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As many of you know we are Disney Cruise Line Fans. We have taken three of their cruises already and have another one scheduled in April of 2010, which will be a 2 week transatlantic cruise.

In less than an hour Disney is going to announce an all new destination that one of their ships will cruise to. And I am so excited! I'm hoping it's Alaska or Hawaii, but in any case the anticipation is all part of the fun.

Here are a couple of teaser trailers they put together, they're awful cute!









I'll be back later to update this post!! Read the full story

Statecation (definition): A period of time in which an individual or family stays within the borders of their state, and relaxes at a lodging and visits area attractions.

Are you needing to get away, but are wondering whether you can afford it? Consider a Statecation, because even though it costs more to fill up your vehicle than it did a few years ago, it's still cheaper than plane tickets! (Well at least in our neck of the woods it is.)

For busy moms staying in a hotel is usually a treat. No beds to make, no nagging the kids to pick up the towels from the floor, if the mirrors get squirted with toothpaste (by accident of course!) no stress. Grab a pop, and a book and head to the pool while the kids get their energy out. Or maybe you prefer the hot tub like me...

Driving a few hours, or the better part of the day, while staying in your state offers you different opportunities, without necessarily breaking your budget. Take in some parks, or museums, maybe there is a specific event held that you want to be a part of.

When you take your Statecation consider lodging at a Holiday Inn, there is almost sure to be one near your destination since they boast to having more than 2500 locations in the U.S. (to prove my point, South Dakota ranks 46th in population (2008) out of the 50 states and we have more than a dozen locations here.)

Add to that their signature bedding which includes both soft and firm pillows, along with the power showers in the bathroom, and you might not want to return home.

Holiday Inn also has a Lowest Internet Rate Guarantee. Every hotel reservation booked through their website is guaranteed to have the lowest rate publicly available on the internet. And the ones that I looked at in our state on a travel review site, all received a "Good Buy" approval.

We have booked a room at the Holiday Inn when we have traveled to Florida, and had a pleasant stay, but perhaps before we head there again, we'll take a Statecation.

We may just drive a bit outside the city and stay at the newer Holiday Inn Express, and enjoy a night or two enjoying the mini waterpark there. Or perhaps we'll take the better part of a week to drive out west and view the fabulous art and legacy of Mount Rushmore and the history of Deadwood. But wherever we decide to go on our Statecation I know that we'll be able to find a Holiday Inn to lay our heads.

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Holiday Inn. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.” Read the full story

If I could travel all the time, I would ☺.

One of the things that is really appealing to cruise travelers (like me!) is the on board spas. Their treatments and products are luxurious, and when on vacation the extravagant prices are sometimes justifiable ☺. Of course we all can't getaway all the time.

So if you have the hankering to take a spa visit and get away to an exotic locale but are unable to, you must check out MySpaShop.com's Virtual Spa Destinations. From places in the United States to Europe and beyond, the best spa destinations are now only as far away as a mouse click.


I personally am all about the Caribbean. Living in the Northern Plains brings a longing for sandy beaches and turquoise waters. So my choice of a virtual spa journey was Anguilla.

After reading about my destination as well as viewing photos that took me to where the beach meets the ocean, I was introduced to products that would reflect a spa experience in my chosen locale.

MySpaShop.com sent me some TARA Sun Therapy products to engage my senses and my skin for my virtual spa journey to Anguilla, while I was able to stay right here in South Dakota.

The TARA Sun Collection, is an aloe-based line formulated with sea algae extracts, and was born out of and Aloe Rehydrating Wrap treatment specifically used for desert and tropical climates. In addition to offering sun protection the products offer healing, soothing, nourishing and hydrating benefits for sun-exposed, dry and irritated skin conditions.

The Rehydrator Lotion made with Rosehip and Aloe goes on silky, just like the ones at the spas. Oh yeah, and let me tell you when I used the Recovery Gel and closed my eyes, the scent and sensation carried me off to the Caribbean, well until Amber banged on my bathroom door wondering when she was going to get dinner.

If you're in the need of a getaway and the only way you're going to get one right now is virtually, I encourage you to head over to MySpaShop.com and check out one (or more) of their 16 virtual spa journey destinations. It just might give you that "fix" you need until you can really take a vacation or hit the spa ☺.
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You make sure you have blankets, candles, matches and flares, but every travel survival kit should also have Rand McNally's Boredom Breakers. Because when traveling with children, inevitably the "Are We There Yets" will spawn. The passable hours getting from Point A to Point B can be made enjoyable for the whole family with these traveling games.

Three of the Boredom Breakers we received to review were:



Story Starters - this CD features 72 minutes of different styles of audio entertainment, combining the best of radio style drama and audio to get families telling stories together.











Travel Card Games - don't require a flat surface and are perfect for any road trip. 3 decks of cards are included featuring: 30 Second Interview, I Saw It First and Tough Choice.













Car Game Countdown - try and beat the clock with 18 car games and activities. Old favorites like Padiddle and Alphabet Hot Potato are combined with new car games destined to become classics. Included is a car shaped digital timer with electronic sound, and ten laminated dual sided game cards on a clip ring.








We had a lot of fun reviewing these, and they definitely will be coming with us on our trip up to Canada in October.

We used the Story Starters first, which has so many activities on it. particularly we liked the "Finish the Story", it's amazing what the imagination will come up with when you tie a turtle to a skateboard....

Also fun is the "I Saw It First" from the Travel Card Games. Anything competitive in the car makes the miles (or kilometers) go by quicker! The rarer the item that you spot, the more points you get!

Two other Boredom Breakers are Car Karaoke and Magnet Message Makers.

Moms and Dads if you are planning on taking a Labor Day road trip or perhaps have plans to take the vehicle out over the October long weekend, pick up a least one of these Boredom Breakers, your wiggly kids transform into giggly and happy ones!

Turtle Photo Credit to Psyberartist and Skateboard Photo Credit to Hive.
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Last Thursday we took a little day trip and went to LeMars, Iowa to visit the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Museum. It was a neat experience with much learned about one of my favorite treats!

The drive through the rolling hills and farmland of eastern South Dakota and western Iowa was beautiful. And we stopped to take a look at the Dordt College Campus as well, one of the colleges that Amber is looking at applying to in a few years.

If you would like to see more photos and information about our field trip to the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Museum, check out my post at The Homeschool Classroom:

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When I heard about Queasy Pop Kids, a natural way to ease motion sickness, I was instantly intrigued and asked Three Lollies if I could feature them on my blog.

With all the traveling we do by car, plane and ship, it's inevitable that sometime during our vacation either Amber or myself gets motion sickness.

Since I already take prescription pills for a number of physical ailments, I really try to limit the amount of over the counter medications I take. Amber, in general, just has problems swallowing pills, plus I really try and limit the amount of medication she takes, pain relief or otherwise.

Here is a bit about Queasy Pops from their website:

I had requested them in time for a day trip that I knew we were going to take yesterday. We took a car ride in which we drove for about 1 1/2 hours each way. Now generally that's not a problem, but in summer with the sun beating in the windows and a tummy filled from breakfast out, I was anticipating hearing from the back seat "Mom, I don't feel very good". With that expectation I had the Queasy Pop Kids ready. Of course, that didn't happen (rolls eyes).

Fortunately for the sake of this review, after we arrived home a few hours later, bellies filled with ice cream now, I had the chance to give Amber one of the Queasy Pop Kids. She chose a cola flavored one, and right away gave the taste a thumbs up. I assume that the properties that allow it to be effective in easing motion sickness worked as we had no sickness incidents due to a queasy tummy.

Queasy Pop Kids come in 7 flavors; Peppermint, Cinnamon, Natural Cola, Natural Green Apple, Sour Raspberry, Sour Lemon, & Papaya. You get one of each in a box. They have a store finder on their website, or you can purchase them online as well. They have an mrsp of $3.95 a box, which is right in line with the cost of most motion sickness pills.

I know that Queasy Pop Kids will always be with us when we travel in our car or on a plane. I surely will take them with us on the ship next year as well as we sail across the Atlantic, I'm anxious to see whether they can hold us up for 14 days to alleviate the motion sickness!

I would like to share a box from the samples that Three Lollies sent to me.

To enter this giveaway just tell me which flavor you think your kids (or you!) would like best?

For extra entries you can: (leave each as a separate comment)

1. Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway (you can do this daily)
2. Follow my blog publicly
3. Subscribe to my RSS Feed
4. Add my button to your blog

This Giveaway will end on August 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm cst, and is open to US and Canadian Residents ages 18+. Read the full story

You know I just realized that there is no reason to have a parade in June . There are parades for Memorial Day in May and Independence Day in July, but alas there are no holidays in June for parades. I love parades! So.... I'll make my own....here are some pictures of the fun parades from Disney that we have pictures of!


Do you have Parade pictures to share with me? Leave your link in the comments and I'll visit you! I LOVE A PARADE!! Read the full story

Frontierland in my opinion hosts the best ride in all The Magic Kingdom. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
This shaky wooden roller coaster is 4 minutes of pure adrenaline! If you want a great view, sit in the front. If you want a fast ride, sit in the back! Based on a theme of the old west, you are taken through the old mine caves and hills of dinosaur bones at speeds of up to 30 mph!
I have to admit, I have only ridden Splash Mountain once. NOT a favorite of mine. However Genius wanted to go on it, and Hubby took her the previous time we visited The World, so alas, it was my turn. Fortunately for us, we did not get wet! When you pass by the old riverboat, you know it's time to start screaming!
Tom Sawyer Island is a fun place to explore and relax. Grab a spot on the raft, traverse the lake and explore the fort or the windmill. Or take a ride on the Merry-Go-Round that looks like a tree stump!
One attraction we got to see when it made an appearance for a short time was Woody's Round-Up in DisneyLand. It was a show, done partially in "black and white" for that old t.v. show feel. It was in the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon, and we waited quite a bit of time to get in to see it. I sure am glad we did, and that we have pictures of it, since it's something we've never seen again.
Do you have special memories or attractions in Frontierland at Disney? If so join us at Destination Disney, hosted every Thursday at Reviews and Reflections.
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Approximately five years ago, we decided to forgo our usual Disney themed vacation to an amusement park and add a twist to it.

We traded in Space Mountain for an ocean view cabin on the Disney Magic and anticipated our first cruise ever...Disney Style.
Three Cruises later, and a Transatlantic one booked for next year, and you could say we are hooked.

I'm not quite sure how I'll ever manage to keep this post under 1 billion words or photos, as the fun and indulgence on a Disney cruise over the course of what amounts for us to be 21 days, is huge!!

But I shall try.

The first cruise we went on Genius would turn 8 just the day after we would disembark, and we celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on. If you note that you are celebrating a special occasion on your reservations, they will pull out the stops for you!
The children's program on ship is incredible. From sunrise to waaaay past sunset, the activities offered are sure to delight (at least for Genius they do!). Karaoke, Pizza Parties, Video Games and making Flubber, those kinds of things are scheduled all day for the littles!
We originally questioned whether cruising would be for us. But you know, we kind of like being told when to show up at our dining room, and what time to catch a show. Less decision making to do, and let's face it, vacations are supposed to be stress free.
The waves on the first cruise we took, topped out pretty high. The dining room was half empty the first two nights as many people were sick. As we had come armed with Dramamine and Bonine, we did not have any problems, and actually really enjoyed having that rocking motion to put us to sleep. We did not experience that much motion on the last two cruises we were on....that was a little disappointing (lol!).

The beach at Disney's Private Island Castaway Cay is great. We had a lot of fun making sand structures on it, but it was really cold this past December and we decided to hop back on the ship, and jump in the hot tub! There is so much to do on their private island (weather permitting), parasailing, snorkeling, digging for bones....great fun!

Disney Cruise Line is probably one of the best cruise companies in the world (however, I'm being a bit biased here, I've never cruised any other!) The ship really feels like an old ocean liner (just like it looks), and the service is great.
So while you countdown with me (1 Year and 8 days....) to my transatlantic cruise aboard the Disney Magic, check out Reviews & Reflections as each Thursday you can participate in the meme Destination Disney. Read the full story

Africa -- I've actually been to the real deal. Western Africa that is. When I was 16 I took a trip with a mission team to Cameroon.

The first time we went to Disney's Animal Kingdom, I was curious on whether an onslaught of memories would come back to me while walking around. Africa is a big continent so I had my doubts.

I should have known though, Disney does not skimp. I highly doubt any of that section of the park was modeled directly after Cameroon, yet the sights and smells, and sounds were so accurate (at least to a memory that is going on 20 years!).

One thing I never got to do when I was in Africa was go on a safari. The Kilimanjaro Safari ride was my chance to do just that. Kept to a path (of course this is Disney after all), you get to go in a jeep type vehicle among the live animals and see them, about up close as your going to get. I always laugh about the first time we did this, Genius asked if the animals were real, when we said yes, she didn't believe us. She was spoon fed animatronics her whole life, that she thought we were pulling her leg! Here are a few pictures from the safari ride.

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If you want excitement, this is the place to head!

I pretty much lay low during this ride, grab a treat and sit on a wall and wait for the rest of my party to finish their fun, lol!
Hubby and Genius LOVE riding the Rock N' Roller Coaster. You won't catch me on that. Anything that goes upside down is definitely not on my agenda for the day.
There is also the Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror ride, or as Genius so affectionately calls it the "No thanks, I'll take the stairs" ride. Now if I have remembered to take my Dramamine, this is a ride I'll go on, however this is the one no one else in my family wants to ride with me! Somehow dropping 13 stories again, and again, is less harrowing for me than going 60mph and coasting upside down...go figure.
We all enjoy resting our feet, while watching the Beauty and the Beast show though. As with all Disney productions this mini Broadway show is enchanting and no matter how many times you see it, it's just as charming as the first.
The highlight of Sunset Boulevard only happens a couple of nights a week now, and only at dusk, and that is the Fantasmic! show. Filled with lasers and fireworks, it is absolutely incredible. The best seats are available if you choose a dining package to go with it. It's something we try not to miss!

To see other people's strolls down Sunset Boulevard check out the Destination Disney Meme hosted at Reviews & Reflections. Read the full story

If you take a left at the hub at the end of Main Street USA, you'll quickly find yourself in the jungle oasis of Adventureland.

There is also the vaguely familiar Aladdin's Carpet Ride (probably because it's Dumbo with carpets instead of elephants) in Adventureland fun for the wee ones, but like Dumbo the lines can get long. On hot summer days the spitting camels can be refreshing though!

So enjoy the tropical hideaway that is Adventureland at other blogs and visit the Destination Disney host blog Reviews and Reflections. Read the full story

This is who you might find greeting you on a mini-golf course in Cozumel! He rolled out the "green" carpet for us anyway!See more Critters captured on Camera at Camera-Critters - this meme is active each weekend. You may even get your picture in the spotlight for a whole week! Read the full story

Hey little girl - do you know what the purpose of this mine cart was?
Well why don't I give you a closer look....
That's right, it's an original Port-A-Potty!!
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