Every year, on the first day of spring, we head down to my in-laws house for the highlight of the Persian year. No Ruz, or Persian New Year, is an all-night celebration. Everyone dresses in new clothing, and every house is graced by an intricately decorated table like this one. The "Haft Sin" table (or seven-"S's" table) at its most basic would have seven items, each beginning with the Persian letter "S" but my mother-in-law seems to outdo the previous year's display with each passing year. Here's a list of the symbolic items:
- sabzeh: wheat, barley or lentil sprouts growing in a dish - symbolizing rebirth
- samanu: a sweet pudding made from wheat germ - symbolizing affluence
- senjed: the dried fruit of the oleaster tree - symbolizing love
- sîr: garlic - symbolizing medicine
- sîb: apples - symbolizing beauty and health
- somaq: sumac berries - symbolizing (the color of) sunrise
- serkeh: vinegar - symbolizing age and patience
(source
wikipidia)
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I received both complimentary tickets to LEGOLAND and a complimentary room and brunch at the Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad California. I received no other compensation besides these items, and the neither company expressed any requirement that I express a particular point of view. I always strive to present a balanced view of any product or service that I review and I do not accept pay-per-post or pay-per-positive reviews. On the rare occasion that I do accept a free service from a sponsor I will always let you know.
Both kids woke up bubbly and happy this morning, despite the late bedtime last night. I hustled them out of the room, hoping to let my husband sleep in a little, and walked them (still in PJs) to the Four Season's breakfast buffet.
Surprisingly, this is the first time I've ever taken the kids to a buffet alone, and I hadn't quite considered the logistics of getting three plates and two kids back to our table without grinding strawberries and yogurt into the dining room carpet. It's funny how each time I think I have traveling with kids "mastered" some new (innocent seeming) challenge rears its head. As I juggled the loaded plates, we somehow managed to return to the table without any significant incidents. E helped out by carrying his own plate, forgetting to use two hands a few times, so that I ended up with a handful of (thankfully untrampled) berries in my hand by the time we reached our table. I'm hardly as elegant as the ladies who graced the ballroom of the Four Seasons the night before in their Manalos, but possibly just as happy.
The effort was worthwhile. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I love a good buffet.
Having chosen their own food, (and perhaps because of the unlimited berries - a rare winter treat in our own home) the kids seemed more satisfied than they usually are. When they finished eating they were shockingly content to sit and draw with crayons as my husband joined us for his own meal.
The weather forecast predicted rain for today, a rarity at any time of year in Carlsbad. As we left the hotel the clouds looked threatening, but as we pulled into the LEGOLAND parking lot, they unleashed the kind of downpour that we rarely see in Seattle. Most of the LEGOLAND park is in the open air, so we headed into LEGOLAND's new SEA-LIFE aquarium exhibit instead.
Unfortunately, everyone else at the park seemed to have the same idea, and with no covered waiting area it seemed like everyone was being allowed in all at once. The small spaces, meant for up-close viewing of the animals were overwhelmed and it was tough to keep track of the kids. We worked our way through the maze-like exhibit quickly, pausing briefly in less crowded spots for the kids to inspect the fish up close or even touch an anemone in one of the open pools .
Luckily the rain let up by the time we exited, and we decided to brave the park itself. Gradually the clouds receded, and the air warmed up, yet the park remained mercifully clear of the spring-break throngs who I assume were scared away by the morning rain.
Our first stop was MINILAND, where replicas of cities like New York, New Orleans and Washington DC are constructed entirely out of LEGO. The kids were fascinated by the moving LEGO models, and E kept asking us "how do they do that." This was one "museum exhibit" where we had to work to keep the kids moving instead of working to keep them engaged.
As we worked our way through the park, and as the weather cleared, our spirits rose. Most of the rides were gentle enough for D and E, making it easy to work our way through the park without accidentally ending up on a scary ride. Better yet, with the park nearly empty, we waltzed onto each ride without waiting. The kids were thrilled to swoosh around in toddler sized airplanes and surge up to the air in helicopters.
The highlight for E was the "Volvo Junior Driving School." Unlike Disneyland's Autopia, where cars sized to fit teens or adults drive around a track on rails, the Driving School cars were sized to fit a single preschooler. E has been talking for months about the car he wants to buy when he is old enough - a white car that he will paint brown and write his name on. He complains almost daily about the long wait until he is sixteen. You can imagine that E was beyond excited as he climbed into a small, blue car all by himself, and found that he could reach the gas pedal and steering wheel. He cruised around the track with a bump here and a bonk there and a priceless grin on his face. Leaving for the day, he talked incessantly about the car, almost as if he couldn't really believe what had happened and he needed us to reconfirm that it wasn't just a delicious dream.
As we drove back to my in-laws house in Orange County, the kids chattered happily in the car, scattered LEGO bricks across the floor and seats, and finally drifted off to sleep. I kept listening for snippets of sleep-talk, but since there wasn't any, I can only imagine what memories filled their heads. With the park a mere hour-and-a-half from my in-laws house, I imagine we'll be back on a future visit.
Related Links:
Carlsbad and LegoLand with Kids
Carlsbad with Kids Day 1
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Posted on March 31, 2009 |
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This article includes a review of a complimentary hotel room at the Four Seasons Aviara in Carlsbad California. I received no other compensation besides the hotel stay and brunch, and the hotel did not express any requirement that I express a particular point of view. I do not accept pay-per-post or pay-per-positive reviews, and on the rare occasion that I do accept a free service from a sponsor I will always let you know..
There's nothing quite like pulling up to the valet at a Four Seasons Hotel after even a short road trip with two toddlers. As we wound down the drive, I was so busy ogling the beautiful flowers and fountain that I didn't pause to consider the state of the car (or myself). The moment the car stopped, the race was on... would I dust off the cracker crumbs and unearth my once-presentable self in time? Or would the valet find his shoes buried in an avalanche of art projects and sippy cups? I won't say who won, but I will say it was a far cry from the last time I pulled into a Four Seasons Hotel - 9 years ago in my spotless wedding dress.
I've been curious about the kids-amenities at the Four Seasons for quite a while. The chain is one of very few that promises amenities beyond a free stuffed animal or cookies at the checkin desk, but I was curious. . . would the kid-friendly perks really make our stay easier, or would they just feel like a gimmick? When I learned that there was a Four Seasons property just a few miles away from LEGOLAND, it seemed like the perfect place to spend a night before visiting the park with friends.
Accepting freebies is always a little bit tricky - I'm careful to present a balanced point of view about anything I review, but in general I choose to only spend my time reviewing products and services that I think I will be likely to be able to recommend. Vacation time is precious, and I don't want to waste a minute of it on a product or service that doesn't meet my needs, free or not. With the Four Seasons, I actually worried about the opposite. We rarely stay in a hotel this nice with the kids, and I worried a bit that I would be so enamored of the overall level of comfort and service that I would gloss over whether the stay was actually easier with kids (or just fancier).
Our arrival was not much different than it would have been at any other upscale hotel, a bellhop took our bags from the trunk and the valet took our car keys. We unloaded the kids, and headed inside. Gradually, the differences revealed themselves though. As I registered, the kids were greeted by name (I had supplied their names and ages when I booked the room) and the receptionist brought out a "toy wagon" filled with goodies. Free toys don't normally sway me, (I travel with a nice stash of small travel toys, and our kids are hardly toy-deprived) Still, the kites the kids selected were a nice touch, and they enjoyed using them later that day at the beach.
The biggest difference was the room itself. Each of the room's low tables was dressed in a padded edge guard. There was a diaper pail in the bathroom, and the crib was stocked with the kind of baby essentials that you might be low on or have forgotten at home (soap, wipes, a few diapers, and most surprisingly a high-quality swim diaper). The room itself was as gorgeous as you might expect, with plush carpets and the requisite high thread count sheets and marble bathroom. But what impressed the kids were the kid-sized robes and slippers laid out on the bed - each one topped with a stuffed animal. E has never paid more than a passing interest in any of the countless stuffed animals he's been given in the past, but for some reason, this one really made an impression. It's the first animal he ever named (characteristically, my little literalist named it "Teddy") and he has insisted on taking it with him everywhere since he got it.
Those thoughtful touches didn't mean that we got to stop being diligent parents though - an unlocked mini-bar sat at toddler height, a blown glass dish filled with candies graced the coffee table, and in general we still had to watch the kids and keep them safe in the room, just as we always do. Still, having the most time consuming parts of babyproofing the hotel room done in advance saved us time and stress.
Next stop, the beach! Though they enjoyed the hotel, the kids had been chattering about the beach all day. When we asked the hotel's valet for directions to the closest beach (about 7 minutes away by car), he suggested that we drive a little bit further, recommending a beach with a playground. He also suggested a local fish shop where we could pick up fresh fish tacos for a picnic. Both suggestions were great!
We spent little time at the actual beach. Instead, we found a shady spot on the grass next to the playground, and set up our picnic. The kids snacked, played in the sand filled play area, and slid down the slide while we relaxed. D was delighted to help fly her very own kite, yelling and screeching as it rose high in the air and then swung back down. We enjoyed yummy fish tacos.
Eventually we returned to the hotel to check out the pool area. Though it certainly wasn't as enormous as the pool at the resort in Phoenix, it was more easily accessible. We appreciated the extra services like terry-wrapped lounge chairs and poolside service. The kids spent most of their time in the kiddie pool. I'm always amazed at how entertaining a wading pool is for toddlers - even when their parents neglect to pack a single pool toy. E, who was terrified during swimming lessons as a baby, has finally gotten comfortable with the water, and pulls himself around using his arms, claiming to be "swimming." I think he's finally ready to try lessons again this summer!
After a long tiring day, we were finally ready for dinner. Unfortunately, the kids were probably about an hour past dinner time, and when D started melting down in the car, we quickly diverted from reader-recommended Nozomi Sushi to the far less glamorous El Pollo Loco that happened to be among the first fast food restaurants to cross our path. Sometimes fast and reliable is simply more important than great.
With D's appetite sated, we loaded everyone back in the car. When D gets overwrought, getting her to sleep is an exercise in frustration. Being in a shared hotel room makes it worse because the drama she creates prevents her brother from sleeping too. Instead of muddling through, my husband dropped E and I off at the hotel while he drove D around to sleep.
A little older and less tired, E was clearly satisfied with his day. He surprised me by cooperating with every aspect of getting into bed. As I draw closer to my due date, I've craved time with E more and more - perhaps because I know that I will expect the most independence from him during those exhausting first months. The problem is that, as he grows, he craves independence, and he's not always as open to cuddling and affection. For some reason, tonight was special and I'm incredibly grateful for the moments we had together. Without daddy or sister around, we snuggled up together in the huge king-sized bed and I sang E to sleep just like I used to when he was a baby.
Related Links:
Carlsbad, CA (and LegoLand) with Kids
Day 2 in Carlsbad
Four Seasons Aviara Review
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I'm excited to announce my latest giveaway, two clek olli booster seats
. Two winners will each receive one clek olli booster seat, valued at $90 in the pattern of their choice.
The clek olli is a belt-positioning booster seat. It is compact, attaches quickly and securely using your car's latch system, and comes in some very fun patterns. Because neither of my children is booster-seat age, I have not tested this product myself, but I feel confident giving it away because it gets reviews in other publications and on Amazon.
This Giveaway is now closed. To learn about new giveaways as they become available, please 
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I will be giving the clek olli booster seats away to two lucky readers. If you would like a chance to win, leave a comment before 11:59PM PST on Monday April 6 2009 and tell me which booster seat pattern best suits your child and why. I have included several booster seat patterns in this post, and you can see the full selection on the clek website
Please include your email address in the comment form (your email isn't shared with anyone, and I will not send you email unless you win).
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We will choose a winner randomly and announce the results here on Tuesday April 7 2009. Many thanks to clek for generously sponsoring this giveaway.
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Please, only one comment per person per giveaway post (except as outlined above where the comment is related to an extra entry). Duplicate comments and Anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment form is valid (email addresses are never public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. A Sweepstakes winner's failure to respond to the prize notification within the specified three business days will be considered such Sweepstakes winner's forfeiture of the prize and an alternate winner may be selected from the pool of eligible entries. If an entrant is found to be ineligible, an alternate winner may also be selected from the pool of eligible entries. To enter, you must be a U.S. resident, age 18 or older. Employees, partners and vendors of DeliciousBaby and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter. We will disqualify any entries that we believe are generated by scripts and other automated technology. When applicable, the winner may be required to execute and return within five business days an Affidavit of Eligibility and a Liability and Publicity Release to be eligible for the prize or an alternate winner will be selected. All prizes will be awarded. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that DeliciousBaby reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize.
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This weekend, I taught a class at the Rick Steves Travel Center about traveling with kids! Several people have asked for copies of the slides, so I'm posting them here. Enjoy!
Related Links
Flying With Kids
Travel Gear for Flying With Kids
Favorite Travel Toys
Family Packing Lists
Jet Lag and Babies, Toddlers, and Kids
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For any foodie, a trip to the Farmer's Market on Vancouver's Granville Island is a must. While I could wander for hours, my kids are ready to move on after the first snack. To keep everyone happy, my husband walks the kids across the street to the Kids Market where they can play in a multi-story indoor play structure (complete with a ball room) for just a few dollars while I graze my way through the remainder of the market.
Related Links
Vancouver With Kids
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This is a reader question from Kerry, new reader who wants to know how to co-sleep safely while traveling
Hi, I have recently started reading your blog - so much great information! I saw on the Travel Crib Light giveaway that you generally co-sleep on your trips. Do you do anything to make the beds in hotels safer for your kids? Do you have any portable rails or anything like that? We are traveling with our 1-year-old soon on a cruise, and I have been thinking about whether we want to find something portable to make the bed safer. Thanks for any tips that you can offer!
First a disclaimer: I am not a co-sleeping or safety expert, and while we've never had a problem, it is important to recognize that babies do die each year from suffocation or other dangers while co-sleeping. That said, we often co-sleep when we are traveling because it is so much easier for the kids to adjust to a new place when they are snuggled up with a parent.
Before we go to sleep each night, we take time to make sure that our sleep environment is as safe as possible (whether it is a hotel crib, a pack and play, or an adult bed). I jam pillows or rolled towels into any gaps between the bed and headboard, and the child sleeps between my husband and I. I am also careful to clear the area around the bed so that if the child were to fall (say when I got up to go to the restroom) they would not land on anything hard. Co-sleeping also means that we cannot use the thick cozy comforters on most hotel beds. Instead, we turn up the heat, wear pj's, and sleep under a sheet. Finally, many co-sleeping deaths occur because a parent who is sleep deprived, on medication, or has been drinking rolls onto a child in their sleep.
Another alternative is to use a hotel crib, and we often do this when we will spend more than one or two nights in a single location. That said, hotel cribs have a reputation for being old and unsafe. Even at the most diligent hotels, there have been so many recalls of cribs and play yards in the past year, it would be hard to keep up. It is important to inspect any crib you will place your baby or child in carefully, using this handy CPSC Checklist for Inspecting Hotel Cribs.
Readers: Do you have other tips for sleep safety when you travel?
Related Links:
Step By Step Guide to Babyproofing a Hotel Room
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Posted on March 24, 2009 |
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This weekend I will be teaching a class on traveling with young kids at the Rick Steves Travel Center, in Edmonds WA. I plan to talk about everything from planning your trip to packing light and making travel days work, and the class should be lively!
The class is scheduled on Saturday March 28th from 12pm to 1:30. Free registration is required, and you can register here.
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CNN.com's story today about Pushy Travel Bloggers Taking on the Travel Industry
references my investigation of Advantage Rental Car's Unsafe Car Seats last year. I don't think I've ever been so happy to be called "pushy!"
Back when it was originally published, that article Unsafe Car Seats at Advantage Rental Car forced the company to change its corporate policy, and even caused the State of California to revisit how it enforces child safety seat requirements for rental car agencies.
If you are a new reader, you might be interested in reading some of the original stories:
Danger For Rent: Rental Car Agency Puts Infant at Risk (again)
ABC News Reports: Dangerous Car Seats at Advantage Rent A Car
Advantage Rent a Car's Unsafe Car Seats
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The push boats at the Luxembourg Gardens are one of the iconic pictures of Paris. It's relaxing to sit on the park benches and watch as children push their boats around the pond (as we did). Still, I dream of returning with D and E now that they are old enough to join in. Through them I'll get to live out this particular fantasy about life in Paris.
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Paris With Kids
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