Backpacking with Babies

31/01/2021

+ Movie Night + (1) Friend + Messy Living Room = Memories

(This is not sponsored — these mangatiles were my son’s since age 2 — 6 years later my daughter 4 years his joy it AND him still enjoy them!)

How do you spend your weekend nights these days? We like to think we’d be doing this even when we are not in Covid times...

21/01/2021

//unsponsored// We signed up with boxes in March of 2020, when everything shut down. Honestly, they were only supposed to be “temporary” — a few months or so — it’s nearly been a year and let me tell you, days our Kiwi Co boxes arrive are AWESOME days.

We get the STEM box for our 8 year old, who is OBSESSED with his creations. And the Koala box for our 4 year old 🐻‍❄️ pictured here.

Use our referral link (in bio) to get $10 off your box — and we’ll get $10 off too. It’s a win-win!

Here’s the link in case: https://www.kiwico.com/Refer?i=NatalieS347

15/01/2021

Help! We need a book recommendation!

My son just finished reading his FIRST chapter book all by himself — Charlotte’s Web. 🕷 🐷 He’s so sad that it’s over and he wants to read another chapter book that’s similar (he loves animals). And a huge thanks to our neighbor for gifting us this copy.

We must also say that Z hasn’t really been interested in reading English books (wait, books in general really) so the fact the lightbulb 💡 went off and he finally discovered how awesome it is to curl up and read is a huge win!

Anyways, he’s at a 2nd-3rd grade reading level in English and German — we are open to any/all suggestions!

We are also obviously not traveling anywhere anytime soon — staying at home and ya know — being responsible.

09/01/2021

“A mouse 🐭 took a stroll in the deep, dark wood 🪵... “ (name this book!)

🎒 in Wiesbaden, Germany 🇩🇪

07/01/2021

Nature walks are good for the soul.

🎒 in 📍 our backyard

23/12/2020

We were hoping we’d get at lease one more season out of this red ski suit from last Christmas — but life happens, kids grow, and memories become fonder as time passes.

📍 Stubai, Austria 🇦🇹

18/10/2020

🚨 COVID travel 🚨

We went on our first airplane trip since February and knew it was going to be different than travel in times past. More to that in a second.

We also tend to take opportunities to do things as they come and present themselves — and not take them for granted. As much as we want to make Europe our forever home, that’s probably not going to be the case in the foreseeable future.

🇲🇹 With that all being said, we have no regrets. The Maltese were extremely hospitable and noticeably eager to serve. The island received 2.8 million tourists last year, this year, it’s only been like 20% of that. As a result, we had many of the sites and excursions practically to ourselves — we were both happy and sad at the same time. Happy for the space and awesome photo ops but sad for all the people and industries that rely on tourism out of work.

Not photographed were lots of abandoned shops, frozen in time since earlier this year. The dust and dead plants in the window fronts said it all.

😷 Everyone, everywhere diligently wearing masks. Hand sanitizer flowing. Never felt unsafe on the island. 🌡 Our temperature was taken when we checked into the airport and again when we went on a boat excursion.

✈️ However, getting to/from Malta was a different story. Our flights both ways were practically full. We booked non-stop flights on because we trust and enjoy giving them our business — but being packed in so tight without a seat in between made us a little anxious.

We didn’t hear so much as one cough or sneeze on the plane though, so that was reassuring. Everyone doing their part.

The flight attendants were super kind and service was great, per usual.

Upon arrival, we had the option of taking our COVID test (long line) or coming back within 10 days. We opted for the long line so our potential quarantine time is reduced.

The German Red Cross was super efficient, the line moved quickly, and we are waiting on our test results now 😊 pending a negative COVID tests we can return back to society for the most part.

Unfortunately, our city is worse off than Malta & things have shut down and restrictions tightened more than before we left...
C’est la vie!

19/07/2020

Piran, the tiny, fancy, Venetian-sequel city on Slovenia’s short coastline on the Adriatic Sea.

There is something special about the Adriatic Sea... so glad the kiddos got to dip their feet in the clear waters.

🎒
🇸🇮

26/02/2020

“Kids, stand in front of this cool mural for an Instagram pic.”

“Look at each other.”

The colors and tastes of Estonia sure made up for the 🌬

We had an amazing two days in Tallinn and hope to have the chance to explore some of their islands and forests! Definitely worth a trip back.

Also public market is not to be missed!! (Where photo was snapped)!

🎒

24/02/2020

Celebrating Estonia’s Independence Day today in stunning Tallinn on a last minute trip (skipping Fasching weekend!).

The food scene here is amazing & finally our kids are able to kinda sorta able to entertain themselves with books and coloring without assistance.

While we haven’t been posting as much as we’d like or recording podcast episodes like we hope to do every Sunday night, we have been enjoying life with the kiddos, have some amazing trips and photos to come and of course, we are also always planning on how we can be more consistent with BWB.

@ Rataskaevu 16

24/11/2019

By popular demand!!! Join us as we venture into the depths of Valkenburg for a one-of-a-kind Christmas Market experience!

Join us on a trip to the depths of Valkenburg for Christmas! We will talk about a super kid-friendly and exciting location to spend Christmas time underground!!!

03/11/2019

Just in time for your holiday travel planning...our 2 part discussion about Christmas Markets. In this episode we talk about the basics: What are they? When? and Where we have been? What do you have to think about if you have kids in tow? The next episode is up to you! Let us know which market you want us to talk about next!

What an exciting time...our first two part episode! Join us as we talk about Christmas Markets in Europe. What are they? How do we get there and how do we move around once we are there? How not to misplace a child and more!!! Let us know which market you want us to talk about next! Comment or email....