Best trip ever! From Disney World (I will post about that later!) to Ft. Lauderdale to visit family and the beach, I am pretty sure this was and will be the BEST trip ever!!!
Check out some of my favorite beach pics from my trip below and here are 5 of my personal tips for all you mommies and daddies traveling with us little ones.

1. SNACKS. Bring our favorite snacks and treats for us. Comfort snacks will make us feel more at home on the plane and nothing seems to occupy us better than snacks. My mommy also likes to bring along suckers, so I can suck on something while ascending and descending so my ears don't pop!

2. iPad & activities. My mommy swears by this. Be sure to download all games, shows, apps, etc before the flight! If your flight doesn't have WiFi, download movies from iTunes or download apps/games that don't require an internet connection and we're good to go! We also pack books and coloring books to switch it up for a bit. If we're feeling crazy, we might even start coloring pages and handing them out to the passengers around us (this makes most of the passengers happy..unless they're sleeping! Oops!)

3. WAIT TO BOARD. If you're anything like me (an overactive little dude), we don't like being in tight spaces for too long, so don't rush to board with all the rest of the antsy folks. Just wait and let us run around and knock luggage over, bump into people (or things) and  exert more energy out of us (and you) before the flight. 

4. SECURITY. It's going to be a pain. I might even throw a fit, but at least I don't have to take off my shoes! AND sometimes the nice security personnel will sneak you through the "fast lane" because you're traveling with me! If they don't, and you have to wait in that atrociously long security line after waiting forever to check your bags, make a game of it! We like to play "I Spy" with all the people and luggage around. (I always win!)

5. SURPRISES. There is nothing better than a new toy, game or book! Pack us something special and bring it out during the flight when we're getting a little testy. It'll lighten the mood and engage us for long enough to give you a short break! :)

Share your special tricks in the Comments section below!

What Ryder Wore: St. Bernard Sports Johnnie O Shorts // Mayoral Checkered Shirt.

Photo credit: Lauren Glase Photography.

"When I was your age.." 
My mommy's favorite words. Those and "chores" and "No sir Ryder."
And she means business!

Believe it or not, I don't just get to sit around and take photos all day (I wish I could!) I have responsibilities and chores, which make me feel important, and when I do them, I feel like I did a good job!

For instance, I have to wait until AFTER the prayer to eat (so hard when you're SO hungry!) 
My dishes must go in the sink after I am finished eating. 
I help mommy unload the dish washer. 
My toys are cleaned up every day (with a little "clean up song" help from momma)
I help feed the dog and make sure she has enough water to get through the day.
I put my dirty clothes in the laundry room.
I must always say my please and thank yous, yes ma'am and no sir, and the toughest one, "excuse me" when my mommy is talking to someone else.
I sweep (and sometimes vacuum) the floors.

…the list goes on and on, but my mommy says these are really important life lessons and here's why:

-Chores and responsibility make me feel like I am offering something to the family and that I am a grown up.
-Chores help create a stable home environment, where I know what is expected of me and a place where I can be successful.
-It teaches me tough love, that my parent is not my "best friend," and ultimately, it teaches me respect for others.
-Last but not least, my mommy says that if I do these things now, they will stick with me for the rest of my life and build me into the man I should be. A man my mommy would be proud of! 


What are some of your chores?

What Ryder Wore: Shirt- Root Avenue // Shorts: Target.

Happy Easter!

What a treat! We spent our day yesterday at the Dallas Arboretum. We got to walk around and delight in all the beautiful flowers and landscaping they have to offer. I even got to sit in a wagon pulled by sedge grass horses AND take a picture with a real bunny, second year in a row. Basically, I'm a pro at it!

Here are my 5 suggestions when traveling with your little dudes and dudettes to the Arboretum:

1. Bring a wagon or stroller. This place is HUGE! It's getting hot and the last thing us little people (with our little legs) want to do is walk; and the last thing YOU as a parent will want to do is carry us all around the entire Arboretum. Side note: they also have wagons for rent for $10 a pop at the Information Booth.
2. Bring a cooler of snacks/drinks for us and bring your wallet. Let's be honest. The Arboretum is pricey. It costs $15 to park, and another $10 for us kiddos (4-10 yrs old) to get in. Not to mention each adult entry is $15 too! Can I also add that is costs $3 additional per person to go into the Children's Adventure Garden? We always want something. If you don't feel like packing up the cooler, be prepared for spending at least $100 throughout the day on us. Food is expensive here.
3. It's crowded. You're never going to get a picture without someone else photobombing it. Not everyone is as nice as you are, so they probably won't care anyway. They will probably bump into you, sneeze on you, step on your foot or roll over it with a stroller/wagon (like the one you bring), and cut in front of you in the long line while you're waiting to order food from the cafe. 
4. The food isn't that great. So parents-eat before or just know that you won't be getting a high-end meal here. A $12 salad won't fill you up, but the beer is cold and there is nothing better than walking around, breathing in the fresh air and embracing the beauty that surrounds you with a cold drink in hand (I prefer their lemonade).
5. Don't forget to enjoy the moment. There is so much beauty and serenity at this place. The flowers smell amazing, and the grass is so green and luscious. Enjoy each other and have fun! The day won't be perfect, so don't plan for anything to go exactly how you think it will. Go with the flow and appreciate the time you have there with the ones you love.

Don't forget your sunscreen too! This place is incredible and worth the special trip out to enjoy all of God's beauty. Let me know if you take your little ones!

What Ryder Wore- Button up: Gap Kids // Shorts: Gap Kids // Shoes: Sperry's.
What Mommy Wore- Top: Target // Jeans: Rio Ritz Boutique // Purse: Michael Kors.