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Henry Doorly Zoo + Aquarium with Kids: Spring vs. Summer at the Zoo + Tips for Your Trip
If you’ve been following along, you know this wasn’t our first trip to Omaha—but experiencing it in a completely different season gave us a whole new perspective. Traveling with kids always adds an extra layer of planning (and unpredictability), so I wanted to share a comparison of our summer vs. spring visits, plus some helpful tips if you’re considering making the drive yourself. We road trip from Wisconsin, and the drive clocks in at about 6.5 hours without stops. With kid
lexicichasmta
Apr 166 min read


What a Travel Agent Really Does – From My Heart to Your Next Adventure
I’ve loved traveling for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid, I was fascinated by maps, airports, and planning trips with my family. That early love for adventure eventually evolved into a passion for figuring out how to make travel experiences seamless, exciting, and stress-free. Over the years, I realized that what I was naturally drawn to — researching destinations, finding the best deals, mapping out itineraries, and uncovering hidden gems — could turn into a career
lexicichasmta
Feb 193 min read


A Beginner’s Guide to Cruising: What to Know When Choosing Your First Cruise
If you’ve never cruised before, it can feel overwhelming—deposits, ports, gratuities, boarding times… it’s a lot. The good news? Cruising is actually one of the easiest ways to travel once you understand the basics. This guide is designed specifically for first-time cruisers who want to know what to expect before booking and before boarding. How Cruise Pricing Works One of the biggest benefits of cruising is how much is included in your fare. Cruises make budgeting easier b
lexicichasmta
Jan 225 min read


All Things Kids on Royal Caribbean: A Real-Life Family Cruise Guide
Cruising with kids can feel overwhelming, but Royal Caribbean truly shines when it comes to family-friendly travel. From packing smart to navigating ports, onboard dining, entertainment, and kids clubs, here’s everything you need to know if you’re cruising Royal with little ones—based on our firsthand experience sailing with a 1-, 2-, and 7-year-old . As always, you can find pictures to reference at the end. What I Packed for the Kids (and Would 100% Pack Again) Cruise cabins
lexicichasmta
Jan 218 min read


My Family Cruise on Oasis of the Seas: An Honest Review of Royal Caribbean’s 8-Night Southern Caribbean Sailing
In January, my family set sail aboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas on an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary , stopping in Aruba, Curaçao, and Perfect Day at CocoCay . We cruised with two young toddlers, which always adds an extra layer of logistics, our oldest son, and my parents—but I’m happy to report this trip exceeded our expectations. Pictures are at the end as always. From near-perfect weather (with just a few passing rain showers) to excellent entertainment,
lexicichasmta
Jan 207 min read


A Perfect Holiday Day Trip to Duluth from the Chippewa Valley
Plus Tips for Turning It Into an Affordable Overnight Stay If you’re looking to add a burst of holiday magic to your season, Duluth is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips you can make from the Chippewa Valley. With Bentleyville’s brilliant lights, lakeside charm, an aquarium the kids will love, and plenty of family-friendly spots to eat and explore, Duluth delivers a full dose of festive fun without needing a long getaway. Here’s how to make the most of a single-d
lexicichasmta
Nov 24, 20253 min read


Top Five Family-Friendly Cruise Ships with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International is one of the world’s most popular and innovative cruise lines, known for its exciting itineraries, state-of-the-art ships, and exceptional guest experiences. With a history that spans over 50 years, Royal Caribbean has revolutionized the cruise industry, creating a legacy of adventure, luxury, and family-friendly amenities. When it comes to family vacations, cruising with Royal Caribbean offers an unforgettable experience filled with adventure,
lexicichasmta
Nov 20, 20253 min read


6 Cozy Midwest Winter Getaways for Families
When the snow starts falling and the world slows down, there’s something magical about packing up the car, bundling the kids in their snowsuits, and heading off on a cozy winter getaway. Whether you’re looking to embrace the chill with snowy adventures or warm up by the fire with hot cocoa and board games, the Midwest has plenty of destinations that make winter feel like something to celebrate — not escape. Here are six of my favorite family-friendly winter getaways that are
lexicichasmta
Nov 12, 20253 min read


Spooktacular Fun in the Chippewa Valley
It’s officially spooky season — and the Chippewa Valley is buzzing with festive fun! From trunk-or-treats to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, there’s no shortage of candy, costumes, and community spirit this October. Whether you’re in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Menomonie, or one of the cozy nearby towns, you’ll find plenty of places to show off those costumes and fill your buckets. I’ve rounded up some of the area’s top halloween kids events happening over the ne
lexicichasmta
Oct 13, 20252 min read


October Insider
Does anyone else feel like once Halloween is approaching, time just speeds up and then suddenly it’s New Year’s Day? That’s why I like...
lexicichasmta
Oct 7, 20254 min read


Celebrate World Gratitude Day with Disney Cruise Line: 40% off Select Cruises!
Disney Cruise Line is celebrating World Gratitude Day in the most magical way—with 40% off voyage fare on select sailings! When you...
lexicichasmta
Sep 20, 20251 min read


Traveling from the Midwest with Young Kids: Tips for Smooth Adventures
Traveling with little ones can feel intimidating — especially when you’re starting from the Midwest, where distances to big destinations...
lexicichasmta
Sep 18, 20254 min read


Universal Insider Tips: Maximize Your Fun & Skip the Stress
If you’re dreaming of a Universal vacation but dreading the long lines… don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. As a travel agent, mom, and...
lexicichasmta
Sep 18, 20252 min read


What Sets Disney Cruise Line Apart from the Rest?
When it comes to family vacations, few experiences compare to the magic of a Disney Cruise. While plenty of cruise lines offer fun...
lexicichasmta
Sep 2, 20253 min read


Kids Guide to the Greater Chippewa Valley -Autumn Edition
Family Fun in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls & Beyond Labor Day is behind us, summer is winding down, and my favorite season is finally...
lexicichasmta
Aug 31, 20251 min read


Toddler Tuesdays at the Mall of America
If you’ve got little ones at home, Toddler Tuesday at Mall of America is an activity worth adding to your calendar! This weekly event is...
lexicichasmta
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Universal Orlando – Trip Review + Tips!
Part Two of My Florida Theme Park Getaway After two magical days at Disney World, it was time to switch gears and dive into the thrills...
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Aug 15, 20254 min read


Disney World Adventures – Part One of My Florida Theme Park Getaway
This summer, I kicked off an incredible Florida theme park getaway, starting with two magical days at Walt Disney World before heading...
lexicichasmta
Aug 9, 20253 min read


A Family-Friendly Day Trip to the Wisconsin Dells from Eau Claire, WI
Looking for a quick summer getaway with the kids sans water? Just under two hours from Eau Claire, the Wisconsin Dells makes for the...
lexicichasmta
Jul 19, 20253 min read


Halloween in Salem: A Spooky October Weekend in Massachusetts 🕸️
I finally crossed something big off my fall bucket list — a Halloween-season trip to Salem, Massachusetts ! With its rich history, witchy...
lexicichasmta
Jul 17, 20254 min read
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