Ever been trapped in a car/plane/Airbnb with your whole family and thought, “This was supposed to be FUN…”? 😅
In this week’s episode of Chiming In, we’re talking all things family travel + holiday break reality:
🧳 Nostalgic road trip games
Squiggle game, license plate game, and the low-tech stuff that actually gets everyone off their phones and laughing again.
🎲 Our current favorite games
A few board + party games we’re loving right now for all ages (linked in the show notes) — including one that will expose the true imposter in your family. 👀
⏰ The “clock trick” for little kids on vacation
How we used a simple clock move to get small humans to sleep later in a new place. (No guarantees… but it did buy us a little sanity.)
🏡 College kids coming home
How to give them space, lower expectations, and still get some real connection in that short Thanksgiving break. We’re sharing a great Grown & Flown article we love, too.
💭 Expectations vs. Reality
From travel plans to family dynamics to surprise gifts (hi, Elyse’s mom 🥹) — we’re unpacking how to loosen our grip on “how it’s supposed to go” and actually enjoy what is.
If you’re traveling, hosting, or just bracing for everyone to be under one roof again… this one’s for you. ❤️
License Plate Game link: https://a.co/d/jldGsrS
Imposter - Party Word Game link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/imposter-party-word-game/id6745120053
Left Center Right link: https://a.co/d/csl5Vvq
Teenager Coming Home Blog Post: https://grownandflown.com/thanksgiving-break-to-do-list/
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As always, we'd love your feedback! Write us at: chimingin911@gmail.com. We really mean it! :)
In this episode, we dive into Wicked (one of us may have Obsessive Wicked Disorder), talk about seeing the brand-new Wicked movie in theaters, and share the family memories this musical has woven into our lives. From Flora’s emotional Wicked moment in New York to Bella belting the “Defying Gravity” finale from the top of our staircase, Wicked has been part of our family story for years.
Then we drift into fall nostalgia — leaf piles, childhood memories, the coziness of the season — and somehow end up with Elyse and her challenge unpacking. Are you an “unpack immediately” type or a “leave the suitcase for three weeks” type?
A warm, funny, seasonal episode full of fun facts about Wicked, family stories, and relatable chaos. 🍂✨
Please e-mail any comments or questions to chimingin911@gmail.com - we love hearing from you!
This week, we’re talking about the moments that stretch us — the ones we resist, fear, avoid… and then end up changing us in the best possible ways.
Elyse makes a confession about something she never thought she’d do (and how saying “yes” surprised everyone, including herself).
We talk about the tiny acts of bravery that expand us, the takeout-dinner debate that was supposed to be deleted, and one unforgettable travel tip.
Plus: Elyse discovered a little piece of writing while recording and shares “Go Out & Come Back In” — a way to appreciate what’s right in front of you.
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This episode is warm, encouraging, and the perfect reminder that surprising yourself might be the most important part of growing.
We would love to hear from you! Please email us at chimingin911@gmail.com.
Feeling seen and feeling heard are two of the deepest human needs — but also the two we misunderstand the most.
In this episode, we talk about the difference between listening and really hearing, why validation matters more than “fixing,” and how tiny shifts in communication can completely change the tone of a relationship.
We share the moments where we got it wrong, the moments we got it right, and the hilarious dishwashing debate that teaches you everything you need to know about communication in a marriage.
Whether you’re in a relationship, navigating family dynamics, or just want to feel more connected in your daily life — this one will make you laugh, nod, and maybe rethink the way you hear the people you love.
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We’d love to hear from you! E-mail us at chimingin911@gmail.com.
We’re kicking off our very first episode with the story people always ask us to tell: how we met…again.
It includes elementary school, a phone call that changed everything, and the moment Elyse recognized David’s voice almost before she even knew who was speaking. (Yes, really.)
We also talk about our favorite Thanksgiving memories, the family gatherings, and the little things that still make us smile and laugh decades later.
If you’re new here, and you are, because this is our first episode, this is the perfect snapshot of who we are: curious, honest, sentimental, and a little all over the place in the best way.
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We’d love to hear from you! Please email us at chimingin911@gmail.com.