8. Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Bedtime Begin

What do you do with your car when you travel for six months? Worry a little? Damon left his beloved VW with the in-laws… they checked on it and found a swamp: waterlogged, mold everywhere, mystery leaks, and long-distance repairs (read:$$$). Don’t despair, we also tangent into Ballycastle’s not-llamas Lammas Fair, a dead-pony tangent, and surprisingly romantic, half-pint-fueled date nights in Portrush. Even when travel gets messy, love (and Guinness) saves the day.  

This was supposed to be a recap of Northern Ireland. Instead, it turned into a grab bag of nonsense: Bob Vila shade, quotes from the movie Hook, radon mitigation, a full breakdown of teenage “drive around in circles” culture, and a hotel our 8-year-old wants to buy. Along the way, Meghan browses Northern Irish real estate listings like she’s running Zillow International and Damon defends Paul Walker’s acting career (badly). It’s tangential, and yes—puffins are on the horizon.

Northern Ireland is stunning — dramatic coastlines, nostalgic reunions, and a healthy pour of Bushmills around every corner. But travel with kids means the scenery is always paired with chaos: bedtime chants that don’t work, car seat alarms that won’t stop, and the infamous day Meghan’s phone went swimming in the tub. Come with us to the Causeway Coast. 

London with kids turned out to be equal parts jet lag and charm. From a middle of the night bath to an awesome graffiti art class in South London, Meghan and Damon share the quirky moments that made the city unforgettable. Highlights include Malaysian feasts in Chinatown, pigeons and pebble playtime, a Peppa Pig tea bus with champagne (yum!), and found that London delivered the food, fun, and family memories that made it one of their favorite stops so far Chapters (00:00:02) - London(00:07:18) - The London hotel breakfast(00:19:56) - Navigating Crowded Stores(00:26:08) - Amazing Dinner in Chinatown(00:28:16) - Graffiti Art Class - Urban Artist Academy(00:36:44) - The Peppa Pig Bus Tour(00:41:51) - Shopping at John Lewis(00:50:08) - Post Office Rejects Stroller and Car Seat(00:54:02) - Allergic Kids Meal(00:58:30) - Final Thoughts on the London Trip

Meghan and Damon close out their month in San Miguel de Allende with all the subtlety of a firework going off at dawn. From one toddler sneaker that survived a direct hit from a city bus and a parent contemplating using a diaper in gridlock (for herself), the journey to the airport is a comedy of travel mishaps. Yet amidst the chaos, there’s gratitude: for kind locals, for the absurdity that makes them laugh later, and for the rare joy of watching their kids thrive in new places. Equal parts snark and sweetness, this episode proves that the road out is sometimes just as memorable as the road in. Chapters (00:01:53) - Beep Happens(00:06:38) - The Bus vs. The Shoe(00:10:31) - Packing Like We’re Training for the Olympics(00:29:07) - Diapers in Traffic: A Theoretical Discussion(00:35:42) - Airport “Help” That Wasn’t(00:40:02) - Cake Is the Real Currency of Travel(00:43:40) - Business Class: Lower Your Expectations(00:53:16) - Saying Goodbye to Mexico (for Now)

Their last night in San Miguel de Allende comes with reflection and a side of airborne ash. Meghan and Damon talk festivals, traveling with sick kids, questionable fireworks safety standards, and their toddler’s new favorite toy - a beetle carcass. But there are wins too: mind-blowing coffee, mezcal worth smuggling across borders, and art classes that rival pro galleries. It’s a farewell love letter to Mexico. Chapters (00:01:14) - Bazooka-Level Fireworks(00:02:47) - Sad-Happy Goodbyes(00:05:18) - Beetles, Cockroaches, and a Toddler Zookeeper(00:07:17) - Sick Days and Stairwell Screaming(00:14:17) - Uber Eats and Domino’s Disasters(00:17:25) - Michelin Stars & Firework Ash(00:18:23) - Donkeys, Mezcal, and Zero Scalability(00:23:45) - Murals, Art Class, and Rock Climbing(00:25:58) - Real Parents, Real Exit

In this episode of Trips and Giggles, the fam dives deep into life in San Miguel de Allende during rainy season and it’s a soggy, slippery, slightly unhinged ride. From maggot PTSD and sketchy Uber detours to wrangling soggy laundry, an amazing Pride parade, and a hot springs resort that forgot towels exist, Meghan and Damon bring the chaos. They discuss cultural shock moments (like people sorting recyclables inside dumpsters), the surprising joys of dancing in a downpour, and the hazards of relaxing poolside when Speedos and slippery tiles collide. It’s a mess. And they kind of love it. Chapters (00:02:47) - In Pursuit of a Blender(00:06:28) - Chasing the Sun? Not Us. We Chase the Rain.(00:13:22) - Dumpster Diving(00:27:09) - La Gruta: No Towels, No Toilet Paper, No Problem(00:42:02) - Slippery When Wet… and When Wearing a Speedo(00:47:36) - Pendulums and Goodbyes

In their most chaotic episode yet, Meghan and her husband recount the absolute rollercoaster of their first couple weeks in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This charming stop in their six-month family adventure quickly turns into a comedy of errors (and horrors), including a mismanaged airport transfer, mysterious plumbing issues, and the crown jewel: a full-blown maggot infestation in their Airbnb. Despite all the setbacks, they manage to find silver linings: exceptional coffee culture, incredible art and markets, supportive local business communities, and a hilariously dilapidated but beloved gym. This brutally honest, snarky, and heartwarming journal of travel with kids will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe double-check your Airbnb trash policy. *NOTE. In keeping with the theme (a series of unfortunate events) the audio got a little funky on this episode. For some reason, our 10-year-old, $10 Amazon mic decided Damon’s voice needed to sound like it was recorded in a cathedral. I did my best to clean it up, but it’s not perfect. Consider it one more travel mishap to add to the list - only this time, it’s in your ears instead of our Airbnb. Chapters (00:01:45) - First Impressions of San Miguel de Allende(00:03:52) - Travel Woes: The Mexico City Airport Experience(00:04:42) - Settling In: Life in San Miguel de Allende(00:18:36) - Cultural Adjustments and Language Barriers(00:19:57) - Challenges with Childcare and Local Customs(00:25:58) - Exploring Local Commerce and Cuisine(00:40:21) - Joining a Gym in San Miguel(00:44:32) - Airbnb Woes Begin(00:59:37) - The Maggot Infestation(01:10:52) - Final Thoughts on San Miguel

In Episode 2, Meghan and Damon dive into their first major stop: Portugal. They talk about unexpectedly falling in love with the country’s kid-friendly culture — from high-end restaurants that hand out washable markers, to resorts that actually want your kids around. They dish on the holy grail of family hotels (shout out to Martinhal), tell stories of scavenger hunts, child-minders, and one very unfortunate Corgi fart, and explore what makes travel with little kids actually doable. Oh, and Damon has thoughts about cruises. Strong ones. Chapters (00:00:00) - This Family Left Their Home to Live Non-Stop(00:01:03) - Portugal(00:04:47) - Kid Friendly(00:09:05) - Tangent: Our Anxious Dog Farting in a Restaurant(00:13:05) - Martinhal Lisbon Chiado Kids Club(00:20:28) - A kid-friendly resort in Sagres, Portugal(00:25:16) - Tanget: Finger Family(00:36:54) - Martinhal Oriente Lisbon(00:41:02) - Ships And Giggles - Damon doesn't do cruise ships(00:43:37) - A Journal For Both Of Us

In this debut episode, Meghan and Damon share how a wild idea turned into a full-blown life reset; selling their house, quitting the routine, and traveling the world with their two kids in tow. Recorded in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico (yes, with background yelling), they unpack what led them to this adventure, what worldschooling even is, and how Damon got gently coerced into signing on. It’s messy, honest, and hilarious just like the journey. Chapters (00:00:54) - El Pan!!(00:03:48) - The Decision to Live Abroad(00:06:29) - The Concept of World Schooling(00:09:42) - Convincing Damon: A Slow Drip Strategy(00:16:41) - What Were People's Reaction?(00:23:39) - Meghan and the Decision to World School(00:27:26) - "I Was Pushed Into A Meat Grinder"(00:30:50) - Final Thoughts and Reflections