A Sign of the Times and the Journal

Just noticed a blog entry on WSJ.com about Ikea and other stores that offer child care.

This piece follows the piece Michelle Higgins did on Ikea a few weeks back in The New York Times. (Did we mention that the Times piece mentioned Two and a Half Travelers?)

The WSJ blog took a slightly different angle than The Times. They included a few other establishments that offer free child care and raised the question whether germs are a potential deterrent for dropping your kids at the ball room.

I was at Ikea a few weeks ago and the ball room looked pretty full to me!

One For the Road

Two and a Half Travelers is in serious like with Matchbox's firehouse pop up play set.

Among the veritable sea of portable car choices, we think this is great choice for vacationing because:

• The firehouse has lots of cool moveable doors, ladders and ramps that will keep curious, easily-bored toddlers busy.
• The firetruck comes with the set and you can use regular matchbox cars that you probably already own. No need to go by yet another whole set of cars and trucks.
• It's big enough to make an impact but collapses down to just 6 inches square by 3 inches high collapsed. Perfect for travelers who prefer not to check baggage.

We found our pop-up set at Target, but we have also seen them on amazon.com for less than $20 (before shipping).

Simple Advice for ALL Travelers

Don't you love how Real Simple magazine makes everything seem - you know, simple?

Take a peek at the magazine's recent 10 Things Every Traveler Should Do list.

P.S. wouldn't this red luggage be perfect if it had wheels?

Not so-itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny bikinis

If you're babymooning or just lounging around the municipal pool drinking virgin daquiris this summer, check out Parenting.com's picks for the year's coolest maternity bathing suits.

This Maternal America Jenni Tankini from tummystyle.com caught my eye immediately but this collection has a style for everyone at a variety of price points.

What's On Your iPhone?

My friends at Apple sent me (and millions of their other BFF's) an e-mail announcing that the new iPhone 3G S is hitting the shelves on Friday. Apparently the new iPhone lets you do more than ever - faster.

My hard-core multi-tasking Mom self cheered this new development but the sentimental Mom part that fell head over heals in love with the iPhone she got last Christmas, is a little bummed that she's no longer so cutting-edge. It's unlikely that I'll run out and buy the new iPhone anytime soon but I'm not ruling out an O/S update.

So in honor of my current iPhone and all the ways it's changed my life I wanted to share a few of the apps that fuel this multi-tasking Mom.

• New York Times Mobile - Just enough information to make it look like you don't get all your news from Twitter.


• Online Banking - Immediate access to bank account balances so you can confirm that without a doubt, kids make you poor.


• Twitter Fon -- Clean, simple and easy to use twitter interface so you can stay up to date with your tweeps from the playground.


• Facebook -- Best way to keep up with my nearly 80-year old grandmother.


• Kayak -- For those times when you must know immediately the price of a round-trip ticket from JFK to Cairo.


• myAnswers -- "Is this the most efficient way to make quick decisions?" It is certain.

So what do you think? Comment on this blog entry or write on your own blog entry about what iPhone apps make your life easier. (Make sure to leave a comment with a link to your blog post!)

Sunny Day in Langhorne, Pa.

We just completed a rite of passage for families of small children in the metro New York / Philly area -- our first trip to Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa.

The verdict: not bad at all.

Sure the food isn't much to write home about, the park appears to be run by the local high school student council and there was no shortage of park patrons with bad tattoos and questionably-executed 'Kate' hair.

BUT The Toddler seemed to love every minute of it and the Mr. and I couldn't have had a better time watching him.

A few of our 2 year-old's favorites:

• Sunny Day Carousel
• Mix 'n Match Twiddle Tracks
• Ernie's Waterworks (located near sandy 'beaches' that make a perfect home base)
  

Places we'll be sure to hit on our next visit:

• The Count's Splash Castle (this brand new attraction seemed a little too intense for our guy but there's always next year).
• Big Bird's Rambling River (may be a better choice midweek when wait times are likely to be shorter).

Keep in mind:

• Sesame Place is a park probably best experienced by preschoolers
  
• The park is no substitute for larger amusement parks nearby but it makes a nice day trip for younger families
• 10 feet by 10 feet cabana's near The Count's Splash Castle can be rented for the day. They're not cheap at $129.99 (plus tax) for the day but it might be worthwhile for larger families or if you're traveling with a few other families. The cabana includes bottled water, comfy furniture, a ceiling fan, mini fridge and 6 souvenir beach towels

Photo courtesy of space.Boy

A Sweet Buzz

The buzz is pleasantly deafening here today as we enjoy our mention in Michelle Higgins' article in The New York Times Home & Garden section.

A Cheap Date, With Child Care from Ikea refers to our fun and economical 'Date Nights' at Ikea as well as Two and a Half Travelers' blog entry Vacations by Ikea.

We're not biased but we think the article turned out great. Not so sure about the photo that includes me chewing and making a funny face but I guess that's to be expected in an article on eating dinner at Ikea. Thankfully, The Toddler (who couldn't possibly be having more fun than he is in this photo) takes center stage.

Make sure to pick up a copy at the news stand.

Photo courtesy of: Min-bakingproject

Sometimes we all need a little perspective

When I find myself wondering if my child's car seat is properly installed, I think of this photo (captured in Hanoi in our pre-baby days) and I feel a lot better.

Who Knew?

I just met World Hum contributor and airline industry expert Rob Verger at a friend's housewarming party on Saturday afternoon.

Although he didn't mention it at the time, a little Twitter bird told me that he has willingly 'delayed' himself for 24 hours in JFK's fancy new Terminal 5.

Follow his 24 hour layover on World Hum or follow him on Twitter @robverger.

Photo by Rob Verger

Mix and match for your little global traveler

It's a no brainer. Well-coordinated and washable kids clothes are a critical part of a kid's suitcase.

Frequently these pieces happen to be from my favorite kids clothing store - Tea. In addition to their cute prints and casual style for "little citizens of the world", I love Tea's:

1) Online sales and specials
2) Their awesome pre-coordinated clothing sets, which are especially helpful for parents who are busy being "big citizens of the world".

In honor of the fact that today is the first time in days that I've seen the sun, I just ordered my son the cute and summery Carter set pictured above.

Hoping this purchase speeds the arrival of Summer here in the NYC metro area!

Contestant's Row Friday: Win a Babymoon to Laluna!

So you know that resort I've been carrying on about since returning from our family vacation to Grenada a month ago?

Looks like you'll have to suffer through another rave about this gorgeous resort but hopefully it will all be worth it if you enter and WIN Pregnancy Health Guru's four-night Laluna babymoon package!

Babymoon on a Budget: Labor Day Pampering at April Point

Despite the fact that your white shoes may have just re-emerged from the back of the closet, it isn't too early to think about babymoon travel plans for the official end of summer in the U.S. -- Labor Day.

Labor Day sounds like a perfect weekend for a pregnant woman to fly the coop, right?

If you're located in the pacific northwest or if you can pick up a pair of inexpensive air tickets to the Vancouver, BC-area, your ideal Labor Day weekend this year just may be a Babymoon on a Budget at April Point Resort & Spa.

The Numbers
April Point is offering its Thrill & Chill package for $229 (Canadian!) per night from August 30 - September 7 (based on double occupancy and a minimum booking of two nights).

Your package includes:

• Accommodations
• A Wildlife Viewing Tour (we highly recommend these tours)
  
• An Aveda spa treatment
  

Why April Point?
A perfect blend of nature, adventure and relaxation, April Point is a small resort (just 49 rooms) featuring a cozy spa, a wonderful gourmet restaurant and plenty of wildlife viewing. Opportunities for outdoor activities abound (kayaking, hiking, boating) but there are plenty of nooks where you can relax and enjoy a good book.

The resort is located on Quadra Island --a short water taxi ride away from Campbell River on Vancouver Island.

Book your budget babymoon
Contact: info@twoandahalftravelers.com or visit: www.aprilpoint.com

Two and a Half Travelers Launches Subscription eNewsletter

Two and a Half Travelers recently pressed the send button on our first eNewsletter. Our first issue summarizes some great vacation deals we gathered on our recent trip to Grenada and includes a link to some of our own vacation photos.

If you're interested in receiving our Spotlight on Grenada newsletter or future newsletters, simply enter your e-mail in the brand- spankin new subscription area located to the right.