When I was pregnant with my daughter a good friend told me to try to travel as much as we could when she was still a young baby. At the time of midnight feedings and a new baby we were just learning about, this sounded so overwhelming and staying at home seemed like the much easier option. Her reasoning for this was not only for the baby to become comfortable traveling while still young enough to adapt to it, but also because children under age two can fly on your lap (not as safe as purchasing their own seat with a car seat) for free. Once turning two they need their own purchased seat and are no longer a “lap riding infant”.
Since she was a newborn our family has been many amazing places and travel has become a very normal part of our lives with her. She is now approaching two and we just bought her first airline ticket with her own seat. It’s more expensive now and she will still probably prefer to lay on us but the extra room for snacks and in flight entertainment will be a nice change.
One thing that has been a constant since my daughter was born was her BOB Stroller. We have actually had a couple because of moves and have traveled with them to multiple countries. They hold everything and are perfect for all kinds of weather. They were originally a jogging stroller, but trust me, nothing is better for a long day at Disney or walking on cobblestone road. You feel secure that your child is safe. They are very stable. The tires are like bicycles and the amount of storage and accessories leaves your child riding in style and comfortable through kind of weather. The Revolution single jogging stroller has been our choice but there are duallie strollers (for two children) as well. Our favorite accessories have been the travel bag (especially if you intend to fly with it), handlebar console, and rain cover.
Here she is on one of our adventures. She chose her own outfit for our walk. 💕 Do your kids have any items they have to take with them when you travel or go out for the day? Let us know their favorites in the comments!
Before I had a baby I wasn’t too excited about a Minivan. Recently at Walt Disney World that all changed. Together with Lyft Disney has created a very fun ride called the “Minnie Van”. It is a collaboration with the ride share service and available for guests of the resorts around the parks. You can arrange a ride in a private Disney car right from your phone. A Disney cast member drives you, so you know you’re in good hands, and they can take you anywhere around Walt Disney World Resort. The service holds up to 6 guest with two available car seats (versatile car seats that can be either forward or rear facing or even a booster seat) for little guests.
The Minnie Van on our most recent WDW trip
On our last two trips to Walt Disney World we have had the opportunity to try the Minnie Van. One time from the Caribbean Beach Resort and once from the Polynesian. If you currently use Lyft you probably know how it works but additionally we had to ask for an activation code at the front desk to use the Minnie Van service.
Gianna loving the Minnie Van at WDW
On both trips the Disney cast member drivers were wonderful and so helpful and accompanying. The ride is $25 flat for a one way trip. Although this seems a bit high compared to normal ride sharing apps or the free transportation options WDW offers, when you are pressed for time or don’t want to deal with the bus service or other options it is a great time saver! Also being provided by Disney there is a feeling of additional safety and the provided car seats make it great for families.
The Minnie Van drops you off right where you need to be at the parks!
For us, we had a half day after travel to spend at the park so the time saved was well worth it. Disney music was playing during the trip which my daughter loved and it was so much fun to see her light up as she recognized a song. Both of our drivers have been so helpful and knew answers to any questions we have had.
On each trip, our Minnie Van was equipped with Graco 4ever car seats and Gianna loved them so much that we ended up getting one ourselves as her new “big girl” car seat!
Her new “Big Girl” car seat at home
If you are staying at a WDW property and are looking for a way to add a little special touch to shorten your trip to the park or ease to your day, make sure you try a Minnie Van. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks from our adventures at Walt Disney World in upcoming posts and follow us on Instagram @ATinySuitcase!
When my daughter was just over one year old she shot her first product packaging and print job as a model for the company Lulyboo. She had a great time doing it and enjoyed her first day in front of the camera at a professional photo studio.
Waiting for her next shot
Getting to know the Lulyboo products
I have worked as a model since I was a teenager and it was amazing to see her so comfortable on her first photo shoot (I know I wasn’t!). The whole team was so wonderful and knew just how to work with a baby and make her feel at ease. We shot at a studio in San Diego, California and she had a great day.
During the shoot with Lulyboo
Gianna on set with the wonderful women behind Lulyboo
Here is her ad for their Shopping Cart & Highchair cover. It is perfect for travel, has a zippered pocket and even has a place for a tablet or phone to keep kids busy while you shop or dine if you choose to. You can purchase it on the Lulyboo website, at Amazon, ToysRus, Target, Walmart, BuyBuyBaby, Bed Bath and Beyond and many more retailers.
The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website
The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website
Since then she has done more shoots and enjoys playing to the cameras (and all of the attention) but this was her first professional modeling job and we will never forget it and the wonderful crew she worked with at Lulyboo.
Our family recently relocated to The Bahamas for my husband’s work. Although our extended family lives here and we have visited often, nothing compares to the new adventure we are on. Traveling (and moving) with a toddler is always challenging.
Being based in California, London and Las Vegas previously, the island life is something you see in movies and photos on social media or are lucky enough to experience on a vacation or cruise (my previous experiences). Although we will be back and forth, we will be spending quite a bit of time here and it is truly like a dream. Spending the Winter in a tropical location adds a very fun twist to the normal cold holiday season.
Within a day of arriving, my daughter found a coconut that had fallen from a tree, cracked it open and we drank the water. One of her favorite movies is Moana so you can imagine how excited she was!
She found a fallen coconut
Just like Moana!
Learning about coconuts
Drinking the coconut water
If you want to escape the cold Winter this is the place to do it! Check back often for more about our adventures in The Bahamas here or on our social media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest
When Gianna was just over one year old (exactly a year ago actually) she shot her first product packaging and print job as a model for the company Lulyboo. She had a great time doing it and enjoyed her first day in front of the camera at a professional photo studio.
Waiting for her next shot
Getting to know the Lulyboo products
I have worked as a model since I was a teenager and it was amazing to see her so comfortable on her first photo shoot (I know I wasn’t!). The whole team was so wonderful and knew just how to work with a baby and make her feel at ease. We shot in San Diego, California and she had a great day.
During the shoot with Lulyboo
Gianna on set with the wonderful women behind Lulyboo
Here is her ad for their Shopping Cart & Highchair cover. It is perfect for travel and even has a place for a tablet or phone to keep kids busy while you shop or dine if you choose to. You can purchase it on the Lulyboo website, at Amazon, ToysRus, Walmart, BuyBuyBaby, Bed Bath and Beyond and many more retailers.
The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website
The advertisement for Lulyboo’s Shopping Cart & Highchair Cover from their website
Since then she has done more shoots and enjoys playing to the cameras (and all of the attention) but this was her first professional modeling job and we will never forget it and the wonderful crew she worked with at Lulyboo.
Our family recently relocated to The Bahamas for my husband’s work. Although our extended family lived here and we have visited often, nothing compares to the new adventure we are on. Traveling (and moving) with a toddler is always challenging.
Being based in California, London and Las Vegas previously, the island life is something you see in movies and photos on social media or are lucky enough to experience on a vacation or cruise (my previous experiences). Although we will be back and forth, we will be spending quite a bit of time here and it is truly like a dream. Spending the Winter in a tropical location adds a very fun twist to the normal cold holiday season.
Within a day of arriving Gianna found a coconut that had fallen from a tree, cracked it open and we drank the water. One of her favorite movies is Moana so you can imagine how excited she was!
She found a fallen coconut
Just like Moana!
Learning about coconuts
Drinking the coconut water
If you want to escape the cold Winter this is the place to do it! Check back often for more about our adventures in The Bahamas here or on our social media Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, & Pinterest
It’s been awhile since a post at ATS but we have been having lots of changes around here! We are moving to Nassau in The Bahamas.
We are moving in the next two weeks! A Tiny Suitcase will still be based around family travel but now include much more about our Island life and travel based from there.
We hope you follow along with us on our next A Tiny Suitcase adventure and check our social media for photo and video updates.
The Summer weather has been wild lately and it has been raining with thunderstorms so we took advantage of our chance this to dance in the rain! Check it out on Instagram!
When I was pregnant with my daughter a good friend told me to try to travel as much as we could when she was still a young baby. At the time of midnight feedings and a new baby we were just learning about, this sounded so overwhelming and staying at home seemed like the much easier option. Her reasoning for this was not only for the baby to become comfortable traveling while still young enough to adapt to it, but also because children under age two can fly on your lap (not as safe as purchasing their own seat with a car seat) for free. Once turning two they need their own purchased seat and are no longer a “lap riding infant”.
Since she was a newborn our family has been many amazing places and travel has become a very normal part of our lives with her. She is now approaching two and we just bought her first airline ticket with her own seat. It’s more expensive now and she will still probably prefer to lay on us but the extra room for snacks and in flight entertainment will be a nice change.
car seats and Gianna loved them so much that we ended up getting one ourselves as her new “big girl” car seat!
by Jaimarie 