Travel with the Kids, Minus the Stress

Let’s face it, traveling with children can sometimes be difficult.  That’s more bags to pack, hands to hold, and moods to manage.  But thankfully, there are some ways that you can ease the transition from point A to point B without losing your cool.  Here are some tips from Sarah Kelsey at SheKnows.com:

1. Make plans in advance.  Be sure that wherever you’re planning to travel has ample activities to entertain the kids and that you have everything booked so that you aren’t scrambling the day of.
2. Bring the toys.  Pack something to keep the kids busy on the airplane, whether it’s crayons and paper or some of their favorite games.  A happy (and quiet) child makes a happy parent!
3. Keep it local.  While travel is an important part of growing up, they can learn just as much closer to home as they can abroad provided you have planned the right activities.  Save the bigger family trips for when they’re a little older.
4. Budget for the trip.  Don’t carry around a huge amount of cash, but make sure you have some in the event that you aren’t able to access an ATM machine.  Also bring along a card or two.

For even more helpful travel tips, take a look at Sarah’s article, Secrets of Stress-Free Family Travel.

What tips would you add to this list, Glen Lakes?

A Big Kaboom of Fireworks!

What is everyone doing to celebrate the 4th of July! It’s another long holiday weekend and it’s time to dust off the BBQ lids, get grilling’ and enjoy America’s birthday with your closest friends!

If you don’t have any plans to grill out this year, how about checking out what’s happening in the Dallas area this weekend.

When it comes to watching the fireworks around the Dallas area, the demand is not in short supply! Kaboom Town is celebrating its 25 year-long festival with another spectacular occasion this year.

Enjoy:

• Food
• Music
• Kid’s activities
• Rock climbing
• A giant slide
• Fun inflatables
• Sand art
• Free movies
• An obstacle course and much more.

Located in Addison, this event is free for the entire family!

Kaboom Town Celebration 2009!

“The Kaboom Town! celebration takes place on July 3rd each year and it features…a spectacular flyover by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s historic warbirds. This nationally-recognized show has been rated as one of the top places to watch fireworks in the country by USA Today, Travel + Leisure.”

When: Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 5 p.m. to Midnight
Fireworks Showtime: 9:30 p.m.
Where: Addison Circle Park, Bud Light Main Stage, 4970 Addison Circle Drive, Addison, TX

See Kaboom Town!

Travel Tips to Live By

Have you ever gone through the experience of losing your luggage when traveling? If so, are you apprehensive about checking your bags?

Air travel is on the rise once again, but that doesn’t mean the loss of luggage is getting any better. It’s been reported that lost and even damaged bags are the third most common complaints of air travel, following delays and cancellations.

So what can you do to prepare in the event this happens to you? Try these tips:

• Separate clothing items between several suitcases, making sure each person has a change of clothes among the bags. In the event the airline loses one person’s suitcase, the unlucky one will at least have another outfit to get by on that was packed in the others’ luggage.

• Save yourself the hassle and check-in time by shipping your luggage ahead to your destination, with services like FedEx, Luggage Concierge or Virtual Bellhop.

• In the event the baggage tag gets torn off, put your name and address on the inside of your bag as well as the outside and include a copy of your itinerary.

It is important that you know your rights as a passenger in the event an airline loses your luggage. In many cases, you are entitled to compensation but remember to keep track of your expenses.

Has this ever happened to you? What airline has left you in doubt?

See More Tips!

Memorial Day Weekend Events in Dallas

What’s everyone doing for the holiday weekend? Will you be relaxing or hanging out around town? Here are a few things to consider that I think might interest you.

Dallas Zoo

650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway
Dallas, TX 75203
214-670-5656

A new exhibit is opening May 28 at the Dallas Zoo called Giants of the Savanna. This is an interactive experience for guests built around the many different species of animals that will call the Giants of the Savanna home: elephants, giraffes, impalas, zebras, ostriches, lions, warthogs, red river hogs, guinea fowl and cheetahs.

The south habitat is primary territory of the Dallas Zoo’s Golden Girls, a matriarchal family of six African elephants. With wallows, watering holes, trees to push and rub against, and several enrichment and activity stations strategically placed throughout the savanna, you can see active elephants throughout the day.

OR:

If you want to travel a little further and see the best in hunting and fishing, there is a Ducks Unlimited Sporting Expo in Grapevine at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.

Gaylord Texan Resort Convention Center

1501 Gaylord Trail
Grapevine, TX 76051

Some of the many events at the expo include:

• Acclaimed artist Charles Jobes carving and painting decoys
• 3-D archery range
• Laser sporting clays range
• Hunting and fishing personality appearances from the Outdoor Channel
• Climbing wall

Get Information & Buy Tickets!

OR:

Rockin Lake Eola

This summer Lake Eola will rock like never before! The 1st annual Rockin’ Lake Eola concert series kicks off Saturday May 29. This free day-long event will happen every Saturday through September 3 from 3:00PM-11:00PM. Enjoy live music, great food and cold drinks while hanging out with friends.

Whatever you choose to do, have fun and be safe!

Six Flags Over Texas

Six Flags Over Texas is a 212-acre park featuring awesome rides, great shows, and incredible attractions!

Six Flags Over Texas has fun for the entire family. This park is so vast with hundreds of rides and attractions.

• Introducing the new Play Pass for $49.99 through May 31, with unlimited visits at all Six Flags Theme Parks.

• Or for just $10 more, you can have a Season Pass with all of the Play Pass benefits, plus FREE tickets for friends on select days and a Passholder Value Book with $300 in park discounts.

Many of your favorite artists including OneRepublic, Kris Allen and acts from The Bamboozle Roadshow Festival will hit Six Flags Over Texas this year as part of the blockbuster Six Flags Summer Concert Series.

Enjoy your summer at Six Flags! Do you have a favorite ride?

An all in one get-away!

Having looked into it myself I can vouch for this vacation site.  Sandals is a must go to for everyone! I know it’s seems too good to be true but it is, no joke.  Sandals is more than willing to give you a vacation full of relaxation and fun.  Heck they are even willing to throw in accommodations, dining and drinks! You can customize your vacation even adding airfare to the vacation price so you don’t have to worry about the hassle of planning.

I’ve suggested the site to my soon to be married sister and she loved it.  She went through the site with her fiancé and they were able to see the user-friendly tabs.  They looked at all 13 resorts in 4 different locations (Jamaica, Bahamas, St. Lucia, and Antigua) and picked one. They found out you can stay at one resort and play at all the resort at that location!  My sister was able to stay in her budget for her honeymoon and she couldn’t be happier.

Sandals goes over the difference between a “regular vacation” and the Sandals Difference.  The site holds pictures for all of their resorts so you aren’t going into something blindly.  You can even go over testimonials from past guests to see how you’ll like it, which I’m sure you will.  Specials are included on the site and you can even look at Wedding and Honeymoon packages.

Photo by abmiller99

From Dinosaurs to DNA

The Museum of Nature & Science (formerly the Dallas Museum of Natural History, The Science Place, and the Dallas Children’s Museum) is a campus of three separate buildings, all located in Fair Park.

Museum of Nature & Science (MNS) is a wonderful place to explore the world and beyond through innovative programming and hands-on exhibits ranging from dinosaurs to DNA.

The IMAX Theater, a 79-foot domed screen (and one of my favorites) immerses you in thrilling adventures by exploring active volcanoes, the human body, caves, undersea life, outer space and more.

The Museum of Nature & Science Dallas Texas website, features exhibit information, special events, educational programs, hours, fees, and a map to the location in Dallas,Texas.

Hours of Operation: Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sundays 12-5pm.
1318 S. Second Avenue
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 428-5555
See what’s happening at MNS in May!

Live Large in Dallas…

Proverbs says it best, “No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow”. I’m ready for the cold to be over, why not look forward to a few events in Dallas. Live large and mark your calendars for marvelous events in the big city:

• Bodies Exhibit: Have you seen the Bodies Exhibition? Visit the West End Historic District to see the Bodies Exhibit. It’s very unique and really gives you an up-close look at the human body. Get the chance to see 3-D bodies that has been persevered for the exhibit. The event ends April 20,2010. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets or need information call 214.741.7180.
• Savor Dallas: Food lovers? This event is for you!! From March 5-7, enjoy the world-class selection of over 400 premium wines, spirits, and imported beers, and meals from the top 60 chefs in Dallas-Forth Worth’s. Located in the Central Business District call 866.277.7920 or purchase tickets here.
• Dallas Blooms: Spring time is almost here and the largest floral festival is about to begin! From March 6- April 11, mark your calendars to embrace the beautiful gardens of over 500,000 flowers. Millions of people gather each year to see these beautiful flowers…

The Texas Less Traveled

I’m a nut for taking pictures of trees. I’m especially fond bare fall and winter ones. I think there’s a budding photographer in me just waiting to get out. Over the last 5 or so years, I’ve taken pictures of trees that strike a pose as I come across them. If the light is right, a tree can glow bright red in the sun and take my breath away.

I ran across a website called Texas Less Traveled and found some cool pics of trees found on Goose Island at the state park. I’ve never been but the pictures sure are tempting. Does anyone know of other great places to take good tree pics that are also nice getaways near here?

Places That Will Change Your Life

Have you read the book, 1,000 Places to See Before You Die?  It’s a great book that tells you the best places on Earth to visit if you want to see breathtaking views or visit places you may have never heard of.  I also found a list of 15 Life-Changing Trips. This lists the best places to volunteer in other countries and has the best places in the world to explore.

See the list here.