travel – Page 2 – Mama the Reader

our week away

March 1, 2015March 1, 2015 Katie2 Comments

The kids and I enjoyed Disney World last week with my mom as my university was on midterm break. It was a trip planned and paid for ages ago before everything changed, and I feel grateful that we got to enjoy it together.

Disney is not a vacation for parents. (I’m not sure how many ways I should say that to make it clear, but really and truly, it is exhausting.) But there is something magical about seeing it all through your kids’ eyes and watching them get lost in all the fantasy. These two had such a great time.

It was a good lesson for me to live in the moment. I didn’t take as many photos as I “should” have – not one single picture of all four of us together, which I kind of regret. (Remember the days when we were little, and our parents would take a handful of pictures on vacation and that was it? Expectations are so different these days.) But at the same time, there’s something to be said for just throwing your things in the car and hitting the road to forget everything else for a while. It’s liberating in our current world of Pinterest and planning and iPhone sharing.

I booked a few character dinners for them ages ago, but that is all the planning I really did. Other than that, I just let them hold the reins on this one, and we followed along – which meant riding Buzz Lightyear too many times and walking most of Disney World with my almost-three-year-old strapped on my back in the Ergo, but it was worth it. It was a good reminder to live in the moment and enjoy what is right in front of you without thinking ahead to tomorrow or next week. They are growing into such incredible little people these days. It makes my heart beat a little bigger to see them interacting and growing and learning.

As we arrived home, we were in negotiations with some potential buyers on our home, and it looks like we are officially under contract now. It’s both exciting and terrifying. I have no idea where I am going with the kids, but I’m trusting something good will fall in my path. Send good thoughts our way as the kids and I begin the next chapter in this journey.

Mexico: The Remix

June 15, 2014 Katie1 Comment

Norah has been having fun with my camera phone now that she knows how it works. I delete approximately 300 photos everyday. (I’m not exaggerating.) But I kept a few from our trip that were kind of cute and interesting. Life through the eyes of a two year old is pretty fascinating!

en la playa

June 12, 2014 Katie1 Comment

We’ve returned from a week in Mexico, and while I was a little disappointed that our first couple of days were pretty overcast, it ended up being a great trip with sunny skies as the week went on. We had a fun time.

Traveling with these two was NO JOKE this year. I know it was dumb of me to do so, but for some unknown reason, I expected this year to be a little “easier” than last year’s trip with a one and three year old. (hahaha, LOLOLOL. That is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard in hindsight.) But now that Norah can keep up with Jude, they are on the move all the time. It is exhausting to prevent catastrophe and keep them reasonably quiet and in line in airports and restaurants. But the reward is pretty sweet as I watched them explore together and make memories. I hope they have many more adventures together, some even without me one day.

We spent the majority of our time at the resort, but we ventured out on a bus to see more a couple times. We wanted so badly to tour Chichen Itza, but I just didn’t think they could handle a total 4+ hours of travel time back and forth for that purpose, so we’ll save that one for another trip one day. Even with our quick jaunts though, the Yucatan delivered with bright colors, kind people, fresh corn tortillas, and one delicious mango margarita.

All in all it was a great trip, and seeing the ocean for a few days always makes summer seem more official somehow.

We’ve got many more things to strike from the summer goal list though — I’m hoping for more grilling out, more pool days, more library trips, more reading, and more trips to the farmer’s market. Home never feels as good as when you’ve been away, and despite the piles of laundry and emails to answer, I’m glad to be back and looking forward to what this season has in store. Cheers to summer!

cold

January 24, 2014 Katie1 Comment

January and February are never really my favorite months. As I look back and see this, I am reminded that seasons change and dreary skies turn to sunny ones eventually again. I do the January doldrums every year, I suppose. And I eventually recover.

But this year is especially cold in Atlanta. (And everywhere, I guess. Thanks, Polar Vortex.) Single digits this morning and schools were even cancelled a couple of weeks ago due to such severe cold. The ten-day forecast is not helping me feel better. This is sticking around for a while. Ugh. Do I even have enough sweaters? I guess I need to keep up on the laundry this winter.

I intend to check in about my January goals soon, but right now I am just going to vacation a moment in my old pictures. Ahhh, summer sun. I miss you.

I hope you are staying warm wherever you are. I am trying to enjoy the winter hibernation as best I can. Lots of soup on the menu lately. This one was new to me and I LOVED it earlier this week. And this old favorite is making some reappearances as well. Stay cozy, friends.

beach life

June 17, 2013 KatieLeave a comment

We are home and glad to be here. Yesterday afternoon, about an hour outside of Atlanta, Jude decided to take his shoes off on the airplane. Piles of sand fell out, and his sandles were still wet from our morning walk on the beach. It’s much of the same at home as I’m unpacking bags. Sand making its way all over our floors here, too. Grainy little reminders of some really beautiful memories we made last week.

We did a lot of nothing, in the best Caribbean way. Lounging on the beach while the kids played a little, playing with them in the pool, then coming inside so Norah could nap. Jude seems to be past that when even hours of playing in the water couldn’t convince him to sleep in the afternoons. So we’d set him up with a movie while she slept, and then we traded off parenting duties so one stayed in the room with them while the other got some time and vice versa. It’s a set-up that worked well for us in Costa Rica, and it allows for a little parental relaxation, too.

Because I want to be clear about one thing: traveling with two little kids is not all roses. They are young and don’t always behave the way we’d prefer, but the way I look at it, that’s what happens at home too, so we might as well hit the road every now and then despite any challenges. They might not remember moments of this trip, but we do. And there were some great ones.

Like everything else in life, it seems you just need to remember the best and shake off any obstacles you encountered along the way. I do love seeing new places with this bunch.

Norah was undountedly more difficult to travel with than Jude is. I think that’s a combination of both age and personality. She wasn’t crazy about the sand, so we had to keep her little blanket spread out on the beach. She’s not crazy about sitting in high chairs either, so there was a lot of lap bouncing to make it through dinners. But it’s hard to complain when she’s so tiny. I know one day she will walk next to me and exploring new places will be easier. Until then, I can do it this way though. Her little grin is a sweet reward for those frequent trying moments.

And then there’s my Jude. I’ve seen four countries and two west coast trips with this one, and he is probably my favorite travel companion. He’s so good at rolling with new plans and experiences.

It wasn’t as scenic and adventurous as our last beach trip was – partly because of the nature of the destination and partly because with two little ones we just stayed around the resort everyday rather than taking day trips of any kind. That said though, I think it was exactly what we needed at this time. The insanity of the past couple months with home renovations and buying and selling and some other stressors was balanced by such a lazy week. It was perfect.

Suitcases of dirty laundry and a mountain of tasks are calling my name, and I already wish I could bottle up a few moments of last week. But I guess that’s why vacations retain their splendor. We can’t quite hold that feeling for too long and need another reset button soon enough. For right now though, I am feeling full and grateful and looking forward to what is to come.

hello from Aruba

June 15, 2013June 15, 2013 Katie1 Comment

We have been in sunny Aruba all week, and we fly home tomorrow. As I write, Norah has finally given in to a morning nap for the first time all week and Scott and Jude have left already for the pool.

It’s been a vacation in the truest sense. I was questioning our decision to still go on this trip in the midst of packing and moving and embarking on some major changes in our lives, but I’ve found myself completely forgetting the everyday stress we’ve been encountering lately. I’ll suddenly remember – after not thinking of it at all for hours or days – that we are in fact moving to a new house and looking at a mile-long to do list at home. But here? It doesn’t seem so important. I love how travel does that. It makes you feel small in light of such a big world and all that matters is the here and now. Something I forget in everyday life.

More pictures coming soon when I’m at a real computer with the real camera. Goodbye for now. I have a breezy balcony and a sleeping baby to tend to.

Disney World Phone Dump

October 11, 2012 KatieLeave a comment

We got back yesterday afternoon, so I am knee-deep in laundry and catch up around the house. I’ll be posting more sometimes soon, but here’s a little preview. All in all, it was a great trip. Although I feel like I need a vacation from my Disney vacation. Ha.

the recap

January 20, 2012 Katie3 Comments

We are home and becoming settled into real life again. Aside from some really early wake-ups (downstairs with coffee by 5am), the adjustment hasn’t been too bad. I love how you forget any bumps and bruises associated with traveling once you get home to reminisce. It all just becomes fuzzy and perfect when you are far away again and in your own kitchen, looking at the same walls you always have.

We made so many good memories on this trip.

I observed a family dining near us during breakfast one day, a college-aged kid and presumably his parents. For a second, I thought won’t that be nice. As I wiped spilled yogurt off my toddler’s face and hurriedly downed my food so we could exit before he got restless, they talked and relaxed and sipped coffee leisurely while planning the day over maps and guidebooks. No doubt there will be things that are easier when I am at that point in my life.

But seeing new places through little eyes has its own charm, too.

The trip was refreshing and such a fitting way to begin a year that holds many changes for us. I love being reminded there is so much beauty in the world, countless different people, and a million different things I have yet to see and discover. A sense of possibility is a lovely thing, such a necessary thing for me.

I’m happy to be home, too. It feels good to settle in to your house when you’ve been away. Groceries have been replenished; laundry is almost done. Old routines are emerging, and they feel really good. There’s a comfort in what we know.

Pieces of where I’ve been stick with me though. Going some place new always inspires me to take home a little piece of something different and stir it in with my life at home. You know how it is. A week at the beach reminds you that a Tuesday night margarita is a good idea. Trips to NYC leave you energized and humming show tunes in the kitchen. A week in Belgium has you lingering longer in the beer aisle. Seattle always leaves me dusting off the espresso machine when I return. My study abroad in England gave me a permanent preference for milk in my tea. Paris reminds me that dessert is a necessary thing. That art is everywhere. That I really like scarves. That this song can cheer me up in an instant. And that life is best sprinkled with good food and conversation.

I love the idea that I’ll change and evolve again and again as the years go by and I visit new places and meet new people. But I also vow to find a little of this inspiration without paying for a plane ticket. It’s everywhere really – good films, new music, conversations with friends or strangers, books. I don’t have to travel far to find it if I’m looking.

the last day

January 17, 2012 KatieLeave a comment

The last travel day somewhere is always a little weird. It’s such a mix of wanting to squeeze the last drop and feeling anxious for home and the familiar. It’s been a relaxing trip in many ways. No hurried visits to museums or historical checklist. Just enjoying a city that is so different from home.

There has been lots of lazy cafe time.

Yesterday we strolled in Luxembourg Gardens, and the sun felt so lovely. I’m proud of myself for enduring 10 days of freezing temperatures out and about, but I’m ready for warmth. Jude called to the ducks and loved having the space to run. And it’s a sight I missed last time I was here, so it was great to go. We cut through the Latin Quarter on the way back, and I bought a couple of French children’s books, one for Norah called “Caroline et la Galette des Rois.” It’s old with super cute illustrations, and it’s all about Kings Day and the cake tradition that accompanies it. We got to be a part of this last night when we dined with some friends which I’ll explain in a minute. I can’t wait to explain to Norah one day that she and I had a part in what the book describes.

So once we were here, we were brought to some old friends through the glory of Facebook, and it turned out that Scott has an old high school friend who is now living here only about 15 minutes from where we are. She has been here for 8 years and invited us to meet her husband and baby at their place last night over dinner. The apartment was charming, the food good, the conversation lovely. Jude played with the French bebe (ha) and was grateful for new toys and space to be active. Homestyle dining was so appreciated after 9 days of hotels and restaurants. It was such a lovely evening, and we returned really late on the Metro, but Jude was a trooper and as always, excited to ride the “train.”

It was great to see more of what “real life” is like here, and it made expat life seem exotic but almost easy in ways. Still though, as much as I love to travel, I’m a home girl at heart.

My sweet grandmother took a bad fall down a flight of steps on Sunday, and there’s nothing life threatening, but many broken bones and a long recovery ahead. A surgery last night on both her arms and wrists had me super anxious, and I am ready to be home where I can help and tend and cook and do all the things family does when it’s needed. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers please.

So here we are with about 12 hours left to enjoy Paris and then we leave for the airport early tomorrow. Plans? Stroll a bit, shop, dine, eat too many pastries. Au revoir, friends. See you on the other side of the ocean soon. Think there’s still time for another tarte aux pommes? Of course. 🙂

phone dump and stream of consciousness, Parisian edition

January 15, 2012June 5, 2012 Katie4 Comments

It is cold here for my Georgia bones, but the sun is helping us out a bit when we aren’t on old, shaded streets.

We meandered through Montmarte yesterday morning, stopping for the Sacre Coeur and a few street musicians and lunch and a carousel ride. So many steps, of course, and my pregnant hips were aching so much last night. It was worth it though, I think.

We made an ill-timed trip to the Eiffel Tower last night, too. Not bad timing except that I had all these ideas for photos that would happen, but Jude napped until 5, and I know better than to mess with a toddler and his sleep. So by the time we were bundled up and off the metro, it was really dark. Too dark for the iPhone unfortunately, but a couple might have made it on my real camera. He insisted “a monster” lived at the top, and I didn’t argue.

This morning we stumbled on Victor Hugo’s house in the Marais, and we were equally happy to stumble on a park with a sandbox. Jude yelled, “I wanna play dirt, mama!!”

It’s funny the things we are indulging him with. I’m happy it’s a city I have visited before, so I don’t feel I’m missing out on much really. I’ve done the big museums and the historical sights. But the carousels? They’re a first for me. (And OMG do the French love their carousels. It’s crazy how many there are.)

I’ve had my own indulgences, too. I had a Nutella crepe with lunch today. And tonight we’ll wear mittens and hats again to do some souvenir shopping. More soon, reader.