Useful tips

*Before I had my daughter I read somewhere a good tip that I used. Many people lay their baby in the crib for a nap and make the whole house quite down…not a good idea. Those are the babies that wake when the littlest thing makes a peep. I’m not saying go out and bang pots and pans, but you can still watch TV, talk or clean. I think my mom must have done that and that is why I cannot sleep through any noise!
A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not make your baby his/her own picture book with photos of familiar faces? Both of my kids spent countless hours looking through their own book. I didn’t mind they got a lot of wear and tear because I used copies for them. Each page was laminated and then put on a binder ring that easily (for an adult) opened & closed; it was fastened to their stroller, shopping cart seat and many other places. Speaking of – do not let your child stand on the back of a shopping cart. My nephew did this, he and the cart flipped over and for a few scary moments he was out cold.

Baby Items You Have to Have

Great things to have – a Boppy pillow. These pillows are universal with so many uses. They are even comfortable for mom to rest her head in! If you are having a baby in a colder month a diaper wipe warmer comes in handy. While pregnant with my first, who was due in January and being in Florida, I laughed when I saw a warmer at the store. Well the week she was born the temperatures dipped into the 30’s and stayed that way for days. We soon purchased the warmer and used it many other times. Read up on them for safety and information. Black & White toys – yes it’s true that newborns respond to them better than all the fun colorful ones we buy. After seeing my daughter stare intently at a black & white picture we had, I went out and found a few cheap small toys. She would focus on them and track it if we moved them around. Diaper Genie – unless you do not mind the smell of used diapers. Of course the older the baby gets the more you go through the refills just make sure you buy the correct ones.

Boppy Pillow

Welcome Sibling

More than One – things to help prepare the older child
Before my son was born I took my daughter to pick out a present for the baby – she chose “Swinger” a Ty Pillow Buddy. We put it in a cute baby bag and kept it at her Grandmom’s because we knew that is where she would go when we went to the hospital. I also had a gift for her from the “baby”. She was thrilled that her new brother gave her a present too. I packed snacks & things for her to do because she was 3 ½ at the time and I knew she could become bored at the hospital quickly.
*When our son was born we called our daughter first. Then she got to share the news with everyone. Some family members brought her to the hospital. When they arrived we asked that everyone wait outside of the room while she met her brother. Once she was ready to introduce him then everyone else got to meet him.

Baby Ideas

Time goes by so fast when you become a parent and soon your little infant is no longer little. Before those moments are gone makes some keepsakes. Use nontoxic washable tempera paint to make a print of the baby’s foot. While the baby is in a seat paint the foot with a roller or sponge, then press firmly onto a piece of card stock and let dry. Oh yeah…don’t forget to wash off the babies foot. Also another easy thing to do is trace the baby’s hand from time to time, date it and use it on a scrapbook page.
A fun safe activity for toddlers indoors on a rainy day is to stack paper cups, like Dixie cups, in pyramids. Usually you get at least 50 in a box, which can make a pretty high structure and if they fall no one gets hurt.

Heading to the Hospital

Hospital tips – what to bring
Aside from the typical clothing & baby items don’t forget: List of phone numbers of all family members – you would be surprised at what you forget once that baby comes, cash – you may need it for a dad snack, a few diapers for the baby, the car seat, batteries as a back up for your camera, a disposable camera – just in case you forget your own this way at least you will have one, a nice nightgown, sports bra and good socks.
Tip – try the car seat before the baby arrives. Buckle it in, and then take it out so you are familiar with it.

Journaling

Journal – once you have your baby you realize that those 9 months went by fast and soon you are a parent. I kept a journal to document how I felt mentally, emotionally and physically. My journal was left out so I would remember and I tried to do it as often as I could. Each of my children has a journal of when I was pregnant with them so they can read and, in the future, compare it to the arrival of their own baby. I continued to write in both of their journals but as they got older it became less and less. I love to sit and read them from time to time, remembering all the funny stories and happy memories.

Pets

Pets – Well I really should call this “dogs” because that is all I have ever had, but some of this can apply to other animals. Think ahead - Don’t forget to make plans for your pets while you are in the hospital – set up a schedule of who will take care of them and leave all necessary information for them. The last thing you want to realize when seeing a baby being born is “Oh my….I forgot about the dogs!!!”
While pregnant with our first child we had 2 Rottweilers. Of course many people we knew were concerned because of the breed, but we knew our dogs and how great they were. We also knew that a baby in our home was something new. A few things we did to prepare them was first, add a gate to our (future) daughters bedroom. We bought one that the dogs could see through but high enough to keep them out. Most of our house had wood floors and her room was one of the few with carpet. Aside from dog hair we just didn’t want the dogs lying around in her room. So months later by the time she came home, they were use to not going into that room so it was nothing new by then. Another thing, which I read somewhere, is to wear the lotion you plan on using on the baby. This way the smell is not new when the baby is in the home.
*Check out K9s for more on dogs

My Angel Neeko

Reading

Family Fun Magazine – my goodness, I have FF magazines dating back to 1996 when I became a mom. Each is filled with creative ideas that I just couldn’t part with. FF covers crafts, food, games, and much more, kind of what I wanted to do with this site. Great magazine! National Geographic for Kids – great mix of articles on wildlife, science, sports, experiments and useful information. We have renewed our subscription and my daughter even had a drawing published in NGK in August 2007. Highlights – I remember looking thought them as a child at the doctor’s office, wishing I got them at home. I still even like the hidden pictures page. My kids have enjoyed Highlights and I think it’s a good buy.


Ranger Rick, Your Big Backyard
I believe these 2 magazines are put out by the same company. My kids have had both and always looked forward to seeing them in the mail box. I found these to be some of the better choice because they learned from them, and love animals. Lots of nature info, ideas and good articles. Although Ranger Rick is geared towards the older child, it says up to 12, but by the time my daughter was 10 she wasn’t as interested.

Family Night

Family Night – Time just seems to slip by and each day brings new things to get done. Many times I think about the things I want to do with my children before they are off on their own. I grew up in a smaller town with small town values and one thing we did have often was family dinners. We all sat at the table together and talked while we ate, not TV, no phones, just us. I think my mom being a stay-at-home mom was a big reason why we could do that. Now that I am a mom myself I just do not have the kind of time needed to prepare dinner and then cleaning up. But as my kids grew I realized that I didn’t want them to miss that. So we started “family night”. We picked Wednesday to have it because it was in the middle of the week and it worked for us. I have the kids’ alternate weeks. Whoever’s week it is gets to plan the menu, help cook, set the table, clean up and pick an activity for the 4 of us to do together (games, bike ride, drive) but nothing that involves money. I was so surprised at the excitement they each had when it was “their” week. And the other one got to spend some one on one time with dad! So even if you cannot find the time to cook meals every night, set aside one each week for Family Night and see what a difference it makes.
**See Games for ideas on things to do

Outdoor

Outdoor: Boccee Ball – I first started playing this game as a child and then didn’t for years, just because no one had one. I finally bought one and started lugging it to family gatherings. First, it is worth it to buy a good set – around $40. The balls are heavier which is better. You can play 2 or 4 people. We have showdowns between family members and I don’t think we have 1 person who doesn’t enjoy playing this game. SPUD – you need a ball & 3+ kids or willing adult like me. The person in control has the ball, he chooses a subject for the players. Example, the ball holder says “soda”, the players huddle together and quietly say what they are, player 1 picks “Pepsi”, player 2 is “Coke” and player 3 is “7-up”. A player announces the 3 soda’s “Coke, Pepsi, 7-Up” but the ball holder does not know who is who. He then bounces with a chant “I declare a war on the soda of …”, the ball player than tosses the ball up in the air as he calls out a soda. Everyone runs the other way except the player who is called. That player has to try and stop the ball ASAP, catching in air or off a bounce. As soon as that is done he yells “SPUD”. Everyone must stop!. The catcher picks a target, everyone else can move. If the ball is caught in mid air – 5 steps, on a bounce 3…or whatever you feel is fair, I have a fast daughter who can get far! Catcher takes the correct amount of steps, and tries to throw the ball at target, not the head. If they catch it you get a letter, if you hit them and no catch is made they get a letter. The catcher than becomes the ball thrower and picks the next subject. Once you have S – P – U – D you are out. Kickball – an old school favorite, who doesn’t know how to play? If you have enough people play this game, it works for those that can’t run to fast, or want to do a lot of running. We play every year at Easter…young and old.

Indoor

Indoor: Mexican Train (dominoes) – this game can my 2nd grade son can play and I can enjoy a more challenging game with adults. It’s not a game that takes up a lot of room so you can pack it up for an overnight trip. Rumikub – if you like the game of Rummy but want something a little trickier spend the $10 and get this game. You can have up to 4 players and will probably get addicted! My all time favorite with a group is Taboo – this game is fast & fun. The object is simple: get your team to say the answer while you try to describe it without using certain words. Name that Tune 80’s edition – I love the 80’s music and I can say that in the 3 or 4 times we attempted to play with a group we barely heard of any of the songs. It wasn’t even “one hit wonders” because most of the songs weren’t even hits. Even when my animal print, ruffle, shoulder pad sister and I teamed up against my musical dictionary dad, we still sucked. I tried to sell the game at a yard sale without any luck and its still is sitting in my garage. Don’t Quote Me – this is a new board game my extended family played at my son’s birthday. It has trivia type questions (everything from Disney to the Solar System) that are easy enough for younger kids (around 4th grade) but also fun enough for older players. It is for up to 5 players, you are given and you also get more “events” cards which can be used when you have a pair. The object is to get your piece around you path first. Aside from being a fun game it is also educational, it not only gives the correct answer but also gives some facts that go along with it. Mad Gab – this is such a good game for laughs! You really need quite a few people to make it work well. 2 teams, one person tries to “direct” their team to guess the answer while they read it aloud. Blurt – a fun game for many. We played in teams and with the rule that if you blurted the wrong answer you can no longer guess. A description is read to the group while everyone tries to blurt out the answer. It can be a little harder for younger ones because they might not be as fast – suggestion to that a child pair up with an older quicker player. I think everyone has heard of Scene It. You of course need to know how to use your DVD remote to play. Try it ahead of time before you want to play with a group because no one wants to watch you fool around with the buttons on the remote. Scene It has many versions and it depends on what your family likes. We even played the TCM edition at work with older players and they enjoyed it. Toss Up is an easy toting dice game that comes in a case the size of Altoids. It is simple enough for kids to play and fun enough for adults to enjoy. You roll the dice that are colored red, yellow and green – same idea as a stop light. You sort of take a chance the more points you want. We have played it many times and everyone always asks me where to get it. I bought mine at Target for like $4 but haven’t seen it since. Electronic Life – Twists & Turns – my nephew brought this to a family gathering at the park. At first I wasn’t too thrilled, but he seemed into it and I was happy that someone took the initiative to bring a game! Well let me tell you this game rocks! We had so much fun playing…until it was too dark to see, that we continued playing at a family member’s house. For younger kids they would need a partner, my son (8) was mine. He liked to do the moves and hit the buttons with some direction. My daughter played her own “Life”. We will be getting this one for home.

Fort Jackson SC

South Carolina Fort Jackson area – we didn’t find much to do in a little amount of time while attending all the military events. The base is huge, with hills and lots of flowers in bloom during the spring. Beware if you have allergies because pollen coats everything. On Family Day – we entered the base and got lost immediately, but with assistance from a solider we were shown where to go. We waited for quite some time and the weather was cold which some of our group was not prepared for. In the distance we could hear those chants we have heard in movies time and time again. It is very surreal to see your solider with his company trotting over the hills towards the awaiting family. We didn’t know what order they were coming but finally figured it was alphabetical…it’s a blonde thing. Now keep in mind that if you are waiting for a male, everyone has the same hair! I actually filmed someone else’s soldier not realizing that my brother was in the row right behind him. The Company stands in formation while family goes inside to get information.



Church on Base

NYC

NYC – being from Long Island I have to spotlight NYC! As a child we had many trips into the city and as an adult I am still fascinated by all it has to offer, from famous landmarks, museums, zoos, shows, stores, parks and much more. My last time there I went with my daughter who was 7 at the time, my brother and my husbands grandmother who couldn’t do a whole lot of walking. We squeezed in lots of sight seeing in a short amount of time. The city as a whole is easy to follow because the streets are like a grid running east – west and north – south. Study it before you go and map out what you want to see so you are not back tracking. Rate the places you want to go in order of importance, look into prices ahead of time. Some things might take longer than you thought. If you have the time a great place is the American Museum of Natural History. I remember going there as child and it targets all ages. I’m sure anyone that has been there can recall the 94 foot replica of the blue whale. Statue of Liberty – no trip to the city would be complete without seeing this great lady! She is a symbol of hope for visitors from all over the globe. The Circle Line is a cheap trip around the island of Manhattan with great views of many landmarks.

Tampa Area

Tampa Area – We are fortunate to have a family member with a condo in New Port Richey. A few of us “girls” in the family took the kids and made the most of a long weekend. I recommend a trip to the Florida Holocaust Museum in Tampa. If you have younger school age children you should teach them some of the history to spark their interest. My son, who was 8 when we went, ended up looking forward to going and was full of questions. The prices are cheap for a family and your admission includes an electronic wand for you to use on the 1st floor for additional information. They were simple to use. Unfortunately my niece didn’t get one because at age 4 she was too young to be responsible for one so it was hard to keep her interested. She continually asked “Aunt Cher, when are we leaving?” My son, on the other hand, was fascinated and spent time at each display. He would then run up to me to tell say what was coming up. During our independent tour we were lucky enough to have Eva introduce herself to all of us.
As soon as she pointed to the wall at an enlarged old black and white photo we knew right away she was a survivor. Soon she had us all captivated with her story and before we knew it we were following her to see more. Eva was an extraordinary example of someone with courage to overcome. As we listened to her with tears in our eyes, she reminded us, with the biggest smile, how great of a country we live in and she loves her great life in America. **Note – my daughter just went back to the FHM with her class, and it was not as good the 2nd time, she said, but they also had a “walking tour”, I think the headphones are a great plus. Following the museum we made a quick stop at the St. Petersburg Pier. We paid $3 for parking which included a trolley ride to the door of the pier which had shopping and a view of the Tampa Bay from the 5th floor observation tower. At the pier you can feed pelicans for a fee, rent bikes with several seats, and visit the nice shops. The 2nd floor has a small aquarium, we didn’t go, but stop by and watch the candle making on the 1st floor. *Note – my daughter went here with her class and she said it was “cool” but they didn’t a lot much time for them to explore. Our weekend included a day excursion at MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. I read a few negative reviews on the place but have to strongly say I disagree. We had a full day up until it closed; we were actually told it was time to leave. Although we were there so long, we didn’t see everything. My son and nephew had enough guts to ride the bike on the high wire; we experienced different types of weather, grossology, the IMAX and much more. If you are pressed for time purchasing the add-ons might be wasteful, so use good judgment. They do have an area to picnic. When going to the IMAX you can purchase snacks and drinks, but they cannot be taken into the other areas. Some things weren’t working but we were refunded money with no problems after losing it in a sticker making machine. It’s a good idea to end in the kid area because you might not get them to leave. Many hands on areas were here and we adults had fun also. Plan to be there for the day. Tarpon Springs is an area highly influenced by Greek people with lots of specialty shops, cultural food and nice water views. We arrived later in the day so most places were closing. But the streets were filled with the sights, smells and feel of great place.


Tarpoon Springs

Sunset Beach

Fire!

Wildfires – Unfortunately Florida goes through times when we are at risk for a wildfire. They start from a variety of causes including lighting, dry conditions, and even arson. I will add more to this section in time but end with a request: After my daughter conducted a science experiment we found out that a lit cigarette can easily ignite a fire. Florida does have a law against throwing butts out, so please dispose of your smoking material in a proper container.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes The Atlantic hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30, but most hurricanes occur during the fall months. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters. Evaporation from the seawater increases their power. Hurricanes rotate in a counter-clockwise direction around an "eye." The center of the storm or "eye" is the calmest part. It has only light winds and fair weather. When they come onto land, the heavy rain, strong winds and large waves can damage buildings, trees and cars. Weather terms when storms are approaching: Tropical Wave – an area of low pressure, Tropical Depression – same but with winds up to 38 mph, Tropical Storm has winds ranging from 39 – 73 and Hurricane which has winds at least 74 mph. Hurricanes are then rated with a category – 1 being the weakest and 5 being catastrophic.
Tips: have your insurance information handy, make preparations for family with disabilities and your pets in advance, get your property ready, and leave when necessary.

Fishing Tales

Fishing – freshwater licenses are required for residents and non residents. Saltwater licenses are required for fishers in a boat that are over 16, unless fishing in a boat covered by a vessel saltwater license. Always know the rules and limits before going to fish.

Salt Water Fish – Common species include Snook, Drum, Trout, King Mackerel, Grouper, Sailfish – our state saltwater fish, and Sheepshead.

*Sheepshead

K9's

Dogs – Wickham Park is a great place and now you can take your K9 companion. The have an area that dogs run free with others, as long as you provide a shot record. Also many people walk their dogs there…just don’t forget to clean up after them. Our local shelter is on the west end of Eau Gallie Blvd.

My Penny...she is in Heaven

Gators

Gators – and I do not mean the Florida UF Gators…alligators are aggressive during breading season which is March – May. And they are more active between dusk and dawn. Sate law prohibits harassing gators, and never feed one – it dangerous and illegal.
They are not really "pests" but I guess to some they are!

Love is in the Air

Love is in the air and it shows up in pairs – Love bugs look like black lightening bugs with a red head. They do not sting you, but they are a pest because of their acidic body chemistry. To get rid of them you can kill them with your car and let them splat all over so you then can have a hard time removing them before they remove your paint. Or you can not drive during the months of May and September when they swam. I read “Bissel” glass cleaner is good at removing the dead bugs and I know that a wet dryer sheet works.

Spurs...not for you cowboys!

Another sneaky native is the sandspurs which seem to leap on your socks, pants and shoe laces. So look out for those!

Red Ants

Red ants – I can remember being new to Florida and enjoying a night near the pool our apartment complex had. My sister, who was standing on the lawn which was wet from a resent rain, all of a sudden she starting yelling out while doing some sort of crazy dance, she ran straight for the pool and jumped in. Bad idea…she was being bit by the famous fire ants! In NY we had small ants that didn’t do a thing so this was something unfamiliar. Fire ants are notorious for their painful bite. The pile is visible and looks like loose soil or gopher diggings. They seem to pop up on the lawn after a rain, you can find them anywhere – even close to a tree (that’s another story). They like sandy soil which is typical in Florida. At first you might not see any ants on the mound but once it is disturbed you will see swarms of them and they attack quickly. The can be undetected for seconds before bite. I read that Listerine mouthwash will help alleviate the pain, I’m not sure but there will probably a time I can check on that. Anyone stung who has symptoms beyond the pain and itching should seek medical attention.

Don't kick this dirt mound - you will get bit very quickly!

Jetty Park

Jetty Park – Cape Canaveral. This park is popular for Shuttle Launch viewing because it is so close to KSC. Jetty Park is located in the port and they offer camping / fishing. Although I have never camped there, I will one day soon, I have been there often since we have a time share next to the park. When we go, I like to go on the (1,200 foot) pier because we always see baby Sea Turtles – my favorite! It’s also cool to see the ships go out to sea, especially the Disney ship. The beach is a nice, clean, and flat which makes it nice for having kids in the water.

Jetty Park Pier

River Fun

Kayaking – with so much water around us navigating it by boat is a great way to see things. You can see nature up close and personal with a knowledgeable guide. Kayaking is fairly easy and kids can even go along. Don’t forget a covering hat, SPF, water and a camera.

A dolphin in the river

Skydiving on the Space Coast

Sky Diving – for my husbands 27th birthday I surprised him with skydiving trip. We went out from Titusville north of Melbourne across from the Space Center. Our training was quick and before I knew it we were boarding the small plane. I was the last one on. I was nervous when the door wasn’t shut…duh we are jumping out! As our plane climbed altitude I could swear everyone could hear my heart beating rapidly but just as we reached our height for the dive I relaxed and was ready. Now if you are going to go sky diving, pay the money for photos and video because people might not believe you ever jumped. While quickly descending we were both able to soak in the view of the river below and KSC. It was breath taking in more than one way.

Long Point Camping

Long Point Park - Camp Ground: off A1A
We have always loved camping and have visited different areas to do this. We started camping at Long Point well before we had children, as a matter of fact, that is where I was proposed to. So we have great memories there. At first it doesn’t look like your typical camping because of the lack of trees but it’s on the river, and that scenery makes up it. Long Point is in a circle surrounded by the Indian River Lagoon on all sides, they even added a swimming pond in the middle of the layout to enjoy. You can walk over to Scout Island. The prices are good and pets are welcome. Of course it is not far from the inlet for something to do during the day…unless of course you love fishing.

Sebastian Inlet

Sebastian Inlet State Park on A1A
A different alternative for the beach lover is Sebastian Inlet. The Indian River and Atlantic Ocean meet creating a spot geared towards surfers & fishers, but also provides a natural play area for kids in the tide pool. The currents can be pretty ruff and only a strong swimmer should attempt the ocean side. Several surfing competitions are held here every year. The inlet has rocks on both sides – May 07 we were not even there long enough to put our blankets down when my 4 year old niece fell and cut open her toe in a “U” shape. A bait shop employee called the Ranger who assisted us and took care of her. Water shoes are a great thing! The tide pool is usually calm and can even fun to snorkel. You can find all kinds of crabs under the rocks as well as conchs. Nets, buckets, and shovels are great to bring along for the day. It’s bordered by large rocks that are fun to climb on but can be very slippery. Although the tide pool is shallow the other sides of the rocks are not. Fishermen can be found up and down the Jetty reeling in a large catch, Pelicans wait nearby hoping for a free meal make for a great photo. They have a small shop that sells little gifts and food (a little pricy I thought). The park provides a picnic area with trees, a few grills and even campsites. The cost is $5 per car load and well worth it for the day.

Man of War

Portuguese Man of War – floating jelly fish that have tentacles with stingers that carry poison. If you get stung, pour ocean water on the area, cover and then scrape away any stingers and wash again with ocean water. Sometimes they float up on the shore and have a pretty iridescent color…leave them alone, you will get stung.

Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles – my all time favorite…Sea Turtles, they are either threatened or endangered and Florida has many laws protecting them. We have the most nesting Sea Turtles, especially this coast, than anywhere else. Being a visitor doesn’t excuse anyone from not following the rules. Man-made lighting disorients hatchlings and may cause them to go away from the ocean where they will not survive. They find the sea by the reflection of the sky or moon. Many places on the beach have certain types of lighting that does not distract the turtles during nesting season. Flashlights and flash from cameras is also distracting to them and may even stop a mother turtle from laying her eggs. Sea Turtle are huge (Leatherbacks can weigh 700 – 2000 pounds) and seeing one is just awesome! We have gone at night to see them lay eggs and each time was just as exciting as the last. But on many occasions I have witnessed other viewers disturbing their rituals by standing in their path, taking photo after photo, calling out to those they are with. It pisses me off. So remember to observe with caution and follow the rules.

A turtle that was released after rehab

Hatchlings heading to the ocean

Intro to the Space Coast

http://www.space-coast.com/index.cfm a site for dining, things to do and general information for a visitor to the Space Coast

Quick Facts – Brevard County has 233 bridges, Florida has 4,000 named lakes, 825 miles of sandy beaches, and no part of the state is more than 60 miles away from salt water.

*Eau Gallie Causeway

We have more than 60 miles of sandy beaches and just over 1,000 square miles.
Melbourne Beach Shells

Florida Driving

Driving – While you will not drive through a snow storm here, you can all of sudden find yourself in a tyrannical downpour. Give yourself extra time when traveling; leave more space between you and the next car because roads are slippery, if you can stay in the middle lane which is usually higher than the outer lane. Florida is full of ditches and other water holding areas and when full you really cannot tell how deep they are. Stay alert to that. When I first started driving the rain storms made me nervous, but I’m use to them now. You really just have to take it slower, put your lights on and be aware. Also, watch out for overly cautious drivers who may put you at risk with their driving. Also buckle up, it’s the law or as they say “click it or ticket”.

John Pennekamp

John Pennekamp State Park – I have only been here two times for a day trip but I highly recommend it for the nature lover. The first time I stopped here my friend and I went snorkeling. I was new to the sport, really nervous and excited. From the time I put my head in the water marine life was in my view. I was startled a few times by large silver tarpon and even scared of a few toothy barracudas. JPSP is considered the US’s first underwater park. The area is very Florida-like with canopies of Palm trees providing shade to cool off on a hot day. The offer all the water activities that you would find at a state park for a fee. They have snorkeling off the beach, like I did, or sign up for a trip to explore the remnants of an early Spanish shipwreck which is close by. JPSP offers camping and is a great place for family.

Without Kids

Without Kids – If you are heading to the Keys kid-less than you might be looking for the night life. Key West is the place to stay because drinking and driving do not mix, and Key West is quite a drive from some of the other Keys. Key West has bars everywhere, some are pack wall to wall with comics others are simply just a bar with 2 stools. They make the most of their room.

Fat Tuesdays – If you go look for A & C carved in the bar overlooking the street to the left!

One of my top places to go for a fun night

The main strip is Duval Street, so staying near by is a good idea. Driving & parking is a pain, they just do not have the space to accommodate all the vehicles so you are better off renting a bike or golf cart while there. The locals are not happy to see tourist cars taking up spots reserved for them (a certain color curb) and have no problem calling to report your vehicle. We prefer the bed & breakfast places and have stayed in some really nice ones. If you are in the Keys, the décor should reflect that and you get what you pay for. Most B & B’s will assist you for reservations, giving you good local tips. While in Key West minus the kids we kind of lay low during the day and reserve all our energy for a long night of bar hopping. Ghost walks are fun, even taking in one of those cheesy history tours is very informative. Keep in mind some places are clothing optional, many are gay friendly.

With the Kids

With Kids – the main thing is that Key West is really not a kid friendly place after sunset. Many people go there to party and are disorderly. We took our kids to Key West during the day to see the sights and stayed for Sunset Celebration but before we could leave the island they got quite a view of a very elderly lady in a thong. Lots of funny questions for the ride home. It was good for a laugh. Key West is very gay-friendly.
We stayed at Sugarloaf Key in a camper. After our trip I realized we should have shopped around more for a cheaper place to stay. Sugarloaf Key was nothing great for the price. The pool at night was overrun with lots of people jumping over you and no supervision. The beach area was small and the current made it hard to swim for kids.

Photo taken at the camp grounds, you just cannot find an ugly spot in the Keys to take a photo!

Bahia Honda

Bahia Honda State Park – this is one of the most southernmost state parks. It is a beautiful beach with brilliant sunsets, and clear water. You can snorkel right in the beach area, even renting the gear if you do not have your own. They also rent kayaks and schedule boat trips. Bahia Honda has a trail that leads you to the top of the old bridge. At the top you can see the old Henry Flagler’s railroad and the entire island. Definitely a great place to at least stop on your trip to Key West.

I took this photo leaving Bahia Honda on a boat

Intro to the Keys

The keys are a chain of intricate ecosystems and a great place to dive. While down south we scheduled a snorkeling trip out of Bahia Honda to Looe Key. We worked the whole month before to teach the kids how to snorkel. It wouldn’t have mattered how long we were in the water practicing they didn’t enjoy Looe Key snorkeling. They were too young and starting off seeing Barracuda, certainly not the most comforting sight. But 3 kids out of the 18 in our group is not bad. The trip was well worth it for us. The water was beautiful and we saw a lot!

Gifts for Kids

Gift for kids – each resort sells charms with their name or them on them for a bracelet; they are quite cheap and fun to collect for girls. They also have pins that are popular with Disney fans. The pins can run more money than the charms but you can trade them with cast members and even other collectors.

WDW Value Resorts

$Value Resort – All Star Movies – beds not very comfortable, cute themed rooms; The Toy Story area was fun looking especially for photos. We were disappointed to be in the --- and found out the pool was closed. We had to walk a long way to get to where everything was located. I know it is not always like this but it would be a good idea to call ahead and ask. The food court had a nice variety for quick meals. The prices weren’t bad; some kid’s meals would be perfect for a not so hungry adult. For the price it was nice to be close to the theme parks and 2 nights was fine.

WDW Fort Wilderness

Fort Wilderness – If you have never taken your kids camping taking them here will only give them a false sense of what it means to be outdoors because WDW’s FW is top notch! We have tent camped here years ago with large groups of family and friends. More recently we took our camper and even experienced the cabins through other family members. I can only say good things about FW. They have “loops” off the main road and each loop has their own community bathroom which is air conditioned, and very clean. Near the bathroom are a laundry room, ice machine, posting of movies, bus schedules and other information. They have at least 2 little stores with souvenirs and basic items. They have hidden areas of small parks, a lake to use a paddle boat, beach volleyball, petting zoo, horse back riding, a large lake where you can rent boats and peacocks roaming around. The have a pool, tennis courts and even shuffleboard. At night they show an outdoor movie complete with fire pit for smores and a visit by Chip & Dale who come to sing-along before the show starts. Also at night you can view the Magic Kingdoms fireworks at the lake front. Be prepared for mosquitoes and bring a blanket to sit on in the sand. They have great food options and even a 2 options for special dining. Staying at FW you really need either a bike or a golf cart. You can rent them from Disney or bring your own. That is how everyone gets around and you see carts all over. Get on the list to rent one ASAP so you do not have to wait, and make sure it is charged. For pet lovers, they have a loop just for you so ask for it. It is probably our favorite place to stay on Disney property.

Walt Disney World Water Parks

WDWWater Parks:
Blizzard Beach – a snow themed water park in sunny Florida! BB is home to the longest family raft ride (Teamboat Springs), for the thrill seekers they have Summit Plummet, the world’s tallest and fasted free fall slide. If climbing to the top of the mountain is not for you they offer a ride on the ski lift. Like typical Disney, the park is in the circular shape with a lazy river that goes by each ride. The smaller kids area, where I spent a lot of time with my 2, felt out of the way and I found myself wondering where everyone was. I prefer Typhoon Lagoon.

Typhoon Lagoon – My favorite water park ever. TL is laid back with it’s beachy vibe and sandy bottom. The wave pool is the best with huge waves that are even used for surfing after hours. They offer snorkeling in a salt water tank that is kept cold for the real sea life including lemon sharks, among other things. You do not need to know how to snorkel to do this, and you shouldn’t pass it up. The fish are so use to seeing us humans, so no one is getting bite or anything like that. I suggest you go before the crowd gets big because if you really like it just go again. The ride Crush “N” Gusher is a water ride that actually takes you both downhill and up by high powered water jets. When we went on my son rode with me and he did not like it, and I wasn’t that eager to try it again. The tube you are in does not have a bottom so yours hits the rollers that help get you going upward. TL also has a circular lazy river that passes by each ride. The park offers lots of shaded areas which I didn’t find at Blizzard Beach. Worth the money and geared towards all ages.

*Tip for Disney water parks – buy the drink mug, you pay one price and can refill it all day.
If you are getting it, buy early to make the most of your money.
You can bring food / drinks into both parks. Kids meals are decent for the price.
Be prepared for rain – it’s Florida. I take extra garbage bags and bag up my stuff if needed, until the rain stops. Also if it does rain, a lot of people leave, hang out and wait for it to blow over - you'll get great seats and the park is missing a lot of people...more room for you!