5 Easy habits to help the allergy stricken in your home (Mommy Hack)

5 Easy habits to help the allergy stricken in your home

If you are like my family we have seasonal allergies.  Our symptoms vary from occasional congestion and morning burger factories to all out sinus, ear and respiratory infections (depending on the person).  For my highly allergic members of the family I have started doing some easy and normal things in our home that have made a huge difference.  No medicines, oils, or diet changes required.  Just some new  habits to implement.  Very easy stuff here but it makes a huge difference.

1) Change that air filter monthly! 

At least every month, if not more in high peak season.  A few suggestions on this is to either buy a huge bulk pack of filters from your local hardware store and set a reminder on your phone or calendar to help you follow thru.  Or... I have found a great subscription service.  Every month it comes straight to my door. Then I have big box staring at me, mocking me, until I make myself go to the basement and change the old for the new.  Try this Filter Subscription Service - I LOVE IT! (www.filtereasy.com).

2) Switch the fan to on!

Yes, it will help!  No, it doesn't cost much more (maybe a few dollars a month) it's just a fan, not the actual cooling or heating element.  Just move that switch from auto to on!  Keep circulating that air....keep it filtered...keep that filter new and clean.  This works!

3a) Control the windows!

I know you hate hearing this, but stop opening the windows!  Yes, this might be a budget concern.  I am advocating going from a/c to heater and back to a/c.  On those really wonderful days that have the best temperature and you want to just fling those windows open you are also planting a new layer of allergens in your home, inviting them to stay and be your new house guest for a very long time.

3b) Wise choices...

If you need to air out the house.  If you simply cannot deal with the option of keeping them closed.  Be smart about it.  Check the daily allergy report.  Weather Bug app is a great resource.  If your allergic to pollen, then don't open your home on a high pollen day.  Check what is out there first.  If your unsure, then wait for a good rain.  The rain basically cleans the air of allergens and it's usually safe after a good rain to air out for a few hours.

Same thing on taking those rugs outside to air.  Choose a low allergen day to do this.

4) Bed time bathing!

I know I might seem presumptuous to suggest a time of day to bathe, but consider this.  Your head is basically a big cotton ball to the world.  Your going out into it and swabbing the environment of all things airborne.  This is especially true if you use any styling products at all.  Hairspray, gel, volume-izer etc all create a sticky trap for allergens to nestle right in.  Then you go home, but that earth swab on your pillow and breath it in all night.  It might not just be gravity making your morning noise goes crazy, it might be your hair.  Wash your hair at night and every night.  If you cannot wash your hair daily, then change your pillow case every night or wrap your head in a towel or wear a show cap.  Consider this even if you don't have allergies but maybe your spouse does. They will thank you. 

5) Curtains - wash em!

Everybody can see the dust and pollen gathering on flat surfaces, so of course dust those mantels, mini blinds, ceiling fans and shelves.  But, when was the last time you washed the curtains?  I assure you there is more being trapped in those than sunlight.  Same goes for all clothe items like bedspreads, bath rugs, door mats, etc.  But, if you are a open the window kind of person, think about the curtains and give them a good cleaning.

You can apply this to your pets that visit the outdoors as well.  Bathe them, and do it often.  They are swabbing the environment just like your head does.  Then they come in and spread it all over your house.  Our dog gets a shower every couple of days in the summer (mostly because he is allergic to grass) but it helps a lot with keeping our house more comfortable.

  

That's it,  doing these things has saved my family from excessive uncomfortable symptoms, and also a lot of money of secondary infections (Dr. visits, sick days, and prescriptions) because of severe allergies.  Yes, we go outside, no we don't live in a bubble.  I do these things because I strive to make our home a sanctuary of comfort.  These small changes have helped us tremendously.

Let me know  if you have any other tips in the comment section.  I'm always looking to do better. 

I've caught the Royal Crazies!

For those of you not in K.C. you might not realize all the craziness that is going on right now this city!  

Let me share with you some of what I'm talking about.

Our Royals Baseball team won the World Series 2015!  Schools are closing all over the city tomorrow because we have our celebration parade downtown at noon. Stores are open 24 hours selling Royals clothing, entire business have opened up to selling t-shirts to our city!

This might not seem like a big deal to you, perhaps you aren't a baseball fan.  

Well.... to be honest, I'm not either.  

Let me tell you how much of a non-sports person I am so maybe you can understand how much the Royals have affected our city.  My family were not sports fans.  I didn't grow up watching sports on Sunday.  My hometown of Wichita didn't have any professional sports, and my parents didn't have a "college" team they followed so it just wasn't something I grew up with.  In H.S. (sorry fellow Goddard grads) but we were not known for our sports.  The only touchdown I think we got our senior year was done by our kicker.  Our boys basketball team had the highest G.P.A. in the area.  At least these are the things I remember (it was a while ago), forgive me if I miss-spoke.  In college I went to a small college for the first 2 years and the girls volleyball team made the play-off (I think).  Then I transferred to Kansas City Art Institute.  We were ARTISTS, we don't play sports at least not on a college level.  We played Frisbee - maybe - between classes.

I never have been part of a sports team that did well.  

I've lived in KC since late 1999.  

The Chiefs - well... if you follow football you know there is nothing to really all worked up over.  I mean, I've been to games, it's fun, we have had a glimpse here and there of maybe having a decent year, but nothing like the Super Bowl or anything.  Maybe, MAYBE we might get close to first round play-offs.

Our city was just starving for a team to really rally behind.

The MLS Sporting Soccer Team has done great.  I do not want to over shadow their accomplishments.  But, we are in the mid-west and the fan base for that sport is young and still being established.  They have only been here a short time and simply just doesn't have the history of some "life long fans".   Those living here don't have the memory of growing up seeing these games, our kids will... but time is still needed.

Well... for the 2nd year in a row the Royals have blown us away.  Last year we were not upset we didn't win the World Series... we were grateful we got there!  We were so very proud of our team and players and how hard they worked.

This year, we had hope!  We believed from the beginning it was possible to go all the way.  The tension was there from the first ball thrown.  The suspense has been building all year, trades were watched, players were adopted into our town family, we desperately wanted to relive the excitement we got a taste of last year.

As a mom of 3 kids ages 10-5.  I saw my kid's eyes get wide when our neighbors would launch fireworks after each series won in the play offs.  I saw them go to school wearing their Royals shirts on Blue Friday with pride along side of their friends.  

It's like a club, a club you are automatically a part of just because of the city you live in and it's a fun, exciting, classy, group of wonderful role models for our young kids to watch. 

 I loved seeing them praise God as they got one little hit!  I loved watching my kids see how a team works as a unit and not as a side kick for a show boat.  I liked how my kids were asking about the "rules", and why did that happen, and what does that mean?  It was a chance for our kids to sit with us and cheer as a family, have fun dinner nights, stay up late, and yell in the house because we got a base hit in the 8th inning.  

We are building family memories, while watching a sport.  

I had no idea you could do that.  This was so new to me.
I thank you Royals, for giving me some "childhood memories" in my late thirties!
I'm very exciting to celebrate with our town tomorrow!

Be safe everybody, continue our "safe celebrating", and remember these kids are seeing everything so stay the classy team and fans you have been all year!

Mommy Hacks - Sick Season Preps!

Oh, it's that time of year!  

Colds, stomach bugs, and sore throats!  

Hopefully this list of 10 top tricks all moms should know and do will help!

Are you ready for this??????????

1) Line the bucket!

Yes, this tip came from a friend and I will totally be implementing this one ASAP.  The throw up bucket is not "new" to me but putting a trash liner in it is just something I didn't think of at 2:00 am.  Usually I just grab the hose.  But... now I'm ready. I just lined my empty 5 gallon ice cream bucket and put a few extra's under there on the bottom, for a quick change.

2) Speaking of throw-up...

Peppermint hard candies, and even a strong flavored cough drop can help get that yucky taste out of a little ones mouth.  You could even use a lollipop.  Sometimes candy is ok.

3) The sick prep bag

I'm a bag person.  I really like having bag for every occasion.  During sick season I prep a bag for each of one of my kids.  It's great to have ready for a back pack, or a diaper bag, or my purse. Heading out the door with a less than well child, just grab and be prepared.

Things to include

• purse size Kleenex
• chap stick (for chapped lips or even chapped noses works on both)
• a small tube of Aquaphor (for the hands after sanitation or again, the chapped nose)
• hand sanitizer
• empty Ziploc - for the used Kleenex
• RX - based on the kid 
• nose spray
• Benadryl rapid melts
• Pepto or tums chew-ables
• chew-able Motrin or Tylenol 
• (obviously only if the kids are old enough to manage have access to meds)
• Cough drop or Vitamin C drops
• a fun band-aid - because when you don't feel good a paper cut can end your world.

4) Used Kleenex piles... oh gross!

A great idea is to get the boxes that are cubes, use an empty one as a trash for the used ones.  Either tape, glue, or rubber band them together.

Don't have a empty box.... grab a gallon sized Ziploc.  Fill, zip, and toss all those germs away!

5) Get some rest - but "I'm too achy to sleep".  

If keeping their eyes open to watch a movie keeps them awake when they should be resting.  Try a CD or audio book.  Swing by the library, buy one and keep it on hand or download the free app from your library and just download one.  Close your eyes and listen,  and rest!

6) Body aches, detox bath time!

Might I suggest keeping some Epson Salt on hand.  It's really cheap, and helps a ton.  There are so many "recipes" for the perfect detox bath.  But, I find Epson salt and sleepy time tea bag thrown in a tub helps a ton.

7) Medicine baskets, get 'em prepped now! 

 You need to have 3 major baskets in your medicine cabinet - your 3:00 am self with thank you.

1. wound care
2. cold / allergies / respiratory
3. stomach / flu / digestive

If you want to get fancy and OCD... and a smaller basket for each of your family members.  When the crud starts to take hold, put the correct meds in the correct person's basket on your counter with a list of times etc for doses.  It's helpful when adults play tag-team on care knowing when the last dose of meds were given and how much.  And you won't mix up small children's with older children's meds.

8) Germ barriers, sick beds

Ok, so you should know I am a germ-a-phob.  I mean like really, really bad.  Sick kids on a surface that I can't throw into the washing machine creeps me out.  So, I make a sick bed on the couch.  A king sized fitted sheet over the whole thing, keeps my couch clean and washable.

9) Never run out

This might be obvious, but go out and get what ever medicine, creams, oils, refills, and Epson salt you need.  And get some back ups.  My main tip is have everything on hand at all times.  Here are must list of things to never run out of EVER!

• Benadryl (never know when you have an allergy reaction and need a quick dose)
• Mucinex
• Motrin
• Epson salt
• thermometer (have extra batteries on hand)

10)  I'm bored, and sick, and whinny...Mommy!!!!!!!!!!

So.... I got nothing (other than audio books).  We all struggle with this.   My biggest advise on this one is to remember to get out that hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes out and wipe down that IPad, cell phone, remote control, light switches, door knobs and start on that laundry you have sheets, towels, and pillow cases to wash.  At least YOU won't be bored!

Get Busy Mama, there is no time for you to get sick!

Not a "new mom" any more... now what "middle mom"?

Well.. it has finally happened.  I am purging sippy cups, baby toys and tiny silverware.  

I no longer plan my days around nap times, pack a diaper bag, or buy pull-ups.

I'm not a "new" mom anymore.  

I'm in the "middle" stage.  

It's a weird sensation, a new one at the the very least and I find myself thinking...

"Did I really make it thru the baby stage of motherhood and lived to tell the tale"?

I did... I finally did it.  And I'm not quite sure how I'm suppose to feel about it.

If you just starting out in this journey called motherhood or maybe you haven't quite gotten there yet, let me tell you how the "new" mom life compares to the "middle" mom life.

Your "people" shop for groceries mid-day before or after nap time and before the "work" people get there.  This is good to know because there is something in the fellowship of  yoga pants wearing, barely got enough sleep, where is the caffeine "new mom" group.  These people are your "people" they will not judge you when your baby is hungry and you just feed them in aisle 7 because well... what else are you going to do about a hungry screaming baby.

Now, I grocery shop mid-day because it's habit and because I can do it with out being bombarded for another shop-kins thing, or a minecraft themed yo-yo in the dollar section.  

A new mom might see me and think - wow.... she can shop by herself isn't that nice. 

 The truth is... it's really, really nice and I kinda love it.  

However, I see you too "new mom" 

and I remember the those days like they were yesterday.  I had one baby in front carrier holding in a pacifier with one hand while pushing a cart with two boys, one on each side so they don't "touch each other" and so I don't run over them with my one handed cart driving.  I was bouncing and singing while explaining why we don't eat cheese puffs for breakfast to the 3 year old while scanning for a bathroom because a 4 year old is almost in tears, he has to go right now! 

I've been there, I have soooooo paid my dues and I lived.  I totally made it thru!  And you will too!

My kids are still alive and hopefully not in need of therapy.  I still love them, they still love me and all my hair is still rooted in my head and not pulled about in patches.  I honestly never really thought this day would come.

Now I wonder did I leave something in the car?  Do I have my purse?  Why do I feel so... solitary?  Oh, it's because I don't have babies or toddlers any more right at my side.  They are safely in school and at pick up time a whole different life starts.

My days are now planned around drop off / and pick up times, homework, spellings words, gymnastics, basketball, lunch making and dinner time chats .

One thing has not changed, tucking in my sweet off spring.  This I still hold on to.  This hopefully will not change - well at least not until junior high :).  

Then we will chat again about that stage of motherhood and the changes that age brings.

Here are my "experienced" words of wisdom 

to those "new" moms.

1) If an older mom hands out a piece of advise it's not because we don't think you aren't doing great, or that we know better.... it's because we have been there and we recognize sigh you just released out of exhaustion.  It's meant as encouragement, that there is still rope left to grasp on to, and you can climb that rope and do it.  Chances are we "know that advise" because we were so very bad at the subject ourselves and did massive mom sized research on it.

- Still feel free to ignore it and trust your mom heart, it's your best resource!

2) We still love to hold babies.  If you need help... just ask.  We will hold your baby for you while at the park if you need to fix a boo-boo on your toddler.  I know we might be a stranger but since we are out of that stage, we will happily give them back I promise.  But, we understand the need for an extra set of hands every once in a while.  Use our experienced hands to your benefit!

3) We are great sources of hand-me downs and still great toys.  Just say'n - we love to get it out of the house and your kids could use some new distractions that are cheap or free right!

4) Most of all... we are living proof.  

Living breathing proof that you can make it through to the other side.  

• You will get your sleep back.
• You will be able to walk around with out expending your perimeter of safety to a 4 ft bubble.
• You will not have to fear the silence of a toddler.
• Or the enviable poop explosion in public (from the baby).

You too will live to tell the tale  and join the common core math, play ground antics, spelling words, and music recitals group of the "middle mom".  Now, doesn't that sound like fun!

I believe in Santa but....I don't believe in pre-school

I believe in Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy but I do not believe in 

Pre-school or Full Day Kindergarten!

So... go ahead, roll your eyes.  But, here me out!  There are things in the article for those of you who like funny little remarks and those that like data... if your not a data person then just skip around and have a yourself a good laugh (that would be the blue text), and maybe do some thinking of your own. 

I'm not bashing those that choose to do "pre-school", thats your choice.  I am also not a "homeschooler" so don't lump me in with that crowd.  I'm not a hippy free non-schooler or anything like that either. (no offence just making a joke).

I am however a big proponent of letting kids be kids and not little students at the age of 2-4.

Here is my thought process - It might not be a linear line (I did my best) but it's how my brain works.

• Kindergarten is not even required by the state of KS (which is where I live).
• Kindergarten used to be the "pre" part of getting ready for school.
• Kindergarten is now going full day.

So, how to prep for Kindergarten (if you feel you must)

• Let's do a "pre-school" at age 3-4 to prep for Kindergarten.
• Now, let's do a "mommy day out" so "pre-school" is not a shock at age 1 1/2-3.

• Next up... Sign them up for a baby college ACT prep class - you can do your child's enrollment at the same time you fill out their birth certificate.

Oh, come now.. let's not get crazy... well...
let's see some stats.
(if you don't like serious stats then just skip to the blue text below it)

First the cause of this "crisis"  

(source -http://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Research%20and%20Evaluation/historyofeducationfinal.pdf)

"A Nation At Risk" was published by the U.S. Department of Education's National Commission on Excellence in Education, beginning the current school reform efforts. The Commission advanced the following recommendations: · Graduation requirements should be strengthened so that all students establish a foundation in five new basics: English, mathematics, science, social studies, and computer science. · Schools and colleges should adopt higher and measurable standards for academic performance. · The amount of time students spend engaged in learning should be significantly increased. · The teaching profession should be strengthened through higher standards for preparation and professional growth."

Where it starts

(source -http://www.ksde.org/Portals/0/Research%20and%20Evaluation/historyofeducationfinal.pdf)

"Kindergarten attendance is not required, but almost all Kansas children attend kindergarten. Although the state funds half day kindergarten only, during the 2000-2001 school year, 238 schools in the state used Title I and other school funding to provide allday, every day kindergarten to 9,534 children, giving them more time to gain the skills needed to be successful in first grade. "

Proof 

 source(https://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-571.pdf)
"Nursery school enrollment today has become increasingly common for 3- and 4-year olds. According to the CPS, only 10 percent of 3- and 4-year olds were enrolled in nursery school in 1965, while 48 percent of 3- and 4-year olds were enrolled in 2011 (see Figure 3). The rate of nursery school enrollment has been around 48 percent for the past 5 years. "

I concede there is a good reason to consider it....

 source(http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Pre-kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten/Pre-kindergarten-What-the-research-shows.html)

• "The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort, a national study of 14,162 kindergartners, their parents, and teachers, showed that children from extremely poor families had the strongest gains in pre-reading and math after attending a center-based preschool (Loeb, Bridges, Fuller, Rumberger, and Bassok 2005). These children attended a center-based program that was not Head Start but was a child care center, preschool, or pre-k program, as reported by the child’s parents."

- See more at: http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Pre-kindergarten/Pre-Kindergarten/Pre-kindergarten-What-the-research-shows.html#sthash.rTssUC5x.dpuf

• Overall, researchers found an 8–9 percentile point gain for these children, compared with youngsters who were cared for entirely at home. Hispanic children with limited English proficiency achieved twice the gains in language and pre-reading skills compared with white children. Program participation also increased math proficiency among all lower-income children."

However Long term gains.....?????? is it worth it?

source (http://reason.org/files/b7abd1fc30bdf33cd824db3b102c4db0.pdf)

• "We note, however, that the differences researchers observed in the Reading First analysis already begin to fade by the beginning of first grade. At the end of kindergarten, 17 percent more of the full-day students had attained the benchmark than those in the half-day program (59.8 percent compared to 42.6 percent). As the Reading First analysis reported, just a few months later, at the beginning of first grade, that advantage dropped almost in half, to 10 percent (58.7 percent compared to 49 percent). Similarly, at the end of kindergarten, 15 percent more of the half-day students were recommended for intensive support (34.7 percent compared to 19.9 percent), but by the beginning of first grade, the difference had dropped to 10 percent (23.6 percent compared to 13.6 percent)."

• "The ECLS-K research shows the same pattern documented by hundreds of early education studies: children in full-day kindergarten are afforded a modest academic edge over children in half-day kindergarten when measured at the end of the kindergarten year. However, that initial edge completely disappears by third grade. "

I then start asking questions like have learning problems and behavior problems been on the rise since this more schooling at a young age has increased?  Well.. that's a whole different blog.

___________________________________________________________________________________

So, I ask you this... is that time that your child misses out on home time, free play, learning about dirt, and oh yes sleeping!!!! Is it worth it?

For me a stay at home mom, who also runs an internet business at my leisure, it just isn't worth loosing that precious time I get to spend with them.  I miss my kids when they are at school.

Here are a few things I am sick of hearing about why kids should be at pre-school.

Socialization - "I'm a stay at home mom, they need to play with more kids.

• Oh please.  If you are a SAHM and your kid isn't socialized enough, then get up and do something about it.  Join MOPS, join the YMCA, go to a park, make new other SAHM moms.   I have a saying, chances are if your child isn't socialized enough then neither are you!

Learning - "My two year old can read LATIN"!

• So, what your saying is your child is a natural language genius or that's just crap.  I'm might be crazy here but I'm pretty sure I'm qualified to teach my pre-schooler everything they need to know, numbers, shapes, colors, ABC's etc.  As a college graduate I think I can handle that.  I could teach them a foreign language as well, and I did!  Two different ones Sign Language and some Italian.  
• But, here is the kicker.... if you can't speak it as well then they aren't going to hold on to that for very long and your so called multi-language speaking child will be a English speaking child pretty darn soon, because unless you use it with them, they will loss it.

I work - "a center is better than home care".

• I'm just going to have to dis-agree, respectfully.  Notice I did it respectfully :) !  I happen to feel that a home environment with a less structure "center" type feel is better, for the above reasons.  Again, not knocking your choice, I know we are do what we fell is best based on what is available, affordable and possible.

I need some me time - OK... this is honestly the best one out there.  At least it's honest!  

• If you need to catch up on some sleep, have some quiet time, maybe you have a lot of dr apps. you have to do and this is a way to get it done.  I get it!  I truly, truly do!  Trust me I'm used to having 3-5 kids with me, over the past 8 years - I know the feeling.  And I can respect a person that just owns up to needing some help!  And if that's how you do it... then again... your choice.  

I just urge you to not to give into the pressure of "schooling" your precious little one just because you feel like you have to, parent peer presure.  Look into home care, a fellow SAHM who could use some extra income, or heck a grandma (adopt one if you need) that needs a baby to hold once a week.  Find somebody that will simulate and teach but not in a "school setting". 

Debunking Myth's we hear and tell our self's

• Your not a bad mom if you choose to prep your kid for school on your own.  

• Your child is not learning less doing half day vs all day Kindergarten.

• Your not boosting your child's IQ by doing a "Latin Immersion with Montessori inspired International themed curriculum that has all the latest Tek and STEAM" and what else you can spit out.  

• Your just being a pompous elitist and people roll their eyes at you just as much as they do at me for not "believing in pre-school".

other good reads on the subject
the-decline-of-play-in-preschoolers-and-the-rise-in-sensory-issues/

the-real-reason-why-children-fidget

how-schools-ruined-recess-and-four-things-needed-to-fix-it/

8 Tips and Tricks to Cruise Travel... the things I didn't read about when I searched for tips!

OK.. so I have been on one cruise... yep one!  It was the first vacation my husband and I had kid free in 10 years.  To be specific we went on the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas to Bermuda (these observations are based on that ship and line).
Perhaps a normal person might think that one cruise is not enough to write a tips and tricks blog post about but... I have never been considered normal.  So, here are a list of things that I  did not read about on the massive amounts of research I did before our cruise.

1) The whole pre-booking thing... yea that's a joke.  I was so worried that the spa would be booked up, or the excursion would be full or we would miss out on something if it all wasn't totally planned out and pre-booked.  What a load of nonsense :)

Tip - Let me assure you that the pre-booking best rate for the spa is not the best rate.  Did you know they have daily specials for the spa.. like really great ones!  These specials range from $89 - $135 and they cover a mixture of wonderful things like while getting a facial, you also get a head, neck, hand, and foot massage. They are usually 50  minute appointments and you are able to upgrade them for $20 here and there to add hot stones for an extra 25 minutes to a massage etc.  They have to be booked that day, so yes.. call and book early but I never had a problem getting in.  Just check the daily compass (the little daily newspaper they deliver to your room of all the daily activities).

2) Internet....... it's crazy expensive on the ship and is very limited.  Royal Caribbean's web-site said for one device it would be around $90 for the week.  Well... it was more like $150 give or take or $39 a day.  It was very slow, and did not allow for Face Time which was what we had planned on using for talking to our kids (you know using the whole Wi-Fi thing on the apple phones to avoid international cell charges).

Tip... just wait until you get to your destination.  Buy a drink, get free wi-fi for an hour, or buy the area service for $20 for 3 days.  The connection was great, we were able to face time all over the harbor, and had zero problems.

Extra Tip... the area service I was even able to use on the ship, as long as I was port side on the deck, so debarking etc, was not necessary.

3) The Soda Drink Package - it's a decent deal.

Here's my tip.  The cup you get is just like every other person who got the package too, so there are like 1379 cups roaming around that look just like yours.  And they haven't been really "washed" all week. So, you do not want to mix up your cups.  My mind went to a hair band or something to put around the actual cup to differentiate it from the others but  my hubby thought of something better, permanent, and doesn't get soggy when rinsed.  Nail Polish on the lid.  Yep, a little dot of nail polish on the lid does a world of good, just use a different color for each person.  Yes.. I travel with nail polish...if you know me in person you know this to be a true statement!  A real reason a Julep addiction comes in handy.  Don't judge.

4) My time dinning - We loved it!

Tip - At first I was totally prepared to have different servers every meal, however.... since we made our reservations at the start of the dinner time hours of when we estimated our arrival, the matradee sat us with the same servers every night!  And they were wonderful!  Cosmina and Dexter, they made our cruise something special!  They remembered what we liked, didn't like, they suggested things that they new we might  not know to order or what have you, and Cosmina made me the best hot coco every night with milk, frothed etc.. all because the first night I asked for creme... it was the best way to end the night!  Loved our servers and we still had the flexibility to eat at different times based on our island adventures and show times.

5) Restaurant Package - it's kinda expensive to add extra nights eating in additional cost restaurants, however there are two ways to do this and not go crazy.

Tip - we signed up for a package get 3 restaurants and get 25% of your total bills at those places. You have to double check our bill and make sure they got that info from the computer that you signed up for it, but  it saved us about $50.

Tip - most of the restaurants have these lunch specials - it's like a buffett so you don't get the extra special stuff.. but for the sushi bar it's a great way to eat there, and not spend a ton, plus free champagne.

6) The Bed.  Ok, so maybe I'm really spoiled, but no bed is equal to the bed at home and spending 7 nights on a bed that's well... less than what I am used to is hard.  I would suggest traveling with a memory foam topper with a down feather topper... not possible..?!?  What.. yeah, well that would be difficult.

Tip - Under our bed was 2 extra down toppers all wrapped up in a trash bag for the turn over day (day you get off and others get on).  Well... I stole those suckers and stripped our bed - laid those things down under our sheets for some added padding.  It wasn't the best ever, but it was a step up.

7) The Shower - it's super small.  I mean like really tiny.  I'm a 5' 6"  - 110 lbs skinny girl and I simply could not shave with out splashing the bathroom into a wet mess.  Image what my 6' 3" - cough, cough sized hubby felt like in that thing.

Tip - the spa, has a locker room were the sauna's are.  And guess what... they have full sized showers in there, totally private with a curtain.  Yep, I visited the sauna daily and I was always the only one in there - each and every day.  I cannot promise  your fellow cruisers will give you the sauna all to your self, but if you are sharing a room, just really need a good shave.... I'd suggest throwing your showering stuff in a beach tote, treating your self to a sauna treatment and just showering there.

8) Excursions - 

Well first I feel like I need to explain what happened to us.  We had 3 days on the island. On the internet (part of the whole pre-booking thing) they had a day at the beach as an option for day 1.  Well we didn't find out until we got on the ship that we arrived at 3:00 pm that day, not really enough time considering the private beach place closed at 5:00.. so they automatically pushed that to the next day. And while that is great, we already had snuba booked for day 2..so we had tickets for two different excursions on the same day.  We took them to the excursion desk, got a refund on the day at the beach and just go the lay of the land that first day.  Our day 2 - our snuba was cancelled due to rough wind, however since they already had us there etc... they let us snorkel for free.  Day 3 we left open because we didn't know what to pre-plan.  What we ended up doing was rending a moped and exploring the island - it was the best day ever!

Tip - Don't over plan, don't be afraid to roll with the changes, and if you are so over schedule you will likely miss the little things and places that didn't get the "featured" stop on the web-site.  We found the best mini golf place with literally breath taking views and locals that were amazing.  Also, the best fudge is found in the Clock Tower mall!  You will thank me for that tip, seriously...  I know fudge... it is the best!  Things are cheaper and have more options once you get out of the "tourist trip areas" and you will never have the time to find those things out.. if you over schedule and rely on the ship to bring it to you.

Side note... on our first day we literally walked like one block to the "private beach on the harbor" it was $5 entry.  This was the exact same place they charged us around $38 a person in advance to have a "day at the beach" plus like $16 for transportation.. it was a block, along a side street with zero traffic, you could see it from the boat... we barely crossed a street... kinda ridiculous.

Have fun and cruise away!
Although they have a kid area.. I really would not suggest taking kids on this boat, it's more adult friendly and I'm pretty sure my kids would have lost interest in 36 hours.  We however, never lost interest!  Black Jack anybody!

Summer... a SAHM's 2nd chance to enjoy this time of year!

School is almost over, and summer is almost in full swing!  Most people - meaning those that work a full time job don't really get to enjoy that childlike excitement of no more school (like my husband).  

As a Stay At Home Mom (SAHM) I get to relive that excitement every year.   

I am a mom who fully embraces the "lazy summer" directive.  Meaning I say no to organized sports, to wake up calls, and structured days.  At our house we allow our body clock to tell us when we are hungry and tired.  I allow my kids to get bored because when that happens they find the most imaginative way to entertain themselves.  We don't keep a reading chart, but we read like crazy because there is nothing better to do under the patio umbrella while enjoying a snack.  If we want to run, we run.  If we want to nap, we nap.  I find little bodies grow like weeds during these months and they don't always go by schedules.

The "have to's"  that go to  "get-to's" 

NO more packing lunches   YES to pool side snacks and impromptu picnics.
NO more morning alarms   YES to black out curtains and jammies till noon! 
NO more reading log deadlines, weekly or daily math sheets, no more assignment book signatures needed  YES to free time reading, math challenges against mom or dad that get rewarded with afternoon movies, and messy science experiments in the back yard, bike rides, and digging in dirt!


I've learned to to embraces the freedom of summer as an adult.  My children have taught me the magical view that I once had when I was a child.  My goal now is to let them be kids.  Unscheduled, and the freedom to just be.

I'm a firm believer in fun, field trips, and fighting the summer learning slope.  I'm also a firm believer in teaching them how to not be dependent on being entertained, directed, or scheduled.

Take some time to just be, find what makes you smile, to breathe and enjoy the simpleness of clean fresh days, enjoy your alone time, enjoy your sibling time, enjoy the time with your kids as they learn about who they are with out "being molded".