Three days in NYC with the kids, 7 and 9. Took the kids to the Moma per daughter's request to see Starry Night by Van Gogh, and they loved the museum. Visited the Intrepid Museum and it was awesome. But the highlight was the Roosevelt Tram to Roosevelt Island and then hanging out on a hill on the island looking at the city skyline.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was vacation worth ALL THE LAUNDRY????

I have my doubts...

Seriously, I ran washer all day Saturday after we got back. Didn't help that my parents arrived that am, 2 hours before I was expecting them.

I just do laundry on vacation every couple of days. (Stay in condo/Airbnb) I prefer that to large suitcases full of laundry at home. Instead we brought home all clean clothes except the last day’s clothes and pjs.

+1 Allows us to pack less (we are pretty good at packing a for a week in a roll-on even if we have to pack for cold and warm temps).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was vacation worth ALL THE LAUNDRY????

I have my doubts...

Seriously, I ran washer all day Saturday after we got back. Didn't help that my parents arrived that am, 2 hours before I was expecting them.

I just do laundry on vacation every couple of days. (Stay in condo/Airbnb) I prefer that to large suitcases full of laundry at home. Instead we brought home all clean clothes except the last day’s clothes and pjs.

Anonymous wrote:Was vacation worth ALL THE LAUNDRY????

I have my doubts...

Seriously, I ran washer all day Saturday after we got back. Didn't help that my parents arrived that am, 2 hours before I was expecting them.

Breckenridge - had fresh snow 2/3 days. Put DD in ski school, first day, other two skied together as family. DH said was best skiing of his life.

My husband, two teenage kids and I just returned from a week in Scotland. It was so amazing! We flew into Edinburgh and were there for two days then rented a car and drove to some really amazing places. Our favorite was Isle of Skye. My kids loved it! I am sitting here drinking coffee and trying to get ready for work. It's good to be home but I miss Scotland already.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida. Great time but questioning my skills as parent since kids fought and seemed ungrateful for half of it. Considering drinking more next trip as a result

Wait? Did I post this? Same experience, also Florida. I think the hot sunny weather, sand and tight space (shared single hotel room) aggravated everyone.

Same here. It was a total bummer. It really made me sad. How old are your kids?

I am a PP but not the one you quoted. My girls are 10 and 7, but have basically been this way since the younger one could talk.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Florida. Great time but questioning my skills as parent since kids fought and seemed ungrateful for half of it. Considering drinking more next trip as a result

Wait? Did I post this? Same experience, also Florida. I think the hot sunny weather, sand and tight space (shared single hotel room) aggravated everyone.

Same here. It was a total bummer. It really made me sad. How old are your kids?

Nine days in Utah visiting the big 5 National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches and Canyonlands. All were awesome, but Capitol Reef blew my mind - did not know much about it before this trip, but it was hands down my favorite. 9 and 11 yos did a minimum amount of bickering, and a surprising amount of hiking with not too much complaining. So overall an "A" trip. Was surprised to see that we drove about 1,500 miles all in, including a few side trips and of course to and from the airport (LAS).

5 days in the outer banks with 2 kids under the age of 5 at a friend’s beach place. Weather was chilly some days but gorgeous and springy the rest of the time. Kids played on the beach and made sandcastles. We went hiking and to the aquarium and had some good seafood. It was not a glamorous vacation but it was quiet and fun...and free except for the cost of food and gas.

Staycation. Still traumatized from traveling last summer with our then 3 year old. DH had to work all week, but 4 year old and I played two different indoor mini golf/arcades, a couple new playgrounds, the science museum, and knocked off a ton from my neglected to do list (car maintenance, vet appointments, therapy evals for DS, etc)

One day we will travel again. Right now it's just not fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New York for four days. Stayed in a hotel with bunk beds, which 7 and 3 year olds loved. Lion King with older kid. Natural history museum. American girl doll store. Mild bickering throughout and one potty mishap. Not necessarily my favorite Spring Break but fun enough and simple to plan.

What hotel in NYC had bunk beds. I LOVE bunk beds when travelling with the kids -- no complaints that someone is rolling into someone or hogging the covers!

Moxy by Marriott has them. We liked it -- but you have to understand that it is a Micro hotel. Think of that HGTV show "Tiny houses." It is designed to be very ergonomic/efficient, but very small space. It worked for us. Was nice that each bed had a small light and ledge for devices. DH and I could have our phones on and surf while the kids were in the upper bunks... and we weren't disturbing anyone with the lights.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We spent two days in Vegas (I was actually surprised how my much kids liked it/how kid friendly it was) and then did Zion and Bryce Canyon for the rest of the week. It was a lot of fun and so, so gorgeous (I had never been to the southwest except Phoenix for work once) but in hindsight I think I’d wait 2-3 more years for this trip because I overestimated the stamina of our 7 year old- there were a good number of times that the rest of us (me, husband, 11 year old twins) were wanting to keep going but our daughter just didn’t have it in her. Lesson learned.

This is what we are doing next year, hoping for Vegas on the end though. Booked Zion Lodge today and Bryce Lodge this Wednesday, just booking 5 nights at each until we figure out what our actual travel dates will be, then can modify each reservation. Kids will be 15 and 11. Hoping to stay at Manadalay Bay with their 7 pools. Planning on 2 nights at Zion, one or 2 at Bryce depending on how the flights are working out. What was your itinerary?

Saturday- leave DC at 10:30, arrive in Vegas at 2:30, checked into hotel (Mandalay Bay- yes, highly recommend!!), puttered around the strip, rode the Ferris wheel, went out to dinner, walked around some more, bed
Sunday- full day in Vegas. We did M&M world, some time at the pool, Shark Reef, and cirque du soleil (kids LOVED it)
Monday- Left Vegas at 8:30AM got to Zion (south entrance) by 11:30, ate lunch, did a hike, checked into our hotel (Flanigan’s Inn- really liked it) and relaxed for the rest of the night
Tuesday- more hiking in Zion
Wednesday - Left Zion at 9, Drove to Bryce Canyon, there by 11, ate lunch, explored a bit, checked into hotel (Bryce Canyon Lodge- LOVED IT)
Thursday - Bryce Canyon
Friday - day trip to grand staircase- escalante. This one was my absolute favorite.
Saturday- early morning drive back to Vegas, fly home.

Returning tomorrow from four nights in New Orleans with 7 and 9 year olds. Really great time -- perfect weather and lots to do. Swamp tour, French Quarter, streetcar, etc. Easy to get around and wonderful food. And my kids thought Bourbon Street was smelly and inappropriate, so maybe that will stick with them when they are older and making behavior choices!

Anonymous wrote:Florida. Great time but questioning my skills as parent since kids fought and seemed ungrateful for half of it. Considering drinking more next trip as a result

It's not just you. Beach vacations=fighting for my kids. There's just too much "relaxing" down time. We need a vacation with more things scheduled, and a mix of different types of activites. Our most successful beach vacations are ones that combine beach/pool time with snorkeling; parasailing; nature preserves; maybe a museum; etc. We also bring a lot of different games. Sleeping Queens is my favorite vacation crutch.