Pay It Forward Friday ~ Summer Travel Tips for Families

Kendra Thornton has been packing her bags and traveling the world since she visited the Bahamas at 3 months old.  She is 37 and a mother of 3. Before being promoted to the full time position of mommy, Kendra was the former Director of Communications at Orbitz where she was able to travel all around the world.  Kendra also appears regularly as a travel expert on ABC, CBS, NBC and CW affiliates across the country to share travel trends, tips and deals with millions of viewers every year.

To connect with Kendra, contact her via her website, Thornton PR or on twitter @KendraThornton

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Summer Travel Tips for Families

Whether you are looking to travel to Walt Disney World, the Grand Canyon, or New Orleans, you will likely want a vacation that all members of the family are excited about. Once you’ve settled on a destination, you can begin to do a bit of planning. With special attention paid to the needs of the kids, you can craft a trip that will leave everyone raving for years afterwards.

1) Eat Healthy Breakfasts

Because you will likely want to squeeze the most out of each day, you should be sure that your family eats a nutritious breakfast every morning. At Walt Disney World, many family-friendly Orlando hotels offer tasty breakfast platters to their guests. Even if you are staying at a smaller hotel, however, continental breakfasts will usually be available more often than not. Eating at the hotel will also stop you from gorging on theme park food, which can be quite expensive.

2) Research Your Hotel Options

 

Consider family-friendly hotels whenever possible. Indoor playgrounds, for example, will give the kids something to do during the evenings. Elegant suites will often have refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves. Having a miniature kitchen in your hotel room will allow you to prepare meals on the fly. The fridge, in fact, can be stocked with milk, juice, fruits, and vegetables. It’s great to read reviews before you make any decisions.

3) Set Aside Time for Adults

Though much of your energy will likely be devoted to showing the kids a great time, give yourself some time to relax with your husband. You might agree to watch the kids for an afternoon, for example, while your husband goes golfing. You might also hire a babysitter while the two of you crack open a bottle of champagne on the balcony.

4) Try Audiobooks

Audiobooks can be godsends in many ways. They can be easily downloaded to the latest electronic devices. For kids who have grown tired of listening to music, books are good alternatives. Make sure that you bring along some headphones so that others in the vehicle are not disturbed.

5) Bring Along Hygiene Kits

Planes, trains, and hotel rooms are not the cleanest places on the planet. By packing a hygiene kit, you can quickly clean airplane tray tables and hotel fixtures. Airplanes, in fact, are not typically given full cleanings until the end of the day. Sanitizing wipes can kill germs on contact. Hand sanitizer, meanwhile, can be used before meals.

 

In the end, you will need to think outside the box a bit as you go about planning your vacation. By turning to audio books, hygiene kits, and healthy breakfasts, you can create a wonderful experience for everyone involved. The world, as they say, will be your oyster.

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As a way to share the blogging love and meet new bloggers, I have "Pay it Forward Friday."  This is where I periodically feature fellow bloggers with different interests and from new areas.  If you are interested in writing a guest post for "Pay it Forward Friday," feel free to send me a message!  I would love to feature you!!

Alexis

Father's Day Gift Ideas for Different Kinds of Dads

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pop, Papi, Poppa, Father, Faja....whatever you call him, he's the man that you first loved, the man who holds your heart, your hero.  Father's Day is coming up on June 16 and it's time to celebrate him alone.  

Men are so hard to buy for.  Let's face it, women are pretty explicit about what they want.  I drop hints all year long hoping that my husband (or anyone else) is listening.  I also create Amazon wish lists and Pinterest boards based on what my heart desires for any special occasion.  The men in my life are not quite the same.  

Today I decided to tie down "The Exhausted Dad" and ask him what he would like for Father's Day.  Even though he made me swear not to buy him anything, at least I have ideas for other occasions.  SCORE! 


My husband is so many different kinds of man all wrapped into one...so here are some ideas for different kinds of men for Father's Day.



The Fisherman:

Columbia shirts  These light and airy shirts are perfect on or off the water.  They are made of quick drying fabric in case they get wet on the water.
 
Shimano rod & reel combo  Yeah, I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about that.





The Athlete:


Asics running shoes  Asics are light and comfortable and have a lot of room in the toe area.  They also have great shock absorption.

Tickets to a baseball game  It's baseball season, so why not take your man or dad to watch their favorite team live.  I mean, who doesn't love an ice cold beer and a dog? 

Taylor Made R1 Driver  Wow.  You can actually tune this club in three different keys to customize to your swing.  Cool.  




 
The Techy:

LG Sound Bar Audio System & Subwoofer  This awesome gadget has bluetooth and a sound that can't be beat.  It's like being in a club. 



The Grill Master:

The Big Green Egg  This is a grill and smoker all rolled in one.  The ceramic shells provides even cooking.  They come in all sizes. 

Cuisinart Electric Knife  The hubs wants this to cut all those yummy meats that he grills up...you know, ribs, roast beef, chicken.  



The Outdoorsman:
 
Coleman NXT 300 Portable Grill  This little grill is perfect for camping trips and tailgating.  It also folds up for easy storage.



Mr. Fix-It:

Dewalt Drill Set  These drills are lightweight and cordless for all your "fixing" needs.







Obviously, he did not stick to any sort of budget, but it is his "wish" list.  Hope this helps you find the perfect gift for the type of guy you are buying for. 


 

Alexis

Cheap & Easy Mother's Day Gifts

Mother's Day is around the corner.  A day for all you exhausted moms out there to be recognized and honored for all that you do!

In the past, my husband and kids have given me great gifts.  Perfume, flowers, DIAMOND EARRINGS....  Let's just say I've been spoiled.  This year, we are on a major budget so I won't be expecting any big ticket items.  That's why I've put together this list of cheap and easy Mother's Day gifts that would mean so much to me.


*Mommy Journal:
No, I'm not hoping to become the next "Bridget Jones."  I saw this somewhere before (don't remember where).  It's an unlined journal where your kids can write you a note or draw a picture each year.  What a great keepsake to look at each year on Mother's Day or any holiday really.

*Coupon book:
This is an ol' faithful.  I would love a coupon book with chores that the kids (and husband) promise to do.  I would just hope that they put enough coupons in it so that I can cash in the whole year through!
 


*Breakfast in bed:
My husband makes yummy breakfasts.  I would love a tray all decked out with a rose, hot coffee, and all the regular breakfast trimmings like you see in the movies.
 


*Alone time:
This one goes hand in hand with breakfast in bed.  I want them to drop off the breakfast & then leave me to my own devices.  Is that mean?  I love them.  I really, really do.  If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be a mom, so I really should want to spend it with them.  But come on.....I need a day off!


What are some ways that you want to feel appreciated this Mother's Day?

Alexis

Operation Organization ~ The Garage

The garage.  It's meant to store our car, but in reality it stores....everything else.

Tools, the lawn mower, bikes, beach chairs, extra toilet paper.  Like I said...everything.  With "everything" in the garage, it gets MESSY!


That is why the garage was the next space in my house that was getting organized.

By the way, we aren't "dirty" people, we just seem to put things places and they get unorganized...a lot of the time!  Call it "laziness!"



I would love those garage systems that you see advertised, but they just aren't an expense that we are prepared to have at this time.  I've even thought about purchasing shelving units with doors from Home Depot, but again, that's another expense.  I wanted to organize the garage with things we already have in the house.  
 

Here are some things that I did:

• Shelves:

• I used our already in place wire shelves to organize the items that I purchase in bulk at BJs.  Due to the weight, I had to store the bottles of water on the floor.

 

• My dad built us a wooden shelving unit.  I put our bins of holiday items in there.  

• Hooks:
• I hammered a nail next to the shelves to hang our athletic bags.  
• We got special hooks to hang the bikes and scooters on the wall.

 

• Drawers:

• I have plastic drawers that I used in my classroom and labeled them with items that we needed to keep together (ex. batteries, extension cords, etc.)  I labeled each drawer using my label maker. (Don't judge)

We can actually walk in there now!!  


Things still to do:

• I threw away a lot of things that we didn't need and there is still more to go to the dump, but I need my heavy lifter (aka my husband) for that.   
• I would like to get a golf gear organizer so that my husband's clubs won't take up so much space.  We could also use it to keep all of the baseball equipment that my little sluggers accumulate! 

What do you do to help keep your garage organized?  Do you spend money or work with what you've got to stow your stuff?

Next up on Operation Organization: The Playroom

Alexis

Operation Organization ~ My Hall Closet/Pantry

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm a "closet" disaster!!!  There are parts of my house that stay hidden from the outside world.  And for good reason; they are a MESS!  These are the places, that as time goes by, become the "catch all" places where we put things. 

That's why I have initiated Operation Organization in my house this summer!!

I know....I'm ashamed!

My hall closet is one such place.  There isn't enough closet space in my house.  Each room has one and we have the hall closet.  That's it.  It's very frustrating.  That's why the hall closet is our "hiding place" for things without a home.


I use this space for my extra pantry items (ex. "buy one get one" items, or pantry items we get at BJs, etc.), family games, my plastic plates for outdoor dining, candles, party supplies, and the kids' crafts.  Then as days go by, things just get placed there and they never leave.   

I started at the top and worked my way down.  I made piles of the items:

• Things to keep
• Things to donate
• Things to sell 
• Things to toss

I felt like I was in my own episode of a "redecorating" show.  

I made bins and clearly labeled them with the items inside.  For example, "Homework Bin," "Crafts," and "Cards & Card Games."  This will make finding those things easier. 

I thought of buying hooks to hang the backpacks and lunchboxes.  I was too lazy and cheap to go to the store, so instead I just hammered in a couple of long nails into the wall and hung up the bags on the inside of the closet.

Now check out our new and improved hall closet!! 
Let's just hope it stays this way!!

Next up on Operation Organization: the garage!

What are your organizing ideas? Do you ever let your life get this "messy?"  How do you stop the madness before it starts?



Alexis

Pebbles...Our Family Elf

Does your family have an "Elf on the Shelf?"  How come I never thought of this?  I could be making millions!!  What a behavior modification tool!!!  All I have to say is, "Pebbles is watching you" and my kids fall in line like soldiers!


For those who aren't aware of this magical little tool, Elf on the Shelf is a book written by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell.  Along with the book, comes an adorable little elf.  Each elf looks differently, so you have to choose one that will be part of your family.



HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
The kit comes with an elf doll and a book. The book explains that Santa has sent an elf to watch over the children and the elf reports back to Santa each night. The kids get to decide the name for the elf together - this is a tough decision! You read through the book with your child, it explains all the rules, then each night you move the elf to a new spot. One of the rules is that the children cannot touch him - this is a great rule because although he's a sturdy doll, I think he might get loved too much too quickly if they were allowed! The author was so thoughtful to think of all these helpful rules.

Rules:
* The children cannot touch the elf or he will lose his magic
* The elf can listen to what the children tell him, but cannot talk back, that's Santa's law.
* The elf flies back to the North Pole each night and tells Santa what he has seen - when he comes back he goes to a new spot in the house.

The kids start searching for the elf immediately when they wake up! Knowing Santa is watching has definitely motivated them to be a behave a bit better! This cute little tradition makes the Christmas season more fun. It's a very special tradition in our house.


 

Our elf, Pebbles (don't know why that's his name...) leaves notes from time to time around the house, along with some type of mess or mischief.

"The Nag" was EXTREMELY naggy one night and got in trouble.     Pebbles was watching!!

You never know where Pebbles will turn up next!

For more ideas for your family elf, visit Blossom Bunkhouse.  Here you can find 101 ideas for your Elf on the Shelf.  

You can also visit the official Elf on the Shelf website!




Alexis

Halloween Fun ~ Our Latest Creation!

As I mentioned before, my husband and I really get into Halloween!
Every year is a way for us to top our ideas of the past year.
We always try to dress in something that kids will recognize, since it is all about them.

This year we decided to be Megamind and Minion.
Everyone recognized my husband immediately. It took people a minute to realize that I wasn't a crazy football player with a fishbowl. It helped if I stood with him!

Here is our latest creation! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Alexis

What Are You Wearing for Halloween?

I LOVE Halloween!!  I love the decorations, the make-believe, the haunted houses (even though they scare me), and I LOVE dressing up!!

When I was little, my mom made all of my costumes.  A witch, a lion, and Pebbles from The Flintstones...anything I ever wanted.

Now that I'm a mom of boys, they want very specific costumes and I can't really make them to their distinct possibilities.  My costume making skills are going to waste.

Luckily, my husband enjoys dressing up as much as I do.  That's where my creative juices get to go on Halloween.  Unluckily, he is the one with the ideas and he doesn't usually come up with anything until about a day before Halloween!  That only gives me 24 hours to pull together a costume!

Here are some of our costumes from past Halloweens...

Lucy and Ricky (2002)

Shrek and Fiona (2009)

Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl (2010)

I take our personal clothes and mix it with some magic to create our new personas!  Not to mention I always try to do something a little cruel to my husband....like wear make-up or tights!  He's a good sport, though!

This year, we are going to be Megamind and Minion....can't wait!  Pictures will follow soon!!

Happy Halloween!


Alexis