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Let’s Talk About: Dr. Kim is On the Go to Buellton

This post is sponsored. All opinions are my own!

After two back to back media travel press trips my husband turned to me and said, ” You should create a new series on your blog called ‘Dr. Kim: On the Go!’ and I have to admit there is a certain ring to it! Whether it’s traveling solo for work or traveling as a family, I am on the go – a lot!

No matter how much you travel, each experience is unique, even if you’ve been there multiple times. I never take any travel experience for granted. I love going on new adventures with my family and making new memories for all of us! I want my children to see new places and learn about the world in an experiential way. So thankfully, my family and I were recently gifted with an incredible trip to Buellton, California in Santa Barbara County. In Buellton, you can “Eat, Stay, and Play” and let me tell you there was so much to do and see, we didn’t even get to it all!

Buellton is about a 4 hour drive from the San Diego area, less than 5 hours from San Francisco, and only 2 1/2 hours from Los Angeles! It it right next door to Solvang, which you will learn more about through this post, and the entire area is beautiful, fun, affordable, and very family friendly!

Who has seen the movie Sideways? Well part of the movie was filmed in the Buellton area, the home of over 80 wineries within a 7 mile radius! Luckily while we were in town, it was the weekend of the annual Wine and Chili Festival, so we were able to taste local wines from various vineyards in one place! We listened and danced to live music, sampled red and green chilis from local chefs and even did a little shopping from local boutiques that had a booth at the event!

But let me back up and start from the beginning…

When we first arrived, we checked into the Hampton Inn & Suites – a Hilton Hotel in the city of Buellton – for two nights!

The hotel is brand new and not even a year old. Everything is new, clean, and upgraded!

Every staff member was extremely kind and helpful and we were given quality service every step of the way.

The hotel is tucked away less than a minute from the main road so it is nice and quiet. It has an outdoor heated pool and whirlpool, a Bocce ball court, and fire pits with seating areas with the most peaceful and beautiful hillside views.

And I’m not kidding when I say that the pool was heated to the perfect temperature. I could’ve stayed in there for days it was so relaxing!

 

The hotel also has a Business Center and a Fitness Gym.


One of my favorite parts of the hotel, especially traveling with children, is the complimentary hot buffet breakfast that is included in your stay each morning. And the dining room was so big and beautiful with plenty of couches, plush chairs, and other comfortable seating. And they had plenty of high chairs, too!


 

And although we were only there on the weekend, if you’re in a hurry, you can grab Hampton’s On the Run™ complimentary Breakfast Bags, available Monday through Friday! And you can even get fresh fruit, tea, coffee, and hot chocolate anytime 24 hours a day in the lobby!

The suite we were given was quite large and perfect for a family! All rooms have 50-inch HDTVs and complimentary WiFi and of course their infamous Hampton bed®. And although we brought our own pack n play for our son, the hotel offers cribs and high chairs upon request.

Our suite also had a desk, a pull out sofa, and a kitchenette with a sink, refrigerator, microwave and drawer space.

For our first evening in town, we had dinner at the infamous Pea Soup Anderson’s, only a short 2 minute drive and less than a mile from the hotel.

In business since 1924, it is a long time tradition for me to eat here since I was a little girl. It is very affordable and family friendly and it’s never too busy. It is generally quiet and quaint, and of course, I ate some famous split pea soup while I was there! Do you know that they serve 2 million bowls of slit pea soup each year?

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up and ate breakfast downstairs and then drove to the nearby town of Solvang. This famous little Danish town is only about 7 minutes from the hotel, and a 3 mile drive.

Our first stop was Wheel Fun Rentals, for a complimentary surrey ride around town. It was such a beautiful day and it felt so fun to ride around town as a family, stopping every so often at a boutique, bakery, or candy shop for some treats!

My husband bought a few different pastries at the Danish Mill Bakery & Coffee Shop while my daughter and I bought some chocolates at the shop across the street at the Ingeborg’s! She bought a small milk chocolate bunny and I had my favorite treat of all time – chocolate covered gummy bears!

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by Ostrichland USA! General admission is $5 per person and children 12 and under are $2 each. And for only $1, you can even feed the ostriches! They are open daily from 9am to dusk and they have a gift shop where you can buy Ostrich jerky, Emu eggs, t-shirts, mugs, hats, and more! And did you know that Ostriches are the largest and fastest birds in the world, can weigh up to 350 pounds and live for 75 years? I love the fact that they co-parent and the mom watches her eggs during the day and the dad watches the eggs at night!!

After a swim and a nap, we went to the 5th Annual Buellton Wine and Chili Festival  We were able to taste test unlimited chili and salsa from local chefs, hotels, and restaurants and wine taste from over 25 local wineries! They had live music by the Dusty Jugz and the Bryan Titus Trio where we danced and sang along to a bunch of familiar favorite songs! There were so many booths we didn’t get to all of them but we were able to take home our souvenir glass from the day as a memory we will have forever! And don’t miss their next event: The Buellton Brewfest is coming up on May 5th!

We then went to dinner at Firestone Walker Brewing Company Taproom Restaurant! The best part about the restaurant is that it is next door to the hotel, so we were just able to walk instead of drive!

 

We started with the Drunken Shrimp, which was pan seared jumbo shrimp drizzled with Pivo citrus sauce and grilled ciabatta on the side.

I then ordered the Braised Short Ribs that came with cheddar cheese grits and crispy brussel sprouts.

My husband had the Flat Iron Steak that came with an 8 oz steak covered in citrus chimichurri sauce, fingerling potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.

The kids both ordered and devoured the Mac & Cheese.

We all shared the Mud Pie for dessert, which we all loved!

The service was outstanding and we ate like royalty. With delicious food, great service, an extensive children’s menu, and affordable prices, I would definitely recommend this restaurant to any couple or family visiting the area – especially if you stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites, because its literally next door!!!

After another delicious hot breakfast the next morning we ventured out to the River View Park and Botanical Gardens for the kids to run and play before we headed home. There was so much open space for the kids to run and get their energy out and there was beauty in all directions. There were multiple playgrounds for all ages, too. As a mom of two little ones, I love when playgrounds are separated from big kids and small kids.

Thank you to Visit Buellton, The Hampton Inn & Suites, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Wheel Fun Rentals, Ostrichland USA, and the Wine & Chili Festival for hosting and gifting us with a family weekend getaway of a lifetime! 

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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

My Instagram

🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

📸: @chrissywphoto #inauguration #inagurationday #inaguration2021 #joebiden #kamalaharris #presidentbiden #syracuseuniversity #syracuse #syracuseu #historyismade #madamvicepresident #mommyandme #46thpresident #sandiego #sandiegoblogger #momblogger #parentingblogger #motherhood
This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

#humidifier #coldandflu #humidifiers #peaceandquiet #workingfromhome #workingmom #working #coldandfluseason #coldandflurelief #winter #winterstyle #wintertime #wintervibes #winter2021 #wahm #wahmlife #wahmlifestyle #workfromhomemom #workfromhomelife #workfromhome #workathomemom #workathome #workathomelife #newmom #babyshowergift #sinusrelief
{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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#autism #autismmom #autismfamily #autismspectrum #autismcommunity #autismparent #autismlife #autismparents #autismparenting #autistickids #autisticchildren #autistictoddler #autismresources #playtherapy #playtherapist #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #activitiesforkids #activitiesfortoddlers #activitiesforchildren #sensoryplay #sensoryplayideas #sensoryprocessingdisorder #sensoryactivities #momswhoblog #ontheblog #newblogpost #parentingblogger #momblogger
{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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#eczema #eczemarelief #eczemahealing #eczematreatment #eczemaproblems #eczemawarrior #atopicdermatitis #itchyskin #itchyskinrelief #atopicskin #atopicdermatitistreatment #atopicdermatitismanagement #eczemamanagement #winterskincare #winterskin #winterskincareroutine #winterskincaretips #newblogpost #momswhoblog #ontheblog #wellnessblogger #wellnesstips #wellnessexpert
{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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