Urban Suburban Mommy

Tag Archives: Kid Friendly

Mayan Riviera for the fam

Posted on by Posted in Bon Voyage .

I love the fact that there are resorts out there for everyone.

Whether you prefer a big resort or a small one, a boutique or a chain, a good beach, amazing pools, quiet or active – there is literally a resort out there to suit everyone’s tastes and preferences.

Last week I had the opportunity to stay at Azul Beach Riviera Maya, a 5 star resort in Mexico. This family friendly resort has 148 rooms and is super small and compact. I loved that I could walk from one end of the resort to the other in less than 5 minutes. And if I forgot something in my room (which I always do) it only took me a minute to get there and retrieve my forgotten item. This is the beauty of staying at boutique resort.

One of the things I loved most about this Gourmet Inclusive resort is that the small size did not mean that it lacked services or amenities. With restaurants, pools, multiple bars and daily activities, there was always something to do if I wanted, or if I just wanted to ready my book, I could!

What I found most impressive about this resort was the quality of everything. The a la carte restaurants including Latino (Southern American/Mexican) and Roma (Italian) just to name a few – were all authentic to the cuisine that they served. By day 2, all the staff greeted me with “Hello Ms. Power,” and the bartending staff were familiar with my drink order and had it ready before they even asked me if I wanted a drink.

 

As for my kids, the experiences that they had was never-ending.

Day 1 we enjoyed the Nickelodeon Orange carpet event, followed by an amazing Character Breakfast the next day with some of their favourite Nickelodeon characters including Sponge-Bob and Patrick.

Every day the Kids Club offered activities like soccer on the beach, pool games, Piñata making, Spanish lessons – the list just goes on!

In the evenings there were always entertaining shows that appealed to the whole family.  As the resort is small and intimate, my children were able to make friends from other parts of Canada, the US and even some Germans that were visiting.

With the kids continuously being entertained, I was able to spend some time at the Vassa Spa without having to feel guilty that I wasn’t spending time with them. This spa offered all the services that you would expect from a full service spa.  If you plan on visiting, be sure to experience the Relaxation Ritual followed by a full body massage and facial. (That’s what I did and it was phenomenal.)

To say this was a relaxing resort would be an understatement. I loved that there was no pumping techno music at the pool, that I did not have to fight for a lounge chair or get up at 4 am to secure one, that my kids could walk around freely without having to worry that they would get lost, no line ups for restaurants or reservations required and no pesky little wrist bands to mess up with my tan lines.

Since I have been back I have consistently been asked if I would return to this resort and the answer of course is – YES!!

If this type of boutique resort suits your travel fancy, contact me at cpower@tpi.ca or 416.996.6849 to discuss in more detail. Right now if you book this resort with me for travel between August 12 and December 22, 2017 you will receive a $1,000 USD credit that can be used towards private beach dinners, a massage, room upgrade, character breakfasts and more.

Clara Power is a mother to 2 well traveled kids, Andrew and Lauren.  She is a Personal Travel Advisor at her own travel agency, Clara Power TPI, which is in association with Travel Professionals International.  As an active traveler having visited over 35 countries and almost every continent, (still working on Antarctica), Clara is no stranger in understanding the unique wants and needs of families travelling together making her your expert choice for creating those special family vacation experiences.  Her agency is also recognized as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner due to her extensive knowledge and superior service.

Do not hesitate to call her today to learn about what she can do to help you plan a seamless and enjoyable vacation!
cpower@tpi.ca
clarapower.ca
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tpi

Originally published on Clara Power Restless Traveller

Top family friendly resorts in Mexico

Posted on by Posted in Bon Voyage .

Mexico has always been a popular destination, and with so many resorts to choose from, it can get somewhat overwhelming. When adding the challenges of vacationing with children it becomes that much more important to select the best resort that meet everyone’s needs. As a Family Travel Specialist, I plan many family vacations to the Cancun and Riviera Maya area, and these resorts are consistently rated as the top most family friendly resorts.

Azul Beach Hotel – The only truly boutique resort in my favourite picks is the charming and cozy Azul Beach Hotel. This resort is small and compact with only 148 suites, however, it offers 5 pools, 5 restaurants and kids and tweens clubs. The Azulitos Playhouse features programs from “My Gym” to the “Nickelodeon Experience” which allows families to dine with SpongeBob SquarePants. With a full service spa for the parents and abundance of beach activities for the whole family, it is sure to please everyone.

Hyatt Ziva Cancun – This is truly a 5 star resort. Located in the heart of downtown Cancun, it offers a playful family escape to keep everyone happy. With some of the most stunning beaches in all of Cancun, entertaining KidZ Club & Splash Park, beach and pool cabanas, roaming food and ice cream carts, you never want for much at this resort. With service from the heart, you will feel like family from the moment that you arrive.

Hard Rock Riviera Maya – With ‘The Little Big Club Experience’ that features kids’ favourite characters like Angelina Ballerina, Thomas the Train, and Barney for children 4 and up, this resort is always a family pleaser.

Multiple dining options, amazing entertainment, various room categories and splash pad area make this resort a popular choice for those looking for action. With unlimited WiFi, teens can also enjoy the lounge and disco area. The best part is the two-bedroom family suite filled with kid friendly mini-bar (juices and milk), a kid’s room service menu, beach toys and kid-size bathrobes.

Dreams Playa Mujeres – one of the newest resorts in the Cancun area, this resort has so much to offer. This family friendly resort chain has 5 Dreams resorts in the Cancun/Mayan area, all of which deliver great experiences.

Playa Mujeres is located within a gated community and offers massive swimming pools, onsite water-park and lazy river, endless activities including archery, batting cages, and beach football, making sure that there is something for the whole family.

The Explores Club for ages 3 to 12 offers the experience of camping adventures on the beach, treasure hunts, and games rooms. The Core Zone Teens Club offers weekly social events, bonfires, disco mixers, foam parties, kayak and bike tours, and nature expeditions.

Generations Riviera Maya – this resort perfect for multi-generational families. It offers Gourmet Inclusive a la carte cuisine, infinity pool balcony suites and butler service in each room category.

Whether you are looking for a 1, 2 or 3 bedroom ocean front suite there are accommodations to satisfy the smallest to largest families travelling together. The Eko Kids Club offers services until 11pm and the Little Eko Chefs program is perfect for the budding foodie in the family.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya – The Mini Club here offers a slew of fun, special activities to create an unforgettable vacation experience for little ones. Kids will have the time of their life, enjoying everything from Mayan shows and Amy’s Cinema (the club mascot) to bungee jumping and dance contests. The club is also open longer than most, from 9 am to 11 pm. This resort is set on what feels like a jungle with tropical trees and mangroves that it feels worlds away from reality. Your kids will never be bored.

Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda – The very popular Family Concierge Suites here know how to treat the little ones. With access to private heated swimming pool, private beach area, kids beach kits, children bath amenities, in-room PlayStation or Wii, children’s pillows…etc etc, you can see how quickly you will feel spoiled. The resort also offers a pirate ship and obstacle course in the swimming pool, plus lots of adult activities to keep everyone happy. Add a great location and fabulous food, you have the making of a very memorable holiday.

So with the kids out of school soon, it might be time to start thinking about a getaway! Let me know which resort suits your family best or which Mexico resort is your favourite!

Clara Power is a mother to 2 well traveled kids, Andrew and Lauren.  She is a Personal Travel Advisor at her own travel agency, Clara Power TPI, which is in association with Travel Professionals International.  As an active traveler having visited over 35 countries and almost every continent, (still working on Antarctica), Clara is no stranger in understanding the unique wants and needs of families travelling together making her your expert choice for creating those special family vacation experiences.  Her agency is also recognized as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner due to her extensive knowledge and superior service.

Do not hesitate to call her today to learn about what she can do to help you plan a seamless and enjoyable vacation!
cpower@tpi.ca
clarapower.ca
Clara Power TPI

Clara Power TPI

tpi

Let them eat lobster

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

It’s expensive, it’s a delicacy, it’s butter-laden and indulgent, and you’re probably thinking I’m crazy when I say “Let them eat lobster.”

But hear me out: 15 minutes from start to finish. Yes, dinner ready in 15 minutes!

Plus, lobster is perfect for our 30 days of wellness. Lobster is actually really good for you. Yes, this luxurious indulgence is quite healthy – it’s known to be one of the healthiest sources of protein around (a 6 oz serving has about 30 grams of protein, no carbs and less than 2 grams of fat).

What you need:

– 1-2 pounds of lobster or a few claws and a few tails
– salt
– butter
– garlic

What you do:

Set the oven to broil and put a ramekin half full of butter into the oven to melt. While the oven is heating, place the lobsters or pieces of lobster on a broiling pan. Get out a cracker or sharp knife. If you have tails, slit the shell in half and expose the meat. If you have claws, make slits or cracks in each segment of the shell. I am not going to explain how to kill the lobster – Google it. I panicked and had the fish market kill and prep it for me.

Place all the pieces on the broiler pan

Put cracks or slits into each piece and open the shell

After 5 minutes, take the butter out of the oven now that it’s melted and add some garlic (I used powdered but you can also use fresh, just put it to the garlic press and add it to the butter), and add a bit of salt. Brush all of the lobster meat with the butter and put it into the oven to broil – for about 10 minutes.

Could be 8 minutes for small pieces, or up to 12 or 13 minutes for bigger, thicker pieces. If you have a 4 pound lobster it will be more like 15 or 16 minutes. It’s done when the flesh is opaque white and just ever-so-slightly starting to brown.

Take it out of the oven and serve with the melted butter for dipping.

Done!

So. Good.

Yes, it can be expensive, but it’s not an everyday meal. You need to mix up the dinner routine and you need a treat once in a while. Splurge on lobster. You may find it’s actually not as expensive as you think, depending on how close to the ocean you are and what time of year it is. Frozen tails are also another option.

Funny story – the reason I’m even writing this all started when we went to a steakhouse last week for my husband’s birthday. I ordered lobster. The boys tried it – and loved it. They ate half my dinner. A few nights later my 6 year old asked for lobster for dinner. I said no. His response? He grumbled “That’s preposterous!” as he walked away.

But he didn’t give up asking, so a couple of days later we went to the fish market to buy some.

If we’d gotten there early I could have just asked them to steam the lobster for me, but we were too late. As we tried to select our dinner in the big tank, I realized I… just… couldn’t.

Instead, the guy laughed at me and came out from the back with a tray of 4 claws and 2 tails. At $20, it was a steal.

So go for it, let them eat lobster, and feel good about it.

I’m childfree!

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

Liz Parker is a mom of none, and has something to say about the experience of living in a society where that’s just not well understood by parents!

not childless childfreeLong before there was a Christian Grey making all 50 shades a thing that raised eyebrows, I’ve long thought about life in terms of grey – not black and white. One of them was to be childfree.

For anyone debating the topic, I recommend going to a baby shower.

The first time I went was for my high school friend, about 17 years ago. People were playing games related to guessing the gender of the baby and the size of the baby and I found myself wanting to die with indifference. It was when “stretch mark oil” and “nipple chafing cream” came up for discussion that I excused myself, went outside and lit a cigarette.

I really did not identify with these women.

As everyone brought gifts like booties, swaddle blankets and soft toys, I showed up with 10 family-sized frozen entree chicken pot pies.

“You brought me… frozen food?” my preggo friend asked me uncertainly.

“Oh just you wait,” I said, confident in my practical gift-buying abilities. “When you have had no sleep for a month straight, and your husband is not home, the baby’s screaming, and the thought of making dinner makes you want to cry for an hour, you will THANK me for these pies, which contain veg, meat, and carbs all in one!”

Everyone laughed, but my friend thanked me later, as I knew she would. Years later, I felt the same wave of nausea hit me when shopping for a baby shower gift for my sister-in-law. When I was done, I headed over to Banana Republic to recalibrate and calm down.

I haven’t been hassled much re: my choice to be childfree, and while I remain relieved with this decision (especially when I see a toddler having a meltdown in public), that doesn’t mean I don’t occasionally have a moment of reflection.

Being a mom means you’re automatically part of a club and you will meet people you can relate to. I realize lots of moms judge each other (“how can you resume your career and allow someone else to raise your baby?” vs. “how can you make it all about your kid?”) but nonetheless, there is no auto-club I can join as a woman in my 40s without kids. I also wonder what kind of child I would have had, and what kind of parent I would have been. I do have glimpses into that parallel universe – when I see my nephews and niece, and when I teach piano to children. I mentor these kids, and sometimes it’s thankless.

Sometimes I make googly eyes at babies, or see the joy in parents’ faces when they’re out with their children, and wonder if I could have done that. Then I hear the kid whine, the kid interrupt mommy’s conversation, the kid loses his mind and cries, and I know, I did the right thing for me. One hundred percent.

childree - dow what the hell i want

 

Liz Parker Unedited Proofs

Liz Parker spent fifteen years in music PR before sashaying over to image consulting for classical musicians. This gig includes styling photo shoots, weeding out wardrobes, and editing website text. She teaches piano to kids on the side (which may have influenced her decision not to have any of her own).You’d think she was a food blogger based on all the food pics on her Instagram. She lives in Toronto with her fur baby Scully (a 90’s cat). lizpr.com

instagram @lafumiko