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Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian Cruise

Baltics · cruising · Europe

Our (Negative) Experience on a Norwegian Cruise

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 Cruise

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Parents, do you ever go on solo trips with just on

Parents, do you ever go on solo trips with just one or two kids? (Like, without your spouse and other siblings tagging along, too.)

It's something I've always wanted to do, but when your other half is in the military with a very unpredictable schedule, finding time is the hardest part.

We've had *many* plans fall apart—some at the last minute, and some before they could even begin to grow and take root.

Honestly, I find it really hard, in general, to give my kids individual attention/alone time with just me because of our schedule and lifestyle (but that's a different post for another day)...so an entire trip with just one or two of them is out of the question 99% of the time.

But then there's that one percent...

I shouldn't jinx things, but I'm taking the girls—just the girls!!!—to Paris this weekend. Just. Us!

The boys are literally holding down the fort at home—they're pitching a tent and camping in the backyard, and my son is SO excited for the mini adventure.

We're all really excited about this, and I'm hoping it's a turning point for the future.

These pictures, by the way, are from a couple of hours in Bruges when Julia and I wandered the streets just the two of us.

The other two went with my husband to pick up my in-laws in Brussels, so she and I had some alone time together to explore.

💞 It filled my cup so much getting to be with just her.

She may be 9, but a few times as we strolled around, she'd hold my hand. Not only did it make me completely melt, but it reminded me about how much I really do need to work on spending more time with them alone.

⫸⫸Parents with multiple kids: how do you navigate quality time with each kid?

📍Bruges, Belgium
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. 🔗 in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinBelgium #visitbruges #brugesbelgium #ilovebelgium #familytravelblog #familytraveller #kidswhotravel #travelwithkids #takeyourkidseverywhere #travelingwithkids #familytravel #parentswhowander #ourtribetravels #showthemtheworld #americanineurope⁠ #familyadventure #mamalife #howwetravel #travellingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelingkids #familytrips

When I grow up I want to paint my house a crazy co

When I grow up I want to paint my house a crazy cool color...like this. You, too?!⁠
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😍 I mean, doesn't it just stop you in your tracks and make your jaw drop in awe? ⁠
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To be fair, this is actually a hotel and not a house. ⁠
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And…I'm all talk. 🙈⁠
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I'd never be so bold to do that to my entire house. The front door? Yes. The whole house? Nah.⁠
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📍 Goslar, Germany⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠
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#jesstagirlinGermany #theeverygirltravels #livingabroad #ohtheplacesigo #hertravels #travelmoment #momswhotravel #girlswhotraveltheworld #expatadventures #expatblogger #travelmoms #expatexplore #parentswhowander #germanytravels #germanytoday #visitgermany #germanylife #exploregermany

‘Tis the apple-picking season! We told advanta

‘Tis the apple-picking season!

We told advantage from the break in the rain and picked ourselves a good ol’ basket full of apples!

👉 Now that we have a plethora of 🍎 🍏…what should we make?

📍 If you’re in the South-Limburg, Netherlands, area, check out @landgoed_frymerson for info on their apple picking days!

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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinHolland #igersholland #visitnetherlands #visitzuidlimburg #visitholland #wheretofindme #applepickingseasson #familyadventure #livingabroad #applepicking #travelmoment #adventuremama #expatadventures #expatexplore #travelgram #gosomewhere #howitravel #lifewelltraveled #familytravelblogger #familytravelblog #letthembelittle #travelwithkids #mamalife #parentswhowander

Heading to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta next mon

Heading to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta next month with kids? This is for YOU! ⁠
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Here are FIVE things little ones can do DURING the balloon festival to have even more fun: ⁠
🎈 Collect balloon cards⁠
🎈 Go on a photo scavenger hunt⁠
🎈 Attend the Special Shapes Rodeo ⁠
🎈 Chase balloons!⁠
🎈 Get hands-on with the balloons⁠
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See five MORE ideas on the blog now, along with lots of other Balloon Fiesta posts! ⁠
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I know every travel blogger says they have the "ULTIMATE" guide for this and that, but friends: I truly have the ultimate guide for taking kids to the Balloon Fiesta! ⁠
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The guide has tips and tricks for taking little ones to the balloon fiesta park (before the sun even rises), ideas to keep them safe and not scared (balloons can be LOUD); plus 10 fun things to do while you're there, and things to do after the balloons all land. ⁠
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I was practically giddy writing the post—there were so many things to share, and I shared it all!⁠

What are you excited for at the Balloon Fiesta?
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📍 Albuquerque, New Mexico ⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more travel fun. 🔗 in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#abqtodo #abqfun #abqmom #realabqmom #newmexicoblogger #abqblogger #newmexicotrue #purenm #nmtrue #landofenchantment #newmexicolife #newmexico_igers #igsouthwest #abqoutside #trueABQ #visitABQ #abqigers #visitnm #oneabq #visitnewmexico #route66roadtrip #thingstodoabq #albuquerquenewmexico #travelnm #southwesttravel #balloonfiesta ⁠

Curious what it’s like inside a Center Parcs cot

Curious what it’s like inside a Center Parcs cottage?

Come take a 30-second spin around the one we stayed at in Belgium!

This cottage sleeps 8 people and is right on the Belgian coast near Bruges, making it pretty much the perfect spot for a vacay!

Wanna know more about Center Parcs De Haan? I’ve got a full review on my blog right now: 🔗 in bio!

Would you stay at this Center Parcs?

📍Center Parcs De Haan, Belgium
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠
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#jesstagirlinbelgium #centerparcs #centerparcsdehaan #americanineurope #europewithkids #parentswhowander #takethemeverywhere #familytravel #visiteurope #travelingwithkids #militaryfamilylife #kidswhotravel #mycp #urlaubheißtcenterparcs #urlaubmitkindern

Instagram vs. reality ➳⁠ ⁠ I just have to ke

Instagram vs. reality ➳⁠
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I just have to keep it real for you every once in a while, because I easily have more pictures like the second photo.⁠
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During this particular trip, I got SO tired of trying to get everyone to smile at the same time that I finally just gave up. 🤷🏻‍♀️⁠
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I'd get frustrated, throw up my hands dramatically, and passive-aggressively state out loud: "Whatever. I guess I won't get a picture of all of us." 🙄 And then I'd be grumpy.⁠
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(Can you relate? Please tell me you can relate)⁠
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Then my genius and patient husband had a great idea that we've been doing ever since. ⁠
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"Okay, everybody," he'd say as we'd get the camera ready. "Tongue's out!" 😛⁠
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We'd all stick out our tongues and/or make funny faces🤪. We'd snap a few silly pics, and then we'd take a "real" one. ⁠
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...when, in fact, those first funny pics were pretty epic, fun, and just as great. ⁠
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Moral of this post: don't be afraid to take funny/silly pics of the kids. Embrace their wild spirit and ask them to make a funny face. ⁠
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That's when the real giggles come out anyway, right? ⁠
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📍Lisbon, Portugal + Tarifa, Spain⁠
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follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. Link in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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#jesstagirlinPortugal #kidswhotravel #letthembelittle #travelwithkids #familyadventure #travelingwithkids #familytravel #kidsthattravel #travellingwithkids #familieswhotravel #travelingkids #Familytrips #travelblogger #familytravelblogger #familytravelblog #parentswhowander #parentswhotravel

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