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Our Favorite Pampered Chef Seasonings And Why You Need Them!
Good Eats

Our Favorite Pampered Chef Seasonings And Why You Need Them!

ByJessica Lynn 05.10.202305.10.2023

I know the word “obsessed” and “addicted” are overused these days and likely very much exaggerated 97.6% of the time. So please trust me when I say this is not…

Read More Our Favorite Pampered Chef Seasonings And Why You Need Them!Continue

Our Port Stop in Klaipėda, Lithuania
Baltics | Lithuania | Travel

Our Port Stop in Klaipėda, Lithuania

ByJessica Lynn 05.07.202305.12.2023

If you’re taking a Baltic cruise and find yourself with a port stop in Klaipėda, Lithuania, then this post is for you. Klaipėda is a charming and beautiful seaside port…

Read More Our Port Stop in Klaipėda, LithuaniaContinue

Exploring Poland: A Lovely Day in Gdańsk
Baltics | cruising | Poland

Exploring Poland: A Lovely Day in Gdańsk

ByJessica Lynn 05.03.202305.07.2023

During the summer of 2022, my family and I went on a Baltic cruise. While we didn’t love the cruise line we picked (you can read all about the drama…

Read More Exploring Poland: A Lovely Day in GdańskContinue

Visiting Prague with the kids? This post dives into awesome activities that kids and grown-ups will not just love, but enjoy.
Czech Republic | Europe | Travel

15 of the Best Things to do in Prague with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 04.29.202304.29.2023

You’re in for a huge treat if you have Prague, Czech Republic on your radar. The city is overflowing with history, stunning architecture, and lip-smackingly scrumptious food (and don’t even…

Read More 15 of the Best Things to do in Prague with KidsContinue

Visiting the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg
Baltics | cruising | Germany | Travel

Visiting the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg

ByJessica Lynn 04.21.202305.07.2023

During the summer of 2022, my family and I went on a Baltic cruise. While we didn’t love the cruise line we picked (you can read all about the drama here),…

Read More Visiting the Miniatur Wunderland in HamburgContinue

An Ultimate Packing List With all the Best Cruise Essentials You Need
cruising | Travel Tips

An Ultimate Packing List With all the Best Cruise Essentials You Need

ByJessica Lynn 03.29.202304.21.2023

There are tons of posts out there telling you all the cruise must-haves you have to buy, but this one is coming from a family of five that’s about to share the nitty gritty about which ones are the actual cruise essentials.

Read More An Ultimate Packing List With all the Best Cruise Essentials You NeedContinue

Our Fantastic Impromptu Family Trip to Tuscany
Europe | Italy | Travel

Our Fantastic Impromptu Family Trip to Tuscany

ByJessica Lynn 03.07.202304.04.2023

Spoiler alert: we weren’t actually supposed to go on a family trip to Tuscany; we were supposed to bask in Africa’s sunshine during a week-long trip to Morocco. But sometimes…

Read More Our Fantastic Impromptu Family Trip to TuscanyContinue

Lisbon Day Trip: See the Oldest Cork Tree in the World
Portugal

Lisbon Day Trip: See the Oldest Cork Tree in the World

ByJessica Lynn 02.19.202304.04.2023

So there we were, driving from Lisbon down to the Algarve. Two of our kids were passed out in the backseat—they fell asleep minutes after we left the city—and I…

Read More Lisbon Day Trip: See the Oldest Cork Tree in the WorldContinue

a tuk tuk in lisbon
Europe | Portugal | Travel

Everything You Need to Know About Taking A Tuk-Tuk Tour in Lisbon

ByJessica Lynn 02.15.202304.04.2023

Going on a tuk-tuk tour in Lisbon was an absolute highlight of our entire trip, so much so that it makes me giddy just thinking about it again, and I…

Read More Everything You Need to Know About Taking A Tuk-Tuk Tour in LisbonContinue

13+ Fun Things to do in Lisbon with Kids
Europe | Portugal

13+ Fun Things to do in Lisbon with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 02.12.202304.24.2023

Heading to Portugal with your family and curious about what to do in Lisbon with kids? You’ve come to the right place. Visiting Lisbon with a family is a fantastic…

Read More 13+ Fun Things to do in Lisbon with KidsContinue

boy standing in front of a yellow tulip field
the Netherlands | Travel | Travel Tips

The Absolute Best Places to See Tulip Fields in the Netherlands

ByJessica Lynn 02.08.202304.17.2023

I’m pretty certain that there’s no better joy in the springtime than seeing rows and rows and rows and rows of brightly-colored tulip fields in Holland. If you’re looking for…

Read More The Absolute Best Places to See Tulip Fields in the NetherlandsContinue

Things I miss About America
Living Overseas | Travel | United States

Things I miss About America

ByJessica Lynn 02.01.202302.01.2023

Whether you’ve lived away from the United States for one week, three years, or a decade+, finding yourself homesick and discovering things you miss about America is bound to happen…

Read More Things I miss About AmericaContinue

What to Wear in Lapland: A Winter Family Packing List
Finland | Lapland | Travel

What to Wear in Lapland: A Winter Family Packing List

ByJessica Lynn 01.25.202304.24.2023

I’ve packed for my fair share of trips before, but when we decided to go to Finland for a weekend I instantly panicked; I had no idea what to wear…

Read More What to Wear in Lapland: A Winter Family Packing ListContinue

Our Family Trip to Finland: A Weekend in Lapland
Finland | Lapland | Travel

Our Family Trip to Finland: A Weekend in Lapland

ByJessica Lynn 01.22.202304.25.2023

As I type this, my son’s stuffed toy reindeer, dubbed “Finney,” is staring at me from across the table. Every time I see Finney she reminds me of our once-in-a-lifetime…

Read More Our Family Trip to Finland: A Weekend in LaplandContinue

Glass Blowing in Prague: A Totally Fun Family Experience
Czech Republic | Travel | Travel Tips

Glass Blowing in Prague: A Totally Fun Family Experience

ByJessica Lynn 01.11.202304.28.2023

I love finding fun and unique things to do when we’re in different cities. So when I heard about a family-friendly experience where you can do glass blowing in Prague,…

Read More Glass Blowing in Prague: A Totally Fun Family ExperienceContinue

What it’s really like Visiting a Beer Spa with Kids in Prague
Czech Republic | Travel | Travel Tips

What it’s really like Visiting a Beer Spa with Kids in Prague

ByJessica Lynn 01.06.202305.05.2023

Did you do a double-take with that title? I promise it isn’t a typo. Sure, “visiting a beer spa with kids” may seem like an oxymoron, but I’m here to…

Read More What it’s really like Visiting a Beer Spa with Kids in PragueContinue

2022: Our Year of Travel!
Family | Travel

2022: Our Year of Travel!

ByJessica Lynn 01.03.202301.03.2023

Wow. Last year, 2022, ended up being much more than I could have imagined. When we knew/found out we were moving overseas we had grand plans of traveling…and that was…

Read More 2022: Our Year of Travel!Continue

An Awesome Eastern Europe Itinerary: 10-day Road Trip
Austria | Czech Republic | Germany | Hungary | Poland | Slovakia | Travel

An Awesome Eastern Europe Itinerary: 10-day Road Trip

ByJessica Lynn 12.07.202205.09.2023

If you’re itching to see a lot of great places like Prague and Budapest (among others), then this Eastern Europe itinerary, a 10-day road trip, is the perfect way to…

Read More An Awesome Eastern Europe Itinerary: 10-day Road TripContinue

visit the monschau christmas market for an magical experience
Christmas Markets | Europe | Germany

All About the 2022 Monschau Christmas Market in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 12.05.202205.11.2023

If you’re in the market (ha, see what I did there?) for a charming and smaller Christmas market in a quaint little German town—complete with a picturesque river running through…

Read More All About the 2022 Monschau Christmas Market in GermanyContinue

a look inside Streckhof Frauenkirchen
Austria | Europe | Travel

Streckhof Frauenkirchen: A Family-Friendly Stay in Burgenland, Austria

ByJessica Lynn 11.15.202205.22.2023

If you find yourself (with your family in tow) in the picturesque province of Burgenland, Austria, Streckhof Frauenkirchen is exactly the place where you’ll want to stay for a little…

Read More Streckhof Frauenkirchen: A Family-Friendly Stay in Burgenland, AustriaContinue

Ultimate Guide for the 2022 Cologne Christmas Market in Germany
Christmas Markets | Europe | Germany

Ultimate Guide for the 2022 Cologne Christmas Market in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 11.11.202211.11.2022

Okay, I know I haven’t been to all the Christmas markets out there, but from the ones I have been to (more than a dozen), the Cologne Christmas market in…

Read More Ultimate Guide for the 2022 Cologne Christmas Market in GermanyContinue

Our Surprising Detour to Alburquerque, Spain
Europe | New Mexico | Spain

Our Surprising Detour to Alburquerque, Spain

ByJessica Lynn 10.30.202205.26.2023

No, that’s not a typo in the title; I didn’t misspell Albuquerque. If you’re familiar with Albuquerque, a city in New Mexico, USA, you may be scratching your head at…

Read More Our Surprising Detour to Alburquerque, SpainContinue

Make the most of your winter in Europe with these helpful Christmas market tips. This post will be a handy guide for a great experience.
Christmas Markets | Europe | Travel Tips

Helpful Christmas Market Tips For Your First Visit (2022)

ByJessica Lynn 10.12.202211.12.2022

Europen Christmas markets are straight-up magical, but if it’s your first time you may be wondering how they work. My hope is that after you read this post full of…

Read More Helpful Christmas Market Tips For Your First Visit (2022)Continue

Top 5 Places To Make Macarons in Paris with Kids
Europe | France

Top 5 Places To Make Macarons in Paris with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 10.07.202210.10.2022

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience with your family during your trip to the City of Lights, then you’ve come to the right place. Learning to make macarons in…

Read More Top 5 Places To Make Macarons in Paris with KidsContinue

A Weekend in Paris with Kids: Our Awesome Itinerary
Europe | France | The Kids

A Weekend in Paris with Kids: Our Awesome Itinerary

ByJessica Lynn 10.02.202210.10.2022

I’m so excited to share our loose itinerary for spending a weekend in Paris with kids. I say “loose,” because when you’re traveling to Paris with kids, the number one…

Read More A Weekend in Paris with Kids: Our Awesome ItineraryContinue

2023 Disney Cruise Packing List: Extra Fun Things You Need
cruising | Disney Cruise Line | Travel Tips

2023 Disney Cruise Packing List: Extra Fun Things You Need

ByJessica Lynn 09.19.202203.23.2023

You’ve probably already spent a fortune on your 2023 Disney Cruise, and while you absolutely don’t need any of the stuff mentioned below (because Disney already excels at bringing the…

Read More 2023 Disney Cruise Packing List: Extra Fun Things You NeedContinue

Review of Center Parcs De Haan in Belgium
Belgium | Europe | Travel

Review of Center Parcs De Haan in Belgium

ByJessica Lynn 09.14.202203.07.2023

When my in-laws said they were flying into Brussels on a Friday, we had the grand idea to turn that weekend into a mini holiday for our family. Since it…

Read More Review of Center Parcs De Haan in BelgiumContinue

Top Things You’ve Gotta do in Segovia, Spain
Europe | Spain | Travel

Top Things You’ve Gotta do in Segovia, Spain

ByJessica Lynn 09.11.202209.11.2022

If you’re reading this post it’s likely that you already have plans for a day trip to Segovia, Spain. Maybe you’re planning on traipsing around this Spanish town for a…

Read More Top Things You’ve Gotta do in Segovia, SpainContinue

Hansel and Gretel Pancake House Near Amsterdam
Europe | the Netherlands | Travel

Hansel and Gretel Pancake House Near Amsterdam

ByJessica Lynn 09.08.202209.16.2022

I’m just going to say it: Europe has way cooler stuff than America does. Take this seriously fantastic place to eat, the Hansel and Gretel Pancake House in the Netherlands….

Read More Hansel and Gretel Pancake House Near AmsterdamContinue

Everything You Need for a Trip to Center Parcs + Packing List
Europe | Travel | Travel Tips

Everything You Need for a Trip to Center Parcs + Packing List

ByJessica Lynn 09.04.202201.09.2023

Just thinking about a trip to Center Parcs makes me giddy. It’s so much fun for all ages, not just for kids. But thinking about what to pack for Center…

Read More Everything You Need for a Trip to Center Parcs + Packing ListContinue

Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian Cruise
cruising | Europe

Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian Cruise

ByJessica Lynn 09.01.202204.21.2023

I’ve been avoiding writing about the Baltic Cruise we went on this summer (2022). Not because the places we visited weren’t great (they were wonderful), but because we hated the…

Read More Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian CruiseContinue

A Quick Look at Schloss Schwerin
castles | Europe | Germany

A Quick Look at Schloss Schwerin

ByJessica Lynn 08.23.202209.16.2022

Seeing Schloss Schwerin in real life was another one of those pinch-me-please moments. I saw it floating around Pinterest before we even arrived in Germany, and thought how cool it…

Read More A Quick Look at Schloss SchwerinContinue

An Ultimate Guide for Taking Kids to the Balloon Fiesta
Balloon Fiesta | New Mexico | Travel | United States

An Ultimate Guide for Taking Kids to the Balloon Fiesta

ByJessica Lynn 08.05.202208.08.2022

Every October the skies in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are dotted with hundreds of colorful balloons. And if you’re wondering what there is for kids at the balloon fiesta, I’ve got…

Read More An Ultimate Guide for Taking Kids to the Balloon FiestaContinue

Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Alamogordo, NM
Duty Station Spotlight | Military | New Mexico | Travel | United States

Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Alamogordo, NM

ByJessica Lynn 08.01.202208.08.2022

Did you just find out that you’re moving to Holloman AFB soon? If you did, I bet you’re wondering about things to do in Alamogordo and all the things about…

Read More Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Alamogordo, NMContinue

Fun Things to do With One Day in Ghent
Belgium | Europe | Travel

Fun Things to do With One Day in Ghent

ByJessica Lynn 07.26.202209.16.2022

If you’re looking for a town full of charm that’s not too big and not too small, then Ghent, Belgium, fits that bill. And don’t worry: if you only have…

Read More Fun Things to do With One Day in GhentContinue

The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary: 14-Day Road Trip
Europe | Portugal | Spain | Travel

The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary: 14-Day Road Trip

ByJessica Lynn 07.14.202202.14.2023

With this Spain and Portugal itinerary, 14 days is the perfect way to get your feet wet by exploring two amazing countries. The best part is that this guide is…

Read More The Best Spain and Portugal Itinerary: 14-Day Road TripContinue

Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, Portugal
Europe | Portugal | Travel

Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, Portugal

ByJessica Lynn 06.26.202209.27.2022

As I was searching for things to do in the southern part of Portugal during our two-week Spain and Portugal road trip, I discovered something pretty darn cool: there are…

Read More Find Dinosaur Footprints in Algarve, PortugalContinue

HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUM
Belgium | Europe | Travel

HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUM

ByJessica Lynn 06.05.202209.16.2022

Trolls in Belgium, you say? Oh yes, there are GIANT trolls (seven, to be exact) in Belgium, and they’re waiting for you to go find them. Save this post and…

Read More HUNTING GIANT TROLLS IN BELGIUMContinue

Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with Kids
Europe | Italy | Travel

Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 05.02.202201.18.2023

If you’re heading to Sicily, Italy, with your family, one of your must-visit spots has to be Mount Etna: the iconic and massive active volcano. This post will help you…

Read More Visiting Mount Etna on Your Own with KidsContinue

Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!
Croatia | cruising | Europe | Greece

Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!

ByJessica Lynn 04.03.202201.28.2023

I am SO excited to invite you on a family-friendly cruise Mediterranean vacay with me and my crew. No family? No problem. Whether you’re single, traveling with friends, or going…

Read More Let’s Cruise Together in 2023!Continue

Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with Kids
Europe | Italy | Travel

Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with Kids

ByJessica Lynn 03.25.202208.04.2022

I’m excited to share exactly how we spent our recent family holiday in Sicily, Italy. Visiting Sicily with kids is totally doable, and I’ll walk you through our trip so…

Read More Ultimate Guide for 4 Days in Sicily with KidsContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF Lakenheath
Duty Station Spotlight | Europe | Military | Travel

#DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF Lakenheath

ByJessica Lynn 02.23.202207.31.2022

If your family just got word that you’re PCSing to RAF Lakenheath in England, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill guide. You won’t discover what…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight on PCSing to RAF LakenheathContinue

Explore Burg Satzvey in Germany
castles | Europe | Germany | Travel

Explore Burg Satzvey in Germany

ByJessica Lynn 02.14.202209.16.2022

Burg Satzvey was one of the cutest little castles that we’ve seen in Germany, and it’s less than an hour from two popular cities, Bonn and Cologne, making it a…

Read More Explore Burg Satzvey in GermanyContinue

Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam
Europe | the Netherlands | Travel

Visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam

ByJessica Lynn 02.10.202210.12.2022

When my mom came out to visit us in the fall of 2021 there were three things she wanted to do: experience visiting the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, see…

Read More Visiting the Anne Frank House in AmsterdamContinue

7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know About
Travel | Travel Tips

7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know About

ByJessica Lynn 02.04.202209.04.2022

Whether you’re daydreaming about jetting off around the world or you’re ready to bite the bullet and book some tickets, the first thing you need is a passport. Before you…

Read More 7 Helpful Passport Tips You’ve Gotta Know AboutContinue

Our Favorite Easy Chili Recipe
Good Eats

Our Favorite Easy Chili Recipe

ByJessica Lynn 01.31.202204.17.2023

First I need to apologize, because this meal—this super easy chili recipe—is one of our favorites, and I’ve never officially posted it on here before now. When I say it’s…

Read More Our Favorite Easy Chili RecipeContinue

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, Alaska
Duty Station Spotlight | Military | Travel | United States

#DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, Alaska

ByJessica Lynn 01.27.202203.06.2023

If your family just got word that you’re moving to Anchorage, Alaska, and getting stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, you’ve come to the right place. But this isn’t your run-of-the-mill…

Read More #DutyStationSpotlight: Moving to Anchorage, AlaskaContinue

Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in Europe
Europe | The Kids | Travel | Travel Tips

Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in Europe

ByJessica Lynn 01.21.202201.04.2023

Kinderhotels in Europe are like magical unicorns for traveling families and unlike anything else. But finding and narrowing down family-friendly hotels in Europe can feel harder than spotting an actual…

Read More Ultimate Guide for Finding Family-Friendly Hotels in EuropeContinue

5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, Italy
Europe | Italy | Travel

5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, Italy

ByJessica Lynn 01.13.202208.04.2022

I totally understand why there’s a lot of hype and excitement about traipsing around Venice. It is gorgeous, and it’s full of hidden treasures around nook and cranny. But when…

Read More 5 Fun Things to do on a Day Trip to Burano, ItalyContinue

Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, Austria
Austria | Europe | Travel

Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, Austria

ByJessica Lynn 01.09.202209.16.2022

We closed out 2021 and welcomed in 2022 with the most delightful, family-friendly and all-inclusive holiday at the Alpenrose Familux Resort in Tyrol, Austria, and I can’t wait to tell…

Read More Alpenrose Familux Resort Review | Tyrol, AustriaContinue

The Best of 2021
Blogging

The Best of 2021

ByJessica Lynn 12.29.202112.29.2021

True story: I typed “The Best of 2020” twice before finally getting it right. Whoops. I won’t lie and say 2021 was all peaches and cream, because it was more…

Read More The Best of 2021Continue

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🥳 When your mom retires after working for 48 ye 🥳 When your mom retires after working for 48 years at the same place, you fly across the world to throw her a surprise party! 

While she knew I was in town with the kids, she had no idea she was walking into her own party for dinner one evening. 

Her reaction was priceless (as was my audible sigh of relief 18 seconds in when I realized we actually pulled the whole thing off). 

Lying to your mother isn’t something I recommend (or for the faint of heart), but this was the one time I made an exception. Our elaborate misdirects totally paid off. 

Happy retirement, Mom! I can’t wait to celebrate with you in Europe next month and see what fun things you do with the rest of your time off. 

-—

*BIG thanks to my brother and SIL. Chris and Amanda were the real MVPs of pulling this whole thing off. 

**If you’re in Albuquerque I HIGHLY recommend checking out @tomatocafe_abq—they were remarkable and so helpful. They’re a family favorite of ours. We love eating there and it was a fantastic spot to hold our party! 

#jesstagirlinnewmexico #surpriseparty #celebrationtime #LoveWhatMatters #GoodNews #family
🌟SLOW YOUR SCROLL and look closely!! ⁠ ⁠ Do 🌟SLOW YOUR SCROLL and look closely!! ⁠
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Do you see what I see? That's my daughter looking at pieces of amber from millions of years ago. And inside that amber is—wait for it—insects...like mosquitos 🦟.⁠
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...I'm waiting for it to click. Has it clicked yet? (if you haven't yet, swipe to see more pics)⁠
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FRIENDS! When we were in Lithuania we went to an amber museum in a town called Palanga 🌕⁠
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🦖 Basically, if we were ever to make a real-life Jurassic Park, THIS is where they'd get the mosquito from! ⁠
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Okay, pop culture (and me freaking out) aside, our excursion to this amber museum was really, really cool. ⁠
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💛 Amber is known as "Baltic Gold," and I can totally see why now. Here's a quick history lesson:⁠
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Amber is essentially resin from fossilized pine sap, and 60 million years ago there was a pine forest in the (present-day) Baltic Sea. Sap dripped onto the forest floor and eventually fossilized. Due to the motion of the ocean (and millions of years of evolution), amber is still being found washed up on the Baltic shores. ⁠
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We saw pieces of amber from around 50 MILLION years ago, which clearly blew my mind. ⁠
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I had no idea about amber before visiting the museum, so I'm really glad we checked it out. If you're ever in the area I highly recommend stopping there. ⁠
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⫸⫸ Do you own any amber? I didn't up until our trip there. Now I love the uniqueness and different hues amber comes in!⁠
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📍Palanga is about 3.5 hrs from Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, and only 30 minutes from the port town of Klaipėda. See more about Palanga on my blog -- 🔗 in bio! ⁠
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🌕 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinLithuania #visitPalanga #Klaipėda #realisbeautiful #lithuania #klaipeda #balticcruise #baltics #balticcountries #klaipedaassutavim #familycruise #familycruising #cruisefamily #cruisewithkids #americanineurope #travelwithkids
🙌 Three cheers for this Lithuanian welcome wago 🙌 Three cheers for this Lithuanian welcome wagon! (Sound on!!) ⁠
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Last summer we went on a Baltic cruise, and as we stepped off the ship in Klaipėda, Lithuania, this local traditional music group welcomed us into their country. 🥰⁠
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Listening to them—even for a short time—filled me with joy and made such a great first impression! ⁠
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Y'all, I'm not gonna lie. Lithuania was never been on my radar before, but after being there it's totally on my list of places to visit again. ⁠
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Klaipėda is a small port town that you can easily see in a day—it's charming and casual, and it was remarkably clean and well-manicured everywhere. ⁠
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You can tell that they take great pride in their culture, city, and country. ⁠
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We actually also went on an excursion to another city with our cruise line that day (more on that later), but we had time to walk around the city when we got back. ⁠
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We found a market in old town, bought some amber, had a delicious lunch, and strolled around town until we had to get back to the port. ⁠
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....And when I got back on the ship later that evening I realized that 90% of the pictures I took from around Klaipėda never actually made it on my phone 🥺. My phone ran out of space and didn't save the majority of what I took. I'm super bummed but thankful for the ones that remained. ⁠
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I would LOVE to explore Lithuania more; Klaipėda was such a great first taste of a wonderful country!⁠
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If you want to see more from our day in Lithuania and a sneak peek of the SUPER COOL place we also visited, head to my blog (🔗 in bio) to read the post about it! ⁠
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⫸⫸ Is Lithuania on your radar now? Keep an eye out for more posts from this area; I still have more to share! ⁠
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🛳 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinLithuania #Klaipėda #realisbeautiful #lithuania #klaipeda #balticcruise #baltics #balticcountries #klaipedaassutavim #familycruise #familycruising #cruisefamily #cruisewithkids #americanineurope #travelwithkids
🌍✈️ Hey, fellow family explorers, we need y 🌍✈️ Hey, fellow family explorers, we need your expertise!⁠
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As we get ready to take off on our next family adventure, I'm curious: what are your go-to apps for keeping kids entertained while traveling? ⁠
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Whether it's educational or purely for fun, share your/their favorite apps in the comments below! ⁠
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We don't typically travel with screens (I know, I know, we're crazy 🤪), but we're making an exception this time! We're traveling with a 10, 8, and 6-year-old, so don't forget to leave your kids' ages, too! ⁠
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✨ Bonus points if the apps don't need WiFi! ⁠
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🗺️ Let's create a travel-app treasure trove for little adventurers everywhere! ⁠
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✈️ ---------⤹⤹---------⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more travel fun
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Does your family have a hobby you *all* love doing Does your family have a hobby you *all* love doing together? 

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Some days, staying home is my favorite. 

I also love traveling. I like it, I LOVE IT and want some more of it. 

But staying home and doing something as simple as going for a bike ride with my family? THAT brings me pure joy, too. 

Also, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m so thankful we lived in our area (border of Germany and the Netherlands) during the pandoozy because it gave us a family hobby: bike riding 🚲

If the pandemic didn’t happen and we didn’t HAVE to stay home and within a certain radius we would’ve been traveling every weekend instead of exploring our own backyard. 

I’m sure we would’ve bought bikes eventually since it’s the culture out here, but I don’t know if we would’ve loved our family bike rides as much. 

🚲 Now, there’s a good chance that if we’re not traveling and if it’s a nice day out, we’ll be outside hitting the pavement.

⫸⫸ Tell me what your family loves doing together in the comments! 

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✂️ Why beautiful tulips get the CHOP CHOP 🌷 ✂️ Why beautiful tulips get the CHOP CHOP 🌷keep reading for the answer

If you’ve been to a tulip field you may have seen rows of tulips with their heads cut off—literally, the pretty flower part is called the “head.” 

So, these big chopping machines come in and literally cut off the tulips’ beautiful heads row by row. 

It’s a sad sight to see if you’re there in person, but it’s an important part of the tulip process.

If the tulips continue to grow, all the energy from the plant will go to keeping the pretty flowers alive until they whither and die 🥀

That seems like a no-brainer to me because I like the pretty flowers, but for tulip growers, that’s bad business.

🌞 Instead, growers want the energy to go to the flower bulb buried beneath the ground.

Because that’s where the magic happens ✨

With the flower head gone, the energy goes straight to the bulb itself—which will continue to grow and even multiply, creating more bulbs (baby bulbs!) so that there are more to plant and sell the following season. 

Around July, once the stem and leaves have withered away, it’s harvest time. 

The bulbs are stored in a dry place during the summer and then planted again in October/November for a bountiful bloom in the spring. ♻️ (I know that’s the “recycle” emoji...but it’s the closest I could get to the “cycle of life,” so just roll with it.) 

🤷🏻‍♀️ So now know why those beautiful tulips have to get their heads chopped off.

☟
Did you already know this? 
If you learned something new today, share this with a friend!

P.S. shout out to anyone who listened to the whole audio. Couldn’t resist a teaching moment with the OG TGIF teacher ❤️ 
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
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