October 12, 2018

8 Reasons Why I Don't Want Another Baby

October 12, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

As a mom/lifestyle blogger, I often get asked personal questions as people assume I am an open book. I don’t always want to share things that are super personal, but I feel like this is the right time to answer a question I get asked all the time – if I plan to have any more kids.

First, before I answer the question, let me just say that I truly believe this is a personal decision for every mom. We all have our own reasons for wanting more kids or not. But, we should also be careful about bombarding moms with personal questions that may make them uncomfortable such as “Are you going to try for a third so you can have a boy?” Really – it is no one’s business but your own.

However, since I have put myself out there and am confident in my choices, I am willing to answer this question: The answer is NO. No, I do not plan on having any more children, and I have my reasons why. Whether you agree with my reasons or not, that’s okay. We are each entitled to my opinion, but please, let’s remember to be kind to one another.

The Reasons I am Fine with Just Two

1. It’s too expensive.

Raising kids is crazy expensive! According to Time, “For a middle-income family to raise a child born in 2015 through the age of 17, the cost of rearing a child has hit $233,610.” That’s just ONE kid. When you factor in the cost of living (especially for New York families), that number is even higher. Child care, clothes, food, and the basics already cost a fortune, but then you have to factor in saving for college tuition. I’m already looking at the cost of half a million to raise my two precious girls easily. Yikes!

2. Finding a work/life balance is hard enough already.

I strongly believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance. As a mom who works full time and blogs full time with a husband who works full time, we have to prioritize our time to maintain our sanity. Our lives are already so busy with work and activities for our two girls that I cannot imagine squeezing in more time to take care of another kid.

3. I want more leisure time – not less.

Let’s face it – when we become parents, our leisure time drastically dwindles. Where we once were able to jet off and travel, it is much more complicated to do things like that when you have kids. Traveling with kids is tough! We still do it, but we are looking forward to the days when our girls are older and traveling is easier. If we have another child, we will have even less leisure time and longer to wait before we can return to having some of the adventures we had before.

4. We are not getting any younger.

While a lady never reveals her age, let’s just say I feel too old to have another kid. Even though more and more women are getting pregnant and having babies later in life, doctors label you a geriatric pregnancy if you are 35 or older. This is because once you hit that birthday, there are more risks.

5. We have no empty space.

Our 3 bedroom/3 bath house is just the right size for us. Actually, the house is perfect for a house of women – I get my own bathroom, and so does each girl. Lol! But, seriously, we don’t have any extra space for another kid. We already fill up our space, so we would have to move to a larger house if we had another kid.

**6. I hate being pregnant.**

I know some women absolutely love being pregnant, but I was not one of them. I hated being pregnant. With both girls, I had the worst morning sickness, and I’d really rather not go through that again. Sorry, not sorry for speaking my truth.

7. The world isn’t always a nice place.

Have you watched the news lately? The world is a scary place. I am already anxious about raising my daughters in this world, so I have a hard time thinking about bringing another child into this place. I know there is more good than bad, but it still scares me sometimes to think about what the world will look like in the future for my daughters.

8. We are happy and healthy.

Most importantly, I am happy with two happy and healthy girls. Sure, I miss the days when my girls were babies, but that doesn’t mean I feel the need to do it all over again. I love watching my daughters grow and enter new seasons of life. And, I can get my baby fix by cuddling my friends’ and families’ babies.

October 09, 2018

Things to Do in New York for Halloween with Your Family and Kids

October 09, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

Now that the Halloween season is upon us, I love to find family-friendly Halloween events in New York. This means I look for events that are not too spooky and are mostly geared at encouraging costumes, fun, and treats without too many tricks.

Part of the fun of having kids is that you get to celebrate Halloween all over again as an adult! My girls love any opportunity to dress up, and I love any excuse to celebrate festively. Honestly, there are so many fun, family-friendly Halloween events in New York that the hardest decision I have to make each year is deciding which ones to put on my family’s calendar.

Well, I have done my research and I am happy to share the Halloween events in New York my family is most looking forward to in 2018.

Boo at the Zoo

We absolutely love Boo at the Zoo held each weekend through October at the Bronx Zoo. The combination of zoo animals, Halloween decorations, trick-or-treat, and costumes make this event that cannot be missed by families! Add in a spooky hayride, pumpkin carving, and a costume parade and this event will have everyone in my family cheering “Happy Halloween!”

Annual Halloween Festival and Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest

Mark your calendars for October 27, 2018, for the super fun and silly Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest at the annual Halloween Festival at Fort Greene Park Conservatory. In addition to giggling at all the adorably costumed pups, your kids will have a blast since the festival also includes live music and other Halloween festivities.

Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Flotilla

You know what is even better than a family-friendly Halloween event? A FREE family-friendly Halloween event! On October 28, 2018, from 4 PM – 7 PM, families can celebrate Halloween in Central Park (near the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center). In addition to the main event (the charming pumpkin flotilla), families can also listen to spooky stories, do some Halloween crafting, carve pumpkins, and march in a costume parade.

The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze

Families must plan a trip to Hudson Valley, New York this fall season to experience The Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze running select dates from September 28th – November 24th. A quick explanation – this is the Halloween version of going to look at exquisite Christmas light displays. The long explanation – see over 7000 glowing, intricately carved pumpkins as well as seeing flying ghosts, Sleepy Hollow’s Headless Horseman, and stargazing in the pumpkin planetarium. It will be the highlight of the fall season for your family.

The Village Halloween Parade

An event that both kids and families will enjoy on Halloween night (beginning around 7 PM) is the Annual Village Halloween Parade through Greenwich Village. Costumed families can march in the parade or view it as spectators. Want to look your best? 2018’s theme is I AM a Robot! Expect to see elaborate costumes and have some delightfully spooky fun with the family!

Which family-friendly Halloween events in New York are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!

September 28, 2018

Where We Go When We Need to Leave the House

September 28, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

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I firmly believe your home should be a sanctuary for your family. It should feel safe and full of love at all times. But, let’s be real. As much as I love my house, there are times I have to get out of it. I’m sure my fellow working moms understand this feeling. You cannot just go to work and go home each day. You must find ways to see the rest of the world!

That’s why as the temperatures cool and before the frigid winter weather arrives, I like to take advantage of the many outdoor options in New York City. There are so many great things for kids to do in NYC – and many of them are outdoors. A simple outdoor excursion is all we need to feel refreshed. Plus, a little Vitamin D is healthy for everyone!

If you are a fellow NYC working mom or just visiting New York for a trip with kids, here are some of my family’s favorite outdoor places in NY.

Explore Central Park

Of course, I have to include Central Park on my list of favorites! Not only is it one of the country’s most iconic parks, but it is also a great place for families in NYC! Central Park has tons of places to explore. For example, it has over fifty monuments, sculptures, and fountains. You can plan an entire scavenger hunt just for those structures. Add in bridges and wildlife, and the park feels magical.

Plus, Central Park is home to 21 playgrounds! My girls have some they love more than others, so I encourage to explore the park’s various playgrounds to find the ones that your kids like the most.

Check out the views at Hunters Point

Hunter’s Point Park is a newer park located in Long Island City. We love visiting this park because it offers amazing views of the NYC skyline. Plus, since it is a waterfront park, it also offers scenic waterfront views. It also has playgrounds that my girls love.

Take in the Scenery at Prospect Park

Prospect Park is a super family-friendly and beautiful park with playgrounds and more. It is home to one of NYC’s enchanting carousels, as well as a zoo with real-life animals. Prospect Park also has a skating rink in the winter, a children’s garden, and free kids programming at the Audubon Center.

Spend Time with the Animals at NYC Zoos

Both Central Park and Prospect Park have zoos that are open to the public. My girls love visiting zoos and seeing the animals up close. It is one of my family’s favorite ways to spend an afternoon. Plus, the fall is a great time to visit the zoo because the animals are more active than other seasons of the year.

And if the weather doesn’t cooperate…

If we need to get out of the house and it is raining or snowing, we just head to one of the nearest indoor play areas. My girls think Chuck E Cheese is the most fun place ever. I can put up with the noise and excitement because I know it makes them happy – and sleepy. Time Out also has a guide to other great ideas for indoor NYC play spaces if you are looking for somewhere new.

September 12, 2018

Staying Healthy and Happy with Zarbee’s Naturals Honey Cough Soothers + Immune Support*

September 12, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

This post is sponsored by Zarbee's Naturals. The content and opinions expressed here are that of Inrachelshoes.

As the school year begins, I like to have everything we need to stay healthy on hand. But, with young kids, I have to make important decisions about what products we use to feel our best. I want to give my girls the very best – especially when it comes to things that go into their little bodies.

That’s the main reason why I love Zarbee’s Naturals. Zarbee’s Naturals handpicks its carefully-sourced, wholesome ingredients, ensuring only the best for my family. Knowing it was founded by a pediatrician, Zarbee’s Naturals offers products for the whole family to enjoy, that you can trust without all the extra additives or artificial flavors.

Taking Care of Mom First

As all moms know, you have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your little ones, so I am always looking for something I can use to take care of myself. Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers stand out because they can be used as needed since they are made with simple, wholesome ingredients to soothe coughs associated with hoarseness, dry throat, and irritants*. Even better, these Honey Cough Soothers also help support your immune system with key ingredients like Vitamin C, Zinc and Echinacea. Since I had some of the Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers + Immune Support* on hand, I tried one and was delighted by the taste and the way it helped soothe my throat.

Taking Care of My Kids

It is so frustrating for a mom when your kids are not feeling their best, and they are not willing to take anything that will help them. But, with these in my purse, I was hopeful I would be able to get one past my daughter’s locked lips. Fortunately, the product is designed with kids in mind and is delicious mixed berry flavor. My daughter didn’t fight me when it came to trying one of the purple soothers.

This is especially great news for parents of picky kids. It is a relief to have a kid-safe product when they have dry throats or an irritating tickle. I fully intend to keep them in my purse for quick access year-round.

Why I Am Recommending This Product

As a working mom, it is critical that I stay healthy. I have to stay on top of things at my job and at home. And, when I take care of myself, my daughters notice. I want to teach them to take care of themselves as well. That’s why I love how Zarbee’s Naturals has designed wholesome products for both parents and children. When my daughters see me use a Cough Soother when I sound hoarse, they’ll hopefully be more willing to ask for one when they need it.

Keep Zarbee’s Natural 96% Honey Cough Soothers on hand to help keep your family healthy and happy all school year long. I encourage my followers to add Zarbee’s Naturals to their bag this year.

September 09, 2018

Shoes for Kids with Flat Feet – From a Mom Who Knows

September 09, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

Eek! I recently learned Olivia has flat feet! I know I am not the only mom dealing with this issue as it is actually pretty common in kids. If your kid is one of the 44% of a 3-to-6-year old child with flat feet, then rest assured you are not alone.

Fortunately, for most children, the problem corrects itself as children grow. However, if the problem is not addressed, it can lead to more serious problems in the future. As a mom, I want to be sure I am doing all I can to make sure my daughter starts off on the right foot (sorry – I couldn’t resist a foot pun!).

So, I have done my homework to find out all I need to know about flat feet (or pes planus – a flattening of the arches) and how to treat it.

What Causes Flat Feet in Kids

According to the Mayo Clinic, “A flat foot is normal in infants and toddlers, because the foot's arch hasn't yet developed. Most people's arches develop throughout childhood, but some people never develop arches.”

While the condition is common, the problems occur when little ones never develop arches. In these cases, children may experience pain, improper walking, and poor foot development. Ouch! Not at all things I want my sweet daughter to have to face.

Do’s and Don’ts for Kids with Flat Feet

Thankfully, most kids with flat feet do not need to have anything extreme done to help them overcome this issue. However, there are few simple do’s and don’ts we can try as parents.

Do speak to your pediatrician. A pediatrician will be able to evaluate your child and make recommendations.
Do take your pediatrician’s advice, such as pursuing physical therapy.
Do have your child wear inserts (especially your doctor recommends a custom orthotic device).
Do teach your child to rest and stretch.
Do temporarily modify your child’ activities, so he/she isn’t standing or walking for long periods of time if your child is experiencing pain as a result of pain feet.
Do invest in supportive footwear. (I’m listing the best brands of supportive footwear below!)
Don’t wear shoes without support.
Don’t wear shoes without an arc (such as Converse or Vans).
Don’t try to save money by buying lower quality shoes.
Don’t buy shoes without having your child try them on. If your child is wearing a shoe that does not fit, it will only make the problem worse.

7 Shoe Brands to Invest in for Kids with Flat Feet

When it comes to giving your kid the best shot at living with flat feet, the best thing you can do is invest in great, supportive footwear. It will be worth it in the end! To give you some ideas, I have identified the seven best shoe brands for kids with flat feet.

Asics – They offer a great selection of supportive and colorful sneakers for toddlers on up.

Saucony – Their kid’s athletic shoe line begins with baby sizes and are all designed to offer support.

New Balance – They are known for their supportive athletic shoes for adults, but their shoes are also great for toddlers and preschoolers with flat feet.

Robeez – This brand is recommended by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) because their shoes are designed to help healthy foot development.

Stride Rite – They make high-quality children’s shoes designed to encourage healthy movement for babies up to big kids.

Crocs – Kids love crocs, and their arch design and ability to contour to the shape of the foot make them stand out.

Salt Water Sandals – If you are looking for sandals for your child with flat feet, I recommend Salt Water sandals. These high-quality sandals are made of genuine leather and come in a variety of colors.

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August 27, 2018

School Lunch Packing Tips for Busy Working Moms

August 27, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

Mornings are stressful. Between waking up and rushing around to get myself ready for work, I also must make sure my girls are up and ready to go to school. Between making sure the girls are dressed, fed, and have their teeth brushed, I also have to be sure they have a healthy lunch packed for school.

As most working moms have learned, packing school lunches can be the one thing that sends out mornings into complete chaos. If you don’t have a plan, you will be scrambling to throw something into your child’s lunchbox and rushing to get out the door on time. And, the scrambling usually doesn’t lead to a very healthy lunch for your kid or a healthy start to your day.

Since mornings are not my favorite, I need to have time to wake up without feeling rushed. A chaotic morning is the worst! One way to avoid the morning chaos is to have some solid school lunch packing plans.

For other NYC working moms, here are some of the tips I have picked up that make mornings and lunches healthier for my girls and myself.

Make Time in Your Schedule

You are already busy, but I promise if you plan time to prepare and pack school lunches, your mornings will be so much better. Instead of rushing around throwing anything into your kid’s lunchbox, just schedule time to make it happen. For instance, some moms schedule an hour on Sunday evenings to prep school lunches for the week. If you don’t like that idea, then set the alarm for ten minutes earlier to schedule time for school lunch packing.

But, you should also have a plan for when we lose track of time. I make sure we have Little Bites on hand for mornings when things don’t go quite as planned. These packaged muffins really save the morning when we are rushing out the door.

Have Set Rules for What Goes In and What Stays Out

It won’t be nearly as hard to pack a school lunch if your family has a clear rule for what goes in a lunchbox and what does not. This makes both grocery shopping for school lunches and packing school lunches much easier. For example, many moms follow the “one of” rule – one of each of the following: protein, dairy, carb, fruit, and veggie. And, don’t forget to pack something to drink! In our house, I always make sure my girls leave for school with a bottle of water.

Let Your Kids Help

There is no reason you should have to do everything (especially when you are doing so much already!). School lunch packing is not difficult – it is simply time-consuming. Instead, let your kids help. If they know what things should go in their lunchbox, it will make this much easier! Also, it is a good idea to have school lunch items in places they can reach. For example, use the lower shelves of the refrigerator or the pantry for school lunch items only.

Bonus – take your kids grocery shopping with you! Grocery shopping for school lunches is full of teachable moments. You can point out healthy foods they can buy for their lunches and teach math skills. Plus, they are more likely to be excited to help pack their lunches if they have chosen what will go inside their lunchboxes.

Stock Up on Storage Solutions

All moms have their own ways of packing their kids’ school lunches. No matter if you want to use Bento boxes or Ziploc bags, you want to be sure you always have enough storage solutions on hand.

Do Your Prep Work

Like scheduling time to pack lunches, your mornings will be much smoother if you have done some prep work ahead of time. If you have leftovers, go ahead and store them in the containers you use for school lunches. Also, cutting fruits and veggies ahead of time will help out tons in the rush of the morning.

Don’t Forget Before and After School

Finally, don’t forget to make sure your kids take their vitamins in the morning before they go to school. While we can’t make sure they eat what is in their lunchbox, we can make sure they take their Zarbees vitamin.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to have after school snacks ready. This doesn’t mean you have to bake cookies or anything – simply have an after-school basket full of snacks ready for them.

August 08, 2018

Back to School with Zarbee's Natural Elderberry Immune Support Gummies!

August 08, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

This post is sponsored by Zarbee's Naturals. The content and opinions expressed here are that of Inrachelshoes.

It is almost time for my girls to head back to school and I need to make sure they're healthy to start the school year. I also need to take care of myself so I can keep up with them! It's important to maintain a healthy immune system and that's why me and my family take Zarbee's Naturals Elderberry Immune Support Gummies – for both adults and children.

For us, it's important when taking immune-supporting products that they are made of wholesome ingredients. What's special about Zarbee's Naturals is their products are packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Specifically, the Elderberry Immune Support Gummies are packed with real elderberry and zinc along with the essential vitamins. Instead of using gelatin, Zarbee's Naturals uses a plant-based alternative called Pectin that gives a soft and chewy fun texture to the gummies. Their products are free of any gluten, artificial flavors, sweeteners, alcohol, and dyes whenever possible so you can feel good about bringing them into your home!

A great way to start our day before we head to school (work for me) is to make sure my girls each have 2 gummies and I have 3 gummies. That way I know I’m getting a little extra support for the rest of the day. Both me and my daughters have a little bit of fun taking our gummies so they don't think of it as a chore. When they see mommy eating the same thing as them and know mommy is being healthy, they want to also!

Start your day with Zarbee's Naturals Elderberry Immune Support Gummies and make it part of your routine so you and your family will always get that much needed extra support in staying healthy and getting through the day! You can check this out to learn even more about what makes Zarbee's Naturals products so special and where you can easily get them!

May 15, 2018

Epcot, Magical Kingdom, and the Princess Makeover of a Lifetime!

May 15, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

EPCOT CENTER

We spent a day at Epcot Center going on some of the rides and doing a lot of walking around visiting the different countries that were represented. The girls had a mission - to find Belle and Mulan! When they did find them, they were able to get their autograph books signed by the strong princesses they've always looked up to! They also loved the Little Nemo ride that made them feel like they were all a part of living under the sea.

At night we saw the Epcot globe lit up purple and got together with our group to eat at Coral Reef Restaurant...what an adventure!! We got to eat in front of a HUGE fish tank where there was an ecosystem of aquatic life which the girls adored. We even had a diver stop by and join us for a bit inside the tank! Other than the incredible view we had from our dinner table, the food was delicious and it was just such a relaxing and much needed place to unwind after the tiring daytime.

To finish the day off with a cherry on top we saw an amazing performance of Reflections on Earth which was a big show and a grand fireworks extravaganza show full of beautiful colors that blew my girls away!

MAGIC KINGDOM

Our final day was at Magic Kingdom, probably my daughter's favorite park. We had an amazing breakfast at the Be Our Guest restaurant based on the movie Beauty and The Beast. We were served our breakfast in this beautiful ballroom that was designed to look just like the Be Our Guest scene from the movie. Even the waiters and waitresses were dressed accordingly in costumes!

My daughters finally got to meet after a lifetime of watching them on the TV screen and getting to talk with them in real life and taking pictures, holding hands with the characters really put a huge smile on their face. There are a lot of thing to do in this park and the girls had their first roller coaster at the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! We went all together and as you can see my oldest in the front is holding on for dear life, while my youngest in the back has the biggest smile on her face (she’s more of a daredevil). When we got off the ride, the two of them both could not express how much they loved it. After, we went to the Disney Springs where it’s an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex, good for both adults and kids to enjoy. We Had gone there for an early dinner trying the Chef’s Art Smith’s Homecomin’ where they had lovely options to eat. Soooo delicious!

Then we went for the girls favorite part.. the Bibbidi Boddidi Boutique to get princess makeovers!! The girls got to choose their favorite princess makeover (my eldest chose Belle and my little one picked Aurora). They were taken to to get the whole royal treatment as a true princess would get like having their hair, makeup, and nails done. Watching them was really such a delight to see their faces light up at the thought of transforming into real princesses. Though in my eyes they are forever my Princesses. After the whole makeover process they went for a beautiful photoshoot with these incredible backdrops that made them look like they were in their Disney film. And just like that, our trip ended with a Princess happy ending!

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April 30, 2018

DisneyWorld for the first time with a preschooler (and an older one)!

April 30, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

This is our first time to Disney World with my two daughters, one which is a preschooler and I learned quite a whole lot of things. Seeing their eyes go wide with amazement is true joy and exhilaration when they enter and see a real castle for the first time. It’s best to be organized and prepare for smooth sailing without any unnecessary mishaps that might make the trip any less enjoyable. There are some things that I found to be really helpful to keep in mind that I’d like to share:

Firstly, let’s start with some packing tips. THE most important thing to pack, I believe, is a single stroller, and if not, get it at the park because although they are full of energy, preschoolers tire out really fast in a place as big as Disney. There’s tons of walking around involved and unless you want to be carrying around your tired preschooler around all day when they get hot and tired, stroller is a necessity! Always pack 2-3 outfits per day, just in case the weather does not go according to forecast (which we all know happens now more often than ever before). Also, you never know if your preschooler might have some kind of accident or maybe make a mess in all the fun their having. There’s also lots of water splashing rides that maybe your child will want to stand by and get splashed, or even you and your entire family might unknowingly be in a splash zone (really… that happens).

Now if you're flying to Florida on a plane, sometimes toddlers need their afternoon nap and it’s best to find a flight sometime in the morning rather than in the middle of the day. I would say between 9am-10am is your best bet. You don’t want it to be too early because you have to get them up and also allow yourself enough time to make it to the airport without any rush, because let’s be honest, rush = stress = everybody is upset. Then it’ll work out perfectly that by the time you’re on the plane, your kids can distract themselves with something like a movie or the iPad and then eventually fall asleep. And the next thing you know, they’ve landed and you are trouble free for the duration of the flight plus they’ll be fresh and ready for the start to Disney World.

The flight on the way home we like to approach a little differently. I recommend finding flights in the later afternoon around 3pm-4pm, after their naptime. The reason I say this is that the timing will work out perfectly that when the flight arrives home, it’ll be just in time for dinner and then they’ll perfectly tire out from the flight (and the entire trip to say the least) just after, in time for bedtime. They’ll wake up back home the next morning, wide eyed and well rested, with most magical memories of Walt Disney World!!

We had the pleasure of staying at the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which has the largest pool of the Disney World Resorts. It is beautifully made with a Finding Nemo theme which was design for the kids to feel as if they were playing in the water as Nemo did with his friends. Though that was not the only theme there are also The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Cars, which is the suite where we stayed. There were Cars animations all over the walls and hallways, as well as Cars models scattered around for the girls to pose cute pictures with. Disney really know how to integrate a theme in to all parts of to make the kids feel like they’re in the movies. Might I add, for the parents, they had great service and were sure to have our stay be as easy and convenient for us as possible. They have two location at which you can eat where the service was impeccable. One of them was by the pool for the adults and the other one is a dining hall which serves a delicious assortments of hot foods, all including the choice of pizza which is the favorite food to both my daughters… and I’m sure that stands true for many kids!! We got to use these Disney Quick-Service Dine Cards which is a great option because these gift cards have more value that the price you pay for the card. You can using them at many dining locations around the park for your meals and snacks. It’s so quick and easy and rids you of the burden of carrying around any money with you!

It’s really unbelievable how Disney World makes each park seem as if your stepping out of reality into another world! Unlike any other park, the Animal Kingdom was so full of green and nature everywhere you look. I was happy to see my kids enjoy a jungle like, natured theme park so much. We had gone on a few rides as a family such as the Triceratops Spin which is a perfect ride for preschoolers and small children. My youngest is in love with dinosaurs so she was definitely ecstatic about that one. But the most extraordinary ride was the Navi River Journey, located in Disney’s new (Avatar movie’s) Pandora themed area.

My goodness, it’s really something that has to be experienced for yourself and that words themselves could not do it justice! The Navi River Journey is calm boat ride, which can be done as a family even will small children, which takes you through the world of Pandora. Even if you’ve never watched the movie Avatar, this is something you’re going to want to experience… and then will probably end up wanting to watch the movie afterwards. You’re sitting in this boat that flows down the “Navi River” through this science fiction, luminescent jungle of glow lights, immersing you in the theme of the earth and animal, shining a light (literally) on the feeling of being one with nature. Everything is this area is very grand and colorful creating a very realistic environment as if you were really living in the Avatar movie.

We also experienced the River of Light which was a night show with these beautiful fixtures in the water, using tons of colorful lights and beautiful dancers dressed in marvelous costume designs. The show included some extravagantly designed animals and water structures that synchronizes to the music. What a magical way to end the night!

As mother and parents, we are well aware of how tough it is to travel with young children. Especially somewhere such as Disney World where they have many resorts and parks in which car travel between the destinations are unavoidable. It’s always a concern of mine in the back of my mind that my girls won’t have car seats… We mothers just can’t help ourselves from worry for our most precious cargo! But boy does Disney know how to allow you to enjoy your stay as worry-free and comfortable as possible!

They have this service called the “Minnie” Van Service where they partnered with LYFT. Its an absolutely adorable van covered in Minnie Mouse polka-dots—which might I mention, our girls were freaking out about. It so incredibly convenient and most importantly cheap! It's an easy thing to do, just order it off the LYFT app on you phone - you can just easily choose the 'Minnie Van" car. For $25, the Minnie Van will pick you up from your resort and drive you to almost any of their parks and vice versa. I know you might now be thinking, “well I can just call my own car service and they would do the same” or “well I can just take the bus with my family instead.” But firstly, let’s be honest with ourselves and think for a second… if you are a mother you know the difficulties of what it means to ride a crowded bus with your strollers, all your bags, and two little children. The Minnie Van Service also provides two car seats for children and babies which was invaluable for us. As I mentioned earlier, the girls were freaking out about the Minnie Mouse theme of the cars… to them it almost counted as an amusement park ride on its own!

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we had breakfast at Disney Junior Play ‘N Dine where we were able to dine with the characters my daughters grew up watching on tv! Their favorite character is Sophia so for them to be able to wake up in the morning and first thing was to have breakfast with Sophia and friends was an absolute joy for them. Even though at times, our youngest was upset because she wanted to go to the pool everyday (irrational children problems… helloooo we still have all of Disney World to see!).

One of the best things that Disney built for families with young ones and babies are the Baby Care Centers in all the parks. These are air-conditioned lounges set up for families with infants or children who need assistance with feeding or changing or cleaning. They also have on-site shops where you can buy formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, or any emergency over the counter medications. This full service facility is definitely welcomed and shows Disney's true commitment to making helping families out along with providing all the fun in the world!

Later that day, we went to see “First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing Along Celebration”, which you already know they had the time of their lives… ‘cause what child doesn’t love Frozen! The girls were singing their heads off to “Let it Go” with the live characters. The show later even had really snow that came down which was impressive and made the girls feel like they were really in the movie with the characters as they’ve always wished to be.

Us moms got a presentation of the upcoming Toy Story Land that is coming to the park this summer in June! It’s be a world created based on the Pixar’s Toy Story films, making you feel like you have shrunk to the size of toys as Woody and Buzz and all the other toys had felt, bringing the character to life on scale that you could only imagine!

With all the excitement during the day we ended going back to relax for a bit before our next stop: EPCOT and Magic Kingdom!

This post is sponsored by Disney. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Inrachelshoes.

April 16, 2018

Spending a Nickelodeon Sunny Day creating fabulous hairstyles!

April 16, 2018/ RACHEL CHOY

This post is sponsored by Nickelodeon. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Inrachelshoes.

Talented 10-year-old Sunny Day is a master hairstylist and salon owner. With her friends Rox and Blair and a can-do attitude, Sunny is ready to save the day—one hairdo at a time! Their teamwork and exchange of ideas is such a great example for kids, tune in and watch Sunny Day weekdays on Nickelodeon!

When picking shows for my girls to watch and enjoy I like shows that are fun, but they also need to teach a valuable lesson. Following a role model, a child can learn a lot about themselves which will help them towards their future. What kid wouldn’t learn life lessons taught by their FAVORITE character on TV! Nickelodeon’s show “Sunny Day” for instance is one of the top on my list.

The thing about “Sunny Day” that my husband and I love for the girls are the messages that are being conveyed to the kids through the plots and characters of the show. Being that Sunny, the main character on the show is a hairstylist, she is always looking for inspiration and is constantly journeying through her creative process of coming up with new hairstyles. I like that when my girls are watching the show on Nick Jr., they are learning what it means to be original and how ideas can come from the most trivial things that you would never expect. I sometimes overhear the two of them coming up with creative projects and how they’ve been inspired by something in outdoors and on their tablets.

Another key idea that “Sunny Day” hones in on is the significance of uniqueness by showing that being different or looking different can be a good thing. In this day and age I think it’s very important for our kids to understand that there is beauty in everyone, no matter the color of your hair, skin, eyes, and clothes. There is great diversity that’s exhibited in the show and my husband and I really enjoy that about the show. And it’s a lot of fun too! As Sunny would say - “Keep Smiling, Keep Styling”!

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I wanted to have some fun and create some Sunny Day-inspired hairstyles and here’s some tutorials to help you put your daughter’s hair in an awesome and fun way!

Maddie’s Hair Tutorial :

Step 1: Split the hair into three sections, creating an upside down “V” with the middle section of the parted hair. Then tie up the middle section to keep it out of your way.

Step 2: French braid the right and left parted sections while you still have the middle section tied up out of your way.

Step 3: Now you should have the two sides French braided and the middle section (that was tied) flowing free—or if you prefer to keep it tied, you can do it that way as well—and then braid the two side braids and the middle section into ONE braid.

Step 4: Add some pizazz! You can add some Sunny Day bow clips and clip them to the top of the left and right braid. For more color, add some Sunny Day colored extensions, and tuck the into the braid, or you can even braid them in! If you want some color without extensions, you can rub some colored hair chalk on the hair (thought it works better with lighter hair)