Interview with an 8 year old about Camping

A few weeks ago we went on a family camping trip to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach. It’s a beautiful park on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.  This was our second time camping as a family.   We do what I call tent camping but my husband calls it car camping.  It was FORTY degrees the first night, and 50 the second.  Enjoy this interview with my 8 year old daughter!

Q. What was your favorite thing we did while camping?

A. When we walked on the beach because I like the way the sand feels.

Q. What is your happiest memory from our trip?

A. Climbing the tree at our campsite.

Q. Tell me two things we did as a family on our trip?

A. Went hiking and sat around the campfire.

Q. Did you see any animals?

A. Besides birds?  Yes, ants.

Q. Tell me a funny thing that happened on our camping trip?

A. When I was swinging on a branch, it broke.

Q. What is one word to describe camping?

A. Fun!

Q. What advice would you give other kids about camping?

A. Bring a sweatshirt and a rain jacket.

Q. What do you love most about camping?

A. The nice warm fire.

Q. What do you think makes a fun camping trip?

A. If you have someone to play with.

Q. What is the grossest thing about camping?

A. Nothing is gross.

Best Beaches near DC

There are several options for getting in some waves and sun here in the DC area.  Most are average 3.5 hour car ride, which for us means one stop at Chickfila.  Typical with the DC area, there is ALWAYS horrible traffic getting to and from the beach in the warmer weather.  Please note that my drive time estimates are for non-rush hour, summer months.



1. Rehoboth Beach, Delaware (3 hour drive)

Just a short car ride over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, this is the closest beach to the DC area.  We love Rehoboth as there is a boardwalk, several kid-friendly restaurant options and Funland.  Street parking is metered and can be a competition to secure.  Rehoboth is the best day trip beach option!

2. Ocean City, New Jersey (4 hour drive)

When you say Ocean City in the DC area, most folks assume you mean Maryland.  NOPE - there is a nicer and smaller Ocean City in the southern Jersey Shore, and it is the ultimate family friendly environment.  OCNJ is best for weekends or week long rentals.  Most rentals come with beach tags.  Yes, beach tags.  A foreign concept to this Texas girl originally.  There are several restaurants and a boardwalk for evening entertainment.
Fun fact: you can take a ferry from Lewes, Delaware which is very close to Rehoboth, to get to Ocean City by way of Cape Mays!

3. Virginia Beach, Virginia (4 hour drive)

The first option south of DC for salt water is Virginia Beach.  We haven't spent a lot of time in Virginia Beach as compared to Delaware and Jersey, but it doesn't disappoint.  The best part about Virginia beach is the playground ON the beach.  There are several hotel options right on the beach with parking included. 

 

 

4. Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina (5 hour drive)

Heading down south to the land of the pine, going my way to North Caroline... Outer Banks is a great option for splitting a beach rental with family/friends.  Huge perk: several rentals come with a pool and hot tub.  I grew up spending the morning at the beach and the afternoon at the pool.  The best!

5. Dewey Beach, Delaware (3 hour drive)

We went to Dewey Beach over Spring Break to check it out.  It was cold but we loved it!  It's a mix of hotels, residential, and good restaurants.  The town is about 8 blocks so you could get away with not driving once you have arrived.  We cannot wait to come back in the warmer months!

Hyatt Place Breakfast Area

 

 

 

 

 

How to fly with kids

With my family living halfway across country, the kids at this point in their life have made a few plane rides.  I can count the bad moments on one hand and the good moments on the other hand.  Basically if you go in prepared and with absolutely no expectations you will be fine.

It’s also obvious that the older the kids get the easier it gets to some extent.

Tip #1: As soon as you get into your seat, take out everything you think you’ll need for the kids from the bag and put it in that backseat pocket for easy access.

Tip #2: Always always always pack an additional set of clothes everything from socks to underwear.   I swear the drinks on the tray tables just hop into the children’s lap sometimes.

Tip #3:  For the love of all that is holy, relax.   Kids feed off of nervous energy can sense when you’re stressed.

Tip #4:  Download a few episodes of their favorite TV show (or Movie) so that they can watch this when the device is in airplane mode. Also make sure you have the right headphone adapter and or headphones for that device... this was my personal mistake this past time!

Tip # 5: Try and get the kids to say hello to the flight attendants, especially the ones that greet you when you walk on the plane.  Bonus if the pilot is standing there too.  Some of my worst situations on flights it has been the flight attendants that have really come to my rescue.  Or it has been a way to distract them by talking about the pilot they saw when boarding.

 As far as what to pack, the list is quite simple:  1 to 2 of their top toys, 1 to 2 of their top snacks, crayons, small coloring books, sticker books, activity books etc., and their favorite book.  Safe travels!

How to Eat While Traveling: Kids Version

I recently mentioned to my husband that I’d love to take the kids traveling internationally, but I asked him “what in the world would we feed them!?”  The voracious eaters they are, main entrees are luncheables, Campbell’s chicken soup, and velveeta Mac and cheese cups, chicken nuggets, with some pasta and meatballs thrown in for good measure.

 We were able to experience the confines of their limited diet when we visited San Antonio over the holidays.  I can’t believe I am admitting this, but I think one of my favorite restaurant experiences on the Riverwalk was at the Rainforest Café.  They had a kids menu that the children loved and the atmosphere kept them entertained so that I could finish my Coronita.

 At one point during the trip we went into a little market store and I unashamedly grabbed bags of Cheetos and Doritos.   The last night, we ended up ordering room service just for the children and it was one of the best decisions we made on that trip.

Probably one of the worst decisions I made on that trip was forgetting to stop at a grocery store before we got to downtown San Antonio to stock up on shelf-staples for them to nosh on.   Also I think I discovered the value of microwave and fridge in the room and a free continental breakfast in the morning at a hotel.   I knew that going in and chose a great price and location over those two amenities.

 To say all that though, I think we are still going to take the kids on an international trip this year.   I will be putting some extra thought and planning however into ensuring the list of main entrées will be on hand easily accessible!