Jan 25, 2016

Prague, Czech Republic





The ancient beauty and splendor of Prague, a city beyond compare, left an impression on my imagination that will never fade. - Richard Wagner 

I have to admit, the night before we drove to Prague I wasn't as excited about this trip as our previous destinations. Mixed reviews from fellow travelers had me second guessing if we should have gone elsewhere. I also blame myself for not researching the city and laying out a good itinerary for us. I dropped the dogs off at the kennel and delayed packing for our trip. I so despise this task and always put it off until the last minute. Which in turn causes me more stress seconds before our departure.. why.. why.. do I do this? Alex is the packing and organizing guru of our family and I high-five him for putting us ahead of schedule and on the road in record time.

We've waited months for snow to fall over here and of course it came in the early morning hours just as we were getting ready to be on our way. To bring the SUV or the car was the hot question at 5:30 am. Oh, definitely the car. Thinking solely on the premise of better gas mileage and size for driving those narrow city streets to get to our hotel. The further east we drove, the more snow kept falling, our windshield wipers moving as fast as my heart rate. I was angry at my 5:30am self for choosing the wrong vehicle. Alas, we made it to the city and praised God for safe traveling mercies. 

With temperatures below freezing, we bundled up and headed out to explore the city on foot, walking at least four miles each day, stopping at more than one street vendor cart to buy Trdelnik and potato soup. Everyone told us that Charles Bridge would be tourist central. I'm not one for hordes of tourists because navigating crowds with a stroller is less than pleasant. But, the bridge was quiet. Where was everyone? I'm assuming the frigid temps and the time of year had something to do with it. Well worth traveling the off season! 


Travel Notes

Helpful Website
This website was one of the most inclusive sites I found that offered information about how to navigate Prague, it's history, attractions, and much more. All About Prague website

Hotel Cloister-Inn
I love staying at fancy hotels but those aren't in the budget since we started traveling frequently. This budget friendly find was a real steal with breakfast included AND in a prime location; within a five minute walk to Charles Bridge and the Old Town. It's kid-friendly with high chairs, children's tableware sets, and cribs upon request. Parking is available for 20 euros on site but a reservation must be made in advance since space is limited. Hotel Cloister-Inn website

Vinohradsky Parlament Restaurant
Ok, I found a really cool "foodie" type of restaurant that cooks with local ingredients and makes some mighty tasty Czech food. The highlight, wait for it... A separate children's playroom complete with a free babysitter.  Oh no, she didn't just say that. Yes, people, It DOES exist. Children ages 3-8 may use the playroom unaccompanied by parents. Children under the age of 3 must have a parent with them. Now can more restaurants jump on this idea? Is this a thing in the US? It needs to be. Vinohradsky Parlament Restaurant website

Petrin Hill Funicular Schedule
We weren't about to walk the many steps up to Petrin Hill with the stroller, cause that wouldn't be fun. So, we thought we would just hop the Funicular to the top, uh, wrong. Remember how I mentioned I didn't do much research and planning for this trip? yeaaaa... apparently the Funicular is closed down until March 2016 for reconstruction. This site will provide you with the information we wish we would have known in advance! Petrin Hill Funicular Schedule

Itinerary- 4 days and 3 nights
  • Day 1
    • Depart Stuttgart by 7:30am and drive to Prague (5 hours)
    • Check-in at hotel 
    • Lunch at a street side cafe 
    • Charles Bridge 
    • Old Town Square 
    • Dinner in Old Town Square
  • Day 2
    • Breakfast at the hotel
    • Charles Bridge 
    • Petrin Hill 
    • Castle 
    • Roam the streets
    • Dinner at Vinhoradsky (so good!) 
  • Day 3 
    • Breakfast at the hotel
    • Astronomical Clock
    • St. Vitus Cathedral
    • Shopping 
    • Lunch at a street side cafe
    • Roam the streets near the castle 
    • Dinner on the go
  • Day 4 
    • Check-out and travel day



























Jan 10, 2016

Lots of Three P's Lately



I'm sure you're wondering, just what are the three P's? If you aren't into bathroom talk, then I suggest you x out and save yourself another minute of reading about pee, poop, and the royal potty. Over the last few months B had been showing interest in using the potty. We encouraged him to use it at his leisure but I was not prepared to train an 18 month old on all that jazz, seriously. Diapers are easy, way too easy, especially while traveling. I had visions of potty training Nahla as a puppy and remember how downright awful that was. Not comparing my child to a dog or anything, but toddlers can be quite stubborn.

Obviously, I'm no expert. I was totally clueless in this and overwhelmed after reading so many strategies on how to properly train your child. I gathered advice from friends who have been there, done that, jumped on amazon to buy books for me and him and potty seats and a travel potty and made a special trip to the store for reward snacks, yummy beverages, boxer briefs.. blah blah blah. Nothing like gathering up all your ammunition to get ready for battle.

Day 1: World's greatest family bonding activity: wiping up pee off the floor more times than one can count. No son, you cannot stand there and pee yourself while playing with trains. The Elmo potty dvd  is on repeat for hours which leads to your husband walking around humming the potty song. Totally exhausted by bedtime, let's open a bottle of valpolicella.

Day 2: Off to a better start than day 1. "Let mommy and daddy know when you have to pee pee, okay!?, this phrase, every 5 minutes, for real. Poop in the pants which results in a bath mid day. Elmo still on the tv. Multiple successful trips to the potty = a treat each time, sugar high anyone? 20 minutes of playtime outside, praying we make it home dry. Jumping around like crazy people clapping, cheering, and dancing with positive praise for our little dude. Day 2 completed and we ask each other if the last day of training is going to be a hit out of the park or a huge relapse.

Day 3: No accidents. Woke up dry from a 2 hour nap. We. Are. Shocked. Big boy undies forever!

Day 4: Is it safe to leave the house now? Wait, no one told us that our child will still desire to poop in his pants every day, but that pee skill is legit.

Present day (3 weeks later): Leaving the house on a daily basis for a few hours at a time with no accidents.. yet. Still laughing at the fact that every family member is amped up to hear about B's potty progress. Never imagined we would become so comfortable with cheering about pee and poop, #parentlife.


Supplies

Baby Bjorn Potty Seat
Infantino Travel Potty
Tidy Tots Disposable Liners
Potty Book for Boys
Oh Crap Potty Training Book // Toilet Training in Less Than a Day // 3 Day Potty Training *Mainly followed 3 day potty training method but took points of information from the other books and added to the training.
Elmo Potty DVD















Jan 9, 2016

A little bit from December



Has December really come and gone? There's so much excitement, prepping, and anticipation around Christmas and then wham, it's over. I'm so eager to get the decorations out and the tree set up and as soon as Christmas is over, I'm like, let's get rid of the tree, I can't stand it in my house any longer. It had been five years since I spent Christmas with my Mom. Gosh, just the thought of her and I sipping coffee together and watching B open presents Christmas morning made me SO HAPPY.

I miss her. Some days I think about what life would be like if we lived in the same town. Well, maybe not that close, but, a short drive away. We could meet for lunch on a whim, she could have her grandson over for sleepovers, and my husband and I could go on a date night here and there, because, grandmas always want to babysit, right? Those thoughts often run through my mind but they will never be our reality. And truth be known, we are all pretty darn happy with how our lives currently are, but it's nice to have those sentimental thoughts every now and then.

Alex and I took a mini vacation to Innsbruck, Austria and Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany while the little guy stayed back with "Gaga" and "Mo". My mom got a great laugh from the list I printed for her on how to care for Brecken. I'll confess, I have control freak tendencies at times. It had been over a year since Alex and I had an overnight without B and it was so nice to be "off duty" for those 36 hours. We came home to a child who didn't acknowledge our arrival, a clean house, and dinner in the oven. At that, we both agreed we need to hire an au pair if my Mom isn't willing to live in our attic. ;)

This week the house felt empty with our guests back in Florida and Daddy back to work. Brecken has been running around yelling "Gaga, Mo, Daddy!" .. Sorry buddy, it's just Mom here and no one is going to save you from your nap. 

Itinerary 2 days and 1 night 

  • Day 1
    • Depart Stuttgart and Drive to Innsbruck (3 hours and 30 minutes) 
    • Christmas Market in the Altstadt 
    • Roam around the city
    • Lunch in Innsbruck 
    • Drive from Innsbruck to Garmisch (1 hour) 
    • Check-in at hotel 
    • Walk the streets of Garmisch
    • Christmas Market in Garmisch 
    • Dinner at a restaurant downtown
  • Day 2
    • Morning swim at the hotel pool
    • Breakfast at the hotel 
    • Check-out and travel day








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