First Cheer Competition + Family Weekend Getaway- Austin, TX
There’s something about a first cheer competition that just hits differently. It’s the nerves, the excitement, the early mornings, the glitter and somehow it turns into a full family event whether you planned it that way or not. We decided to lean into it and turn the weekend into a 3-day family getaway, and honestly it was one…
Ballin’ on a Budget: How We Actually Travel With Kids Without Going Broke
Let’s be real for a second: Travel with kids is expensive.Travel with older kids? Even more expensive So instead of trying to cut everything out or say no all day… We’ve learned how to “ball on a budget.” And honestly? It’s been a game changer. The Rule That Changed Everything As our kids have gotten older,…
The Time I Lost My Kid in a Russian Train Station (Christmas Eve… in Siberia)
Let me just say this upfront: If you’ve never “misplaced” a child while traveling, are you even doing it right? Because we didn’t just almost lose one…we almost lost two. Setting the Scene We were living abroad as expats on Sakhalin Island, traveling across Russia on the Trains Siberian Railway, on a 17-day adventure to Moscow with our friends…
Don’t Think, Just Do-Thanks Maverick!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about traveling with kids, it’s this: If you wait for the “perfect time”… you’ll never go. So instead, and quoting my son’s favorite movie,”Don’t think. Just do.” The Problem: We Overthink Travel As parents, we turn travel into this huge, overwhelming project: And before you know it…You’ve talked yourself…
Disney in a Day! Magic without the Meltdowns!
This post may contain affiliate links Let’s just get this out of the way… I’m not a casual Disney visitor.I’m a full-blown Disney fanatic I’ve: Needless to say… I KNOW Disney. And more importantly?I know how to do Disney efficiently with kids without losing your marbles. Let’s be honest… Disney in one day sounds like chaos.And without…
Traveling to Abu Dhabi With Kids: Our Real 3-Day Itinerary
This post may contain affiliate links If the idea of traveling internationally with kids feels overwhelming, I get it. Between long flights, time changes, and keeping everyone happy, it can feel like a lot. But after taking our kids to Abu Dhabi, I can confidently say it’s not only doable, it’s 100% worth it. This…
How to Start Traveling With Kids (Without Losing Your Mind)
1. Accept That It Won’t Be “Relaxing” Before kids, travel looked like: Sleeping in.Slow coffee.Explore all day. Traveling with kids is different. There will be snack negotiations.Bathroom stops at inconvenient times.A small human insisting they need to walk the airplane aisle. But here’s the secret:Traveling with kids isn’t about relaxation. It’s about shared adventure. Once you…
Things My Kids Experienced Living Abroad That Most American Kids Never Do
When we moved our family to Saudi Arabia, we knew life would look a little different. New culture.New landscapes.New routines. What we didn’t realize was just how many experiences our kids would have that most American kids never do. Not because one childhood is better than another — but because the world offers so many different…
Saudi Arabia: Camels, Coffee, and Completely Misunderstood
When most people hear Saudi Arabia, they picture endless desert, camels wandering down highways, and whatever dramatic headline the news decided to run that week. After living there for four years, I can confidently say two things: Saudi Arabia ended up being one of the most fascinating, welcoming, and unexpectedly family-friendly places our family has ever…
Traveling with Babies vs Toddlers vs Kids: A Reality Check (and Survival Guide)
The Greatest Plot Twist of My Parenting Career I used to think traveling with babies was hard. The bottles.The Boppy.The diapers.The stroller that folded only if you whispered affirmations to it just right (until I invested in my Yo-Yo’s) I would like to formally apologize to that version of myself. Because babies? Babies were the…
Babymoon in Bali:Ubud, Monkeys & “Aunt Flo” Warnings
When we escaped to Ubud, I was pregnant with baby #2, slightly glowing, slightly swollen, and very ready for a break from expat jungle life. Bali delivered. Our Jungle Hideaway We stayed at Tejaprana Resort & Spa, and it was everything you picture when you think “Ubud.” Private villas.Infinity pool overlooking jungle.Morning mist floating through the…
“There’s Nothing to do in Pekanbaru” (Yes there is!)
Pekanbaru wasn’t what I expected. Small, humid, and full of surprises, it became one of the most formative chapters of our expat life teaching me to adapt, laugh, and embrace the jungle. Life in a Growing City Even though Pekanbaru felt “off the map” at first, the city was expanding right before our eyes: Case in…
Jakarta vs. Pekanbaru: Two Completely Different Versions of Our Indonesian Expat Life
When we moved to Indonesia, people imagined one long, glamorous, Eat Pray Love experience. Palm trees.Infinity pools.Spiritual awakenings. Reality? We started in Jakarta. And Jakarta said: “Welcome. Please enjoy traffic, humidity, and a mild identity crisis.” Jakarta: Baptism by Megacity We only lived in Jakarta for four months. But those four months? Felt like four years of…
Finding a Nanny & Building a Support System While Living in Indonesia
Moving abroad with kids sounds adventurous. Exciting.Exotic.Character-building. And it is… Until you realize: You’ve left your entire support system behind. No family.No friends.No built-in babysitter.No emergency backup. Just you… in a new country… with tiny humans depending on you for literally everything. No pressure. The “Wait… We Have No Village” Moment When you travel, you’re…
Culture Shock Is Real: Things That Surprised Me Living Abroad With Kids
Before moving abroad, I genuinely believed I was prepared. I’d traveled internationally.Navigated foreign airports.Managed jet lag.Handled logistics with a baby. So naturally, I assumed: “Living abroad will feel like extended travel.” What I didn’t realize is that culture shock doesn’t arrive in one dramatic moment. It seeps in quietly…usually somewhere between your third confusing grocery…
Kilometers with Kids 