Category: Travel

Lifestyle, Travel

Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

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Getaways to the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge are a family favourite. The kids constantly ask to go to “the hotel with the slides and the bear” aka the Pomeroy. If you haven’t been, we highly recommend it. If you aren’t from around here and you want to visit our beautiful Rockies – add this to your list of MUSTS!

There are many different types of rooms you can stay in, walks you can go on, restaurants you can eat in and things you can do while you stay there. We usually spend the majority of our time at the restaurants and the pool area with the kids.

I am going to answer a few questions you asked about right now!:

What can you eat if you are vegan? Are there gluten / dairy free options?

  • YES – there are dairy, vegan and gluten free options! The kids and I are vegan and Georgia is newly gluten free. At the Pomeroy are so willing to accommodate for dietary needs. Since all the restaurants are so close to one another they have gone to get some ingredients from another restaurant. What my kids usually have for a meal is they start with a salad and then they get a side of fries! ALSO – keep in mind kids eat free when you order an adult meal! The kids have also had pasta for dinner or cooked veggies etc. and they now have a vegan + gluten free burger and it is huge and delicious. There are some really great tasty options!

What is the best time to go with kids?

  • I would suggest mid-week during a low season. We have had the pool to ourselves many times and it is honestly better than other hotel / water park we have ever been to. It is worth going to the hotel just so your kiddos can go into the pool. The pool temp is SO warm and very enjoyable to run (whoops I mean walk – slowly *Georgia*) in and out of to the 3 big slides. There is 1 faster one, 1 windy one and 1 pitch black slide. Our kids love going on all of the slides and Michael and I do too!!!! There is a little kids splash park area and a younger kid slide in there as well. (CAN YOU TELL WE LOVE IT THERE OR WHAT?) There are a few waterfalls – one in the little kids area and a big one in the bigger pool. And right next to the pool is an indoor/outdoor hot tub that is heavenly at night. And the stars are amazing to view from there and away from the city lights!

Is there childcare at the lodge?

  • Yes! On the weekend there is drop-in child care at the kids play place (which is amazing and I 100% to take photos because I was busy taking vidoes of the kiddos.) It is a very large place with tons of things for the kids to do. It is the type of place you could drop your kids off at and hours could fly by while they are having fun!
  • If you need childcare during the week you can email: familyactivities@lodgeatkananaskis.com or concierge@lodgeatkananaskis.com to help set you up with private childcare. They will contact a nanny service close to town and set you up with a nanny on their team. It is best to do this well in advance to ensure you can get care!

How much is childcare?

  • Drop-in childcare at the lodge is $15/hr for the first child then an additional $5/hr for each child – up to 4 kids!
  • Private Babysitting fees are:
    • 1-2 children: $26.25/hr
    • 3 children: $30.45/hr
    • 4 children: $34.65/hr
    • 5 children: $37.80/hr
    • Daily rate $178.50 for 8 hours for 1-2 children.
    • *NOTE* that it is a minimum of 3 hours for private childcare.

Are there any events for the kids?

  • There is the amazing pool for the kids to play in – and it is so fun for the parents as well.
  • Definitely check out Kananaskis Outfitter or Boundary Ranch (for ages 6+ for trail rides)! We haven’t be able to try them yet because the kiddos are still young but it sounds so fun! (click HERE to check out some of the businesses in the valley)
  • The hotel usually offers s’mores by the fire but because of covid they aren’t able to right now. You can still enjoy the fire with music while enjoying a drink or a treat on the patio of the Forte Restaurant.

Is there a spa?

  • There is a spa! Check to see what has opened because of covid. I know the hot pools are open as well as the restaurant in there but phase 3 is when everything else will open up! The spa is a cell phone free facility and it is heaven. It is so nice to get away from reality and just be – without distractions! (Below is a photo of Michael and I from an event where we were able to bring our phones in to!)

Jess Nordic Spa

Enjoy your trip! We have travelled to a lot of places but our favourite family trip is always when we go to the Pomeroy.

Lifestyle, Travel

Nungnung Waterfall with our Lillebaby Carrier

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Nungnung Waterfall with our Lillebaby Carrier

Let me start by saving we didn’t do much research about the Nungnung Waterfall before our driver took us there… I googled a photo of it and said “SURE, it looks gorgeous, let’s go!” I wasn’t mentally prepared for over 500 gigantic, uneven stairs down to the waterfall…. or the 500+ stairs to get back up to the top. The good news is that we both had our carriers! Michael carried William in our new LÍLLÉbaby Complete Carrier and thank goodness we packed it because we were anticipating a “10 minute walk” and ended up doing 1,000+ steps…..

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We quite honestly could not have made it to see the gorgeous waterfall without our carriers. It started raining (torrential downpour) as soon as we got out of the car. William, who had fallen asleep on the car ride to the waterfall, seamlessly transferred into our LÍLLÉbaby Complete Carrier. One thing we love so much about this carrier is the structure of it. You can put your babe in it and know they are secure…. unlike the carrier I had Geogria in because I had to keep adjusting her position as she moved. And because it was raining, the fabric of the carrier that I had Georgia in was changing a bit as it got wet. With a structured carrier like LÍLLÉbaby Complete Carrier you can rest, or hike, assured that your baby is snug as a bug in there.

While I was climbed down and (then later) back up what we called the “dinosaur” steps I kept telling myself I could do it because I have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (pre-children that is). I felt like I signed up for a marathon when I thought I was going to walk a 5km… perfect comparison, not an exaggeration in the slightest. If you were to ask Michael if he thought it was hard I’m sure he would say it wasn’t. He offered to carry all three of us more than once. Cue me saying * “I climbed Kilimanjaro, I can climb up these Dino steps” *

Anyways. I couldn’t walk for 2 (but actually 3) days because I was so sore.

The steps were uneven and moss covered so it was a bit slippery. We were both happy to carry the kids “hands free” in case we needed some extra support on the slippery steps. The staircase was handmade and there was greenery all over it because there is so much life on this Island. There are so many hidden gems that are off the beaten track so you will need to step outside of your comfort zone to really experience what a new country has to offer. Definitely make sure you have a good carrier like the LÍLLÉbaby!

The route to get to the waterfall is breathtaking, pun intended. But truly, it is so worth the trip just to see the views along the way. There were beautiful luscious trees and small waterfalls accompanied by birds chirping and endless greenery.  We could count on our hands how many different groups of people we saw during out entire time there… it is very secluded and peaceful. At one point we had the entire waterfall to ourselves. It was an unforgettable moment.

All in all, carriers are necessary when traveling in Bali… and although we have only been to a few different countries as a family of four, I can say for certain a great carrier is a must in a place like this. We didn’t bring a stroller because the roads are not designed for them. To be quite honest, the roads have many holes in them for water drainage and some can be 4 feet wide so you will need to be able to safely maneuver onto the busy road. A carrier like this will be your best friend when traveling with kids!!!!

A few things you should know about the LÍLLÉbaby Complete is:

  • It is ideal for infants to toddlers (7lbs to 45 lbs) and William and Geogria both fit perfectly into that weight range.
  • 6-Carrying positions
  • No need for an infant insert
  • Unique Lumbar support for comfortability – Michael took this off because of the heat. In the winter he loves it because it keeps his back from getting cold (it is really important to keep his back from getting cold and seizing up because of his injury)
  • Two-way straps that can be worn crossed or backpack style
  • Adjustable neck support and sleep hood cover
  • Large zippered pocket
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Machine Washable
  • Recognized as a “Hip Healthy” product by the International Hip Dysplasia Committee
  • All Seasons – temperature control panel.

As a lot of you know, Michael works away most of the year. When he is home he does his best to connect with the kids. Ever since they were babies he would use a carrier and do skin-to-skin with them around the house. Skin-to-skin is so important for baby’s health, bonding and so many other reasons so it has always been a priority to Michael.  He has always preferred a structured carrier because it is better on his back. A carrier like this would be great for a dad who is busy but wants the kids to be involved! William has spent countless hours in the garage with Michael, having dad and son time, while Michael is still getting things done!

Below are a few other precious moments in our carrier.
Click here to shop the LÍLLÉbaby Complete Carrier from Babies R Us

 

xo, from Bali…

Motherhood, Travel

How We Sleep While on Vacation

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How We Sleep While on Vacation

Baby Pixel

Sleeping on a vacation with kids is always an adjustment, especially if you have light sleepers. Georgia is possibly the lightest sleeper in the world…. the smallest noise will wake her and she isn’t a kid that will go back to sleep after she has been woken up, even with a loud noise maker on. If I sleep near her she can sense that I am there and I’ll be up half a dozen time feeding her in the night. We try to put her as far away from the noise/us as possible.. so she is usually in a bathroom in the back of a bedroom. The good news is that the bathrooms in Bali are often nicer than the bedrooms! We have learned to travel with tape and we put up towels around the windows because she also needs a really dark room. My kids need a bit of extra care while traveling… The things we do for our kids to get a good sleep!!!

William decided to sleep with us while on this vacation. We have rented 2 bedroom villas and that both have an ensuite attached. Our sleeping arrangements are usually 3 of us in one bed not sleeping well, 1 bed not being used because it is in the same room as Georgia, and Georgia in the bathroom far away. Because we aren’t in the same room as Georgia, we need a monitor on her at all times. Before we got our new Summer Infant Baby Pixel Monitor we used a monitor that connected through wifi but that is super unrealistic while traveling. I love that once this monitor is plugged in it works right away! Wifi hasn’t be the greatest, so when you travel you need a reliable monitor like the Summer Infant Baby Pixel 5.0″ Touchscreen Colour Video Monitor.

 

My two favourite things about this monitor are: 

  1. Temperature Reader. It can be SO hot here and we want to make sure the air conditioning is always working. It is a normal night when it is about 25 degrees Celsius with air conditioning and Georgia is going to bed so we keep a very close eye on that.
  2. 360Tilt Camera Steering: it is amazing because William goes in and moves the camera around and I don’t realize till after Georgia has gone to sleep! With this feature I can move the camera around until I can see her again… without leaving my bed!Baby Pixel

A few of the features that really differentiate this monitor from others on the market are:

  • VOX System: a voice activated screen wake up capability. So basically as soon as Georgia is making noise it lights up and wakes us up from the light / sound of her asking for me.
  • Sleepzone Virtual Boundary: this senses when Georgia is on the move and alerts us.
  • Moonlite Night Vision Boost: it gently lights up to give a crisp view of the baby and crib so it is easier to see at night.

To shop, click here: Summer Infant Baby Pixel 5.0″ Touchscreen Colour Video Monitor.

Love from Bali…xo

 

Travel

Canggu with kids.

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Canggu with kids.
We have a fantastic babysitter in the Canggu area.
Send me a message if you want her contact information!
She was referred by a friend I met here and she was awesome.
($5.00 an hour)

Photo taken at Sakti Healing.

CANGGU:

Canggu is about an hour or so from Denpasar airport. It is a surf town. I thought it would be nice for us to be by the beach when we first arrived in Bali… but it is a surf town for a reason. The waves have been HUGE. I was worried standing in them while holding Georgia. The current is strong so I wouldn’t suggest coming here for a “beach” vacation. In total we will be here for 13 days and I would suggest quite a bit less if you have kids… about 3 days.

Vegan food is quite easy to find here… BUT sometimes people say things are vegan when they are actually vegetarian so read carefully and ask questions.

It is good to note that food was more expensive than we expected it to be and we have heard from others that Canggu is a bit more expensive in general. I look at decor before sitting down to eat because it is something that is important to me. You are also paying for the free wifi that is available… and for nicer bathrooms which is really important for me because William is potty trained now!

*** all of these places were really great with William and Georgia. We have found that people love when you bring kids around!!!!***

Date Nights:

Coffee & Coconuts:
Such a lovely atmosphere. A perfect date night. If you go before March 2019 there is a free cocktail during happy hour. The food was incredible. I ordered the Labu Salad… it doesn’t have raw lettuce but it is cooked and so worth trying!!!

MyWarung:
The staff at MyWarung in Canggu hosted my family and I for dinner. They have super tasty food. I had the vegan curry and it was declious… Georgia ate about half of it!

Nude:
YUM. You definitely have to go!!! So delicious. One of our top favourite restaurants in Canggu. Our kids were quite upset when we went here and I wish we would have gone on a date instead… Either way, go! The food is just so good!

 

Kids Play Areas:

The Joglo:
Mike LOVED his vegan cap cay soup. They play a movie on Friday nights starting at 6pm for the kids. You can eat in the room or the staff is so helpful and will let you know if the kids need you. There is a large outdoor play place there for the kids to run around on while you’re eating!

Sprout:
There is a little section for the kids to play here. The chickpea hash browns were like a healthy version of McDonalds hash browns. It is located right next to the Garden Early Learning Centre. There are drop in classes for moms/dads&tots. We didn’t try them but we know of people who have.

La Casita:
A must with kids. The outdoor play place is HUGE. It wasn’t my favourite place to eat but it is nice to eat while your kids play!!

 

Bang For Your Buck:

Give:
A MUST. It is all vegan, all the time. Not for profit and you decide where you want your money to go towards from the 3 charities they have chosen. The meal portions are huge and the food is incredible. Put this one at the top of your list!!!

Hungry Bird:
Super cheap and delicious breakfast. We ordered oatmeal for the kids and they were SO happy to have something simple. Be careful, it comes with butter in it so make sure you as for it without if you’re vegan.

Molena Juice:
A little store front run by a mom who has her cute baby running around wearing a diaper. She charges $15000 (less than $1.50) for juice. Juice is a lot more expensive here than we thought…. You’re looking at an average of $3.50+ for a juice that gets watered down. You can find this on road Ji. Raya Semat and between Gang Jalak 17 & 18.

 

Things You Must Do:

Check out the Sakti Healing Shop. It is a healing store full of Crystals and beautiful jewelry. I had a Reiki session with the owner, Chelsea, and it was ah-mazing! This is a must! I also bought my new favourite ring from her store. Adorable.

Get an IV from the Dose. We were suffering from the flu once we arrived and did it ever help! We got the Ultimate and it was full of antioxidants and vitamins. I also got a pain killer in mine because I partially separated my shoulder the day before. We paid about $150.00CAD (1.5million) to get this. It is expensive but at some point you will probably need it in Bali. It is great for food poisoning, Bali belly, Dengue fever and more. Definitely keep this in mind! They travel to you and they were so so so friendly.

Get a reflexology treatment. We were seeing a guy at Medina Therapy for about $6.50 for half an hour. He is a few doors down from Molena Juice so make sure you go there to get some juice after. He is strong and it does hurt a bit but amazing. We came to Bali specifically for healing so reiki and reflexology and intuitive healers are a MUST in our books.

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