Ahhhh! This picture is me with my four littles on Mother’s Day this year. Do you see my face? So relaxed. So happy. And if you can believe it this is after spending the whole weekend with my kids in a hotel in downtown Chicago… and with my husband working back at home half the time while we were there! Relaxing on vacation with four little kids is totally possible. Let me tell you how:
The first thing you need to do is book yourself a stay at an Embassy Suites by Hilton™ hotel. They offer free made-to-order breakfast each morning, and complimentary drinks* and snacks for two hours every night. Let me tell you…we totally lived it up on both those offerings and it made a difference from me being relaxed mommy vs crazy-eyed stressed out mommy for the entire weekend away, hooray! 🙂
The hotel was just perfect! We were welcomed in with a beautiful two-room suite. There was lots of space for us to spread out which, when you have 6 people in your family, you definitely need some space for each person to do their own thing at some point in the day. 
You can see my children made themselves at home right away! 🙂
There was a separate bedroom with two queen size beds and another TV, as well as the bathroom tucked in between.
I felt like this was the perfect Mother’s Day weekend away with my kids because they were always taken care of at the hotel, it was truly relaxing. Each morning breakfast was provided and it was an affair to remember. Bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, hash browns, plus cooked to order eggs and waffles. There was even a Mexican breakfast bar with quesadillas, spicy beans, salad fixings, a Greek yogurt bar with toppings, as well as the usual bagels, muffins, cereals, and oatmeal. Heck, anything you wanted they had! Plus a huge variety of juice, coffee, tea, and soda if that is your thing!
My children were in heaven and ate until their bellies were full!
Being the momma, I loved that breakfast was served from 6AM-10:30AM on the weekends so there was no rush for us to get up, get ready, and get moving. Because of the long breakfast hours there was always an open table, which is always a stressor for us when bringing four hungry kids in tow!
The mezzanine level housed the pool, which is always a huge hit with my children! The pool also had long hours (5AM-midnight), which I loved because we could go before dinnertime and it meant there were no teenagers there since they could go in the evening when little ones are getting ready for bed!
They even had a hot tub…now tell me that is not relaxing! 
In the evenings, from 5PM-7PM the hotel offers complimentary snacks (and alcoholic drinks if you are of age). My kids were sooo sooo sooo excited for this. We had our whole day planned out around the complimentary food at the hotel, we were that excited!
They had a nacho bar and some bar-type snack foods like Chex mix type things to nosh on. And while the kids could lap it up with lemonade and juice, my husband and I enjoyed some wine and margaritas! We just chilled out and even played a few rounds of I Spy before heading out for a night on the town with the little ones! 
We truly had such a great weekend away and on Mother’s Day weekend no less! No one wanted to leave, which tells you something about the wonderful experience we had with Embassy Suites! In addition, Embassy Suites has some #PrettyGreat family travel tips to help parents share ways to get the most out of their family vacations. Some of my favorite travel tips are:
- Always take a picture of your children at the start of your day. This way you have a current picture of what they look like and what they are wearing in case anyone ever gets lost!
- We place extra pillows on the floor nearest our youngest sleeper in case he falls out of bed. This way he has a soft place to land!
- We flip over a sturdy (and empty) garbage can and use it as a stool in the bathroom so little ones can easily wash their hands and brush their teeth.
If you are interested in staying at an Embassy Suites by Hilton you can find current offers here and great travel tips here. And you can always learn more about this wonderful hotel by following along via social media: Facebook//Twitter//Pinterest//Instagram//YouTube
*Service of alcohol subject to state and local laws. Must be of legal drinking age
Love, Maggie
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My best tip is to go with the flow as much as possible and not fight things you can’t control.
We usually road trip, so I’ll wash and cut a bunch of veggies, wash fruit, and stock up on other snacks like jerky, cheese sticks, chips, and even boiled eggs so we don’t have to stop for lunch.
We have only taken a few trips so far with the kids. We usually go camping somewhere close to home or down the Oregon coast. My biggest tip is stay organized when packing! Also make sure to have easy activities for the kids to play in the car with their own bags to hold everything. If you camping make a menu for the days you are there so it is easier for moms or dad’s to make meals. 🙂
We have stayed at that hotel many times and it’s definitely a favorite. The suites and breakfast make life easier with kids. I’m jealous that we’ve never had time to enjoy the pool like you did!
I haven’t checked in on your blog in a while so I was surprised to see Noah has braces, and Oliver is so grown up! You all look amazing. Happy Mother’s Day
I have 4 kids and we always have to bring plenty of snacks and games.
tweet–https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/739889446020059137
With kids there always seems to be too much to take. But my tip is to pack the bare minimum because you can always buy it there! Roll clothes and stuff socks and underwear inside shoes to save space! And I pack bags with what is needed first on the top — a change of clothes for dinner, pajamas, or what is needed during the day including a change of clothes in case of accidents.
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/739891015264264192
My tip is to bring books, games and snacks on your trip
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/739893221195550720
My tip, especially for traveling with young kids, is to bring something that reminds them of home. It could be a toy, stuffed animal or a picture. It can also help to entertain them on planes.
tweet https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/739909742340931584
Make sure to always pack extras of things.
https://twitter.com/willgriesmer/status/739920320161820672
I always try to pack wipes for the vehicle and plenty of snacks.
My tip is to make sure a free breakfast is included and bring plenty of bottled water.
We always pack with color books, games and snacks for traveling.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/740002746418352128
I have started packing each outfit (with undies and socks) in a gallon ziplock bag. They squish so flat and you can suck the air out to make them even flatter! Ha! This has helped so much in that the kids don’t dig through and mix up ALL of their clothes looking for something. I use one suitcase for my 3 girls and this really helps to keep their things separated too! And…my kids can independently grab a bag with their name on it and I don’t have to go through and find something for them that matches. This has been sooo helpful!
Make sure you bring good music and charge your tablet
groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com
tweet- https://twitter.com/groogruxking40/status/740054614406516736
My best tip for traveling as a family is to make sure every kid has a spot they can call their own. A side of the bed, a chair just a place they can sit or lay and read and take a minute to themselves.
Tweet- https://twitter.com/mitadav/status/740172054691991552
We always pack with games, snacks and good music.
This looks fabulous! We have a family of 8, so I’ve got some tips up my sleeve! I’ll spare ya the “motherload” ha ha and say, bring along plastic hangers for hanging bathing suits up to dry after pool fun, even some that come home from the store when you buy clothes that u don’t mind tossing rather than lugging home. No one likes putting on a drippy swimsuit!
https://twitter.com/QueenB_Tammy/status/740281582355910656
We like to bring our own snacks & drinks in a cooler.
Before the trip, I pack a ziploc bag of snacks for each child for each day. After breakfast at the hotel, each child gets her/his bag for the day. It helps them ration their snacks and keeps me from constantly digging in the snack bag when they start the “I hungry” chorus.
our children are 15 & up but we still love to travel w/ them & for you dear mothers of littles enjoy them 🙂 take plenty of snacks, water, patience, & love w/ you & vaca will be enjoyed much better 🙂
We travel by plane to visit family twice a year. I always take a picture of each piece of luggage so if one gets lost I can recall what the bag looked like and fill out the forms quickly and be on my way. I also make sure that each suitcase has at least one outfit per family member, that way if one gets lost by the airline – we all still have clean clothes until the missing luggage is returned to us.
My traveling tip to travel with family is always pack some healthy snacks. We seems to be more hungry when we’re on the go. 🙂
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/742215570972508160
amy [at] uTry [dot] it
My best tip is to bring a small stash of favorite snacks for each person. Just in case you have to wait for a meal or they didn’t enjoy what was served all that much ?
Some of my favorite trips for traveling with the whole family is to bring plenty of snacks and play road games (such as I spy).
https://twitter.com/RachelGriesmer/status/743141172034560000
My best travel tip is to pack plenty of snacks, seems like its all my kids want when traveling on the road. I also plan ahead of time, searching restaurants and the best things to do in the place we are visiting.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/744211914125877248.
I learned to always make a list of every item we brought along. Without a list it always seems like something is left in a drawer or otherwise overlooked. That list makes the stay must less stressful and more enjoyable.
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/744745053482975232
bring tons of snacks and games!
tweeted https://twitter.com/lindilala/status/744767836833325056
snacks are a big thing and fun music for the car ride 🙂
https://twitter.com/linjumimom/status/744980283259232256
https://twitter.com/Natashalamoreu1/status/745031912671023108
My tip is to take a vehicle that has plenty of room so all the kids have space. Also, games , movies, and snacks sure help them pass the time.
My tip AHS…always have snacks! and water, of course!
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dmarie824/status/745668195508445185
get good snacks!
https://twitter.com/mijulinmarie/status/745757267375489024
My best tip is to plan for everything and anything and don’t wait until the last second to pack because you WILL forget things.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/746035605008584705
I haven’t mastered the art of packing but as long as you keep a carefree attitude and pack up the fun, you’re all set
Pack ahead, make sure you pick an activity everyone enjoys, get a lot of sleep and have patience =)
2nd entry https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/746248570047717376
Pack extra clothes, expect extra surprises, bring the charge card and be prepared for anything and everything lol
Always bring lots of money when taking family vacations, that’s for sure.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Esham4life/status/746254881355358208
https://mobile.twitter.com/faithjacklynswe/status/746518384540528640
My best tip is to bring lots of snacks and water.
tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysweetiepie/status/746526146641047552
https://twitter.com/OneFrugalGirl/status/746556372708372480
Hungry kids are cranky kids so keep them well fed. Keep snacks on hand at all times!
Our best travel trip is to always pack a variety of snacks & a travel pillow.
I sent a tweet: https://twitter.com/electricstar/status/746793772684455936
Tip: To save on meals, stay at a hotel that offers complementary breakfast and has a kitchenette or at least microwave & fridge in the room
sent a tweet https://twitter.com/iamdadtastic/status/746841173575241728
my tip is to not overplan your day – I enjoy a more relaxed schedule when i’m traveling
i posted a tweet here
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/746904006312660992
we have never had a family vacation
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/747209412339707906
My tip is to bring a lot of snacks, drinks and games to keep my children busy.
https://twitter.com/susan1215/status/747860081396453376
Love this post! A tip we’re trying for a summer road trip is surprise bags to open during milestones on our trip — our first stop for fuel; when we arrive at our hotel; when we arrive at the beach; when we pass the dinosaur museum; when we pass a particular rest stop; when we are 100 miles from home on our return trip. I mixed it up with used DVDs (eBay); dollar-store puzzles and games; a $9 handheld portable fan from Target; a new shirt that fits our destination; new books for bedtime stories (Amazon). There’s always something to look forward to, both to our destination and back home.
We limit our miles driving, take videos and music along, tons of snacks, and take frequent breaks.
https://mobile.twitter.com/arress83/status/748257250230276097
I check online for coupons or deals in the area we are visiting, I visit websites for frugal or inexpensive things to do in the area.
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/748379517811625984
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
My tip is to choose a destination that will have interests for all age groups in the family. It helps everyone’s attitude when they can all find an activity they enjoy.
Tweet
https://twitter.com/clc408/status/748504769434619904
My best travel tip is to take something with you they will love to play with in the car or on the plane and plan plenty of stops or you end up with cranky kids!
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/748688834188218368?lang=en
I learned a long time ago – don’t let them pack their own bags. I’ve wasted a lot of time shopping for socks, shoes, underwear, jackets, etc. at our vacation destination.
Pack wisely or light, have something to keep kids busy, avoid the real crowded places, go at off times, keep to a schedule.
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/749206627396399106
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
My tip is to let the kids have a hand in planning some of the events.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Tweeted
https://twitter.com/Sillysiamese/status/750192007943892992
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
We always make sure to bring lots of snacks for the kids. We also bring books for car rides as well.