Last weekend we were driving home after being out of town, when we hear loud roaring up above our SUV. My husband immediately says, “It’s the Blue Angels.” (Well, that’s what I though I heard: He actually said, “It’s the Thunderbirds.”) We look up, through the sunroof, and see them flying, zooming overhead. They are doing tricks in the sky and cars are lining up on the side of I-75 to get a closer look. Later, I learn that it was the Air Force Thunderbirds we were watching.

We decide to pull over and I get out my camera. I’m no photography expert, and these aren’t the highest quality photos, but it’s still pretty cool to capture the movements of these high-flying planes.

About the Thunderbirds, from the Thunderbirds Web site:

Air Force professionals teamed together to present precision aerial maneuvers that exhibit the capabilities of modern, high performance aircraft and the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft.

About the Blue Angels, from the Blue Angels Web site:

The U. S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron

The Blue Angels’ mission is to enhance Navy and Marine Corps recruiting efforts and to represent the naval service to the United States, its elected leadership and foreign nations. The Blue Angels serve as positive role models and goodwill ambassadors for the U. S. Navy and Marine Corps.

Here are some of my photos:

Look at my slideshow on flickr — if you click quickly, you can get the sense of the movements the planes made in the sky. It’s pretty amazing.

What was my son doing during all of this excitement? Sleeping in the back seat!

Related:

• Air Force Thunderbirds official Web site
• Blue Angels official Web site
  
• Air shows near you

We are fortunate enough to have received annual passes to Walt Disney World for Christmas this year, so we headed out for our first visit recently. Planning only a half-day since we can go back when ever we want this year. Here’s what’s on my packing list for the day:

• Fanny sack (driver’s licenses, cash, Credit Card)
• Sunblock
• Visor
• Camera (with charged battery)
• Cell phones
• Stroller
• Bottle water
• Juice box
• Snack
• Diaper bag (check to make sure diapers are in it)
• Change of clothes for toddler
• Flip-flops for the water area
• Tylenol (I always need one at some point in the day)
• Baby blanket to cover stroller

One of the most important rules we have in our family is that everyone wears tennis shoes to the theme parks. We spend all day on our feet and need to protect them and make sure everyone is comfortable all day long. The flip-flops are for the areas where our son can splash through water so he doesn’t have to go barefoot. You’d be surprised by what we see on people’s feet at theme parks: All I can say is, “ouch! My dogs hurt!”

Take this list to heart if you are going to any type of day event — it doesn’t have to be a theme park. Proper planning can make the difference between an enjoyable day spent together vs. a day spent looking for things you’d wish you brought — or worse, days spent nursing sunburned children and adults!

Most people visit Orlando for the theme parks: Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, but there is more to the city than what these parks offer. You don’t have to visit a theme park to enjoy your time in Orlando, and you may just save a buck or two in the process. Part of being a Mom is saving money — it costs a lot to feed and clothe little people!

I’m an experienced Orlando travel writer and I’ve found that families need a break from the parks. While they are great, and the reason so many people visit Central Florida, there are several less expensive attractions that will entertain your family.

Here’s my list (abridged):

Gatorland — I have actually never been to Gatorland, but friends of mine always take kids there and say they love it. It’s a “low-key” kind of place, but looking at their Web site, it looks like the perfect place for an easy, but fun-filled day.

Downtown Disney – you can get a taste of Disney without the big ticket price. At downtown Disney, you can stroll through all of your favorite stores and kids can get play along the way. The Lego store is a favorite for all ages. There is a small playset for the little kids, and an area where all kids (and adults too) can wade through bins of Lego’s. There are larger-then-life Lego sculptures that circle the store and make great photos ops. There’s the possibility that you’ll still throw down a wad of cash, but you’ll skip the hefty admission price.

Splash grounds — The Orlando-area is full of splash grounds (flat fountains designed for kids to run around in.) There are some at Downtown Disney and at Universal CityWalk (again, admission if free for both of these locations), and there are some other spots around the city which have them too.

Central Florida Zoo — Located in Sanford, FL (about 40 minutes or so from Disney) the zoo is an affordable option at $10.00 per person.

Green Meadows Petting Farm — Nearly every city has some sort of petting farm and Central Florida is no different. The price is more expensive than the zoo, but I hear from a lot of parents who said their kids love Green Meadows. I plan on trying it out soon.

Lake Eola Park – Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, Lake Eola is a great place to take a family for an early morning or afternoon break. The lake hosts a large fountain in the center that has become a landmark to Orlando. The lake is about a mile in circumference with a wide sidewalk all the way around it. Bicycles, roller blades and skateboards are not allowed on the sidewalk portion of the lake — it’s reserved for walkers, Moms/Dads with strollers and joggers. There is also a new playground which has two sizes of playsets and swings. It’s a great area. As a security measure, you must be with a child to enter the playground area. There are plenty of lunch options within walking distance of the lake if hunger strikes.

Peabody hotel — Watch the ducks parade down the red carpet at this posh hotel. At 11:00 a.m. every morning, the Peabody ducks make their way, via a special elevator, down the red carpet to the atrium lobby fountain. Here they stay all day, until 5:00 p.m. when the procession is reversed and the ducks go “home” to their penthouse suite for the night. It’s an adorable sight and something that kids will love.

Thanksgiving is upon us which means long car rides to grandma’s house. This weekend is the busiest travel weekend of the year.

“AAA estimates that 38.7 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday.”

OK, so I’m going to be on the road with nearly 39 MILLION other people. This requires planning. Luckily I’m experienced in traveling with a toddler since we’ve taken several long car trips with our now 2-year-old son. Here’s what I do to make the trip go easier:

• Travel during nap-time. This will easily cut 2-3 hours of having to entertain the child.
• Back seat is best. Sit in the back with the child. This seems so “Leave It to Beaver,” but I find it’s easier to entertain my son if I’m next to him. When I’ve tried sitting in the front seat, I just end up turning by body around as if I’m playing a game of Twister.
• Plan frequent stops. If your journey is longer than 3 hours (we’ve maxed out at 10 hours), plan to stop every two hours: Even if it’s only for a 10-minute potty break. While one parent is “occupied” let the other parent change the diaper, then let the child run around. By simply stretching and getting a clean diaper, you will elongate the happy mood back in the car.
• Pack things to do. Bring a portable DVD player. I’ve mentioned before that we don’t really watch TV with our son. The main exception to this is on car trips. While he’s yet to watch a full-length movie, I do pack several short DVDs. On our 10-hour trip, however, I was wishing for that full-length movie DVD. Bring books – lots of books. We read and reread all the books that I bring.
• Pack food – very important. Pack a cooler that sits in the backseat with you, but out of reach of your toddler. I pre-pour sippy cups with milk, juice and water so that I’m not in a position to become a bartender in the back of a moving car. Snacks are key too. - things that your child will eat. On our last trip I made the mistake of bringing a box of iced bakery cookies and putting in the sunny front seat. When snack time came, I grabbed a cookie from the box, the icing had melted and dripped all over me and my seat. Of course, my son had to have a cookie since he saw me trying to eat one. It was a mess. Note to self: pack only non-messy snacks like pretzels, goldfish and teddy grahams.
• Stop to eat meals. It’s a great excuse to get out of the car. If you eat fast food, you can go to a place that has a play place to let your kid run around. If you pack your own food, go to a rest stop that has a big open field. Toss a ball around or just play chase. Get that energy out.
• Pack his favorite things. Blanket. Check. Teddy bear. Check. If your child uses a paci, by all means put that on the top of your list.
• Install sun shades before you get on the road. I’ve tried a couple different varieties of these and prefer the ones that clip to the top of the window. I just can’t get the suction cups to stick to the windows. And, don’t get me started on the plastic ones that “stick” to the window. You’ll be thankful for shade when your child is happily sitting in his chair when the sun would otherwise be blasting him in the face.
• Forget the “rules” and just go with the flow. Do what works. It’s a car ride. Enjoy the time. Look out the window. Point out the trees, the clouds and all the trucks you see. Plan to get to your destination when you get there, leave the clock watching behind.