Hotel [Insert Name Here]

Since visiting friends in Knoxville and Kansas City this summer, I think I've decided the perfect vacation with little kids is visiting friends with little kids (or fully prepared for little kids, aka "grandparents").

When you're staying in someone's home, it's not a big deal if you forget something. In fact, there is far less to remember since they already have a pack-n-play, high chair, strollers, utensils, etc. They have a fully-stocked kitchen, the host has planned the meals, you're not eating out all the time (always stressful with a 2-yr-old who does NOT want to sit), and you can put the kids to bed and stay up eating, talking, and watching movies.

Speaking of putting the kids to bed, in a house there's much more opportunity to sleep apart from your kids than in a hotel. Closets, offices, playrooms, guest rooms, basements - it's amazing where you can fit a pack-n-play or sleeping bag so the 2-yr-old's midnight crying jag doesn't wake e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e.

Not only that, they have toys (legos!), built-in playmates for our kids (big and small), and know all the local toddler hotspots: the mini ride-in train, the restaurant with chalkboard walls for kids to color, the neighborhood pool, the town parade including 9 (9!!) firetrucks, the backyard playset, and the bbq restaurant where kids eat free including ice cream.

Finally, I learn a lot from the host families - from visiting their churches to reading their books and trying out their cooking tips. As soon as we got back from Kansas City, I went right out to Target and bought the best kids thermoses (keep milk cold all day long) and water wings (I can take both boys to the pool on my own without panicking). Thank you, Steve & Ginger! Since returning from Knoxville, I've spent hours reading and wrestling with some fascinating and challenging ideas that have already impacted my decision-making. Thank you, Mark & Katy!

All of which makes me sound like the biggest mooch ever. But I like to remind them we were technically invited - and that hopefully they'll come visit us so we have a chance to pamper them as well as they've pampered us.

'Cause we do love y'all. And your households.