I asked myself this question over and over again before we finalized our trip to Italy. I realized that our trip would not be the same as our last time in Italy (our honeymoon), but it could still be fun for all of us if I just planned carefully. I knew I needed to plan some fun things for us and some child friendly things. The Internet became my friend in planning this amazing trip and I have never "googled" that much in my life! It was worth it though.
Here are my tips for planning a European trip with kids:
1. Check out apartments for accommodations. We found amazing places to stay that offered more than 1 bedroom and a kitchen. Having a kitchen for kids is great for milk, juice and some snacks. We didn't cook or anything, but we liked having things on hand for our son. Some apartments also offered a washer and dryer which is also helpful with a two year old eating lots of messy pasta! All of the places we rented offered a large Pack-N-Play or crib that worked fine for my son.
2. Find parks and playgrounds along the way and include time there for your little one. We took a few breaks in between sightseeing to visit a playground here and there. My son loved it! Sometimes you can also just get some sandwiches to go and take them with you to the park and make a picnic of it. Let them blow off some steam before you put them in the stroller for a sight seeing tour. My son slept his way through our Vatican tour and the Colosseum tour too! It gave us peace and quiet to enjoy the tour while he napped in his stroller. Also look for amusement parks near places you plan to visit and try to incorporate fun things for your kids into the itinerary. Google around to find information. I found some information only in postings on chat boards posted by other moms. I even found carousels in Rome and Florence that my son loved, just by googling!
3. Make transportation fun! My son loved taking the boats around Venice, the train to Rome and boats all along the Amalfi Coast. He especially loved the double decker sightseeing bus tour in Florence. He liked riding on top of the big red bus and it served as a great way to get around the city with a tired toddler. We just rode the bus around at the end of the day for an hour and he loved it after using it all day to get around.
4. Ask about child friendly activities. We were not sure if bringing our son to a cooking class or winery tour would be acceptable, but when we asked we were told "yes"! In fact most people responded with "your son will be our guest". They did not charge him to attend the cooking class, winery tour or the lunch at a winery we attended. Kids are very welcome in Italy so it doesn't hurt to ask.
5. Take advantage of easy, kid friendly foods. My son was always hungry for lunch before we were so we would just stop and get him a slice of pizza and let him eat in the stroller while we walked the town. Once he had lunch, he fell asleep in the stroller and then we went to a nice lunch while he slept in the stroller beside us. We were able to get him food he liked (pizza and pannini's) and it allowed us to have a nice, long, quiet lunch and rest our tired feet over a glass of wine. This worked great for us! I am thinking about the long lunch we had in Capri...simply tasty!
6. Have a plan! I strongly suggest planning out a daily itinerary of your activities and leaving a little time to be flexible (in case your little one just won't cooperate). Get advanced tickets for tours, train rides, etc....it minimizes time spent in line waiting to get into an attraction with a tired little one. Make sure there is something fun for your little one planned each day along with some down time (oh, and time for a daily gelato!). Fun can be simple (my son loved just splashing the water in Trevi Fountain), it doesn't have to be anything special. We even brought a ball and tossed it around the park and he was happy.
7. The Internet is your friend. Google everything and you will find information. I spent a lot of time on the Internet planning our trip and I really found some great websites and chat boards that were helpful.
I hope this helps someone in planning a perfect family trip!
Scary Steps Towards the Future!
I am taking more steps towards making my new business a reality. This week I officially filed paperwork to make my company an LLC. I also got my EIN # through the state. I also just registered my domain name for my website (piccolodesigns)and ordered a website template too (through Blu Domain). I can't believe I am really on my way!
This is all a bit scary. I feel like now I HAVE to really make this a success. For the next several months I will spend all my free time working on my website content and designs. My goal is to have the website up for business by fall.
Am I crazy? I still don't know how I can "do it all" while starting a business too. I don't want my full time job or family to suffer with me overextending myself. I know in the end that this a long term goal for me and it won't happen over night. I hope by the time my son is ready for school I can leave corporate America and run my business and be a mom. That's ambitious.....I have about 17 months. I know my goal may actually be a "stretch goal", but it doesn't hurt to try - right?
This is all a bit scary. I feel like now I HAVE to really make this a success. For the next several months I will spend all my free time working on my website content and designs. My goal is to have the website up for business by fall.
Am I crazy? I still don't know how I can "do it all" while starting a business too. I don't want my full time job or family to suffer with me overextending myself. I know in the end that this a long term goal for me and it won't happen over night. I hope by the time my son is ready for school I can leave corporate America and run my business and be a mom. That's ambitious.....I have about 17 months. I know my goal may actually be a "stretch goal", but it doesn't hurt to try - right?
Starting the Business
OK so this business idea has been in the making for 3 years so I am really going to finally leap off and try it! It's a bit scary, but if it doesn't work...it doesn't work. I guess since I am starting this on the side I really have less to lose right now since I am still employed full time.
I have been so busy planning and it seems overwhelming. I have really gone through my entire business plan and reviewed expenses, marketing, websites, networking and more. I am really ready to get started. I am waiting for my new laptop to arrive so I can get the ball rolling. My goal is to get my website up and running by my birthday (in September). That may be a bit ambitious....I know I have SO much work to do, but I know that I CAN do it. I hope some of you will stay tuned and be inspired to live your dream of starting your own business. With computers, the Internet and cell phones, it's not as hard as you think! Be inspired......live your dream. Why keep thinking about what you want to do? Just do it! If you don't try, you will never know what you can achieve, right?
I have been so busy planning and it seems overwhelming. I have really gone through my entire business plan and reviewed expenses, marketing, websites, networking and more. I am really ready to get started. I am waiting for my new laptop to arrive so I can get the ball rolling. My goal is to get my website up and running by my birthday (in September). That may be a bit ambitious....I know I have SO much work to do, but I know that I CAN do it. I hope some of you will stay tuned and be inspired to live your dream of starting your own business. With computers, the Internet and cell phones, it's not as hard as you think! Be inspired......live your dream. Why keep thinking about what you want to do? Just do it! If you don't try, you will never know what you can achieve, right?
Mexican Chicken, Black Beans and Rice
This was my own creation....I am not always much of a measurer so you may have to improvise with amounts of things! It was tasty, a bit spicy and made A LOT so we have lots of leftovers this week.
3 large chicken breasts, cut in small pieces
2 T Olive Oil
1 medium onion diced
1 red pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup white wine (I used Pinot Grigio)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup rice (uncooked)
Fresh or dried parsley
Cumin
Chipotle Chili Powder
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Saute chicken in oil in a large skillet for a few minutes until chicken is not longer pink. Add in onion and green pepper - cook 5 minutes. Add in garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add wine, tomatoes (and the juice from tomatoes), and rice and mix well. Add about 1/4 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder (more if you like it hot!), add 1/2 tsp Cumin. 1 Tsp Parsley. Add Salt/Pepper to taste. Simmer and cover for 20 minutes. Add in Black beans and additional spices as needed. Serve with shredded cheese on top, extra hot sauce and a bit of sour cream.
Enjoy!
3 large chicken breasts, cut in small pieces
2 T Olive Oil
1 medium onion diced
1 red pepper diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup white wine (I used Pinot Grigio)
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup rice (uncooked)
Fresh or dried parsley
Cumin
Chipotle Chili Powder
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
Saute chicken in oil in a large skillet for a few minutes until chicken is not longer pink. Add in onion and green pepper - cook 5 minutes. Add in garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add wine, tomatoes (and the juice from tomatoes), and rice and mix well. Add about 1/4 tsp Chipotle Chili Powder (more if you like it hot!), add 1/2 tsp Cumin. 1 Tsp Parsley. Add Salt/Pepper to taste. Simmer and cover for 20 minutes. Add in Black beans and additional spices as needed. Serve with shredded cheese on top, extra hot sauce and a bit of sour cream.
Enjoy!
Am I Crazy???
Well, I have been thinking about it for years...thinking about starting my own business that is. I have been searching for the right idea for a long time and I keep coming back to the same basic idea, but this time I saw it in a new light! I have spent the last several months researching my ideas and planning. Today I did it...I made my first investment in my business! I bought a new laptop so I can get the ball rolling on my dream. A part of me is happy, but a part of me is freaking out! What am I thinking? I work full time in corporate America, I have a husband and 3 year old child, I teach aerobics a few times a week, I try to be a "part time" Martha Stewart and we entertain all the time! I keep trying to do it all and now I am trying to do it all plus run a business! I must really be crazy, right?
I keep thinking about the end goal which is more time with my son. I know I work in an industry that has been hit with tons of layoffs and I really anticipate being pushed out of this industry at some point in the future. It's not my dream job by any means, but I am paid very well and have excellent perks/benefits so I just can't leave on my own (all of my friends and I in this industry insist we are bound by the "golden handcuffs"). I feel stuck in a job rut and desperately want more family time, but I am paralyzed by the income and benefits my job offers. I know my employer will most likely drop me with a moment's notice at some point, so I guess I should have plan B ready right?
Well, I hope that my plan B turns into a strong, home based business I can work around my son's schedule while generating a good income. I love working - I was not cut out to be a stay at home mom (I tried it for a year and I missed having a career). I love being in the business world, but I miss my son. I hope I can find the best of both worlds in starting my own business.
I have talked to my husband about this and he has been supportive which is great. The best thing he asked today was "what do I get to do in the business"? I was shocked! I knew he supported me, but I didn't know that he wanted to be a part of my new venture. That's awesome! I don't know what role he will play yet, but it was so nice to hear he is really behind me and willing to help make this a success!
I don't know what the future holds for my success with this business, but I do know I am going to try very hard to make this work. I just hope I can find a way to juggle even more without affecting my family life too much. I know it will be a big challenge, but I am up for it! That is why I continually am Striving 2 B Supermom, right?
I keep thinking about the end goal which is more time with my son. I know I work in an industry that has been hit with tons of layoffs and I really anticipate being pushed out of this industry at some point in the future. It's not my dream job by any means, but I am paid very well and have excellent perks/benefits so I just can't leave on my own (all of my friends and I in this industry insist we are bound by the "golden handcuffs"). I feel stuck in a job rut and desperately want more family time, but I am paralyzed by the income and benefits my job offers. I know my employer will most likely drop me with a moment's notice at some point, so I guess I should have plan B ready right?
Well, I hope that my plan B turns into a strong, home based business I can work around my son's schedule while generating a good income. I love working - I was not cut out to be a stay at home mom (I tried it for a year and I missed having a career). I love being in the business world, but I miss my son. I hope I can find the best of both worlds in starting my own business.
I have talked to my husband about this and he has been supportive which is great. The best thing he asked today was "what do I get to do in the business"? I was shocked! I knew he supported me, but I didn't know that he wanted to be a part of my new venture. That's awesome! I don't know what role he will play yet, but it was so nice to hear he is really behind me and willing to help make this a success!
I don't know what the future holds for my success with this business, but I do know I am going to try very hard to make this work. I just hope I can find a way to juggle even more without affecting my family life too much. I know it will be a big challenge, but I am up for it! That is why I continually am Striving 2 B Supermom, right?
Asparagus and Chicken Carbonara
This was good! I made a few variations that I have listed in the recipe. It was full of flavor...even my husband and 3 year old son loved it! The recipe is from Cooking Light - enjoy!
Yield: 5 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups)
Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 3/4 pound)
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic - minced (I added this in)
1/4 cup dry vermouth (I used white wine...didn't have vermouth on hand)
2 cups chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast meat
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
Preparation
Cook pasta in boiling water 10 minutes or until al dente; add asparagus during final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta mixture in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/3 cup cooking liquid. Combine reserved cooking liquid, egg substitute, and milk, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add vermouth; cook 1 minute. Add pasta mixture; stir to combine. Remove from heat; stir in milk mixture, chicken, and cheese. Place pan over medium heat, and cook 4 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in parsley, salt, pepper, and bacon. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Calories:416 (23% from fat)
Fat:10.8g (sat 3.7g,mono 4.4g,poly 2g)
Protein:34.7g
Carbohydrate:41.9g
Fiber:3.1g
Cholesterol:60mg
Iron:3.4mg
Sodium:700mg
Calcium:236mg
Yield: 5 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups)
Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
2 cups (1-inch) slices asparagus (about 3/4 pound)
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup evaporated fat-free milk
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
* 2 cloves garlic - minced (I added this in)
1/4 cup dry vermouth (I used white wine...didn't have vermouth on hand)
2 cups chopped skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast meat
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
Preparation
Cook pasta in boiling water 10 minutes or until al dente; add asparagus during final 2 minutes of cooking. Drain pasta mixture in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/3 cup cooking liquid. Combine reserved cooking liquid, egg substitute, and milk, stirring with a whisk.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and onion to pan; sauté 2 minutes. Add vermouth; cook 1 minute. Add pasta mixture; stir to combine. Remove from heat; stir in milk mixture, chicken, and cheese. Place pan over medium heat, and cook 4 minutes or until slightly thick, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in parsley, salt, pepper, and bacon. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information
Calories:416 (23% from fat)
Fat:10.8g (sat 3.7g,mono 4.4g,poly 2g)
Protein:34.7g
Carbohydrate:41.9g
Fiber:3.1g
Cholesterol:60mg
Iron:3.4mg
Sodium:700mg
Calcium:236mg
Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
I think I found this recipe on a chat board on www.thenest.com, but I can't remember for sure! It was easy, tasty and even my 3 year old enjoyed it!
6 chicken breasts (I used boneless)
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
Place chicken breasts on bottom of crock pot (I used frozen...I was in a hurry!). Mix remaining ingredients together. Pour sauce mixture over chicken to cover. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Either shred chicken and mix with a little of the juice or extra BBQ sauce, or just serve each chicken breast on a plate with side dishes.
6 chicken breasts (I used boneless)
1 1/2 cups BBQ sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 T Worcestershire sauce
Place chicken breasts on bottom of crock pot (I used frozen...I was in a hurry!). Mix remaining ingredients together. Pour sauce mixture over chicken to cover. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Either shred chicken and mix with a little of the juice or extra BBQ sauce, or just serve each chicken breast on a plate with side dishes.
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