DeliciousBaby Journal

Photo Friday: Khmer Dance School

Khmer dance school in Phnom Penh Cambodia

When the Khmer Rouge controlled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979, the toll wasn't limited to the estimated 1.5 million human lives lost, it was a whole culture. In an effort to return to a simplistic agrarian-based Communist society, the intellectual elite were specifically targeted for "re-education" or even death. Fine arts including weaving, metal work, music, and traditional dance were all but lost.

That's why it was so touching to visit this traditional Khmer dance school, founded by one of the last living traditional dance teachers. As the country rebuilds itself, there is lots of work to be done. Mines to be cleared, roads to be paved, factories and an economy to be rebuilt. But just as important is the education of the children - not just in reading, math, English and the technical skills that will carry Cambodia into the future, but also in the arts that were almost lost forever.

Photo Friday:
Share a favorite travel photo by adding your link below. Please take a moment to make sure that you are linking directly to your photo post instead of your homepage. If your url is longer than 100 characters, you will need to use a url shortening service, like bit.ly

First timers, here is more Information about Photo Friday

Filed Under: photo-friday

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 19, 2009 | 5 comments

What Would You Do in Paris?

D has been obsessed with the Eiffel tower lately. It's not hard, images of it appear everywhere... on the side of the DHL trucks that circle our city, in her story books, and on posters in local businesses. But what does she really think, I wondered? Does all that exposure make her interested in visiting it?

Yesterday as she leafed through a children's picture book of Paris I asked her what she would want to do if we went to Paris together. "Go to the grocery store" she said, flipping immediately to a picture of French pastries. Smart girl. That's my first priority in Paris too.

Inventive treats in the Bon Marche Pastry Case in Paris

What's your first priority on an imaginary trip to Paris?

Related Links
Children's Books About Paris
Paris with Kids

Filed Under: travel-planning travel-stories

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 19, 2009 | 5 comments

Please Join Us for Passports With Purpose

If you have been reading DeliciousBaby since last year, you may remember Passports with Purpose, the travel blogger's fundraiser founded by Pam Mandel of Nerd's Eye View, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Michelle Duffy of WanderMom, and myself. In a few short weeks, with the help of travel bloggers around the world, we raised $7400 for Heifer International. We also gave fabulous prizes to many donors, ranging from hotel rooms to video cameras and high-end travel gear.

Kids outside their floating home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This year we will be fund-raising to build a school in Cambodia through AAfC. We first learned about this program, through an article in the New York Times just as last year's fundraiser was wrapping up. There was no need for discussion, we all knew that this was the right fit for this year's Passports With Purpose fundraiser. As the four of us wrap up our planning, and head towards the launch on Nov 30, I hope you will start thinking about how you can contribute.

Why A School?

One of the things I was struck by on my own visit to Cambodia was the strong spirit of hope, and the desire to rebuild both at a personal level and a national level, the intellectual society and successful economy that had been destroyed by the Khmer Rouge in the late '70s. English language and computer schools seemed to be down every alleyway in Phnom Penh. Parents scrimped to sign young children up for lessons in English and computers and to learn the cultural arts that were all but lost during the Khmer Rouge Regime.

In rural areas, the sense of hope and the desire to rebuild might be just as strong, but the options are more limited. This year Passports with Purpose will establish a school in a rural area whose children have been deprived of any educational facilities. A school provides a much needed alternative to poverty or sex trafficking.

How it Works

Each participating blogger will procure a prize valued at $75 or more and post about it on their blog. A complete list will appear on the Passports with Purpose website. Last year, prizes included travel gear, camera equipment, multi-night hotel stays, and more.

For each $10 in donations that you make to AAfC, you will will be entered to win a prize (or prizes) of your choice. The fundraiser begins on November 30th and closes on December 21. (Complete rules appear on the Passports With Purpose website) All proceeds go directly to AAfC. Get your pocketbooks ready, this is one fundraiser you are not going to want to miss!

How You Can Help

If you are a DeliciousBaby reader: Please come back on Nov 30th for information about how to make a donation. Each $10 donation will not only help build a school, but it will also enter you in a drawing for a travel related prize of your choice (I have an insider's look at the prize list and WOW are they fabulous)
If you have a blog: Consider posting about passports with purpose or even procuring a prize. Not only will you help build a school, but the Passports With Purpose effort can help bring new readers to your blog. Learn more here
If you work for a travel company: A Passports With Purpose sponsorship is a great way to reach out to travelers and travelbloggers. We are also looking for a few more high-quality prizes.

If you are interested in participating, please send email to info AT passportswithpurpose dot com.

Filed Under: blogging passports-with-purpose

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 18, 2009 | 0 comments

Welcome Budget Travel Readers

I'm very excited that Budget Travel's website features an interview about family travel with me today.

About DeliciousBaby
DeliciousBaby is about Traveling with Young Kids. We have lots of tips and helpful advice to make your family vacation easier and more enjoyable. If you are new to DeliciousBaby, you might want to check out some of these useful links and resources:

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We have some great articles about kid friendly destinations, how to make family travel more enjoyable, and tons of practical advice. I'd like to invite you to subscribe to this blog so that you don't miss a thing.

To subscribe by RSS or Email, click the "Subscribe to our Feed" button at the bottom of this post or in the right hand column on our home page.

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 16, 2009 | 0 comments

Weekly Links: Favorite Travel Stories and Giveaways

Here are a few stories I enjoyed this week.

I especially enjoyed this reflective post from the father of a family who went around the world describing the enduring impact of the trip even two years later

These pictures of a family road trip through Yellowstone National Park are making me jealous... and will hopefully inspire me to plan a Yellowstone trip for my own family.

Did you ever wonder what it would be like to spend the winter in Alaska? Here's a list of winter activities in Anchorage

This post about an unexpected snake encounter in Marrakech made me laugh

Giveaways

Enter to win this travel purse made by Overland Equipment Company

If you have a child who gets motion-sickenss, you might enter this queasy pop giveaway

If you are running a travel related giveaway and would like to be listed here fill out my giveaways form

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 15, 2009 | 1 comment

Photo Friday: First ICEE

First ICEE at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA

I often write about what I hope the kids will get out of travel. A sense of their place in the world, a more open-minded attitude towards differences, a sense of history, and more. But sometimes travel is just fun. I'm more likely to introduce some special childhood treat on vacation, in the knowledge that we I won't face weekly (or daily) begging for a repeat.

A hot day, a tired kid, and an opportunity to learn just how red your tongue can get! What could be better?

First timers, here is more Information about Photo Friday

Filed Under: photo-friday

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 12, 2009 | 12 comments

What is Your Favorite Airplane Toy?

I have whole lists of travel toys and tons of ideas about how to keep kids busy even without toys, yet as the kids grow older, I'm always on the lookout for new "plane toys."

Lately, we've been playing a lot with small Playmobil sets, Little Dover Activity Books, and the kids have really gotten into making their own puppets out of the barf bags. I've also been loving card games, even if the kids don't understand the original rules, we can usually figure out something fun to do with a few colorful cards.

I'm interested in hearing some new ideas... what are your favorite ways to entertain your kids on an airplane (or in a restaurant)? Tell me in comments.

Filed Under: flying-with-kids travel-gear travel-tips travel-toys

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 12, 2009 | 11 comments

Two Years Ago on DeliciousBaby

Two years ago, we took the kids to Barcelona, Madrid and Sevilla

It was the first big trip we did with both kids, and now that the specific details have faded from memory, I can safely say that we "enjoyed every minute." In all seriousness, though I'm sure the trip had its dramas and difficulties, it's the more pleasant memories that remain with me. We celebrated D's first birthday in Barcelona, realized how muc better train travel is than plane on the high speed train from Sevilla to Madrid, and even managed to enjoy the Alcazar, the Miro Museum and the Prado Museum with two kids under the age of three! My favorite memory by far has to be the look on E's face as he tried the IDEAL toddler food for the first time Churros and Chocolate at the best Xocolateria in Barcelona.

Does any of this sound appealing? Our city guides include our best tips and recommendations from the trip, and you'll find links to each of the old blog posts on the right hand side of each city guide.

Barcelona With Kids
Madrid With Kids
Sevilla

Filed Under: travel-stories

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 10, 2009 | 4 comments

Packing an Airplane Busy Bag

Packing a travel busy bag is tricky business. Pack too little and you'll be trying to turn napkins into toys. Pack too much, and your backpack will be so heavy that you are sorry you ever left home. Last week I posted a picture of our most recent travel busy bag, and now I want to share my thoughts on how to build your own. After four-plus years of experimenting, here are my best tips for packing an airline busy bag.

E is entranced by his train coloring book

What makes a good airplane toy?
Some stores would have you believe that the perfect travel toy is expensive and intricately designed. Instead, I find that a selection of simple, well designed toys works best. The ideal toy is:

Quiet
Compact
Small pieces are easy to contain so that they don't end up on the floor, and loosing a piece doesn't destroy the play value of the entire toy
Not so precious that you would mind loosing it
Not fragile
Preferably no batteries (or if there are batteries, make sure they are fresh)
Engaging. Self contained crafts are especially great, but be wary of crafts that might make a mess or contain smelly glues or paints.
Can be played with independently or with a parent

Here is a list of some of my favorite travel toys

What makes a good "mix"

Choose toys that let your child engage in different types of play - for example, instead of four coloring books you would have one coloring book and some action figures or other manipulative toys. Instead of four cars, you might have a car, a driver, a bicycle and a horse.
Choose toys that work well together. For example, I might start with a Playmobil person and horse. When that gets boring, I could add a stroller, or a wheelchair or a car to the mix. Ask your child to draw a road a piece of paper, and let them "drive" a toy car on the road.
Include something soothing, like a storybook.
Plan to let the kids shop for some special new toys at your destination. You can use them on the return journey.
A good rule of thumb is one brand new toy per hour, along with some old favorites.
Be sure to bring along a few toys that are intended for the return flight. If you use more toys than you had planned on the outbound flight, you can always pick up something new at your destination.

Where to look for toys
You can find good toys almost anywhere. It helps to keep an eye out for travel toys throughout the year, and stow them in your empty suitcase until you need them. Here are some of my favorite places to find airplane goodies.

Craft stores often have self contained crafts for under a dollar
Target dollar area
Independent toystores often have "goodie bag stuffers" in bins near the front of the store
Japanese dollar stores, like Daiso have a particularly engaging selection of sticker books, cute pens, snack containers and other trinkets
Large toy stores often have a good selection of the smallest Lego and Playmobil sets
Teacher supply stores sell engaging, educational, small toys meant to be used as rewards in the classroom
What else can your child play with?
Keep an open mind, and you'll find lots to do without breaking into your busy bag!
- Neighbors (assuming they are interested and willing)
- Snacks
- Anything in the seat pocket. For example, my kids are always interested in the emergency information cards and in learning how all of the various doors on the plane open. Even the barf bag can be made into a puppet or used in play.
- Your personal electronics, including an iPhone with games, a camera loaded with pictures or an iPod loaded with kid-friendly music
- A parent! The best way to ensure good airplane behavior is to pay lots of attention to your child when they first get on the plane - if your home is as busy as mine, that's a rare treat that kids will, quite literally, bend over backwards to encourage.
- Here are some more tips for keeping your child busy on a plane without using toys.
On the Go With Your Busy Bag
- Wait to bring out your busy bag until you've exhausted all the "built-in" entertainment.
- Try not to open the busy bag in the airport terminal. As exhausted as you might be, the terminal is the place for your child to stretch their legs and, if possible, run.
- Dole out the items one by one, making sure that play is exhausted before starting another
- Consider wrapping each item. Young children are so thrilled with unwrapping "gifts" that they won't mind if you wrap something they already own.
Related Links
Favorite Travel Toys
Ten Great Travel Toys You Already Have at Home
Ten Tips for Keeping a Toddler Busy on a Plane
Flying With Babies, Toddlers, and Kids

Filed Under: flying-with-kids travel-tips

Save to del.icio.us | Posted on November 9, 2009 | 4 comments