A fellow blogger had invited us to a surprise memory making event for mothers and daughters and it turned into a spectacular family get away. Elizabeth Norton the party planning professor with the help of The Golden Inn of Avalon and Jakks toys, and Fairytale Entertainment put together a package of fun that really stunned me and made my kids eyes light up. We got to stay at the Golden Inn for the weekend and enjoy everything that Avalon had to offer this holiday season and on Sunday we went to a jam packed cabbage patch party.But please let me share with you just some of the fabulous fun we got to experience.
The Golden Inn located in Avalon truly is cooler by a mile... It was brisk weather when we arrived but really that refers to the fact it is a mile off the mainland and cooler temperature wise all summer long. Even though the weather was windy and cold my nose was twitching and my toes where itching to get to the beach. I was bundled in every piece of clothing I had brought but it felt great all the same. I had never been to the shore in the winter and it had a stark beauty all its own. The quiet emptiness of the wind swept beach really reached inside me and I was truly peaceful and it felt great. The kids ran willy nilly all over finding shells and screeching like sea gulls when they discovered a new treasure. No fear of losing them it was just us and a few birds. I could walk slowly and just let the rush of the holidays seep right back out of me even if just for the weekend.
Once the sea air had cleared out our lungs and brought us back to nature we realized we were freezing so we scurried right back to the hotel. It is beachfront so it was nice and close. We burst through the door to the lobby and were welcomed in by a large fireplace with a crackling fire calling us to come over and warm ourselves. Wonderful comfy chairs that just snuggled you in and felt more like home than home does....definitely cleaner and less clutter of toys. okay it is my dream to one day reclaim my house from the kids . As if that was not enough the hotel had hot chocolate with marshmallos for us to enjoy while warming at the fireplace. Pinch me am I dreaming...nope this is just how the Golden Inn likes to treat its guests. They want you to come and enjoy, make memories and feel drawn by a deep craving to return to the comfort of a familiar place again and again.
The decor of the hotel was beautful and kept me stress free by being kid friendly in an elegant sophisticated way. It was my first hotel stay with my kids and I was admittedly a little worried since my husband was not coming with me. I did take my mother as an emergency back up. Our room was lovely and spacious we had 2 queen beds and a loveseat sitting area next to a balcony. The best surprise for me was the room had a mini wet bar area with a small fridge and sink. I think I might have done a little dance when I saw it. Yes it is the small things that really make me happy. The kids had been chanting and telling anyone they met that they were going to a hotel and I was still wondering if I would be making the midnight run home but nope we all fell asleep maybe a little later than usual but it was all new and exciting.One more first to log away in the kids books and I am so glad it turned out to be a Golden memory. One we can talk about and enjoy over and over every Thanksgiving or when ever we need a little pick me up on a rough day.
As a Mom of 2 very active kids what was most attractive to me about the Golden Inn was Location Location Location. By that I mean its close to the beach. Close to a fun park the kids loved. Close to shopping and places to dine. But seriously its in Avalon the place that has so many memories etched in my brain from my childhood vacations with all my Aunts,Uncles and Cousins. I have tried other places on the Jersey shore and even Maryland but they all lacked something. I was just not satisfied. I guess I want that perfect balance of activity, freedom, quiet, family time with less crowds and for me Avalon is that perfect balance. No other place will do and now I know my kids can deal with being in a hotel or should I say I can deal with them in a hotel. Yes the hotel is still standing and ready to take your reservations! This experience is one I will never forget and one I wish for all of my friends and family.So if you have not considered a hotel as a good option for your family you just might give it a chance it is certainly an option that will be on my mind for this next summer season!
We got lucky to have been down for the weekend of some holiday fun we were able to experience the hospitality of Avalon /Stone Harbour. We got to see wildlife at the Post office and make bird feeders, Origami fish at the bead it store and we made some fun special ornaments to hang on the tree. We ate lunch and shopped then headed back to the hotel for a nap. Yes a nap all of us in one room during day light hours we got a 2 hour nap and boy did it feel good. Thank goodness to the thick drapes it makes the room nice and dark. We woke in time to get a quick bite and rush off for the Parade. We got to see all the fire trucks decked out and just a wonderful feeling of fun festivities with the pending arrival of the one and only Santa!!!! Then back to our hotel to warm our bones and snuggle down for a great nights sleep in super comfortable beds.
On to the the main event at least in my daughters eyes and maybe my sons too. What little girl does not want a cabbage patch doll? I have not met one and I hate to admit this but yes I have been scared for life from lack of a cabbage patch doll. As a child when the first cabbage patch dolls came out I was mildly interested but then I went to my cousin Aimee's house and she had one. I fell head over heels. I wanted one more than anything. I had and still am a more tomboyish female but that doll had reached in and grabbed hold of the little girl in me. Sadly I never got one:( But that memory has made me love my daughter all the more she is the tomboy but in high heels, a dress that must twirl with leggings on and she always has a baby and 2 purses.She is so much me and so very much more!
We entered Luigi's a cute reasurant attached to the Golden Inn to find we were in a cabbage patch!!!! The decorations were so adorable and the food was very fitting and festive for a cabbage patch adoption. Each expectant parent was called forward to go pick out the cabbage patch doll of their dreams, a nurse on hand was there to help the first time moms and check the babies. The really bath tub, car seats , pack and play and toys just added to the dream quality that swirled around the room as these kids played with the super cute cabbage patch Pop N Style dolls provided by Jakks and Elizabeth Norton. My son wanted to come to the party but soon discovered he was the only boy but Elizabeth welcomed him in to the event and included him in all the fun. He even got to adopt a suprise newborn that arrived in a cabbage outfit. He knew it was a boy. It just had to be, what a surprise when it came out with a pink diaper. He was distressed at first, how could he name it John if it was a girl...Oh my it really is the small details that get in the way. But he soon learned her name was Faith Kya. I mistakenly read it as Faith Kaye so she is fondly called baby Kaye and he really got into playing with her. What a great Dad he will be... I know some of you might think why would I let my 5 yr old Boy play with dolls. Well for one he is all boy and a little down time with out Nerf bullets blazing by my ear as I cook dinner is okay with me. He needs to learn to have a softer side and more than all that he enjoys it!
My daughter has enjoyed doing the hair of the Pop N Style. It has brought a whole new direction to her doll play. Its not all diapers and feedings it just plain fun to brush hair and create and then recreate you babies new look. It is easy enough to clip the hair in and has kept her interest and that of my 5 yr old too. Ahhhh the peace well I might not go that far but both babies have been a welcome addition to the family. In fact both kids are sleeping with their babies at this moment. I wonder if they will be at the breakfast table again? Henrietta and baby Kaye are both finicky eaters thank goodness my kids are not!
Thanks again to Elizabeth Norton, The Golden Inn, Jakks , and Fairytale Entertainment for making this such an awesome event.
Disclosure: I was not paid for this post, but did receive free accommodations, some meals, and the dolls for my children in exchange for my time.
