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Moving to Fort Sill? What You Need to Know

Duty Station Spotlight · Military · Travel

Moving to Fort Sill? What You Need to Know

Are you moving to Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma soon? This guide from a military spouse has everything you wanted to know, but didn’t know where to ask! If your…

Read More Moving to Fort Sill? What You Need to Know

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🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eatin

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eating in Italy with kids. ⁠
⁠
JUST ASK. ⁠
⁠
If you don't see something your kids would eat on the menu, just ask for something simple. ⁠
⁠
I won't lie, my kids are totally picky eaters these days, but they always found something to eat when we were in Italy. ⁠
⁠
🍕 Pizza's an easy meal, but sometimes we went to places that *gasp* didn't have pizza. ⁠
⁠
I'd look through a menu and start internally panicking about what they'd each want to eat and then catch myself for overreacting.⁠
⁠
Instead of going someplace more "kid-friendly," if we didn't see something for them on the menu, we'd simply ask if they could make something a little more simple for the kids. ⁠
⁠
And every single time we asked they didn't even bat a single charming Italian eyelash. ⁠Most of the time they were the ones who offered once we sat down (huge sigh of relief every time that happened)⁠
⁠
At least a handful of restaurants offered to make 🧄 aglio e olio (garlic and oil with parmesan cheese) and/or a classic and simple pomodoro 🍅 (tomato) or ragu sauce if it wasn't already on the menu. ⁠
⁠
*And for what it's worth, we're not gluten-free, but I noticed a lot of GF options everywhere we went. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully, the kids always tried what we (grownups) ordered, but they'd end up practically licking their own bowls clean instead. ⁠
⁠
Worst case: if they don't eat pasta or pizza, there's always gelato around the corner! ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would your kids stick to simple dishes or try something more adventurous in Italy? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍝 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #takethemeverywhere #havekidswilltravel⁠
#familytravel #familyvacation #travelwithkids #stressfreetravel #showthemtheworld #italywithkids

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell us who posed in Pisa the best.⁠
⁠
Pic 1️⃣: Julia hugging and holding the tower⁠
Pic 2️⃣: Kenny using all his gains to push it back up⁠
Pic 3️⃣: Maddie giving it a hug⁠
Pic 4️⃣: Julia "smooshing" it. ⁠
Pic 5️⃣: Logan holding it in his hands⁠
Pic 6️⃣: Kenny pretending it's an ice cream cone⁠
Pic 7️⃣: Jess giving it a high five?⁠
Pic 8️⃣: Jess picking it up with just two fingers⁠
⁠
Want to do your own fun pics? Here are some tips:⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a lot of patience⁠
⁠
⦿ Show the kids how cool they look so they'll *want* to stay still.⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a helper⁠
⁠
⦿ Prepare to move around to get the angle ⁠
⁠
⦿ Snap those pics quickly⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #pisa #pisatower #pisaitaly #leaningtower #leaningtowerofpisa #americaninitaly #americanineurope #familyvacation #travelwithkids #travelgoals #traveltip #wheninitaly #italywithkids #showthemtheworld #lovetotravel #fulltimetravel#igersitalia

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black p

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black pair of TOMS. ⁠
⁠
(Who am I kidding...I do. I just found them in my closet). ⁠
⁠
First pic: circa July 2013, complete with an OG IG filter. ⁠
⁠
Wanna know the caption? It was pretty awesome: "Wine tasting rocks my socks off!" ⁠
⁠
I mean, I wasn't wrong 🤣⁠
⁠
Second pic: February 2023. I saw the barrel of corks just as we were leaving and couldn't resist snapping a pic. ⁠
⁠
The last time I went wine tasting in Tuscany I had a 4-month-old baby. This time we had three kids in tow. ⁠
⁠
Both times, Tuscany opened the kids with open arms. I love Italian hospitality…and wine 😍
⁠
⫸⫸Where is one place you would love to go back to visit?⁠

(Although the real question should be: what was the name of that OG filter I used on that picture 🤣) ⁠
⁠
📌 @castellodigabbiano
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
——— ⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #castellodigabbiano #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery #parentswhotravel #gosomewhere

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around Tuscany when we spotted a sign that looked familiar. ⁠
⁠
It was for the winery of a wine that we used to drink all the time back in America: Gabbiano. ⁠
⁠
This was in the middle of summer when you could just pop into pretty much any place and ask for a tasting. It was a fantastic experience, and so fun to indulge in one of our favorite wines from the source.⁠
⁠
Fast forward to our most recent trip to Italy. ⁠
⁠
We wanted to do a wine tasting in Tuscany again, but all the websites said they didn't start until mid/late March and we didn't have time to make a reservation since it was all so spur-of-the-moment.⁠
⁠
We decided to just start driving around to see if any were open. Turns out, our car steered its way back to Castello Gabbiano.⁠
⁠
At first, it looked like we'd be out of luck—the doors were locked and we didn't see anyone around. ⁠
⁠
But then the stars aligned and someone offered to open up shop for us with an impromptu wine tasting. ⁠
⁠
Their hospitality was generous, and the wine was even better. We even bought two cases to send home.⁠
⁠
Then we went to their restaurant on-site (where we were the only ones there; I swear they opened it just for us) and had one of the best meals. ⁠
⁠
The last time we were there we ate outside with a little terrace (see last 📸; one of the only ones I have from 10 years ago), so it was nice to eat at their restaurant, even if it was a lot fancier than we planned. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would you go winery hopping in Tuscany? Have you before? ⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #travelgoals #travelblogger #castellodigabbiano #traveltuscanyitaly #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery

Can you imagine being hangry in Italy? Seems pract

Can you imagine being hangry in Italy? Seems practically impossible, right? ⁠
⁠
But there we were, five of us strolling around Cinque Terre in the winter (aka off-season), and we were getting hangry. ⁠
⁠
Silly me didn't follow the first rule of traveling with kids: always, always, ALWAYS, pack snacks. ⁠
⁠
I know. I know...🫣⁠
⁠
Our plan was to eat once we arrived a little before noon, but one thing led to another, and with limited options for open restaurants, we were all getting low on fuel. ⁠
⁠
We found a focaccia place open in our first town, so we grabbed some as a snack (it was delicious, and we should've just bought more to make a meal out of it). That held us till we found gelato in the next town—thank goodness for gelato in February—and then we finally found an open cafe two towns later. ⁠
⁠
Wine and pizza never tasted so good once we finally got some in our bellies. ⁠
⁠
So it's not like we were starving, but we clocked a good 20,000 steps that day all before 4 pm, so we needed some food. ⁠
⁠
And before you mention grocery stores: yes, yes; we should've just found a store and stocked up on fruit and snacks, but we were silly and figured we'd just grab some pizza forlunch...in Italy!⁠
⁠
Just had to share a little reality that things don't always go according to plan...and to not be like me. Always, ALWAYS pack emergency snacks!⁠
⁠
Typically (this day not included) we take some sort of the following with us to all our outings: apples and/or oranges (bananas smush way too easily), nuts, peanut butter crackers, and goldfish. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ What are the usual backpack-worthy snacks that you take with you? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
✈️ SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
---------⤹⤹---------⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. 🔗 in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #travelfamily #travelfamilytime #travelfamilyblog #familytravels #familytraveling #travelwithus #traveltips #kidswhoexplore #takeyourkidseverywhere #italywithkids⁠ #travelandlife #travelwithkids #familyvacay

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of year: t

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of year: tulip season!

Here’s where to find tulips in the Netherlands:

🌷 Goeree-Overflakkee
🌷 The Tulip Route in Flevoland
🌷 Bollenstreek (AKA the Bulb Area)
🌷 Keukenhof Gardens
🌷 Zeeland
🌷 Noord-Holland (the little nook north of Amsterdam)

And some tips for your tulip trip:
❌ skip the short dresses; it gets windy out there!
⭕️ wear sensible shoes; it can be muddy
❌ don’t pick tulips (unless you’re at a you-pick-‘em farm)
⭕️ stay on paths provided

For even more detailed tulip info, check out my ultimate tulip guide (🔗 in my bio!).

🌷 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinHolland #igersholland #visitnetherlands #visitholland #thisisholland #visitnetherlandsfrom #travelmoment #momswhotravel #adventuremama #parentswhowander #tulips #tulipseason #tulipfields #tulpenpluktuin #americanineurope

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🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eatin

🍝 Here's our biggest tip when it comes to eating in Italy with kids. ⁠
⁠
JUST ASK. ⁠
⁠
If you don't see something your kids would eat on the menu, just ask for something simple. ⁠
⁠
I won't lie, my kids are totally picky eaters these days, but they always found something to eat when we were in Italy. ⁠
⁠
🍕 Pizza's an easy meal, but sometimes we went to places that *gasp* didn't have pizza. ⁠
⁠
I'd look through a menu and start internally panicking about what they'd each want to eat and then catch myself for overreacting.⁠
⁠
Instead of going someplace more "kid-friendly," if we didn't see something for them on the menu, we'd simply ask if they could make something a little more simple for the kids. ⁠
⁠
And every single time we asked they didn't even bat a single charming Italian eyelash. ⁠Most of the time they were the ones who offered once we sat down (huge sigh of relief every time that happened)⁠
⁠
At least a handful of restaurants offered to make 🧄 aglio e olio (garlic and oil with parmesan cheese) and/or a classic and simple pomodoro 🍅 (tomato) or ragu sauce if it wasn't already on the menu. ⁠
⁠
*And for what it's worth, we're not gluten-free, but I noticed a lot of GF options everywhere we went. ⁠
⁠
Thankfully, the kids always tried what we (grownups) ordered, but they'd end up practically licking their own bowls clean instead. ⁠
⁠
Worst case: if they don't eat pasta or pizza, there's always gelato around the corner! ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would your kids stick to simple dishes or try something more adventurous in Italy? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍝 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #takethemeverywhere #havekidswilltravel⁠
#familytravel #familyvacation #travelwithkids #stressfreetravel #showthemtheworld #italywithkids

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell

We need your help! Look through the pics and tell us who posed in Pisa the best.⁠
⁠
Pic 1️⃣: Julia hugging and holding the tower⁠
Pic 2️⃣: Kenny using all his gains to push it back up⁠
Pic 3️⃣: Maddie giving it a hug⁠
Pic 4️⃣: Julia "smooshing" it. ⁠
Pic 5️⃣: Logan holding it in his hands⁠
Pic 6️⃣: Kenny pretending it's an ice cream cone⁠
Pic 7️⃣: Jess giving it a high five?⁠
Pic 8️⃣: Jess picking it up with just two fingers⁠
⁠
Want to do your own fun pics? Here are some tips:⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a lot of patience⁠
⁠
⦿ Show the kids how cool they look so they'll *want* to stay still.⁠
⁠
⦿ Have a helper⁠
⁠
⦿ Prepare to move around to get the angle ⁠
⁠
⦿ Snap those pics quickly⁠
⁠
⁠
📸 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #pisa #pisatower #pisaitaly #leaningtower #leaningtowerofpisa #americaninitaly #americanineurope #familyvacation #travelwithkids #travelgoals #traveltip #wheninitaly #italywithkids #showthemtheworld #lovetotravel #fulltimetravel#igersitalia

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black p

Then and now. I only wish I still had that black pair of TOMS. ⁠
⁠
(Who am I kidding...I do. I just found them in my closet). ⁠
⁠
First pic: circa July 2013, complete with an OG IG filter. ⁠
⁠
Wanna know the caption? It was pretty awesome: "Wine tasting rocks my socks off!" ⁠
⁠
I mean, I wasn't wrong 🤣⁠
⁠
Second pic: February 2023. I saw the barrel of corks just as we were leaving and couldn't resist snapping a pic. ⁠
⁠
The last time I went wine tasting in Tuscany I had a 4-month-old baby. This time we had three kids in tow. ⁠
⁠
Both times, Tuscany opened the kids with open arms. I love Italian hospitality…and wine 😍
⁠
⫸⫸Where is one place you would love to go back to visit?⁠

(Although the real question should be: what was the name of that OG filter I used on that picture 🤣) ⁠
⁠
📌 @castellodigabbiano
⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
——— ⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #castellodigabbiano #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery #parentswhotravel #gosomewhere

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around

A decade ago my husband and I were driving around Tuscany when we spotted a sign that looked familiar. ⁠
⁠
It was for the winery of a wine that we used to drink all the time back in America: Gabbiano. ⁠
⁠
This was in the middle of summer when you could just pop into pretty much any place and ask for a tasting. It was a fantastic experience, and so fun to indulge in one of our favorite wines from the source.⁠
⁠
Fast forward to our most recent trip to Italy. ⁠
⁠
We wanted to do a wine tasting in Tuscany again, but all the websites said they didn't start until mid/late March and we didn't have time to make a reservation since it was all so spur-of-the-moment.⁠
⁠
We decided to just start driving around to see if any were open. Turns out, our car steered its way back to Castello Gabbiano.⁠
⁠
At first, it looked like we'd be out of luck—the doors were locked and we didn't see anyone around. ⁠
⁠
But then the stars aligned and someone offered to open up shop for us with an impromptu wine tasting. ⁠
⁠
Their hospitality was generous, and the wine was even better. We even bought two cases to send home.⁠
⁠
Then we went to their restaurant on-site (where we were the only ones there; I swear they opened it just for us) and had one of the best meals. ⁠
⁠
The last time we were there we ate outside with a little terrace (see last 📸; one of the only ones I have from 10 years ago), so it was nice to eat at their restaurant, even if it was a lot fancier than we planned. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ Would you go winery hopping in Tuscany? Have you before? ⁠
⁠
⁠
🍷 SAVE NOW, WINE LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #tuscany #tuscanywine #americanineurope #americaninitaly #wheninitaly #travelgoals #travelblogger #castellodigabbiano #traveltuscanyitaly #chianticlassico #tuscanwine #tuscanwinery

Can you imagine being hangry in Italy? Seems pract

Can you imagine being hangry in Italy? Seems practically impossible, right? ⁠
⁠
But there we were, five of us strolling around Cinque Terre in the winter (aka off-season), and we were getting hangry. ⁠
⁠
Silly me didn't follow the first rule of traveling with kids: always, always, ALWAYS, pack snacks. ⁠
⁠
I know. I know...🫣⁠
⁠
Our plan was to eat once we arrived a little before noon, but one thing led to another, and with limited options for open restaurants, we were all getting low on fuel. ⁠
⁠
We found a focaccia place open in our first town, so we grabbed some as a snack (it was delicious, and we should've just bought more to make a meal out of it). That held us till we found gelato in the next town—thank goodness for gelato in February—and then we finally found an open cafe two towns later. ⁠
⁠
Wine and pizza never tasted so good once we finally got some in our bellies. ⁠
⁠
So it's not like we were starving, but we clocked a good 20,000 steps that day all before 4 pm, so we needed some food. ⁠
⁠
And before you mention grocery stores: yes, yes; we should've just found a store and stocked up on fruit and snacks, but we were silly and figured we'd just grab some pizza forlunch...in Italy!⁠
⁠
Just had to share a little reality that things don't always go according to plan...and to not be like me. Always, ALWAYS pack emergency snacks!⁠
⁠
Typically (this day not included) we take some sort of the following with us to all our outings: apples and/or oranges (bananas smush way too easily), nuts, peanut butter crackers, and goldfish. ⁠
⁠
⫸⫸ What are the usual backpack-worthy snacks that you take with you? ⁠
⁠
⁠
⁠
✈️ SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
---------⤹⤹---------⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe. 🔗 in bio for blog posts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinitaly #travelfamily #travelfamilytime #travelfamilyblog #familytravels #familytraveling #travelwithus #traveltips #kidswhoexplore #takeyourkidseverywhere #italywithkids⁠ #travelandlife #travelwithkids #familyvacay

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of year: t

It’s (almost) the most wonderful time of year: tulip season!

Here’s where to find tulips in the Netherlands:

🌷 Goeree-Overflakkee
🌷 The Tulip Route in Flevoland
🌷 Bollenstreek (AKA the Bulb Area)
🌷 Keukenhof Gardens
🌷 Zeeland
🌷 Noord-Holland (the little nook north of Amsterdam)

And some tips for your tulip trip:
❌ skip the short dresses; it gets windy out there!
⭕️ wear sensible shoes; it can be muddy
❌ don’t pick tulips (unless you’re at a you-pick-‘em farm)
⭕️ stay on paths provided

For even more detailed tulip info, check out my ultimate tulip guide (🔗 in my bio!).

🌷 SAVE NOW, TRAVEL LATER⁠
———⤹⤹———⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
follow @jesstagirl for more fun around Europe.⁠⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
.⁠⁠
#jesstagirlinHolland #igersholland #visitnetherlands #visitholland #thisisholland #visitnetherlandsfrom #travelmoment #momswhotravel #adventuremama #parentswhowander #tulips #tulipseason #tulipfields #tulpenpluktuin #americanineurope

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