Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love

I love taking my kiddos on vacation, well most of the time.  Yes, like every other parent I have experienced the occasional temper tantrum but nothing is more fulfilling than seeing the smiles on their faces when you walk into the hotel for the first time or hearing the excitement in their voices because they see the ferris wheel from the parking lot at the amusement park.  Here are a few ideas for some stress free kid friendly vacations. 


1.  Museums - We recently took the kiddos to Washington DC for the weekend and visited a few of the museums.  They had areas for kids with teaching activities and they kept our little guy busy for hours.  You don't need to go to Washington DC for great museums though, there are museums in every state check out the listings by state at the Museum Market website.  If you visit local museums you won't need to spend the extra money on a hotel (everyone loves a cheap, great time).  Make it a perfect day trip with a picnic lunch at a local park.

2.  National Parks - The breeze blowing through the trees, wildlife all around you and free family fun.  National Parks have so much to offer!  Go hiking, let the kids play in the water or go whiter water rafting.  Did you know there are over 400 National Parks?  Visit the National Park Service website to find one close to (or far away from) you!

3.  Camping - Bring on the great outdoors!!  Load up the tent, food, clothes and kids and you are ready to go!  Imagine waking up to breakfast on the grill (made by your hubby of course) and hearing the laughter of your children as you take them on a nature scavenger hunt.  I LOVE camping, being away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is welcome any day!  Need a less pricey trip?  Try camping in the back yard, just sleeping outside in a tent will put a smile on your little ones faces!6

4.  Amusement/Water Parks - We take our little guy to Hershey Park every year, we all love the rides and the water park.  Although some a pricey, you can usually find one in your area that is affordable.  You might want to check out the prices on season passes if you are planning on going more than once, you will save bunches!  There are also indoor water parks for those winter days when you are craving a does of "summer".  Most parks will offer a twilight pass for just the evening hours or a discount if you go two days in a row.  Also, check to see if they are partnered up with any local hotels for a discounted room.

5.  Beaches - If your family craves sun, surf and sand then head to the beach and have some fun!  Collect sea shells and walk on the beach at sunset after everyone else has gone home.  Some beaches allow camping on the beach, sounds fun right?!  Pack lots of sunscreen and aloe if you plan on spending most of your time on the beach.

Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms introduced a new blogging program which asks you to write about "Five Fun Family Vacation Activities Your Kids Will Love."  Check out what other awesome bloggers do for their fun summer vacations on TwitterMoms.

Kayla

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Williamsburg Tourism and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

Or maybe just a funnel cake!!

I recently went to a Yankees/Orioles game in Baltimore MD.  I had been to one before but it has to be at least 8 years.  I was raised an Orioles fan (my Mom...OBSESSED with Cal Ripken) but married into a Yankees crazed family which puts me in the middle of all kinds of teasing and bantering.  My Mom has what I consider a deep hatred for the Yankees so I hate to say this, I kinda like them (Shhhhhhh....don't let her know!).

I couldn't believe how many Yankees fans were at the game.  For every Orioles fan we saw I think there were 10 Yankees fans...kinda sad considering we were at Camden Yards.  The food was excellent (but a little expensive), nothing better than munching on nachos, french fries and funnel cake while watching a game.  And no, I didn't go just to eat!!

I will say though, there was a lot going on in the stands while the game was going on.  It actually made it difficult to want to watch the game.  The "beer man" was constantly yelling in my ear, there were people up and down in front of us and there was a group of guys who were seat hopping the whole time.

Best part of the whole game was watching the guys stretch ;)  I think they purposefully bend over in front of you, and I don't mind it one bit!

Remember to get out and there and support your local teams, they will appreciate it!  If you live in Baltimore, please get out to an Orioles game it really is a great way to spend an evening. 

Kayla

Wordless Wednesday :)

I am a SLACKER!!!

I love vacation! The food, relaxation, no need to clean, cook or do laundry. I love the smiles on my kids faces as we find exciting things to do.

What is the one part of vacation I absolutely hate??? PACKING! And knowing how much I hate packing you would think that I would have started before today (we are leaving at 6:30 tonight) AND that I would be packing right now instead of playing on Facebook and Blogger. I just can't help it, I am a self proclaimed slacker! I have most everything together (and by most I mean I have the kids stuff on their beds) and our stuff in a suitcase. But, I still have to pack the diaper bag, snacks for the road, toys for the beach and house, toiletries, towels (which I have yet to find, don't you love it when you clean and forget where you put something?) and tons more. One word for my day so far...STRESSED! Yes, I know that if I had started early this week I would be able to relax today buuuuut things rarely work out like that. So here I am, playing on the computer and complaining about how much I have to do. Time for me to get to work!

Hope you have a great weekend, I know I will!

Kayla

Wordless Wednesday – Sand and Shells and Sunshine!

 

Why beach pictures you ask?  Because tomorrow evening we will be on our way to Ocean City, MD for Springfest!  The last time we went was for Sunfest when Little Man was 3.

This will be the baby’s first trip to the ocean so I am excited to see her reaction to the sand.  I’m sure Dillon will love the sand, seagulls, seashells and food so much that he begs us to move there like he does every time we go on vacation.  I just hope the weather is good and the kids don’t make me want to pull my hair out on the way there.  Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

                                                   Kayla

Friday Night Lights Is Back!

Ahhhhh!!!  I am so excited! Friday Night Lights (the t.v. series) is back on NBC!  The show has had some problems when it comes time to renew their contract, but NBC has picked up the 4th season which will air on Friday May 7th at 8:00/7:00 central time.

If you have never seen FNL you should definitely tune in on Friday.  You can catch up on season 3 on the Friday Night Lights Episode Recap page.  I really hope they can keep this show on NBC for a few more seasons, the story line is great and the actors are AMAZING!  And ladies, there is some major eye candy on the show.  Who is my favorite you ask??  Matt Saracen for sure (although, Tim Riggins is a very close second)!  So make sure you check it out, I promise you wont be disappointed!

                                                                       Kayla

Like The New Look??

Hop on over to

The Cutest Blog On The Block

 and check them out.  There are tons of backgrounds and banners to choose from (and so much more).  Best part, they are FREE!

I am hoping to one day understand HTML enough to create my own, but until then I’ll be searching the web for one  :)

Kayla

No Way! Did he really do that?!?

So last night I was getting ready to go to bed and I was doing my normal walk through of the house.   Every night I check the kids, doors/windows and appliances and make sure lunches are packed for the next day.

I walked into my sons room to check on him and kiss him goodnight and stepped in a wet spot on the carpet.  Not knowing what the it was, I did what any Mom would do…I took my sock off and smelled it.  No smell (not sure what I was expecting though).  Why I would even think about smelling it is beyond me!

I look around, is there a cup on the ground?  No.

A washcloth maybe?  Not a chance.

I do however find the underwear he was wearing laying about 6 inches from “the spot”.  And Guess what??  They were dry!  So I ask myself…

WHY WOULD HE PEE ON THE FLOOR???

I can only think that he got out of bed to pee and thought he had walked the 10 extra steps it would have taken him to get to the bathroom.  Pulled his underwear down and did his business…am I ever glad all he had to do was pee!

Note to self:

1.    Never smell your sock after you step in something….nothing good can come from it!

2.  Always make sure little man uses the bathroom before bed.

This isn’t the first time a thing like this has happened.  A few months ago I woke him up to go to the bathroom (I knew he fell asleep without going) and when I walked into the bathroom to check on him he was peeing on the floor right beside the toilet.  UGH!  I guess it could be worse…

 

Maybe I should invest in this sign!

 

Wordless Wednesday

Babygirl loves her ring pops!

Spice Up Your Cinco De Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner, celebrate Mexican heritage with this yummy recipe.

I have used this recipe many, many times and everyone LOVES it!!  Try it out for Cinco De Mayo this year, you won’t be disappointed.

Chicken Enchiladas

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 onion, chopped

1/2 pint sour cream

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)

2 cups salsa

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/3 cup chopped chilies

1 clove garlic, minced

8 (10 inch) flour tortillas

1 1/2 cups red enchilada sauce

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear.  Drain excess fat. Shred the chicken and return it to the skillet.  Add the onion, sour cream, cheddar cheese, parsley, oregano and ground black pepper.  Heat until cheese melts.  Stir in salt, salsa, chili powder, chilies and garlic.

Roll even amounts of the mixture in the tortillas.  Arrange in a 9x13 inch baking dish that has been sprayed with non stick cooking spray with the seam down.  Cover with enchilada sauce and 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes then eat and enjoy.

The original recipe can  be found at allrecipes.com

Serve with Mexican Rice and some Southwestern Corn…DELISH!

Don’t forget to rinse it down with a cold Margarita  :)

Bounce...21 Ways

I recently found an article that listed 20 different uses for Bounce fabric softener sheets. Some of them are pretty much common knowledge but there are a few that might surprise you.

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
2. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened often.
4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors in a jiffy. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
8. Spread sheets around foundation areas, in trailers or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew!
11. Prevent musty suitcases . Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
16. Eliminate static electricity from venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collects sawdust like a tack cloth.
18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

Dog Days of Summer Giveaways!

Parenting.com is giving away some GREAT PRIZES this month. There will be a different prize for you to enter to win every weekday in August. Some of the awesome prizes they have listed are the Blackberry Pearl, a $400 gift card to Ikea and a Little Tikes water slide.

The Grand Prize is a 4 day 3 night trip for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 kids under 15) to a Beaches Resort in Turks & Caicos or Jamaica (your choice). This includes your accommodations, food, drinks, activities and entertainment for both you and your little ones. And the answer to every parent's prayer, they provide child care by expert, certified nannies. Also included is coach airfare from your nearest major airport. The total prize value of this trip is $6,000. WOW!

Click Here To Enter!

I sooooo need a vacation!!!

He's Starting Kindergarten!!

I can't believe how much Munchie has grown up! From my baby boy who loved being snuggled and kissed to my little guy who now turns his face so I can only kiss his cheek and only snuggles when it's convenient for him. And this month he will start kindergarten! It breaks my heart to think of my days without him, what will I do? Sure, I still have Love Bug to keep me busy but it just won't be the same without him here.

I'm going to miss him coming into the living room when he wakes up and telling me all about his dreams (I'm sure it's a VERY exaggerated version). What will I do without him here creating messes for me to clean up and always insisting that we play monster trucks for hours on end? I won't be able to say "watch the baby while Mommy starts dinner" or "Munchie will you get Mommy a diaper?".

But what really scares me is thinking about how he will do without me being there for an entire day? Will he be too scared to ask the teacher to go to the bathroom? What if he thinks I abandoned him at this new big scary place? Will he get along with the other kids or will he be too shy to talk to them? Just sitting here thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.

I tried to convince Greg to take Munchies first day of school off work to keep me from going crazy but he isn't going for it. I guess I'll have to suck it up and be thankful for the time I had with him and the time I will now have with my little Love Bug!

"Kids Being Kids" Summer Photo Contest

Shutterfly and The Land of Nod have teamed up, they want to know what your children have done over their summer vacation. All you need to do it submit a picture of your little ones having some fun in the sun. The Grand Prize is a $500 gift certificate to The Land of Nod store!!! You can upload as many pictures as you want but they need to be submitted by August 31, 2009. If you don't win this one don't worry, there will be two more contests running through December 31, 2009 with a $500 gift card for the second contest and a $1000.00 gift card as the final grand prize (both to The Land of Nod). So get out there and have some fun in the sun with your kids, it could win you $500.

Click here to enter!

Sick and Tired

I haven't been logged on in a while partially because I have had 2 weeks from hell!! Two sick kids make for a very busy Mommy!

Munchie had the flu about two weeks ago, it was absolutely horrible!! We made it through that ok, with the help of Tylenol suppositories and another suppositories to keep his food down. A few days later he was picking raspberries at my Grandmothers house about two weeks ago and my biggest concern was him finding a snake and trying to make friends with it. Little did I know that two days later he would wake up with poison EVERYWHERE. I was worried because it started out on his face so I called the doctor and of course they wanted to see him. He ended up being put on steroids for 12 days (what a treat!). He has never taken medicine very well so this was a challenge like no other. We tried EVERYTHING to get him to take it, nothing seemed to work though. I finally just added a few drops of soda to it to drown out the taste. Now I know you aren't supposed to do that but I was left with no choice. He ended up finishing the bottle, but it took about a week for the poison to dry up and stop itching. Do you know how hard it is to explain to a four year old that you can't scratch something that itches so bad? I am so thankful that it's over!

The same day we took Munchie to the doctors I decided to take the baby along because she had an unusually large amount of ear wax coming out of one of her ears. She wasn't extremely fussy and she was eating and sleeping fine but I couldn't shake the feeling that something just wasn't right. Boy was I ever right! It turned out she had an ear infection that perforated her ear drum which is what was causing the increase in discharge. She ended up getting ear drops which were a blessing after the struggle we had getting Munchie to take his medicine. But I think the drops had a reverse reaction for the first week because she screamed and cried more than I thought she ever could. Now she's back to being my happy little baby girl, thank goodness!

So I am still absolutely exhausted, why is it that sick and tired go so well together? Everyone is now doing much better, I just pray it stays this way!

Teeth Are Not For Biting

I was recently at a picnic where a 2 year old little boy bit another little girl his age. Apparently the little boy was playing in a jeep and when the little girl got in he got mad and bit her numerous times both on her face and her arms. Now I saw these marks and I could not believe they came from a two year old. A few of the bites broke the skin and her face was swollen because of being bit. Do you have a toddler that bites? Has your child been on the receiving end of another child’s biting?

Munchie was never a “biter”. He was (and still is) a pretty laid back child. Now don’t get me wrong, he has had his share of floor pounding temper tantrums when we are out and he does not get his own way but he has never been a child that has been aggressive towards another child.

I have found a few tips for parents dealing with a biting toddler:

Confront your child as soon as you see them bite. Step in and express your disapproval. You should tell him/her that “Biting hurts and it is not ok to bite people”. Quickly remove your child from the situation and reinforce that biting is not ok.

After that you will want to comfort the other child in front of your child and have your child apologize or hug him/her. Showing your little one that biting cause’s pain will help them understand why biting is bad. It is also a good idea to have your child look at the other child while you say something along the lines of “Do you see him/her crying, biting hurts”.

Teaching your child another way to express how they feel is probably the best way to prevent biting. Teach them to come to you if they want a toy or to ask the other child to share.

I have heard a lot of people say “If they bite, bite them back”; from what I have read this is not the best way to discipline. This merely teaches the child that biting is ok for you to do but not ok for them. Try a time out, usually for a minute for each year of their age (a two minute time out for a two year old).

Which ever method you choose to do to help curb the biting it is extremely important to be consistent. Remember to stay calm through everything; you do not want your child to associate biting with getting attention. Some children will take which ever type of attention they can get, positive or negative.

We have the book "Teeth Are Not For Biting" by Elizabeth Verdick. It is a great board book that teaches children alternatives to biting.

Whether your child is the biter or the one being bitten please put yourself in the other parents shoes. Nobody wants their child to be labeled a "biter" so try to refrain from yelling and screaming at them in front of your children. If your child is the one doing the biting remember to be empathetic towards the other child and even the parents. Always remember to apologize for the incident.