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Let’s Talk About: Family Play Time at The Westin Mission Hills

Have you ever been to paradise? The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa is a taste of paradise in Palm Springs, California! My family and I had a very fortunate opportunity to spend the weekend at this luxurious resort and we can’t wait to go back again! In fact, this was one of the best weekends we have had thus far as a family of four!

This desert oasis is set on 360 acres and the grounds include two championship golf courses, three pools, two waterslides, a spa, fitness center, multiple restaurants, and so much more for families! Everything is connected and you never have to leave the resort once you arrive! There are beautiful walking paths, bike rentals, and golf carts that will take you wherever you want to go! Whether you live in Southern California or fly in from afar, this piece of paradise is only 6 miles from the Palm Springs airport and a short drive from Los Angeles or San Diego! And it is listed as one of Golf Digest’s Top 75 golf resorts in North America! It is the perfect place to play well!

As soon as we arrived we were taken aback by all the resort’s beauty. You are greeted with gorgeous waterfalls, exquisite flowers, acres of green grass, luscious palm trees, mountain views, and stunning Mediterranean architecture. All of the staff you will meet with greet you with kindness, a big smile, and a “how can I help” attitude.


Valet is available at the resort or you can drive right up to the building that your room is in and self park. Being a family with young children, we opted to have the car close to us for easy access to some belongings that stayed in the car and so our little ones wouldn’t have to walk a long way. We also kept the car close in case we needed to frequently leave and come back on a whim, but the resort had everything we needed and wanted and we never ended up using our car at all during our entire stay! And did I already mention that I couldn’t wait to sleep in the Westin’s signature Heavenly bed?

As soon as we arrived to our spacious and clean room, we were surprised by a visit from room service! They brought us fresh milk and cookies, fresh fruit, nuts, chips, bars, and other snacks with a note welcoming us to the resort! I can’t tell you how special we felt and how scrumptious those cookies were! And all of the snacks came in so handy over the weekend, we were very thankful to have them.

 

Once we settled into our room, we ordered food from Dilbert’s Diner – a family friendly take-out/pick-up service window with fast and affordable breakfast, lunch, and dinner options! In fact, our food was ready in less than 10 minutes and is centrally located near the pool, lobby, and our room! You just dial the extension from the comfort of your room anytime between 6am-10pm! My husband and I ordered the fish tacos and the kids shared a hot dog and fries! They were both delicious and were devoured before I could snap a photo!

And once the kids went to bed, my husband and I sat on the balcony to talk and enjoy the warm desert air.

The next morning, my husband went to the Fitness Center and brought us back breakfast from Dilbert’s Diner!

 

My husband had the breakfast sandwich, I had the breakfast burrito, and the kids shared a bagel and cream cheese! We ate on the balcony of our room and watched the swans in the picturesque golf course lake in front of us!

After breakfast, my daughter and I had a mommy daughter play date together! We walked over to the resort Spa, and took a family yoga class together! The instructor was extremely kind, patient, and great with kids! We practiced outside in the shade and had a fun and equally relaxing time! It was the first time my daughter and I practiced yoga together so it was very special! Family yoga is offered every Saturday and Sunday for $10 per guest and children under 12 are FREE!

 

As soon as we came back to the room, we changed our clothes and all went to the Las Brisas Pool together as a family! We were extremely excited to be given the best cabana at the pool for the entire day – which I would highly suggest to any family with young children – especially during the hot months! We were given Cabana #9 and were given exceptional royal treatment.

Not only do you get tons of shade, you also get a ceiling fan, and a refrigerator filled with water and other cold beverages for the whole family to enjoy! Plus, you are tucked away in your own large and comfortable space and the kids are less stimulated from the crowds and noise of other people surrounding the pool. And it was large enough that we could fit our stroller, our diaper bag, and our travel high chair inside with a ton of room for us and then some!

 

At noon, I took my daughter to the arts and crafts hour that is held daily at the Las Brisas Pool from 12-1pm. You can choose from a variety of different types of crafts from stuffing an animal, to painting a shirt, to painting pottery, and more! Prices vary on the activity you choose but they are all reasonable and affordable!

After some time in the water and eating lunch poolside, I took my son back to the room for a nap. My husband stayed at the pool with our daughter and went down the 75 foot waterslide about a dozen times – her favorite part of the resort! My husband and I also loved going down the waterslide (see my Instagram video here)!

Later that afternoon, we returned to the pool to enjoy the Dilbert’s ice cream cart that comes out to the pool daily at 3pm! There is a variety of ice cream choices and they only cost $3 each! If you opt for the Dippin Dots it is $7! The best part is that it was right next to our cabana!

That night we were treated to dinner at Pinzimini, the resort’s signature restaurant with Italian inspired cuisine. The restaurant was so beautiful and the menu was equally as enticing! And I love that they offer many Gluten Free, Vegan, and Vegetarian options!

We immediately ordered the kids a cheese pizza and a macaroni and cheese to share along with our Grass Fed Beef Carpaccio appetizer! And of course, Sally, the unicorn my daughter stuffed at arts and crafts time, came with us to the restaurant!

For dinner, I ordered the Deep Sea Atlantic Scallops that were pan seared and came with garden risotto, kale pesto, celery leaf, pink ice watercress, sea urchin butter, and pickled celery root. I’m not kidding when I say it was the best scallops I have ever had!

My husband ordered the special of the evening – the prime rib. They also have a rack of lamb, a rib eye steak, and even a Wagyu Beef Tomahawk 38oz Steak with your choice of 3 sides for $145!

For dessert, we all shared the Tiramisu Big Lady Finger and the Ricotta & Pistachio Cake!

 

The next morning we splurged on the breakfast buffet at Pinzimini. They had an omelet station and everything else you can imagine! We filled our tummies until our heart’s content before heading back to the pool!

I love how the resort has so many family friendly activities throughout the day including bike rentals, mini golf, and even a Dive-In Movie on Saturday nights at 8:15pm!

And at 2pm each day, the resort offers various family friendly activities and games at the Kids Club Lawn including a watermelon eating contest, trivia, corn hole challenge, water balloon toss, squirt gun races, a ping pong tournament, and Bingo!

And then there is the Oasis Den that has a pool table, a UPS Store, business center, and more!


There is also a game room and arcade!

And then there are the Resort Animal Feedings daily at 11am around the resort that houses an African Spurred Tortoise named Scooter, Black Crowned Night Heron, a Bearded Dragon, Catfish, a Crested Gecko, Ducks, Roadrunners, Green Tree Frogs, Hummingbirds, Koi Fish, a Red-Eared Slider Water Turtle, Italian Honey Bees, a Russian Tortoise, Black and White Swans, a Veiled Chameleon, and more! In fact, the hotel can even give you an Animal Magic book at check-in and if your child can find all of the animals listed in the book around the resort, they can return the first page to a member of the Fun Team at the Las Brisas Pool for a FREE animal prize!

We tried to participate in all of the activities but there was so much to do we couldn’t even get to all of them! The Kid’s Club is open daily from where you can drop off your kids in a safe and fun environment so you can have some alone time with your spouse! There are morning, afternoon, and all day options and pricing available. And they even have a “Kids Night Out” for children 3-12 on Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm for only $55! They only request that you make a reservation 24 hours in advance!

And did you know this resort is also dog-friendly? The policy allows for dogs up to 50 pounds for no additional fee! They only collect a $100 refundable deposit at registration in case there is any damage. Your pet will enjoy Westin’s signature Heavenly Dog Bed and their Patio Pooch Menu! And speaking of dogs, the resort also has an Adopt-A-Pet program in partnership with Animal Samaritans. The volunteer Dog Samaritan team takes care of these pups until they find their permanent homes!

 

This blog post is sponsored by The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa. All photos and opinions are my own.

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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…

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🇺🇸 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 

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{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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{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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{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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