Travel Archives - Page 25 of 37 - Enjoying the Small Things

Hittin’ the Road

June 2, 2012 By Kelle

My mind is full of fireworks lately–ideas, inspiration, thoughts, changes–all exploding in colorful bursts, and I want to focus on every scatter of sparks, every loud boom and resounding echo. Sometimes I imagine these ideas as scraps of pretty fabric–and since I’m not a real-life quilter, I can be an imaginary one, stitching thoughts and creative impulses together in random patterns–some linear and methodical but just as many askew, free form. I tuck the squares of fabric I don’t use in drawers for later, hoping I’ll remember where I put them.

A woods walk with friends last week, needful for creativity. My friend Dede wears a black dress and carries a champagne glass. I completely love this.

Last night was very special.

There were tears. And toasts. And many proud smiles.

Life changes, moves on, flows ahead.

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What I’m really excited about? Tomorrow we climb into a packed car and head out for our epic road trip. We’re headed to Michigan for two weeks, stopping in Chicago on the way there for a book signing. It’s been a while since we’ve done a family trip, and a very long while since we’ve committed to anything over a few days (although sadly, Austyn has an international school trip and Brandyn has freshman football, so they can’t come). I’m beyond excited. Other than the book signings, we have no plans. I know I want to show my girls some Michigan lighthouses, hug cousins, sleep in, take long walks, go fishing, and perhaps scour a Great Lake for Petoskey stones. As for the drive, thankfully Brett is as laid back as I am. We plan to stop whenever we feel moved. To take pictures of the Smoky Mountains by the side of the road, to drive through a state park, to pull off at an exit just because it promises Krispy Kremes. I’m smiling just typing this. Spontaneity is grand.

Stacks of our favorite outfits line the entire length of our bay window, and I am planning on packing it all up late tonight–perhaps accompanied by You’ve Got Mail and a Salty Dog.

Large freezer bags full of socks and underwear, bathing suits and hats, diapers, etc. keep suitcases nicely organized, and they can be reused.

Lainey’s helping.

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Because I’m more than a little bit excited, I’ve taken some extra time to plan epic fun for our road trip, inspired by Heidi’s and my epic road trip of 2009.

For car entertainment, we are packing the following:

1. Favorite new Coloring/Activity Books: Girls Doodle Book (yes, there’s a unicorn on the cover) and The Coloring Book, both gifts from my artsy friend, Jen.
2. Melissa & Doug Travel Bingo (two super sturdy wooden boards with several different interchangeable road themes)
7. Magnetic U.S. Map: I thought this would be a fun way to teach Lainey a bit of continental geography. We’ll start with an empty map and add the states as we see them on license plates.
8. Stockmar Beeswax: better than PlayDoh and/or clay (less messy, smells good, natural, doesn’t dry out). You can mold anything from this!

Lainey and I created a Road Trip book from card stock paper–cut in half, hole punched and tied together with ribbon. We’ll keep track of things we see along the way, tape postcards and souvenirs in it, and write down our favorite memories. Heidi and I did this three years ago and loved it.

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Using window crayons, we decorated the car a bit to add to our excitement:

And I’m using a lazy susan for picnic utencils (propped up on other cargo) to store crayons/markers, snacks and drinks, napkins, etc. so that the girls can access things on their own. This avoids that whole headache/neck strain thing I get from leaning back a gajillion times to pass necessities.

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I found a great phone app for a road trip scavenger hunt, but I’m a paper-and-pencil kind of girl and wanted to add some of our own findings, so I created one that I printed off. You could do this with passengers competing against each other but, since the girls can’t read yet, we will work together as a family to add points, and I figure every time we get to 100 points, we get something: treats at a gas station, drive-thru ice cream, a couple dollars spending money, etc.
(I found some other printables here and here as well)

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For a new car toy, we created our own story telling magnets. Remember Sunday School flannelgraph lessons? Kind of like that but cooler. Okay, nothing’s cooler than flannelgraph.

We printed photos of our family and friends on 4 x 6 photo paper, adhered them (trimmed down) to adhesive magnet sheets (available at craft stores and Walmart) and cut closely along the edges to create our magnets.

Add a cookie sheet and, Voila–a magnet story board.

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Finally, we’re bringing back the Road Trip Gas Tags. Whenever we stop for gas, we’ll tie a happy little message to the gas pump before we leave.

So yeah, we’re excited.

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If you’re in the Chicago area or in Michigan, we’d love to meet you for the book signings! Come say hi, get your book signed, ask a question, listen to a reading, bring your kids, sip on one of those bookstore iced coffee things. I’m looking forward to meeting you.

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Friday Phone Dump:

And introducing some new fun. Out of all the social media outlets, I’ve found Instagram to be my favorite. It feels homey. Not overwhelming in the least bit. I’m @etst on Instagram, and if you’d like to share the moments that make you happy, use #enjoyingthesmallthings hashtag and I’ll be adding some of your photos every Friday.

Some of my favorite happies from your photos this week (Instagram usernames included):

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some packing to do.

Happy Weekend.

Home

April 24, 2012 By Kelle

I write from the kitchen tonight–a make-shift office erected at the island counter where I can feel the unseasonably cool air seep in from the back doors and I can hear the rhythm of crickets that has replaced Pandora for the moment. It is late and the rest of the house sleeps–the girls finally tucked into familiar beds, though they adapted quite well to the temporary ones we enjoyed for the last four nights.
I hesitated on deciding the participants for this last trip, almost making it a quick solo trip, but so grateful it ended up involving both girls.

They acted as experienced travelers today, contentedly entertained with puke-bags-turned-puppets and pretzel snack refills.

Thanks to the lovely Perlin family, we did Baltimore the way it’s supposed to be done. All the way.

Our favorites this weekend:

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The White House Garden Tour.

More specifically…

The many combinations of White House photos possible during the garden tour: White House blurred out to the right, White House in the foreground, White House in the background, child flying next to the White House, family in front of the White House, couple with one child in front of the White House, couple with two children in front of the White House…you get it. Hey, we weren’t the only ones.

There was this not-really-a-Secret-Service-agent-but-wants-to-be-one-someday chick directing everyone to PLEASE KEEP WALKING because the hold-up to take pictures was causing some major traffic jams. In one particular area where everyone was clogging up pedestrian lanes, she promised that if we’d just keep walking, there was a much better place to take pictures ahead where–and I quote–“the White House will look much more centered in your photos.” We laughed and concluded she was totally lying and certainly just saying that to clear us out. So we kept taking pictures like true rule-breaking badasses. A little further down the path, a beautiful clearing with breath-taking White House views opened up. I hate when not-really-Secret-Service-agents are right.

The “new clearing” photo:

I will also tell you–just for added information–that there are little grass guards separating the visitor paved path from the White House lawn. Do not cross your foot onto the grass. Do not make jokes about crossing your foot onto the grass. Do not accidentally fall onto the grass. Just stay away from the grass.

More things we love about Baltimore/D.C.:

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Street Carts, Food Trucks, Ice Cream Stands

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Washington Monument

One of my favorite parts of the trip. We slipped our shoes off, unleashed our kids, and I had the pleasure of watching my girls reunite with northern dandelions. Nella knew to blow their wispy seeds. It’s instinctive, I guess.

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Mrs. Napkin Head at a “fancy restaurant” in D.C.

(so fancy in fact that when we asked if they had grilled cheese, the fancy waiter said “Oh, it’s very fancy.” And upon invitation to elaborate what’s in the grilled cheese, he simply reiterated, “but it’s very fancy. It’s a fancy grilled cheese.”)

Well I’m a fancy Napkin Head. There was also a fancy plastic toothpick grilled into my burger, so it was free. Fancy and free.

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Rainy Baltimore Sunday

I have decided one day of far-away adventure should include rain. It gives you an excuse to relax, to explore less touristy destinations, to discover the coziness any given city offers.

We escaped into the theater to watch Chimpanzee with the kids on a rainy Sunday afternoon.
A: I liked it. B: I want a baby chimp. C: If you are the theater employee who cleaned the fifth row back in Theater 9…I’m so sorry.

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Baltimore Crab Dinner

I actually thought I had a one-up on Baltimore here. I mean, I live in Seafoodville. But you ain’t had crab until you’ve had Baltimore crab. Drenched in delicious Old Bay seasoning, Baltimore crab is an experience. It’s dumped onto paper-covered tables and soon overtaken by the ones who know the game which, I learned, is enhanced with cold beer, a wooden mallot and plenty of Wet Wipes.

Two crabs in, and I was a pro, sucking sticky Old Bay off my fingers and making my way through the shell to the best meat.

I’ve been sworn in, the event made official by the nicest Bawlmers whose company made our dinner a lively and enjoyable occasion.

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I am so thrilled with opportunities to introduce more of the world to my girls and happy to return home where we belong.

Thank you to the Perlins and to all the wonderful people in Baltimore who welcomed us and showed love to my girls. What character your city holds!

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Last week’s Friday Photo Dump:

Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am @etst (enjoying the small things) on Instagram if you want to follow the feed.

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Last week’s Giveaway Winner for the $75 Melody Joy Shop Gift Certificate is Comment #386, Ali:

I am halfway done with Bloom :)…. and if it werent for the laundry and my sweet newborn that wants to eat every 20 min, I would be finished! I also want new jammies now. Thank you for reminding me that the mom I am now to my girls, will be resembled in the teenage years. I forget the reflection I create. It was a simple, but forgotten thought. Thank you. Ali

Congratulations, Ali! Please send your contact info to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net with MELODY JOY GIVEAWAY in the subject line–perfect timing for some birds nest jewelry Mother’s Day gifts.

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Nella Designs is returning to sponsor this month, expanding their collection of beautiful silhouette wall prints and stationery to include custom jewelry. Our wall prints have been transformed into a unique pendant of my girls. Another hit on Instagram–I promised I’d share details.

Check out Nella Designs’ many perfect Mother’s Day gifts, and maybe conveniently leave your computer screen up to drop some hints. Silhouette pendants can be made from photos of couples, kids, families, pets and more.

Chevron Silver Cuff Bracelet

Use Code SPRING for 10% off your Nella Designs order.

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We are happy to be home!

From Baltimore

April 22, 2012 By Kelle

I think it should be noted that I had one of the best falls of my life today–the kind where you only get hurt a little bit so it’s funny and not sad. Middle of Washington D.C., throngs of people, three adults pushing four kids in two strollers while running to make the White House garden tour in time. And my wedge sandal caught a sidewalk crack the wrong way and I went down like Jenga. Except not as graceful. Stoller tipped over, leg went all cock-eyed and I bit it arms-flailing, maintaining my last shred of dignity by muttering “I’m okay, I’m okay” as I fell because I’ve convinced myself falls aren’t that embarrassing if you don’t get hurt. So I pretended my knee wasn’t scraped and bloody and I limped on, smiling.

It was worth it. The day delivered. More pics from today later.

My girls and I arrived in Baltimore Thursday evening and were welcomed by the Perlins, friends we met in Naples a year ago.

Our surprise book club interview played out better than we could have imagined last night.

What started with a grand surprise transformed into into such a memorable night of meaningful conversation. The last of us climbed into bed at 1 a.m.

Amy and Kayla (Kayla’s in Chapter 12 in Bloom). Kayla signed some books. She is a riot and I love her.
My friend, Lauren, who hosted the evening

My favorite part about last night was that our book talk opened up to relatable issues we all share. I fill in the blank with “Down syndrome.” Others fill in the blank with something else. In the end, “more alike than different” applies to a lot of areas of life.

To all the ladies that were present last night, thank you for being so kind and welcoming. Thank you for sharing your stories and asking such great questions. I couldn’t have enjoyed myself more. And thank you, Lauren for making it all happen.

Lainey rallied as long as she possible could and finally curled up on the couch next to me and fell asleep.

More fun in Baltimore: Mornings with Millie and Ava

Baltimore Harbor

Lunch at Samos Greek Restaurant Feeling a bit like these girls right now…

Friday Photo Dump and much more from Baltimore and D.C. on Monday

Thank you to the ladies in Kansas with whom I shared a Skype interview this morning! For future interviews, don’t forget to check out the Bloom Reading Guide for suggested questions.