Cold & Flu Season 2010

I am a four seasons girl.  I love playing in puddles, watching flowers bloom, and planting my garden in the spring.  I love to swim, eat fresh veggies, and catch fireflies in the summer.  Fall brings the crunching of leaves, watching football, and the comfort of my favorite sweater.  Winter means ice skating and sledding followed by hot cocoa next to a warm fire.   The one season I could definitely do without, is cold and flu season. 

As soon as the girls head back to school in the fall, I know that cold and flu season is right around the corner.  It starts with a tiny sniffle or a scratchy throat . . . and works its way around everyone in the school (and my house!)  We do what we can to avoid the sniffles and coughs, though so far they seem almost unavoidable.  We have been able to avoid the flu so far though.  (Where's some wood? . . . knock, knock, knock).

Here's what we have done, and will continue to do (until it stops working for us):

• Wash our hands - I am pretty diligent about requiring the girls to wash their hands before eating, after sneezing, or whenever we come in from being out and about around other people.  
• Cough and Sneeze into our elbows - It is as simple as it sounds.  By not catching sneezes and coughs with our hands we are less likely to spread them to others. 
• Keep your hands off your face - Your face has too many mucous membranes.  We try to avoid giving the germs on our hands direct access to the rest of our bodies.
• Eat right and exercise - By making healthy choices and keeping our bodies in the best possible condition we like to think that we are at an advantage to fight off the germs that find their way in.
• Flu vaccination - While I don't like getting colds, I hate having the stomach flu.  By getting the flu vaccine every year (when we are healthy), we feel like we are just a bit more likely to avoid it.

In fact, according to the CDC:

• Everyone 6 months of age and older is recommended to be vaccinated against the flu.
• The flu vaccine provides protection that lasts through the flu season.
• The flu vaccine is updated each season to protect against the three flu viruses that research indicates will cause the most illness.
• You need to get the 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine even if you got the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine last season.
• If you or your kids do not like shots, the flu vaccine is also available in mist form. For more information on this, ask your doctor or visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

No matter what you do to stay healthy during this cold and flu season, I hope it works for you and your family.  If you have any remedies or tips that you swear by, I'd love to hear them.  I'm always ready to research a new idea that might keep my own family healthier as well.

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in a TwitterMoms blogging program for which I may receive a small thank you (valued at less than $20).” For more information on how you can participate, click here.  Information from this post came from TwitterMoms and the CDC.  Any information on this post that was not directly from TwitterMoms or the CDC is my own opinion.  I am not a doctor nor a scientist and therefore you should not take it as fact.

How Green is your Clean Home?

Living by the lake, we are in an ideal spot for vacations and weekend trips.  As a result, our house is always full.  We love having visitors and guests and cherish the opportunity to provide our family and friends with a break away from every day life to experience the "island life" we are blessed to live every day.  However, when people visit, we often go out on the boat, swim in the lake, and just spend oodles of time outside.  As all moms know, when kids play outside, they bring the dirt back inside with them.   This means I spend more time than I'd like cleaning both before company arrives as well as after they leave.  Recently, with all the talk about green cleaning, I've begun to reevaluate my cleaning routine.  Is it as green as it should be?  I'm constantly questioning how to make sure my house is clean without using chemicals that could be harmful to my children.  What is the best way to be both Clean and Green?  If you have tips and ideas, then I would LOVE to hear them.  Here are the ten tips I've come up with through my recent research.

1. Vinegar - While my grandmother would most certainly be able to tell you all the great uses for vinegar, I was completely unaware of how much it can do to clean my house.  Vinegar and water can be used to clean floors, counters, and toilets.  In addition, it can be used to absorb odors from paint fumes.  In fact, I had a small spot of carpet that had gotten wet and smelled really musty.  When I called my mom asking for advice she told me to use some vinegar to get the smell out.  Not liking the smell of vinegar, I initially ignored her thinking that I didn't want my carpet smelling like vinegar either.  Eventually I tried it and it worked.  No more musty smell and no vinegar smell either!
2. Baking Soda - Baking soda is another amazing natural cleaner.  For years, whenever I've had a rust stain in my sink.  I've put a baking soda paste on, let it sit for a couple of minutes and scrubbed it out with a little elbow grease.  Don't ask me why it works, but it does.  It also works great on those stubborn food stains in your refrigerator.  When combined with vinegar, not only does it make a great volcano, but it also does a great job of cleaning your garbage disposal and making it smell fresh and clean.
3. Lemon Juice -  I was seriously shocked to see what Lemon Juice can do to keep your house clean.  A little lemon juice and water and clean glass and mirrors.  Straight lemon juice can remove stains from vinyl floors. Olive Oil and Lemon Juice can even be used to polish your wood furniture.  I've always loved the smell, but now I have even more reason to buy lemon juice.
4. Anti-Bacterial Products - For quite a while now, products have used the fact that they are anti-bacterial as a major selling point.  While I definitely don't want bad bacteria in my house making my kids sick, more and more studies are now showing that anti-bacterial products are not good for your home or the environment.  I've traded in all my anti-bacterial soaps for more natural products like Method and Seventh Generation.
5. Fresh Air - Opening my windows and getting fresh air circulating through my house really seems to make a difference in making my house feel fresh and clean.  While I don't know that it is actually any cleaner, it helps me resist the urge to grab air fresheners and chemical laden cleaners.
6. Remove Your Shoes - The less dirt and chemicals you bring in, the less you have to clean out.  If you think about all the places your shoes go throughout the day, you would probably think twice about ever wearing them in your house again.  I probably walk through pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, feces, and more every day.  Even if you can't see it, some of those products are on your shoes and will get in your carpet.  By taking your shoes off at the door, you are at least preventing some of those toxins from getting in your house, on your carpet, and perhaps in your kids' mouths.  (I know my kids can't resist popping an M&M in their mouth even if it has fallen on the floor.)
7. House Plants - I don't have a green thumb.  I never have and probably never will.  However, I keep trying.  Partly because I like the looks of a plant and partly because I think it is a great way to naturally clean the air in my home.  Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  New fresh oxygen in my house can't be a bad thing, right?
8. Healthy Food Choices - We will be exposed to bacteria and viruses.  However, if we have a strong immune system I think we are more likely to fight off any illnesses we might encounter a bit more easily.  One of the best ways to maintain our immune system is to watch what we eat.  If we eat a balanced diet and keep our body in good condition, I think we are less likely to get sick.  When the kids are sick is when I'm really tempted to pull out the bleach and scour the house.  If we can avoid major illnesses, I can keep my house greener and cleaner.
9. Exercise -  Like healthy food choices, I also believe that regular exercise keeps our bodies in better condition to fight off bacteria and viruses.  A healthy body should definitely lead to a healthier home.
10. De-clutter - One of the easiest ways to keep your house cleaner is to get rid of clutter.  The more "stuff" you have sitting around, the more difficult it is to clean around it.  I think that getting rid of unnecessary items will make your house feel more clean without having to do as much work.  It is a way to clean without using any harmful chemicals at all.  You can even donate your items to a local or national charity to help those less fortunate as well.  

Now that I've shared my tips, I'd love to hear yours.  Don't be surprised if it takes me a while to respond though.  I am preparing for a visit with my sister and her family for Labor Day weekend, so I have cleaning to do.  :o)

Note:  While I have never personally used Mrs. Meyer's products, Twittermoms has provided me with information about them that I am passing on to you.  It seems like an interesting product.  If I happen to see it in stores I might just pick it up.  If I do, I'll be sure to share my thoughts and opinions on it.

"Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day makes household products for people looking for a better way to clean. Our natural, plant-derived essential oils are powerful against daily dirt and grime, but leave your home smelling like a garden, not harsh chemicals.

Our refreshing scents include cool and crisp Basil, soothing Lavender, invigorating Lemon Verbena and uplifting Geranium. We also make a line of Baby Blossom personal care products specifically formulated and dermatologist-tested for little ones.

All of our cleaning supplies are earth friendly -- biodegradable, phosphate-free, and not tested on animals. Cleaning is something we all have to do. So why not make it just a little more enjoyable?"

Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Mrs. Meyer’s blogging program, making me eligible to get a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Others may have different experiences.  Various tips have been passed on from familly, friends and cleaning websites over time. 

Ten Tips for Planning a Unique Baby Shower

Baby? Did someone say BABY?

No mom, I am not pregnant . . . as much as you might wish otherwise.  We are done with babies in this house.  That doesn't mean I don't oooh and aaaah over every pregnant woman and new baby I see though.  In fact, every time a friend tells me that she's pregnant or posts a picture of her chubby faced cherub on her facebook wall, I get a small tinge of jealousy.  Baby's are sweet, innocent, and pure joy - even if you don't realize it when they are crying at all hours of the night.  These precious bundles of joy deserve a party to celebrate them that is as special and unique as each one of them is.  That is why the baby shower is very important.  How does one plan a baby shower that is fun and unique?  Here is where I'd start.

1. Theme - Every party deserves a theme.  A baby shower is no exception.  Do you know if it is a girl or boy?  Do you know what the nursery theme is going to be?  Do you know that the baby was conceived in Hawaii or that the mom has had a name picked out since she was 8 years old?  There has to be something special about this baby (even before it is born).  Find something unique in this birth and center your party around it. 
2. Invitations - Select invitations that reflect the theme.  Perhaps include a lovely ultrasound picture.  If your couple is up for humor, use one of those sites that merge two faces to create a baby and include that on the invite.  The sky is the limit when it comes to an invite.  Just be creative.  If you need some ideas, you can check out TinyPrints Shower Invitations here.
3. Location - Not all showers need to be in a hall or in a private room in a restaurant.  Have a shower in the park, at a bowling alley, or someplace special.  You can have it at the place where mom and dad met, got married, or celebrated another special occasion.
4. Games - Some people love games and other people hate them.  If you want to have a unique shower, search for uncommon games and activities. 
5. Advice - Every past and future mother wants to give advice.  Allow them to give it at the baby shower.  Give each person an index card where they can write their best serious, humorous, and beneficial advice.  The mom-to-be might want to ignore it, but when she hasn't slept in 2 weeks, she might just pull it out and she if there are any pieces of useful information anywhere.  No matter how many times you've heard it, when you're sleep deprived you won't remember the most basic advice.
6. Food - Perhaps you can have all child-friendly finger food.  Or maybe you want to go with foods that the mom-to-be is sure to miss after junior arrives.  If you have a good theme, you can do foods to reflect it. 
7. Decorations - Have kids of various ages help with the decorations.  You have to get used to child-proofing and kid-friendly decor sooner or later.  Why not start now?
8. Gifts - Instead of the traditional registry, set up a website where everyone can go to post a gift that they're bringing that they could not live without when they had kids (to prevent duplicates).   If it is something small, have everyone supplement with a gift card to a specific store.  That way, the mom can get what she wants and each person can bring something unique.
9. Kiddos - Why is it that baby showers are almost always child-free?  Are we trying to avoid scaring the new mother with what she can expect shortly.  I say that if you want to have a truly unique shower allow the kids to come.  
10. Thank yous - While not directly related to the planning, I think that a unique thank you is one that is personal and specific to the gift.  I like to include a picture of the mom-to-be with the gift and/or gift giver.  Also, if the gift is one that can be used shortly after the baby is born, wait and include a picture of the baby wearing the outfit or using the item.  People really like to know that their gift was appreciated and used.

*Disclaimer - I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tiny Prints blogging program, making me eligible to get a Tiny Prints gift code worth $50, plus 25 FREE Tiny Prints greeting cards—a total gift value of $149.75! For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Five Tips for a Bright Healthy Smile

I just recently posted about the value of a tooth here. While I still don't think they are worth $10, I do think that the value of a healthy tooth far outweighs the value of an unhealthy one.  Because of that, I encourage my children to develop healthy habits for their teeth which will lead to a bright and healthy smile.  I'd love to hear some of your tips for how you get your kids to keep their teeth clean.  Here are a few of mine:

1. My girls aren't able to brush their teeth after every meal, but they do brush at least twice a day - after breakfast and dinner.  
2. To ensure that my kids brush long enough, they sing while they brush.  The alphabet gets sung 4 times - once for their upper teeth, once for the lower, once for the fronts of their teeth (say cheese!) and once for the accessory parts (tongue, roof of the mouth, backsides of the teeth).  They like how they sound when humming with their mouths full of toothpaste, so the time just flies by.
3. The girls drink only water throughout the day.  I read somewhere once that it takes 20 minutes for your saliva to get all the sugars from sodas and juices off your teeth from a single drink.  If you are a constant soda sipper, then your teeth will be exposed to sugar constantly throughout the day.  By limited the juices to only meals, we prevent excessive sugar exposure.
4. Have you seen those commercials where the kids are getting into all sorts of trouble and when the parents ask them what they're doing, they say, "Fighting cavities."  Those really crack me up.  Besides that, they have been a good reminder to keep sugar free gum in my purse at all times.  That way, when we're out and about and the girls get a treat or a snack.  They can follow it up with some gum to keep their teeth healthy, even if they can't always brush.
5. My final tip is to find a dentist that you and your kids all love.  My girls love their dentist.  They look forward to going twice a year to have their teeth "tickled".  Our dentist is great with the girls and very patient - even though he isn't a pediatric dentist.  Get recommendations from family and friends, and don't be afraid to "shop around".  You are definitely more likely to go and take your kids if each experience is a good one.

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Healthy Family Meals

What's for dinner?

Do you ever get tired of hearing that?  I know I do! 

Another thing I get tired of . . . trying to come up with healthy meals that everyone in my family will eat.  With two growing girls in the house, I want to teach them smart food choices.  I'm not with them all the time, so I like to make sure that the meals we do spend together are well-chosen.  Every night can't be chicken nuggets and pizza.  Even though that would really be an easy fix to my meal planning issues. 

When twittermoms gave me the opportunity to participate in a blogging program where I could share my recipes and tips and read other people's recipes as well, I couldn't turn it down.  I am always looking for a few good recipes, and those tried and true ones that will come from fellow bloggers seem like a great place to start.  (Unfortunately for those of you trying to take my ideas, consider yourself warned that they aren't that grand.)  Blogger or not, I'd love to hear your recipes and tips for planning healthy family meals that taste great too.  I'll start by sharing a couple of mine.

Tips & Recipes:

1. Reduce the quantity of sodium, sugar, etc in the recipes you already have.  If you reduce the amount little by little, it is likely your family won't even notice.  For example, I always put 1/2 cup of sugar in their Kool-Aid rather than a full cup.  I started by decreasing the amount to 3/4 cup, then slowly worked down to 1/2.  While it still isn't the healthiest option, it is at least a little better.
2. When possible, instead of using salt in a recipe, find a good sodium free option, like Mrs. Dash.  I personally love to use Tomato Basil Garlic in many of my soups and stews.  It adds great flavor without the sodium.  One of the easiest recipes I make using Tomato Basil Garlic is my Leftover Soup.  You start by taking all of the leftover veggies that you have throughout the month and continuously add them to one container that you keep in the freezer.  Once the container is full, you can add some Sodium Free Broth or Vegetable Juice, a little seasoning, then simmer for a quick easy delicious meal.  If you feel like it, you can even add some meat or pasta to thicken it up a bit.  I especially love it in the fall and winter with some homemade bread.  YUM!

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

Back to School Preparations

Can you believe that back to school time is here already? Where did the summer go? It seems like just yesterday we were wiping tears away and making plans with friends so that Peanut wouldn't miss them so much over the long summer. Now that school is about to start, half of our plans never quite made it to fruition. The time flew by too fast! So here were are . . . a week away from the start of school . . . exhausted from trying to squeeze in the last bits of summer fun . . . off the schedule I worked so hard to get them on . . . and really needing to get ourselves ready. With so much to do and so little time, what are your best tips for getting your kids ready for school? I think I'll start here:

1. Back on Schedule - As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."  My girls need their sleep.  Since they'll have to get up early, we'll have to make sure they're in bed early all this week.  
2. Reminder Lessons - During the summer, the girls periodically work in their workbooks to keep some of the things they learned fresh in their minds.  However, they've not been doing this as often as I'd like.  This week, we'll be sure to make sure we remember our sight words, practice counting in the car, and read a little extra each night.  
3. Picking out food - Breakfast is so important for my kiddos.  We make sure we have enough time to eat each day before leaving for school.  After all the work they do in the morning at school, lunch is a necessity too.  My girls aren't "packed lunch" fans though.  They prefer warm foods and leftovers to sandwiches.  We'll have to go out together to pick out healthy foods that they will eat for their lunches.  Fresh fruits and veggies are usually a big hit with both girls.
4. Back to School Supplies - Nothing says back to school like picking out supplies.  I still love the smell of a new box of crayons and the feel of a crisp new sheet of paper just out of the package.  To mentally prepare the girls for the return to school, we will definitely have to go out supply shopping together.  Once everything is labeled and packed in their backpacks, they'll know it is really time to get back to the routine of school.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something important, so I'd love to hear your tips for back to school preparations too!

Disclaimer: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a HarperCollins book set. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Our Summer Bonding Project

My girls LOVE crafts.  They are both pretty artistic, very creative, and are always excited to show off their creations.  Unfortunately, as a non-artistic mom, it is sometimes hard for me to come up with ideas and projects for my girls to work on.   When I do come up with something, I often find that it is actually an activity that I have to do most of the work for.  At 4 and 6, Pumpkin and Peanut are not ready for glue-guns and sharp scissors.  So I end up crafting while listening to them ask, "Is it my turn yet?" and "When do I get to do something?"

When Twittermoms and GlueDots offered mom bloggers the opportunity to receive some free GlueDots to use in projects with our kids, I was thrilled!  I received the GlueDots in the mail and waited for more information on exactly what we'd be doing with them.  While I was a little disappointed that I didn't receive detailed instructions on specific projects to do with my kiddos (remember, I am not very creative), I was thrilled with the amount of GlueDots I did receive.  With that many, I could try several projects and not worry about running out before we found the perfect craft for our family.

After much debate and negotiation, the girls and I decided to create flower clips for their hair using the GlueDots.  Peanut and Pumpkin have received some gorgeous hair clips from Little Diva Tutus this past year.  People would always compliment them on the clips when they would wear them, which made them want to wear them more often.  Unfortunately, they didn't have enough to match every outfit, and I wasn't willing to buy them any more.  Flower hair clips are a little expensive, especially when they tend to get lost.   So, we set out on a mission to find the perfect flowers and clips in order to create the ideal hair accessory.  Here is what we ended up with:

I couldn't be more thrilled with the process and the end product.  The girls had a great time and were both able to participate fully in making these clips.  After a trip to Pat Catan's to pick up the flowers, butterflies, felt, and clips, we were ready to go.  For the flowers, the girls used the Craft GlueDots to attach the layers of the flowers together.  They used the Mini GlueDots to attach the gem to the middle of the flower.  I still ended up using a glue gun to attach the flower to the clip with a piece of felt.  For the butterflies, I used a gluegun to attach a piece of felt to the clip and the girls used the Craft GlueDots to attach the butterfly to the felt.  The clips were very easy to make and so inexpensive.  I think we might recreate this process as an activity for Pumpkin's birthday this fall. 

For more information on GlueDots and fun projects you can do with your kids, be sure to check out their facebook page here. 

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Glue Dots blogging contest to be eligible to receive a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Better Than Ever

Just this morning I decided that I am going to start a new weekly post on my blog.  The topic will be "Thankful Thursday!"  I'm sure that I'm borrowing the idea from someone, but for the life of me I can't figure out who.  What I do know, is that I have an awesome family and an amazing life for many reasons.  I also know that I tend to focus on the negative rather than the positive.  This regular Thursday post will help me to focus on the great things that I have and am able to do in my life.   I know that when I think about it, my life right now really is "Better Than Ever"!  Here are just a few of the reasons:

• My girls are 4 and 6 - While I LOVED my girls when they were babies, and I sometimes still miss that stage, I have to say that I wouldn't go back.  I love that they are little people with huge personalities.  I love that they can tell me what they want without crying and throwing temper tantrums.  I love that they can tell jokes and make me laugh.  I love that we can carry on a long conversation with neither of us becoming bored.   While it might not seem possible, every day I love them more!
• We love where we live! - It was two years ago this past May that we moved to the home we are now living in.  I was happy when we made the move, but now I am ecstatic.  We have a gorgeous view, awesome neighbors, and spectacular friends.   On the weekends our home is busy with family and friends, but during the week it is like we live on an island all to ourselves.  It is the perfect combination of peace, relaxation, and fun.

You can read why other people's lives are "Better Than Ever" now too, here.  Maybe it will inspire you to take a new look at your own life and express appreciation for all the ways it is better than it was in the past.

It is funny that I had this idea earlier today, then received notification that Twittermoms is offering bloggers like me the opportunity to tell our readers why our life is better than ever.  Twittermoms is working with Dove to get the word out about their new better than ever NutriumMoisture as well as their facebook contest where you can win a weekend getaway or other prizes worth thousands of dollars.  Here are the highlights of that contest:

Better Than Ever Facebook Photo Contest
Dove® gofresh™ just got better with a boost of NutriumMoisture™. Now we’re asking: What in your life is better than ever? Visit the Dove® gofresh™ tab on Facebook and enter the "Better Than Ever" photo contest!

Submit a “before” photo and a “now” photo in one of the categories below and tell us how your life is better than ever for your chance to win a spa weekend getaway, cash prizes and more!

Choose from these categories:

Play: Have you gone from bunking up in hostels to staying in quality hotels? Have your vacations gone from spring break to lifetime adventures with family and friends? Tell us how you’ve enhanced your passions.

Love: Did you exchange a burn-out boyfriend for a loving man? College parties for dinner parties? Show us how your relationships have evolved.

Live: You used to microwave mac n’ cheese but now you cook meals made from scratch. You used to share an apartment but now you’re decorating your own pad. Show us how your living has gone from surviving to stylin’.

Style: Have you upgraded your hairstyle? Traded trucker hats for ballet flats? Show us how you’ve come into your own when it comes to style.

Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Dove® gofresh™ blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card and some product. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Embracing Summer Reading

Twittermoms has a new blogging program this summer to find and share ways to keep your kids involved in reading this summer.  I can't wait to read the tips and tricks that other moms use to keep their kids engaged during the summer months.  Right now, I am fortunate to have two little girls that LOVE to read.  Reading is an integral part of their lives and has been since the day they were born.  Each night before bed we read a story (or two or three) to the girls.  Some of the books we read are silly, whereas others are more "educational" in nature.  No matter what we read though, the girls love to participate either by reading themselves or asking questions about the book and the characters.  Honestly, I don't think a day goes by where we don't spend at least 1/2 hour reading together.

My girls are happy to continue their reading during the summer months.  The problem usually comes in when I get busy or just too lazy to keep them on track.  During the summer, as the days are longer, and bedtimes get later, it is tempting to skip the story to get the girls in bed faster.   One way that I have found to keep myself on track is to sign Peanut and Pumpkin up for summer reading programs.  Most major bookstores have a program that simply involves reading books to earn prizes. Some of our favorites are:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp
http://media.bordersstores.com/pdf/summerreading.pdf
http://www.halfpricebooks.com/for_parents_and_teachers.html
http://www.bookitprogram.com/summerbreak/challengesweeps.asp

Our local library has a summer reading program too.  This program has a list of different types of books to read in order to win various prizes.  For example, we needed to read 3 Caldecott books, 5 picture books, a biography, a book by an author whose last name begins with the same letter as our last name, etc.  It is like a scavenger hunt of reading.  It has encouraged us to select books we wouldn't normally read and expand our horizon a bit.  This is actually the best way we find to stay on track since weekly visits to the library are also factored in to your prize earning abilities.  Once we go to the library and pick out a book, the girls can't wait to get them all read. 

For other tips and tricks be sure to check out Twitter Moms Reading Channel.  You're bound to get some great ideas.  If you have ideas to share, the TwitterMoms community would love to hear them.  Check out their site to find out how to get involved.  I welcome your ideas and comments here as well.

*Disclaimer:  I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more information on how you can participate, click here.



I Can Read! BooksBecome an I Can Read! Member

Ten Tips for a Fun Distraction Free Vacation

Twittermoms and Alamo have me thinking about and ready to plan my next vacation because of their post here. Prior to reading this post I really hadn't thought much about how distracted vacations have become. I have a hard time leaving my computer behind and Doc is a workaholic. Fortunately, the kids aren't addiction to any distractions just yet. Upon thinking about it, I think our next vacation will utilize the following ten tips:

1. Get everyone involved in the planning. Make sure you plan something for everyone. While Doc and I might enjoy it, our kids will get bored and want to play with their video games if every day includes tours of big old buildings.
2. Make your vacation an appropriate length of time. As much as we want to be distraction free, there are some things at work that really can't wait 10 days. Plan a vacation that is 3 days if that is all you can realistically take.
3. Turn your cell phone off! While it is unrealistic to remain completely detached from society, don't take your blackberry so you can browse the internet and check email while waiting in line. Instead, take a basic cell phone or just turn it off when you don't need it. Sure, the GPS in the phone will be great when you're really lost, but you can also use a map. Enjoy being lost and the adventures it brings. Some of my favorite memories are from trips with my grandfather when he would take us someplace that was 1/2 hour away . . . but it would take us 2 or 3 hours.
   
4. Plan car games. A quick search of amazon led me to auto bingo, would you rather, and the book "Miles of Smiles". Car games are a great way to interact and have fun on the car ride in preparation for the trip.
   
5. Set aside time. If you know that you will HAVE to check email once a day, then set aside a time to do that. Don't deviate from that time or extend it. Give yourself five minutes, then forget it until the next day.
6. Be organized. Know what you are going to do so that you don't have too much down time when you would be tempted to fall into your distracted ways. Not that you have to have every second planned, but a plan can go a long way in keeping you on track.
7. Be flexible. It sounds a bit contradictory to #6, but it is not. Maybe you didn't even know that you'd be passing through a town that boasts the worlds largest waffle. If you see a fun stop along the way, then stop. Enjoy every minute of your time together as a family.
8. Pack Snacks. Even if you have a no eating in the car rule, break it for the family vacation. Hungry people make cranky people, and a fight is one sure way to ruin the fun for everyone.
9. Bring Music. My kids love a good sing-a-long. While I can't maintain my own enthusiasm for hours at a time, a couple of good fun songs can go a long way in keeping the family smiling. Also, as the kids get tired, play some relaxing music to help take the edge off. My girls love listening to some of my favorite (appropriate) music. They always like to hear why I love certain songs whether it was the song Doc and I danced to on our wedding day, the song that was playing when Peanut was born, or the song we used to sing to Pumpkin when she couldn't fall asleep at night. It is a great way to reminisce about old memories while making new ones.
   
10. Take your Polaroid and a Scrapbook. Take a camera that will allow you to get immediate pictures or find a place that can print from your digital in an hour. On the car ride home each person can make a couple of pages from the trip that highlight their favorite parts. When you get home you can create a great book that shows all the highlights and lowlights of the trip.