Travel BaBees in the news

The media is buzzing with news on Travel BaBees.  Here are the most recent media mentions for Travel BaBees franchises:

• Travel BaBees makes traveling with kids easier - Featured on AZFamily.com
• Company's rentals mean you don't have to drag everything for your baby along on vacation - Dallasnews.com
•  Traveling Parents don't have to pack the stroller - Colorado Online News
• Rentals could make traveling with kids easier, cheaper - WLBT 3, Jackson, MS

Traveling with your children and the new airline restrictions

In light of the new airline restrictions, air travel is getting that much more stressful for parents everywhere. In the middle of this busy travel season, it's important to be prepared for delays, and the new restrictions are only adding to them.

Taking a quick look at how these new restrictions can affect you is vital to being prepared for your flight:

• Staying in your seat for the last hour of the flight: It was announced today that the TSA has relaxed some of it's flight restrictions and has left the protocol for the last hour of the flight up to the crew.  For the most part, you won't be asked to remain in your seat without the necessary diapers, bottles, or books. If you find that you are on a flight where you are asked to remain without your baby's gear, be sure to have changed their diaper prior to the last hour, fed them as much as you possibly can, and attempt to occupy baby as much as possible. 
• Clearing security: For the past 9 years, security has changed to the point that you feel you must almost strip down to get through. Our belts, our shoes, and our bags are searched, and this is a good thing. However, with kids, it's stressful trying to get them through security then dressed again. Be sure to dress them in elastic clothing, with no belts, buckles, or fancy shoe straps. Slip in shoes that they can get in and out of on their own are the best option for a quick exit through security. 

As always, packing light is your best option for a stress free trip, so leave the stroller and car seat at home. Having your stroller scanned and placed through Xray is highly inconvenient, and can add just that little bit of extra burden to your trip.  Renting through Travel BaBees can lighten your load in more ways than one!

Travel BaBees on NBC!

If you didn't see Travel BaBees on NBC, here is a link to the online edition.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/around-town/shopping/Baby-Rentals-Go-on-Vacation-79264187.html

Stuck in the airport? The best kids play areas in airports around the country

Snow hit the Eastern coast this past weekend, and with snow came the grinding halt of flights everywhere. Unfortunately for many, the cancelation of flights has come at a time when everyone is trying to get to family for the holidays.

If you find you are stuck in an airport right now with your children bouncing off the walls, take a look at Travel BaBees quick guide to airport play areas:

Boston: Logan International - Indoor playgrounds
Logan International has two play areas for kids, and they are both work the trek to Terminal C or A. Kidport has a model airplane to climb on or slide down, tunnels, and a fun kid friendly baggage claim. The Kidport in Terminal A also has a mini-control tower. Great for kids who love airplanes, and a break for you.

Dallas Fort Worth International - Play areas abound!
DFW is a very family friendly airport. They feature three play areas in three terminals, including a junior flyer themed area with runway, plane, and air traffic control (Terminal B by Gate B12). In Terminal D by Gate D33 you can find a McDonalds that will let you buy a happy meal and give your kids a place to play, which is great for long layovers.  Terminal C at Gate C14 has a smaller version of the junior flyer play area.


Seattle-TAC (SEA)
Let your kids run wild at the huge children's play area while you catch up on your reading. This playground is soft foam, and features an airplane theme. If you are nursing, there is a parents room with rocking chairs for feeding your baby privately. The playground is located on the left, once you pass through security and go through the Central Terminal on your way to Concourse A.

We hope you don't get stuck in the airport this holiday season, but if you do, at least there are places for your kids to burn off some steam and for you to catch a much needed breather.

Happy Holidays!

We're thinking of Military Moms this holiday season

Let's face it, it's not easy to be on your own with your kids for long periods of time. You cook, clean, play, and take care of them; eventually you are going to need a break.  Most moms can have that break, because Dad comes home after work or they have family they can rely on.  Imagine being in a strange city or country and not having your husband there to support you. You have no friends and family around you, and you are the full-time mom of your children.  For me, it sounds like the hardest situation I could imagine, but it is a reality every single day for thousands of military moms who stay back and take care of their families when their husbands are deployed.

It wouldn't be easy for those who are serving our country either. The men and women deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan worry endlessly about the families they have left behind.  Not only do they deal with the stress of leaving their wives and children, they have financial concerns to worry about as well.  It is a huge sacrifice that they make to fight for our country, and I am glad that there are programs out there to take a little bit of the stress from them.

This holiday season, Travel BaBees has sponsored a military family through Operation Homefront.  The "Adoptafamily" program pairs families in need with people who want to help provide a Christmas dinner and presents for the kids. If you are able, check out http://www.operationhomefront.net today.  It might be too late to donate for Christmas, but there many other programs that assist military personnel and their families.

Wishing all military personnel and their families a very Happy Holidays!

TravelBaBees Atlanta's best picks for your kid's this Christmas

There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like a Southern Christmas.  Those lucky folks living down south just seem to know how to do it all right, whether they have snow or not.  If you are one of the lucky few traveling down to Atlanta or the general area this holiday season, here is a quick list of fun stuff to do with your kids (and don't forget to rent, not bring, your stroller!)

Babyland General Hospital is widely known as the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch Kid.  Take your kids on a tour of the hospital, allow them to choose their own new baby, and go through the fun adoption process.  It's always exciting to bring home a new family member, and even more so at Christmas.

The Santa Express is rolling through town, and if your child loves trains or the Christmas movie "The Polar Express", he or she will love taking a ride on the Santa Express.  Sing carols, visit with the elves, and end your time on the lap of the big man himself.  Taking a trip on The Blue Ridge Express is a very festive way to kick off your holiday season.

Take a tour of the lights and sounds of Georgia with a trip to Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights.  Established in 1992, this drive through spectacular is sure to get you feeling festive.

Happy Holidays!

TravelBaBees Recipe #3 - Red Velvet Cake & 19 sleeps until Christmas

Although I do have a great family recipe for Red Velvet Cake myself, I'm bound by family rule to not share it. However, I do have this wonderful Red Velvet Recipe that I found on All Recipes, and it's just as good (if not better!) Enjoy!

Red Velvet Cake 

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups self-rising flour
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ounces red food coloring
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8 inch round pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together sugar, oil, and eggs. Add food coloring and vinegar to buttermilk. Add baking soda to flour. Add flour mixture and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the sugar mixture. Mix well. Stir 1 teaspoon vanilla into batter. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until done. Remove from oven, and cool on wire racks.
4. Mix together cream cheese, butter or margarine, confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in nuts. Frost cooled cake.