Category Archives: Family

A Day of Testing Out Athena’s Gifts

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PlayWheels Quad Skates
Since we were traveling during the holidays, we opted for the multiple Christmases. Santa’s elves delivered some of Athena’s gifts early so we could open them at home and the Big Guy delivered the rest on Christmas Day in Wisconsin. It was a great plan that worked wonderfully for us, but the only downside was that Athena didn’t have much time to test out her favorite Christmas gifts before leaving the state. The minute we returned, we took the time to use her PlayWheels Quad Skates and her PlayWheels Skateboard. They were the first item on her list so we wanted to make the most of it.  Continue reading →

Open Doors at The Landing

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The Landing, Door County, Wisconsin
This Christmas was a world of new for Athena and I. We decided to spend it with my partner’s family in Wisconsin. (I still haven’t found the “boyfriend” term that fits for me but I’m working on it.) It was the first time Athena and I weren’t in our own home, opening gifts from Santa and family that were placed under our Christmas tree with loving care; but home isn’t your own tree or a familiar room. It’s the people who surround you that make it home. Cord’s family has shown us an abundance of love in the last few months. They opened their homes and their hearts to Athena and I. Even though we spent Christmas day, and the two days following Christmas, at The Landing in Door County, Wisconsin, it was the most at home I felt in almost a decade.  Continue reading →

An Entire Town for Kids at Mill View Ranch

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Mill View Ranch, Camino, California

Whenever I travel with Athena, I always look for a park for her to play or a restaurant with an indoor play place. In El Dorado County, they have an entire old-west style miniature town made just for kids. It should be no surprise that despite the cold, I still made time for a visit with Athena.  Continue reading →

A Day of Exploration at South Coast Plaza

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Shops at South Coast Plaza

I love shopping with Athena at South Coast Plaza. It’s huge and filled with a world of bright colors, bold prints, and beautiful sights. It would be easy to go there and spend thousands of dollars and walk out with a couple bags though. Many of my favorite clothes in South Coast Plaza come with high price tags. It is possible to visit South Coast Plaza without spending a fortune. Here’s how Athena and I spent six hours at South Coast Plaza and only spent $60 while enjoying rides, dining, shopping, and taking in the sights. We explored, discovered, and experienced the magic of South Coast Plaza.  Continue reading →

Kicking Off Halloween with Legoland’s Brick or Treat

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Legoland's Brick or TreatHalloween is one of my favorite days of the year. My birthday is the day before so I’ve always started celebrating early, but this year we kicked off Halloween with extra early trick-or-treating at Legoland and we’re feeling the Halloween spirit.  Continue reading →

Being Better at it all at Fairmont Grand Del Mar

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Waterfall hike at Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego, CaliforniaDating and transitioning to something serious with a four year old in tow while you’re still married (only because of legal issues) and writing publicly about your life isn’t easy. Even typing it makes me laugh. I feel like it’s a screenplay for a horrible chick flick. But it’s my life and I’m trying to find the balance. Athena’s dad has been out of the country for the last month, leaving me with Athena full-time. I love our time together and I appreciate that so many mothers never get this opportunity but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is draining. I have a shorter fuse and it trickles into all aspects of my life. My boyfriend, another bizarre thing to say and type, has been more than accommodating. I’m constantly in shock with his kindness and understanding, especially for someone without children of his own. Visiting Fairmont Grand Del Mar was my way of balancing the insanity in my life right now. With nanny services, the Explorer’s Club, a pool, a spa, and 5-star dining, we could spend time with Athena and still have time for ourselves. We spent an entire afternoon in the pool and a full day at Legoland but we took one full day for ourselves and it was magical. Thank you, Fairmont Grand Del Mar! You’re a life saver. Continue reading →

Finding the Passion Again

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DoubleTree Pool Fun

Almost six years ago, Bucket List Publications started as a pure labor of love. I combined all of my greatest passions into one and the blog was born. The more it grew, the less it was my “baby” and the more it became a source of income and a job. I would have never imagined I could make a living doing it but it has really come a long way. I’ve experienced some of the greatest adventures available around the world because of Bucket List Publications and most of my travels and experiences were offered in exchange for coverage on the site. That might not have been a good thing though. I stopped posting daily because I couldn’t keep up and I put less of my personal life and more generic travels. I also didn’t have the time to reply to all of the comments coming in and some ladies who had become really great friends drifted off. I was reminded of that today and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I’d like to get back to what I love and enjoy the community that I created here. With that comes a lot of backtracking on what has been happening in my life. So here’s a quick update.  Continue reading →

New Beginnings at a Familiar Place

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Camping in Fundy National Park

In the last month, Athena and I drove 52 hours across the continent to the open, loving arms of our family and friends in Nova Scotia, Canada and then another 52 hours to return to a familiar place but with a new outlook on life. Most of you already know by now that Athena and I are starting a new adventure on our own, but we’ve decided to do it from southern California. It has become our home. We are happiest near the ocean, in the sunshine, and surrounded by all the possibilities that SoCal offers. I’m not ready to give up on our beautiful life in California just yet.  Continue reading →

With the Whole World at My Doorstep‏

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Sunset at Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

I had the entire world at my doorstep and I just couldn’t make it to the door anymore. The walls were too big and my heart was too empty to fill any of the space. It was too far.

I haven’t been writing in weeks and I’ve left you all in the dark with no replies or sharing. Many of you are like family but how can I write a bucket list related post when my life is falling apart? How can I be encouraging you to go after your dreams when mine are all gone? Last week, I left my home, my friends, and my life in California because my husband and I separated. I drove across the country to uncertainty once again only this time I’m doing it with a child, no job, no direction, and no courage. What’s to come? I have no idea. Continue reading →

Athena’s Mall of America Bucketlist

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Carousel at Mall of AmericaMany of my trips include Athena and I try to incorporate fun activities that she will enjoy into my schedule, but my trip to Mall of America was all about her. From morning until night, I allowed her to choose every activity, every ride, every meal, every store, and almost every stop. (Sometimes I needed a bathroom break or to check in to the hotel, but the rest was up to her.) What resulted was one of the most amazing trips for both of us and a bucketlist adventure that we should allow our children at least once in their young lives. When she’s having fun, I’m usually having fun. Watching her make decisions also showed me how capable she is and how much she’s grown. Come along on Athena’s bucketlist version of Mall of America.  Continue reading →