Hi! 💕 Welcome to my blog, if you wound up here from Instagram (@thissaltlightlife). Below you will see some of my favorite Amazon finds! (As a content creator, I share my favorite items with Amazon affiliate links. I earn a commission on qualifying purchases.)
It’s All Love: A Dining Recommendation
If you found this post because you are thinking of booking a reservation at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in Winter Park, Florida, don’t hesitate. My husband and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary here and we both loved it.
We left with smiles on our faces. The ambience, the food, and the service were excellent.
I was pleased with the starter, my meal, and my hubby’s (because I tried it, of course). However, I couldn’t tell you about the alcoholic beverages they offer. Next time, I will have to try a virgin option of one of their drinks.
I recall the weather was perfect that evening. As we were leaving, we chatted with a couple who raved about their dining experiences here.
This was a short review because it’s been a few months since our dining experience.
A Parent’s Guide: Graduation and End of the School Year Photos
With a bit of inspiration from photos online, my oldest son Christian (5 y.o.) and I began planning for his Kindergarten graduation photos. When it came to planning, I gave him the liberty of making a lot of the decisions. He appreciated being involved in the planning process. Firstly, since his favorite color is blue, we chose blue for his cap and gown. Great minds think alike! It’s the color I envisioned as well. (Definitely a popular cap/gown combination!) I purchased the set that you’ll see in the photos from Amazon. Christian also requested balloons as photo props – blue and silver ones!
Tip: The heat that day caused the balloons to deflate a bit when left in our car for a few minutes more than anticipated. It’s definitely something to be careful about when transporting helium inflated balloons.
Scouting a location: Schedule a time to visit the prospective locations. Figure out exactly which spots you’ll be taking photos. If your child goes along with you, you can have them practice some poses. Make it playful and not a chore.
Consider the time of day you’d like to take photos and visit locations around the same time as your upcoming photo day. We chose two different locations, which are less than 5 miles away from each other.
Highly recommended: Check for any events at that location that could alter your plans or prevent you from shooting on the day or time you would like.
A couple of other students snapped a few graduation pictures, while we were taking ours. This didn’t complicate things or slow us down.
We stepped over to another side and got some additional shots, so other people could take some quick pictures at the facade of the building. It was nice to see graduates taking photos with their families. It’s such a special moment! I admit I got a bit teary eyed.
Mindful Tips:
- If you’re utilizing a public space, show consideration for others by letting them use the area freely.
- Keep your equipment minimal, organized and in a place that won’t cause a hazard or nuisance.
- Don‘t block staircases or walkways.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Read any signs or postings so that you’re in compliance with the rules an establishment may have.
It was adorable having Nathan take pictures with his big brother. (Baby brother Preston sat this one out)
Allowing the boys to do some of their own poses made for a good time. We had a lot of laughs. I think they were pretending to be superheroes. [See photo above.]
All of the photos I took were shot on my iPhone 13 Pro. Most, if not all, of the ones I’ve shared in this post were taken in ‘portrait’ mode.
We took a break to have a bite to eat and enjoyed refreshing smoothies, before changing locations.
My mother in law was able to assist with my Nathan (3 y.o.) and Preston (1 y.o.) while I focused on taking pictures of Christian. Then it was Nathan’s turn! I’ll share a post about his preschool photo shoot soon.
To other home school parents: It’s possible to make achievements like graduations exciting and memorable without a classroom full of kids! Christian still felt like a graduate even though he didn’t walk across a stage with his peers. He and Nathan performed an end of the school year performance for our family and friends. It was such a wonderful celebration. I’ll cherish it always.
If you have any questions or advice for others, feel free to share! Thank you.
Beach Picnic [Birthday Party Theme]
Preston had a wonderful 1st year birthday celebration at one of his favorite places – the beach! The sounds of the ocean’s waves, children laughing gleefully, and an acoustic guitar strumming nearby created an atmosphere that was every bit of perfection. The beach is not only one of nature’s most magnificent playgrounds, but it served as the ideal backdrop for a picnic—so picturesque and effortless.
If you are looking to have a laidback party, that’s still fun and memorable (without overspending); then these ideas might just work for you.
My boys love the beach, so the location was a no brainer! Some parents might say that you shouldn’t go “over the top” for your kid’s birthday party. I say: to each, their own. If you want to have an extravagant party; then have it! Personally, I believe that balance is important. I focus on what I think my kids will enjoy and what my family will have a good time doing together.
Ok! So let’s talk themes! For Preston’s birthday I chose a nautical theme, even before selecting the location. Typically, we have our kid’s birthday parties at home in addition to going out to do a birthday activity or attend an event (on the same day or a different day). The kids love seeing the house decorated. However, since I had just decorated at our house only a few weeks prior for my oldest son’s birthday, I thought I would skip decorating at home and just set up at the beach.
When it comes to choosing a theme for a 1st birthday, it’s either easy because the possibilities are endless or that could be exactly why it’s difficult for some people. I say the possibilities are endless because a one year old might not have a favorite character or tv show yet. They are just happy with the simple things. We didn’t buy a ton of gifts because not only do we know family and friends love to buy the kiddos presents too, we know that delicious food and quality time (singing songs and playing) are so enjoyable to them. I purchased a small claw machine and filled it with a few small toys and goodies. This is a fantastic purchase and was as amusing as I hoped it would be. It was a joy to see the boys’ little faces light up when they’d won a prize.
I purchased these tiki lamps during the summer and hadn’t found an opportunity to use them. This happened to be just the right occasion. I utilized the lamps as a way to hang the pennant banner above the picnic spread and to frame the space. The pieces that pull everything together are the inflatable boat and the letter trays. The boat is an item we already owned, while the letter trays that spell out “P R E S T O N ” were a recent craft store find. If interested, I am sure similar trays can be found with a quick Google search. They were a hit! They are versatile and can be decorated however you’d like. I chose to use them as charcuterie and dessert trays. It turned out to be super cute!
Let’s Talk! If you found these ideas helpful, I’d love to know. If you have any questions about any of the items pictured, ask in the comment section as well. Thanks!
Day 3: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When it comes to navigating Disney World’s parks and planning out your day (thus maximizing your time there), I have some tips that you might find helpful. To first time visitors (or those visiting with kids), it may seem a daunting task; yet you’ve overcome greater challenges. Yes, the parks are grand but not as vast as they appear when viewing the map online (like I did). It appeared certain attractions were kilometers away from one another, but that mostly proved to be wrong. I was pleasantly surprised how close in proximity our desired locations actually were, as we walked here and there. This is how our third day at Disney World unfolded.
Allow me to begin by saying, ‘Day 3’ at Disney World was spectacular! On our first day at Disney, we were whisked away to the charming Magic Kingdom, known as the land of the more classic of the Disney tales come to life. It was bustling with starry eyed princess lovers and admirers of Disney royalty (and timeless favorites). Our second park of choice was EPCOT, which invokes a more modern— even futuristic appeal than one of nostalgia for me. I was captivated by the execution and the thoughtful details of sight, sound, and smell that mentally transport guests around the world throughout the World Showcase. Hollywood Studios was the third park we visited — making this our final day at Disney for our 3 day tickets.
If your kids (and/or you) are a fan of Disney’s Cars movies, you are in for a treat at Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. You’ll be on the edge of your seat! I know I was. I was just as enthusiastic as the younger fans in the room were. I think this is one of Hollywood Studio’s coolest attractions.
My boys love the Toy Story movies, but were a little wary when it came to meeting some of their favorite characters. Toy Story Land is really neat. The longest wait time was about 80 minutes [for the Slinky Dog Dash rollercoaster]. My oldest Christian and husband Joseph rode this one together as their final ride, while the little ones and I enjoyed some treats, took photos and posed with our glow sticks. Then we got seated for the nightly outdoor Wonderful World of Animation show at the Chinese Theater. This show includes fireworks. Christian and Joseph arrived when the first show was midway through and were able to watch the second/last show in its entirety. Some people were standing as they watched and others sat on the ground as we did. It’s not a grassy area but concrete. We were seated on one of the small blankets we packed with us. We were comfortable enough. I would say the shows are about 5-7 minutes long each. On their website, it says the total time is 12 minutes. It was enjoyable. There were a few spooky movie scenes. I knew when to shield the kids’ eyes and they were fine with me doing that. We arrived about 3 minutes until showtime and were some of the first people there. Let’s rewind as I share more about our day!
In a separate blog post, I’ve shared a list of items you might consider packing for your visit.
I love a good outfit change! I made sure the boys got to wear their Disney’s Cars tees and then a quick change into their Buzz Lightyear tees. It’s a simple thing but the kids were thrilled, as if they had transformed into space rangers themselves before entering Toy Story Land.
It was helpful to have our Disney World apps downloaded on our phones. We were able to check show times, estimated wait times for the rides, and use the GPS to walk from one attraction to another without getting lost.
I think I will add more to this post a bit later. Thanks for stopping by!
You can check out my other posts for our Day 1 (Magic Kingdom) and Day 2 (EPCOT) Disney experiences. ✨
Family Fun at Disney’s Boardwalk
Joseph and I had just celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary the day before. Labor Day called for some more summertime family fun, so we hopped into the car and drove to Disney’s Boardwalk.
If you’re looking for a relaxing yet fun day out in the Orlando area, Disney’s BoardWalk might be the place for you!
We wanted plenty of family photos on this outing. (When I say ‘we’, I mean ‘I’…) My sister took some great pictures of us. Thanks, Faith!
These were fun to take – lots of laughter behind the scenes. For most of the late afternoon, we strolled the boardwalk, watched the kids play on the open lawn area, and snapped pictures.
Compared to Disney Springs and, especially Disney’s parks, the boardwalk is less crowded. There are restaurants along the boardwalk and entertainment such as live performances. We watched a spirited mom and daughter duo performing juggling, unicycle tricks, etc. There was also a street artist and then a magician who was putting on a show at another end of the boardwalk.
Note: The character dining wasn’t available during our visit and hasn’t been for a while at this location.
For dinner, we headed to the BoardWalk Deli and grabbed a bite to eat. Then we found a spot for a picnic on the lawn. There were a few blankets and lanterns set up for guests to enjoy ‘Disney’s Movie under the Stars’. It’s free for all guests (hotel guests and Boardwalk visitors as well). The movie this particular night was Disney’s Bolt. We kicked back and relaxed. As for the food, I would rate my meal a 7/10. I had a plain bagel with smoked salmon topped with tomato, arugula and cream cheese (and fruit on the side). The boys had turkey sandwiches with all of the fixings. We passed by a food stand selling Mickey Mouse shaped pretzels. The boys love pretzels, but they were satisfied after their meal. The bakery items at the Boardwalk Deli sold a few different Mickey decorated desserts, including a cupcake with chocolate Mickey Mouse shaped ears.
You can rent Surrey bikes (canopy covered multi-person bikes) to cruise along with a friend or up to a group of six. We saw a few different groups pedaling by on these bikes and ringing their bells as they rode by. As for additional entertainment, there were also a few carnival booth games, such as the basketball free throw game.
What to take to Disney World with kids
It all begins with a list. Write out everything you think you’ll need. Make sure you check Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules, so you’ll know what’s allowed and what’s not.
I appreciate that Disney allows guests to bring outside food and beverages. The convenience of it was great and babies have special needs as parents know quite well. Waiting in line for food/water takes up time and looking for quick, healthier options in the park wouldn’t have been easy. I have three boys — Christian (4 years old), Nathan (2 years old), Preston (10 months old).
I hope you find this list of “non–perishable” food items useful for your trip!
Another consideration that’s make or break is the type of bag you bring. Compartments for organizing your items is going make it much easier on you, especially when you want to grab something out quickly. You don’t want to have to rummage around or remove a bunch of items when searching for something specific. Make sure it’s not too large so it’s not cumbersome and so that you won’t be in violation of Disney’s rules either.
Portable chargers for phones and portable fans are nice to have with you, along with an additional lightning cable for wall outlets just in case. I loved having my cordless phone charger handy. It is lightweight and charges my phone quickly.
I made ID tags for our bags and even some for the kids (to wear either around their necks or in their pockets).
We used our wearable fans pretty often – at least I did. Preston, our baby, wasn’t a fan (no pun intended) of them blowing directly on him from any direction it seemed.
I was glad we brought our own stroller. It is lightweight and easy to steer. We also brought our wearable baby carrier which was good for our other two to be able to take turns in the stroller when they needed a break from walking. Disney does offer stroller rentals, if you are interested in that option.
I used my umbrella while standing outside in the sun and when we were waiting in a line where there wasn’t much shade.
I purchased a waterproof phone case, but couldn’t use it because my phone didn’t fit well inside with my normal case on too. I ended up buying a lanyard for my phone which was great because I didn’t have pockets. I wrapped the lanyard around my wrists sometimes when I was using my phone. Also I could sling it across my shoulder like a purse. It also helped me feel my phone was more secure when taking photos on rides without fear of dropping it. Having a waterproof case would be good in rainy weather and on rides with water.
A first aid kit is a diaper bag essential, no matter where you go, in my opinion…So are wipes, tissues, and a sanitizing product.
We used our tripod and Bluetooth remote control button multiple times for taking photos. Make sure to read the guidelines Disney has for items such as tripods. They are subject to change.
I packed two swaddle type baby blankets — not ones made of thick material. Thinner blankets fit better in our bags and were better to use in the Florida heat. I am still nursing my youngest; so I used them for privacy. One acted as an extra shade over top the stroller’s shade to cover the sides and front at one point…and for warmth and comfort on cooler indoor rides. Our two year old Nathan liked being snuggled and having the blanket covering his lap/legs as we were riding certain rides. When we got splashed with water on a couple of different rides, I was able to quickly cover my 10 month old Preston. I’m not sure how he would’ve reacted to being splashed in the face unexpectedly. So a baby blanket might be useful for older kids too.
Don’t forget your sunscreen for re–application. After all, Disney World is in the Sunshine State!
Glow stick necklaces, wrist bands, etc. are fun items to have once it gets dark. Also my husband and I always make sure the kids have some of their favorite small toys with them when we go just about anywhere. They played with their little Disney cars and figures as we waited in line and while we took breaks.
Diaper bag essentials are an obvious necessity if you have an infant or toddler. Diapers, wipes, a backup pair of underwear, an extra onesie, diaper balm, and other such items.
Enjoy your time with your family and remember to keep yourselves well hydrated! Safe travels! 💖
Disney Day 2: EPCOT
Oh Disney! We arose bright and early for our second day. We left our house about 25 minutes sooner than we did the day before. That’s progress! We didn’t want to rush things though and thought we’d have ample time to do all we imagined the kids would enjoy.
Magic Kingdom was awesome and I was looking forward to what EPCOT has to offer.
For each park, I created a list of things to do — attractions, rides, meet and greets. The parks can seem a bit intimidating in regards to navigating it well; so like most, we planned ahead.
It was another ‘sunshine–y’ day at Disney World. We packed plenty of waters, lunch, and snacks. I love that Disney allows guests to bring their own beverages and food. Staying hydrated is obviously important and waiting in long lines for food and water or looking for those mobile snack/beverage carts wouldn’t have been as convenient.
My favorite ride of the day was, hands–down, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. It was excellent.
The World Showcase area was really neat! I put China and Germany on my list of countries to stop by. I was hoping to meet Mulan in China; and then snap a few photos in Deutschland! When we entered ‘Germany’, it was like walking into a cute, storybook village center. I playfully asked my husband, “When you squint [your eyes], does it feel like we’re [back] in Heidelberg”?
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was our last ride of the day. It was the perfect way to end day two — walking down the streets of “Paris” as the sun set.
Brief story:
On our way to Disney that morning, we booked our spots using Lightning Lane with a 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM time frame for the Ratatouille ride. That evening, as we headed to the lovely little city square and the “Eiffel Tower” came into view, we received a notification that our Lightning Lane status had changed. The attendant informed us that the ride was closed due to maintenance and would, hopefully, be active again. In the meantime, we took photos, took a restroom break, and let the boys run and play with the other restless children (also waiting for this ride). Eventually, we decided to hop on another ride nearby that had a short wait time (information acquired through the Disney app). We hadn’t even left France completely when we overheard that the ride was running again. Once we made our way back to Gusteau’s (the name of the restaurant in the movie Ratatouille), the wait wasn’t that long at all. We enjoyed the thrilling 4D ride. Again it was worth the wait. I’m glad we didn’t miss it. When we left, the line was significantly longer and groups of people were still rushing from farther away to get in line. This was near closing time.
The Seas with Nemo and Friends (pavilion) was great. There was a large aquarium with lots of species of fish – even dolphins and sharks. The interactive Turtle Talk with Crush is just as entertaining for the adults as it is for the kids. This was our first stop (pictured below).
Thanks for reading! I am still updating this post.
To be continued…
Disney Day 1: Magic Kingdom
Yay! Day 1 of our Disney World adventure was a success! While not everything went as planned, those tiny mishaps made for an even more enjoyable time.
The first objective, upon arrival, was to get the iconic Cinderella’s castle photo checked off the list before we got all sweaty and spent. I set up our little tripod and this is one of the shots (image above). Au natural! It certainly captures the moment. You might notice that I am consoling Preston and trying to work my Bluetooth “Shutter” button. While setting up, a gentleman offered to take a photo for us and Preston was still feeling a bit uneasy about the interaction. Aw! I am just realizing that Christian and Joseph have the same smile. Upon closer examination, those smiles (as similar as they are) look slightly forced. That’s likely because we were wondering whether the “clicker” was indeed responding to my clicks and thinking about little Preston who was in tears but calming down. Posing in the blazing sun also played a factor for sure. “Perfection” was not the goal here, but I love these photos and the moments behind the scenes —so to speak.
I believe you can get a small glimpse of a cast member or two in costume performing in the background — on the castle’s main stage. Zooming in on the left side, I have spotted Minnie’s ears with her red polka dot bow and matching dress. It’s unmistakably her — the ‘real Minnie Mouse’. Now this is a phrase I definitely used several times throughout the day — one might say overused. Any time I spotted a character, I would emphasize that he or she was the real “one”. My kids didn’t need my reassurance on this. One can’t help but feel the ‘make believe’ come to life as soon as you walk through that Disney World entrance!
Oh! Before I move on, I spoke of the heat. The Sunshine State did a number on us that day. That number was 92° F midday. We were ever so grateful for a few clouds in the sky serving as a bit of a shield and for the most gentle of breezes, which were few and far in between but most welcome nonetheless. In actuality, it wasn’t terribly dreadful— not at all. We managed quite well. We wore our portable fans when needed and stayed hydrated most importantly.
We chose Magic Kingdom to kick everything off since we thought it would be a good, “classic” way to start. My hubby and I definitely felt like kids again (to a degree, of course). It’s funny how I now notice and appreciate the mechanics of the rides and wasn’t quite as lost in wonder at the things I was once mesmerized by as a young girl. With that being said, it was a beautiful and nostalgic experience. Being with my kids and husband at Disney for the first time together was special.
Apparently, meeting the real Buzz Lightyear isn’t something Christian, Nathan nor Preston would care to do again any time soon. The boys were understandably hesitant, but it took just a few encouraging words and Buzz’s intergalactic charm to win them over. He was playful so that helped them view him as less intimidating. I truly appreciate how patient and warm all the actors we met were. They all seemed well suited for their roles (no pun intended), which is such a fun one at that.
The boys’ ages: Christian is four years old. (He’ll be five next month.) Nathan is two years old and Preston is 10 months.
A common question I hear parents ask is:
“What is/are the best age(s) to take your kid(s) to Disney?”
I can’t really answer that question because there are so many factors. However, I will say I am so glad we took them this year. Christian, at four years old, still has that boundless imagination. I feel like the ages 2-5 years old are when they are in those peak years of make-believe / playing pretend.
Preston was curious and taking in all the exciting sights, sounds and smells too!
Though he enjoyed all the rides we rode, Christian told me his favorite was Dumbo the Flying Elephant…until he disembarked Peter Pan’s flight. Flying by ship through the mysterious Neverland, undoubtedly, changed his mind.
This might be a bit of a spoiler…
I thoroughly enjoyed the ambience of Dumbo’s attraction from the carnival style entrance to the lit up circus tent to the ride itself. There was even an air conditioned indoor play area for the children. Such an unexpected treat!
I’m so glad all the rides we chose that day were ones we were able to ride together – no height nor age restrictions.
As for the wait times for rides, with one exception, they were not as long as I expected them to be based on prior research. Our visit took place during a less busy time of the year as well. Referring to our Disney app was useful. We could look up estimated wait times and choose which to venture to and when.
Peter Pan’s Flight was predicted to be one of our longest waits, if I recall correctly, along with the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train. We didn’t end up riding the latter. For one, only Christian and one of us adults could ride while the other stayed with the younger of our two children. Secondly, the wait time was outrageously long (for the time of year, I would say). The expected wait time for Peter Pan’s Flight was around 85 minutes for most of the day. We definitely didn’t want to stand in line that long; so we enjoyed other rides until the wait was about 20–30 minutes. The time flew by. Although it was one of the shorter rides, it was worth the wait.
Coordinating our outfits was another fun part for me. Christian chose his own outfit to match. The kid’s EPCOT outfits were my favorite, which I shared in a separate post – Disney Day 2: EPCOT. (We’re saving our third Disney day for Christian’s birthday week, weather permitting, next month.)
Ahh yes! I can’t forget to mention our visit to the Hundred Acre Wood. In Fantasyland, you’ll find the ‘enchanted neighborhood’ where Christopher Robin plays with his childhood “cubby” —Pooh Bear of course! The wait for this ride was possibly the longest of the day. Thankfully, there were plenty of interactive features as we gradually made our way to our oversized honeypot.
Oddly enough, this ride was the most spooky one. We were transported through Pooh’s dream and that’s where it got a little eerie. I vetted the rides for the most part and was good at diverting the kids’ attention to something else when I felt I should.
Overall, it was sweet to see my kids play and run about in one of my childhood favorite storybook worlds “come to life”.
The ‘meet and greets’ require an additional wait period, so we opted out of this one, but caught glimpses of Tigger and Pooh walking around several times. Joseph practically brushed shoulders with Winnie the Pooh himself at one point! (See image above)
I will be adding more to this post soon! I hope you enjoyed. If you have questions, feel free to ask.
Love Travels Fast 