Miramar Beach with a Toddler

I'm working on a few posts about my travels over the last few months, but while it's still warm in Tennessee, I decided to knock this one out since it's beachy!

I mentioned in a past post that we went to Miramar Beach near Destin, but I didn't do a post about it because life got busy.  Well, earlier this month we went back with my parents and sister!  Kenny is definitely a little water baby.  We stayed at a timeshare at Majestic Sun, which was just a short walk to the beach.

I will say this... I'm not a beach person.  A couple of hours of beach time for like two days is enough for me!  I like trips planned around food, sights, nature, museums, culture... and I'm prone to a sunburn if I'm not careful.  So both last year and this year, I wasn't overly excited at the prospect of a sandy baby and the beach... and both times I was ultimately happy that we went.

I think the trick has been to follow Kenny's lead on the beach.  We generally stuck to his feeding times and naptimes (last year, I was still nursing, so we nursed on the beach) and he was a happy camper.  This year, since he's down to one daily nap, we would do the beach in the morning, head to lunch, nap in the afternoon, then decide how we wanted to spend the rest of the day.  The nice thing about Miramar Beach is that the sand is pretty soft, and the water can be pretty warm and gentle.  We've been able to let Kenny play near the water (supervised, of course) and he can get into the wet sand and stay cool.

A few of the spots we ate that were worth visiting... Grimaldi's for pizza, the Surf Hut and Pompano Joe's for seafood, and Fat Clemenza's for Italian!  All of them were kid-friendly, with great service.

Am I converted to a beach bum?  Not quite... I still love a swimming pool over salt water.  But because it makes Dan and Kenny happy, I'm content to go every so often, so long as we can eat good food and see some sights in addition to sand!

Here are a few throwback photos to last year's framily trip to the same beach.  Look how Kenny has grown!  We were in a rental house just down the street from the condo where we stayed this year.

What's your favorite family-friendly beach destination?

Disney World for Adults

Some people manage to schedule a "babymoon" during their pregnancy with their partner, but a combination of work and our holiday plans kept us from having a nice getaway.  But I did have a girls' trip planned for Labor Day weekend that ended up being the perfect substitute!

A while back, my friends and I were imagining the perfect girls' weekend... and for us, that meant staying at an amazing resort at Disney and enjoying the parks.  I know what you're thinking.  "Disney World?  For a bunch of grown women in their 30s?"  Oh, yeah.  When I was a kid, I loved Disney World.  As an adult, I realized they have a LOT of high end and delicious offerings and fun that exhausted parents can't take advantage of on family trips!

Tip #1:  Stay at a Disney resort, near your priorities.  There are resorts at Disney World of varying levels of cost, as well as off-property hotels and resorts.  For our weekend, we felt it was a priority to stay on property, and we favored the resorts that would allow us to walk to the back entrance of Epcot by the World Showcase.  After all, we were visiting during Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!  We stayed at Disney's Beach Club Resort.  I like staying at the resorts because they have shops, restaurants, and so many conveniences.  Beach Club is also near other resorts, which once again expands your restaurant options.

Tip #2:  Make reservations for your top experiences.  I had two wishlist items: Afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian, and dinner at California Grill during the Magic Kingdom fireworks.  My friend wanted to do the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall with the princesses.  All of these were wonderful, memorable experiences, things that I knew I would probably be less able to enjoy with an infant/young child or a husband who is not a fan of Disney stuff.

Tip #3:  Take advantage of your flexibility as an adult.  Even though Labor Day is a holiday weekend, many kids are back to school by then.  So traveling during the "school year" calendar reduces your crowds and increases chances you can do special stuff.

We also didn't have to deal with naptimes or bedtimes, because we're grownups.  So when we found out there were tickets available for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we bought them the day of the party.  We also didn't overplan, just had 1-2 things per day based on those reservations we made for our top wishlist items.  So we planned our park visits around those reservations too.  When it rained, we ran for cover.  When we were tired, we sat down for coffee.  When we needed to just lay down by the pool, we did just that.  We'd change course and randomly do a ride because the wait time wasn't long.  We stopped for photos.  We did things we didn't plan on doing.  Being pregnant, I really appreciated the flexibility!

Tip #4:  Make choices where you splurge, and where you save.  My friend didn't want to deal with the free bus service, so she splurged on a car to take us to and from the airport.  I splurged on food for sure.  But we made up for it by eating some of our "on the go" meals at the quick service restaurants, and by ordering kids' meals.  Yup, one of my favorite Disney money-savers is ordering kids' meals!  They're usually enough to fill me up, and they're way less expensive than the fast food for adults, because they know they can't jack up the prices as much on kid food versus adults.  I never had anyone question it when I ordered a kids' meal at the counter!

Pro Tip: We were concierge level at the resort, so we tucked in big time during their free breakfast and snack times when we could to save $$$!  I think my husband would have loved this, so I'm keeping it in mind for the future.  He could make the cost worthwhile just in wine alone.

This poolside kid's meal came with a bucket and shovel to play with!  LOL

Tip #5:  Make it special and memorable!  I ordered sparkly ears and tank tops for the group.  One of the girls gifted us Alex & Ani bracelets.  We wore our ears everywhere like kids and just embraced our inner child.  It was really fun, so it felt like a celebration and not just a trip to the parks.

For pregnant ladies:   I really didn't feel limited during my Disney experience.  The few things I couldn't ride (the new Pandora rides, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Expedition Everest) had such long lines my friends didn't even want to attempt them.  (The Pandora rides went down for most of a day so the wait times were 3+ hours!)  I rode a number of my favorites, especially at the Magic Kingdom.  And by saving money on alcohol, I was able to stop for delicious snacks (like a Dole Whip!) as a trade-off.  Honestly, I think Disney was great because there are ample benches to take a seat, shade from the heat, and more for the comfort of the entire family.  They really planned the parks with family in mind, so preggos can enjoy it too.

Watchouts for Adult Groups:  Firstly, Disney is designed for families, so sometimes it's hard for them to figure out three adults who want three different credit cards on their Magic Bands.  We had to do a lot of work on the tail end of our trip for incidentals, because most things were charged to our room (one friend's card) instead of the cards we painstakingly set up at the front desk from the get-go.  So realize that sometimes the Magic Band thing works against you as non-family, so paying with cards (not bands) is probably the easiest way to make sure stuff doesn't get jacked up.

Secondly, if you want to take advantage of Fast Passes, you need to buy park tickets ahead of your trip and link all of your My Disney Experience accounts online.  *Or* you need to link accounts ahead of time at a minimum to reserve available Fast Passes upon arrival.  That's the only way you can all reserve Fast Passes together through the website or the app.

Lastly, Disney World is honestly for families first.  So just keep in mind that the place will be crawling with kids (I know, I know, this seems obvious) which means having some patience and sympathy.  I for one used it as an opportunity to see what strollers and baby gear everyone was using as intel for my baby registry.  If you need an escape from kids, I recommend focusing on Epcot and places like Disney Springs.  The higher-end the restaurant, or the later you stay out, the fewer crowds (and kids) you'll usually find.

I'm not sure when I'll next be at Disney... but I'll probably have a kid in tow!

That will make for a whole new blog post.

But this trip was one of the best, and I'm happy we went and enjoyed it as grown-ups.

Disney Springs & La Nouba

My coworker ML and I had one free night during our work trip to Orlando, so we headed to Disney Springs (the new rebranding of Downtown Disney) after hours for dinner and a show.  We got there a bit before 6pm or so on St. Patrick's Day, and it wasn't too crowded yet.  Since we had a little while before our dinner reservation, we decided to visit Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar.

The nice thing about this bar is that there aren't a lot of kids all over the place, like most of Disney.  Not that we dislike kids, but it's cool to find little spots that are more aimed at adults.  The bar is decorated like a dive bar set in an old airplane hangar, with the theme around Indiana Jones' sidekick/pilot Jock Lindsey.

While pricey compared to most bars I frequent, it was par for the course for Disney pricing, so we didn't mind.  The menu is organized kind of like a world map of drinks.  ML had a super delicious cocktail called Anything Goes, which had byejoe dragon fire spirit, fresh lime, passionfruit, and pineapple juice.  I had a pineapple hard cider.  Both were refreshing, and our bartender was super.  Service was fast and good, so we couldn't complain!  There's indoor and outdoor seating.

After our drinks, we headed to dinner at Paradiso 37, Taste of the Americas.  I definitely overdid it on tasty food there!  We did the dip trio, which was definitely good for 2-3 people.

Then, for my main course, I had Bacon & Pineapple Burger with truffle fries.  Um, delicious.  I couldn't stop eating it.  You must get the fries at this place.  Again, very typical Disney pricing (more than you'd pay off Disney property) but I really liked how the new Disney Springs revival has brought more shopping and restaurants to a place that doesn't require a park ticket.  They've changed traffic flow so that it's easier to get in and out, and it gets pretty packed in the evenings for sure.

After dinner, we wandered around Disney Springs killing time.  They had a DJ in one area, so we did some good people-watching.  Then, we headed to the edge of Disney Springs for our main event: Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba!  We had purchased the cheapest tickets available (~$60 each), but the view and seats were still great.  The theatre is a semi-circle, and the performers come up into the stands some too, so I really enjoyed it.  It was impressive and family-friendly, right up there with the other Cirque shows I've seen.

Overall, it was a great way to spend time at Disney, outside of the parks!

Eating Orlando

One of the reasons I can't keep my waistline trim is that I overindulge when I'm traveling for work and fun...  and my recent work trip to Orlando turned out to be no different!

My boss picked out a couple of really delicious restaurants during the week, and I didn't hesitate to sign on to go to both!  The first one we tried was a little hike from the Orange County Convention Center where we were, but the meal was well worth the drive.  Boca, located in an adorable little district in Winter Park, was amazing!

Boca was my favorite meal of the entire week, with a true farm to fork concept that brought local farmers' goods to a wonderful meal.  We had a bunch of appetizers, all delicious, but I only snapped a pic of some bone marrow because I didn't want to be too conspicuous being all Instagramm-y at a work dinner.  But BONE MARROW, okay?  Great.  Yum.  I also indulged in local drinks too, and the service and restaurant added to the total experience/ambience.  I definitely feel like Boca had an upscale vibe for sure, not too hipster, which was refreshing as these kinds of concepts can go too far one way.

Bone marrow photo attempts

While the menu likely changes seasonally, I was privileged to be able to choose the Honey Soy Braised Pork Belly as my main dish.  It was one of the most delicious things I've eaten in a long time.  It was served over ginger-infused bamboo rice and had cucumbers and kimchi too.  The meat was fatty and tender.  I really did end up cleaning my plate!

One of my coworkers had some food allergies, so the chef came out to talk to him about what he might enjoy on the menu.  I love seeing attention to details like that, rather than just having a server point out certain things.  The chef was keenly interested in listening to what he enjoyed eating, to help customize if necessary.

Another restaurant we visited, Moonfish, was even more upscale.  It had a traditional steak and seafood house style, despite being located in a strip mall of sorts.  (There was a valet, which seemed odd given the parking lot was right there, but okay?)

Once again, I missed photos of the appetizers, because I didn't want to be ridiculously blogger-y.  But I did snag a pic of the delicious bread, as well as my steak and truffle potato wedges.  They were fried and crispy, very good!

Overall, these were both noteworthy meals... but I highly recommend checking out Boca in Winter Park for a truly unforgettable one!

Disney World: Magic Kingdom & Epcot, Revisited

The best part about RunDisney races?  You turn it into a vacation.  Anna and I visited the Magic Kingdom and Epcot the day before our race, and it always brings back Disney nostalgia from my childhood!

Magic Kingdom, Main Street

We both have a couple of favorite rides in common.  We immediately went to the Haunted Mansion, then Splash Mountain.  Super fun, even as an adult... because let's be real, Disney is magic!

Splash Mountain

Anna and I probably both love Epcot's World Showcase more than anything on the property.  We both have a travel bug, and so we spent the most of our time in that park.  My favorite part?  When we stopped for champagne and macarons in France.

We met up with a couple of other groups of runners/supporters for dinner in Italy, at Via Napoli.  I had pasta, but when I tried my friends' pizza I knew that I wish I'd gotten that.  Carb loading is the fun part of pre-race prep after all.  Two girls I know, both M's, were back for a repeat of Princess too, so it was good to spend time with them.  We were all connected through the Army, and our paths cross every so often!

Isn't Epcot beautiful at night, too?

After the race, I rejoined my friends for breakfast Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.  We ate from the buffet and the hot egg/potato/meat plate they brought, all while enjoying time with Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, Ariel, and Snow White.  I hadn't seen the princesses in ages, so I enjoyed that a lot!

My friends M & M are on the right, and I made a new friend in H on the left!

Overall, it was one heck of a girls' weekend.

Disney World: Port Orleans Resort French Quarter

When Anna and I went to Disney World for our 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon, we wanted to stay on a Disney resort property to take advantage of the buses and convenience.  After all, we wanted to visit the parks too!  After a bit of research, we landed on Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, a "moderate" Disney resort.

Isn't it gorgeous?  The whole thing has a New Orleans feel, from the characters and decor to the overall ambience.  First off, we had the best ever cast member, Natalie from Niagara University, help us at the front desk.  The cast members have great costumes, and ever since The Princess and the Frog, the New Orleans characters and themes are even more relevant.  (This is one of Anna's favorite Disney flicks, and we both love the French Quarter in New Orleans.)

As for the rooms, they were fine. We had a room with two queen beds.  The room in general was pretty standard and basic.  The bathroom (toilet/shower) was tight and tiny, and we did have a dirty washcloth hanging out upon arrival.  But the dressing area/vanity was large, perfect for two girls sharing a room, and the bed linens, while not brand new, were clean and comfy.  I slept like a rock!  So overall, the rooms were just what we needed, and very quiet and peaceful too.

The pool area was large and looked fun!  Again, I liked the smaller size of this resort because it meant less walking between points of interest.  Everything was close to the pool, bus stop, lobby, restaurants, etc.  In addition, you could actually park pretty close to your room, which seemed so unlike a resort, right?  BONUS!  Easy access to our car.  They even gave us free late checkout for 1pm, because it was available for our room specifically.

While my main point of reference is Disney's Grand Floridian (reviewed here), I did notice that as you move away from the Deluxe resorts, the characters and themes get stronger and more cheesy.  But I think that's to be expected, and I don't think it's off-brand because it's Disney!  More magic, right?

My biggest regret?   Not spending more time at this resort!  We visited the lobby, and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory for a dinner, (and beignets!) but I didn't run on the grounds (or take a carriage ride!) and get over to the Riverside resort, nor did we take the ferry to Disney Springs, the rebranding of Downtown Disney.

See, beignets!!!

But we did pose with the alligators!

I would stay here again without thinking twice!

Do you have a favorite Disney World resort?

2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon

I did my first half marathon, the Disney Princess Half, back in 2012.  My friend V ran with me the whole way.  So when my friend Anna set her sights on doing a half, we registered last year for the Princess.  Even registration was a whole different ballgame from my first RunDisney race just a few years ago; if you want to run, you have to be ready to register online the minute the race opens (6+ months before the event!) because these events sell out quickly.  It's like trying to buy Adele concert tickets, but for masochists who want to run all over Disney creation.

At the Expo

We drove in from Tampa the Friday before the race, and the following morning we picked up our race packets first thing.  I love the RunDisney expos because the shopping, while expensive, is awesome!  My favorite booth this time was Raw Threads, which had some adorable Disney-themed shirts.

And, like any RunDisney race...  we started in the dark with an obscenely early wakeup.

That said, it was fun to run this stretch of land again.  It was my 3rd time completing the run from the start near Epcot, to the Magic Kingdom, as you also cover that stretch during the full marathon.  We grabbed a quick selfie on Main Street, because it's one of the best parts about running these races.  If you do a RunDisney race, I highly recommend submitting a proof of time that allows you to start in earlier race corrals; if you start further back, I noticed it gets a lot more congested, and at some points you really can't even weave in between folks!

Overall, we were successful!!!  We pushed through those 13.1 miles, and we triumphantly earned those beautiful medals.  It was warmer than past Disney races I've done, but no big surprises really.

I don't know if I will do the Princess again... it has gotten to be a very congested race, and there were some catty folks out there on the course.  (Where was their Disney spirit?)  I think if I do another half, it would be something different, like a Disneyland race of the Indianapolis Mini.  RunDisney puts on a great race, but the masses (15,000 26,000+!) make it a bit chaotic and planning-heavy.

I did get to see some other friends during the weekend!  I caught brunch at Epcot after the race with my friend M and her crew.  Check out the picture below, what a great group of people!  THAT is how you do a RunDisney race right.  Anna and I had her boyfriend to cheer us on too, and the more the merrier definitely held true.

Do you have any questions about running a RunDisney race?

24 Hours in Tampa

24 hours with Anna is never enough.  But we certainly know how to make the most of it!  Anna picked me up at the airport, and we headed for brunch at Cask Social Kitchen.  I was famished from the trip, so it was the perfect place to refuel.

I heart Anna!

We did enjoy some adult beverages, because brunch...  Anna had an amazing-looking Bloody Mary, while I had the Tito's Lemonade.  Yum!  We also enjoyed some fresh fruit with our meal, because it was just so gorgeous.

I had breakfast tacos for my main dish, and they were tasty too.  I think that breakfast wraps/tacos are pretty much perfection most of the time though.  I wish the cheese had melted a little more, but the pico de gallo was excellent.  Bacon was crispy too!

After brunch, we headed back to Anna's to change for the beach at St. Petersburg.  I was like, "The beach, in October?!  Yes yes yes."  Floridians do get to appreciate the beach a lot.  We even saw a bunch of dolphins!  Seriously, a bunch!  So close!

Does it get any better than this, when you know it's chilly and rainy back home and you're in a swimsuit at the beach?

We enjoyed ourselves sunning and chatting, then headed home to change for dinner.  As you may have read in an earlier post, Anna arranged a dinner for us at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.  In anticipation of the big meal, we made sure to walk the entire Ybor City main drag before dinner for a little exercise.

The murals in Ybor City are gorgeous!  It's a historic neighborhood, founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers.  It has always been a diverse area, populated by thousands of immigrants, mainly from Cuba, Spain, and Italy while its cigar factories rolled cigars in the millions for years.

Remember that bread pudding we ate at Columbia Restaurant?  We ran it off the next morning!  We went on a 4-mile bayside run, watching the sun come up.  It was the most scenic run I'd had in ages, and being along the water was so nice.

There was a pirate ship too... a running selfie was a must at that point!  Sorry not sorry.

After the run, we grabbed miss Ellie (Anna's dog) and walked to Piquant for breakfast outside.  I can't say no to French (or French-inspired) eats.  And if you're sitting outside, there's a "pooch" menu for your pups!

Knowing this was my last meal with Anna before I headed back to the business trip grind, I had some delicious ham and Gruyere crepes with bechamel sauce.  I had them add a fried egg on top, because it was breakfast.  They did a really great job, and I would love to come back for more French fare.

And Ellie loved her hard-boiled egg!  Love a restaurant that allows you to bring your dog along for the fun.

I had the most incredible 24 hours with Anna!  I can't believe everything that we saw, ate, drank, and just overall ENJOYED when we were together.  It's so nice to be able to travel, but it's even nicer to be able to see good friends along the way too. (P.S.  Sorry about the left and center justification inconsistency.  I tried multiple times to fix the alignment, but Blogger was spiteful so I just gave up!)