Hey Everyone! It's been a while since I have posted it's not because I didn't want to I promise that. A lot has been going on around here. With the seasons changing my kids have been taking turns having strept throat. Each week for the past month a different one has had. This has been my first sick free week. I guess I spoke to soon about that because this morning when I woke my son Gabe announces his throat is sore again. Maybe I won't get a sick free week!
The CDC offers great advice on strep and all other sicknesses your family may be experiencing with all the weather changes. Here's their link I'm sure you will find helpful advice there!
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/StrepThroat/
On top of sick babies I have been on a massive mission house hunting. That is no easy task. Anyone planning to do that better be prepared. Between all of the listed properties online that actually are off the market and the real estate companies that never call you back it can take forever. I luckily found a cute townhouse right around the corner from my apartments so Gabe can finish his school year in the same school.
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| New place! |
I have been shopping for furniture and accessories at IKEA one of my favorite stores to go to! But If you want to miss the crowds don't go on the weekend. It's like black Friday and a lot of shoppers are rude. Ikea has a lot of great sales. Also, if you haven't signed up for it yet they have a Family rewards card that saves you money and gives you free Hot Coffee or Hot Tea Every time you visit their restaurant. I must warn you that most of the pieces you buy there you do have to piece together yourself but it is definitely worth it. IKEA has a very family friendly atmosphere with courtesy diapers in the family restrooms and a play land for the kiddos while you shop. I also love that they have a restaurant and bistro. No leaving to find place to eat when your kids start nagging about being hungry! Just roll them to the to the bistro for concession type foods with great deals or head to the restaurant for a more dine in experience.
Here's the link for their site to discover more great things about IKEA!
http://www.ikea.com
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| Eating at IKEA |
So between sicknesses and house hunting we took a well needed vacation! We went down to Jekyll Island, GA. One of Georgia's most beautiful, natural places to visit. If you are ever looking for a great laid back vacation full of nature and plenty of relaxing you have to check it out. We stayed for 5 nights and six days and a great affordable place to stay is at the Days Inn. It offers beach views, fire pit, 2 pools, a kiddy pool & hot tub, grill, great little free deluxe continental & on site bike rentals. While on our stay we rode bikes 10+ miles around the island (a must if you visit). We played putt-putt, If you like golf they have courses for that too! Spent countless hours walking the beach and finding natural treasures. We fished off piers, played in parks and swam for hours in the pool and ocean. We even used the fire pit to roast marshmallows and hot dogs one night. We were building memories with the kids and this is one of the best places to do it.
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| The View from our hotel Door! |
I mentioned that it is pretty natural. They have very limited stores and buildings. It's so quiet and peaceful. Wildlife is very abundant, deer and raccoon are everywhere. In the parks squirrels come around in hoards and have such cute personalities. We also seen a small shark feeding off the shoreline and pods of dolphins on South beach.We like to visit around the Fall because there are less people and low prices.
Discover Jekyll Island, GA for yourself!
http://www.jekyllisland.com/
Start making your reservations! They have great monthly specials!
http://daysinnjekyll.com/
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| Beautiful scenery in Jekyll Island, GA! |
On our journey we planned to visit a few Nationals parks along the way. Gabe has been learning a lot about James Oglethorpe and Native Americans so we decided to visit places to give him history lessons. however the government shutdown prevented a few of our stops. So makes sure when you are traveling that you call any places you have on your list to make sure they are open for certain season ad their open hours are correct. Or maybe there will be another government shutdown that crosses your path!
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| Government Shutdown prevented us from letting Gabe see where history was made! |
On our way home we stopped in Savannah another lovely gem in Georgia! (This is why I could care less to vacation outside of Georgia there is so much to discover!) The town is littered in parks and architecture. Best to walk everywhere you go. We had lunch at Paula Deen's restaurant The Lady & Sons. Great southern home made taste cuisine. The taste felt just like being at home around the dinner table when I was a kid. (For best results call and make an appointment if you are planning to go. It can be packed on certain days and at certain hours.)
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| The Lady & Sons in Savannah, GA |
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| Forsyth Park In Savannah, GA |
While we were in Savannah they were filming the Sponge Bob 2 movie so the kiddos had the chance to see some of the set of the movie. We headed to the riverfront and the kids were amazed at all of the big cargo ships bringing in goods from other countries. We met a local artist painting in front of the river and bought a couple of pictures from him. After that we finished our trip walking from park to park looking at all of the beautiful scenery and learning a lot of Georgia's history.
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| Ships at the Riverfront! |
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| Spongebob 2 Filming in Savannah! |
Make your reservations and learn more about whats on the menu!
http://www.ladyandsons.com/
Learn more about Savannah, GA!
http://www.savannah.com/
Well everyone here is a glimpse of why I haven't been around much. But I promise to be better with posting! I hope you all are enjoying the Fall season.
Yours Truly,
~Ya-Ya~
