Its 1:30am and we are in Saratoga Springs. The room is finally quiet.I am
thinking at one o'clock tommorow we will be at the races
And this moment will be long gone...and I must, to be real and fair, post all the
sides of raising six children.
We attempt the marathon drive from the border of Canada at Niagra Falls,Ontario across the state of New York..after a morning in the water park at the Great Wolf Lodge.
We have an RV, so while the kids are making raviolis in the microwave, seeking
wifi signals and watching videos, I drive onward...towards our next adventure.
I arrive at the hotel desk alone, and I check into a three queen bedded room
and ask for a crib to be delivered to the room with extra towels and pillows.
I return to the rv and have the children go straight to the elevator,
The twelve year old has a fever.
I transfer the 4 year old naked,half asleep, wrapped in a towel, after I stripped him of his wet clothing from drinking too many bottles of milk while asleep in the RV.
We head to the room. I put the 4 year old in the crib, the twelve year old in
the bathrub with tylenol and a bottle of water and I have the 13 year old
babysit the 6,9 and 10 year old who are all in seperate queen size beds.
I go to the rv and sort out pj and clothes for the races tommorow !
I clean up the rv, wipe the counters and floor, throw out the garage and make it
fresh and ready for the morning !
When I get to the room I can hear the children from the end of the
hallway....and I hear laughter but I sense the sound might not be as appealing
to other guests now that its 1130pm
The twelve year old threw up, the four year old woke up and the ten year old is
standing in the hallway
Because he broke the one rule he agreed to and he knew the consecquenses.
Anyone who touches anyone else while I am away goes in the hallway until my work is done.
I say goodnight and they still chitty chat, I need not demand quiet, I put my
headphones in and listen to calming music.
I thank them for being on this trip with me and I tell them I choose to be here
with them and so grateful I have that choice.
Someone says, "Mom, u have to be here!" And I think silently ....one day....they
will realize otherwise and make the same choices with their children.
Showing posts with label on travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label on travel. Show all posts
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
on Travel
I keep counting, the children and it seems while the number remains the same, we are getting smaller. We, the travelling unit of children, are reducing our size.
Today, for example, no one blinked when they showed us to a booth that had room for three on one side and three on the other with a chair at the end. As everyone slid in to the booth, ready to order, all on the same page, it was more important to get the order in than to worry about the seating arrangements.
Only when the bed times caused some of us to read while the others went to sleep did any one question why we only had one room when we usually get two. Granted this child friendly hotel caters to larger sleeping arrangements, but we are down scaling our needs as we travel together and are needs become more refined as a group.
A family! This must be what is meant of a family vacation bringing people together.
Tonight I sleep in a queen size bed with my four year old, the twelve year old in the pull out couch next to me, the "KIDS CABIN" which is an upper bunk bed for the six year old, under her the 9 year old and across from them the ten year old.
Finally the thirteen year old in a single blowup bed across the room.
A family, we are in such close quarters, I have this great chance to be the mother I want to be. Tonight I pray;
"Therefore since we are surrounded by such great witness let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run
with perserverance the race marked out for us
(HEB 12:1)
Today, for example, no one blinked when they showed us to a booth that had room for three on one side and three on the other with a chair at the end. As everyone slid in to the booth, ready to order, all on the same page, it was more important to get the order in than to worry about the seating arrangements.
Only when the bed times caused some of us to read while the others went to sleep did any one question why we only had one room when we usually get two. Granted this child friendly hotel caters to larger sleeping arrangements, but we are down scaling our needs as we travel together and are needs become more refined as a group.
A family! This must be what is meant of a family vacation bringing people together.
Tonight I sleep in a queen size bed with my four year old, the twelve year old in the pull out couch next to me, the "KIDS CABIN" which is an upper bunk bed for the six year old, under her the 9 year old and across from them the ten year old.
Finally the thirteen year old in a single blowup bed across the room.
A family, we are in such close quarters, I have this great chance to be the mother I want to be. Tonight I pray;
"Therefore since we are surrounded by such great witness let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run
with perserverance the race marked out for us
(HEB 12:1)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
On Ontario
Some tips on crossing the boarder to Canada.
*Did you know you need a letter from your husband
if you are crossing the boarder alone with your
six children?
I think it would be worse if you tried crossing with only two. You see
not even the boarder control guards believed that i was the birth mother
and guardian of all these young children. First they verified this information when I presented their passports, then they proceeded to ask me if I am leaving my husband and fleeing with my children to Canada.....I think even the border control guard chuckled just a bit when he asked this standard question.
We entered Ontario, Canada and drove straight down Victoria Road to the great Wolf Lodge. Now 200 tokens later I am in Bed, watching a Pay-Per-View and I am queen !
Everyone is assigned to everyone.....Everyone wants tokens, I am more than happy to abide.
If I didnt expect to give my children tokens, then I should have not pulled into this place to begin with. My best advise is to create a token plan.
Start Fresh. Everyone gets the same amount of tokens, maybe the older kids a few more for watching the younger ones. Dont hold any old behavior over anybody.
I gave my credit card to the ten year old for him to use the credit card machine to get the 200 tokens and divide them up amongst everyone. What a great chance I have to show how much I trust this child. What a great opportunity for him to feel responsible about his new wallet which he carries everywhere. It now holds mom's credit card. She Trusts me. I am responsible. I feel proud of myself.
What can you do today to make your child feel responsible and proud?
*Did you know you need a letter from your husband
if you are crossing the boarder alone with your
six children?
I think it would be worse if you tried crossing with only two. You see
not even the boarder control guards believed that i was the birth mother
and guardian of all these young children. First they verified this information when I presented their passports, then they proceeded to ask me if I am leaving my husband and fleeing with my children to Canada.....I think even the border control guard chuckled just a bit when he asked this standard question.
We entered Ontario, Canada and drove straight down Victoria Road to the great Wolf Lodge. Now 200 tokens later I am in Bed, watching a Pay-Per-View and I am queen !
Everyone is assigned to everyone.....Everyone wants tokens, I am more than happy to abide.
If I didnt expect to give my children tokens, then I should have not pulled into this place to begin with. My best advise is to create a token plan.
Start Fresh. Everyone gets the same amount of tokens, maybe the older kids a few more for watching the younger ones. Dont hold any old behavior over anybody.
I gave my credit card to the ten year old for him to use the credit card machine to get the 200 tokens and divide them up amongst everyone. What a great chance I have to show how much I trust this child. What a great opportunity for him to feel responsible about his new wallet which he carries everywhere. It now holds mom's credit card. She Trusts me. I am responsible. I feel proud of myself.
What can you do today to make your child feel responsible and proud?
Monday, August 23, 2010
On Travel
How is it travelling with six children?
The questions that you will be asking will probably be logistics. I am really good at logistics (This made me able to accept my lifes purpose, to raise these six children and live in love with my husband)
Travelling with six children is coaching a team of different individuals who all have different skill levels (due to age and size) but all need to learn how to play
-On the Team----- in this Family------in life
I am constantly learning how to offer them what they need, without punishing them or trying to control them....when they are out of bounds or completely off sides.
I am happy that they find it in them to jest about the endless books or tapes i read and hear in order to keep myself educated.
Here, in a Comfort Inn, I look right and see my RV Parked along Niagra Falls Drive, with the Comfort Inn Pass in the Window! (The only way I was able to park and sleep
closest to the Falls on the American Side.
I look left and see the 6 year old,9 year old, 4 year old and 10 year old all lined up on the end of their bed,watching the game one is playing on the tv, with paper cups of fruit loops, showered and dressed in clean, collared shirts and cacky pants. I see the door to the connecting room where
the 12 year old and thirteen year old are still trying to sleep .
We are going over RAINBOW BRIDGE to Canada today and we have all voted on a list of things we are going to do in Ontario. They include:
*Maid of the Mist Boat to under the Falls
*Crystal Cave park
*Cave of the Wind (where you walk out into the falls edge)
*Indoor Gravity Free Skydiving
and Overnight in the Majestic Bear Suite at the Great Wolf Lodge, Amusement Park Level, Victoria Road, Ontario, Canada !
Why do I do this? Because it is all that I want to do, because it is most natural to be here in this role, in these relationships, in this adventure.
Is there an adventure waiting for you?
The questions that you will be asking will probably be logistics. I am really good at logistics (This made me able to accept my lifes purpose, to raise these six children and live in love with my husband)
Travelling with six children is coaching a team of different individuals who all have different skill levels (due to age and size) but all need to learn how to play
-On the Team----- in this Family------in life
I am constantly learning how to offer them what they need, without punishing them or trying to control them....when they are out of bounds or completely off sides.
I am happy that they find it in them to jest about the endless books or tapes i read and hear in order to keep myself educated.
Here, in a Comfort Inn, I look right and see my RV Parked along Niagra Falls Drive, with the Comfort Inn Pass in the Window! (The only way I was able to park and sleep
closest to the Falls on the American Side.
I look left and see the 6 year old,9 year old, 4 year old and 10 year old all lined up on the end of their bed,watching the game one is playing on the tv, with paper cups of fruit loops, showered and dressed in clean, collared shirts and cacky pants. I see the door to the connecting room where
the 12 year old and thirteen year old are still trying to sleep .
We are going over RAINBOW BRIDGE to Canada today and we have all voted on a list of things we are going to do in Ontario. They include:
*Maid of the Mist Boat to under the Falls
*Crystal Cave park
*Cave of the Wind (where you walk out into the falls edge)
*Indoor Gravity Free Skydiving
and Overnight in the Majestic Bear Suite at the Great Wolf Lodge, Amusement Park Level, Victoria Road, Ontario, Canada !
Why do I do this? Because it is all that I want to do, because it is most natural to be here in this role, in these relationships, in this adventure.
Is there an adventure waiting for you?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
on Road Trips
It was Friday morning,
the BLUE VAN (which has 12 seats and enough room for
luggage, picks us up to take us to the airports
EVERY TIME. Its $100.00 to JFK and they are always on
time 1-800-bluevan)
We have one way tickets to ROCHESTER, NY which we got
for about $61.00 per person on US AIR
We have DAVID from the RV RENTAL CENTER in Rochester, New York
meeting us with a 28 foot self drive recreational vehicle.
The load the 9 sports size green matching duffle bags and 3 black body size duffle bags. The body bags are filled with the sleeping bags, tents and camping gear and get stored in the belly of the RV. The personal green duffle bags go
inside the shower stall and are loaded in the RV curbside at Rochester Airport
and we head on our way west !
Every ONE child has one bag with all their clothes
There is ONE extra bag with all swimming gear,goggles,towels,floaties
One bag is for me
and one more bag for sneakers and toiletries
There we are, on the road with no reservations. We know we are going to visit NIAGRA FALLS and we know we are going camping, and thats all we know !
There is a sign DARIEN LAKES AMUSEMENT PARK.....
We check into a hotel room with three queen beds that is attached to an AMUSEMENT PARK similar to Six Flags and Action park Water Park combined .
What could be better.....................
the BLUE VAN (which has 12 seats and enough room for
luggage, picks us up to take us to the airports
EVERY TIME. Its $100.00 to JFK and they are always on
time 1-800-bluevan)
We have one way tickets to ROCHESTER, NY which we got
for about $61.00 per person on US AIR
We have DAVID from the RV RENTAL CENTER in Rochester, New York
meeting us with a 28 foot self drive recreational vehicle.
The load the 9 sports size green matching duffle bags and 3 black body size duffle bags. The body bags are filled with the sleeping bags, tents and camping gear and get stored in the belly of the RV. The personal green duffle bags go
inside the shower stall and are loaded in the RV curbside at Rochester Airport
and we head on our way west !
Every ONE child has one bag with all their clothes
There is ONE extra bag with all swimming gear,goggles,towels,floaties
One bag is for me
and one more bag for sneakers and toiletries
There we are, on the road with no reservations. We know we are going to visit NIAGRA FALLS and we know we are going camping, and thats all we know !
There is a sign DARIEN LAKES AMUSEMENT PARK.....
We check into a hotel room with three queen beds that is attached to an AMUSEMENT PARK similar to Six Flags and Action park Water Park combined .
What could be better.....................
Monday, August 16, 2010
on Being House Guests
You might wonder how many times we are invited to be house guests of someone else with six kids......but
We are invited a lot more than you would expect!
We are a clan, we are a group charged with an enormous amount of energy,we are a family !
I was so proud of my children this weekend, as they test out their own identities in an envirment that is safe, all summer long,
Here when they are out of their envirnment, guests in someone elses house,
they are who they are! Children I am proud of !
I make sure to ask my hosts
"What are the rules in your house, on your property for us"
I teach my children that its important to find out what someone elses
rules are and what would make them comfortable while we stay here !
We learn that one rule is to close all the gates to the street and to the pool.
I watch as my children roam freely around the perfectly manicured hedges, reaching so high, they dwarf even the ten year old. I watch them enter and exit the pool...and look behind that the gate is latched!
I never tell them how I expect them to behave, but I ask some important questions
" What is your rule on us going into your refrigerator"
" What is your rule on shoes in and out of the house"
We walk around the house and we come to a garden. New York City Children do not often see tomatoes growing , ready to pick.
I pull one off the vine and I sing
"Mortals join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began
Love divine is reigning over us
leading us with mercys hand
Ever singing, march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life"
and we eat !
We are invited a lot more than you would expect!
We are a clan, we are a group charged with an enormous amount of energy,we are a family !
I was so proud of my children this weekend, as they test out their own identities in an envirment that is safe, all summer long,
Here when they are out of their envirnment, guests in someone elses house,
they are who they are! Children I am proud of !
I make sure to ask my hosts
"What are the rules in your house, on your property for us"
I teach my children that its important to find out what someone elses
rules are and what would make them comfortable while we stay here !
We learn that one rule is to close all the gates to the street and to the pool.
I watch as my children roam freely around the perfectly manicured hedges, reaching so high, they dwarf even the ten year old. I watch them enter and exit the pool...and look behind that the gate is latched!
I never tell them how I expect them to behave, but I ask some important questions
" What is your rule on us going into your refrigerator"
" What is your rule on shoes in and out of the house"
We walk around the house and we come to a garden. New York City Children do not often see tomatoes growing , ready to pick.
I pull one off the vine and I sing
"Mortals join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began
Love divine is reigning over us
leading us with mercys hand
Ever singing, march we onward
Victors in the midst of strife
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life"
and we eat !
Thursday, August 5, 2010
On Summer Ending
Living in New York City there is a very different energy than living in a
Country Club Southern Georgia Beach front resort.
Some people live here year round. There is a private school called Federica
Academy which caters to the children of this community.
And what would life be like then, would it really be the continuation of summer ?
We might be playing tennis, but would it feel the same
When it would be sandwiched inbetween denist appointments for braces
adjustments, school pickups and dinner-homework time.
As I lounge here, typing my post on the phone, I sit besides my two older sons,
who are squenched up besides eachother
Sharing something
Communicating with eachother
In a language they will always
Speak to eachother
Feeling their lov , seeing their wide white eyes, their smiles.....
I'm leaving here soon, and it makes me yearn to stay.
Maybe I am yearning to stay in this feeling of connection and love with my
children around me !
I will take the time I have left in this place, in this summer, to be
The best I can be, to myself, to my husband and to my family.
I am thankful for the time I have spent in this fabulous place and grateful for
all the people around us this summer who have made it even more special !
Country Club Southern Georgia Beach front resort.
Some people live here year round. There is a private school called Federica
Academy which caters to the children of this community.
And what would life be like then, would it really be the continuation of summer ?
We might be playing tennis, but would it feel the same
When it would be sandwiched inbetween denist appointments for braces
adjustments, school pickups and dinner-homework time.
As I lounge here, typing my post on the phone, I sit besides my two older sons,
who are squenched up besides eachother
Sharing something
Communicating with eachother
In a language they will always
Speak to eachother
Feeling their lov , seeing their wide white eyes, their smiles.....
I'm leaving here soon, and it makes me yearn to stay.
Maybe I am yearning to stay in this feeling of connection and love with my
children around me !
I will take the time I have left in this place, in this summer, to be
The best I can be, to myself, to my husband and to my family.
I am thankful for the time I have spent in this fabulous place and grateful for
all the people around us this summer who have made it even more special !
Monday, July 26, 2010
on Summer
Hello again from Mommy Wommy ! At first I was unable to write as we were trapped in the luxuries of summer in a tent aside the Blackfoot River in Montana.
PAWS UP Resort in Rivercamp tent accommodations is an amazing experience where the campsite is the downtime activity, while you are escorted away during the mornings to engage in
*Painting the white horses
*A Cattle Drive
*ATV along the sage frosted mountains
*Mountain biking to a ghost town (downhill the whole way)
and a whole lot more
The tents were permanent structures and with our large crowd
they even had seperate bedrooms to fit us! The mornings were graced by the beauty
of gods creations in this big sky country....and by "HAL" who was waiting outside my tent with a hot cup of coffee in the mornings ....letting us know breakfast was
ready!!!
Now here settled in Sea Island, Georgia where we spend a prim and proper southern ^ six weeks, in a seaside cottage, I return to my computer, to my blog, with new ammunition, renewed life force after downloading and skimming through about 100 books on my kindle and after being in the closest of quarters with my six children at various stages of their lifes.
We update the ages moving forward to read like this
13 12 10 9 6 4
Are you being the best mom you can be, read on for great summer tips as we return to the dailing postings!
PAWS UP Resort in Rivercamp tent accommodations is an amazing experience where the campsite is the downtime activity, while you are escorted away during the mornings to engage in
*Painting the white horses
*A Cattle Drive
*ATV along the sage frosted mountains
*Mountain biking to a ghost town (downhill the whole way)
and a whole lot more
The tents were permanent structures and with our large crowd
they even had seperate bedrooms to fit us! The mornings were graced by the beauty
of gods creations in this big sky country....and by "HAL" who was waiting outside my tent with a hot cup of coffee in the mornings ....letting us know breakfast was
ready!!!
Now here settled in Sea Island, Georgia where we spend a prim and proper southern ^ six weeks, in a seaside cottage, I return to my computer, to my blog, with new ammunition, renewed life force after downloading and skimming through about 100 books on my kindle and after being in the closest of quarters with my six children at various stages of their lifes.
We update the ages moving forward to read like this
13 12 10 9 6 4
Are you being the best mom you can be, read on for great summer tips as we return to the dailing postings!
Friday, June 11, 2010
On Parenting Books
In packing for our summer travels I noticed the heaviest bag was my personal bag.
Included in this bag were the following items:
Wallet
Ipod
Headphones
Phone
Travel Paperwork
Pencil holder with pencils, markers,Tape
and BOOKS
Lots of lots of books. A novel my friend recommended, parenting books,
Children books,magazines to catch up reading on, guide books for the
destinations we are travelling to... HEAVY.
I went first to Best buy and purchased the SONY READER. The sony reader has two versions, the standard version which you have to download books to your computer and then hook up this devise and transfer them to it. --NOT
The second version you can download books straight to the devise but every book I put in to search was not in the SONY READER Library.
I returned it immmediately. I went on line and purchased a KINDLE. Delivered straight to my door the following morning I have been able to load in everything from the THREE LITTLE PIGS to "Have a New Kid by Friday", to the USA TODAY as well as high lights on MISSOLA, Montana !
The best part of this devise is that when your eyes are tired of reading , you can close them and have the READ TO ME audio function kick in and the book will read to you.
The second best part of this devise is you can highlight and move quotes and inspirational words into a folder for viewing later!
I recommend the KINDLE for travellers this summer !
Enjoy !
Included in this bag were the following items:
Wallet
Ipod
Headphones
Phone
Travel Paperwork
Pencil holder with pencils, markers,Tape
and BOOKS
Lots of lots of books. A novel my friend recommended, parenting books,
Children books,magazines to catch up reading on, guide books for the
destinations we are travelling to... HEAVY.
I went first to Best buy and purchased the SONY READER. The sony reader has two versions, the standard version which you have to download books to your computer and then hook up this devise and transfer them to it. --NOT
The second version you can download books straight to the devise but every book I put in to search was not in the SONY READER Library.
I returned it immmediately. I went on line and purchased a KINDLE. Delivered straight to my door the following morning I have been able to load in everything from the THREE LITTLE PIGS to "Have a New Kid by Friday", to the USA TODAY as well as high lights on MISSOLA, Montana !
The best part of this devise is that when your eyes are tired of reading , you can close them and have the READ TO ME audio function kick in and the book will read to you.
The second best part of this devise is you can highlight and move quotes and inspirational words into a folder for viewing later!
I recommend the KINDLE for travellers this summer !
Enjoy !
Friday, May 28, 2010
On Car Trips
As I get ready for a road trip I sit and consider how important this trip is to our first day (out of two) of our vacation.
I have many friends who are getting ready to drive to the Hamptons, to the Shore and to their Conneticut Houses...
LETS REVIEW THE CAR PACKING CHECKLIST for my road Trip:
*Garbage Bag, tied up to the seatbelt holder serves as garbage bag and sick emergency bag
*Dc converter adapter to plug into cigarette lighter and converts cigarette lighter to two plugs. (from radio shak about $20.00)
*an extention cord to send to the back of the car for the kids to use.
*Phone charger (which I plug into second plug from coverter box)
*Headset or speaker phone system for talking safely while driving
*DVD players and headphones
*Sports Ice Pack bag filled with cold waters and juices
*Non Crummy Snacks like Fruit -- Fruit Rollups.
*EasyPass(Even if you rent cars you can still have your own easypass. I keep
Mone on my desk and make sure to travel with it for all road trips)
*Hand Sanitizer amd toilet tissue or napkins or wet wipes
*Directions
I also make sure to pack Milk and Cookies incase we are forced to arrive somewhere late and there is no food to be gotten. It seems like Milk and Cookies are a memorable night time snack to serve in the room before we brush our teeth and retire for the night
Happy travels !
I have many friends who are getting ready to drive to the Hamptons, to the Shore and to their Conneticut Houses...
LETS REVIEW THE CAR PACKING CHECKLIST for my road Trip:
*Garbage Bag, tied up to the seatbelt holder serves as garbage bag and sick emergency bag
*Dc converter adapter to plug into cigarette lighter and converts cigarette lighter to two plugs. (from radio shak about $20.00)
*an extention cord to send to the back of the car for the kids to use.
*Phone charger (which I plug into second plug from coverter box)
*Headset or speaker phone system for talking safely while driving
*DVD players and headphones
*Sports Ice Pack bag filled with cold waters and juices
*Non Crummy Snacks like Fruit -- Fruit Rollups.
*EasyPass(Even if you rent cars you can still have your own easypass. I keep
Mone on my desk and make sure to travel with it for all road trips)
*Hand Sanitizer amd toilet tissue or napkins or wet wipes
*Directions
I also make sure to pack Milk and Cookies incase we are forced to arrive somewhere late and there is no food to be gotten. It seems like Milk and Cookies are a memorable night time snack to serve in the room before we brush our teeth and retire for the night
Happy travels !
Thursday, May 27, 2010
On Travel
Memorial Day weekend
All week has been just beautiful and I want to get out of the city and enjoy more of it.
Today I picked up the phone and contacted AAMCAR car rental located on West 96th street. They can deliver any car to your front door at reasonable rates with great flexibility. For me I am having them deliver us a 15 passenger van for Friday at 3:00pm.
I scrolled through Historic Hotels of New York and came across two OHEKA CASTLE in Hungtington, Long Island and SKYTOP LODGE near the Deleware Water Gap in PA.
I was thinking the traffic is worse heading EAST towards the hamptons so I choose SKYTOP LODGE
http://www.skytop.com/
I have been to this destination before and have been able to secure a reasonable rate room as it includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room. Kevin, who runs the dining room secured a table for 9 for our family to eat our meals in (kinda like a cruise ship dining room this old fashion hotel. You sit at the same table with the same servers all weekend and tip at the end of the trip)
My boys will be thrilled to hear I have booked for them:
*Golf
*Paint Ball a three hour session Saturday and Monday
*Laser Tag in an indoor arena
*Tennis tournment and Golf
*Family Hike to the Levitt Water falls and picnic
*Skeet Shooting
*Evening Childrens Banquet Dinner and Ice Cream Social after
*Evening Wii Tournment
*Bubble blowing Bonanza and afternoon tea for the six year old
We Will pack the Car Friday night and take off Early Saturday Morning
for a two night stay !
Just another idea of a trip with tons to do for all ages just a little over two hours from New York !
Enjoy your memorial day weekend !
All week has been just beautiful and I want to get out of the city and enjoy more of it.
Today I picked up the phone and contacted AAMCAR car rental located on West 96th street. They can deliver any car to your front door at reasonable rates with great flexibility. For me I am having them deliver us a 15 passenger van for Friday at 3:00pm.
I scrolled through Historic Hotels of New York and came across two OHEKA CASTLE in Hungtington, Long Island and SKYTOP LODGE near the Deleware Water Gap in PA.
I was thinking the traffic is worse heading EAST towards the hamptons so I choose SKYTOP LODGE
http://www.skytop.com/
I have been to this destination before and have been able to secure a reasonable rate room as it includes breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dining room. Kevin, who runs the dining room secured a table for 9 for our family to eat our meals in (kinda like a cruise ship dining room this old fashion hotel. You sit at the same table with the same servers all weekend and tip at the end of the trip)
My boys will be thrilled to hear I have booked for them:
*Golf
*Paint Ball a three hour session Saturday and Monday
*Laser Tag in an indoor arena
*Tennis tournment and Golf
*Family Hike to the Levitt Water falls and picnic
*Skeet Shooting
*Evening Childrens Banquet Dinner and Ice Cream Social after
*Evening Wii Tournment
*Bubble blowing Bonanza and afternoon tea for the six year old
We Will pack the Car Friday night and take off Early Saturday Morning
for a two night stay !
Just another idea of a trip with tons to do for all ages just a little over two hours from New York !
Enjoy your memorial day weekend !
Friday, May 14, 2010
THE STAYCATION
On Travel-THE STAYCATION
One must plan ahead, especially if you are on a budget. If you book weekends to the Bahamas and get the Jet Blue $99.00 each way fare it becomes reasonable but if you book last minute and only the $249.00 each way fare is available? Travelling with six children I must plan, and I must book ahead!
But what about the STAYCATION……Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I have already contacted several hotels in the popular weekend destinations where one can fly direct from New York in under 4 hours. The Hotel rates are increased by about 50% due to the holiday weekend. The airfares are all over $500.00 round trip per person.
We did some driving trips, but the traffic was horrific…
Two years ago we drove Memorial Day Weekend to PINEGROVE Dude Ranch. More than one person told me they went there with their parents when they were young….and it hasn’t changed a bit in 30 years. We only rode horses for one hour during the three day weekend and we all slept in one room with two king’s size beds and two bunk beds, and some roll always!
Another year it was HERSHEY PARK in Pennsylvania….at the Hotel Hersey…but check that everything is open, visited friends in the Hamptons…and fought lines all weekend
THE STAYCATION, a chance to just stay home, not a weekend, but a HOLIDAY!
Create an itinerary of FAMILY ACTIVITIES that you might have never done together. Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty while the Torch is still open. Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry; see an off Broadway show while you are downtown, go to the seaport, picnic together in the park.
Start a STAYCATION business within your communities where you create itineraries using services of people within your community to support each other. Have flowers made for your home during your staycation, have food delivered, invite friends over, wear matching clothes, take your Christmas Picture on the East River !
The activities are endless! STAYCATION…..just the word brings a feeling of relief!
One must plan ahead, especially if you are on a budget. If you book weekends to the Bahamas and get the Jet Blue $99.00 each way fare it becomes reasonable but if you book last minute and only the $249.00 each way fare is available? Travelling with six children I must plan, and I must book ahead!
But what about the STAYCATION……Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I have already contacted several hotels in the popular weekend destinations where one can fly direct from New York in under 4 hours. The Hotel rates are increased by about 50% due to the holiday weekend. The airfares are all over $500.00 round trip per person.
We did some driving trips, but the traffic was horrific…
Two years ago we drove Memorial Day Weekend to PINEGROVE Dude Ranch. More than one person told me they went there with their parents when they were young….and it hasn’t changed a bit in 30 years. We only rode horses for one hour during the three day weekend and we all slept in one room with two king’s size beds and two bunk beds, and some roll always!
Another year it was HERSHEY PARK in Pennsylvania….at the Hotel Hersey…but check that everything is open, visited friends in the Hamptons…and fought lines all weekend
THE STAYCATION, a chance to just stay home, not a weekend, but a HOLIDAY!
Create an itinerary of FAMILY ACTIVITIES that you might have never done together. Climb to the top of the Statue of Liberty while the Torch is still open. Take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry; see an off Broadway show while you are downtown, go to the seaport, picnic together in the park.
Start a STAYCATION business within your communities where you create itineraries using services of people within your community to support each other. Have flowers made for your home during your staycation, have food delivered, invite friends over, wear matching clothes, take your Christmas Picture on the East River !
The activities are endless! STAYCATION…..just the word brings a feeling of relief!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
on Travel in an RV
"No family should attempt an auto trip if the kids outnumber the car windows"
- Theresa Bloomingdale
What an amazing quote - it says so much. To me it says, ‘get more windows!’ When I travel with the family we get around in an RV. Sure, we joke about the "green turd” (for anyone who has seen the movie RV), but it’s still real and special for us.
Every August I rent an RV, and we choose a state in America. I try to have the kids choose. I try to ask them something indigenous to a state in America as a precursor to deciding to travel there. In Michigan, for example, locales range from Detroit, the rural inner city carnivals on the asphalt, to the Grand Hotel in Mackinac island. We golfed, fished, boated, kayaked, bumper car'd, and tented at the Jellystone Park, surrounded by the tents of other vacationing families. At these family tenting park sites, my kids run around looking to fill their water containers and bump into other kids doing the same, taking on those odd jobs to keep their campsite going. What a lovely shared camaraderie amongst the young! These little things are what make the summers special for my city children!
‘Cruise America’ is an RV company where you can rent an RV, drive where you wish and drop off at another stop! These are basic self-driven vans with refrigerators, bathroom, and cabinets for your luggage. Don’t attempt to sleep in one! For the trip, it’s your car - would you sleep in your car?
When we travel within one state we normally find a better quality rental through the local state companies, which are easy to find through a simple Google search. We were lucky enough to rent one that had a flat screen TV and a video gaming system (which I promptly hid so my kids never knew about it)! We line the bed with duffle bags full of supplies. We grab anything we need from these bags to refill of our small carry bags that we take into the hotels, leaving the rooms much less cluttered. The refrigerator is filled with fresh fruit to balance the fast-food diet we subject ourselves to at hotel pools, beaches and resorts, and at the roadside drive-throughs! It’s not expensive; it’s actually pretty darn cheap. A two-bedroom suite (which is the most expensive room), at a beautiful hotel on Traverse Lake in Michigan, deluxe by any standards, in nowhere near equivalent to the cost of any night at a Hamptons house!
Over the years we have travelled with an RV within the following States;
Kentucky
Lousiana
Mississippi
Michigan
Alabama
Texas
North Carolina
Maine (last year)
The RV is a tradition, a culture, if you will, within our family. It’s who we are and what we do.
Create your own summer traditions today!
- Theresa Bloomingdale
What an amazing quote - it says so much. To me it says, ‘get more windows!’ When I travel with the family we get around in an RV. Sure, we joke about the "green turd” (for anyone who has seen the movie RV), but it’s still real and special for us.
Every August I rent an RV, and we choose a state in America. I try to have the kids choose. I try to ask them something indigenous to a state in America as a precursor to deciding to travel there. In Michigan, for example, locales range from Detroit, the rural inner city carnivals on the asphalt, to the Grand Hotel in Mackinac island. We golfed, fished, boated, kayaked, bumper car'd, and tented at the Jellystone Park, surrounded by the tents of other vacationing families. At these family tenting park sites, my kids run around looking to fill their water containers and bump into other kids doing the same, taking on those odd jobs to keep their campsite going. What a lovely shared camaraderie amongst the young! These little things are what make the summers special for my city children!
‘Cruise America’ is an RV company where you can rent an RV, drive where you wish and drop off at another stop! These are basic self-driven vans with refrigerators, bathroom, and cabinets for your luggage. Don’t attempt to sleep in one! For the trip, it’s your car - would you sleep in your car?
When we travel within one state we normally find a better quality rental through the local state companies, which are easy to find through a simple Google search. We were lucky enough to rent one that had a flat screen TV and a video gaming system (which I promptly hid so my kids never knew about it)! We line the bed with duffle bags full of supplies. We grab anything we need from these bags to refill of our small carry bags that we take into the hotels, leaving the rooms much less cluttered. The refrigerator is filled with fresh fruit to balance the fast-food diet we subject ourselves to at hotel pools, beaches and resorts, and at the roadside drive-throughs! It’s not expensive; it’s actually pretty darn cheap. A two-bedroom suite (which is the most expensive room), at a beautiful hotel on Traverse Lake in Michigan, deluxe by any standards, in nowhere near equivalent to the cost of any night at a Hamptons house!
Over the years we have travelled with an RV within the following States;
Kentucky
Lousiana
Mississippi
Michigan
Alabama
Texas
North Carolina
Maine (last year)
The RV is a tradition, a culture, if you will, within our family. It’s who we are and what we do.
Create your own summer traditions today!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
On Travel
On Travel
Different Schools close at different times. There is am amazing place 90 miles door to door just on the other side of the Delaware Water Gap. To get there basically you take the George Washington Bridge to 95 to 80W and travel to the Delaware water gap. Then you travel about 10 exits and get off at the GREAT WOLF LODGE.
This is a 100,000 square foot indoor and outdoor water park. It is really quite amazing to spend the night and heres what you do:
When school is out for you, but not out for everyone in Penn or New Jersey and not everybody in New York City for that matter, pick a midweek night. The reason you are travelling mid week is because Weekends are packed. Also midweek is half the price. You can leave on around 3pm on a Tuesday. (This is also great for a midweek closed day of school during the year). You get there check into your room. Make sure to ask for amusement/water park level. It’s WORTH IT to be on this floor. (You can also move your car to park outside the back of your room for easy leaving through the sliding back doors of the accommodation)
Water Park all night long! I don’t let the children into the arcade until the next day. The money just goes too fast, and I still have the next day!
Then when the kids are ready to bed, the next morning is Buffet breakfast and Magic Quest in PJs. A Treasure hunt around the hotel with a magic wand that opens certain quests and shows you whats inside! Waving your wand could open a treasure box!
Then its meet in the lobby to make your own KARAOKE DVD TAPE singing your favorate song!
Then we get dressed and head into the arcade where games spit out tickets for prizes.
Then back into the water park, checkout of the room before we enter (or pay a fee for a late checkout). After the water park, when the children are sufficiently exhausted I welcome the sounds from the DVD players in the back of the car while I drive home.
A successful mission!
A few tips:
-Bring fruit, bananas, apples, healthy drinks, bottles of water for the room
-Bring something to hang on your room door as the kids have wristbands to open their rooms, but the room numbers are not on the wristbands and all the room doors look the same
-Bring Friends. The kids love to buddy with their friends in the water park !
-Bring your own towels, as they don’t let you leave the water park with the water park towels and its cold in the hallways
-Bring two bathing suits as it’s hard to get near the dryers to dry the ones you wear the night before. If you have a wet suit, or swimming shirt, its better, NO BIKINIS in the water park ladies!
Have Fun!
Different Schools close at different times. There is am amazing place 90 miles door to door just on the other side of the Delaware Water Gap. To get there basically you take the George Washington Bridge to 95 to 80W and travel to the Delaware water gap. Then you travel about 10 exits and get off at the GREAT WOLF LODGE.
This is a 100,000 square foot indoor and outdoor water park. It is really quite amazing to spend the night and heres what you do:
When school is out for you, but not out for everyone in Penn or New Jersey and not everybody in New York City for that matter, pick a midweek night. The reason you are travelling mid week is because Weekends are packed. Also midweek is half the price. You can leave on around 3pm on a Tuesday. (This is also great for a midweek closed day of school during the year). You get there check into your room. Make sure to ask for amusement/water park level. It’s WORTH IT to be on this floor. (You can also move your car to park outside the back of your room for easy leaving through the sliding back doors of the accommodation)
Water Park all night long! I don’t let the children into the arcade until the next day. The money just goes too fast, and I still have the next day!
Then when the kids are ready to bed, the next morning is Buffet breakfast and Magic Quest in PJs. A Treasure hunt around the hotel with a magic wand that opens certain quests and shows you whats inside! Waving your wand could open a treasure box!
Then its meet in the lobby to make your own KARAOKE DVD TAPE singing your favorate song!
Then we get dressed and head into the arcade where games spit out tickets for prizes.
Then back into the water park, checkout of the room before we enter (or pay a fee for a late checkout). After the water park, when the children are sufficiently exhausted I welcome the sounds from the DVD players in the back of the car while I drive home.
A successful mission!
A few tips:
-Bring fruit, bananas, apples, healthy drinks, bottles of water for the room
-Bring something to hang on your room door as the kids have wristbands to open their rooms, but the room numbers are not on the wristbands and all the room doors look the same
-Bring Friends. The kids love to buddy with their friends in the water park !
-Bring your own towels, as they don’t let you leave the water park with the water park towels and its cold in the hallways
-Bring two bathing suits as it’s hard to get near the dryers to dry the ones you wear the night before. If you have a wet suit, or swimming shirt, its better, NO BIKINIS in the water park ladies!
Have Fun!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
On Travel
ATLANTIS RESORT
When you tell people you have just returned from the Atlantis, you never know what kind of response you are going to get. Most people have heard of this destination, some have been there, some go back every year, some would never.
Heres how the accommodations work:
Royal Towers- A grand Hotel elevator Tower in the Center of the Atalntis Resort. Though it looks like its in the center of everything, to actually reach the elevator from the pools and beach is quite a walk. A stroller is a must for any children under 4! The beach tower is closest to the beach, but the absolute furthest from anything. The Cove and the Reef are the more deluxe accommodations and offer something unique. They offer a peaceful place to stay, beach and pool in a quiet bahamas setting, without the hussle and busle of the Atlantis next door.
I took the younger three children to the Atlantis
We didn’t miss any school, any Friday birthday parties or
Any activities . TWO DAYS was enough for us…
and here is how it looked:
Saturday Morning
4:30am Taxi to JFK airport for
6:00am Flight
8:45am Landed with one carry on bag** grabbed cab
9:30am We changed in the bathroom into our bathing suits- hit the beach
11:00am Buffet breakfast at the Cove Hotel
12:00n Went Swimming in the Baths Pools
1:30pm Went to the Aqua Adventure Center and Mayan Temple slides
3:00pm Went to the Lazy river Ride
4:00pm Went to see the Underwater Digs - Atlantis and Fish aquariums
5:30pm Dinner in Room via Room Service and Stuart Little to fall asleep
Sunday Morning
7:30am Breakfast Buffet at Mosaic
8:30am Ripples Kids Pool
9:30am Kids went to Kids Club Culinary Experience for one hour
where they all cook something fun while mom gets a one
hour break to visit the adult only pool and read a chapter
of her book
10:30am Swim with the Dolphins at Dolphin Cay at the Atlantis Hotel
12:00n Lunch and beach play feeding fish chex mix
3:00pm Taxi to airport
5:30pm Flight home
**Packed in the bag was PJ for three kids, one bathingsuit and bathing shirt and cover up
one shorts and shirt, one outfit for the plane home and a sweatshirt. THATS IT .Toilette Bag,flip flops THAT’S IT
We flew Jet blue direct from JFK and we returned on Delta through Atlanta or could have returned on Continenal thru Miami for a 7:30pm departure from Nassau !
Enjoy your weekend travels!
ATLANTIS RESORT
When you tell people you have just returned from the Atlantis, you never know what kind of response you are going to get. Most people have heard of this destination, some have been there, some go back every year, some would never.
Heres how the accommodations work:
Royal Towers- A grand Hotel elevator Tower in the Center of the Atalntis Resort. Though it looks like its in the center of everything, to actually reach the elevator from the pools and beach is quite a walk. A stroller is a must for any children under 4! The beach tower is closest to the beach, but the absolute furthest from anything. The Cove and the Reef are the more deluxe accommodations and offer something unique. They offer a peaceful place to stay, beach and pool in a quiet bahamas setting, without the hussle and busle of the Atlantis next door.
I took the younger three children to the Atlantis
We didn’t miss any school, any Friday birthday parties or
Any activities . TWO DAYS was enough for us…
and here is how it looked:
Saturday Morning
4:30am Taxi to JFK airport for
6:00am Flight
8:45am Landed with one carry on bag** grabbed cab
9:30am We changed in the bathroom into our bathing suits- hit the beach
11:00am Buffet breakfast at the Cove Hotel
12:00n Went Swimming in the Baths Pools
1:30pm Went to the Aqua Adventure Center and Mayan Temple slides
3:00pm Went to the Lazy river Ride
4:00pm Went to see the Underwater Digs - Atlantis and Fish aquariums
5:30pm Dinner in Room via Room Service and Stuart Little to fall asleep
Sunday Morning
7:30am Breakfast Buffet at Mosaic
8:30am Ripples Kids Pool
9:30am Kids went to Kids Club Culinary Experience for one hour
where they all cook something fun while mom gets a one
hour break to visit the adult only pool and read a chapter
of her book
10:30am Swim with the Dolphins at Dolphin Cay at the Atlantis Hotel
12:00n Lunch and beach play feeding fish chex mix
3:00pm Taxi to airport
5:30pm Flight home
**Packed in the bag was PJ for three kids, one bathingsuit and bathing shirt and cover up
one shorts and shirt, one outfit for the plane home and a sweatshirt. THATS IT .Toilette Bag,flip flops THAT’S IT
We flew Jet blue direct from JFK and we returned on Delta through Atlanta or could have returned on Continenal thru Miami for a 7:30pm departure from Nassau !
Enjoy your weekend travels!
Monday, April 19, 2010
On Car Trips
On Car Trips
It is absolutely amazing raising six children in New York City and still having the chance to travel around America. Who knew we were in for the longest family trip of our lives when we signed up to try dog sledding during spring break? A 12-passenger car picked us up at 1:30pm. Now, a 12-passenger car is the size that I would normally use for just my family. But we picked up three more families (for a total of 15 people) for a 30-minute ride to the dogsledding run in the White River National Park.
It was a beautiful, snowy day and we were all excited to enjoy the day’s adventure. Alas, disaster struck: an accident on the one-lane road through the canyon and over the mountain had blocked off the easiest point of access to the run. The half-hour trip became a four-hour trip, with nine other people in the car, stuffed in together in their snowsuits and boots, like puffy sardines. The car was crawling along at one mile-an-hour, so I offered my kids the chance to get out of the car and run along beside us, to give them a bit of freedom and fresh air. The kids, moving faster than the cars on the road, and they enjoyed the offered for the time out of the car in the snow.
The trip could have turned into a disaster, but my kids were fantastic. They played with the other children, and when they weren’t beating the traffic in a running race they stayed in their seats, behaving themselves for hours on end. They were the most well behaved children, and I was so proud of them. It’s amazing to see all the values and life lessons you try to instill in your children finally manifesting themselves in their actions and behavior in these sorts of stressful, tedious situations. When it came to game day, my kids stepped up the plate. And they all hit home runs!
Still, perhaps it was also the fortuitous mix of people in the car that made them so able to handle the situation? I wonder, would it have been the same if it were just the kids and me in the car? Whatever the case, be positive! The time does come when your hard work pays off…
We didn’t have the bus drop us back home, but at the first hotel stop, where I treated my kids to a delicious dinner. Trust me, after that day they deserved to feel special !
It is absolutely amazing raising six children in New York City and still having the chance to travel around America. Who knew we were in for the longest family trip of our lives when we signed up to try dog sledding during spring break? A 12-passenger car picked us up at 1:30pm. Now, a 12-passenger car is the size that I would normally use for just my family. But we picked up three more families (for a total of 15 people) for a 30-minute ride to the dogsledding run in the White River National Park.
It was a beautiful, snowy day and we were all excited to enjoy the day’s adventure. Alas, disaster struck: an accident on the one-lane road through the canyon and over the mountain had blocked off the easiest point of access to the run. The half-hour trip became a four-hour trip, with nine other people in the car, stuffed in together in their snowsuits and boots, like puffy sardines. The car was crawling along at one mile-an-hour, so I offered my kids the chance to get out of the car and run along beside us, to give them a bit of freedom and fresh air. The kids, moving faster than the cars on the road, and they enjoyed the offered for the time out of the car in the snow.
The trip could have turned into a disaster, but my kids were fantastic. They played with the other children, and when they weren’t beating the traffic in a running race they stayed in their seats, behaving themselves for hours on end. They were the most well behaved children, and I was so proud of them. It’s amazing to see all the values and life lessons you try to instill in your children finally manifesting themselves in their actions and behavior in these sorts of stressful, tedious situations. When it came to game day, my kids stepped up the plate. And they all hit home runs!
Still, perhaps it was also the fortuitous mix of people in the car that made them so able to handle the situation? I wonder, would it have been the same if it were just the kids and me in the car? Whatever the case, be positive! The time does come when your hard work pays off…
We didn’t have the bus drop us back home, but at the first hotel stop, where I treated my kids to a delicious dinner. Trust me, after that day they deserved to feel special !
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
On Bikes AND THE RACHEL RAY SHOW
Riding Bikes to school is absolutely Amazing !!! We can not do it all year round because of the weather but now that it is Spring, it is just the best.
Lined up on the sidewalk infront of our house are 5 bikes and one double bike. I ride the
four year old.
We have ONE ROUTE that we take, every day. We do not alter from this route at all. I like this because the older children can ride a bit ahead, but we know where they are !
There is no fussing in the car, we are not starting the morning squeezed in together into a cab. I am not stuck looking for another cab to get home !
Check out Mommy Wommy and her six year old tommorow on the RACHEL RAY SHOW
in the morning on a segment on Bikes !
Lined up on the sidewalk infront of our house are 5 bikes and one double bike. I ride the
four year old.
We have ONE ROUTE that we take, every day. We do not alter from this route at all. I like this because the older children can ride a bit ahead, but we know where they are !
There is no fussing in the car, we are not starting the morning squeezed in together into a cab. I am not stuck looking for another cab to get home !
Check out Mommy Wommy and her six year old tommorow on the RACHEL RAY SHOW
in the morning on a segment on Bikes !
Monday, April 5, 2010
Getting Back Home
Returning from a Vacation
Even though I know I have six children to get settled back into their routines, I do not
focus on this
This will happen.
I feel if I focus on what will happen, I spend the time focusing
on WHAT WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN and miss out on the time I could spend on making
OTHER things happen.
Other things that make me feel excited. Make me feel good, Make me feel whole, Make me feel organized enough so the simple" getting the kids back into their routines," the details ALL THAT just gel into place........and instead I have room to SEE my children, LOVE my children and BE with my children.
You just are NOT going to miss the first day back at school, you are not going to forget lunch or
their after school sport. it just is not going to happen. Will you forget non-uniform day, maybe
but thats ok......gives you the opportunity to give that job to your child if they care enough.
Calender and all marked and maybe showing the First Day of Summer Rolling around.!
I spend a day at my desk, organizing the new Fall Schedule, but while I am at that same desk
at that same time I am emailing groups of friends of mine scheduling couples dinners, girl dinner parties (that start at 6pm and end at 9pm)
My husband asks if I am planning a spring party, a game night and I ponder how to include everyone who is reading my blog! Because my intention is to share happiness !
I spend a day making lists of air conditioner companies to change filters, a bathroom broken faucet to repair......but once these lists are done, they are done. Once they are down they will get done!
We will start riding bikes to school this week. How wonderful to see all six children together
training wheels, bike seats, baskets....all riding in the rise of the daylight to their schools, I am beside them!
So while I am organizing, I am happy. Seeing the faces all my friends who play tennis who
are going to start to play tennis with me outside on top of a hospital in Harlem ! I see myself riding my bike to this Tennis center, through the second avenue subway construction, with my ipod on and headphones blarring......"Put your hands up, singin this song.....from my sons ipod
and there is nothing but joy !
Think about the way you are returning from vacation ......and enjoy these thoughts !
Even though I know I have six children to get settled back into their routines, I do not
focus on this
This will happen.
I feel if I focus on what will happen, I spend the time focusing
on WHAT WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN and miss out on the time I could spend on making
OTHER things happen.
Other things that make me feel excited. Make me feel good, Make me feel whole, Make me feel organized enough so the simple" getting the kids back into their routines," the details ALL THAT just gel into place........and instead I have room to SEE my children, LOVE my children and BE with my children.
You just are NOT going to miss the first day back at school, you are not going to forget lunch or
their after school sport. it just is not going to happen. Will you forget non-uniform day, maybe
but thats ok......gives you the opportunity to give that job to your child if they care enough.
Calender and all marked and maybe showing the First Day of Summer Rolling around.!
I spend a day at my desk, organizing the new Fall Schedule, but while I am at that same desk
at that same time I am emailing groups of friends of mine scheduling couples dinners, girl dinner parties (that start at 6pm and end at 9pm)
My husband asks if I am planning a spring party, a game night and I ponder how to include everyone who is reading my blog! Because my intention is to share happiness !
I spend a day making lists of air conditioner companies to change filters, a bathroom broken faucet to repair......but once these lists are done, they are done. Once they are down they will get done!
We will start riding bikes to school this week. How wonderful to see all six children together
training wheels, bike seats, baskets....all riding in the rise of the daylight to their schools, I am beside them!
So while I am organizing, I am happy. Seeing the faces all my friends who play tennis who
are going to start to play tennis with me outside on top of a hospital in Harlem ! I see myself riding my bike to this Tennis center, through the second avenue subway construction, with my ipod on and headphones blarring......"Put your hands up, singin this song.....from my sons ipod
and there is nothing but joy !
Think about the way you are returning from vacation ......and enjoy these thoughts !
Sunday, March 28, 2010
On Travel
SPRING BREAK SKIING COLORADO
Here are the tips:
Bachelors Gulch Mountain is the first choice for the entire package.
A base mountain hotel, not exclusive to people staying on the mountain
and once the lift closes at 4:30pm the only way out is a shuttle. The base hotel is the pricey Ritz Carlton which is well worth its cost however for a family of six children even the Ritz residences are just too small to warrant their nightly cost of getting two.
As you head up the Mountain their are condo residences, some are as big as attached houses, and arethey rentable as GROUND FLOOR ski into the living room and ski out to the base mountain lift / the deck of the Ritz
Carlton. (Upper units are extremely reasonable.)
When you stay at these units you are welcomed to the Ritz Carlton facilities. Which includes smores every night, music and fire pit
fabulous restaurants and a starting place for most tours and
restaurant KAT departures.
SNOW CLOUD is right next door and heading up the mountain you have
BUCKHORN
TALL TIMBER
HEMMINGBIRD
BEAR PAW
Then there are the SKI PASSES. You must purchase your ski passes on the internet through EPIC PASS in advance. This is much cheaper as the rate here is higher at the mountain. Costing $56.00 per day for a childs lift ticket, $25.00 per day if they are in ski camp. This tickets lets you ski ALL MOUNTAINS in this area and offers many other services:
Here are the tips:
Bachelors Gulch Mountain is the first choice for the entire package.
A base mountain hotel, not exclusive to people staying on the mountain
and once the lift closes at 4:30pm the only way out is a shuttle. The base hotel is the pricey Ritz Carlton which is well worth its cost however for a family of six children even the Ritz residences are just too small to warrant their nightly cost of getting two.
As you head up the Mountain their are condo residences, some are as big as attached houses, and arethey rentable as GROUND FLOOR ski into the living room and ski out to the base mountain lift / the deck of the Ritz
Carlton. (Upper units are extremely reasonable.)
When you stay at these units you are welcomed to the Ritz Carlton facilities. Which includes smores every night, music and fire pit
fabulous restaurants and a starting place for most tours and
restaurant KAT departures.
SNOW CLOUD is right next door and heading up the mountain you have
BUCKHORN
TALL TIMBER
HEMMINGBIRD
BEAR PAW
Then there are the SKI PASSES. You must purchase your ski passes on the internet through EPIC PASS in advance. This is much cheaper as the rate here is higher at the mountain. Costing $56.00 per day for a childs lift ticket, $25.00 per day if they are in ski camp. This tickets lets you ski ALL MOUNTAINS in this area and offers many other services:
*Complete shuttle service between all mountains and all places you are staying.
*COOKIE TIME at the end of Beaver Creek Mountain 3:00pm daily.
*Amazing places on the montains to eat "CABINS" from tableclothes to getting handed the hamburger meat cook your own burger on top of the mountain on massive grills.
*Red information Jacket skiiers who are all over the mountain and seem to be there anytime I fall !
A trick to know is you can buy a friend ski with you pass for $46.00 a day and you are allowed six days on everyones one full price pass. This works better for families staying less than 6 days..
Then there is BEAVER CREEK MOUNTAIN. This is the mainstream center of this entire area and the energy is amazing. Ski school programs from the 3 year olds to the teens are lined up waiting to get in ! Because its fun, the instructors are amazing and the gold mines and candy searches and tee pee parks to ski through are just fun for the kids!
The Park Hyatt seems to be the deck of this area offering luxury at the base of the Mountain....and a scene! If you are staying in this area one way or the other you will spend a great deal of time at the base of this mountain. On the lower level where the ice skating rink are and many choices of shops and restaurants . Ice Caves, Reindeer, Concerts....
The Osprey is just off to the opposite end, where you are actually at the base of the Strawberry lift, which crosses you over to Bachelors Gulch Montain.....and Arrowhead. Both these options are completely ski in and ski out to the SKI VALET.
Arrowhead base mountain is completely low key, and with its self service restaurant and red awnings, its a welcoming place to stop for lunch.
Down the Block is Vail Mountain, and Adventure Ridge, Lionshead at Eagle Basin Gondola. Here is am amazing collection of childrens activities. You take the Gondola up after 2:30pm for free and park for free too!
*Young Discovery Center with Tues and Sat Presentations
*Snowmobiles (my four year old rode his own around a track) *Ski bikes (ages twelve and up, Blue Skiier level) *Bungee Jumping on a Trampoline
*Tubing
In the area there is also Ballooning, Dog Sledding, Sleigh Rides, Hot Springs to soak in,Music inside an ice cave, Family off Ski Challenges.
The sun is shining and Colorado in March in just an amazing place to visit. Raising Six Children in New York City.....we are grateful for the opportunity to be here with our family, safe and skiing!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
On SNOW
Here's all the "S" words you can do in the SNOW .....with your kids!
- Snowboarding
- Skiing
- Swimming
- Steam Springs
- Sledding by Dog Teams
- Smores
- Ski Bikes
- Sky Rope Trampoline Jumping
- Suburban Adventures
- Slope Sledding
- Snow Castle building
- Spa-ing
- Snow Ball Games
- Ski School
- Snow Shoe Treking
- Sleighing
- Snuggling
- Sliding
- Skating
- SkiJouring
- Segway snow trips
- Snowmobile
- Snowman building
- Snow Angels
This is my personal checklist to take pictures of my children in these activities while we are here in the snow on our spring break !
DID I MISS ANY?
Have a great end of Winter, Spring Break and family time with your children !
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