Find my IPhone App and My Angel Steve Jobs

This is not about travel, but this is info you need to know!

IPhones and Droids have apps called Find My IPhone (or droid), and you need to download and activate right now!!!!!!!!!!

Our home was broken into last night. We live in a house built in 1925, and sometimes when the weather changes our alarm goes off. Around 2:45 am Thursday morning our alarm went off. I rolled out of bed, checked the alarm and went downstairs. I heard no sounds, and nothing looked out of place. The 100 pound dog was lying on the leather couch, and not barking. I went back upstairs and went to bed.

When the wife got up around 6:30, and when she went downstairs, she couldn't find her phone, and noticed our wallets were gone. I glanced into the carport, and noticed her car was gone. We called the police, and they came quickly.

I had my phone upstairs, and went to the Find My IPhone App. I tried to find her phone, but it was turned off. I set the app to email me the location if her phone was turned on. About twenty minutes later I got an email from Apple giving me the location of her phone. I called the cops and let them know.

The cops found our car, and then surrounded the house. They soon got a warrant, and stormed the house. They found evidence from at least eight different break ins from all over town.

This crime was solved thanks to an IPhone App! Thanks Steve Jobs, you make life better from beyond the grave. Steve Jobs is my guardian angel's name.

Parents: You need this app, not only for something like this, but on your teenagers phones as well. I know your kids may not want you to know where they are 24/7, but with this App you can!

Bottom Line: GET THE APP!

Disney On Ice

Like it or not, Disney is the worldwide leader in family entertainment.  Theme parks, cruises, movies, games, ABC, Disney Chanel, ESPN, toys, Broadway shows, and traveling shows - Disney is everywhere.  One reason they are everywhere, is because they can do things right.  One of my family's favorite Disney products is Disney On Ice. 

We have seen performances in Little Rock, Memphis x2, Tupelo, and in Nashville. I'm starting to think we might have a problem, but then I think there must be a reason that we keep coming back.

Disney On Ice is produced by Feld Entertainment, the same people that currently produce the Ringling Brothers Circus.  The shows features figure skaters dressed as Disney characters.  The show is aimed primarily at children, but the quality of the skaters is on par with Olympic athletes.  Only the four best skaters in the country may make the Olympic team every four years, but the next skaters in line make Disney On Ice. The first time we saw the show, my kids loved the characters, but we were impressed by the skill of the skaters. Disney on Ice runs over 8 productions and touring companies at any given time, not only in the US, but all over the world. 

Tickets are generally available at many different price points.  Rink side tickets can be upwards from $45 each, with prices ranging down to $15 in some venues. The highest priced tickets don't necessarly have the best views, in fact at the rink level your view of what is going on across the ice can be blocked by the skaters right in front of you.  The best view is typically about 10-12 rows up from the ice.  The only advantage to the rink side seats is that children feel like the characters are waving directly to them, and at some venues they may get a high five from one of the skaters during the final number of the show.

If you are in the process of potty training, or you think that your kids may not be able to make it through the entire performance, by all means save your money and don't buy the most expensive tickets.  The highest priced tickets are usually farthest from the restroom.  You, your kids, and the people sitting around you will all enjoy the show a lot better if you save some money and sit a little bit up from the ice and closer to the restroom. 

The first time we saw Disney on Ice it was in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I thought, "Nothing but the best for my family" and I paid for the rink side tickets. There are usually two rows of seats at rink side, and we were on the second row.  We thought we had really lucked out, because at about five minutes before the show started the seats in front of us were empty.  At about two minuites before the show started, the largest man with the most tattoos in all of Arkansas came in and sat down right in front of J, who was three at the time.  In her loudest three year old voice ever she exclaimed "THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I CAN'T SEE AROUND THAT MAN!"  I really had to agree with her, why would a man that big with that many tatts be on the front row of this show?  He never turned around, or even acknowledged that he heard her, but he did slump down in his seat for the entire show.

One thing that I absolutely love about Disney on Ice, is that the shows ALWAYS start exactly on time (according to the time on my cell phone.)  There is an announcement when there is five minutes until the show starts, at three minutes, and then at exactly the appointed hour- out skates Micky and Minnie.  With small kids, timing is everything, and if the show started 10 mins late- that's 10 more minutes to entertain the kiddos.

I am always shocked at how many people shell out the money for the expensive tickets that are on the ice, and then come to the show 15 mins late. The shows generally feature several small segments from different movies. If you're kids are all into the movie CARS or Toy Story, and that was the first act, if you are late then you missed it. I would just hate to be in their car on the way home when junior says "Daddy, you said we were going to see Buzz Lightyear, but we didn't". 

One thing that I don't really care for is the high priced concessions, toys, light up wands, and swords that not only are for sale every seven feet in the lobby, but also by barkers going up and down the stands.   We always eat right before the show, and promise a snack on the trip home.  Thus far, we have somehow duped our kids into not expecting to go home with one of these gimics, but I'm not sure how much longer our luck with last.  Oh, and really... there are kids everywhere, and you're selling swords?  Why is that a good idea?

Special note to parents of boys:  These shows seem to be aimed primarly at girls.  Lots and lots of princesses!  This works out great for my two girls but it may not be as exciting for boys.

The bottom line:  This is a show that everyone in my family enjoys, and I'm sure the next time it comes near, we will go see it. Choose your seats wisely, and if nothing else... get there on time!

Daddy, I Want Steak!

My five year old likes steak.

Wait, My five year old LOVES steak.

A few weeks ago, she was a little under the weather, and when I asked her what she wanted to eat - she said STEAK!

We were in downtown Nashville this weekend on our way to the Bridgestone Arena to see Disney on Ice. As we walked past The Palm, my wife casually mentioned that one of the best steaks that she ever had was at that restaurant.  When J, my five year old, heard that she said "If they have good steak, I want to go there!"

Don't worry, we didn't go in. This blog is not going to be about giving a five year old a $46 dollar steak, or taking kids to a restaurant that is normally reserved for a high roller business lunch, or a very special romantic anniversary.  The wife and I actually ate there earlier this year when we were on our anniversary get away, it was an awesome steak and great experience, but it is for sure not a place for kids.  The Palm does not have a children's menu, nor do they need one.  I told J that I would take her there on her 18th birthday.

SO, now she had steak on the mind, and so did I.  So now we had to figure out where to go.

I was in Atlanta for a medical meeting about a year ago, and after the meeting we went to dinner at Ted's Montana Grill.  I knew there was a location in Nashville, so I thought we could consider it. I pulled up their website, and found a complete menu. Unlike many restaurants that put their menus online, Ted's online menu also included the kids menu! So off we went to Ted's Montana Grill.

Ted's is owned by none other than Ted Turner of Turner Broadcasting.  Mr. Turner owns the largest herd of Bison in the world, and his restaurants are known for their bison burgers and bison steaks. For those of you who have never eaten bison, it is very lean with minimal fat.  In fact, for those of you counting Weight Watcher Points an equal amount of bison meat is only about half the points of what beef would be. This restaurant is very environmentally conscious.  They encourage recycling, and even had paper straws instead of plastic, which are apparently bad for the environment. Ted's has 46 locations in 16 states.

When we entered the restaurant at 7:30 pm on Sunday night, there was no wait, and we were seated without delay.  The host gave each of the girls a set of Bendy Sticks, and even opened them for the girls.  The decor was classic with dark woods and a large Bison head on the wall.  The wait staff places a piece of recycled paper over the table cloth to keep the tablecloths clean, less washing means less water... which is better for the earth.

When the girls saw the paper on the tables, they asked the waitress for crayons.  They waitress said "That's a really good idea, and I don't know why we don't have crayons for kids to color."  My brilliant wife had previously figured out to keep crayons in her purse for such an occasion.  So out came our crayons (from another restaurants' kids menu) and the girls began to color as we read the menu.

The adults both had Bison Filet.  J ordered the "kids steak, cooked medium because I like to see pink," and G ordered the kids chicken tenders.

The kids menu choices include: Chicken Tenders, Bar None Sliders, Salmon, Steak, Mac-N-Cheez, and Grilled Cheez.
Kids Drink choices include: fountain beverage, Lemonade, Milk or Ice Tea

G got the lemonade, and it was really good.  J, the picky drinker, had some apple juice that we had brought with us.

The girls made a trip to the restroom while we waited for our food.  The restrooms have a very retro decor, with a double flusher on the toilet. You push the handle one way for one, and the other way for two.  My girls thought that was super cool.

When the food arrived, it looked amazing.  G's chicken tenders were large, and delicious.  J's steak appeared to be an approx 6-7 oz sirloin. It was cooked to her specifications with pink in the middle.  As I sliced her steak, I stole a bite, and it was great.  J quickly ate her steak, and was looking for bites of her parents'.  The kids plates both came with fries, and they were great as well.

As for our Bison Filets... all I can say is WOW!  The meat was lean with no fat, and was cooked to perfection.  This was one of the best steaks that I have had in a really, really long time.  To be honest, it is probably the best steak I have ever had at a restaurant that welcomes children.

The bottom line:  If you, or your kids like steak, head over to Ted's Montana Grill.  Try the Bison, but bring your own crayons!  We will be back!

I Love Hotel Indigo

My first review on my first day as a self appointed travel critic, and I give away the entire review in the title.  I guess I have things to learn.

Hotel Indigo is a chain of boutique hotels, part of the InterContinental Hotels Group.  Yes, the same people that brought you Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites, Crown Plaza, and InterContinental have produced what is promoted as "the industry's first branded boutique hotel experience." This hotel group is included in the "Priority Club Points," so if you earn points at the Holiday Inn, you can use them for your stay at Hotel Indigo

Guest rooms feature murals, rugs, bright colors, and artwork reflective of each Hotel Indigo's local neighborhood.

The cool thing about Hotel Indigo is that most of them are in buildings that were built for other purposes, and later converted to a hotel.

Our first experience with Hotel Indigo was in St. Louis, however according to the Hotel Indigo website this location does not seem to exist anymore, so I'll move on.

In May, my wife and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary with an overnight trip to Nashville without the kids.  We stayed at the Hotel Indigo Downtown on Union Street.  This location is actually made up of two old bank buildings that have been converted into a hotel.  The lobby is welcoming and open, with live music most nights.  Our room was oversized with an extra large bathroom.  Conversion of old buildings into hotels often results in rooms larger than you would typically expect.

My daughter that is in Kindergarten had "fall break" this weekend.  School was out on Friday and Monday, which resulted in a long weekend.  Since I was on call on Saturday, we had to have a quick getaway if we wanted to go anywhere for "fall break."  I did some looking around and found out that Disney on Ice was going to be in Nashville this weekend (more to come on DonI), so a trip to Nashville was planned.

We have collected enough "Priority Club Points" to earn a free night, so when I was checking out my options I realized that there is a Hotel Indigo not far from the arena. Hotel Indigo Nashville Music Row- Vanderbilt is just over a mile away.  So tickets were bought, and reservations made.

Off we headed to Nashville, we had lunch at one of our favorites (blog to come), walked around in a park (another blog to come), and then checked into the Hotel.  The lobby was decorated with images of music and guitars.  The lobby also had a collection of guitars hanging up high on the walls, that were quickly noticed by the girls.  The check-in clerk was very nice and got us checked in quickly, and gave us directions to everywhere in the hotel we could possibly need. -As well as many places we didn't need- who has time for the gym when you've got two girls in tow?  There was a bucket of candy on the counter, and both girls got to pick out a sucker.  There was actually different candy in the bucket the next day when we checked out.  (I don't know if this is just for Halloween, or if the candy bucket is always there.)

Like the other Hotel Indigo in Nashville, this location is also in a converted building.  Our room was much larger than I expected.  We had two queen beds, a desk, a couch with ottoman, a club chair, and two TVs.  I had booked a "standard room," but I may have been upgraded due to my priority club points. The room had brightly colored walls and bedspreads, and the bathroom was a bright green color.  Everyone had room to spread out, and we didn't feel like we were all piled into a closet.

When J went into the bathroom she said "There is not a bathtub in here!"  There was a large walk in shower.  This was not an issue for us, because our girls don't take a bath every single night, and didn't need one while we were there.  If we had planned on being there several nights in a row, this could have been an issue.  Thinking back, I realized that this stand up shower-only set up was present at the other Hotel Indigos that we have stayed at, so I don't know if this is true for every room in the chain, but if you have to have a bathtub, you might want to talk to someone when you book your room.

When we returned to the hotel after dinner, there was live music in the lobby.  I'm not sure who was playing, but it was actual music, and not the typical crap that you hear in a hotel lobby. If the girls hadn't been so sleepy, we could have stayed in the lobby and all enjoyed the music.  For those that FourSquare, there is a drink special if you "check-in".

Parking is either self park for $19 a night, or "Ballet Parking" (remember, I have two girls) for $23 a night.

Overall, I love this hotel and will stay here again.  The only downside is the no bathtub in the room if your small kids need a bath, but for one or two nights, this should not be a deal breaker.

On the Road to Somewhere New

I often glance at the travel page of USA Today online or read travel articles in magazines and see reviews of lots of cool places and trendy restaurants. These reviews detail the posh atmosphere, the eclectic foods, the extensive wine lists and the signature drinks from the bar. The reviews of hotels and resorts tell about the twenty-four hour workout facilities and the spas.

BUT...

I have never read a travel critic that mentions what is on the kids menu, if milk or apple juice is available, or that all the bathrooms in the hotel only have stand up showers.

I am by no means a world traveler, I have never owned a restaurant or a hotel, and I am an average writer at best. I have no reason to lay claim to being a travel critic. However, there is no travel critic out there that tells me the critical information that I need to travel with my family.

I am a hard working father of two young girls. I am an OBGYN physician who works a minimum of 60 hours a week, I am on call every sixth night, and work one-sixth of the weekend days and holidays each year. When I have time off work, I get out of town! Whether it is a quick weekend trip, or a planned vacation... when I am off work we are going somewhere.
When I met wife of almost ten years, she was a CPA in one of the top four CPA firms in America. She was a corporate auditor with clients as varied as hospitals, children's museums, a pig farm, and multiple casinos. She spent much of her time traveling and she actually carried a badge from the Gaming Commission.  Of course, during her "working days" she could really use the information from a normal critic.  However, now she is a full time mom (for now anyway), and instead of needing to know directions to the latest hot spot, she needs to know where to get a good meal for both the adults and the kids.
"J" is our oldest daughter.  She is all girl, and a diva in the making. She is 5, and is one of the pickiest eaters on earth!  Things that most kids like to eat like peanut butter or mac & cheese are not for her.  She always wants steak, and likes it medium "so the pink shows."
"G" is a three year old girl who is always on the move.  If the service is too slow at a restaurant, she will let us all know by getting out of her chair or disappearing under the table before we know it.  The good news is she will eat almost ANYTHING (except steak, strangely enough).
Neither of our girls drink soft drinks.  This is not because we are great parents, or health nuts... they just won't.  J thinks she has to have apple juice at every meal, and G will at least drink apple juice, milk, or lemonade.

I personally believe to maintain a healthy marriage, a couple needs at least two "date nights" a month, and one trip a year with just the two of them.

I also believe that one of the responsibilities of having children is to teach them things and take them places.  When we travel, we take our kids (with the exception noted above).  We have taken them to the Caribbean, to SEC football games, to Disney World, to big cities, and to small towns.  We have learned a lot on our journeys, and we have also encountered some things that we wish someone had warned us about.

I hope to use this blog to share travel tips that I have learned with other parents.  I plan to review restaurants on not only their children's menu, but also on how welcoming the staff is to children and things that parents need to know, like if you should bring your own crayons to keep your kids busy while you wait.  I also plan to discuss hotels, events, and tips once you get to your destination.  I will also probably ask a few friends to contribute to the blog in the future. I don't expect for this blog to be full of tips to save money, because sometimes to successfully travel with children it may be worth spending a few extra dollars.

Happy Traveling, I will post my first review soon... we did spend part of the weekend in Nashville.