Trip to Cincy

We unexpectedly had some time together as a family after Christmas, and we decided to take a last minute trip to Cincinnati to spend the night in a hotel and do some fun things with the kids.  It was a good test run for taking a longer trip and we learned some things about traveling with two kiddos under the age of two (like make sure you have two places for kids to sleep when you pack!).

Our hotel was perfect because it was a suite with a separate bedroom from the living room along with a full kitchen to wash bottles.  Lincoln slept in the living room in a pack and play, and we forgot something for the baby to sleep in so he slept in bed with us in the bedroom.  We were able to turn on the tv and talk after 7pm in the bedroom since Linc had his own space which was nice since the last time we stayed at a hotel we all had to go to bed at 7pm when Linc fell asleep so we did not wake him.  I found it under $100 and there were even cookies at check-in and a free breakfast.

We had plans of swimming with Linc in the indoor pool, but Brian and I both forgot our bathing suits - oops!  Brian went out to buy a suit and then came home with a child's large so double oops!  I texted my friend, Jennifer, who has three small kids and lives in Cincy, and she recommended the zoo.  It was a beautiful zoo, full of awesome lights and animals.  We loved that it was kid friendly, had some indoor enclosures and was big.  We didn't love the hills or how crowded it was!  To be fair, it was the night after Christmas and was 50 degrees so many, many people had the same idea.  We were still really happy that we went, and Lincoln loved the new experience.  We didn't get a lot of pictures since I was wearing Declan and Brian was chasing Linc!

Linc was "snapping" his fingers and calling the "cat"

We ate dinner out and Linc was on his best behavior.  The next morning I took Lincoln down to the breakfast while Brian got the baby ready.  We played a little in the hotel room and then headed down to the Children's Museum.  I texted my friend, Loey, from college and she and her family met us at the museum.  Life has gotten busy and even though we attended each other's weddings, we have not seen each other since 2005ish.  It was great to reconnect and meet her little guy, Nicholas, who is 15 months old.  Linc and Daddy played all over the museum while Mommy and Declan talked with Loey.  It appeared that Linc had an AMAZING time at the museum and really enjoyed the blocks and building area the most.  He also had a lot of fun in the little house opening and closing doors and sweeping the floor - surprise, surprise!

We planned both car rides around Lincoln's nap.  We ate lunch here in Columbus and then put the kids in the car.  Linc slept most of the way which was his afternoon nap.  On the way home, we ate in Cincy and then put Linc in the car.  He slept the entire way for his nap.  It was great to know that he can sleep in the car as long as we plan accordingly!  My family took little trips now and then when we were children in addition to a big vacation each year.  Even though money was probably tight and days off work were far and few between, those are the memories I carry with me.  I am excited to now be able to plan little getaways that we and the kids will remember!