Airbnb vs Hotels

Gone are the days when hotels were the only accommodation option when traveling. I used to always choose hotels, but that changed once I had kids. On our family vacation last year, we ended up using Airbnb, and I swore I’d always check there first going forward. Like with everything, there are pluses and minuses to both Airbnb and hotels. If you’re debating which suits your needs best for your travels, I’ve got a list that you can use to compare the two and decide for yourself.

Price

The biggest thing I consider when booking a place to stay is the price. Which is the lower price between the two, depending on your destination? Our Airbnb was cheaper for a 3-bedroom than most 1-room hotels in the area. Something to make sure you take into consideration is that while hotels are a set nightly price and include everything, Airbnbs have nightly prices and additional charges for cleaning/service fees. Make sure to add the extra Airbnb fees into your calculations when comparing prices.

Space

It’s one thing when you're traveling solo or with all adults. It’s another when you’re traveling as a family with multiple kids. A big reason we chose Airbnb was for the space aspect. Both of my kids are used to sleeping in their own rooms. I knew none of us would get any sleep if we were all in the same room.

Hotels are typically one room, but some have multi-room suite options or adjoining rooms. Those options tend to add an extra expense, though. Airbnbs are typically full condos, apartments, or houses. Airbnb tends to have more space than hotels, especially for the price.

Amenities

A basic hotel room has minimal amenities. Most have a mini-fridge and microwave, but that’s about it. Some hotels do offer suite and kitchenette options, but they can be harder to come by. An Airbnb is typically a whole apartment or house with multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, and sometimes other amenities such as laundry machines.

Location

A big factor when booking a place to stay is often location. Hotels tend to be in more tourist areas, and Airbnbs are homes/apartments within communities.

Extras

Check on any extras that hotels and Airbnbs may have. Hotels typically have room cleaning during your stay, while Airbnbs only have it before and after your visit. Hotels often have a complimentary breakfast, cable, and wifi options. Hotels sometimes have pools, gyms, office spaces, and parking included in your stay as well.

You can still find many great options available for Airbnbs too, although they vary. For example, our first Airbnb experience was at a condo that was part of a resort. We had free parking, and the resort had an amazing waterpark that was part of our stay. It was a blast! Just make sure anything extra that is important to you is included wherever you choose to stay.

By taking all of these things into consideration when you are choosing a place to stay, you’ll make sure to cover all your bases. With a place to stay set, you can sit back and enjoy your vacation. Do you have an accommodation preference for when you travel? Share in the comments below. Happy travels!

DIY No-Sew Fleece Blanket

Winter is in full swing. I don’t know about you, but I am not a fan of cold weather at all. With the weather getting cooler, I’m always looking for ways to stay warm. Everyone needs a good cozy blanket for the winter. And what’s cozier than fleece? Fleece blankets are the bomb. If you’re looking for a good fleece blanket, I know just what you need! Here is my simple step-by-step guide to making my personal favorite kind of DIY no-sew fleece blanket.

What You’ll Need

• Fleece fabric
• Scissors

FLEECE FABRIC
You’ll need two equal pieces of fleece fabric. For an adult, I typically use 2 1/2 to 3 yards of each fabric. If you’re making one for a child, you could go smaller.

SCISSORS
Cutting tools for fabric.

Let’s Get Started

STEP #1
Lay out the two pieces of fabric (one on top of the other) on the ground so that the ends match up.

STEP #2
Cut a square out of both sets of fabric in all four corners. I typically cut the square at about 3-4 inches on each side.

STEP #3
Cut strips all the way around the fabric. Match up the strip length to the now-missing square length on the corners. I cut my strips about an inch in width.

STEP #4
Tie all the strips in double knots. I like to do a couple on each side at a time to help keep it from getting lopsided while tightening the knots. For example, I’ll tie 5 strips on one side, then 5 on the next side, and I work my way around until I’ve completed it.

And ta-da, you now have your own fleece blanket! Next time you curl up with some cocoa and Christmas movies, make sure to grab your new fleece blanket too. The fleece fabric options are endless, whether you want solids or patterns. Happy creating!

Tips for Building Toddler Independence

Have you ever found yourself wondering why your toddler doesn’t want to play on their own? Just like with infants, toddlers go through so many phases and changes because they are growing and changing so much so fast.

I have been very blessed that my children love playing independently, and I can get things done. However, it has not always been this way. My daughter used to always want me to play and do everything with her. I honestly loved doing it, but when I had my son, it got harder to do because I had to split my time between the two.

At the same time, having my son was also what turned things around for my children’s independence. I get told all the time that my kids are so independent because they will just sit and play on their own without me every day. They are so good about it, and I do feel very blessed that that is the case for us.

I never did anything specific to achieve this, but I have realized some things I have done along the way that have helped to contribute to their independence. So I wanted to share with you some of the things we have done in the hopes that it might help you build toddler independence with your child too.

**Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all for every parent, baby, or situation. What works for one person may not work for another. These are just some ideas based on my own personal experience of what I have found that can help build toddler independence.

Slowly Give Them More Space

To help encourage independence, start by slowly giving your toddler some more space. Don’t constantly hover. Take a step back. Give them a toy and see how they play with it on their own without your interaction.

Watch from a Distance

Give your toddler more space by watching from a distance. Instead of hovering or sitting right by them 24/7, step back and just observe. I created a play area in our breakfast nook and let my kids play there while I clean and do dishes, etc. I’m close by in case they need me, but they are in their own space without me hovering.

Encourage Independent Play

Little by little, do what you can to encourage independent play with your toddler. The more they play and have fun on their own, the more they will learn they don’t always need you beside them. You can set aside independent playtime during the day to help aid in this.

Encourage Their Helping

Instead of getting frustrated when your kids want to help you cook or clean, try including them. Encouraging their helping can also encourage their independence. They’ll want to keep helping and even want to do it on their own. My daughter loves to help feed our dogs and gets upset if I do it myself.

Have Them Interact with Other Kids

A big help for many kids in building independence comes from having them interact with other kids. By watching and playing with other kids, it teaches them how to interact without adults. My daughter’s independence grew in bounds once her brother was able to play with her. They are now the best of friends and will just run and play independently together.

Occasionally Let Someone Else Watch Them

Occasionally hiring a babysitter or letting someone else watch your toddler will help them adapt to not depending on you. As a stay-at-home mom who doesn’t live close to family, I have a hard time letting someone else watch my kids. But when I have, it has been good for both of us.

Teach Them How to Do Things

Teach your toddler how to get dressed, brush their teeth, tie their shoes, etc. Teach them any little task they can learn to do on their own. I’ve found with my toddlers that the older they get and the more they know how to do on their own, the more they have started doing things themselves.

Set Aside Time for Activities They Can Do Themselves

Does your toddler like coloring or doing puzzles? Find an activity they can easily do on their own and set aside time for them to do it solo. Giving them opportunities to do activities on their own will allow them to become more comfortable doing things on their own.

Let Them Experiment

Let them experience and experiment on their own, even if it involves making messes. Try loosening up and let them color outside the lines, paint by themselves, or dump out a toy bucket all over the floor. Let them be little and have fun. You can stress about the mess later.

Let Them Wander and Explore on Their Own

When it’s safe to do so, let your toddler wander and explore on their own. Let them run ahead at the park or on a walk. My kids love exploring, and I love watching them as they discover the world around them. Exploring and challenging things is how kids learn and better understand the world.

Let Them Be Alone When They Want to Be

When your toddler wants a little space or to be left alone, let them be alone. Don’t push to be cuddly or hold them. We all need a little space every now and then. Your toddler is no different. Let them have some space so they will get more comfortable with doing things on their own.

This should go without saying by now, but if you let your toddler do things on their own, the more they will want to continue doing things on their own. Sometimes as a mom, you just want to do it yourself so that it gets done right, but giving your toddler the freedom to do it will help them learn and grow their independence. The best advice I can give for building toddler independence is to encourage them to do things on their own and then actually let them do so.

Ways to Save on Holiday Travel

The holiday season is usually the busiest time for travel. If you travel to see loved ones during the holidays, you are not alone. Thinking of the extra travel expenses on top of the holiday expenses can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be. Believe it or not, there are actually simple things you can do to help keep the extra expense down during holiday traveling. I’m sharing with you my top tips for saving money while traveling during the holidays.

Plan Ahead

The earlier you start planning, the more you can save. Being spontaneous is fun, but when it comes to traveling, waiting until the last minute can end up costing you more instead of saving. If you book earlier, flights are typically cheaper. The key time that I have heard to book ahead is six weeks. Planning ahead also gives you extra time to save up for a big trip ahead of time.

Compare Prices

Comparing prices can be tedious but well worth it if it saves you. Compare prices between different airlines, hotels vs. Airbnbs, etc. Don’t just book the first one you find, even if you think it is a good deal. There could still be a better deal out there. Look around and find the best prices.

Start Saving Early

As soon as you start thinking of traveling, start saving. You could start saving a little now even if you don’t have any immediate travel plans. Save a little throughout the year so it’s not as big of a chunk all at once when you do travel. Saving a little at a time adds up to bigger savings down the road when you do need it.

Budget

Setting a budget and sticking to it can help you save. Say no to big splurges during your travels. When creating your budget, keep in mind any spending you will need to do during your travels (souvenirs, food, hotel, rental car, etc.). Make sure to include anything you may need or want to get while on the trip in your budget. Making your budget ahead of time can help you keep your spending in check while on your trip.

Be Flexible

Being flexible on travel dates during the holidays can help you save quite a bit. Try traveling during nonpeak days and times. Something as simple as changing your travel dates by a couple of days can help you save. Try right before or after a holiday as opposed to the actual holiday itself.

If you want to be at your destination during the holiday, maybe try traveling a couple of days off from your initial plan. Avoid traveling during the typical travel days around the holidays. Another idea would be to fly out on the holiday. For example, flying out Christmas morning is typically way cheaper than flying out the day before.

Bring What You Need

Think of anything you need for your trip, make a list, and bring it with you. This can be as simple as a toothbrush and toiletries. By bringing even little things with you, it will help you save so that you aren’t having to buy those things while on your trip.

Whether you’re traveling this holiday season or not, these are great ideas to keep in mind for any future holiday travel plans. You can start saving now and save a little throughout the year to get a head start. Let me know in the comments below if you take advantage of any of these tips. Happy Holidays!

The Best Family-Friendly Halloween Movies

If you know me, you know I love a good movie marathon, especially during the holidays. With the pandemic, holidays are looking different this year. A lot of people are looking for creative and fun alternatives for Halloween, and a movie marathon might just be the best stay-at-home idea. I’m not huge into the typical scary Halloween movies, but I do love some Disney movies.

If you’re looking to have a cozy movie night this Halloween, why not include your kids in on the fun and make it a family night? There are so many great family-friendly Halloween movie options that won’t scare your kids (or you) too badly. Check out my go-to family-friendly movie list for this spooky season.

Disney

• Hocus Pocus
• Twitches
• Twitches Too
• Halloweentown
• Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge
• Halloweentown High
• Return to Halloweentown
• Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
• Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2
• Phantom of the Megaplex
• Girl vs Monster
• Invisible Sister
• Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire
• Under Wraps
• Don’t Look Under the Bed
• The Scream Team
• Tower of Terror
• The Haunted Mansion

Nickelodeon

• The Boy Who Cried Werewolf
• Fun Size

Animation

• The Nightmare Before Christmas
• ParaNorman
• Coraline
• Hotel Transylvania

Hallmark

• The Good Witch (movie)
• The Good Witch’s Garden
• The Good Witch’s Gift
• The Good Witch’s Family
• The Good Witch’s Charm
• The Good Witch’s Destiny
• The Good Witch’s Wonder
• The Good Witch (TV series)
• Good Witch Halloween

Other

• Casper
• Casper Meets Wendy
• Double, Double, Toil & Trouble
• The Addams Family
• Mostly Ghostly
• Goosebumps

Pop the corn, heat up some cider or hot chocolate, grab a blanket, and get the whole family together to enjoy some (or all) of these cozy movies for a festive marathon this year. You won’t regret a night in like this. Happy Halloween!

8 Alternative Ways to Celebrate Halloween

Like much that has happened this year, Halloween is looking a little different than usual. Many places aren’t having their normal festive events or have made significant changes to them. This is a tough time for many, and safety is a huge factor. If you’re looking for creative ways to have fun this Halloween season and still celebrate, you can! Here are some fun alternative ways you can still celebrate Halloween this year.

1. Drive Around Looking at Halloween Decorations

Take a little drive around to look at the houses and neighborhoods that are decorated for Halloween. It’s like a mini road trip. I love looking at houses decorated during Christmas, and while not as many go all out for Halloween, you can still find some and make a fun family night out of it.

2. Halloween Party at Home

Have a little Halloween party at home for your family. If you decide not to go out this year and elect to stay home, you can still have fun and celebrate Halloween. You can decorate and make some Halloween-themed snacks for the party.

3. Prepackaged Bags of Candy

If you plan to hand out candy this year but are concerned about doing it safely, try some prepackaged bags of candy. Fill up some small zip-lock bags with candy and hand those out instead of having different kids stick their hands into one big bucket. The kids still get their candy and trick-or-treating fun, but you help minimize contact with everyone touching the same pieces of candy.

4. Decorate a Car/Wagon

Don’t want to give up your Halloween decorating? You don’t have to. Try decorating a wagon or bike and taking that for a little walk or ride around the neighborhood. Want to go bigger? Try decorating your car and taking a little drive to spread some festive Halloween spirit to others.

5. Drive-thru Trick or Treat

Trunk or Treats have grown in popularity these last few years. With so many things being canceled or changed this year, why not mix it up? Instead of the classic trunk-or-treating, try organizing a little drive-thru trick-or-treat event. The kids and families won’t have to leave the comfort of their own vehicles to enjoy some trick-or-treating.

6. Costume Photoshoot

Even if you aren’t going out to any parties or events this year, you can still have fun with costumes. Pick out your costumes like usual, get all dressed up, and have a little costume photo shoot. I always love taking photos of my family all dressed up for Halloween, and this year is no different.

7. Virtual Party

Whether you can’t be with family and friends in person due to distance, sickness, or something else, you can still celebrate Halloween with them. Have a little virtual Halloween party. Virtual events are all the rage these days.

8. Halloween Movie Marathon

Break out the popcorn, cider, cozy up with your favorite blanket, pick out your favorite Halloween movies, and have a marathon. You could do a family-friendly one with the kids or have a super scary marathon after the kids are in bed.

Even if Halloween looks a little different this year, you can still have all the same festive vibes. It’s not how you celebrate but who you celebrate with this year that matters. Make the most of it. Happy Halloween!

Family Halloween Costume Theme Ideas

I personally love doing family theme costumes for Halloween. Some years, I know exactly what to do, and others I struggle to come up with an idea. As my kids get older, I’m sure it will get harder to find a theme everyone agrees on. There are so many theme options out there to choose from. These are some things I think about when trying to brainstorm and find a good Halloween costume theme that we can do as a family.

TV/Movie Theme

This is my favorite way to find a theme when I’m thinking of costumes. Disney, Marvel, and Nickelodeon are all common characters people typically choose from. It’s a common occurrence to see princess and cartoon character costumes in stores (plus kids love them). You could also go the classic route and think of some older entertainment like The Wizard of Oz, I Dream of Jeannie, etc. The options are really endless when it comes to movie and TV characters.

Book Theme

Is there a book that you or your kids love? Why not do a book-inspired theme? My kids love the Biscuit dog books, and I always thought it would be cute to have one of them dressed as Biscuit the dog and one as his owner, the Little Girl. You could also do Madeline, Huckleberry Finn, Nancy Drew, etc. Take a look at what books your kids love and see if you can create a theme around it.

Sports Theme

Do you have a favorite sport or team? Do you already have jerseys for that team? Put them to use. You could go as generic baseball players or a specific team. You could have a mix of football players and cheerleaders. You could have referees or umpires. You could have some people selling the snacks in the stands. You could also go as the US Olympic team. There are actually a lot of sport-themed options.

Song Theme

Think “Ice, ice baby,” which consists of ice bags and a baby, or “Baby you’re a firework,” where everyone is a firework. There are so many songs and ways you can get creative by making them come to life. You could go the humor route with “I’m a Barbie Girl” or a play on “Wrecking Ball”.

Food Theme

Do you have a favorite type of food or restaurant? You could be a Subway sub with sides and condiments. You could have someone be a Starbucks drink, a barista, cream, sugar, etc. You could have some that go together, like a hamburger and French fries. You could have each person be a piece of a S’more (i.e., chocolate, graham cracker, marshmallow).

Activity Theme

What is your favorite family activity? You could have a zookeeper and zoo animals, a ringmaster and circus characters, a yoga instructor and students, etc. Think about a fun activity you enjoy doing as a family and use that idea to bring a costume theme to life.

Things That Go Together

And speaking of things that go together, why not go with a theme consisting of things that go better together? Think peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard, a phone and a phone book, rock, paper, scissors, etc.

Similar but Different

Think of something that you can tie together in a way but still have it be different. For example, you could do all blonde celebrities, and each person picks who they want to be that is blonde. Or you could pick a certain time era but have everyone dress in a different outfit that fits that time.

Another idea to consider is having everyone wear the same type of costume but with different themes to make it unique. For example, one year we didn’t want to do much for Halloween, so we just bought zip-up onesies at Walmart. They were the same look but different themes. I was a Ghostbuster, and my husband was a Ninja Turtle. Even though we weren’t the same theme, it still went together because they were the same style of outfit.

Go With What Your Kids Love

Simply ask your kids what they want to be. Include them in the process. Now that my kids are getting older, they love to help pick out our family theme. This year I asked them both which theme they liked best out of what I was considering, and they helped pick it. If you notice they have a particular liking for a certain show or character, just run with that.

Choosing a family Halloween costume theme doesn’t have to be as hard as it may seem at times. By using these theme ideas to brainstorm, you can come up with a fun family costume theme. Don’t want to have a super popular theme? Get creative and think outside the box. There is no limit to what you can come up with if you just use your imagination. And if you don’t want to spend a fortune making your theme come to life–check out these ways to create your costumes without breaking the bank. Happy brainstorming!