muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 10:48:39 GMT -5
We leave Saturday morning for Florida. I'm ALREADY bouncing off the walls at work. How in the world am I going to stay productive for 30 more working hours this week? If I get 2 projects done, then it may only be 25 working hours, but no way can I get them both completed in that time frame.
We are camping on the beach in St. Augustine for half the week and then St. George's Island for the second half the week. We have no plans other than to camp and visit the beach. Is there anything we should visit while in those 2 places?
Anyway, what is your best vacation tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old?
What is your best camping tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old?
Your best beach tip for the kids?
Ideas for meals and snacks etc.
Anything else I should know. My kids have been great travelers so far. So the road trip portion isn't a concern. We've got that down to a science.
Finances for the trip (since it is a money message board): We are camping with a pop-up camper. Biggest expense is going to be gas. Camping spots are already paid for. On the way down we are spending the night at a friend's house. On the way back, we'll book it out of there and try to make the trip in one really really long day or get a hotel room. Food budget is just groceries for the most part, maybe a little more money than usual.
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tloonya
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Post by tloonya on May 13, 2014 10:52:19 GMT -5
A LOT OF XANAX!
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on May 13, 2014 10:57:36 GMT -5
You can visit the old Fort located in the heart of St. Augustine. Depending on the ages of kids they might like it. Not sure exactly you are "camping" on the beach. Hurricane Pattys is good for lunch, it's just north of downtown. Flagler Beach is south of SA, but not much there other than some small restaurants. Oh, heading south of A1A there is a place called Marineland, again, kids ages make a difference, but they have some programs designed for kids. There is also the Old Town Trolley in SA, for a flat fee you can get on/off where ever you want to and tour the entire SA area. Also an alligator farm in SA.
Just reread your post. ages 1 & 4 your best option might just be staying on the beach. We love SA, but it might not be the best experience for very young kids.
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on May 13, 2014 11:04:01 GMT -5
Aw, I wish you were coming a bit farther south. The Mutt Family sounds like fun. I use a soft-side cooler with a plastic insert for snacks when we travel. Lighter in weight and can be folded and stored when not in use. Freeze drinks, like water and juice. They stay colder longer and keep other stuff cold. It's been hot in Florida, so bring more drinks than you think you will need. Fort Matanzas National Park ( www.nps.gov/foma/index.htm) is interesting, and the kids can run around there. Same for Castillo de San Marcos ( staugustine.com/history/castillo-de-san-marcos). If the kids are OK with horses, you can do a carriage ride around the city. They aren't very long rides: www.floridashistoriccoast.com/listings/view/2748
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justme
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Post by justme on May 13, 2014 11:05:22 GMT -5
The fort at St. Augustine is pretty cool, your kids will probably love it.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 11:13:45 GMT -5
I was thinking we would hit Castillo De San Marcos. I hadn't heard of the other place. I'll have to look at that.
We are camping at the State parks at both places (Anastasia State Park in SA).
We'll be splitting up most afternoons so DD can get a nap and one of us will take DS either back to the beach or maybe do something else.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on May 13, 2014 11:51:40 GMT -5
There's a really nice playground around one of the sites that others have mentioned. We went to St. Augustine with a 2 year old several years ago and did just fine. It was part of a 2.5 week driving trip.
I know you'll have a pop up camper..but I'd also bring some things like new puzzles, new craft kits, a few new matchbox cars, for the 4 year old in case the weather isn't good or in case you need to keep him quiet. I find the dollar spot at target to be my friend.
We took one vacation when my kids were 5 and 18 months. The oldest decided that the 18 month old didn't need to nap, ever. So, we cut the vacation early by several days, as the younger one hadn't napped in a week...
ETA: Good luck and have a blast. My kids generally are very good travelers. Vacations are a very sacred thing with us. Next year, I'm hoping to do another three week trip.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on May 13, 2014 12:01:58 GMT -5
I don't know anything about Florida but I hope you have fun!
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milee
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Post by milee on May 13, 2014 12:15:36 GMT -5
For the beach, just make sure you have lots of things to dig and make sandcastles with, plenty of good sunblock and if you can - some shade. If you can pick up a few of those rashguard type shirts (long sleeve SPF 30+) or even better suits with long pants as well, it makes your life 100 times easier because you won't be fighting to grease them up with sunblock all the time. A hat's a good idea, too. Have fun.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on May 13, 2014 12:21:56 GMT -5
Kites for flying on the beach. Heck, you're an engineer you should be able to build one with sticks and newspaper! Water wing thingies for the kids. My Cabe isn't sure about water so I have to be ready to go in the water with him. Or DH does.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on May 13, 2014 12:25:45 GMT -5
St George's island is really beautiful, but there is not much to do there, other than sit on the beach and enjoy the scenery. Also, there is not a real grocery store on the island, you have to go to Appalachicola for that, so not a quick trip.
Also bring plenty of mosquito repellent.
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on May 13, 2014 12:27:56 GMT -5
We leave Saturday morning for Florida. I'm ALREADY bouncing off the walls at work. How in the world am I going to stay productive for 30 more working hours this week? If I get 2 projects done, then it may only be 25 working hours, but no way can I get them both completed in that time frame. We are camping on the beach in St. Augustine for half the week and then St. George's Island for the second half the week. We have no plans other than to camp and visit the beach. Is there anything we should visit while in those 2 places? Anyway, what is your best vacation tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? What is your best camping tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? Your best beach tip for the kids? Ideas for meals and snacks etc. Anything else I should know. My kids have been great travelers so far. So the road trip portion isn't a concern. We've got that down to a science. Finances for the trip (since it is a money message board): We are camping with a pop-up camper. Biggest expense is going to be gas. Camping spots are already paid for. On the way down we are spending the night at a friend's house. On the way back, we'll book it out of there and try to make the trip in one really really long day or get a hotel room. Food budget is just groceries for the most part, maybe a little more money than usual. Sounds like you forgot the wine budget...just saying. Seriously, another poster mentioned the sunscreen/shirts and pants. Get spf 60 sunscreen anyway because you would be shocked at how quickly those little buggers can burn. I was 10 and got badly burnt on a trip to FL and still remember it 35 years later. Moisturizer and ointment in case sand gets in the "other" regions. Gatoraid/pedialyte to push as fluids.
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milee
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Post by milee on May 13, 2014 12:43:34 GMT -5
They're not cheap, but these sun suits are awesome. My kids both wore them until they were 8 or 9 years old. (Don't judge - it takes a lot of work to keep them that pasty white color!)
www.stingray.com.au/st2008-kids-stinger-suit/
They also have other separates, but the one piece coverall is so super duper easy and then you can spend 8-10 hours without a hint of sunburn or whining about not wanting to be rubbed with greasy sunscreen. Pretty sure you can find them on ebay and Amazon as well.
We didn't like the Coolibar stuff as well. It's not as durable or fitted.
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nutty
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Post by nutty on May 13, 2014 12:51:32 GMT -5
I am 20 minutes away if you have some extra time, I can bring Scarbelle if you would like to hang out.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 13:23:30 GMT -5
We do have rashguard shirts for the kids and me. I burn easily. So, I make sure to keep the kids covered. The stingray suits look awesome.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 13:27:03 GMT -5
The Captain - LOL. Yeah, I'll have booze. My Dh doesn't drink. But my 22 year old niece is going to join us in St. Augustine. We'll probably drink together the night she is with us. nutty - 20 minutes away from our first location? That is the one that I think with our niece with us and the forts, that we are going to have things to do. Although Scarlet and JoJo together might be interesting. alabamagal - Thanks for the tip about St. George's Island. I wondered if there was a grocery store there, I figured there wasn't, but thanks for confirming it.
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nutty
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Post by nutty on May 13, 2014 14:27:20 GMT -5
It is beautiful here this time of year, you will enjoy the weather, not sure where you are coming from. We love st aug and always like to get out and do day trips. I can bring DD, she loves kids and would keep the older ones entertained, kids love her too. It is 36 mins away according to Mapquest, I was off a little bit LOL.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on May 13, 2014 14:38:16 GMT -5
We leave Saturday morning for Florida. I'm ALREADY bouncing off the walls at work. How in the world am I going to stay productive for 30 more working hours this week? If I get 2 projects done, then it may only be 25 working hours, but no way can I get them both completed in that time frame. We are camping on the beach in St. Augustine for half the week and then St. George's Island for the second half the week. We have no plans other than to camp and visit the beach. Is there anything we should visit while in those 2 places? Anyway, what is your best vacation tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? What is your best camping tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? Your best beach tip for the kids? Ideas for meals and snacks etc. Anything else I should know. My kids have been great travelers so far. So the road trip portion isn't a concern. We've got that down to a science. Finances for the trip (since it is a money message board): We are camping with a pop-up camper. Biggest expense is going to be gas. Camping spots are already paid for. On the way down we are spending the night at a friend's house. On the way back, we'll book it out of there and try to make the trip in one really really long day or get a hotel room. Food budget is just groceries for the most part, maybe a little more money than usual. All I can say is, Good luck! My 4 yo recently mentioned that he wanted to go camping. Considering the fact that the first time he went, he wanted to go home after just a few hours and only wanted to watch the dvd player in the tent the whole time, we're not too anxious to try again too soon. He was a pretty easy baby until that trip. *sigh* other people have such (seemingly) easier kids...maybe it's our parenting failures coming back to bite us in the rear ends.
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giramomma
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Post by giramomma on May 13, 2014 14:46:55 GMT -5
All I can say is, Good luck! My 4 yo recently mentioned that he wanted to go camping. Considering the fact that the first time he went, he wanted to go home after just a few hours and only wanted to watch the dvd player in the tent the whole time, we're not too anxious to try again too soon. He was a pretty easy baby until that trip. *sigh* other people have such (seemingly) easier kids...maybe it's our parenting failures coming back to bite us in the rear ends. We've had failed camping trips. And since we have to jump through 567 hoops to get the littlest to bed at night, we haven't tried camping in a long while. Our first camping trip was when the oldest was 2 and asked to go home. The second is when our middle child was under 2. She was still up at like 10 pm. So, we packed it up and went home. We can manage our kids much better in a hotel room than we can in a tent for now..I figure it will come later. DH used to be a Scout leader, and I know he misses camping. I am hoping DH will take the older two camping a night or two this summer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2014 15:01:16 GMT -5
Camping with kids in a pop up camper is a lot easier than a tent.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 15:10:44 GMT -5
We leave Saturday morning for Florida. I'm ALREADY bouncing off the walls at work. How in the world am I going to stay productive for 30 more working hours this week? If I get 2 projects done, then it may only be 25 working hours, but no way can I get them both completed in that time frame. We are camping on the beach in St. Augustine for half the week and then St. George's Island for the second half the week. We have no plans other than to camp and visit the beach. Is there anything we should visit while in those 2 places? Anyway, what is your best vacation tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? What is your best camping tip for a 1 year old and 4 year old? Your best beach tip for the kids? Ideas for meals and snacks etc. Anything else I should know. My kids have been great travelers so far. So the road trip portion isn't a concern. We've got that down to a science. Finances for the trip (since it is a money message board): We are camping with a pop-up camper. Biggest expense is going to be gas. Camping spots are already paid for. On the way down we are spending the night at a friend's house. On the way back, we'll book it out of there and try to make the trip in one really really long day or get a hotel room. Food budget is just groceries for the most part, maybe a little more money than usual. All I can say is, Good luck! My 4 yo recently mentioned that he wanted to go camping. Considering the fact that the first time he went, he wanted to go home after just a few hours and only wanted to watch the dvd player in the tent the whole time, we're not too anxious to try again too soon. He was a pretty easy baby until that trip. *sigh* other people have such (seemingly) easier kids...maybe it's our parenting failures coming back to bite us in the rear ends. We went camping once with the kids last fall. It went pretty well even though the baby didn't sleep real well. But I feel like we have a good idea what to expect. My 4 year old would live outside if he could. The baby is sleeping a lot better now a days. She's also a lot more mobile, so that may make the campground itself more of a hazard (if you set her down now she runs). But she was content to spend the day in her pack-n-play outside just a few weeks ago while DH and DS helped his brother's pour concrete. So even though it is more room and won't fit in the pop-up real well, we are bringing the pack-n-play for around the campsite. We have peapod as well which we used last year when we went camping which will keep her safe in the bed if that is the direction we want to go in the camper for bedtime. Don't worry, my kids have plenty of challenges. They are just different ones from your kids.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on May 13, 2014 16:06:28 GMT -5
No doubt you'll be fine. Just the thought of going with my own 4 yo and 19 month old makes me cringe. I've seen well-behaved baby campers, so I know it's possible (theoretically). I really do miss camping, though. We might still try to do a weekend later this summer, if I can convince DH. (I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess!) We don't have a pop-up or anything, but our tent is huge. I wonder if the trick is to keep trying until the kids get used to it?
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 16:46:14 GMT -5
I know what you mean. We went 4 years with no camping or fishing. When we got back to it, it was like woah, this is what life use to be like. We then went camping without the kids and were like wow, this is the life. I'm not sure that will happen again for awhile. Sometimes I get a little freaked out about this vacation. Thinking about Ben and JoJo. There is the potential that it will be absolutely awful. But mostly I'm trying to just be chill and go with the flow and not think of everything that could go wrong.
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wyouser
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Post by wyouser on May 13, 2014 17:46:17 GMT -5
If there is going to be water and sand.....sand pails and shovels. Brush up on your sand castle skills with the kids. Your 4 year old could be introduced to smores. Again being close to water helps because its easier to remove the chocolate ring around the mouth. My 8 year old grandson still carries on the tradition with that.
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Happy prose
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Post by Happy prose on May 13, 2014 18:54:16 GMT -5
I'm not a camper, but big beach goer. Definetly an umbrella, hats, and sunglasses for the kids. Bring baby powder to brush sand right off. And tons of frozen water bottles!
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on May 13, 2014 20:08:39 GMT -5
Since I know nothing of FL, I'll address the first part. It sounds like you are beyond excited about your trip and just have to get through this week. I like to schedule interactive things like meetings to pass the time. If I'm just sitting by myself and trying to focus, it doesn't happen well.
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muttleynfelix
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Post by muttleynfelix on May 13, 2014 20:56:05 GMT -5
Since I know nothing of FL, I'll address the first part. It sounds like you are beyond excited about your trip and just have to get through this week. I like to schedule interactive things like meetings to pass the time. If I'm just sitting by myself and trying to focus, it doesn't happen well. Ha. I wish I had the choice. THis morning I was the only one in the office all morning. No one to schedule a meeting with. It helps that I have some deadlines, but my mind still wanders down to Florida.
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Peace77
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Post by Peace77 on May 13, 2014 22:26:10 GMT -5
You must get a couple of inflatable beach balls. When deflated, they take up no room. Fun for all ages.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on May 13, 2014 23:40:27 GMT -5
Have fun!!!
My general take now is to not try to cram too much into each day. It's supposed to be a vacation. Rushing the kids around to "do" stuff is just going to make mine cranky, so we try to have relaxing/slow mornings a fun afternoon and alternate slow evenings with activity evenings.
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truthbound
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Post by truthbound on May 14, 2014 4:07:34 GMT -5
Well first you should camp where it is legal. Not on the beach. And the Xanax idea is good. After a half week there you will be bored to tears. As far as sites to see. There is the fort, the waxc museum and Ripleys. They all cost a fortune to go into though. South-A-Philly has the best classic cheese steaks if you ever wanted to know what they taste like. Once again not cheap and they are a little stingy. But they bring their rolls in ftom PA and they use actual Ribeye. Al's is the place to go for NY Pizza. Also visit Prince of Wales for fish and chips.
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