This spring I'm dusting off my suitcase and returning to air travel. It's been a few years but we're finally planning a trip outside of the Carolinas as a family. I'm both nervous and excited and a little overwhelmed because one particular trip includes traveling cross country with a toddler. Help!!

The last couple of nights included research on all of the "tools of the trade" available: travel friendly strollers, car seat backpacks, CARES harnesses, car seat travel carts with wheels, travel friendly diaper bags, etc., etc., etc. Y'all, by the time I was done reading about all of these things my eye balls were burning. And to think I have yet to read about what to pack, making take off and landing comfortable for a kid, entertainment ideas, snacks, etc.

This trip is getting expensive and we haven't even left yet.

We headed to the mall this morning to check out some of the items we researched and ended up not buying anything for the trip. I did, however, find a good option for a second car seat for my husband's truck...but first I have to research it online to make sure it's good enough for our kid.

We tried Pholicious for lunch and it wasn't bad for mall pho. Definitely a healthier food court option, outside of getting a salad from a fast food restaurant.

Charlotte didn't eat much of her lunch because she was distracted by the carousel in the middle of the food court. I tried to negotiate with her: finish your pho and we'll go for a ride. She didn't even try finishing her lunch and I gave in.

It cost three dollars to see my child go from pure joy to pure terror then back to joy during the three minute carousel ride. There's a metaphor for life in there somewhere.

We decided on Sabor for dinner since today is both Pi Day (3.14) and Taco Tuesday. Sabor has empanadas (meat hand pie!) and dollar tacos on Tuesday so it was an easy choice. They also have delicious margaritas.

We ordered four tacos, street corn, and two empanadas to feed the three of us. Our friend and her toddler joined us and we helped them eat their plate of nachos because we believe in no nachos being left behind.

baby-eating-corn-sabor-noda-charlotte-nc

I also got a ton of work done after our outings so today goes in the "winning" category.

How was your day? And more importantly, how did you celebrate Pi Day?

Birch Collective

The Daily Birch: Carousels and Pi Day

Birch Co.