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GARMIN VIVOFIT Jr 2 Review

Filed Under: Kids

Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Review

Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Review

It’s important to encourage kids with physical activity without making it seem like a chore or punishment.  As parents, we want them to associate fitness with something positive, not negative. When we get up and move it is not only good for our body but our minds as well.   It’s also good to teach kids to be mindful of what they are doing and how their time is spent.  The Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 is a fun fitness tracker that provides a way to introduce kids to exercise and help them establish healthy habits.

What is Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2?

garmin vivofit jr 2

The band is a fitness tracker geared specifically towards kids.  They have fun bands that include favorite franchises such as Star Wars, Avengers, Disney Princesses, and more. The main purpose of the tracker is very similar to what adults use them for- it allows for steps to be counted, daily goals to be set and it can monitor sleep as well.  To up the ante on fun, Garmin has created a Vivofit jr. App which has fun games that kids earn moves on based on their activity.

Kids are able to set up competitions with themselves or with others to see who can get the most steps in a certain timeframe. This could be anywhere from a toe to toe challenge for two minutes, to a week-long competition.

The bands are waterproof and come with a 1+ year battery (which is replaceable) so there’s no need to worry about charging.

Another cool aspect of the bands is that timers and chores can be set within the app.  When the chore is completed then they can earn coins that accumulate until a reward is reached. You can set reminders which will show on their band, for example, if they should start homework at 3:30, the watch will display an alert at that time.

GARMIN VIVOFIT Jr 2 Review Screen Shots

Why is Physical Activity Important?

It’s been proven that regular physical activity can help kids improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease (CDC).

The Vivofit Jr. 2 Band is a great way to make kids aware of how much activity they are getting and allows them to challenge themselves to real goals.  It’s a great tool to encourage physical activity and make them aware of how much they are getting in a fun way.

Verdict on Vivotfit Jr 2 Band Review

The kids love their Vivofit Jr. 2 Band and that they earn moves on the app when the meet their 60-minute activity goal.  For my nine-year-old, it also helps when she wants to sit in front of the tv and don’t realize how long she’s been doing it until I ask what her activity for the day so looks like.  It also makes for less arguing that “I haven’t been sitting here all day” which is a bonus.

My six-year-old loves his band as well and enjoys the challenges.  He also likes having the ability to set timers whether it’s for a challenge or to see how long it takes him to take a bath.

I want fitness to be a part of what they do not some dreaded forced activity.  The Vivofit Jr. 2 Band helps accomplish that.  Since using the bands, there is a definite increase in awareness of activity and fun in making sure that they meet challenges and goals.  Yes, there are definitely still lazy days but there is also excitement when they meet two activity rings or have a large number of steps giving them a sense of accomplishment which is a lot of fun to see.

The bands themselves are very durable and we haven’t had any issues with the graphics on them or the band coming off.  As mentioned earlier they are waterproof so the kids can wear them in the tub or pool with no worries of damage.   I’ve found that these have been a really fun way to remind the kids to be active without being pushy or feeling forced.

I hope you found this Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 review helpful!

Where to Find

You can find the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Bands at retailers such as Target and Walmart as well as on Amazon.  You can also find bands only on Amazon so that you can swap them out with new bands.

Bands ONLY

Have you tried the Vivofit Jr 2?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

Interested in more fitness ideas for kids? Check out these post!

Avengers Workout for Kids

Workouts for KidsUNO Fitness Workout

Avengers Workout for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

AVENGERS WORKOUT FOR KIDS

Avengers Workout for Kids

 

My kids LOVE the Avengers.  It’s become part of our nighttime routine that we all sit down and watch one of the Avengers animated shows on Disney+.   Right now, we’re on Season 2 of Avengers Assemble.   This Avengers workout for kids was something they found fun and it interested them more than just trying to “exercise” because it felt more like there was a purpose behind it.  After all, who doesn’t want to be an Avenger?  Not to mention the benefits kids gain through exercising.

Tabata Avengers Workout

This Avengers workout is a Tabata workout.  Tabata is the creation of Dr. Izumi Tabata, a former hockey coach, who helped to develop and refine the system in the 1990s.  The workouts are broken down into 20 seconds of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) during which the exerciser goes as hard and fast as they can, followed by a 10 second rest period.  This is repeated for the duration of the workout, which lasts for 4 minutes.  The same exercise can be done throughout; you can choose to do 2 or more different exercises and rotate them, or do up to 8 different exercises.

An almost limitless range of exercises can be incorporated into Tabata workouts.  You could literally work out for years and not do the exact same workout twice.  This makes it a great form of exercise for anyone who is easily bored.

Examples of Tabata exercises 

  • Lunge (or lunge variation of your choice) ex; back lunge, side lunge, jump lunge
  • Squat (or squat variation of your choice) ex; wide squats, jump squats, frog hops
  • Mountain Climbers
  • High Knees

The video is by Get Kids Moving and they have many other workouts that you can try as well that are themed- Wonder Woman, Frozen, Star Wars, and more.

Avengers Workout

Warm-up 5-10 minutes 

Perform each move below, alternating 20 seconds of all-out effort with 10 seconds of rest. Repeat the same move for 8 rounds, for a total of 4 minutes.

Your Exercises:

DRAX PUNCHES – 20sec

REST – 10secs

SUPER SOLDIERS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

ASGARD SMASH – 20secs

REST – 10secs

INFINITY SQUATS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

HYDRA PUNCHES – 20secs

REST – 10secs

SPIDEY KICKS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

INFINITY JUMPS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

WAR MACHINES – 20secs

 

Click the youtube link below to follow along with the video 

Here’s another Fun Avengers Workout to also check out.

Also, here’s a fun Avengers Challange for adults to check out

 

Uno Fitness Workout for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

UNO Fitness Workout For Kids

UNO Fitness Workout

Here’s another idea for making fitness fun for kids.  It shouldn’t seem like a punishment or something they absolutely dread, but just part of life, like brushing your teeth or putting on your shoes.  Something you just do because it helps to keep you healthy and strong.  This activity switches things up a bit by using Uno Cards to help determine the activity and how many reps that will be done.  You could also do this with a regular deck of cards and instead of colors use the card symbol to determine the activity.

Don’t forget to check out the benefits of fitness for kids!

Purpose of Activity:

To increase cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength.

Materials Needed:

– Deck of “UNO” cards
-Colored signs (1 of each color in UNO deck)
-Paper card with an exercise listed;   ex: red=push ups, yellow=mountain climbers; blue=wide sumo squats, green=side jumps (or lateral jumps) or you can create your own exercises for each color.
wild card draw pile with cards with activities listed on them

Description of Idea

Each child is dealt or draws a UNO card. They are to perform an activity by the following criteria:

 

  • Skip Card — skip one lap around the yard or down the street and back

 

  • Reverse Card — jog/walk 1 lap around the yard or around the street or neighborhood

 

  • Draw 2 Card — draw 2 cards from regular UNO cards deck and perform the activity which corresponds to the card color using the number of repetitions indicated by the number on the card

 

  • Wild Draw 4 Card — draw 4 cards from the UNO deck and do all 4 activities

 

  • Wild Card – Pick a color and do the activity for 10 repetitions

 

  • Number Cards — the child does the number of repetitions indicated by the corresponding to the color. Example: A child draws a card that is 5 red. Go to the red sign with the exercise listed and do 5 push-ups or whatever that sign has listed.

 

After completing an activity the student puts the card back in the completed pile and the student is dealt another card. Continue this for a set amount of time or each child has completed a certain number of cards.

Here is an updated version of the activity that allows you to do this at home.

Variations:

Other types of activities could be included such as jumping rope,  bench steps, or frog leaps to get away from traditional exercises.

Try the activity as a group challenge. Can your group do X amount of the activity in a given amount of time? How many cards were you able to complete?

Want more fun?

Workouts for Kids

Deciding What to Click and Share Online

Filed Under: Mommy

Should You Click and Share That Post?

Deciding on What to Click and Share Online

Deciding What To Click and Share

Covid-19 has taken the internet to new levels.  Yes, I guess it was possible.  We’ve seen those cellphone video moments of people screaming over mask, coughing on others, throwing mask off displays- you know the ones.  I won’t even touch the various political post.  You may feel appalled or outraged seeing this content. The knee jerk reaction for many is to click and leave a comment or share.   The thing is, should that be our reaction?  Should we continue to spread it?

There’s a great article by Andrew Macdonald that discusses how we should handle what we see online. Conspiracy Theories, Engaging Online and Wisdom: The Intersection of the Three and How to Respond Biblically.

 

Being A Solution Instead of Just Talking About The Problem

Be the Change

Mental health is something we’ve long neglected and this situation that we’re currently in isn’t helping that at all.   No, these actions are not excused because of that however it does help explain why it may happen.  Instead of reacting to the outburst maybe we should step back and think about the root issue.  The fact that this person may have more going on than what we can see.  As Christians, maybe we don’t share the content, but we stop what we’re doing, and we pray.  We pray for God, who is the only one who fully sees the situation, to guide us for how we should proceed and what we can do to help.   We pray for him to hold them close and give them peace.   The other side of this is that the constant negativity and ‘fake news’ starts to chip away at our own self and is only giving us negativity.   Remember the old theory of ‘garbage in, garbage out’?  It applies to the situation as well.  Sometimes you just have to step back and turn it off.

The fear that the Covid-19 virus has brought on is very real, and everyone handles it differently. The fact that we were quarantined and that for a month or more in some places there were “stay at home” orders has taken a toll on everyone.  We won’t soon forget the toilet paper shortage fears anytime soon.   Yes, I’m sure some people were mean beforehand but regardless the current conditions don’t help.  Instead of spreading fear and hate, it’s time to come together and pray.  It’s time to come together and find creative ways to serve our community.   Maybe that’s an encouraging note, maybe it’s a smile as you walk down the street.   Maybe that’s not discussing politics and conspiracy theories, but instead breaking bread and inspiring others based on how you live your life.

 STRIVE TO INSPIRE

Strive to Inspire

Let your life inspire people to find out how you have joy in the midst of despair.  I’m not saying ignore things or that you won’t wonder sometimes if things will be ok. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds it.  Choosing to trust isn’t the easiest thing to do.  For most of us, it’s not the natural reaction thing to do either.  It takes practice and a conscious decision to do.   The human connection between us all is very real.   Six degrees of separation is more of a legit theory than we want to admit sometimes.

The current environment feels more like every man for himself rather than a sense of community.  Since March, we’ve been thrown into what sort of feels like some sort of alternate reality horror flick.  It’s time that we realize that we’re all intertwined and what we do affects more than just us.

That retail worker that just asked you to put on a mask?  Her mom may be a heart surgeon that saves your aunt’s life.  That janitor that you stuck your nose up at?   He’s the one that is sanitizing your child’s school to help make sure that everything possible is being done to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.   No job is too big or too small.  Without all of us working together things suffer.  One person can’t do it all, but individually we can all play small parts that makeup something great.

I’m not insinuating that it’s easy and that it won’t feel like a complete waste of time to choose kindness when it feels like it isn’t making a difference, but I’m just saying; sometimes results from our seeds aren’t immediately seen.  This is where faith comes in.  Faith that the seeds will grow and create change.   So before you click and share that content, stop and think about what you’re re-generating.  Is it hope?  Is it helpful?  Is it just bad that you are giving value to by sharing?

 

Choose kindness.  Choose love.

Choose Love Over Fear Heart

 

Need some encouragement? Check out these encouraging quotes!

More Resources for Mental Health during Covid-19

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Mental Health during Covid

Helping Kids with Worry

Let’s work on being the hands and feet of Jesus rather than the heckling crowd that sits back and watches with comments and theories but no action to make things better.

Workouts for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

Making Workouts for Kids Fun

Workouts for Kids

Why Is It Important?

Exercise has been proven to have many benefits both physically and mentally.   According to children’s specialty health provider Nemours, some of the main benefits of exercise for kids include:

Need more benefits?  Check out 10 Benefits of Physical Activity for Kids from Parents Magazine.

As kids exercise they are working on endurance, strength, and flexibility.  It also plays a part in improving their mental health as well. Being fit and exercising doesn’t mean it has to be a rigorous, dreaded activity.  It is about moving and having fun.

17 Exercise Ideas That Aren’t Boring or Intimidating

Going on a Bear Hunt

Remember the song “I’m going on a Bear Hunt” from when you were a kid?  Have some fun and act out the motions as you sing!  Swim across the lake, climb up the tree, and stomp over the bridge! Kids will have a blast as they run and scurry from the bear at the end!  They’ll feel like they’re just having fun, singing, and acting it out while they are working their arms, lifting their legs, and running around doing cardio.

Hula Hooping

Kids love hula hoops!  Check out this Hula Hoop Challange for inspiration! Find Hula Hoops on Amazon

Follow the Leader

This is super simple and fun.  Throw in some jumping jacks, stomping, and squatting to make it fun and challenging.

Dance Party

Put on a playlist of your favorite songs and get moving!

Freeze Dance

Another option to a dance party to kick it up a notch is to play freeze dance and be ready to stop and start at a moment’s notice!  You can even get Alexa to play Freeze Dance!

Bubble Smash

Blow some bubbles and have the kids run and try to see who can smash them.

Pillow Fight.

You know how that works ;).  They’re getting in activity and movement and they run and swing that pillow, never realizing that it’s an exercise in motion.

HopScotch

This can be done inside or outside by using floor markers or tape inside or chalk outside.   While playing a game they will be jumping and practicing balance as well.

Balloon Ball

Don’t let the balloon touch the ground!  Each child can have their own balloon or it could be a game with just one where they continually move and hit it to keep it from hitting the ground.

Parachute

Using a parachute or a sheet at home, each kid will take an end of the parachute (or sheet) and fan it upward while one of you runs underneath.

Wheelbarrow Race

Have kids race from one end of the yard to another, or time a pair to see how long it takes them to wheelbarrow around the house three times. Check out this Kids Wheel Barrow Race on YouTube!  It’s sure to tire them out for the evening!

Clean Up Race

This is an activity we do a lot when I’m tired of fighting with the kids to get stuff done.  Set a timer and make it a competition for them and it seems to set off some inspiration!  Plus, things get done quickly!

Obstacle Course

You can use couch cushions, pots and pans, and plenty of other household objects to construct an engaging and challenging obstacle course!  Kids can climb under blankets stretched between the couch and coffee table, or they can somersault across the living room. This can be done inside or out!

Bubble Wrap Attack

What kid doesn’t love bubble wrap?  Put some on the floor and have them jump around until it’s all popped!

Headstands

This is a great way to work core muscles!  Many times kids catch on quickly.

Dinosaur Workout

This is one of our favorites.  The kids both LOVE dinosaurs!  You can make it up as you go, or use Fit Mom Go’s Dinosaur Theme Workout!

Speaking of Fit Mom Go, she has a great playlist of Mommy and Me workouts to check out.

Fun Yoga

Cosmic Yoga has fantastic videos for kids to get moving and practicing yoga with themed workouts such as Alice in Wonderland, Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and so much more.

 

Check out At Home Activities- Movement!

VIvofit Jr

UNO Fitness Workout

The Little Market- An Ethical and Empowering Brand

Filed Under: Gifts, Mommy

The Little Market

The Little Market

It’s a good feeling when you buy something that you not only like but that also does good beyond just what you get out of it.   This is one of the reasons that I love The Little Market.  This isn’t a sponsored post, just me sharing about a great brand with products that I absolutely love.

What is The Little Market?

The Little Market is a non-profit that was created by women, to empower women.  Founded by Lauren Conrad (Laguna Beach, The Hills, Clothing Designer, DIY Queen, Author, Blogger, etc. etc) and Hannah Skvarla (her background includes non-profits and human rights work) they are changing lives for the better through the products that are offered on their site.  You can read more about it on Bumble- Inside the Little Market

From their website:

The Little Market is a nonprofit fair-trade shop featuring ethically sourced, artisan-made products. Behind each of our products is a person who created it — and a story. We seek to empower artisans around the world by extending their products’ distribution and supporting sustainable income opportunities. We are committed to upholding the dignity of artisans, celebrating their cultural techniques and traditions, and bringing attention to social justice and human rights issues faced by their communities.

They offer a variety of products that all evolve around empowering women, paying fairly and promptly, prioritizing marginalized individuals, promoting a safe and dignified workplace, ensuring cultural maintenance, cultivating environmental consciousness, and advocating for human rights and social justice.  According to their wesbite, they source from 75 artesian groups in over 25 countries and sovereign states.

Another cool fact is that in each purchase, they include a little card about where the product was made and who made it.  It’s a lovely touch that helps you see the difference that your purchase makes.  It also creates the feeling of a connection and makes you feel good to know that your purchase goes beyond just the use that you get out of it.

Read more about The Little Market and How It’s Different.

Favorite Products from The Little Market

 

Totes

I am so in love with their totes!  They have the best quality, are cute and very durable.  They make the best gift bags that can be used as an everyday tote.   I’ve purchased some for gifts such as the

Best Teacher Ever Tote Bag

I normally try and stay away from things that teachers get a lot of as gifts, but I couldn’t pass up this adorable tote bag.  We used it as a gift for Teachers Appreciation Day and she loved it.

Best Teacher Ever Gift Bag from The Little Market
from thelittlemarket.com

 

Bride Tote Bag

We got this one for one of the kid’s teachers that was getting married.

Bride gift bag from The Little Market
from thelittlemarket.com

 

Best Day Ever Tote Bag

We use this one to carry the kids’ stuff in when they go to their grandparents during the day or when we need to carry things with us somewhere.  It’s the Best Day Ever which (for me) is a nod to Rapunzel.

Best Day Ever Tote Bag from The Little Market

 

Sugar Scrubs

These sugar scrubs are absolutely amazing!  A-m-a-z-i-n-g.   I’ve bought these for myself and for gifts.    They’re made in Chicago, Illinois.  They’re made by Bright Endeavors which empowers young mothers that are from under-resourced communities.   For those that want to purchase a product that makes a difference in the United States, this is a great choice.

The scrubs are incredible at exfoliating and leaving skin super soft.

 

Organic Body Scrub from The Little Market

Lemon Body Scrub from The Little Market

 

 

Tassels Keychains

Tassel Keychain Flamingo Pink from The Little Market

I am always losing my house key because it’s rarely used, normally I go through our garage.   When I saw these yarn tassel keychains, it reminded me of a hotel we stayed at in Denver, Colorado they had big ones on the end of their room keys.

Little Market Tassel on Mickey Key

Tassel and Product Card from The Little Market

 

These would work well for a key you don’t want to lose or as a purse/bag accessory.  There are many options!

 

Toys

They have some of the most adorable toys for kids!!

Flamingo

Flamingo from The Little Market

 

My daughter love flamingos.  Loves them.  So I found this one at The Little Market and bought it about 4 years ago now.   She still has the little card that tells you about where it was made and who made it.  She insisted on sticking it on the little bulletin board frame on her wall.

Product Card for Flamingo from The Little Market

 

These are just a few of my favorites, there is so much they offer that is unique and beautiful.  If you haven’t checked out The Little Market yet, I highly recommend it.

Want to know more about The Little Market?  Check out Inside the Little Market!

Helping Kids Handle Worry

Filed Under: Gifts, Kids

Helping Kids Handle Worry During the Pandemic

*Products mentioned in this post are not sponsored but something I found very helpful and wanted to share*

Worry is natural when you face the unknown.  Regardless of your age or even your experience, the unknown is scary.  A change in your routine makes you feel unbalanced.   This is especially true for kids.  While kids are resilient, this isn’t to say that the sudden changes of the current pandemic going on doesn’t affect them.   How do we, as parents help?  After all, this is a first for us too.

Understanding that kids feel the pandemic stress too is the first place to start in understanding why they may be more clingy or reverting to behaviors from earlier in childhood such as bedwetting, tantrums, or thumb sucking.  There are things that can help though, such as talking with them about how they’re feeling.  Finding a new hobby or way to be creative can help them focus on something positive.  It’s been proven that for kids and adults exercise is very beneficial when it comes to not only physical health but mental health as well. It seems hard right now, but perseverance through this is building kids grit and will make them stronger.

Now that school will be starting back, I wanted to find a way to help ease the kid’s concern about going back with mask, and sadness about not getting to visit with old teachers or interact with friends as much.  It’s going to be different than prior years and I don’t want their worry and fears to contribute any more than what it already is to their learning process.

I follow Vickle Pickle Boutique on Instagram and saw that she was offering “worry stones” for kids that come in adorable tin containers.   The best part was she not only had one for girls but boys as well.

Worry Stones from Vickle Pickle Boutique

 

Kids Worry Stone Vickle Pickle Boutique

I decided to get one for each kid as something small they’d be able to carry with them as a reminder that things will be ok.  They were so surprised when they opened them and read the message inside.  I thought they would like them, but their reaction was so much sweeter than I anticipated.

Inspire Kids Worry Stone Vickle Pickle Boutique

Dream-Kids Worry Stone Vickle Pickle Boutique

My six-year-old will stick his in his pocket when he’s having a bad morning so he remembers that he doesn’t need to worry, things will turn around.   I only know this because one day he had gotten mad and was sitting on the couch huffing when he reached in his pocket and pulled out the stone feeling it with his hands.

Kids Worry Stones Tins With Stone Inside from Vickle Pickle Boutique

My daughter, who is very analytical and very much an overthinker which then sometimes leads to worry and fear has found that it’s a small reminder to stop letting worry in.  She’s nine, but sometimes her little brain seems much older in the things it contemplates.  She likes to hold hers, or carry it with her so that she says ‘when I’m not feeling too happy so it reminds me to smile.’

Kids Worry Stone Card from Vickle Pickle Boutique
A reminder that comes with the Worry Stone

I love the stones because they are not only pretty, as well as small, but can be stuck in a bag or backpack easier than a stuffed animal or blanket.  If you’re looking for a small reminder for your child, I think that this is definitely worth checking out and it’s something they can have for a long time than will mean something even beyond this pandemic and childhood.

If you’d like to hear more about the story behind the stones, check out “Woman Starts Vickle Pickle Gratitude Stone Business” from Staten Island Advance.

Don’t forget to check out Vickle Pickle Boutique on Instagram!  Also, she has Gratitude Stones that are great gifts for everyone!

Worry Stones from Vickle Pickle

 

 

 

 

 

 

Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Filed Under: Disney, Travel

Staying Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Club Level At Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Surroundings that make you feel like you are in Hawaii, a view of Cinderella’s castle and a lounge with drinks and snack.  If this sounds like your kind of place you should check out the Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The Polynesian Resort, also affectionately known as The Poly, is one of my absolute favorites.  I love the atmosphere and the theming of the resort.   The first time we ever stayed club level was here and it is still my favorite.

What is Club Level?

Club Level Lounge

These rooms are special room designations at a Disney Deluxe Resort (as well as one moderate resort) that includes additional perks.  The perks include access to a lounge with small food services throughout the day.  They also offer a more personalized stay and concierge assistance.  If your room is booked in advance, you’ll often get an email from the concierge asking if there is anything that they can assist you with before your visit.  Club Level rooms also offer “turn down” service where you’ll find chocolate on your pillow in the evening.  I always tell the kids Tinkerbell or Mickey left it for them which causes them to light up with excitement.

King Kamehema Lounge

King Kamehema Lounge

When you arrive, you will either be met at the door by a Club Level Guest Concierge Cast Member or if you go to the front desk they will call one up who will then walk you back to the Hawaii Longhouse which is home to the King Kamehema  Lounge.  The check-in experience is much more personalized.  The Concierge will ask if there are any dining reservations you need set up or if you have any request.  They also walk you over to the club lounge to show you around and give you the schedule.   Typically, during your stay the concierge located at the desk become familiar with guest and again, there is just a very personalized feel to your stay. They are able to assist you with tickets, dining, recreation, transportation, childcare and even daily itinerary planning. They are also a great source of information and advice as well.  Club Level guest have access to concierge Cast Members from 7 am to 10 pm.

 

The King Kamehema Club Lounge is two levels, both offer the same type of things the only real difference is the view.   Between the two levels, it is floor to ceiling view of the beach and Magic Kingdom.  That is a big part of why I love this particular club level lounge so much.  It offers the perfect view of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks display music and all.  You can sit back with some desserts and a beverage to watch it from the comfort of the lounge as opposed to being crammed onto Main Street with the crowds.  You also have the perfect view for the Electric Light Parade, which is another favorite thing to see.

Inside the Lounge

There is 24/7 access to the lounge where you can go in and hang out or get something to drink (soda or water).  They also offer some food/treats throughout the day.

7am-10:30am is Kakahiaka (continental breakfast)

12pm-4pm is Auinala (afternoon refreshments)

5pm-7pm is Ahiahi (appetizers, drinks, cheese selections). Chefs from Disney’s Signature Restaurants (fine dining) typically prepare these appetizers, which are essentially small plates.

8pm-10pm is Aumoe (desserts and cordials)

Ahiahi offers basically appetizers and can be used as a light dinner.

The breakfast is pretty much your average selection.  They do however offer Stitch Juice (also known as POG or Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava) which is some of the most amazing stuff ever.  As a parent with small kids, I found that if we went back by the hotel in the afternoon (the 12pm to 4pm timeframe) it was so nice to be able to grab the kids some goldfish snacks, or a cookie as a treat.  It’s also a nice way to take a break and hang out in the lounge during summer storms or hot afternoons.   The desserts were our other favorite part.  They are little so you can try a few different ones and it’s such a great way to unwind from a long day.   The Cast Members who are in the lounge are also great about getting you something if it’s out when you ask.

The only thing tricky about Club Level at Disney’s Polynesian Resort (or any Club Level Resort) is if you want to also do the Disney Dining Plan.   One of the primary benefits of Club Level is the food and snacks, which defeats the purpose of the dining plan.  That being said, if you want to do a character meal or if you want to do the Luau, it can be worth getting the dining plan and using your quick service meals to buy snacks that you can take home.  If you are staying more than a night or two though I would definitely say, it is NOT worth doing the dining plan (or else you may want to reconsider the Club Level).

Staying Club Level gives you that all-inclusive feel to your stay and the tropical theme of the resort takes it to whole new levels in making you feel as though you are in a tropical village.  Pricing can vary greatly based on the time of year and offers that are going on so while it can be expensive, trust me when I say you can also find a reasonable deal on a club level stay if you keep an eye out and can be flexible.

 

 

 

 

Visiting Garden Of The Gods

Filed Under: Travel

A Visit To The Garden of the Gods

Garden of the Gods

Amazing rock formations are one of the things that you will find at the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  You can explore geology, plants, and animals in the 1334+ acre park.   It is a National Natural Landmark with so much to see and do.   If you’re looking for an amazing view of nature, this is definitely something to check out!

Park Activities

Garden of the Gods Colorado Springs

There is so much to do here!

Hiking- The park has 25 miles of trails.  This includes a 1 ½ mile paved trail, Perkins Central Garden Trail, that is wheelchair and stroller accessible. There is a unique hiking tour, Garden of the Gods Walkabout as well.  You can learn about wildlife, vegetation, geology and history from one of the parks trained professionals.

Biking- There are guided electric bike tours (by Amp’d Aventures), as well as rentable e-Bikes and standard mountain bikes if you don’t have your own.  There are select trails in the park for biking and all of the one-way roads have paved bike lanes.

Horseback Riding- Another option to see the park is a guided horseback tour by Academy Riding Stables.

Rock Climbing- You are required to fill out a free registration form and must abide by all rules.  The Visit Colorado site has a link for some outfitters who can teach you how to rock climb if you want to learn (scroll just past the halfway mark).

Bird Viewing- There are a variety of birds that can be seen in the Garden of the Gods Park.  You can check out Birds of the Park to see what types are there.

Junior Ranger Program– This is open to kids 7 to 12 years old. There is an activity booklet available for $2.00 from the information desk in the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center.

Exhibits in the Visitor and Nature Center– This has hands on interactive exhibits and you can learn about the complex geology, ecology and cultural history of the park.

Visiting Garden of the Gods with Little Ones

While rock climbing and biking sound like lots of fun, you may be wondering what you can do if you have little ones.  This is where Perkins Garden Trail comes in.  It’s wheelchair and stroller friendly  so it’s easy to both walk around with your little ones or push them in the stroller.  You’ll see amazing rock formations where kids can imagine what it would be like to climb some of these amazing rocks as well as try and figure out what some of the formations look like.

There isn’t a lot of shade here so you’ll want to keep that in mind and dress accordingly.  There are benches located sporadically on the trail where you can take a break.

There are places throughout the park where you can have a picnic, but again, keep in mind there’s not any shade so it can turn miserable on a hot day.  It may be a good idea to bring an umbrella or canopy if you’re planning on a picnic.

If your little one gets hot or cranky you can still see some amazing sites driving the trail.

Visiting the Garden of the Gods

Driving Through Garden of the Gods

Driving through Garden of the Gods

If your little one isn’t feeling it or if it’s just too hot you don’t have to miss out on these amazing rock formations and natural beauty.  There is a one way loop that is about seven miles where you can drive and see the formations.  The speed limit is 20mph so you have time to take in the sites and there are many places to stop and park so that you can get out and look around or snap a picture.

 

Tips For Visiting Garden of the Gods with Young Kids

A few essentials you will want to remember if you are visiting the Garden of the Gods with young kids:

Water

Snacks

Sunscreen

Stroller (even if you think they will walk the whole time, it’s still a good idea to have just in case.  Since the Perkins Garden Trail is paved the stroller will be easy to push.)

 

How did the red rocks form?

Rock Formations Garden of the Gods

The park’s famous red rocks formed millions of years ago due to upheavals in the earth’s surface and erosion. The rocks are conglomerates of red, pink, and white sandstones and limestone. You can travel back in time to learn more about the history of these rock formations by watching an entertaining 15-minute film during your visit to the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center.

How did it get its name?

Probably not the way you would guess.  In 1859, two railroad surveyors, Melancthon Beach and Rufus Cable,  who were sent out to locate and establish Colorado City happened upon the rock formations and thought it would make a great beer garden because they felt it would be the perfect place that was fit for gods to assemble.

 

Cost of Admission to Garden of the Gods Park

Admission to the park is free, and it will always be free.  You can thank railroad mogul Charles Elliott Perkins for that.  He bought the portion of the land that contained many of the formations and he wanted to property to be open to the public for everyone to enjoy.  When he died in 1907, his family deeded the property to the City of Colorado Springs under several stipulations, one of which was that the park remain “forever free” and open to the public.

Parking is limited and it can get busy on weekends as well as during the summer when it fills up fast so it is a good idea to plan either an early morning visit or an evening visit.

Dinosaurs in Garden of the Gods

In 1878 a Colorado College professor names James Kerr found the only known Theiophytalia kerri in the Garden.  It was more than a century later that he was honored for the discovery.  The dinosaur was names after him and the place that it was found.  Theios is Greek for “belonging to the gods” and phtalia means “garden.”  You can read the story of A Case of Mistaken Identity on how Dr. Kerr’s dinosaur fossil discovery was forgotten for over one hundred years.

Are dogs allowed in Garden of the Gods Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed on a leash throughout the park. An off-leash area is south of Gateway Road near the main entrance and Rock Ledge Ranch. Please pick up after your pet, it is the law.

What is the elevation at Garden of the Gods?

Garden of the Gods sits at about 6,400 feet or 1951 meters above sea level.

Visiting the Garden of the Gods

 

 

 

Summer Picnic Food Ideas

Filed Under: At Home, Kids

Summer Picnics – Food Ideas

Summer Picnics

Summer is a great time for a picnic. Whether it’s at a park, the beach or even your own backyard it is a great way to spend time together and make memories to last a lifetime!

 

Fried Chicken & Cole Slaw or Crispy Roasted Potatoes in a Basket –

You can fry/bake your own Fried chicken or pick up some from your favorite Chicken place! Publix has wings that a great idea to use for any picnic
Fried Chicken and Cole SlawCole Slaw Recipe
Low Fat Oven Fried Chicken Recipe
Cripsy Roasted Potatoes Recipe

 

Pasta Salad 


A pasta salad is a great main dish – or side dish for hamburgers, Hotdogs, Chicken, and more.  Plus it’s so easy to do! 

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe

Summer Pasta Salad

Option 2 – Pizza Pasta Salad Recipe 

 

Pizza 

This is always great delivery//Frozen// leftover or making an easy french bread pizza together and going out on the lawn for a picnic.

French Bread Pizza 

French Bread Pizza



Classic – Sandwiches

Focaccia Sandwiches


Foccacia Sandwiches

Pita Bread  Tukey Sandwiches or Just veggie!

Pita Sandwiches for lunch

 

BBQ Chicken Skewers! 

 

BBW Chicken Skewers Summer Picnic Ideas



Parm Pesto Chicken

Pesto Chicken Summer Picnic Ideas

Dessert

Roasted Strawberry Sheet cake! 

Roasted Strawberry Sheet Cake for Picnic

 

Baked Apple Chips! 

 

Baked Apple Chips

 

What are your favorite picnic foods?