Family & Friends, Travel Adventures

France Day 1: Less regrets, more baguettes!

Ever since Peppa Pig went to Paris back in 2018, this trip was inevitable. For the next two years #1BigSister, then a toddler, thought every cell tower in Richmond was the Eiffel Tower and would give a verbal recount of Peppa’s adventure magnifique.

Like most of our trips, the hardest part was deciding on and securing the time off. Now with a rising 2nd grader, we’re limited by the school calendar. And, having been spoiled by business class the last few years, affordable flights dictate where we go.

Amir found some good options on Iceland Air. We’re driving to Dulles, connecting in Keflavík, then flying in to Charles de Gaulle.

On the drive up, we celebrated my 46th birthday in style at Taco Bell. Did you know you can now get an oversized Cheese-It shoved into a burrito?

After a roll-call to ensure we were six again, I polled the team. “Name one thing you really really really want to do in France!”

#1BigBrother: ride a motorcycle!

#1BigSister: Disney!

Ale: eat a GIANT macaroon

#1LittleSister: play in the airport

Amir: go inside a German bunker at Normandy

Me: wine, a baguette and good people watching at an outdoor cafe

#1BigSister prepares for the safety briefing

We hit no traffic on the way to Dulles, and once there, we sailed through TSA security screening with little hastle. Amir and I both commented that the TSA seems much more organized and family friendly over the past year – maybe they finally hired Chick -Fil-A as an operations consultant.

We didn’t get to explore Iceland as we had a tight connection, but we’re definitely adding it to the travel list. Tourism here has exploded in the last ten years – so much so that they are building a new airport but already seeing the volumes of a huge European hub. From the air, the entire landscape was flat, no trees, but not brown or dead… and not all snow covered… moss. It’s the land of moss. I’m in love.

Man to man defense

The flight to Paris was smooth and easy – less than three hours. I managed to squeeze the Whitney Houston movie in with just 4 minutes to spare. When I was in 6th grade, I was the new kid, just having moved from Midlothian to Virginia Beach. I was feeling a little down and lonely, but distinctly remember when the music teacher asked me if I would do a solo at the chorus performance. Just me and one other girl. Can’t remember her name. Just two lines each, but I remember them.

“Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me.”

I went on to do All-City Chorus that year… only thing is – I can’t really sing. Even though my mom is musical and sings, I’ve never been good. Maybe I was cute back then?

Anyway, I did tear up a bit for Miss Whitney. Everyone wanted a piece of her. She got caught in the wheel.

We took at Uber from the airport to our AirBnB, and for the first time ever, the host wasn’t there when promised. Nearly a half hour later that we said we’d arrive, Shirley appeared with keys.

The place is more spectacular than the photos showed – a private outdoor courtyard, cool art and right next to the Saint Lazare train station. I give credit for that last detail to Amir. He researches these places for weeks before booking. We’ve learned access to public transit is a must. Especially as most taxis and Ubers max out at 5 people, and we are of course a team of 6.

Coincidentally our friends Lety and Peter are here in Paris right now with their two girls. We have to nail down the details, but plan to meet them for lunch tomorrow.

Stick a fork in me…

~Steph

Family & Friends, Travel Adventures

St Maarten Day 6: Last minute fun before travel

Checkout was 11am, but our flight didn’t leave til 4. The best thing about travel within the Western hemisphere is shorter flights, and less time zone changes. That last one is key with kids – 6 hours time difference to Europe messes up everyone’s sleep schedules and leads to some grumpy travelers, Mom and Dad included.

Hair braiding at Kids Club

Thanks to the afternoon flight, we were able to squeeze in some last minute food and fun at the resort. As soon as she opened her eyes this morning, #1BigSister requested more time at the Kids Club. I was happy to accommodate the request as it gave me some uninterrupted time to pack.

Last minute photo quest

The extra time this morning also gave Ale and I another chance to take photos near the water. I’d tried a few times throughout the trip, but time of day really determines the right light, and we hadn’t quite found it yet.

Our flight left 1.5 hours late, so it’s a good thing Amir opted for the 3 hour layover rather than the 45 minute connection in Miami. Back to the grind tomorrow – but I’m pretty motivated. My last shift before our trip, I had a big save which refilled my cup. Not a bad start to 2024.

– Steph

Family & Friends, Travel Adventures

St Maarten Day 5: Pruned and Pickled

Last day here – we had motivated intentions to hit the other side of the island via taxi, but the kids won. They loved what they saw at Kids’ Club yesterday and demanded a return visit.

Kids’ Club Schedule at Sonesta Maho

I started the morning taking everyone to breakfast. Second day in a row – 3:1 ratio at a buffet – do not recommend. But if you have to do it, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: get a table within eyeshot of the buffet

Step 2: bribe two eldest for good behavior

Step 3: get a plate for the youngest – she needs to be distracted eating while you leave the table to help the other two

Step 4: whisk eldest kids through buffet lines while keeping an eye on youngest at table

Step 5: beg waitress for juices (ain’t nobody got enough hands for getting them on the buffet line)

Step 6: sneak away to grab plate for yourself

Step 7: abandon your plate secondary to embarrassment/hunger analysis when youngest two start screaming

#winning

Thank goodness for pizza 24/7

After feeding everyone, I headed to Kids Club to drop off the #1Bigs and take #1Little to the pool. We had some fun, but since she still has ZERO swimming ability and 100% sink capacity, this ex-lifeguard was NEVER relaxed. It was only when Amir showed up a bit later that I was able to breathe (and drink).

After a long day at the pool, we made a plan to eat dinner but then divide and conquer. The Bigs had their hearts set on movie night at the kids club. Ale took #1LittleSister for a bit while Amir and I enjoyed an evening cocktail by the water. Would you believe my husband, Egyptian lover of all things olive, gin and cocktails, had never before had a gin martini until tonight???? WHAT?

Tomorrow we head back to VA. Boo.

– Steph

Family & Friends, Travel Adventures

St Maarten Day 4: I feel old

While the days here are going well, the nights are a bit painful. Between me snoring and keeping Amir awake, little people crawling into our bed and some less than fluffy pillows… this isn’t the best sleep we’ve ever had. Thankfully the days are exhausting, so you have no choice but to crash when your head hits that stiff pillow.

Today we ate all three meals at the buffet here at Sonesta Maho. The food is delicious, with a wide variety of local dishes as well as guaranteed to please toddler favorites like chicken nuggets and pizza. Last night we marveled at how they seem to have gotten a hold of the supplier for McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets which, if you’ve had them, you know are very distinct. And no where except McDonalds. And apparently Sonesta Maho.

Enjoying the finer things in life

This trip is a bit different than our usual adventures. This is not intended to be an exploratory mission of the island, rather a slow down and easy fun. We’ve gotten to know the pool, waterslides and swim up bar in great detail, but I don’t have too much to share on local culture and society. I started to feel guilty for like a half second and then remembered just how hard we work, and that the kids are perfectly happy eating pizza and ice cream at the same place every day. And I’ve yet to hear a complaint about the endless “slushies.”

Nap time

Right now we’re looking at July for a two week trip. Iceland and a France are on the menu for consideration thanks to reasonable fares on Icelandic Air.

The sandpit at Kids Club

Mid afternoon we did make a new discovery – hidden behind the lush greenery by the pool is the kids club. Suited for ages 3-11, it’s a two story indoor/outdoor facility with art, legos, a two-story indoor slide, beanbag chairs, Xbox stations and an entire playground outside. It’s closed off from the rest of the resort and surprisingly quiet. We dropped the two oldest off for an hour to enjoy some independence for all. Amir felt guilty – I was kicking myself for only discovering the place at the end of the trip. The kids want to go back tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll cave.

– Steph

#1BigBrother makes a new friend

Family & Friends, Travel Adventures

St Maarten Day 3: Catamaran Adventure

Ooof. This will be a short one. I’m sitting on our balcony listening to the steel drum band play Bruno Mars. I probably enjoyed the fruity drinks too much today.

Piña colada fan

Just after we made our hotel reservations, I went online and booked a Catamaran snorkeling adventure. We met the bus at 0845 and landed at the dock at 0920. Our tour wasn’t leaving until 1000, so we chatted with nearby friends and explored a few shops.

Waiting for the boat

The catamaran has a max of 60 – we were pushing 51. The start was a little bumpy – delayed by the late arrival of some cruise ship passengers from Wonder of the Sea.

We stopped at two snorkeling spots, plus two beach spots. Lunch was impressive. I thought the tuna and hand and cheese sandwiches were the meal, but they turned out to be just an apperatife when the chef surfaced with grilled pork ribs and chicken with curry sauce.

Exhaustion on the way back

Tomorrow is a big “?” We might rent a car and explore – we might hang at the resort and do the usual. The latter sounds fairly appealing right now, but I’m also exhausted.

– Steph