To honor the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the 100 year anniversary of the trees in our nation's capitol, all 10 Kimpton Hotels in Washington, DC and Virginia are offering a "Blossoms & Bubbles” Package starting at $229 which includes deluxe accommodations, a gift of locally handcrafted cherry blossom soap, $30 credit toward parking or dining, and bubbles for kids at check-in. Use the link above or rate code BLOOM.
Admission to America's nearly 400 national parks is free during National Park Week! This year the dates are from Saturday, April 21 and runs until Sunday, April 29.
This year my kids wore Patagonia's down sweater vests under their ski jackets to keep warm, and they worked just great since they're lightweight, breathe well, and don't cause friction with other layers. It would be a pricy purchase, if I hadn't bought them on an end-of-season closeout last year. Now's your chance, Amazon has Patagonia Down Sweaters beginning at $40
Weekly deals always represent a savings over standard rates or represent a special package that is attractive to families. Advertisers may purchase a listing in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals, and I verify that the deal is available at press time and that it would be attractive to DeliciousBaby readers. Some links may be affiliates links, which means that I receive a small commission if you make a purchase at the site (don't worry, it doesn't cost you more) If you are interested in information about being listed in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals post, please send me email: debbie AT deliciousbaby DOT com.
Saint Patrick's day is just around the corner, and the grocery stores are fully stocked with Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Guinness Beer. We're making an effort to learn a little more about Irish culture this year with the kids, and one great way to do that is by reading traditional stories.
Tales from Old Ireland
Tales from Old Ireland has seven traditional stories, beautifully illustrated in one volume. Each of the stories is also read aloud on a CD that you can listen to at home or (as we do) in the car. The stories are fairly long, and though the book is illustrated, it's print-heavy making it best suited for kids who are already listening to or reading chapter books.
Though they're told in pragmatic language, the stories themselves have a mystical quality that most modern stories do not. Witches can turn you into a goose or banish you from the kingdom if it suits their needs. A cloak of darkness can give a domestic servant magical powers. All the scary elements of a traditional tale are here, and yet somehow my kids were fascinated with them though most movies make them cover their eyes in fear at some point. Still, I'd say these stories are too intense for most kids under age 4, and parents might want to wait until age 5 or 6 before introducing them.
Reader Question: Do you have any favorite Irish story books?
Tales from Old Ireland was given to me by the publisher, Barefoot Books to review. Because the total value of the books given to me for review exceeded $40 I have donated them to my childrens' school library. If you buy the book using the Amazon link at the end of the post, I earn a small commission, and that income helps me keep the site going.
We're usually light travelers, but something about the combination of the first real road trip in our new minivan, winter weather and a kitchen at our destination made me throw caution to the wind. And somehow, my shock and embarrassment at seeing how *much* there was once it was loaded on a baggage cart only spurred me to document our excess.
To honor the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the 100 year anniversary of the trees in our nation's capitol, all 10 Kimpton Hotels in Washington, DC and Virginia are offering a "Blossoms & Bubbles” Package starting at $229 which includes deluxe accommodations, a gift of locally handcrafted cherry blossom soap, $30 credit toward parking or dining, and bubbles for kids at check-in. Use the link above or rate code BLOOM.
Admission to America's nearly 400 national parks is free during National Park Week! This year the dates are from Saturday, April 21 and runs until Sunday, April 29.
Weekly deals always represent a savings over standard rates or represent a special package that is attractive to families. Advertisers may purchase a listing in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals, and I verify that the deal is available at press time and that it would be attractive to DeliciousBaby readers. Some links may be affiliates links, which means that I receive a small commission if you make a purchase at the site (don't worry, it doesn't cost you more) If you are interested in information about being listed in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals post, please send me email: debbie AT deliciousbaby DOT com.
I'm super excited to have been quoted in this morning's New York Times in an article about gear that makes traveling with kids easier Thanks for stopping by DeliciousBaby to check it out!
Here are the products that I recommended based on our own personal experiences:
The CARES Harness can be used on a plane instead of a carseat and folds up small enough for your purse. I own two of them!
My Maclaren Techno Stroller has been a workhorse that carried my kids over the cobbled streets of Rome and the bridges of Istanbul. The only time we've replaced it was when the airline lost one!
I carried both Eilan and Darya in the Ergo Baby Carrier for as long as I could. It's so useful to have your hands free when you travel, and the babies just snuggle up and go to sleep.
The BubbleBum Inflatable Booster Car Seat is a new product that shows promise for trips where you need a booster at the destination. It's inexpensive and also works well for carpools. Here's a link to my full BubbleBum Review
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:
What is it about a child curling up to sleep in an oversized hotel bed that is so endearing? I'll never know exactly, but I must have over 100 photos of my kids either at bedtime or sound asleep in various hotel rooms.
All 10 Kimpton Hotels in Washington, DC and Virginia are offering a “Blossoms & Bubbles” Package starting at $229 which includes deluxe accommodations, a gift of locally handcrafted cherry blossom soap, $30 credit toward parking or dining, and bubbles for kids at check-in. Use the link above or rate code BLOOM. I've stayed at several Kimpton hotels over the years, and I've always enjoyed the creative decor, in room goldfish, and welcoming kids program.
Amazon Mom gives you free two day shipping and special discounts on diapers and other baby gear. Its a great program for saving money, and I've used it to order travel toys at the last minute, order diapers to my destination, and even to order carseats to keep at the grandparents' houses. The program was closed to new participants until this week. If you think you would buy diapers or other gear online, now is the time to sign up.
EBags is offering an Extra 20% Off + Free Shipping on Orders over $99
Weekly deals always represent a savings over standard rates or represent a special package that is attractive to families. Advertisers may purchase a listing in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals, and I verify that the deal is available at press time and that it would be attractive to DeliciousBaby readers. Some links may be affiliates links, which means that I receive a small commission if you make a purchase at the site (don't worry, it doesn't cost you more) If you are interested in information about being listed in DeliciousBaby's weekly deals post, please send me email: debbie AT deliciousbaby DOT com.
In between errands the kids and I are often out and about in downtown Seattle. I've become a master at finding inexpensive activities that the kids will enjoy, and I thought I'd share them in this post. If you know of one I've missed, please add it in comments.
The kids enjoy a maze temporarily set up outside Westlake Center in Seattle
Shopping Area
If you're stroller free, hop on a bus in the free ride zone (note that while busses are free downtown, this doesn't include light rail)
Everest just loves a bus ride
Try to make it through the rain wall at Westlake Park (across from Westlake Center) without getting wet
Dry of with a cup of hot chocolate in the Dilettante Mocha Cafe in Westlake Center
Take in the view at the Columbia Tower Starbucks on the 40th floor. It's not as glamorous as the observation deck on the 73rd floor ($5 per person) but it's free.
Check out the Chihuly art glass installation at City Centre Shopping Center (1420 5th Ave # 450) or the Sheraton Seattle Hotel
Watch the street performers do their thing
You never know what the street artists might be doing!
Have a snack as rock climbers reach new heights at the indoor wall in the Medical Dental Building (511 Olive Way between 5th Ave & 6th Ave)
Cuddle up with a book (or play at the train table) at Barnes and Noble in Pacific Place Shopping Center
Darya checks out a book at Barnes and Noble's Children's Section in Downtown Seattle
Pick up a free map at the Downtown Seattle information booth outside of Westlake Center, and then plot your path for the day
Run circles around the saltwater and freshwater fish tanks in the Nordstrom Children's Department
Station art at Beacon Hill Link Light Rail Station
Even though it's not really an activity, I can't resist adding Daiso, the Japanese dollar store, in Westlake Center. This is where you pick up stickers, Japanese erasers, cute notebooks and other items to get you through that 3-course meal you're dragging the kids to tonight.
Darya can't resist the lure of the Daiso Japanese Dollar store in Downtown Seattle
Soundbridge, the kids music museum at Benaroya Hall has drop in musical storytelling and music making classes for kids age 2-5 Wednesday through Saturday. Adult admission is $5 and kids under 5 are free. check here for a calendar of events.
Enjoy the "flashing cars" and free crafts in the fee areas of the Seattle Art Museum
Pick up a single piece of chocolate or a fabulously rich chocolaty drink at my favorite chocolate shop in town. Fran's Chocolates. The gray salt caramels are a local favorite.
Pick up a half-dozen mini donuts for under $3 at the Daily Dozen Donut company (located at the entrance to Pike Place Market
Sit on the big piggy bank in front of Pike Place Market
Watch the fish fly by at Pike Place Fish Company
Buy a balloon from the balloon man at Pike Place Market - you set the price
Ride the monorail from Westlake Center to Seattle Center and back again ($2.25 for Adults and $1 for kids age 5-12)
Hear the Seattle Symphony's 26-foot (eight-meter) tall, 4,490-pipe Watjen concert organ in Benaroya Hall at one of the symphony's free recitals, held Mondays at 12:30 p.m. on a bimonthly basis
I don't think I play favorites, but I'll admit that I just can't get enough of Darya right now. At five, she's astoundingly capable, but still adorably naive. She smells sweetly sweaty when she sleeps, and for her there's still magic in the world. Most wonderfully of all, she thinks I'm the most glamorous person in the world, even at the end of a long day.
I just can't squeeze those baby cheeks enough. How long until they disappear?
Still, in the daily grind of getting everyone up, off to school, pickup, making dinner, and the ride home she's the classic middle child. Too old to need help getting ready, and not old enough to impress me by being the first child to multiply two numbers together. When I can, I try to offset that tendency to get lost by celebrating some of the things that set Darya apart from her two brothers. She hasn't fallen into all the girly stereotypes, but certainly Darya is the only person in our home with an American Girl Doll fixation.
The Grand Hyatt Hotel here in Seattle is offering an American Girl Doll Package, that seemed like a perfect opportunity to grab a girls-only getaway without disrupting our home routine too much. (The hotel very graciously offered to host Darya and I so that we could try it out.) The kids would do their usual Saturday morning ski run with daddy before Darya and I headed out for our slumber party. We'd be back by lunchtime the next day, but I hoped that with almost zero drive-time we'd squeeze in lots of fun.
Anticipation...
Darya had very little idea what was planned, just that I'd requested she pack "Rebecca." Every toy has a story, and Darya's American Girl doll was given to her by her grandparents for Hanukkah this year. Rebecca is the Jewish American Girl doll, and a likely choice for a girl whose great-great grandparents immigrated from Russia at the same time as Rebecca's family. Darya has already learned a lot about the immigrant experience and Lower-East Side New York through books like All-Of-A-Kind Family and The Castle on Hester Street, but we've been gradually working our way through the Rebecca books too, and both kids have been fascinated to see how kids used to live. "Grab Rebecca" I reminded her as we headed to the car. Darya was curious, but totally unaware of what she should expect.
Imagine her surprise when she opened the hotel room door. What is that on the bed?
Darya drops her gear and runs to check out Rebecca's cozy new bed
A cozy bed, blanket and pillow for Rebecca - pink and perfect, and Darya's to bring home with her. What a rush - Darya couldn't drop her backpack and jacket quickly enough to dash over and check it out. She cautiously unwrapped it and tested the bed out before checking out the milk and cookies that were also included in our package.
Darya admires the view at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seattle
"It's too early to put Rebecca to bed, mom, what are we doing next?" A fancy dinner, far out of town, I promised. Put your best clothes on. Normally I'd object as Darya selected striped sweat pants and her sparkiest shoes for an upscale restaurant, but somehow that seemed like just the thing for our real destination... the Bistro at the American Girl Doll Store at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood (about 25 minutes drive from downtown).
Dinner at the American Girl Bistro in Lynnwood, Washington
We've cautiously kept the American Girl Doll store a secret. The catalogs too, Darya has no idea they exist. It's a slippery slope, and there's no turning back once your child finds out about all those outfits and accessories. So you can imagine Darya's surprise when she spotted the American Girl logo as we walked through the mall. "MOM, Look at THAT!!!" Oh, I responded casually, did you want to stop in for a minute or two before our dinner reservation?
Darya admires her doll's period outfits at the American Girl Doll Store in Lynnwood, WA
It's wonderful! A full case of Rebecca dolls, outfits and accessories were stationed by the front door, and Darya had to check out every detail. As hungry as she was (it was already well past our normal dinnertime) I practically had to drag Darya across the room to the 1950's styled perfectly pink American Girl Bistro (she'd been totally oblivious to it on the way in).
Mom, can I take it ALL home?
Rebecca joined us in a seat of her own, and a cup of tea (or perhaps it was hot chocolate) was set down in front of her.
We ordered our own food - not cheap, but reasonably priced. Mac and cheese decorated for a bread star and a fruit skewer ($7.50) for Darya, and salmon with vegetables ($14.95) for me. And did I mention the entertainment? It seemed like every table other than ours was celebrating a birthday, and Darya's eyes seemed to open wider with each rendition of "Happy Birthday." By the time we left, she was bubbling over with plans about how she'd convince Everest (his birthday is next in our family) to celebrate at the American Girl Doll store. Knowing her, she'll make it happen - she's a force to be reckoned with!
What should I do next?
After dinner we got the full tour of the store - it's small compared to the stores in Chicago or New York, but Darya must have spent an hour pouring over the outfits. In need of a little TLC herself, Rebecca stopped in at the salon where got a lesson in how to brush and re-curl her hair.
Rebecca gets her hair brushed and re-curled at the American Girl Doll store
Exhausted, and totally on mental overload with all the American Girl doll outfit and accessory options, Darya and I headed back to the hotel where we cuddled up for bedtime in one of the two queen beds. ("The other one is for JUMPING," Darya had announced upon our arrival). I'm normally up long after the kids are asleep, but on this night I just let sleep take me. Between the blackout curtains, Darya's steady breathing and the quiet room, neither one of us woke until 9am, a welcome break for a busy momma.
Good night Rebecca
All curled up for sleep at the Grand Hyatt Seattle
And how did the boys fare? We've been talking for weeks about moving Eilan into Everest's room, but have been hesitant to take the plunge. With me out of the way, Peyman took the opportunity to kick things off right with an all-boys slumber party of their own.
We were guests of the Grand Hyatt Seattle on this trip. The hotel gave us all the elements of their American Girl Doll Package including a doll bed, milk and cookies, and a $25 gift certificate to use at the American Girl Doll Store. The hotel did not require that I express a particular point of view, and I always strive to present a fair and balanced review regardless of who is paying the bill.
Shall we let Darya choose our Passports with Purpose Charity for next year?
Darya and I had a special dinner together at the American Girl Doll store just north of Seattle last weekend. On the table, there are questions to ask one another while you wait for your food. I thought this one was apropos since we're in the process of selecting a charity for the 2012 Passports with Purpose fundraiser
Darya's suggestion for this year was that we raise $100,000 to buy clothing for American Girl Dolls who don't have any. I suspect she was thinking of her Rebecca doll specifically, who owns only the clothes she came home from the store in. And while that seems like a worthy cause, were still looking for other suggestions. If you've got one, feel free to send me email or comment below. Before you do, you can learn more about causes we like to fund.
About Me I'm Debbie, mother of three delicious kids and I write about traveling with little kids. That's my daughter in the backpack and my son in Paris on Halloween.
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has seven traditional stories, beautifully illustrated in one volume. Each of the stories is also read aloud on a CD that you can listen to at home or (as we do) in the car. The stories are fairly long, and though the book is illustrated, it's print-heavy making it best suited for kids who are already listening to or reading chapter books. 
for $72 off regular price and the 
for $80 off of retail!
can be used on a plane instead of a carseat and folds up small enough for your purse. I own two of them!
has been a workhorse that carried my kids over the cobbled streets of Rome and the bridges of Istanbul. The only time we've replaced it was when the airline lost one!
is a new product that shows promise for trips where you need a booster at the destination. It's inexpensive and also works well for carpools. Here's a link to my full 
and 
, but we've been gradually working our way through the Rebecca books too, and both kids have been fascinated to see how kids used to live. "Grab Rebecca" I reminded her as we headed to the car. Darya was curious, but totally unaware of what she should expect.
(Amazon)
