Category : Reviews
In preparation for the 1400 mile road trip that I took with my kids all by myself (and lived to tell about it!), the Easter Bunny brought several new travel items for the kids. One of those travel items was a package of Wikki Stix.
Let me start by saying that I was not going to purchase Wikki Stix when all of the blogs that I read started raving about them awhile back. Not because I didn’t think they were effective, I just didn’t see the point of spending the money on them when we had plenty of other things to keep the kids occupied. Boy, was I wrong!!!
While at a Traveling Mom retreat, we received a little mini Wikki Stix sample that I shoved in my purse and forgot about it. Well, fast forward a few weeks and picture us at a restaurant with poor service, waiting almost an hour for our food and at wit’s end as I furiously dug through my purse for something to do because, really, there is only so much Angry Birds an irritable mom can take. I found the Wikki Stix sample pack and ripped in to it! The kids LOVED them! By loved them, I mean they did not even put them down when the food came even though they were hungry.
As soon as I got home, I took a look at the Wikki Stix website and realized that they were very inexpensive. I decided to go with the Original Package that comes with 48 eight inch Wikki Stix (Neon for Little S and primary for Big S). They only cost $6.25 each plus shipping (and they arrived in less than 5 days!).
Out of all the travel gifts that I purchased, this was the fan favorite! They held up even after my 4yo took all 48 Wikki Stix and put them in a gigantic ball resembling 48 pieces of already chewed gum stuck together. I did have to help pull them apart, but after we pulled each stick off and stretched out they were good as new!
There are all sorts of different Wikki Stix products to choose from ranging from simple packs to activity packs and favors great for parties!
Disclosure: I…er…the Easter Bunny purchased the Wikki Stix and I am writing this review because my children adored them. They have been Two Kids and a Map tested and given the seal of approval!
Screams of children on water slides and splashing in pools and the roar of the International Drive traffic are just a few sounds you will hear when you wander around the Coco Key Hotel and Water Park in Orlando, Florida. The hotel and water park opened just a few months ago and we were very lucky to be guests of CoCo Key on our last trip to Orlando, Florida. Orlando’s hot, humid weather makes it the perfect home to water parks. And a water park in which you can stay the night? My kids thought that they had hit the jackpot!
The CoCo Key Hotel and Water Park are located in the heart of the touristy area of International Drive. I had actually never been to this part of International Drive before and was fascinated by how much it resembled the Panama City strip or Gatlinburg’s main tourist drag. Within walking distance of the hotel, you will find many restaurants and activities; however, there is plenty to do on the hotel grounds so you might not want to leave!
When we arrived and got checked in, I was disappointed to find that our room was located on the outside of the hotel near the main road. It turns out that this was a great location because we could have thrown a football at the Dunkin’ Donuts that we got our breakfast from and it was much quieter than being next to the pools and splash areas. The hotel room was large compared to other typical two double bed rooms we have stayed in and had plenty of room for my family of four. It was clean and brightly decorated. I believe I spied furniture from my favorite store! When we realized that our room only had hand towels in the bathroom (surely they can’t expect us to dry off after a shower with these?!), I called the front desk for towels and they were delivered about ½ an hour later.
We decided to skip the water play the first evening we arrived because everyone was exhausted from the drive. The kids popped out of bed bright and early the next day ready to hit the water. We were surprised to find the water park incredibly crowded later in the day. We visited over Labor Day weekend after my kids had already started school. I forgot that lots of people hadn’t started school yet! There was plenty to do and I never felt like my kids weren’t able to play, but it was a crowded Sunday afternoon at the park. We kept Little S in a life jacket the whole time and I was thrilled to see that after a few months of constant use by lots of children they were not showing any wear or tear. We started our day in the Minnow Lagoon and Slides which is under the canopy.
The kids spent an hour splashing around, shooting water cannons and sliding down the little slides. After they tired of that, we went to the area that I was dreading…the Parrot’s Perch.
As a slightly nutty mom, I openly admit that I think the worst of things and this was no exception. How would I find my child? Can they escape the area without me noticing? What if they slip and fall? I was happily surprised that none of this happened. Both kids spent almost an hour and a half going up and down the stairs, sliding down the slides and waiting for the bucket to dump its 400 gallons of water on them. To make this more fun for me, Daddy J and I stationed ourselves near the exit gate so we could see the kids at (almost) all times so we didn’t have to worry as much. It helped that parents are welcome to play too so Daddy J and I were able to walk up with the kids for the first few times. Little S and Big S both had strict instructions to wave at us every time they went down a slide and were ready to run back up to the top of Parrot’s Perch.
There are also three very large slides. Little S was too small to check them out and Big S didn’t want her to feel bad (which was sweet but I think he was secretly a little frightened!). We saw many tweens and teens getting off of the slide and heading straight back up again.
The water park is not just limited to guests. You can purchase day tickets or even have your birthday party at the water park.
Besides the water park, there is also a large pool that is open late into the night (one of the reasons I was glad our room was on the street side). We hung out there after dinner for awhile before going back to the hotel and collapsing from water logged exhaustion.
The hotel has a restaurant that offers kids eat free and there is a Pizza Hut Express. There is also an arcade available full of state-of-the-art interactive video games. The hotel has free wifi available but we could never get it working in the room. We were traveling with two laptops and neither one would pick up the wireless in the hotel room. Luckily this doesn’t happen often when we travel, but when it does it is incredibly annoying. We had to spend time working in the lobby because it was the only place our computers would pick up the wifi. The lobby is huge with plenty of comfortable seating. There is even a children’s play area with a TV turned to children’s shows.
The room prices are reasonable and for a fee of only 19 dollars more, you add the cost of water park admission for four. I think that we would stay at the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Park again because of its proximity to the theme parks, the price, the clean hotel rooms, and the friendly staff.
Disclosure: We were guests of the CoCo Key Hotel and Water Park resort for two nights. Our water park admission was included. We paid for everything else including food and gas to get there.
Today we are linking up to Trekaroo’s Spotlight Thursday.
I have the most awesome giveaway for you guys! My friend Sarah has started a custom scrapbooking business called The Scrap Angel. She also has a Facebook Page for The Scrap Angel. You give her your pictures, tell her what you want and she will create the scrapbook just for you! A gorgeous, handmade scrapbook without all the hard work! But it doesn’t just have to be a massive book chronicling your child’s life. She also makes brag books, scrapbooks that honor a time or particular memory, and autograph books. When I saw the handmade autograph book she made for her neice to take to Disney, I told her that I had to have one to giveaway!
Here is an example of a book designed for a girl (perfect for any princess!):
And here is an example of an autograph book designed for a boy:
Aren’t they absolutely adorable?!?! Here are the details:
How to Enter
We will be giving away ONE Handmade Autograph Book (your choice of Boy or Girl) to ONE lucky winner! One name of your choice will be added to the cover of the book but the book will be completed by Scrap Angel with no other input. If you would like a chance to win, leave a comment in this post before 9:59pm CST on Tuesday, September 21 and tell me something about you and scrapbooking. Do you love it? Hate it? Have all the stuff but never print those travel photos? Don’t worry about being creative in your comment, the winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Please make sure that you fill out the required fields by putting your first name in the name field and your email address in the email address field. I do not share email addresses and you will not receive emails from Two Kids and a Map unless you win.
Winners
We will choose ONE winner randomly and announce the results here on Two Kids and a Map on Wednesday, September 22, 2010. Thank you so much to Sarah for your generous donation! Be sure to visit Sarah’s new blog and Facebook Fan Page!
Rules
One comment per person per giveaway post. Duplicate comments and anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment form is valid so that we can contact you (email addresses are never made public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. We will disqualify any entries that we believe are generated by scripts and other automated technology. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that Two Kids and a Map reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. Relatives of Two Kids and a Map are not eligible to win.
Because this is a family site and we get a lot of spam comments, all comments on this site are moderated. If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry!
Posted in Reviews on August 3, 2010
When I was given the opportunity to review Kids Love Interstate 75 by George and Michelle Zavatsky, I was so excited to read it because we travel I-75 lots! We mostly travel the section of I-75 that goes through Florida (although we have traveled many parts of it throughout the years) but this summer on one of our road trips we traveled through a section of I-75 Tennessee. We loved having this book with us in the car. It came in handy several times (especially since we haven’t stepped into the SmartPhone world yet!).
The book travels along the interstate from Michigan to Florida. Each state has an Activities at a Glance section that lists the different museums, animals and farms, history, and much more. My favorite part of the book are the road maps that show the different exits and the various stops. The best part is that this is not just a list of activities and stops. For each activity, there is contact information, times, cost and a description.
When we traveled from Florida to Tennessee, we saw the Lost Sea Adventure advertised right around the time we were ready for a potty break but we weren’t sure what it was and if it was worth the stop. That is where Kids Love Interstate 75 came in handy! I quickly looked up the information and we decided that it was worth the drive off the interstate. We were also able to check the hours and knew that they had food and restrooms available. We referenced the book for several other stops along the way: the Mayfield Dairy and the Sweetwater Valley Farm.
In September, we are making two trips to South Florida. I can’t wait to throw this book in the car! I am already researching different pitstops! We have traveled this road so many different times and there are many activities listed in this book that we didn’t even know about or had seen advertised but weren’t sure if it was worth the stop. This book answers those questions!
The best part? I just saw on their website that the book is on sale right now! I can’t wait to get my hands on Kids Love Florida!
Disclosure: I received this review copy complimentary with no expectation. My reviews are based solely on my opinion with no outside influence.
For Travel Blogger Tuesday this week I am going to tell you about a great traveling with children resource!
I was so excited when I was asked if I was interested in reviewing the new Wanderlust and Lipstck book, Traveling with Kids. I had heard the buzz about the book and knew it was written by Leslie Forsberg and Michelle Duffy. I love reading Michelle Duffy’s blog, Wandermom, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the review copy.
This book covers just about anything and everything having to do with traveling with kids. It covers things like why you should travel with children, where you might go, health and safety, and so much more. The book covers practical things that everyone traveling with kids should know and think about. Whether you are wary about traveling with your children or your kids have had passports since the day after they were born, I am sure that there is something in this book for you!
I enjoyed reading the personal accounts and tips from people who had been there done that. They shared little anecdotes about their successes and failures while traveling with children.
The bottom line: This book is extremely useful and is a resource that I would likely go back to when planning a trip.
Disclaimer: I received this review copy complimentary with no expectation. As a matter of fact, they probably thought I had forgotten about it since I received the book awhile ago! My reviews are based solely on my opinion with no outside influence.
Today, for Monday Dreaming, I am dreaming of a fabulous giveaway. I have had some luck with blog giveaways…I have won a stay in a new hotel in Washington DC, a book, and a sheet set! But this giveaway, unfortunately I cannot win because I am a relative of Pensacola with Kids! At my other blog, where we share our adventures while exploring Pensacola with our kids, I am doing a fabulous giveaway. My dear friends have started a socially responsible organization called The Gracious Basket, and they have donated a fantastic Valentine’s basket.
Stop by Pensacola with Kids and enter for a chance to win a great candy basket just in time for Valentine’s Day from The Gracious Basket!
After that, be sure to stop by Mother of All Trips to see what others are dreaming of today!
When we travel, we love to get family photos of us in each destination. We recently did a photo shoot in a hotel room because the weather wouldn’t cooperate while we were visiting family we hadn’t seen in a long time! Most of the time we take the pictures ourselves but sometimes we splurge on a photographer. Daddy J and I have decided to renew our vows when we go to Hawaii for our 10 year anniversary and this is one of the times that we will splurge on a professional photographer (we are currently searching for one so if you have any recommendations please let me know!). I want to capture those moments as we renew our love for each other on a beautiful beach at sunset.
When we were in Panama City recently, we had family pictures taken by Adria Peaden Photography at Oaks by the Bay. Daddy J’s mom wanted pictures of the whole family since all of her kids would be in town. I usually get my pictures back and hate them. I hate the way I looked…the way my hair was blowing…the way…well, you understand! These pictures are absolutely amazing and I was so thrilled with the results! If you are going to be in the Panama City, Florida vicinity for a family vacation and are looking to get family pictures made at the beach or a fun park, take a look at Adria’s website. I think that you will like what you see and want to book her immediately! She has some amazing beach wedding pictures up, adorable baby pictures, and stunning pregnancy photos, too! Here are a few of my favorites from our photo shoot in Panama City. Thanks so much, Adria!
Stop by DeliciousBaby to see where other travelers are this week!
This photo shoot was paid for by a family member. The recommendation is based solely on my experiences and opinion with no outside influence.
Thanks to all who participated in the My Busy Kit giveaway. This was my first giveaway and I appreciate the participation! The winner, selected randomly via random number generator, was Suzanne S. (comment #3) who said:
“I would love a girls my busy kit! We just moved to the area and will be traveling back to Ga for the holidays! this would help my 2 girls stay entertained in the car without ust sitting and watchi movie after movie!!!”
Well, Suzanne, you are in luck! It will definitely keep your kids entertained in the car. We took our busy kits with us to Washington DC this past weekend and my little ones, who love the TV, made it the entire four hour plane ride without cracking open the portable DVD players!
Suzanne-Email me asap and I will forward your contact information to Lorraine over at My Busy Kit so she can get your kit out to you!
Thanks again to Lorraine at My Busy Kit. Be sure to check out My Busy Kit before you take your next trip!
We are celebrating the one year anniversary of Two Kids and a Map today and what better way to do it than to give something away to the readers!!! I have partnered up with Lorraine from My Busy Kit® to give away one busy kit of the winner’s choice! The kits are fantastic. They are designed with the child in mind and are full of great activities to take on the go with you. Usually when I prepare for a trip, I let my kids pack a little backpack full of their favorite toys. The backpacks include their favorite toys, but it also includes some new stuff I slip in. Sometimes they include nothing but hot wheels for my son and ponies for my daughter. On a three week tour around Europe, this can get old very quickly! Imagine my kids delight when I pulled the My Busy Kit® out of my bag! It captures their attention for a long time. Not only was it all new stuff to them, but I didn’t have to put any of it together myself. When we are at home, the My Busy Kits go into the closet so they are exciting and new on the next trip! We received two My Busy Kits® awhile back as a thank you. My daughter has the My Busy Kit for girls:
and my son has the My Busy Kit for Boys:
Little S loves the pony, scissors and sticky tape. Big S loves the knights and the measuring tape. Since we have taken the My Busy Kits on several trips, I have started to add my own little extras to the bags. We have almost exhausted the bags themselves and it is almost time to order new ones!
There are several My Busy Kit® options to meet the needs of any of your children: My Busy Kit for Girls, My Busy Kit for Boys, My Airport Busy Kit, My Busy Kit for Toddlers, and they even have an iPhone App, My Little Suitcase! My Busy Kits range from 15-25 dollars.
Soooooooooo…do you like what you see? Would you like a My Busy Kit of your very own?
How to Enter
We will be giving away ONE My Busy Kit to ONE lucky winner! If you would like a chance to win, leave a comment in this post before 9:59pm CST on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 and tell me which My Busy Kit you would like to win and why! Stop by the website if you need to! Don’t worry about being creative in your comment, the winner will be chosen by a random number generator. Please make sure that you fill out the required fields by putting your first name in the name field and your email address in the email address field. I do not share email addresses and you will not receive emails from Two Kids and a Map unless you win.
For one additional entry to increase your odds of winning, 
subscribe to Two Kids and a Map in a reader or receive the website updates via email by clicking this link and subscribing. Subscriptions are free and you will receive website updates via your email or you can read the posts in your reader (I prefer Google Reader!). If you subscribe to the website, be sure to come back here and leave an additional comment in this post stating that you are a subscriber.
Winners
We will choose ONE winner randomly and announce the results here on Two Kids and a Map on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. Thank you so much to the Lorraine at My Busy Kit for your generous donation! Be sure to stop by Lorraine’s blog, Keeps Me Smiling!
Rules
One comment per person per giveaway post. You may post one additional comment stating that you are a subscriber if you have subscribed to the site. Duplicate comments and anonymous comments will be discarded. Please make sure that the email address in your comment form is valid so that we can contact you (email addresses are never made public). Winners must claim their prize within three business days after the date of notification of such prize. We will disqualify any entries that we believe are generated by scripts and other automated technology. No substitutions including for cash are permitted, except that Two Kids and a Map reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater monetary value for any prize. Winners shall be responsible and liable for all federal, state and local taxes on the value of their prize. Relatives of Two Kids and a Map are not eligible to win.
Because this is a family site and we get a lot of spam comments, all comments on this site are moderated. If your comment doesn’t show up right away, don’t worry!
