{travel} New Years Florida Style

by Shalice Noel

 

 

 
She thought this was a water park.

 Hangin out in Alys Beach
 
 

I can chase the kids in these

 
 
 
  A kind stranger took this. The people we met were some of the most friendly we’ve met.
We loved the family atmosphere.
 

 
Celebrated a belated birthday dinner with my bestie at La Crema, the best tapas in Rosemary Beach. She is crazy thoughtful, kind and I love her to death. It was the ideal way to spend our last night. And the molten chocolate cake was epic.
 
 
Rosemary Beach is a dream.

 
 She did this all day. Necklace by Woodkeeps
 
 

 
 

 


Even as we faced a 14 hour car ride, it amazed me that within a minute of pulling out from our street, they asked, “are we there yet?” But that was only the first of 1,567 times. Within 5 minutes, they asked if they could open the gifts my mother-in-law packed for them. Ten total, mind you, in personalized backpacks, one for each hour of the ride. Strict orders. 2015 resolution note to self, be more like my mother-in-law. Another fun question was, what is Florida like? Are there sharks in the water? These are the conversations that occupied our time between drawing on dry erase boards, DVD’s, she- took-my-snack fights and who will catch the rings in the pool. (See below for my travel must haves). Also a highlight was seeing the Rocket in Huntsville, Alabama, the sunset over Louisville KY, and the hills of Tennessee. Sights we could not see from 33,000 feet in the air. Upon arrival, we got what we were looking for: mild temps and a pleasant break from our hectic work schedules in Chicago. Jogging on the beach, watching our toddler ruin our sand castles, and frequenting our favorite Fonville Press coffee shop was the daily agenda. Still dreaming of that iced coffee. We rented a house for 4 adults and 8 kids in Panama City Beach, FL. Talk about a party. Yes, a little chaotic, but mostly a refreshing vacation with the dearest of friends. Thankfully there was a beach to run off the energy and temps that did not require hats, gloves, coats and boots. That added an hour at least to our day. Not to mention less tears. And while the lush European like layout of Rosemary Beach and stark white architecture of Alys Beach still calls my name, I’m already planning next year’s Florida trip. Afterall, 2015 is the year for the kind of planning that would make my MIL proud. So would I do it all again? In a heartbeat.
 

8 Tips for traveling with children:

1. Stay flexible. We get there when we get there. Because our four year old may have to use the facilities every half hour. I’m all the wiser for expecting the inconvenient exploration and toddler tantrums and they’re not worth the gray hairs. Just go with it.

2. DVD’s  (We love Charlotte’s web, My Little Pony, Sound of Music, Lion King)

3. Books on tape: Winnie the Pooh, Frog & Toad and Chronicles of Narnia 

4. Individual size snacks Popcorn and chips, (I also bring extra Ziploc bags to throw snacks to the back row) Your only chance for healthy snacks is what you pack, so pack smart. Carrots, raisins, chips and popcorn are our favorites.

5. Play “I spy” games. Google native flowers and trees and see who can find them. Make it as educational as possible. For the younger ones, spy alphabet, shapes and colors.

6. Jawbone mini jambox  is a wireless Bluetooth speaker that connects via Bluetooth through your phone. Genius. And a nice break from the My Little Pony jingle.
 

7. Each child got his/her own pillow and blanket. Elsa and Anna blankets worked magic on this trip! 

8. Travel with friends. It was like 50,000 built in playdates everyday and knocks them out just in time for bed. We were amazed at how well they slept at night.


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6 comments

preloved January 8, 2015 - 10:20 am

Oh I love this. I am totally impressed that you do this with 4 little ones . Trying to get three bladders on the same cycle is enough for me. But I couldn't agree more…there is nothing like a family road trip …here are a few of my tips….

http://prelovedtoronto.blogspot.ca/2014/03/florida.html

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Déjà Blue January 12, 2015 - 7:58 am

Thanks for reading – and sharing xx

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Patricia Oro January 15, 2015 - 2:11 pm

I'm currently looking for place to go in Summer with my 3 little ones. Was thinking Hawaii, but this place looks amazing! May I ask where did you stay? Thank you!

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Elsie Alkurabi January 16, 2015 - 5:44 pm

Just found your blog and I love it! Where's your blouse from in the last pic? It's beautiful 🙂

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benilhalk July 16, 2015 - 11:29 pm

Amazing place! It’s a good place for New Year party and I will definitely book it for further parties. Right now I am searching party halls in Boston MA for celebrating my 2nd wedding anniversary. So I need your advice that which place will look good for the party night.

Reply
johan32 September 4, 2015 - 2:36 am

Thanks for giving good information on wedding venue but I want to throw New Year party in my region so looking for best new year eve party nyc. Please help me with my search as I can’t do it all alone!!

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