Okinawa: Kid Friendly Living

If there is one thing that we loving about living in Okinawa, it is 100% how kid friendly this place is! Everything is geared towards children, and it is amazing. The parks here have roller slides, are pirate themed and are on pretty much on every block. Think that they would be less crowded because of how many there are? Absolutely not! They are always jam packed. Of course, it is more of a city feel, but it is nothing like NYC or Chicago, think of a small city where most live in mansions (what they call apartment buildings) or condos. 

We live right near a park called Comprehensive Park. You can feed Koi fish, rent paddle boats, eat lunch or you could play on the massive playground that has sections for every age group. During the summer they also have a large swimming pool that is more of a water park, we can't wait to explore that. 

Comprehensive Park 

The restaurants have pretty much all had a fun themed kids meal, that has a good variety along with fun options. Here are a few that Luke has enjoyed since coming to the island. Not only are the kid meals super cute, but we have also been to a restaurant where they have a large play place for the kids to play while you eat. It is not tucked backed into a corner, it is front and center and the tables next to it also have an amazing ocean view.

Coco Curry House 

When shopping at the local mall, expect to find kid play places at mostly every store. No, not outside the store, but INSIDE the store. Below is the local Old Navy where they have coloring stations and a big spaceship that moves and makes noises.

Okinawa Rycom - Old Navy

It is not just the bigger stores that have this, it is also smaller stores like the Sanuk store that have a coloring station for kids. And did I mention they have an aquarium IN the mall? 

Okinawa Rycom

So far, I am fairly comfortable saying that we have A LOT to learn from the Japanese. Kids should be embraced in your life, you shouldn't have to pick and choose where you eat because you have a rambunctious toddler or feel like a solo trip to Target is a date. We should be embracing their crazy little moods and sending them over to the play place, while we enjoy our lattes! This is just one of the reasons we are loving our life in Okinawa, there are so many that I can't wait to share with you.

Make sure to follow along on our adventure through my Instagram AND my Facebook! 

Spice Motel - Okinawa, Japan

Recently, we stayed at a super fun and eclectic little motel called Spice Hotel.

 Long story short we wanted a cheap place to stay for the night, since we would be without furniture for one night in our new home. The military lets you use loaner furniture until your HHG (household goods shipment) arrives on the island. The only catch is that you can not have it picked up the same day as the moves bring your large shipment. Makes sense, but it causes the small problem of what you will sleep, eat and sit on for 24 hours. The base hotel was booked, and quite frankly after living there for 3 weeks, I was not super unhappy about it being full.

I wanted somewhere that was relatively close to our house, since we had to be back super early to meet the movers. I found Spice Motel through Hotels.com, which I don't often use but thought it was easy to navigate. Spice was recently renovated and is designed to take you back in time. The original motel was used during the beginning of the U.S. occupation on Okinawa, during the 50's. It was renovated by an architectural design company last year and is now run as a fill time, 17 room, hotel.

Location was OK, not much within walking distance, but as long as you have a car it would be fine. It was easy to find and at the top of a huge hill, so the view was really pretty. We stayed in the Twin Room, which had bunk beds and one twin platform bed. They had no extra pillows or blankets for the platform bed, which was problematic. We luckily were able to go and get some from the house, but someone visiting would have a hard time. It was Luke and the two of us, so it was pretty tight but the ceiling was high and it made it feel much bigger. We have been without TV for over 2 weeks, so the lack of TV was not a big deal to us at all. The mattresses were thin but I think that is relatively common. I am not going to go as far to say they were comfortable, but hey we slept well so no complaints.

The bathroom was large and the shower was big! The soaps smelled yummy and unlike most hotels, they had a huge bottle of the soaps so no need to go small on the portions. It was relatively quiet throughout the night, with some noise towards the beginning but hey not everyone goes to bed at 9PM, so I can't really complain. They did have a community sitting area, along with a community kitchen that was locked. If you were planning on staying for a long period, I think it would be a nice place to eat breakfast or lunch. Complimentary coffee in the morning and beer was available to purchase during the office hours (8AM - 10PM).

All in all, I think it was a good hotel to sleep. Not large enough to hang out throughout the day and no amenities so to speak, but it got the job done and I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for a small and very affordable place to stay in Okinawa.

Happy traveling, 

Wow! It's been a long time....

Wow! It has been SOOO long since I have done a blog post and I am so sorry. I had the best of intentions to keep up the blogging, do lots of "second baby" prep work and just be overall really active on social media this summer. Alas, that did not happen.

A few things play into this, the first being that we listed our house back in July. At the time, we were thinking it was a good time to sell and to "get ready" for orders that may or may not come this year. Getting a house ready to sell is a lot of work, doing that work pregnant and with a 3 year old running around is near impossible. Since our house is still relatively new, it was some cosmetic and cleaning up work that we had to do. I am happy to report that after a month and a half on the market, we are under contract and awaiting our closing date, keep your fingers crossed!

Second was the fact that being pregnant while raising a toddler is HARD. I worked full time while I was pregnant with Luke, but this pregnancy has been some of the most tiring and draining days I have ever had. Ok, so Luke has slept really well for the past 2.5 years (like, really well) so I am not use to going on little sleep, but the naps that I have been taking during this pregnancy are epic. So good that there are many days where Luke wakes me up and let's me know that it is time for "Fireman Sam." I have gained more weight than I wanted to, but am still really active and getting in some good workouts at least 3 times a week so that is a plus. All in all, I am healthy, baby girl is healthy and Luke is still beyond excited about the addition so there is not much more I could want. 

The military is funny because things can happen rather quickly. Sometimes you have an idea that something is coming and sometimes you have no idea. We have been trying to move for about two years now, not because we don't love Tucson, but because one of the benefits of living this military lifestyle is that you get the chance to live in places you would never have even thought about living. You can raise your kids in another country, you can live in a state that was never even on your radar (hello, Arizona) and you get to do it all while having some job security. Some may not agree but for us, those experiences is a huge reason we decided to make this a full career for Ryan.

So, when he received the email that we were headed to Kadena AFB we were thrilled! That's right in one month we will be headed to Japan to live for 4 years. Crazy, right?! We took a few days to process the information before telling anyone. We knew our family would have mixed emotions and honestly, we had mixed emotions. They wanted us there in November which was a few weeks before my due date, we hadn't sold our house, our dog would be no where near her finishing her quarantine period by the time we would arrive and most importantly this was a HUGE move. I also took a LONG time to announce to the blogging world our big move. This was for a lot of reasons.  Things can always change in the military and mainly I was so busy and focused on getting everyone and everything ready for this move that it left very little time to do much of anything else. 

On average you get 6-8 months to prepare for a move this big, we got a 2.5 month notice. There are medical things to do beforehand, there are passports to get, there is lots of money and lots of vet appointments involved to get your dog ready for the island and then throw in the fact that I am pregnant and we had to keep the house ready for showings. It was a wild month of July and August but I am happy to report that the house is under contract and the we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. In fact the movers are here right now packing up all, OK half of our stuff, for the big move.

This blog has been so important to me for the past year and half. I kept it going through a 4 month deployment, which is a huge feat in itself, and I have been so happy to see how the recipes and the stories have helped people. I will continue to blog. Yes, you may see more traveling and military lifestyle posts, but I hope you stick around to see our life and adventures in Okinawa. The next few months will be sporadic posts, since I won't have my computer, we will be in the process of traveling to Japan and well, don't forget about baby #2 that will come a short month and half after we arrive on island. I have SO much I want to share with all of you about this process, and I have a few posts in the works, but for now I am excited to showcase the freezer meals that I have been preparing for the time we will be in the house with no household goods before we leave AZ. Every day next week, I will showcase a recipe on my Instagram account. So make sure to follow along if you are planning a move or need some "Back to School" inspiration!

Also make sure to follow along on this crazy journey, using #NYEfamilymovestoJAPAN!

さようなら

Sayōnara

The Summer Staycation Guide

Being military, we have lived in resort towns and we have lived in places that summer is the off season. So, I feel like we have run the gamant on staycations. Depending on where you live, the staycation season may be summer or winter, but regardless there is most definitely a season that is around where resorts and hotels offer discounts. 

We now reside in southern Arizona, which means our summers are HOT. Like so hot that we are breaking records over here, 119 anyone? Most vacationers would rather be by a body of water when it is that hot, and water we do not have. We are also known for our hiking and unless you love hiking in the middle of the night, when the temps cool down, chances are you won't visit in the summer. So, resorts and hotels deeply discount their prices, in hopes that locals take advantage of the cheaper prices and summer packages. We are HUGE fans of staycations, so I thought I would share with you some of our my tips and tricks to finding the best deals.

1. Military Rates - If you are military, chances are that there are some great prices out there for you. Make sure to call the hotels and ask for the government rate, or for military discounts. Maybe it's a free round of golf or maybe it is a deep discount on a room. Desert Diamond, is a local casino that offers military members (and veterans) 2 free nights at their hotel, each month! It is always worth a call. 

2. Stay mid week - Yes, this is hard for the working folk. When we stay mid-week sometimes Ryan takes off work and sometimes he just joins us after work for the fun. Regardless, it is always a good time and the rates and availability will no doubt be lower. 

3. Search AirBNB - Houses that use this service are usually giving away their places during the off season. They want to make some money and not let the rental sit empty. We love taking advantage of the Phoenix, AZ rentals this time of year, and have found some amazing rates. 

4. Order In - A lot of resorts have food available, but usually not a very good price. Order take out from a local restaurant or order pizza delivery. This will save some money. Also, bring as much food as you can. We usually bring snacks and lunch stuff to help with the cost of the staycation. Some resorts will offer packages where kids eat free and this can also be a huge money saver, so make sure you shop around.

5. Be Flexible - Ever thought about a family staycation at a casino? We didn't either, until we moved to the mecca of casinos. We totally take advantage of the casinos discounted hotel rates and usually we don't even step foot in the casino. The hotels are typically attached to conference centers, so they are usually family friendly with great amenities. And have I mentioned how cheap drinks are at casinos? Try it out, you may be surprised. 

If you are close to Arizona, here are some of our favorite places to staycation in both Phoenix and Tucson! 

Tucson 

Casino Del Sol

Tubac Golf Resort and Spa - Great golf specials!

JW Marriot Tucson Starr Pass 

Hilton El Conquistador 

Phoenix

Wigwam Arizona - great pool and amenities

Talking Stick Resort 

JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa - kids eat free all summer long!

Sqauw Peak Resort 

Happy vacationing, 

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What No One Tells You About Traveling With a Toddler..

We live far away from family. I have a sister who lives within a few hours, but all other family is a airplane ride away. Needless to say our little guy has become quite the frequent flyer, he even has his own frequent flyer number (we love you, Southwest)! 



Listen, I used to be that person who loathed hearing a loud baby or a needy toddler on the plane. I would throw a dirty look, put on my earphones and judge away. But, guess what? You have NO idea. 

So much time goes into making sure my 3 year old will make your flight enjoyable. I sneak away days before to go to the dollar store, solo, and pick out toys that will keep him busy for 4 hours in the air. I come home and individually wrap those presents, so it gives him an extra two minutes of unwrapping fun. I schedule flights around nap time, to better my chances of him sleeping. I think and rethink what his favorite snacks are at that moment, so that he will have exactly what he wants to eat, when he wants to eat it. I throw the "no sugar" allowed rule to the side, and load up on jelly beans and Swedish Fish. I pray that the episode I just downloaded of Fireman Sam is the exact one he wants to watch that day. 

No matter how much time or effort I put into making sure my toddler doesn't disturb you, he probably will. He won't like the color of the car that I bought from the store. He will say there is too much tape on the wrapping paper. He will decide that he doesn't need a nap on the day of the flight. His new favorite food that day is spaghetti, and guess what? I didn't pack spaghetti. He will eat all the sugar and all the candy and decide that he now wants to jump around the plane. And guess what? His new favorite show on the day of the flight is Caillou, not Fireman Sam. 

I ask you, solo traveler, older gentleman, mom traveling without her kids, or young entrepreneur on their way to enjoy a much needed vacation, give me and my loving toddler a break. He hasn't seen his Nonnie in 6 months. He is excited to go to the beach. We are flying to see friends of ours who we have not seen in over 3 years. He is excited and he may be a bit moody because flying 30,000 feet above ground is not his usual daily routine. Understand that he may have 3 minutes of unhappiness, but also understand that he LOVES planes and he would love for you to ask him about his airplane ride or let him know you think he is a great traveler. 

At the end of the day we paid for our tickets too, and we are just trying to make the best of a situation that is completely out of our hands. And guess what, we too are annoyed by the tantrums, but we also know that he is 3 and he will get over it. We also know that in the grand scheme of things this is just a few hours out of your day. Put on your headphones, enjoy your book and say a little prayer for us! 

Happy traveling, 

sister visit recap

As most of you know by now, I grew up in Ohio and now live in the great southwest. Our immediate family is all over the US, and it makes seeing them very difficult. I am a HUGE promoter of moving away from the "norm" for a few years. It does amazing things for you, your relationships and your well being. What's life if you don't experience different cultures, new ideas and new people? Its invigorating!

That being said, we miss family, a lot!  Both Ryan and I's families were so close growing up, it is important to me that Luke has that same connection. So, trips that we make to visit family are extra special. We don't get to go over to my sister's for Sunday dinner, if I need a last minute babysitter, I can't call my mom, it is different but it makes the time we spend together so important. 

Recently, Luke and I made a 12 hour trek across a few states (make sure to check out my road trip post), so we could spend some quality time with my older sister and her family. It was two weeks of fun! 

We had such a wonderful visit, filled with so much love, laughs, and a few scary moments.  

The area that my sister lives has such great parks. Every city and every neighborhood has an amazing space, most with shade and some even have a splash pad! You really get the sense that it is family friendly and they want to put money into teaching their kids to play and enjoy being outdoors. I love that! We frequent parks a lot, they are free and fill the mornings with fun. 

Not only did we enjoy the local parks. But we also took advantage of Sea World's, Waves of Honor, promotion. Sea World San Antonio offers active duty, and family, one free admission a year. It is an amazing promotion and we were so lucky to have been able to use it. Make sure to look into the discount, if you are around a Sea World or a Busch Gardens! We love military discounts! 

Luke loved this place! He has never really been to an amusement park, so I wasn't sure what to expect but he really enjoyed all the activities. 

My sister loves cooking with her kids as much as I love cooking with Luke, so one night we suited the kids up with aprons and put them to work. We had so much fun making chocolate chip cookies (make sure to check the bottom of this post for my secret ingredient) and assembling a pizza. It was a fun way to pass the time and the kids did so well! 

 

I love, love, love running in their town. It is full of hills, which is not something I am used to, and the scenery is magical and much different than the desert. It is amazing! This time I explored some of their local trails and was very impressed. Trail running is so different depending on the terrain you are in, this one was challenging but exactly what I needed. My sister and I also got in a few workouts together, which is so much fun. If I was brave I would post the video of her and I doing Shaun T's new program, CIZE,  so you will have to take our word that it is AMAZING! 

My sister and I were lucky to be able to have a few sister dates, THANK YOU to her husband for holding down the fort and treating us to an amazing dinner out! We even got to visit a trendy bar, which is not something we SAHM's get to do very often. We have been close for many years and have gone through a lot together, she has acted as my voice of reason on many occasions and it is always nice to be reminded of how deep our friendship is. 

Thanks for the reinforcements, the laughs and the words of encouragements those two weeks! We love you all!! 

Below is my favorite cookie recipe. 
Yes, it is very similar to the nestle toll house recipe, which is where my inspiration came from, but I always add my secret ingredient, cinnamon. Trust me, you will never go back to the original!! 

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 ¼ cup butter

¾ cup granulated sugar

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 ½ cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350°

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. 

Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. 

Gradually beat in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and hand stir until well mixed. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto baking sheets, lined with parchment paper. 

Bake for 9-11 minutes, let cool on cookie sheets for 2 minutes and remove to wire rack to continue cooling! 

I often like to enjoy my cookies with a glass (or a bottle) of chardonnay! 
Hope you enjoy! 

Happy travels, 

Meredith