DeliciousBaby Journal

LittleJetSet.com Gift Certificate Winner

I want to thank everyone who entered to win a a gift certificate for $150 from Little Jet Set an online store entirely devoted to products that make traveling with kids easy. It was fun to read all the travel toy ideas, and I want to give special thanks to everyone who took the time to share their recommendations with other parents by adding them to our City Guides.

The most popular traditional travel toys were crayons, stickers, etch-a-sketch and magna-doodle. I count those among my favorites too. Lots of you loved the offerings on LittleJetSet.com too, and some popular choices from the site were:

The Put & Peek Birdhouse (which also got two thumbs up from E & D when they were the right age for it.) Magnetic Playscenes by Mudpuppy (which will be among my next purchases) and Zoobie 3-in-1 travel pets

The winner was Michelle who said

I like the Zoobie travel pets. My little boy loves to cuddle stuffed animals and he insists on being comfortable when he is sleeping. The travel pet is also a pillow and blanket, so this is perfect!

Michelle, please email me your mailing address and LittleJetSet.com will send you your prize!

Didn't win this time? I have a giveaway lined up for October 20th that I think will be my most popular giveaway yet. Check back for details or Subscribe so that you don't miss a thing.

Many thanks to LittleJetSet for generously sponsoring this giveaway.

0 comments | Posted on October 7, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Reminder: Last Chance to Enter $150 LittleJetSet.com Gift Certificate Giveaway

Today is your last chance to enter our free giveaway of a gift certificate for $150 from Little Jet Set an online store entirely devoted to products that make traveling with kids easy. If you have already entered, but want to add your recommendations to DeliciousBaby for more chances to win, now is the time!

Just visit this article: Free Giveaway: $150 Gift Certificate to LittleJetSet.com and follow the instructions.

2 comments | Posted on October 6, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Chicago With Kids: Lincoln Park Neighborhood and Zoo

After being rained out of Lincoln Park on our first try, and went back again on our last day in Chicago to explore. Back home in Seattle, the Zoo is a regular outing, but farmland is harder to come by, so we headed to the Farm inside the Zoo, and arrived just in time to feed the cows.

The kids were shy at first, dropping the hay on the ground as the cow reached out her neck to grab the food. Ultimately they were fascinated as the cow reached out her long tongue, wrapped it around the food, and drew it back into her mouth. With a little help, they each figured out how to hold the food until the cow had a firm grasp, and then let go. With few kids waiting in line, they were able to take turns over and over until they finally tired of the activity and moved on to pet the goats or watch two-week-old piglets snuggle with their mom. As with the nature museum, there were activities almost every half-hour giving the kids lots to see and do in the small space.

Next up? Lunch. Lincoln park is known for upscale restaurants like Grant Achatz's Alinea, but with the kids, we needed something decidedly more down-to-earth. I had a short list of recommended restaurants in the neighborhood, but after watching one stroller-pushing mom after another pass me by, I thought I'd ask for a local's recommendation instead. Moms always know where the good food is, and which places don't have qualms about serving kids.

We ended up at Nookies, Too an unimpressive looking neighborhood diner that I would have never wandered into on my own. It's a good thing we got that tip, because our food was delicious. Brunch is served until 3pm, and my kids always think pancakes or waffles at lunchtime is a hilarious way to subvert mom (little do they know I'm just happy to have quiet and well-fed kids). I ordered from the specials sheet... ricotta stuffed french toast that buried in fresh strawberries, rasberries and blueberries. The french toast was light, fluffy, and not overly sweet. As good as I've had in any upscale resort. Everyone else's food was delicious too, and I was impressed with the fast and friendly service.

After lunch, we wandered around the neighborhood, stopping in several adorable children's shops before heading back to the hotel to pick up our luggage, and then off to the airport. We left dry, well feed, and in good spirits, a brilliant contrast to our arrival in Chicago. For me, this trip, filled its goal. It broke up our time, helping all of us forget how much we miss "daddy." Even better in some ways, the help of our babysitter and my mom gave me the real break (complete with grown-up meals and time for shopping) that I have long been in need of.

0 comments | Posted on October 4, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Chicago With Kids: Notebaert Nature Museum

Do you ever have one of those days when you just don't want to get out of your pajamas? My 3 1/2 year old E did today. Perhaps he is a little out-of-sorts with his dad gone for two weeks, maybe he's tired after last night's bedtime marathon or maybe it's just because he's wearing his favorite pajamas. I can tell pretty early on in a discussion when E has his mind truly set on something, so rather than risk a having our first meltdown before we even left the hotel, I let E explore Chicago in his PJ's today. It makes for some cute pictures, don't you think?

The Lincoln Park neighborhood seemed like a lovely place to spend the day exploring with the kids. Not only is the zoo located there, but there is also the conservation-minded Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and the quiet and kid-friendly Lincoln Park neighborhood.

We started our day at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The Nature Museum is all about getting kids engaged with nature at their level. We started in the enclosed rooftop butterfly habitat, were I imagine the tropical warmth would feel wonderful on a cold winter day. We're lucky to have a butterfly habitat back home at the Pacific Science Center, so this wasn't novel for the kids, but they enjoy seeing the butterflies up close, watching them fly, and learning how they eat. For the first time E seemed to really respond to a kid-focused exhibit about how butterflies go from being an egg, to a caterpillar, to a cocoon and a butterfly. We also stopped in a huge and light-filled craft room that must be a great way for local kids to pass a wintery afternoon. What I really loved about this museum, though, were the frequent opportunities for the kids to get close to the animals. On a busy Monday morning, even with school already started for the fall, it seemed like there was a new activity every 30 minutes. We didn't join all of them, but the frequency made it easy to mix in activities with free-play. The kids got to touch a turtle, watch a frog being fed, and listen to stories in a very intimate group.

Just as I was starting to think about moving on to the zoo, it started pouring. As with our first day this was serious rain, not a Seattle style drizzle so we stayed on, and on, and on, visiting the water play area, an indoor playground, and every fish tank or reptile tank you could possibly imagine. Somehow we managed to pass most of the day here, and though I was stir crazy, the kids still didn't want to leave when it was finally time for dinner.

5 comments | Posted on October 3, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Photo Friday: TSA Kids Checkpoint at Chicago Midway

Someone at the TSA security checkpoint in Chicago's Midway airport really went the extra mile when it came to accommodating kids. Look at these cute chairs where kids can sit to put their shoes back on. It's too bad you can't quite see the hopeful look on D's face. She is positive that one of those chairs has magical powers that will let her put her shoes on herself. A few minutes later, done with waiting, I dashed her hopes by putting the shoes on myself and the poor girl was furious as only an almost-two-year-old can be.

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Share a favorite travel photo by adding your link below. First timers, here is more Information about Photo Friday

Filed Under: photo-friday

9 comments | Posted on October 2, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Rome With Teens: Advice from a Seasoned Tour Guide

When I met Angela Nickerson at the Book Passage Travel Writer's Conference this summer, I knew I just had to get her to write a guest article for DeliciousBaby. Not only has she lead countless teenagers on tours through Rome, but she's also written a beautiful book about the city, A Journey Into Michelangelo's Rome. It's filled with images that will inspire you to hop on a plane to Rome as soon as you can, and packed with information to help you understand the city's artistic treasures more deeply.

My regular readers know that Rome is a fascinating destination for young kids too, and it doesn't take much imagination to figure out how to tailor Angela's recommendations for younger kids. For even more ideas about Rome With Kids check out our city guide, based on my own trip to Rome with (then) 1 year old E.

Roaming with Teens: Rome
I want to dispel the myth right away: teenagers love Rome. I have traveled with teens across Europe, and I have yet to meet one who said that Rome was boring. Rome is a fantastic city for teenaged travelers. It is bustling and cosmopolitan and yet full of culture and history – much of which teens have or will study in school, seen in movies, or read about in books. In fact, that’s the key to enjoying Rome with teens: finding things that are familiar to them. Fans of Gladiator will love the Colosseum. If you loved the HBO series Rome, you will love the Forum and the Palatine Hill. That poster of two hands reaching for each other – there it is in real life on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

But it is easy to fall into the Tourist Trap in Rome: following the flocks of tour groups as they traipse from the Vatican Museums to the Mouth of Truth and then on to the Circus Maximus. I often see American tourists wandering around looking overwhelmed and dazed, unsure of where to go next and what to do. That never makes for a happy family trip, and those travelers rarely see the real Rome. Balance the museums with a few destinations off the standard tour itinerary, and your teen – and your entire family -- will have a fantastic time in Rome.

For those of you with young, hip, and very cool teens (and aren’t they all), head to Trastevere. This neighborhood is filled with small, inexpensive shops, eclectic restaurants, and great gelato places and is home to Rome’s twenty-something crowd. Polvere di Tempo (Via del Moro, 59) is a shop that looks like it dropped out of Harry Potter and features handmade hourglasses, sundials, and other curiosities that make great souvenirs. Be sure to stop into Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of Rome’s oldest and most beautiful churches. While the mosaics in the church are very old and will impress even the hippest teen, the piazza in front of the church is also pretty cool. On nice evenings it is filled with attractive stalls selling inexpensive leather goods. And just a few blocks away you’ll find Gino’s in Trastevere (85 Via della Lungaretta). This is the perfect casual pizzeria – very Italian and generally filled with young people enjoying Pizza Margherita. And it isn’t so cool or trendy that parents feel out of place.

Almost everyone who visits Rome ends up at the Vatican, and most of those people visit St. Peter’s Basilica. However, very few people know that you can climb to the top. You will need to go through security at St. Peter’s Basilica, and then ask for the climb to the cupola. There is an elevator, which takes you to the roof, and the views inside and out are breathtaking. While there is a small souvenier stand and a rather limited café on the roof, it is a great place for a picnic lunch. But you are only half-way there, and the 320-some steps to the top of the dome are worth the exertion. There’s a reason the dome is called “the Eighth Hill of Rome.” Young photographers will enjoy capturing not only the city’s sprawl but also some intimate views of the Pope’s private gardens.

Romans love evenings in the summer, and there are often outdoor concerts in the city. All of the world’s great music groups end up in Rome at some point, and some of the concert venues are pretty spectacular – the Colosseum, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Parco della Musica, amongst others. Recently Madonna thrilled audiences at the Stadio Olympico, and whether your teen is into pop, metal, rap, reggae, or opera, the music scene in Rome has something to offer. Tickets are often available online, but if you didn’t plan ahead, check with your hotel’s concierge about concerts during your stay.

Just a short walk from the Colosseum, the Basilica of San Clemente (Via San Giovanni in Laterano) isn’t famous for what is in it but rather for what is under it. Excavations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries revealed layers and layers of the city beneath the church stretching back nearly 3000 years. Now, for a modest fee, you too can explore Rome’s underworld. Teens can find it hard to imagine how a city is built in layers, but descending beneath the church into the rooms and streets that have been excavated illustrates the point brilliantly. It is an incredible visualization of just how much garbage and debris a city generates over time, too – an astonishing thought for teens raised in a consumer culture. After the museum, cross the street to Pizza Rustica, a fantastic hole-in-the-wall serving pizza, suppli (rice balls breaded and fried), and gyros. The food is both good and cheap, but seating is limited, so you may end up sitting on the benches outside the church.

For sports fans, Rome has two Seria A (professional soccer) teams – AS Roma and SS Lazio. Romans are fans of one or the other and are passionate about their teams. Their fanaticism is infectious, too. Both teams play in the Stadio Olympico (home of the 1960 Olympics), and if you can get tickets to a match, go. Italian soccer is an intense experience involving cheering, singing, fireworks, and sometimes fighting. This is not for small children, however. Unlike sports events in the United States, the emphasis is not on concessions and souvenirs. Rather the fans all know songs about their favorite – and least favorite -- players. They throw fireworks onto the field at times. And the police are vigilant keeping fans from starting brawls. If your teen enjoys sports and people-watching, a soccer match is the perfect activity. Official team merchandise is for sale in team stores including the AS Roma Store in Piazza Colonna. Unofficial merchandise is available all over the city in street stalls.

Not up for a live sporting event? Campo dei Fiori is filled with restaurants where the locals and visiting students watch the games on TV. Become a fan for a night and enjoy the festive atmosphere. And nearby, the Obika Mozzarella Bar (Piazza di Firenze at Via dei Prefetti) offers an interesting alternative to pizza. Specializing in mozzarella in its many forms, Obika is chic, delicious, and reasonable. The atmosphere is very sophisticated, and teens will enjoy the food as well as the local crowd.

Many families make the mistake of taking a “day trip” to Pompeii from Rome. While Pompeii is fascinating, it is also 4 hours from Rome by bus (each way), which makes for a very long day trip and bored kids. Instead, explore the ruins at Ostia Antica. Easily accessible by train (30 minutes or so), Ostia Antica is an archaeological park where the ancient port city for Rome is actively being excavated. Buy a map and wander through an entire ancient Roman town. Traveling with teenaged thespians or singers? Make sure they try the acoustics in the amphitheater – impromptu performing is encouraged. They will find that the ancient Romans didn’t need microphones by design. The gymnasium looks like a grassy field, but adventurous teens can wander into the tunnels beneath. And photographers will find fantastic mosaics and sculptures to capture against blue skies.

Once you have enjoyed the park, take the train just one more stop, and you will be in the modern seaside resort of Ostia. Just a few blocks from the train station you will find the beach, complete with charming cabanas and cafes, and your family can report home that you’ve swum in the Mediterranean Sea. Whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy Rome! It is a fantastic city, and one trip may inspire a lifelong obsession in visitors of any age. Buon Viaggio!

Biographical Information:
Angela K. Nickerson is a freelance writer and tour escort. Her first book, A Journey Into Michelangelo's Rome combines her great passions -- travel, art, history, and Italy – in one volume. She can be reached through her blog, Just Go!

5 comments | Posted on October 2, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Chicago With Kids: Field Museum and Jazz Showcase

This afternoon's outing, a trip to Jazz Showcase with E to hear Benny Golson play, is simultaneously the activity I have most been looking forward to, and been most nervous about. E loves live music, and he does well when we find opportunities to listen to great music outdoors. But will he enjoy a real indoor concert that wasn't designed for kids? I want to find out, because with so many wonderful museums and other kids activities, I'm finding it hard to "connect" with "the real" Chicago. A Jazz concert in a historic club seems like a great way to do that. It's also something I probably wouldn't try back at home.

But first, we have a morning outing planned. We're headed to the Field Museum of Natural History. I have been looking forward to this too. Up until now, I have skipped over the Natural History museums in the cities we've visited, thinking that the kids were just too young to enjoy them. I didn't exactly start small, the Field Museum is widely regarded as having one of the finest collections of its kind in the world. Having seen the building and collection over and over in popular movies, our visit started with an almost nostalgic tone.

The kids have been fascinated with bugs, dirt and plants in the Seattle Tilth Gardening Camp they've been attending at home, so I thought we would start out with the Field Museum's Underground Adventure. In this exhibit, families pretend to "shrink down" to microscopic size and then wander through an underground garden, learning about bugs, worms, and organisms that live in the soil. D ran enthusiastically into the exhibit, but E was more reticent, saying that he didn't want to go "under the dirt" and ultimately he decided to stay outside with my mom while I wandered through with D. Our trip upstairs to see "Sue" the giant T.Rex was a similar bust, but our venture in to the Native American wing was a hit. The kids loved the dioramas showing Native American life, the costume displays, and especially the opportunity to go inside a reconstructed Pawnee Earth Lodge. The kids lay down on the beds, played with the pawnee toys, and E even worked up the courage to ask the docent a question... "Where did the kids sleep" He got a great answer too. A young Pawnee boy his age would sleep with him maternal grandmother until he was old enough to join the older boys and the men on the floor. Good thing he had my mom with him to snuggle!

When it was finally time to leave, we headed out to the bus. Those who don't know me personally might get the impression that I'm always organized, with a clear itinerary, a map, and everything the kids might need packed neatly in my purse. The truth is that I certainly have the skills to make that happen, but life with two little kids has left me... scattered. I left my guidebook, with the address for Jazz Showcase safely tucked inside it. My cell phone died as I tried to look up the address on DeliciousBaby.com and the phone number in the phone book was out-of-service (Jazz Showcase recently moved). Not only did I not want to skip the show, but I knew that my babysitter was waiting there to take D for her naptime. Standing up your trusted babysitter in a strange neighborhood doesn't seem like a great way to maintain a good relationship, does it? Can you feel me getting more frantic by the moment?

My slightly crazed but mostly inspired plan of action had us take the bus back to the central library (I remembered that it was just a few blocks from Jazz Showcase on the map) and use the Internet access there to search for Jazz Showcase online. Luckily, the bus we had taken to the Field museum passed right by the library, so I knew just how to get there. Time was ticking away as we were dropped off in front of the museum, as E insisted on opening the heavy metal doors himself, and as I raced in to the lobby. Luckily a kind receptionist offered to look up the address for me (I remembered the URL) and we were, indeed, just a few blocks away from the venue. As we dashed off, desperate not to be late, D fell asleep in her Ergo.

I was relived to arrive at the Jazz Showcase a little late, a little sweaty, but before the show actually started and with D sound asleep. Since there was no need for the babysitter to take D back to the hotel room, I invited her to join us instead, and we settled into our seats. Jazz Showcase's Sunday Matinees are a good choice for kids who enjoy music. There is a flat-fee admission, but kids are free. The admission covers all of your costs, and you are not expected to buy drinks once inside (though a full bar is available). The entire venue is smoke free, and seating is at comfortable tables. The music itself is not "dumbed down" in any way. Jazz Showcase is able to attract top-notch performers, and during our visit, Benny Golson, who played with (and wrote songs for) Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie and Lionel Hampton literally filled the stage with his presence. This is very much a sophisticated adult's performance that has been made available to kids to enjoy.

E was excited to see all the instruments on the stage, and clapped politely as each musician took their place, but would he enjoy the show I wondered? Would we be forced to leave within minutes? For the first few songs, E was on the edge of his seat. Then he started to settle in, taking note when there was a particularly interesting solo, but mostly playing quietly with a toy and listening to the music. I kept waiting for the moment when he would ask to leave, but it simply never came. There's something about being in an environment with exceptional live music that is very fulfilling, and I think E was responding to that. D slept through everything (as only a very young child can), waking up for the last three songs.

After the show, E, who is normally very shy, ran up to the stage to thank Mr. Golson, and was thrilled as Golson scooped him up in his lap, giving him a kiss and a squeeze while my mom took a photo. Not sure what to do, E said "thank you for the nice music" a few times, and then climbed down. What a lovely way to wrap up our day, and what a perfect way for me to remember Jazz in Chicago.

5 comments | Posted on October 1, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Chicago With Kids: Lego Store and more

One of the delights of bringing our babysitter with us this trip is that I get a vacation instead of just a trip away from home. I mostly enjoy seeing new places with the kids, so I've mostly used that time to go out for grown-up dinners with my mom. Today, though, I left the kids with the babysitter in the morning to take the Architecture River Tour. Architecture and huge unchanging buildings can sometimes be a dry subject, but our guide did a fantastic job of sharing the drama and history of the buildings that line the river. The kids probably would have done ok with this (boat rides are fun, and the constantly changing scenery makes it easier to sit still) but I'm glad that they went to the Children's Museum and Navy Pier instead. My mom and I also revisited the Art Museum, and it was a rare treat for me to enjoy the art at my own pace, without trying to keep the kids entertained.

I picked up the kids after naptime. With most museums closing at 5pm, we looked for activities close to the hotel instead. First stop was an early dinner at Heaven on Seven Heaven on Seven is a popular Cajun restaurant, and it turned out to be a perfect spot with the kids. They were thrilled from the moment they say the kitschy decor and were handed their carnival beads, but I thought the menu was something special too. We started with fried green tomatoes, perfectly cooked and delivered warm. I also ordered sweet potato polenta for D, who devoured it, screaming with glee each time I refilled her bowl. My mom and I both had the restaurant's signature po-boy sandwiches, while the kids enjoyed (adorable) mini-corn dogs with cheese grits from the children's menu. Our server really went out of his way to bring the kids small spoons and bowls, suggest menu items they might like, and generally make sure that they were comfortable and happy.

Having decided to forgo the LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Lego's newest amusement park, located in the hard-to-reach Chicago suburbs), I took the kids to the next best place... the Lego Store on Michigan Avenue. Both E and D love to play with Lego, and it's an addiction my husband and I are happy to encourage. At 3 1/2 E is just beginning to be able to follow instructions to build a simple lego kit, and D is finally old enough that she's not tempted to stick them in her mouth. The kids had so much fun playing in the huge bins of Legos, that when bedtime finally came, it was tough to drag them away, even with the enticement of getting to choose one thing to take home.

In the hopes of tiring them out before bedtime, I encouraged both kids to walk all the way back to the hotel. Bedtime has been a challenge on this trip. Usually my husband and I sleep in separate beds, each with a child safely in our arms. That made sense when the kids were little, and likely to roll off (or worse, we worried, the big one might squish the little one), but it has gotten old lately. We want to move to a model where the kids sleep together in one bed while we sleep in another. Between the two of us, I have more patience for nighttime shenanigans (or at least greater stamina) so it made sense for me to start the trend on this trip.

We talked about the bedtime plan before leaving home, and the kids were excited... perhaps a little bit too excited. Bedtime has become a frolic, with the kids climbing over one another, singing silly songs, and generally doing anything except sleeping. In the un-babyproofed hotel room (and this one is particularly hard to babyproof), I'm wary of leaving them to their own devices the way I would in their own rooms at home. Soothing stories, special songs, exercise, and even bribes have failed, and I'm not planning to enter the dangerous territory of "empty threats." Tonight I tried lying down with the kids with the hope that peer pressure would help them drift off to sleep with me. Not so much. I woke perhaps moments or perhaps after quite a while to D bouncing on me. Oh well, eventually they'll be old enough that I won't have to worry about floor lamps and electrical outlets, and going to sleep will be their problem instead of mine. For now, we'll keep them separated when we can.

5 comments | Posted on September 30, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Giveaway: $150 Gift Certificate to LittleJetSet.com

We travel frequently enough that I'm always on the lookout for new and engaging travel toys, and travel toy ideas is are of the most common searches on DeliciousBaby. That's why I'm excited to announce today's giveaway, a gift certificate for $150 from Little Jet Set an online store entirely devoted to products that make traveling with kids easy.

This Giveaway is now closed. To learn about new giveaways as they become available, please Subscribe to our feed

Selecting the perfect toy for a road trip or long flight isn't always easy. For me, a great travel toy is compact. It isn't so precious that losing it would destroy the trip, and it doesn't have a lot of small pieces that can get dropped on the floor. The very best toys can be played with in lots of different ways. At Little Jet Set I was excited to see some of our favorites, including some great activity books by Chicken Socks and an adorable Day at the Zoo Play Scene Sticker Set. But what I'm really coveting is the adorable backpacks by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada. I know I'm not allowed to win, but would it be wrong for me to go over and order a few items for my kids before the contest is over?

How To Enter
I will be giving the $150 Gift Certificate for LittleJetSet.com away to one lucky reader. If you'd like a chance to win, leave us a comment before 11:59PM PST on Monday Oct 6 2008 and tell what your favorite travel toy is. Haven't been anywhere? Look through the catalog at Little Jet Set and choose your favorite.

If you win and wish to be contacted by email, please include your email address in the comment form (your email isn't shared with anyone). Otherwise, you must check back here to see if you have won.

How to Get More Chances to Win

For each complete recommendation you add to our city guides, you will be given one additional entry. It takes only a few minutes, and it is a great way to share your favorite kids activities, restaurants, and hotels with other parents.

Click Add Your Favorite on the bottom of any restaurant, hotel or activity section of a city guide. (or just Click Here)
Fill in a short form asking for information about your recommendation (e.g. name, address, web url, and why you like it)
Click "Save"
Next you will see a short form that asks you to register for an account. You need to register so that we know who you are and can give you an additional contest entry.
Registration is fast and simple, and asks few questions. We promise that we will not publish, sell, or spam your email address.
Click on "Your Account" in the upper right hand corner of the page to add a picture and other profile information
You can continue to add more recommendations, and you will be given one additional contest entry for each complete recommendation.

You can even add cities that we don't currently cover, just type in a new city name when you add a listing.

It takes just a few minutes to add a recommendation to our City Guides. I hope you'll give it a try!

Winners
We will choose a winner randomly and announce the results here on Tuesday Oct 7 2008. Many thanks to Little Jet Set for generously sponsoring this giveaway.

Share This Contest
If you have family or friends who you know will love this giveaway, just click the "share this" link at the bottom of this (or any) post to email it to a friend.

Rules
Please, only one comment per person per giveaway post. Duplicate comments and Anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment 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.

Filed Under: giveaways

285 comments | Posted on September 29, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

Weekly Link Roundup: Travel Advice & Family Travel Stories

There has been lots of discussion about breastfeeding on Airplanes this week. An article at TravelMuse spurred a lot of discussion about what rights a breastfeeding mom and baby have on a plane and another article gave some great Tips for Breastfeeding on a Plane that make a fantastic complement to my own series on Breastfeeding and Pumping on a Plane. Personally, it saddens me that this issue comes up over and over. Babies need to eat and they need to relieve air pressure during takeoff and landing. Not all of them will take a bottle or agree to be covered up. Is it really better to make a baby scream with pain (or hunger) than to have a discreetly exposed breast somewhere on an airplane? Not in my opinion (clearly).

It's easy to let false assumptions about cost, or a focus on just one aspect of a trip's cost hold us back from visiting our dream destinations (I find myself making this mistake over and over). I loved this post comparing family travel costs for Bali vs. Hawaii because it challenges those assumptions.

Uptake Blog has a great addition to the recent slew of articles about traveling with an autistic child. Check out their tips for Parents and tips for fellow travelers

I enjoyed this article about a topic I have yet to cover (or try myself) RV Travel With a Toddler. There are some great pictures and tips, and this seems like a terrific way to travel.

I've long advocated staying in vacation rentals when possible. When you are traveling with kids, the extra space, kitchen and washing machine are far bigger luxuries than any 5-star resort can deliver on a room-service cart. Christopher Elliot adds some great tips for saving money hotel alternatives

Travel Stories
This was a particularly good week for first-hand family travel stories.

If you don't click any other link, please visit beautiful photo of a Stroller in the Lotfollah Mosque in Iran. If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is.

I've enjoyed following the Vogel family on their 2 1/2 year bicycle trip from Alaska to Argentina. This particularly poetic post about waking up to snow gives a nice peek into life on the road.

This story about a trip to Lake Tahoe with two toddlers has some particularly lovely photos.

4 comments | Posted on September 28, 2008 | Save to del.icio.us

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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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