Melificent

How to do Disney with a Toddler

While on our most recent trip to Disney, I got a lot of DM’s through Instagram asking me how we do it. We are by no means Disney experts (even though I grew up going to the parks regularly), but we do feel like we have what works for us down. That may not work for you all, but sharing is caring and it just might improve your visit in one way or another!

This year, Luna turns 3, which means she is no longer free at the parks (sniff). I already bought her annual pass and she has her first ever magic band waiting for her, so look out for a lot more Disney content over the next year, which is going to be tons of fun. Before I jump into our tips and tricks, I get a lot of people asking me not only how we do it, but why. It’s viewed as a very stressful vacation for parents, but we look forward to our trips just as much as Luna does. Why? Disney to me represents magic and dreams. It’s everything that is beautiful about childhood, and I want Luna to grow up feeling those things. As most of you know, I haven’t really lost that childlike feeling of wonder, and it’s definitely awakened whenever I see Cinderella’s Castle, the characters or Mickey-shaped treats. I want Luna to experience those feelings of magic and imagination, and I want her to hold them close as she gets older, and to me, it all starts here.

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Harry Potter Target Event

Being a geeky mom, it’s hard to come by geek-centric events in Miami that are appropriate for the kiddos too, but leave it to Target to do the job. Firstly mamas, did you know that Target has kid friendly events scheduled every month? Check and see what they are and what stores near you participate here. This month was Harry Potter themed, so you know the bestie and I trekked to a Target 15 minutes away just to attend (our home Target wasn’t participating – such muggle behavior).

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Two.

It’s really hard to wrap my head around the fact that my little baby is two. I feel like I was just writing the “one” post for her yesterday, and here we are. The past year has been so revolutionarily different from the last. It was more learning how to balance mom life with personal and work. It was hard. Many times I felt very much alone. But it made me realize how much I am really capable of. I’ve always struggled with confidence and believing in myself (I blame it on being the “baby” of the family), but Luna gave me a great gift. She let me see what I am truly made of. She has made me feel like a wonder woman, and there are few moments where I feel like I can’t conquer something if I try hard enough, and that is quite a feat. She has also opened my eyes to the people I want in my life, my goals, and what is truly important. I am a different person: a better one because everything is in perspective.

As for Luna, she has grown in so many ways. She loves the outdoors and is a very active child. Her favorite past time is running outside and she has just recently begun to jump, which is adorable to watch. She also loves music (she was made her music teacher’s helper at school), singing and dancing. Her favorite movie is Moana, and her favorite TV shows are PJ Masks, True + the Rainbow Kingdom and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She loves to rough house and her giggles could light up the whole world. She always cleans up after herself, loves to wash her hands, and is successfully potty trained. She is sassy, says “cheeeeese!” when she sees a camera, and is a social butterfly. She loves to pick her outfits every morning and will shout “BOW! (go)” at the top of her lungs when we are taking too long to get out the door. She is beautiful and magical. She is my best friend, and my tiny partner in crime. It’s us against the world, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Thank you for all the gifts you unknowingly give me every day, Luna.
Happy second, my lion.

 

 

All photos by Agustin Sanchez.

What I Wore: Mom Life

I’m not going to lie. The past few weeks have been real difficult over on the Melificent side of the world. Lets not even touch on all the current events unfolding that have both simultaneously broken my heart and angered me down to my very core. Of course, when I put my situation next to all that, I am eternally grateful to be alive, healthy and surrounded by love. But guys. Sometimes momming ain’t easy. And it takes a village. And, well. Some of us don’t have that village. So it’s been lots of hustling on the job side, while balancing all our to-do’s and being there for little Luna. This mom is exhausted.

I had been complaining that I wasn’t looking very cute lately, as I have been leaning towards more of the mom uniform and less of the fashion blogger. But, this past weekend I decided to blend them both. And what do you know? You really can find comfort and style while running after a toddler. Who knew?

Crop top; Born Savage
Leggings + Tank; Forever 21
Shoes; Adidas
Hat; AliExpress
Sunglasses; gifted
Lips; Colourpop’s Tulle

Lincoln’s Beard Brewery: Recess Event

As a parent, you often want to partake in all the fun, but know bringing the toddlers along is just going to ruin said fun. You see, I have a very active almost-two-year-old that likes to run free, exploring and tearing from any form of hand holding or restrictive chairs (eating out is no longer an option). That’s why my ears perked up when I heard that a local brewery, Lincoln’s Beard, would be hosting a monthly child-friendly event called Recess. I attended my first this past weekend and it was so great! Sure, the weather was stifling (hello August in Miami!) and I was sweating from every orifice in my body, but seeing how happy Luna was to run around more than made up for it.

The event allowed parents to drink the brewery’s beers (responsibly) while socializing and munching on some excellent food trucks (Taco and Tattoos’ Tako Krew and Mr. PB+J), and gave the kids plenty to do too (without getting in too much trouble). Luna was especially mesmerized by the bubble machine, the Jenga pieces and dancing to the DJ’s tunes. There were also kid-friendly vendors sprinkled around the brewery that catered to the kiddo’s interests. Despite the 90+ temperatures, Luna stayed and partied for a little over 2 hours, and I have to say that I can’t wait for next month’s events. I am highly appreciative of businesses that realize parent life is hard, and plan events to make it less so.

Some constructive criticisms?

  • Changing table needed! They used a pack and play as the changing station, which gave me the heebie jeebies. BUT they sectioned off the entire upstairs of the brewery for breastfeeding, which is wonderful. I changed Luna up there instead.
  • More activities! Luna is used to going to daycare and entertaining herself with everything and anything. She’s a curious kiddo. But it would have been nice to have even more activities for the kids aside from Chalk, hula hoops, Uno, Jenga and a bubble machine. Maybe a water play station to beat the heat? Even sprinklers! Ball pits, etc.
  • The music was a little too loud (for kids).
  • Making that specific event non-smoking would have been nice.
  • Some more outdoor fans for the patio area because man, is it hot.

Do any of you guys know of more kid-friendly events in South Florida? Luna loves to go out but sometimes it’s difficult to find toddler-appropriate outings in this city!