As a child in Northern California, I was lucky enough to live about 10 minutes away from a real Christmas tree farm. Since my mom worked as a nurse on the weekends, it usually fell to my dad to take my two younger sisters and me to look for “our tree” on a chilly Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I remember it vividly—hot chocolate and snacks, wandering through Christmas trees, that pine-fresh scent, looking for holes and bent branches or anything else that might keep a tree from being ours that season.

Once we’d found “our tree,” Dad would do all the sawing, transporting, paying and tying to the roof while I kept my younger siblings busy. We’d drive it home, drag it in, and get it set up. Sometimes there’d be an issue, like the time we got it set up in the stand and got half the ornaments on before we realized it was crooked. Or the time we had to cut the top off because we’d measured wrong. But no matter what, hunting for the most perfect Christmas tree was TRADITION. Getting a real tree, with slippery needles and a scent that no candle can truly replicate, and even the responsibility of watering it (yup there’s a story for the time we forgot to water for a week); all of these things meant the holiday season for my family.

My father died eight years ago. He’s not around to hear how his grandkids get the same thrill when they pick out their “perfect tree” the same way his daughter did, and I can’t tell him I now understand the parental joy of watching my kids make memories. What I can do is share memories of my father with my kids. I can share the sweet along with the silly, like the time he was so frustrated when he couldn’t get that (insert expletive here) tree tied to the car, or how he wouldn’t stop working until our tree was secured and the lights were draped, so we could decorate it without having to wait another day.

These memories I share with my kids (highlights from a recent Christmas below) keep my father’s memory alive and help my kids get to know him, even if he’s no longer with us. And each year, with each live tree, with every strand of lights and every ornament we unwrap, and even in every pine needle I find months after the fact, I take comfort in the fact that I can still see and feel a little bit of my dad, too.

Now through Christmas, share a photo of your family’s REAL Christmas tree memory-making experience for a chance to win $1,000!

 

 

all photos: Gabby Cullen

Gabby Cullen is a Northern California native transplanted in the Dallas, Texas area. The proud mama of a pixie princess (2009) and a lil' man (2013), she's also a reader, writer, thinker, dancer, and nature lover. On weekends, she can be found out and about, seeking the most awesome family adventures.

It has been four years now since my daughter was diagnosed with autism. Over those years, I have conquered so many issues including lack of sleep, hyperactivity, and anger among others.

About three years ago, she started wandering off the home compound. I would panic every time I missed her in the house for more than a few minutes. When I take her to an amusement park, I always have to keep a keen eye on her.

I started researching the issue and realized that wandering affects many children with ASD (Austism Spectrum Disorder). I have tried different things and some of them have worked wonderfully for my daughter.

Learn to Identify Triggers

Many triggers made my daughter wander off. If there were nothing of interest in the house or the amusement park, she would wander off until she found something that interested her. She would also walk away from a stressful situation, frightening places, or places with bright lights, loud noises and a lot of commotion.

I now observe her keenly to see when she is stressed or not interested, and ensure she is comfortable. This way, she doesn’t wander off.

Secure the Home

My daughter is seven years but I still have to keep her safe by locking the gate and ensuring there are no openings on our live fence. Even when I feel that she is happy and interested inside the house, I still keep the gate under lock and key. I have an alarm on doors in my house to notify me when my daughter moves in or out of the room.

Use Monitoring and Tracking Devices

I have to be vigilant at all times. My husband feels like I am too much. However, monitoring and tracking devices have helped me more than once locate my daughter in a crowd. My daughter, just like other children with ASD, is not able to communicate her name and address. I use a medical alert device called Mobilehelp and tracking devices to ensure I know where she is at all times.

Tracking devices are simple and she can wear them everywhere. I feel settled knowing whenever my daughter wanders off; I can always track her. I get updates on my phone wherever she goes.

Teach Communication and Behavior Strategies

Though it takes time, my daughter learns with repeated action. Over the years, I have created a routine for her to follow. She loves sameness, just like any other child with ASD, and that has helped me teach her how to calm herself when she feels stressed. There is a teddy bear that she carries everywhere. When she feels stressed, she always takes her teddy bear to play with it.

While she would respond to ‘no’ with tantrums, today she can calm herself when she is told ‘no’. It has not been easy teaching her that she cannot get everything she needs, especially when we are shopping in a store. Because I cannot teach her alone, I liaise with teachers, my husband, and family friends.

Make Sure She Sleeps Enough

Sleeping was an issue when my daughter was first diagnosed with autism. I had noticed patterns of sleeplessness and hyperactivity during the night and I resolved to find a solution for the sleep problem. I established a sleeping routine that involves her getting ready for bed an hour before bedtime. She engages in calming activities such as listening to a story I read her, light massage, or just cuddling her teddy bear. She is accustomed to that routine and she sleeps better.

By sleeping enough during the night, she is less hyperactive during the day and this helps keep her safe from wandering.

Her room is always ready for her—less noise, less light, fewer distractions, and a more comfortable bed with weighted blankets.

I vowed to understand my daughter. It is the best way to keep her safe. Instead of reacting to every situation with a lecture, I learned to anticipate specific behavior for specific situations. Today, I can tell, with near certainty, when she will wander off.

 

 

I'm Annabelle Short, a writer and seamstress of more than five years. I love making crafts with my two children, Leo (age 9) and Michelle (age 11). I split my time between London and Los Angeles and write for Wunderlabel. 

Fans of Elsa and Anna are already excited about with the premiere of Frozen 2 just around the corner, but now there’s even more Arendelle magic to look forward to. Disney Parks has just announced a new Frozen-themed rollercoaster.

The only catch to this exciting addition is that it is opening in Hong Kong’s Disneyland, so you’ll have to make a special trip if you’re hoping to catch a ride on this new attraction. Guests visiting Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs will get to explore shopkeeper Oaken’s famous store, “before they head out on a winding sleigh journey through the forest and sparkling fjord in Arendelle.”

The ride, which is similar in style to Disneyland’s Matterhorn bobsleds, will also give riders a chance to see Olaf and Sven as they work together to pull the sleigh to the top of the lift before you descend onto the wooden track.

This rollercoaster is just one attraction in Hong Kong Disneyland’s entirely Frozen-themed land. Designed to look like a Nordic village, the land is set to open in 2021. The new land will also feature Frozen Ever After, a boat-style ride which first premiered at Epcot in Walt Disney World.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Behind the Thrills via YouTube

 

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Lost treasure and shipwrecks? Check! Easy walking to all the attractions? Check! Add to that delicious cuisine even picky eaters will delight in, famously docile cats, and wandering roosters, and visiting Key West with kids is a guaranteed family vacation win. Read on to find out just a few of the top reasons why you should book your trip now.

#1: History Like No Other Place

Amber Guetebier

Key West’s history reads more like an epic movie. From an indigenous boneyard to a secret haven for pirates to a military outpost, Key West has been home to shipwreck salvagers and bootleggers, playwrights and politicians and everyone in between. Geographically it’s closer to Cuba than Miami and you’ll see all of this reflected in the architecture and arts. When roaming the streets of Key West, you’ll exhaust yourself trying to photograph all the historic markers. Visit keywesthistoricalmarkertour.org and download a free app that narrates a walking tour for you.

#2 Famous Felines

Amber Guetebier

The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is not only a sweet oasis from the busy streets, it also features the descendants of Hemingway’s own famous six-toed cats. These cats have the run of the place and are as mellow as they come. You can pet them (but no picking them up). If the kids are little, skip the guided tour and explore the property and historic home on your own. Look for paw prints in the cement! 

#3 Maritime Marauders

Amber Guetebier

The Mel Fischer Maritime Museum tells the story of this world-famous treasure hunter and includes many of the spoils he salvaged from the wreck of the Atocha. Upstairs you’ll find pirate history and a few interactive exhibits for the kids.The Shipwreck Museum offers plenty of interactive fun for the kids but the real highlight is the view from the top of the tower. The Key West Lighthouse & Keepers Quarters  lis right across the street from the Hemingway Home. Kids 6 and under are free and you can climb the 88 steps to the top of the lighthouse.

#4 Kid-Friendly Cuisine

Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau

The rich culture of Key West, from Cuban influences to the abundance of fresh seafood, means there's no shortage of amazing cuisine. It is impossible to try every place and the beauty of Key West is once you visit, you just want to go back again and again. Do not skip Blue Heaven We love it for breakfast where the crowd is mellow and hungry for Key Lime Hollandaise on their eggs. The vibe, which also includes wandering chickens, is like an artsy backyard in the tropics. Cuban Coffee Queen has two locations and some of the best Cuban coffee you can find in Key West. It's uber-casual and quick, meaning you can feed your hungry kiddos on the fly while upping your colada (strong Cuban coffee served with sweet cream) intake in style. Look for the location off Key Lime Square for real hidden gem.

#5 Wandering Roosters

Amber Guetebier

It's not at all uncommon to see a rooster dash across as frequently as squirrels in Central Park. Chickens and roosters roam free, along with the occasional cat. Animal-loving kids will fit right in here. 

#6 Key Lime Pie

arshefield via Flickr

Rule #1 when you're in the Keys: eat Key Lime Pie. And you might even eat it for breakfast. Nearly every place has it, and they all claim to be the best. It's your duty to try them all and compare.

#7 Adventures on Land & Sea

Amber Guetebier

From a sunset sail on the Appledore II to a sunset carnival just off Mallory Square, adventure awaits around every corner. Don’t miss the Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden, an impressive collection of the busts of famous people who lived in Key West, from shipwreck salvagers to confectioners to writers.

#8 Surprisingly Uncrowded Beaches

Amber Guetebier

Maybe it’s because there’s such a variety of indoor and outdoor activities right near by, but we found the beach at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park to be surprisingly uncrowded. While by no means deserted, there was plenty of space to spread out your blanket or rent a couple of lounge chairs and relax (in between sand castle building and pristine-water swims).

#9 The People You'll Meet

Amber Guetebier

From the cat-loving docents at the Hemingway Home to the ticket vendor to the Ghosts & Gravestones Tour, you will meet many a friendly face in Key West. With a unique cultural background, Key West boasts a vibrant sense of community and attracts artists and sailors alike. You never know who you'll meet on the streets of Key West. 

#10 Secret Street Poetry

Amber Guetebier

You'll no doubt be looking up a lot in Key West, craning to see the Victorian-details of the turrets of a historic home, or watching a mermaid weathervane turn with the wind. But don't forget to look down, literally. Throughout the streets of downtown Key West, you'll find poetry embedded. Stop, read aloud, and get your kiddos in on the beatnik vibe. 

Key West Tips & Tricks

It is possible to fly in and out of Key West and not need a car while you are here. There are a number of "hop-on/hop-off" trolleys and buses to take you to sights a little farther afield, though truthfully the majority of the top highlights are within blocks of each other. 

Parents should be aware that the "party town" atmosphere of Key West can come out after dark, especially during peak Spring Break season. We never felt unsafe in any way but the crowd is definitely different after dark, with bar patrons spilling onto the streets and loud music. 

Parking can be tricky in downtown, but there are a number of paid parking lots. If you are driving, make sure you map out the location of more than one because many of the lots are small and could fill up. 

There's no shortage of hotels and B&Bs to choose from. We highly recommend the Oceans Edge Resort & Marina. It is located on Stock Island, the other side of the island from downtown, but there's a free shuttle to and from downtown between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. The resort is safe, peaceful and has six oceanfront pools! There's a restaurant on-site too, should you decide you need a little late night nosh. 

If you want to explore the rest of the Florida Keys, check out our guide to doing it with the kids in just five days

—Amber Guetebier

This trip was paid for in part by Florida Keys & Key West but all opinions expressed here belong to the writer.

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The next time you head out for errands, keep your eyes peeled at your fellow moms shopping with you—celeb mom sightings at Target are totally a thing! We’ve long believed that celebrity parents are just like the rest of us, and now we know we aren’t alone in our love of the bullseye retailer.

Keep scrolling to see which one of your fave celebs can’t get enough of Target runs, too.

Beyoncé 

Queen Bey was spotted recently wandering the baby aisle at Target looking stunning as ever. While the rest of us might slum to the retailer in our best mom sweats, the mom of three may just have inspired us to step it up a notch.

 

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen also has an exclusive collab with Target, so shopping at Target makes sense. But for the launch of her new kitchen line, she did more than just shop at Target—she actually worked at Target for a day, ringing up customers! Teigen also had some pretty funny thoughts about that whole “Beyoncé shopping at Target” news, too.

 

Joanna Gaines

With five kids in tow, we’re surprised Jojo doesn’t use curbside pickup or same-day delivery for her Target runs! It’s probably that whole amazing Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collab that keeps her coming in store.

 

 

Jenna Bush Hager

Jenna Bush Hager knows how to be resourceful and that includes covering up her locks something every Target aficionado has lying around: a plastic Target shopping bag! The TODAY Show co-host wouldn’t let a swim in the pool ruin her good hair day!

 

Serena Williams

Last summer, Serena let us all in on her shopping secret––shop Target at night! The tennis superstar prefers to shop late night to get in her Target fix and to try on all the swimsuits she wants without being bothered.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsaenO0n5Hx/

Britney Spears

Do you think Brit Brit is shopping for an anniversary edition of “Hit me Baby, One More Time?” The pop star and mom of two has to do her Target runs, too! Seriously—Britney really likes Target, according to court documents about her spending habits obtained by E! News in 2018.

 

Jessica Alba

Yup, this actress and mompreneur shops Target, too––after all, they were one of the first places you could stock up on The Honest Company products! She’s been spotted both solo and with her three kiddos in tow.

 

 

 

Jennifer Garner

As a mom of three, it’s no surprise that Jennifer Garner would find herself at Target constantly. Oh, and that whole new line of organic baby food (Once Upon a Farm) probably helps, too. We’ve seen plenty of smiles while she shops and can we please just be besties already?

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsac4E1HHYS/

Michelle Obama

In 2011, the then-First Lady was spotted shopping incognito at Target and it caused quite the uproar at the time. In 2015, Obama told Stephen Colbert “shopping at Target” was one of the things she was most looking forward to once she and her husband left the White House after his second term. (Could we blame her? We think not.)

––Karly Wood

Featured photo: Courtesy of Target

 

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This is the perfect time of year to get out and about in our hometown. And where better to spend a day than among the cobblestone streets and charming scenery of Georgetown. Here are our suggestions on what to see, where to eat, and how to play.

Photo: Dumbarton Oaks Gardens

See

Begin your day by just wandering down M Street. Be sure to make it to the Old Stone House, the oldest house in D.C. It’s temporarily closed for rehabilitation but makes for a fun bit of history as you stroll. When you’re ready to veer off the beaten path of the Georgetown’s main street for a little more history and nature, you’ve got a couple choices.

Tudor Place
Head north on 31st street to Tudor Place, an 1816 estate offering daily tours. 

Cost: $10/adults; $3/kids
1644 31st St., NW
Online: tudorplace.org

Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Keep walking north and make your way to Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, a museum surrounded by beautiful gardens, perfect for running and playing

1703 32nd St., NW
Online: doaks.org

C&O Canal Towpath
Wander towards the river and pick up a stretch of the C&O Canal Towpath

Online: nps.gov

Georgetown’s Hogwarts
Make your way to Georgetown University and check out our own local Hogwarts—known to students as Healy Hall

O St. at 37th St., NW
Online: georgetown.edu

Photo: Il Canale

Eat

All of that walking will work up an appetite and you’ll find no shortage of restaurants in Georgetown. For our favorites, check out:

Pinstripes
Delicious food in a welcoming atmosphere is enough to draw us in. But add in bocce and bowling with game-side food service and we can’t stay away. 

1064 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Online: pinstripes.com

Il Canale
Pizza for the kids. A truly authentic Italian experience that will have you feeling as though you’ve made it to Naples for the adults. Everybody’s happy. (illcanale.com)

1065 31st St., NW
Online: ilcanale.com

Dessert
If you’re in Georgetown, then you’re having cupcakes. Our favorites are the classics: Georgetown Cupcake, Sprinkles, and Baked & Wired.

Photo: Daniel Lobo via flickr

Play

With full bellies, find a place to play for the rest of the day.

Georgetown Waterfront
While the splash park is gone for the season and ice skating hasn’t started yet, the Georgetown Waterfront still offers plenty of space to run around, a Labyrinth to follow, lovely river views and overlooks, and a functioning steam gauge.

Online: georgetownwaterfrontpark.org

Big Wheel Bikes
Take a break from walking and hop on a set of wheels. Big Wheel Bikes offers bike rentals so you can go farther and see more.

1034 33rd St., NW
Online: bigwheelbikes.com

—Tricia Mirchandani

featured image: NPS 

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Spring sun and warmer temperatures are probably enough to get you and the family out and about these days. But if you need an extra push to lace up your sneakers, smear on some sunscreen, and head outdoors, let us remind you that National Park Week is upon us. Running from April 15 – 23 and bookended by two free entrance weekends, National Park Week celebrates our national heritage and encourages discovering and enjoying the great outdoors. To get you started, we rounded up 10 nearby National Parks you may not of even known existed . 

Photo: Bureau of Land Management via Flickr

Anacostia Park
Delight the kids with playgrounds. Feed the family with picnics or grill out. Come together for roller skating, boating, fishing and any sport you want to play.

Online: nps.gov/anac

Chesapeake Bay
Few days are more perfect than ones spent bird watching by the bay or paddle boating across it.

Online: nps.gov/chba

Ford’s Theatre
Rarely find yourself wandering off the Mall to take in the history at Ford’s Theatre? Now’s the perfect time to change that.

Online: nps.gov/foth 

Photo: BeyondDC via Flickr

Frederick Douglass House
Take a tour and explore the grounds of this national historic sight preserving Douglass’ legacy.

Online: nps.gov/frdo

Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens
Hiking, birding, picnics, fantastic natural photo backdrops and more make a perfect spring day even more perfect.

Online: nps.gov/keaq

LBJ Memorial Grove on Potomac
Spend a day relaxing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking where President Johnson used to go when he needed to escape.

Online: nps.gov/lyba

Fort McHenry
Go way beyond the Mall and head to Baltimore for a tour of the fort, exhibits, and more.

Online: nps.gov/fomc

Photo: elstudio via Flickr

Fort Washington
Explore one of our country’s few remaining Seacoast Forts in its original designs or enjoy hiking, bird watching or fishing.

Online: nps.gov/fowa

Harpers Ferry
A bit of a daytrip, Harpers Ferry is totally worth the drive with museums and exhibits, overlooks and hiking, tours, shops, and a living history workshop.

Online: nps.gov/hafe

Claude Moore Colonial Farm
History buffs will dig this spot where you’ll experience farm life from revolutionary war time.

Online: nps.gov/clmo

What is your favorite local National Park? Tell us in the comments section below. 

–Tricia Mirchandani

If you have not been to the Costco, the you have not truly lived.

Costco. Is. The. Bomb.

Behold the wonder of the Costco Superstore.

You read that correctly: no zombies allowed. They have no membership card so we are safe there. We can all survive in the Costco for years without struggle.

Are you seeing that giant hotdog and carbonated goodness for $1.50? Tell me where you will find a better deal…just try. You can’t. Costco food slays it.

Whoa. Let’s not get crazy now kids. That is financial suicide right there.

Oh you think you might just skip on up to the Costco on a Saturday? Not gonna happen. Costco is so popular you may have a better chance at smaller crowds hanging out at The Magic Kingdom.

People actually get married at the Costco. Being invited to a Costco wedding is now on my bucket list.

So many samples. You can create an entire meal just wandering around Costco snacking away.

Costco literally has anything and everything you could ever want. Need 5-foot bears? Of course you don’t! Neither do I…yet we own two.

I could literally live here, right here under this patio canopy eating Costco samples and hot dogs and drinking fine French wine. This is the dream right here!

You cannot beat the selection and prices of wine at Costco. You also cannot shop at Costco without spending at least $100 on the wine alone.

Do not tell me that you have a Sam’s Club nearby and it is basically the same thing. It’s just not.

Kristin is a blogging SAHM of 4 unruly princesses.  When she is not busy raising humans and vacuuming up toys she can be found at the local Target or hiding in her laundry room where she writes for Red Tricycle, Suburban Misfit Mom and Sammiches and Psych Meds.

Here’s a holiday treat that will appeal to everyone in the family: a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood.  Cindy-Lou and all the Whos will have you story telling, signing, dancing, ornament making, and Grinch and Max meeting. Young mischief makers will thrill to the merry Minion festivities over at Super Silly Fun Land and witches and wizards can feel the magic of the season on Hogswart grounds and wandering through Hogsmeade, keeping warm with some new hot butter beer. The holiday spirit permeates every corner of Universal Studios Hollywood now through Dec. 30, and we’ve got the scoop on where to go and what to do!

Head Straight To Whoville

Don't pass "Go," don't collect $200. When you get to Universal Studios, beeline for Universal Plaza in the center of the park, as that's where the Grinch will be hanging out with Cindy-Lou and all the other Whovillians. The park tends to get more crowded as the day progresses, so you want to get here first thing to have Max-imum time to meet the Grinch, Max, Cindy-Lou and all the other Whos who are walking around. You can also take part in the activities before lines get crazy.

Dates: “Grinchmas” runs weekends on Dec. 1, 2, 8-9 and then continues daily from Dec. 14-30, 2018
Hours: The park opens at 9 a.m. and closes at various times
Cost: Tickets start at $109

Universal Studios
100 Universal City Plaza
Universal City
Online: universalstudioshollywood.com

Merry Grinchmas! Have you been to see the Grinch at Universal Studios Hollywood?  We’d love to hear your favorite seasonal activity.

—Meghan Rose

All photos by Meghan Rose. A special thanks to Universal Studios Hollywood for hosting our visit.

Bye-bye, plastic playgrounds. We’ve found a slew of natural oases to cut loose in. Made from wood, stones and good old-fashioned dirt, they’re Earth’s way of saying “Have a blast!” Click through our album to discover eight playgrounds made from natural materials. Who needs bells and whistles when you have fun like this?

Garfield Park Conservatory’s Play & Grow Garden

Let’s face it: Toddlerhood is no cakewalk. There are play dates, tantrums, intense coloring sessions. Show your over-hyped youngster how to get in touch with nature at this oasis of chill. After wandering around the labyrinth, kids can unleash their musical side by playing the wooden xylophone, or deploy their inner daredevil by tightrope walking on a fallen log. From pebbles to mud pies, this natural haven offers a great hands-on experience for even the most 9-to-5 of preschoolers.

300 N. Central Park Ave.
Garfield Park
312-746-5100
Online: garfield-conservatory.org

Do you know a natural playground that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the Comments below!

— Kelly Haramis