. And when he's finished taking pictures with kids today, he's gonna go back to the North Pole."

This was last year when Aiden was 7-years-old and we went to take pictures with Santa.

ABC Carpet & Home, 2014 (7-years-old)

This year, his theory on Santa is slightly different. "You know, it's not the real Santa who's taking all the pictures with kids right? It's just a guy dressed in a Santa costume. But we have to give him our Christmas list so he can go to the North Pole and give our list to the real Santa."

Well. When you put it like that...

Kings Plaza, 2009 (2-years-old)

I remember all the way back to Aiden's first December and his first Christmas season. I remember not really knowing what to do with him or how to make the season special for him. I remember wishing that I had holiday traditions to piggyback off of from my own childhood, but I kept coming up short. The only Christmas "tradition" that I had as a child was to stay up until midnight to open presents. And that's about it.

I remember listening to so many of my mommy friends talk about Christmas and holiday traditions from their childhood that they wanted to pass on to their children. And I remember that inadequate feeling of coming up short. I had nothing to share and no tradition to pass on.

Kings Plaza, 2010 (3-years-old... what a difference a year makes!)

But eventually, I started to plan things and do things and go places with Aiden during the holiday season. And the next year, I'd plan and do and go places with him. Again. And, before I knew it, we'd have a solid list of things to do during this festive season.

We deck the halls by decorating the Christmas tree, while jamming out to our favorite R&B holiday station on Pandora.

We watch Home Alone and Home Alone: Lost in New York. Several times. Because those are the classics and the only ones worth watching.

We go see Alvin Ailey and NY City Center because the performers were born to dance and they inspire me to move, shake, and test boundaries. (I hope one day they inspire Aiden too.)

Macy's SantaLand, 2011 (4-years-old)

Macy's SantaLand, 2012 (5-years-old)

We go see the Nutcracker. Because, 'tis the season.

We decorate ginger bread houses. And eat lots of frosting and candy in the process.

We take pictures with Santa. Once, twice, sometimes thrice throughout the holiday season.

We make holiday cards to send out to friends and loved ones.

ABC Carpet & Home, 2013 (6-years-old)

Nutcracker, 2013

We go ice skating, because: winter wonderland.

We go see the tree at Rock Center. (I mean, we have to if we live in NYC, right?)

We play tourist for an afternoon, walk along 5th Avenue to see the holiday displays in stores, and pick a favorite.

Macy's SantaLand, 2013

Christmas Eve, 2013 (#BlessedDuo)

We count down the days until Christmas because build-up and anticipation is part of what makes it so much fun and so exciting.

We wear new pajamas on Christmas Eve and Aiden takes a bubble bath. Then we bake and decorate cookies for Santa. Then we leave him a sweet note, something to the tune of "I hope you like your cookies..."

We discuss that this season is not just about getting presents, but giving and loving and thanking God for all that we have. And celebrating the birth of Christ.

On Christmas morning, we wake up to open presents, from Santa and from mommy. After presents and pictures and excitement, we make pancakes and enjoy breakfast together.

Rock Center, 2014

Alvin Ailey, 2014

And, in recent years, we've been traveling after Christmas until the New Year. Because I love the idea of giving Aiden the gift of experiences over things. Any day. Everyday.

Just us. And Chicago, 2014

As we were decorating this year's Christmas tree, Aiden reminded me of all the things we do during the holiday season. To my surprise, he listed almost everything that we've been doing for the past few years. He's old enough to understand that we do these things every year, that it's a tradition. It's shaping his memories about the holiday season.

So far, they've been happy memories. Sweet memories. Warm memories. Fuzzy, feel-good memories.

2015

They make him smile when he thinks of them.

And that alone is enough to make my heart smile.

Travel With Kids: Virginia Beach

Beach. Pool. Amusement Park. Arcade. Repeat.

That's exactly what Aiden and I did when we took our vacation to Virginia Beach a few weeks ago. And it was glorious.

Last summer, we didn't get a chance to get out of town. Between working it on my day job as a school leader, adjunct professor-ing during the summer and fall semesters, and every thing else that I need to get done, I just couldn't swing it. Aiden was totally cool with it because I still made sure that he had a lot of cool things to do right here in NYC. And he did.

But, by the time the first month of the 2014-2015 school year rolled round, I knew that I needed to plan a few trips out of town in order to relax, rejuvenate, and refocus. And visiting Virginia Beach for five days was the perfect way to do that.

Where to Stay:
We stayed at the Alamar Resort Inn, which was two blocks away from the beach, across the street from the amusement park, and two blocks to where all the action and excitement is. It was close enough to everything so that we could walk, but still quiet and calm at night when we wanted to sleep in peace.

There are tons of hotels right along the beach and boardwalk, but I liked the idea of being away from all the action at night. (After all, once you hit 30 years old, you want to sleep at night. #ImJustSaying) I was also looking for something that was moderately priced, family-oriented (for when Aiden wanted to play in the pool for hours on end), and offered complimentary breakfast. The Alamar Resort Inn checked all those boxes for me.

The room, which was a bit dated, was clean and spacious. It featured two double beds, a full bathroom, a living room area, and a full-sized refrigerator. There was market nearby so Aiden and I stocked up on groceries and snacks for the week, which saved a bit of money.

What to Do: 
It seemed that every morning, Aiden and I had one thing on our agenda: eat the free breakfast and then head to the beach for a few hours. It was 90-plus degrees and the ocean water felt really, really good. (When I wasn't in the ocean, I was sitting under an umbrella reading a book. Amazing!)

If you're not as into the beach -- or you've had enough of it (I don't even know how that would be possible) -- you can walk along the strip, where there are tons of things to do. From the Fun House to the Haunted House to the Indoor Arcade (read: air conditioning) to the Mirror Maze to Miniature Golf to fishing, if you're staying for a few days, you will surely be entertained!

We spent time in the Fun House and the Indoor Arcade, which was a nice escape from the Virginia heat.

There are also many shops, restaurants, and a few bars for your picking and choosing. But don't talk to strangers! I made the mistake of entertaining a conversation with an older man and he followed Aiden and me into a restaurant as we were about to eat lunch! Creepy! Then he proceeded to demand that we eat with him. Um... no! Of course I gave him the side-eye and was all like, "I don't know you mannn! Go that way!" (That was a Big Pun reference.)

A little Fun House action!

Don't forget to have ice cream for dinner one day. With lots of different toppings. Because, vacation.

Getting Around: 
Unless you're staying far away from the beach (but, like, why would you do that?!) or you're going to see something that's far away from the beach (but, again, why would you do that?!), walk. Seriously. You can walk up and down the boardwalk or up and down the strip in order to get to pretty much anything.

If your feet get tired, take a ride on the cute little trolly or rent a bike. It's a lot of fun, and if you're traveling with kids, they'll love it.

#AandA #BlessedDuo

Aiden would have totally been okay with hanging out in a hotel with a pool in it or doing something fun right here in NYC, but I'm really glad we got to get out of the city for a few days and just... be.

No schedules, no timeline, no pressure. It was a great reminder of how much fun we could have together when it's just us.

I can't wait for our next adventure!

{Personal Style} Bardot Tops and Midi Dresses

dress: River Island | shoes: Elle | clutch: Aldo Accessories | stacked bracelets: Stella&Dot

"A wedding?! I could handle weddings!"

That's the first thing Aiden said to me when he found out I was traveling to Atlanta for the weekend and he was staying in NYC.

"Oh, I know why I can't come. Because they're gonna be serving drinks that are not for kids there. But they might have water too, right? But I don't really want to drink water that much. I like apple juice."

Yes, Aiden... that's exactly why you couldn't come. #SenseTheSarcasm

gotta love a beautiful wedding cake... and a selfie! 

Over the weekend, HEB and I headed to Atlanta for the wedding of one of his closest friends. Since I'm sorta kinda maybe falling out of love with mini dresses (are you allowed to wear them as often as I was wearing 'em passed the age of 30?!), I decided to think of another assest to highlight (I love my legs, but my shoulders and collarbone are close seconds).

Enter the mega-flattering bardot top.

When I spotted this off-the shoulder coral bodycon midi dress, I had to have. HEB was all like, "Umm... where are you gonna go with that dress." And I was all like, "Umm... I live in NYC, I'll find a place to wear it to, duh!"

And then the wedding gave me the best excuse to rock the dress.

via the River Island website

The dress features an invisible zipper in the back, hugs in all the right places, and is designed with a 1950's/1960's-inspired bardot neckline for a uber-glamorous finish. I paired it with floral peep-toe pumps and a nude clutch, both of which complimented the coral dress perfectly.

We had a fun, flirty time, especially in the photo/video booth...

#NoBehavior
#SophisticatedIgnorance (That's a Kanye reference.)

And I even managed to bring Aiden back a souvenir -- the complimentary cinnamon cookies that Delta Air gives out to passengers. I hyped the cookies up so much that he was SO excited to eat 'em. After eating them, he said, "We have to learn how to make these cookies!" Score! 

Hope you all had a great weekend. Thankfully, Spring has finally sprung so the good weather is here to stay. (Hopefully.) Stay stylish!

Family Fun at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

via LEGOLAND website

Ever since Aiden and I came back from playing tourists in Chicago, we decided that one of our next vacations would be somewhere warm.

Well, he decided. And I concurred.

As Aiden said, "I liked Chicago, but... too cold. Let's go someplace warm next time." So this summer, I'm planning a trip to sunny Florida so we can check out LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Florida Resort. (I haven't told Aiden yet because I want him to be so psyched when he finds out!)

I'm particularly excited because there are so many new things to see and do at the interactive theme park where legos come to life and where there are more than 50 rides, attractions, and shows. Not to mention that, as of May 15, 2015, the LEGOLAND Florida Resort will officially be opened for the season for families to enjoy.

We'll be staying at the resort so I'll be happy to report more on that once I experience it first-hand, but I'm most excited that it's just steps from the main entrance of LEGOLAND Florida and guest have exclusive early morning access to the theme park. Score! 

Other things that are pretty exciting?!

• A disco elevator (I mean... c'mon!)
• The family pool that overlooks Lake Eloise
• A themed play area 
• A family restaurant right on the resort premises
• WiFi in all the hotel rooms (obviously this is really important)
• A choice between themed rooms -- Pirate, Adventure, Kingdom, or Friends

And speaking of themed bedrooms... a few weeks ago, Aiden and I were invited to see a mock-up of the hotel rooms at an event here in NYC. Three rooms themes include pirates, adventure, and kingdom fulfilling children's dreams and letting them expand on their creativity and imaginations. Each room is super special with it's own children's area, complete with bunk beds, a trundle bed, their own TV, LEGO models, and a treasure chest. 

Sounds like heaven on Earth for a kid, right? And particularly for my lego-loving boy! 

I can't wait to see the look on Aiden's face when he finds out we're heading to LEGOLAND Florida and staying at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. 

Ready to plan your family vacation? Visit their website for more information. (You're welcome.)

A&A Takes Chicago!

A little while back, Aiden and I ventured to Chi-Town and played tourist for a few days. In addition to a new scooter and a new video game for his Nintendo 3DS, I got the kid a plane ticket to Chicago. Because he talked about visiting there quite often and because I believe that experiences outweigh things. Any day. Everyday.

All up in the clouds

Excitement on Michigan Ave.

And, thankfully, the Windy City did not disappoint. From Giordano's deep dish delicious pizza to the sites and attractions to easily navigating the city on public transportation, Aiden and I proved that you could have a great family-friendly vacation that doesn't require a beach.

After arriving early in the morning, we found a map, braved the cold, and took the train and bus to the downtown area, which is where our hotel was located. We stayed at the Hilton Chicago Magnificent Mile Suites, which was right in the center of pretty much everything. I loved that the hotel had an indoor pool, which was the place to be after a long day of doing touristy things. I also loved the suite-style rooms, partially because, for the very first time in seven years, Aiden had his own TV in the living area and I had my own TV in the bedroom. Nice!

The down side? The hotel did not have free wifi, which completely sucked considering that I needed my laptop and the internet in order to plan out our days. But... the concierge was really warm and friendly and helped me with directions whenever I needed it. (Aiden and I literally took public transportation everywhere, even to and from the airport.)

At. 3rd Coast. Cutest date ever!

One afternoon, we ventured out on a walking tour of downtown and stumbled upon a quaint little restaurant tucked away in a residential neighborhood, 3rd Coast. It was so warm and homely and the brunch was delish.

Other places that we loved? Ice skating at Millennium Park, window shopping on Michigan Ave., ooh-ing and aah-ing at The Bean (I loved it so much that I went back at night just to check it out.), riding the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier, and spending the day at The Chicago Children's Museum.

Chicago is a busy city, but it feels a lot less busy than NYC, which is exactly what I needed at the time. Being able to chill out, spend quality time with Aiden without the pressure of school, work, and other obligations was so great. We woke up, planned out our day, enjoyed new experiences, and loved up on each other.

Oh, and we ate good pizza. Really, really good pizza.

"NYC does not have pizza like this." ~Aiden

We loved Chicago (how could we not?!), but since we've been enduring this brutal Winter in NYC, I'm itching to plan our next vacation. On a beach. In the tropics. Where there's sunshine. And sand. And aqua water.

Aiden seconds my sentiments. "I liked Chicago, but... too cold. Let's go to California or some place warm next time."

That's already in the works, kiddo!