With inflation rates at an all-time high, we wanted to share with our readers with 15 exclusive Florida resident travel deals to make a staycation in the Sunshine State even sweeter with savings up to 20% off for Floridians!
From Fort Lauderdale’s Atlantic coast and lively night scene to Apalachicola’s gulf coast and hidden gems, you’ll be sure to have a summer full of beach days and fun adventures in some of the best destinations Florida has to offer. Continue reading Top 15 Best Florida Resident Travel Deals for Summer 2022→
It happened again. A parent’s worst nightmare. This time in Uvalde, TX. The end of this school year (post-pandemic) should have ONLY been filled with joy for our kids after two years of abnormality. Instead, almost twenty families will never be the same. It’s heartbreaking. Although the summer months are still in front of us as I write this, I’m sure many parents are already thinking about the fall…scared about school and filled with anxiety about sending their children back.
Florida VPK, or Voluntary Prekindergarten, is a free educational program that gives children a jumpstart for school by preparing them for kindergarten. VPK is for all 4-year-olds living in Florida. It helps them develop the skills they need to become good readers and successful students.
Looking for some tips to keep your kids engaged in learning until the next school year begins? We reached out to Aileen Palmer, Director of Operations at Grandview Preparatory School, for some ideas on how to keep your child’s summer education on track. Here’s what she personally had to say…
As parents, we all know how important summer learning is. There will be no “summer slide” in my house! Luckily, a modern Boca dad himself and our mayor, Scott Singer, agrees. He recently issued a proclamation declaring that June 1 – August 31 will be designated as Summer Reading 2022! This year’s theme is “Oceans of Possibilities.”
The festivities begin with a free Kick-Off Party on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 9:00am−Noon at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. The whole family is invited to play games, enjoy food, listen to a live DJ, attend an Under the Sea Bubble Party, and much more.
Residents are also welcome to participate in the over 100 programs and classes for all ages at the Boca Raton Public Library (BRPL). I can definitely appreciate some FREE summer fun!
If there’s one thing I know about Boca moms, it’s that they looooove them a local staycation. And, that staycation tastes just a little bit sweeter when you have visitors (IMO). There’s a certain satisfaction that I get from showing off my beautiful state of Florida to out-of-towners. Whether it be the Florida Keys, the Space Coast or even the Gulf Coast, I am proud to be raising my family only a few hours away from some amazing vacation destinations. So when the opportunity to take my in-laws (from Maine) on a multigenerational Florida staycation arose, we decided to go for it!
Did you know you and your family now have the opportunity to visit the Swiss Alps, ancient Rome and North Dakota…ALL while never having to leave Boca Raton? This “travel” is courtesy of the latest Blockbuster ‘get’ for the Boca Raton Museum of Art following the conclusion of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru.
Yes, it’s official! Hollywood comes to Boca Raton with the world premiere of Art of the Hollywood Backdrop: Cinema’s Creative Legacy. This larger-than-life show is the first dedicated museum exhibition of its kind honoring the unsung heroes of Hollywood’s artistic DNA, going back through time almost 100 years!
Not to mention, it allows creators like me the opportunity to take some really fun Instagram photos…
Hollywood comes to Boca Raton with the world premiere of Art of the Hollywood Backdrop: Cinema’s Creative Legacy.
With the influx of families moving to our area, it’s no wonder parents are looking for the best family dining in Boca Raton and beyond! I see it on social media CONSTANTLY.
Luckily, this Modern Boca Mom has partnered with a local dining and lifestyle expert Shaina Wizov of Take a Bite Out of Boca and she’s sharing her recommendations and expertise regarding all things family and FOOD with us.
Besides a lot more quality time with my family and the slower pace of life, I would have to say the best thing to come out of this global pandemic has been easy (and affordable!) takeout family meals in Boca Raton. We typically order them once a week, especially if my mom joins us for dinner. They have been a lifesaver if we don’t feel like grocery shopping, cooking or cleaning the kitchen…which is often these days. Ugh. Continue reading The Best (and Most Affordable) Takeout Family Meals in Boca Raton→
Overhand or tomahawk? Stark or Targaryen? Beer or wine? These are the terms that are commonplace at a sweet new venue dedicated to the art of axe throwing in Boca Raton. If you’re looking for a really fun group or family bonding activity to do this season, then this blog post is for you!
Since Modern Boca Dad and I are obsessed with Game of Thrones (like the rest of the world), I stumbled across Game of Axes in Boynton Beach, and now Boca Raton, on Instagram. I sent them a direct message with some questions and the owner got back to me personally about this fascinating sport that I knew very little about. He also invited me (and a group of 11 of my closest friends) for a friendly, Friday night axe-throwing competition complete with polite beverages and plenty of GOT-style photo opps. Spoiler alert: we had a BLAST! Continue reading Axe Throwing Near Boca Raton at Game of Axes→
This storm prep in Boca Raton post is sponsored by Publix. The opinions and text are all mine.
Is your family new to South Florida? Welcome! The good news is you’ve relocated to paradise! The bad news is…well…we tend to get almost daily monsoons in the summer and a few bad tropical storms each year. If you haven’t been through a hurricane before, this native Floridian doesn’t want to break it to you, but: YOU NEED TO PREPARE NOW. It’s a good thing that there’s no better time to storm prep in Boca Raton.
Plus my favorite supermarket, Publix, has you covered! They are truly a one-stop-shop destination for all the storm supplies you’ll need for you and your family to feel ready for the hurricane season.
I recently wrote about our “good ol’ fashioned family road trip” to St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach, Florida in my column on BocaMag.com. Road trips are officially back in high fashion thanks to this lingering pandemic! One area of Florida we hadn’t hit as a family yet? Tampa Bay’s gulf coast area—specifically Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg (St. Pete to the locals). I was excited to visit a section of the state I hadn’t explored yet during spring break. On our long weekend St. Pete and Clearwater family road trip itinerary? Pirates, dolphins, a little Dali and some hands-on discovery of Florida’s gulf coast!
Read on to start planning your own family road trip…
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cinch, a Boca Raton home services and warranty company. All opinions are 100% mine.
Homeownership certainly comes with its challenges, am I right? Being married to a Boca Raton handyman, you think it’d be super easy to maintain our house, but it’s not always the case…especially when it comes to appliances and systems. Luckily, I have an amazing Boca Raton home services and warranty partner: Cinch Home Services. With a home service plan from Cinch, I have the peace of mind that if something breaks down in our house, we’re covered!
I have an unhealthy obsession with tiny homes. You’d never know it considering I currently live in a 4 bedroom house in Boca. But, my current dream for retirement in 20 years or so involves a big pickup truck, a hitch and a luxury custom tiny home on wheels. The former Manhattanite in me knows I can live in a small space with my hubs and be (mostly) happy. I’ll definitely need some extra clothing, handbag and shoe storage, but everything else I’m willing to compromise on! So, for our 10th wedding anniversary, I thought we should give this type of living a whirl and commit to renting a tiny house in the Florida Keys for the weekend. It was time to put my mini living dreams to the test and see if my 6 foot 2″ husband and I could feel at ease in 200 or so square feet!
Feeling the urge to get outdoors and embrace your inner cowgirl, but don’t know where to start? Experience one of the last untouched pieces of Florida wilderness at Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo in Central Florida about two hours northwest of Boca Raton. Families have the opportunity to kick back and relax (in their favorite cowboy hats of course) in “the beautiful, great wide open.” The Ranch, which is situated on 1,700 acres overlooking the scenic Kissimmee River, features horseback riding, an award-winning Saturday night rodeo and so much more. And believe it or not, it’s totally possible to do Westgate River Ranch on a budget! Let me tell you how…
Posing in front of Westgate River Ranch’s Luxe Teepees. Snag my hat via my affiliate link below!
Never in a million years would I have thought my family and I’d be taking so many road trips in 2020. Like most, I’m still too nervous to get on a plane with my husband and daughter…but we’re all craving a major change of scenery. Luckily, we live in Florida and there are so many fun, active and cultural things to do right in our state’s backyard–even just two hours from Boca Raton! This in and of itself makes for a great long weekend away. So, let me ask you this: What do you get when you combine space, surf, sun and tons of cool animal species? A SUPER FUN Space Coast family road trip!
Since the day #modernbocadad and I moved into our “forever home” almost 7 years ago, we wanted to make over our Boca Raton patio and pool. Our pool was built in 1981 and while our ages may be close, it was in much rougher shape initially.
Yuck.
See all those spots? No matter how hard we tried to clean them, black algae would constantly settle in, especially during the hot, summer months. The pool’s surface had worn away in many places due to its age and, in my opinion, was an eyesore considering it was a focal point of our house. Continue reading Boca Raton Patio and Pool Makeover Reveal featuring Outer→
***The Florida 529 Savings Plan is an affordable, flexible way to put your child on the path to a debt-free future. And if you open a 529 Savings Plan between now and June 30, 2022, they’ll put $50 into your account, so you can enjoy that 529 feeling all summer long!***
Sponsored: This post was sponsored by Florida Prepaid. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and not influenced in any way by the sponsor. I was compensated for this post and given a Florida Prepaid discount code to share with my readers. However, that does not impact my views or opinions.
My kid is the creative type. Sure, we’ve tried athletics here and there, but nothing makes my little one happier than playing make believe. Avery’s an actor, singer, dancer…and a dreamer. And let’s just say that her dreams aren’t small. A few might even be considered a little ‘out there’. For example: our annual Halloween photo shoot with Sweet Memories Photography. Avery came up with this year’s adorable oceanic theme featuring herself and her cousin Aden!
Photo by Sweet Memories Photography
Yes, like many little girls her age (I’m pretty sure), #dailybocaaverydreams of being a mermaid. Florida kids, am I right? As for my nephew…I’m pretty sure she just dragged him along for the ride (although he is a big fan of Pirates of the Caribbean).
Photo by Sweet Memories Photography
As parents, it’s our job to support our children’s dreams…no matter how crazy, big or small they happen to be. So we really have a responsibility to start saving early for their future.
The number one way my family does that? Florida Prepaid College Plans.
Like most Boca moms, I LOVE me some cute accessories. So, I consider it a major bonus if my workout class includes a cool prop to use. It just needs to distract me from the inevitable sweating and minor pain during a (much needed) exercise session. My favorite workout class isPOUND Fitness Boca Raton! Continue reading POUND Out Your Stress & Worries at Organic Movements Boca Raton→
From Modern Boca Mom contributor, Casey of Hunting for Rubies:I am not going to panic about a tropical storm or hurricane, but I will be prepared…and go get some beer, wine and vodka in the event we are stuck inside for 24-36 hours with no power.
We are not native Floridians, but I have been through a few hurricanes in my time. I have been lucky to not be impacted more than losing power for a few days, but that was all pre-kids, so this season, I want to make sure we are well prepared for any kind of storm that comes our way. At the end of the day, I am not terribly worried about a Tropical Storm or a Category 1 Hurricane, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Continue reading Handy Tropical Storm or Florida Hurricane Prep→
MOMpreneur: n. defined as a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur.
Welcome to our latest installment of MOMpreneur Monday, highlighting businesses and brands that were founded by female entrepreneurs and fellow Mommas!
Today’s featured Modern Boca MOMpreneur is Christine Mills, Financial Advisor at Raymond James & Associates.
We took this amazing photo using this 
