Category Archives: Travel

Life’s a Beach

Posted on July 31, 2012 | 5 comments

Today was one of those days where I had a choice and I picked the right one.

Between attending dozens of my kids’ baseball games and my new part-time job, I haven’t had much down time in weeks.  Today was the first day in a while I planned to catch up on errands, phone calls, emails, and blogging. I was all set to get to it when a friend called to ask if I wanted to go to the beach.

I could have been responsible and stayed home to get my work done and my house organized….or I could swim in the ocean. We hadn’t been to the beach all summer. I packed the cooler and towels and 12-year-old Jacob and I headed to Seabright, New Jersey.

It was a perfect day.

First I dug my feet in the sand.

Then I watched our boys play football and frolic in the water as the sun warmed my back and a gentle, warm breeze ruffled my magazine.

After several contented hours, we watched the sun sink slowly and decided we needed a seafood spread. We love Moby’s Deck in the Atlantic Highlands, where you eat at picnic tables overlooking the water and the fish is fresh and the beer is cold.  This is what I ate:

After dinner, we completed the idyllic day with homemade ice cream from Napoli Boys  in Belford. I highly recommend the black raspberry. I had a cone and Jacob had a flurry.

Sure, I stayed up late posting this blog and my to-do list is teeming, but I have no regrets. Swimming in the ocean peels years off and makes me feel like a squealing kid again. The sun and sea air nourished my soul. Conversation with good friends and seeing Jacob happy with his pals brought me joy.

The kids have a new expression (or maybe it’s old but new to me): YOLO, meaning “you only live once.”  Today was a YOLO kind of day.

What’s stopping you from taking a YOLO day? Take one before summer evaporates into fall.  What would you do? Who would you take? Tell me in the comments and then make it happen!

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What to Do in Paris with Kids- Part Deux

Posted on July 15, 2012 | Comments Off on What to Do in Paris with Kids- Part Deux

Sick of hearing about my frolicking in France yet? But I haven’t even told you about all the shopping damage (oh the shoes… c’est bon! c’est bon!)

Here is part deux of things to do with kids in Paris…..and then I’ll  fermer ma bouche for a while!

–Bateaux Mouche 

Our  boat ride down the Siene was a fun and inexpensive way to see the sights and architecture of Paris in a short amount of time.  We boarded the boat in the  evening (at this time of year Paris doesn’t get dark until 10pm)  and got to see the gorgeous city views at dusk. The boys loved hanging over the side of the boat railing while shouting at the lovers along the banks of the Siene. The hour-long ride gave us views of both the Right and Left Banks and several sights, including a close up of the Eiffel Tower.  On the boat we heard about an enchanting tradition on the only foot bridge between the Left and Right Banks: sweethearts come to seal their love by leaving a lock on the bridge railings and toss the key into the Siene as a symbol of their amour. Oh la la!

Jacob & Avery waving to people from Baton Mouche

View of Notre Dame from Baton Mouche

If you don’t want to climb it, this view of the Eiffel Tower is next best thing

Hard to get a good pic of love locks from moving boat!

Sunset on the Siene

–Luxembourg Gardens

We spent the afternoon in this beautiful park one day so the kids could kick a soccer ball,  push sail boats in the pond,  and play on the playground. The boys were fascinated by watching French children at play. The Parisian kids behaved  similarly to Americans, but they were much better dressed.

You can rent sticks & boats to push around the pond

—Sainte-Chapelle

We saw many sights in Paris but this was the one place where both boys walked in and said “Whoa!” The 15 stained glass windows in this chapel are awe-inspiring. The windows appear to be stories high and depict more than a thousand scenes from Christian stories through color and symbolism. The church is only a couple blocks from Notre Dame and a visit doesn’t take long so it’s definitely worth the detour.

Seeing these windows up close is a religious experience

— Arc de Triomphe

If you have the stamina, I recommend you walk down the Champs-Elysees to see all the cafes and shops on your way to the Arc (we had a successful pit stop at the Nike store where we bought one-of-a-kind sneakers and soccer jerseys.)  Jacob and I felt dizzy while climbing the narrow, winding staircase to the top of the Arc, but the view was well worth it. It’s in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle where 12 main streets meet, so the view is spectacular.  Make sure to take the hokey optical illusion photo of your kid leaning on the Eiffel Tower while you’re up there.

Jacob gets ready for the climb

View from Arc de Triomphe

Requisite Leaning Tower photo

Are these the only things to do with kids in Paris? Absolutely not. Of course there are many more museums, a zoo, EuroDisney, and several other amusement parks… but Jacob can ride a roller coaster or see a chimp at home. Our jocks would have loved to see a soccer game but no one was playing nearby that week.

 

This is what we could manage with two 12-year-old boys who we had to drag away from playing NHL Hockey on my iPad each morning.  Outside their door was a beautiful foreign city with tons to see and do but they would have been happy to stay inside and score another hat trick.

We pushed them every day to try new things– the Metro, tabouli, art history–   and open their minds.  To their credit, those boys accepted the challenge and had a great time. By the last day, they led the way to our favorite cafe and ordered lunch in French.

Paris had me at bonjour.

For the kids, the affection came more gradually. But even 12-year-old boys can fall in love with Paris. Just make the museum visits short and keep passing the crepes.

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What to Do In Paris with Kids (Besides Eat!)

Posted on July 12, 2012 | 2 comments

Jacob & mom on the Bateaux Mouche

Forgive me if I’m bleeding baguettes this week but my recent trip to Paris provided beaucoup material that may be helpful if you ever make the trip.

My friend, Tami, and I took our 12-year-old sons to France to visit Tami’s sister and explore Paris. In the next two posts I’ll focus on what we did besides eating, which I covered in my last dispatch.

Don’t get me wrong, eating is a highlight for kids in Paris.  Jacob and his friend, Avery will remember the pain chocolat more fondly than the pain of trekking around the Louvre. But you can’t go to Paris and not take in a few museums and some of the amazing sights.

—Louvre

Don’t make the same mistake we did by taking your kids to the Louvre on the first day. Our boys were still jet lagged and the museum was overwhelming for all of us. We tried to break it down to just the Egyptian section and the masterpieces but that still took us nearly three hours and they were tired, bored and miserable by the time we left.  The Louvre is an enormous and impressive building but difficult to navigate. Much of the art is old and austere with religious themes that didn’t interest the kids. We thought the audio tour would be a good way to engage them– especially since the equipment was a Nintendo DS– but it was confusing and not user-friendly so I would not waste money on it again. Next time, I’ll limit the Louvre experience to just the masterpieces or leave the kids at home.

“Winged Victory” at Louvre

Hard to get close to “Mona Lisa”

“Venus di Milo”
(another masterpiece lost on 12yo boys)

—Musee D’Orsay

After the Louvre disaster, we bravely persevered and took them the following day to the Musee D’Orsay– a much more successful experience.  The museum was an old train station so the look is unique and captivating. It’s also where the “Hugo Cabret” book and movie are set so the giant clocks have become iconic for kids. The art is more modern and accessible, especially the amazing Impressionist collection. One of my trip highlights was walking through the galleries of works by Monet, Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Renoir, and Van Gogh, conjuring up all my art history knowledge from college and sharing it with Jacob. I can’t say it was his favorite activity but he didn’t hate it and retained some of what he learned. The museum is a manageable size so we let the kids wander on their own for an hour, and they loved that freedom.

My fav museum in the world

Lady Liberty highlights sculpture gallery

Nice view from the famous clock

––Montemartre/Sacre Couer

Riding the Metro was memorable for Jacob because he learned the city’s geography and appreciated the people watching– especially when some gypsies nearly pickpocketed me while waiting for a train. We took the Metro to Montemartre and walked to the funicular– a tram that takes you up the hill to Sacre Coeur. We couldn’t help but be awed looking up at the enormous church, towering on a hill above all of Paris. The carvings, gargoyles and sculpture on the church’s facade are amazing and it’s only a quick walk around the peaceful inside before you head out to the steps to take in the impressive city view.  Although we chose not to, you can climb up to the top of the church, but Jacob liked the view from the front steps. There are several cute shops leading to the church and although we didn’t stop to eat, I’m sure you could find a nice cafe.

Kids loved the Metro:
great people watching & less walking!

On line for the funicular

Basilica di Sacre Coeur

Amazing view from Sacre Coeur


But wait…there’s more! I’ll post the rest of my things to do with kids in Paris later this week. Voila!

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My Top 7 Favorite Paris Eats

Posted on July 8, 2012 | 4 comments


I spent last week in Paris with my 12-year-old son, Jacob and some friends. It was a trip I had planned and saved for for more than a year. When you tell people you’re going to Paris they cluck with envy and often share personal experiences of their time there.  I had been once before– when I was 21 and traveling after studying for a semester in Florence– and I had fond memories of the sights and feel of the city.

The City of Light lived up to my memories and the hype.  We had a magical week walking the neighborhoods, wandering through museums, sightseeing, shopping, and of course, eating. If you ask Jacob to name his favorite part of the trip he will certainly say the food. We ate with abandon, but miraculously I think I lost weight. The French eat small portions and don’t snack so I guess all the walking balanced out the bread, cheese, and desserts I consumed.

Paris is an epicurean’s delight. Everything is so fresh, I don’t think we ate any processed food the entire week.  I can’t say enough about the bread.  Every morning, Jacob had a pain chocolat (chocolate croissant) or pain avec jambon et fromage (ham and cheese croissant) and even at the most basic cafe, they were the best we’ve ever had. Several mornings I walked into a random bakery and ordered a giant baguette that was crunchy on the outside and doughy and warm from the oven on the inside, and cost less than a dollar. C’est magnifique!

Here are my Top 7 favorite Paris eats:

–Greens and Gruyere  This classic French salad usually comes with walnuts or pine nuts and a light vinaigrette dressing. The rich, gooey gruyere is baked so it’s soft and easily spreads over the crunchy toast. Yum!

—Steak Frites   This was Jacob’s fav for sure. We loved it so much, we visited the famous Le Relais de l’Entrecote twice in a week. There is no menu as they only offer one meal. No-nonsense waiters serve you a green salad with Dijon dressing and two helpings of steak frites with a special green sauce that you can’t get anywhere else.  Delicious desserts include profiteroles and fruit melbas topped with gelato.

—Falafel in Le Marais. Who knew you could get such terrific Middle Eastern food in urban France? Le Marais is an old neighborhood on the Right Bank  that’s home to many Jews. The falafel, meatballs, tabouli and hummus at Chez Marianne were a tasty distraction from traditional French fare.

—Crepes  Is it wrong that we had crepes four times in a week? I admit to my weakness for the light, thin, buttery pancakes smothered in Nutella and bananas, topped with whipped cream. We also indulged in savory crepes with ingredients from greens and assorted veggies to eggs, ham and cheese. We found the excellent Creperie du Clown on rue des Canettes, but the crepes from street stands were equally scrumptious.

Macarons  These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are in pastry shops all over Paris but the famous bakery Laduree is where you want to sample them. Macarons are two light, flaky meringue-like biscuits held together by ganache, buttercream or jelly. They come in a wide variety of flavors from raspberry to pistachio, but my preference is chocolate and cafe.

Laduree

–-Hot Chocolate at Angelina  This fancy cafe on rue de Rivoli, near the Tuileries Gardens, is pricey but worth the splurge for a hot chocolate and pastry break on your way to shop on the Champs-Elysees. Imagine melting the richest dark chocolate bar and drinking it out of a teapot. It’s somewhere between hot chocolate and chocolate syrup, and with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, it’s sweet bliss.

–-Gelato  Paris isn’t the only place you can get gelato, but it’s one of the best. It must be the all natural ingredients and dense flavor that make this Euro-ice cream so good. Many flock — as we did– to Berthillon on the Ile Saint-Louis for the grande dame of glaces. The chocolate was other-worldly.  Don’t I look psyched to dig into this raspberry and chocolate cone at Gelateria Amorino on rue de Buci?  They shape the gelato into a rose which is almost too pretty to eat…but not quite!

Jacob & friend Avery sample gelato at Berthillon

If you have a pleasurable Paris provision to share, please tell me in the comments. Bon appetit!

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I’m So Over Chicken Fingers

Posted on April 10, 2012 | Comments Off on I’m So Over Chicken Fingers
Credit: Mee-Sun Y.

Credit: Mee-Sun Y.

 My kids — like most–  love chicken fingers. I usually don’t mind them and have even helped myself to leftovers when my boys don’t clean their plate. But we just returned from spring break in Florida where my children (ages 6, 8 and 12)   ate more fried fowl than I ever want to see again.

I’m kind of a stickler for nutrition so vacation is their time to spurn the spinach and embrace the junk. They get sweet cereal for the week (Lucky Charms and Cookie Crisp are favs) and I hold my tongue when they choose fast food. In our regular routine at home, we don’t eat out often, but when we’re forced to frequent restaurants for all our meals, the kids’ menu gets old fast.

Most restaurants offer the fatty four: hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta, and chicken fingers– usually stacked next to a teeming pile of fries. I’m not a fan of the nitrates in a hot dog,  my kids aren’t big meat eaters, and pasta puts them in carb overload with no protein. That leaves chicken fingers as the most “sensible” choice.

Where’s the regard for basic nutrition?  How about scrambled eggs and a fruit cup? Or spaghetti with meatballs instead of a half cup of butter. My kingdom for a piece of protein not deep-fried in oil with a green vegetable on the side!

At one point in the week, 6-year-old Eli was feeding on fingers twice a day. He had no issue with it, but watching him bathe his chicken and fries in ketchup was starting to make me ill. I ordered  salads with every meal, hoping he would eat off my plate. My boys actually like many vegetables but they take an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude towards healthy food while on vacation.

There’s also the drink dilemma. Often when we go out, we let the kids order soda or lemonade, instead of their usual milk or water with meals. It’s a special treat they treasure. But when we were eating out for every meal, they were downing 2-3 sugary glasses a day. When I tried to set limits, they all sneered at me like I was the Wicked Witch, spoiling their innocent fun.

I believe in moderation so I’m willing to restrain my instincts on vacation.  At home again, reality sets in and it’s back to balanced breakfasts and veggies at dinner. Chicken fingers will be off the menu for a while. I feel better and deep, deep down, they do too.

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My 7 Favorite Things To Do In Key West

Posted on April 8, 2012 | 5 comments

It’s family “Vacation” time in Florida this week. We may not be the Griswolds from one of Wilson’s favorite 80’s movies, but we’re darn close. We packed up the kids and headed to Key West for a few packed days of sun and consumption. My in-laws have lived in Key West for almost 10 years so they’re practically natives, or “conchs,” as they’re called locally. We’ve visited many times and always wish we could stay longer.

Key West is a great place for kids and has a unique vibe you won’t experience anywhere else. Its rich history goes back hundreds of years and its architecture is a combination of anti-Bellum South with Caribbean flair. On the main drag, Duval Street, there’s a bar every 12 feet, and t-shirt shops galore.  A fisherman’s town on the water, it would be tough to find a restaurant without fresh fish leaping off the menu.

With kids or without, Key West is one of my favorite vacation destinations. Here are a few reasons why:

Yoga at Ft Zachary State Park Beach, Key West, FL

Yoga on the Beach

Whether you’re a beginner or a regular on the mat, practicing yoga in a natural setting takes the experience to a new level. Listening to the crash of waves and feeling a soft breeze under the trees as you stare at the blue horizon makes anyone feel like they can do a headstand. An energizing and peaceful start to your day.  http://yogaonbeach.com/classes/key-west-yoga/

Tuna Nachos at Schooner’s Wharf

It would be wrong to have a favorite list that doesn’t include food. Fried wontons covered with sushi-grade raw tuna, drizzled with soy dressing, and sprinkled with scallions and seaweed. I can’t explain why this makes my mouth sing. You must try it yourself!

Henna Tattoos on Duval Street

This was my second year getting inked. I’m not a risk taker and probably will never have the guts to commit to a real tattoo so the temporary henna is as close to skydiving as I’m gonna get. This year I took 12 year old Jacob, who chose a flaming basketball for his forearm. We are both absurdly proud of our tats and wish they would last longer than two weeks.

Sunsets at Mallory Square

Mallory Square is probably the largest public space closest to the Southern Most Point in theU.S. so it’s where people gather to watch nature show off. As the sun sinks slowly into theGulf of Mexico, the sky turns colors of red, orange, and pink that almost look fake, they’re so stunning. The square also draws street performers of all ages and talents who take advantage of the large crowds to try to amaze and cajole the tourists into forking over money to watch them eat fire, ride unicycles, balance sideways on ladders, and break out of chains while inside a box. My boys watch each act with mouths agape.

Key Lime Pie and Conch Fritters

If you get to Mallory Square, find the food truck that sells conch fritters, as some say they’re the best in town. Conch is a chewy fish that gets ground up and fried into balls of crunchiness, similar to a crab cake but with its own flavor. This local delicacy is served best with tangy tarter sauce.  And for dessert……Key Lime pie is one of Wilson’s favorite treats and also hard to avoid in Key West. This one from the restaurant at the Pier House Resort was special because of the flamed meringue top and graham cracker crust. Yum.

Land and Sea Creatures

My kids love all the animals they see roaming around Key West. Geckos run rampant and luckily move too fast to catch or I’d be coming home with a bucket full. We also saw giant iguanas scurrying in the bushes and climbing on palm trees, and chickens are as common as pigeons down there. No one looks twice at a crowing rooster prancing down Duval Street, avoiding the drunken college kids and bicycles. This year we also took a boat tour and saw sharks and dolphins, which my kids will be talking about for months.

The Attitude

Conchs are cool. You can usually tell the locals from the tourists pretty easily in Key West. While the sunburned cruise ship day trippers and college spring breakers are wearing “Sorry I’m Drunk” t-shirts and downing rumrunners with parasols, the conchs sport that deep wrinkly tan that never fades and carry fishing rods and beer bottles. Conchs are friendly and real and I’ve never met one who didn’t have a story to tell that cracked me up or broke my heart.

We can’t wait for our next adventure in Key West. Let me know in the comments if you have any favorites for 2013!

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