Celebrate Thanksgiving Memories

Celebrate the season this Thanksgiving with some fun family activities.

1. Thanksgiving paper chain: Those paper chains seem to be a staple of most childhoods, whether it was for a Christmas tree decoration or a school project. Take this common idea and use it celebrate thankfulness. Spend a period of time, whether it’s the month of November or during the span from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and add links to your family’s chain daily. Each person can write something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper, link together, and create your chain. Try to emphasize people, situations, and opportunities instead of material objects. It’s easy to be thankful for “things,” but try to dig deeper into those parts of life that mean more.

2. Handprint Turkey: Kids seem to grow so fast! Capture a moment of time by making a handprint turkey of your family, including the parents. Trace each person’s hand onto colored paper and then cut out the shapes. On a sheet of scrapbook paper, arrange the handprints largest to smallest to create the turkey’s feathers. Cut out a few more shapes to create the turkey’s body, and finish it off by drawing a few facial features. Words could be added to the craft such as, “Thankful for Family,” or “A Thankful bunch of turkeys.” Not only have you created a cute Thanksgiving craft, but you’ve made a snapshot in time of the different sizes of your family, represented by their hands. Be sure to include the date somewhere on your masterpiece.

The handprint turkey is a
fun keepsake. 

3.  Personalized Place cards: Let your kids create place cards for the Thanksgiving meal. These can be as simple or elaborate as your kids can dream up. Provide the materials, such as paper, glue, scissors, markers, and stickers, and let your kids go to work. Older kids could write a couple of sentences about why they are thankful for each person.

4.  Conversation Starters: Instead of everyone drifting off to different corners of the house after the Thanksgiving meal, prepare some conversation starters to get everyone talking. Write questions on slips of paper, fold them, and deposit in a jar. During the activity, each person draws a slip of paper and then shares their answer with the group. This is a great way to stay connected as a family, and you might learn a few things about your relatives. Great questions could include, “What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory? What is a childhood memory that stands out to you? What was your proudest moment? What piece of advice would you like to give to the people here today?” Visit these websites for specific ideas: 

http://www.craftychica.com/site/2013/11/thanksgiving-craft-conversation-starter-centerpiece/

http://countrydesignstyle.com/2013/11/21/thankful-questions/

Thanks to "Spoonful of Imagination" for this great idea!

5.  Handprint runner. This is a fun activity that can take place after the meal. Buy burlap or another sturdy fabric and cut it as a table runner. Have everyone (even the adults) paint their hands and leave a handprint on the runner. Let each person decorate their handprint to be a turkey. For an added religious touch, each person could add a favorite Bible verse next to their turkey handprint. Store the runner away until next Thanksgiving when it comes out to decorate the table.  This could become a yearly tradition, and it’s a great way to keep a moment of family history. Read more about this project here:

http://www.hometalk.com/689841/diy-thanksgiving-table-runner

This Thanksgiving season, make your focus family and friends, not objects. People and experiences create long-lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come!

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Clever Parent's Guide to Discipline

Are you frustrated when it’s time to discipline your less-than-well-behaved children...again? If you feel like pulling out your hair, just implement the mindset of a clever parent.

1.  Stay as cool as a cucumber. Children expect yelling when they’ve broken the rules, so make it your policy to stay calm. Use a measured tone of voice to let them know which rule they’ve broken and what their consequence will be. Don’t argue with them. You’re the parent in charge, and the parent in charge doesn’t argue. Use respectful language, speak clearly and plainly, and close your ears to any ranting and raving that might occur.

2.  Make the punishment fit the crime. You might want to ground your children for the rest of their lives and send them off to military school, but that’s extreme for offenses like talking back or not picking up toys. If you jump to the ultimate consequence right away, then you don’t have anywhere to go in the future. So, pick a lesser consequence and build from there. For example, start your child on two days without a cell phone and then you can add extra days to the duration, if needed.

3.  Consequences should inconvenience the child, not the parent. A consequence should only make one person unhappy, the child who receives it. Pick penalties that get the child’s attention and help them realize that you mean business. Administer them calmly (remember, cool as a cucumber) and without interrupting your life. Does it matter if your child watches TV? Nope. It’s not your problem, is it?

4.  Think outside the box. You might feel the need to freshen up your rotation of consequences, so occasionally add a few new ones to the mix. Often this brings protests from the children, but while they’re not watching television, they can scrub toilets, rake leaves, and fold laundry. I once felt the need to get my daughter’s attention, so I removed everything from her bedroom except for furniture. Her basic needs were still being met, so it wasn’t a problem that the room was mostly bare. That was a consequence she never forgot, and the mere mention of it usually snaps her right back into line.

5. Remind your children who’s in charge. Children who are bit too big for their britches need a gentle reminder of who’s the boss. That person is the parent who provides for all their needs and guides them through childhood on the road to successful adulthood. Yes, there are bumps along the way, but clever parents use these to teach lessons and reign in the children who’ve gotten out of hand.

The clever parent never loses her cool, even
when the going gets tough!

6. Consistency is key. Parents must follow through with the consequences they administer. To cut short a consequence tells children that you don’t mean what you say. Choose wisely so the consequence will be effective.

The clever parent is calm, cool, and collected. The clever parent doesn’t argue. The clever parent knows that consequences are important and administers them with love. The clever parent never forgets the goal – to raise productive members of society. Hang in there, parents. It’s all worth it in the end.

Teach Money Sense with Coupons

Photo courtesy of OOingle.com, Creative Commons License

I recently turned my 12-year-old daughter into the chief coupon clipper at our house. I wanted to increase her money sense and shopping savvy. Instead of telling her which coupons to cut, I devised an entire program. Here’s how it works.

Each week we get the coupons out of our Sunday paper. I give them to my daughter with the barest of instructions, “Cut these.” It’s her job to decide which coupons get cut according to the products she knows we use at our house. She’s allowed to ask me questions, and she also can search through the cupboards to see what products we normally purchase. After she cuts the coupons, she puts her initial somewhere on the coupon. She then must go through our coupon organizer and remove any expired coupons while also adding the new coupons. Now it’s time to shop!

When I go the grocery store, I make a list of any coupons I use with her initial on them. At the end of the trip, I total how much she “earned” with her initialed coupons, and she receives that amount of money as payment for her work. Granted, it reduces the amount of savings on my grocery bill, but I believe the lessons she’s learning are more valuable. Since we’ve started this program at our house, I’ve noticed that my daughter has grown in several areas.

Her money sense has improved. The value of a dollar has to be taught. She’s starting to understand what food and household items cost by looking at coupons and thinking about the products we need to buy for our household.

She understands why it’s good to save money. My daughter now realizes that a coupon helps the family spend less at the grocery. Several dollars shaved off the grocery bill means there’s more money to be spent elsewhere. Cutting coupons is worth the time and effort. Hopefully, this early exposure to the concept of saving money will stick with her as she grows to adulthood.

She’s learning about brand name products versus generic ones. As she makes choices on which coupons to cut, we have conversations about brands. In our house we have certain items, like laundry detergent, where we are brand specific. For other products we have no brand loyalty. She’s learning lessons about choosing the right products for our family.

Photo courtesy of OOingle.com, Creative Commons License

Her organizational skills get a workout. She cuts, sorts, and categorizes as she works with the coupons. This process helps her learn more about organization.

Her work ethic is strengthened. I’m not going to lie, cutting coupons and organizing them is not always high on the list of my daughter’s favorite tasks. However, she enjoys receiving her earned money after I come back from the grocery. This gives me a chance to remind her that the money is a direct result of the work she did earlier in the week. She’s beginning to make a connection between working and earning money. There’s a bonus lesson, too...the work has to be done, even if it’s not much fun.

Try the coupon method in your household and see how it begins to introduce your child to the world of money management and savvy shopping.

Bye, Bye Summer...Hello, School!

Summer is over, and parents everywhere must work to get their kids back into the school time routine. Here are a few things you can do to move from the summer mindset to a school mindset.

1. Set a regular bedtime. Late bedtimes and sleeping in may work in the summer, but this type of routine doesn’t equal success for the school year. Pick a bedtime and stick with it no matter how much the kids might want to stay up late. Not only does this ensure your kids get an adequate amount of sleep, it gives mom and dad some quiet time in the evenings.

2.  Make homework a priority. With school starting, many extra-curriculars start up again, too. However, keep homework at the top of the priority list. Make sure kids know it should be completed every night, no exceptions. It’s the child’s responsibility to keep track of homework and to get it completed with minimal assistance from parents. If grades start to slip, then cut back on the extra-curricular activities.

3.  Provide quiet study space. In addition to making homework the priority, ensure that kids have a quiet place to study and do homework. Keep the TV off and music low during homework time.

4.  Eat dinner as a family. This may not seem to have anything to do with school routines, but it’s just one more routine that helps to set a schedule in the evenings. Plus, this gives the family time to talk about the day and to share information. Kids who participate in regular evening mealtimes learn how to hold conversation with adults and how to use table manners. All of these skills are beneficial for the future.

5.  Prepare clothes at bedtime. Nothing makes for a crazy morning like running around looking for clothes and shoes. Lay all these out the night before to save time in the morning. This is a good tip for the adults, too.

6.  Pack backpacks at night. In addition to clothes, have the backpacks and lunches ready to go before heading to bed. In the morning, kids just pick up the packs and walk out the door. This helps lessen stress in the mornings.

7.  Teach kids to use an alarm clock. As kids reach late elementary school, they can begin to use an alarm clock. Not only does this help teach responsibility, it’s one less thing that mom and dad have to do in the mornings. Basic alarm clocks aren’t expensive and are easy to use.

8.  Use a calendar. Train your children to write important dates and events on the family calendar. A calendar that’s located in a central area, such as the kitchen, provides a convenient place for everyone to write and check upcoming events. This also helps train kids on using time management devices.

9.  Limit screen time. Only allow screen time, such as TV, video games, or computers, after all homework and chores are completed. Even then, keep it short and monitor the content for age appropriateness.

10.  Encourage exercise. One hour of exercise is recommended every day for kids. Be sure to get kids outside and moving each evening, especially if they’ve been sitting most of the day.

Back to school time is always busy and hectic, but establishing good routines helps keep the entire family in a groove.

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Take a Step Back in Time at Alcatraz

Al Capone. “Machine Gun” Kelly. Mickey Cohen. Robert Stroud, the “Birdman of Alcatraz.” These names conjure up images from a different era and of a lonely, isolated prison in the heart of San Francisco Bay; Alcatraz. Though it served as a federal penitentiary for just 29 years, it still captures the public’s attention and imagination. As a result, it’s one of the top tourist destinations in San Francisco.

“You are entitled to food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else you get is a privilege. Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations, Number 5.” That rule was just one of the realities of life inside the walls at “the Rock.” This rule and many others are now part of the rich history of the island.

“Break the rules and you go to prison. Break the prison rules, and you go to Alcatraz.” That sentiment sums up the purpose of the solemn island penitentiary...a place to house troublesome prisoners or to treat those who needed extreme rehabilitation. The island was virtually escape-proof, although there were 36 attempts over the years. In 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin pulled off the most famous escape in Alcatraz history. They chipped holes around the vents in their cells, climbed into the utility corridor behind the walls and escaped to the roof. They left paper Mache dummy heads in their beds to fool the guards. This escape, months in the making, made the trio famous, although they were never seen again and were presumed to have drowned in San Francisco Bay.

Touring one of the cell blocks

Although Alcatraz had a reputation for being hard and tough, history shows that prisoners at Alcatraz enjoyed some perks not seen in other prisons of the time. They were allowed to eat as much food, the best of any federal prison, as they wanted within the 20-minute meal periods. In the prisons’ later years, they had permission to paint, play musical instruments, watch movies on the weekends, and use radios. The guards and their families lived on the island, and they were so confident in the security of Alcatraz, they never locked their doors.

A cell in Block D -- solitary confinement

Today, the practical side of a visit to Alcatraz starts with a boat ride from San Francisco. Stopping first at the dock, a volunteer from the National Park service welcomes visitors and gives a brief introduction. From there it’s a steep walk up the hill to the cell house, but transportation is available for the infirm. Once in the cell house, an excellent audio tour, which includes narration from former guards and prisoners, guides visitors through the cellblocks and various rooms. After the audio tour, visitors are free to walk the grounds to see the recreation yard, views of the mainland, and the well-kept gardens. Alcatraz is also home to a wide variety of seabirds, and their nesting areas can be seen from outside the cell house.

Those who want to take a trip to Alcatraz should plan ahead and buy tickets early. Tickets for the ferry and subsequent island tour sell out well in advance. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.alcatrazcruises.com , the official provider of transportation to and from Alcatraz. Other tour companies offer tickets, but at inflated prices.

 

"You are expected to bathe in a reasonable amount of time."
Good advice for us all!

“It looks like Alcatraz has got me licked,” said Al Capone in 1934. Indeed, time spent at “the Rock,” by over 1,500 inmates gave the island its notorious reputation. Windswept rocks, crashing waves, and San Francisco’s frequent fog put the finishing touches on one of America’s most visited National Parks. It’s worth the time and trouble to make a journey to the Rock...Alcatraz. 

Visitors can tour the recreation yard where prisoners used to play
baseball and other sports.

Trees are the “Stars” in Sequoia National Park

Imagine a place where the trees are superstars. The “skyscrapers” are living organisms for which people walk miles to admire. Imagine a place where forest fires are essential in cultivating the species. Picture a tree with needs so specific that it can only grow in one location. See its branches soaring to the sky, but with roots that are shallow – the trees’ only weakness. Can such a site exist on this planet? It does, and its name is Sequoia National Park.

A recent vacation to this unique place revealed a world unlike any other. These large trees, not the tallest on earth, but the largest and densest, grow only on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains at elevations between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. They can soar to be 300 feet tall with trunks up to 40 feet in diameter. While the trees grow quickly during their lifetimes, the root systems are shallow. Consequently, toppling is the main cause of death for sequoias. Heavy winter snows and subsequent spring melts provide the trees’ main water source. 

A visit to Sequoia National Park commands a few “must see” experiences. For a birds-eye perspective of the park, visitors can climb the steep quarter-mile path to the top of Moro Rock. This granite dome provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding area and the Great Western Divide, a chain of mountains that runs through the park.

The largest living tree on earth by volume is the 2,700-year-old General Sherman tree. At 275 feet tall, it is estimated to weigh over 1,300 tons. A short downhill walk from the parking lot puts visitors in the shadow of this enormous tree. Be ready for the shortness-of-breath hike back up the trail, though. The strategically placed benches along the trail are ideal for flatlanders not used to the high altitudes of the park.

For an adventure beyond the General Sherman tree, a two-mile walk on the paved Congress trail gives visitors a view of the Washington tree, the world’s second largest tree. To get a break from the crowds, walk the five-mile Trail of the Sequoias which reveals a splendid collection of sequoias and other unique flora and fauna.

Drive through the Tunnel Log and then walk through for a photo op.

The Tunnel Log, a tree which toppled to the ground in 1937, is the only tree in the park through which visitors can drive. A tunnel cut in the fallen tree in 1938 turned this spot into a popular tourist attraction. The tree was estimated to be over 2,000 years old when it fell. Stop nearby for photo ops and to walk through the tunnel, as well.

The Giant Forest Museum provides interpretive displays and lessons on the ecology, fire cycle, and history of the trees. The Big Trees Trail, an interpretive wheelchair-accessible trail, leads directly out of the museum parking lot. Kids can learn about wildlife, camping, and forest ecology with hands-on activities in at the excellent Beetle Rock Education Center. Let them explore and get out the wiggles while learning about the ecology of the park.

Adventurous folks will find a plethora of hiking trails, caving tours, and campgrounds.  Whether it’s day hikes or longer treks, the park has miles of trails to suit every hiker, including ones reaching elevations over 12,000 feet. Camping is permitted in the park on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hike to the top of Moro Rock for a spectacular view of the
park and the Great Western Divide.

Driving in Sequoia is not for the faint of heart. Hair-pin turns and the rise and fall of various elevations calls for steady hands behind the wheel. In the summer, visitors can ride the free Sequoia Shuttle and let the bus drivers do the work. Riding the shuttle also helps cut the air pollution that plagues the park. Either way, a vehicle is necessary for touring.

Whether you’re intending to spend a day or a week at Sequoia National Park, there’s plenty for visitors of all ages. Come to Sequoia to see the famous trees, the superstars of this California hotspot.

 

Visit the Park website at http://www.nps.gov/seki/index.htm for more information.

Airport Etiquette Tips from Frequent Fliers

My husband has been a business traveler for over 17 years, and his least favorite time to travel is the summer. The airport is packed with vacationers who don’t travel often and don’t understand the etiquette of air travel. So, in the spirit of business travelers everywhere, and with input from a group of business travelers I know, here are the top things business travelers wish vacationing folks knew about air travel.

Be prepared for security. The business travelers had a lot to say about people who do not understand the procedures at security. All passengers should check the TSA website regularly to better comprehend what cannot be carried through the security checkpoint. Vacationers also need to realize that certain items, such as belts and shoes, will have to be removed before passing through the metal detectors or body scanners. When in doubt, watch the business travelers in the security line, and follow their lead. That business traveler in front of you may be going through security for the fifth time that week, so don’t argue about removing your watch, just go with the flow. Also, the TSA agents don’t care if you miss your flight, so be sure to allow plenty of time.

Plan ahead for your children and keep them entertained
while flying.

Mind your children. Another oft-mentioned topic from the business travelers regarded children. Most business travelers like children. However, nothing upsets the flying experience like an unhappy child. Make sure you have plenty of supplies for your children. This includes snacks, entertainment, extra clothes, and all the baby gear that is required for the trip.

One business traveler told the tale of a baby with a diaper blow-out in the early portion of the flight. The mother didn’t have the required wipes and diapers to manage the situation which made the flight unpleasant for all the passengers. Plan ahead for your kids! Keep them happy, clean, and quiet for everyone’s sake.

Be aware of others. Air travel isn’t glamorous. It’s more like riding the city bus these days. Unless you’re flying first class, expect to be crowded and uncomfortable. Making it even worse is the lack of courtesy sometimes shown by other passengers. This includes pushing through the plane aisle to get off first, stowing many small bags in the overhead bins instead of under the seat, placing carry-on bags in the front instead of closer to the passenger’s actual seat, and crowding the jet way while waiting to pick up planeside-checked bags.

Other annoyances include travelers who throw their seats back as soon as they sit down and those who block the plane aisle to remove items from their carry-on bags while people are still boarding the plane. The use of headphones, or the lack thereof, garnered another honorable mention from the business traveler panel. Either headphones aren’t used at all, which means surrounding passengers are subjected to video game noise for the entire flight, or folks crank up the volume to disturbing levels.

One amusing anecdote from the business travelers involved PDA, personal displays of affection. Even though it might be your honeymoon, your fellow travelers don’t want to see this played out in an airplane seat or in the terminal waiting area. Keep your hands to yourself, please.

Be realistic. Delays happen. Weather happens. Luggage gets lost. You’re not the only one who’s being inconvenienced by these annoyances.  If you’re mad about a delayed or cancelled flight, think of the business traveler whose paycheck and livelihood may depend on making an appointment five states away. Realize that some people need to fly because it’s how they make their business work. While your vacation may be important to you, a delay in your plans only affects you and your family. A delay for the business traveler potentially means lost money.

Delayed Plane? It's bound to happen. Know the airline
policies and be realistic about compensation.

The business traveler panel discussed those passengers who become irate because the airline isn’t compensating them. The airlines aren’t required to pass out free flights every time a plane is delayed. The business travelers recommend studying airline policies regarding delays, cancellations, and lost luggage so that you won’t be surprised when you’re faced with an interruption in your plans. Understand that delays will happen. It’s inevitable.

In short, remember your fellow travelers when you’re flying. Common courtesies go a long way to making the trip more pleasant for everyone involved. Be prepared, be informed, and be flexible.

Savvy Travelers’ 10 Hotel Tricks

Looking to maximize your hotel experience as you travel? Here are a few tricks to enhance your stay.

1. Constantly search for the best hotel rate. Even if you think you’ve found a rate you can live with, continue to search and cross check until you leave for your trip. Don’t settle for the rate you locked in at the time of your booking. Assume the rates fluctuate daily. It never hurts to search the web again or to make a direct phone call to ascertain the current rate status.

2.  When using discount search sites, cross check against other websites. Travelocity and Expedia don’t always have the lowest rates. Visit the hotel’s own website or call the hotel directly.

3.  Factor in discounts such as AAA, military, and AARP. If a hotel’s website doesn’t indicate these discount statuses, make a phone call to double check.

4.  Use caution when booking a reservation that can’t be cancelled or is non-refundable. This may provide security for your plans, but it also locks you into a reservation. If a cheaper hotel or one in a better location becomes available later, you won’t be able to take advantage of the benefits.

5.  Booking on an Internet discount site may get you a discount experience. Hotels earn a lower profit on rooms from discount sites, so they give better rooms and service to the guests who chose the hotel for more than just price.

6.  Be an intelligent complainer. When issuing a complaint or asking for a particular service, be clear, concise, and polite. Acquire the name of the hotel employee who helps you and use it when speaking to management about your experience. These strategies will be more effective than screaming or rudeness.

7.  Confirm reservations in advance. Hotels purposely overbook by ten percent which helps them keep a full house considering there will be no-shows and cancellations. If you stay just one night or you booked on a discount Internet site, you’re more likely to get bumped than those who’re paying a higher rate and stay for multiple days. Worried? Call ahead to confirm your reservation.

8.  Join a rewards club. Frequent travelers can join a rewards program and earn status with hotel chains. Not only will you be a preferred customer, you’ll earn free or discount nights that you can use for more travel.



Not all hotel rooms are the same. Tipping your desk agent may score you a
bigger room or a better bathroom.

9.  Tips can make a difference. Want a bigger room, one with a great view, or one with a better bathroom? Tip the desk agent. Desk agents are authorized to make upgrades, and some extra cash in their pocket can mean a better room for you. Tipping can also make a difference with maids, bellmen, and the concierge. Don’t be afraid to share a bit of your wealth in hopes for a better experience.

10. Location matters. Do your research and choose a hotel that’s close to your activities. A cheap hotel that’s miles away from the action might save you money, but you’re losing time and convenience. Factor in the cost of traveling for the day, and you might as well have booked a slightly more expensive hotel that’s closer to the fun. Time is money, so chose your hotel location carefully.

Be a savvy hotel customer on your next vacation and see how much better your experience can be.

Safe Travel Tips Everyone Should Know

Summertime is vacation time, and a focus on safety can help maximize the experience. Follow these suggestions for a safe trip.

Safeguard your valuables. Leave fancy jewelry or family heirlooms at home. Traveling with these items puts you at greater risk of loss or theft.

Make copies. Leave copies of your credit cards and passports with a family member. Pack another set with you, away from the originals. Having copies of these items expedites the replacement process if the originals are lost or stolen.

Manage your money. Don’t flash a lot of money, and leave extra credit cards at home. Spread out the money and credit cards amongst all the adults on the trip to prevent disaster if one person is pickpocketed. Contact credit card companies before departing on an international trip so that your card won’t be flagged as stolen when you use it overseas.

There's safety in numbers! Also, keep kids and teens with adults.

There’s safety in numbers. Avoid being alone and stick together as a group. When traveling with a large group, institute the buddy system. Always keep kids and teens with adults.

No news is good news. While some locals are friendly and like to chat up tourists, use caution in these conversations. Be careful about sharing specific travel plans and details. Don’t disclose lodging information or particulars about your route.

Use common sense. When traveling, use the same common sense that you’d use at home. If you wouldn’t walk down a dark alley at home, then don’t’ do it on vacation. If you wouldn’t leave a bar with a person you just met at home, then don’t do it in a foreign country. It’s still possible to do fun exciting things on vacation without making poor decisions that endanger your safety.

Keep luggage practical. Pack light and carry as little as possible. Don’t weigh yourself down with numerous pieces of luggage. It impairs your ability to travel swift and light, and it also means you’ve got to keep track of more personal belongings. Plan ahead and purchase luggage that will best meet the needs of your trip. A bag that works well on a resort vacation isn’t suited to a hiking trip. Women should also make the same considerations for purses.



It was fun being photographed with these alpacas until the owners decided
we should pay more money. Be sure to investigate the parameters BEFORE
partaking in the services.

Watch out for street scams. In touristy areas, street scams abound. Don’t be fooled into parting with money because you posed for a picture with a cute character or took pictures with adorable local children. Participation in shoe shining, getting directions, or enjoying street musicians can turn sour when the performers expect to be paid. Be sure to find out the parameters of the situation before you partake of the goods and services being offered.

Can you hear me now? Investigate your communication capabilities before leaving home, especially for international travel. Don’t assume your smartphone will work in another country. Research this before you depart. Also investigate your ability to check e-mail or have access to the internet before you leave home.

Provide contact information. Leave your travel itinerary and all contact numbers with family before you leave town. If you’re traveling internationally, register with the state department prior to departure.

Lock down your house. Take precautions for your home while you’re away. Light timers, locked windows and doors, and a house sitter can keep your home safe and sound. Enlist the help of trustworthy neighbors to watch your house and leave contact numbers with them.

Avoid social media. It can be tempting to post fun pictures to social media while you’re on the road, but this just advertises to the world that you’re out of town. Wait until you get home to post fun pictures of your trip.

Be vigilant and be practical when you travel. Staying safe on your vacation will help everyone to have a great time.

 

Riding the Rails in Ohio!

The Diamondback at King's Island ends with a
spectacular splashdown.

Roller coaster and theme park enthusiasts are lucky to live in Ohio which ranks third in the country for theme park visits. Ohio boasts two of the top 15 amusement parks in the country, Cedar Point and King’s Island. Each park drew over 3.2 million visitors in 2012, and major roller coasters are part of their appeal. If you’ve been considering a trip to these two roller coaster hotspots, here are a few highlights to entice you.

Cedar Point. Cedar Point holds the title of, “The Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” and with 16 coasters, it’s an appropriate designation. Cedar Point bills its newest coaster, the Gatekeeper, as the world’s longest, fastest, and tallest winged coaster. Reaching speeds of 67 mph, this monster greets visitors at the front gate with a 164-foot drop and two keyhole passes.

After riding the Gatekeeper, consider the Millennium Force. An elevator cable system pulls riders up 310 feet and then drops them at speeds of up to 92 mph. Not to be outdone is the Top Thrill Dragster. It launches riders from zero to 120 mph in a mere three seconds and then shoots them up a 420-foot vertical tower. Rounding out this trifecta of bad boys is one of the earliest mega coasters, the Magnum XL-200, which still thrills with a first hill of over 200 feet and reaching speeds of 72 mph.

Fans of wooden roller coasters will find plenty to keep them occupied at Cedar Point. The Gemini, a wooden racing coaster, reaches speeds of 60 mph. Also watch out for the Mean Streak. With 1.7 million feet of pine to provide the structure, the Mean Streak takes riders on a rip-roarin’ trip at 65 mph. Don’t forget an old favorite, the Blue Streak. This classic from 1964 still offers riders plenty of air time, bumps and jostles.

Are you brave enough to ride these coaster giants in Ohio?

A trip to Cedar Point wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the Raptor, a suspended coaster that’s situated on the midway. Its riders’ feet hang free as they endure six inversions at 57 mph. From there move to the Mantis, one of the world’s great standing coasters. Riders stand for a 145-foot climb that dives into a 119-foot loop while traveling at 60 mph.

If roller coasters don’t appeal to you, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Cedar Point. 72 rides dot the property, from wild to mild. The park also boasts live entertainment, midway games, a kids’ area, a water park, a campground, several resort hotels, and a beach. Find out everything you need to know for your trip at www.cedarpoint.com .

King’s Island. King’s Island is the midwest’s largest amusement and water park, boasting 14 roller coasters and over 80 rides. Two headlining coasters, the Diamondback and the Beast, dominate the park’s major attractions. New in 2008, the Diamondback towers as the tallest and fastest coaster in the park, and it treats riders to a 215-foot drop and speeds of up to 80mph. It features six drops and concludes with a spectacular splashdown ending. The open stadium-style seats provide riders with superb views of the park as they ride.

Not to be overshadowed is the Beast. This classic wooden coaster still holds the world record as the longest wooden coaster with 7,400 feet of track and more than four minutes of ride time. With two lift hills and a 540-degree helix tunnel for the grand finale, the Beast is consistently voted as one of the world’s greatest coasters by coaster enthusiasts worldwide.

These two giants aren’t the only ones lurking at King’s Island. In addition to three kiddie coasters, wooden coaster fans will enjoy the Racer, a racing-style coaster that’s been at King’s Island since the beginning. After a turn on the Racer, head over to Invertigo, a steel coaster where riders face each other as they move through three inversions forward and again backward. Thrill seekers also won’t want to miss Firehawk where riders flip through five inversions all while facing the ground as if flying. The Flight of Fear coaster features a catapult launch taking riders from zero to 54 mph in just four seconds. Keeping riders in the dark is part of the fun since the entire ride is enclosed. The Vortex, another steel coaster favorite, flips riders upside down six times and was the first coaster in the world to do so.

Plenty of rides are available in both parks for
non-coaster riders.

Just as with Cedar Point, non-coaster riders will still have plenty to do at King’s Island. Live entertainment, midway games, a water park, and a wide variety of other rides will keep the entire family busy. The kids’ area at King’s Island has been voted as the world’s best by Amusement Today magazine 12 years in a row. Go to www.visitkingsisland.com for more information.

With all this excitement packed into two amusement parks, no wonder Ohio ranks third in the U.S.A for theme park visits. Take time this summer to ride a few of the rails in the Buckeye State and see for yourself why Ohio is a hot spot for amusement park fun.

Day Trippin' in West Central Ohio

Kids love to explore the subterranean world at Ohio Caverns.

5 Trips in the "Heart of it All!"

Take a fun day trip or a short stopover in west central Ohio and see some of what the Buckeye State has to offer.

Ohio Caverns. It’s an easy country drive to West Liberty, Ohio, where you can tour magnificent caverns, billed as the world’s most beautiful and Ohio’s largest caverns. Open year-round, the caverns maintain a comfortable 54-degree temperature no matter what the season. You’ll see some of the most colorful crystals in the world, including the Crystal King, a pure white formation that’s nearly 5 feet long. Visitors can take the Natural Wonder tour, a 50-minute walking tour that winds through a mile’s worth of subterranean splendor. The path is paved, although stairs and narrow passages are part of the tour, so it is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Other tours are also available, including one that does accommodate wheelchairs. All tours require an admission fee. Ohio Caverns also features 35 acres of grounds that include picnic pavilions, restrooms, a gift shop, and gem and fossil mining. Visit www.ohiocaverns.com for more information and to plan your visit.

Piatt Castles.  After you go to Ohio Caverns, make a short jaunt over to the Piatt Castles, also in West Liberty, Ohio. Built by the Piatt Family, the two castles, Mac-a-Cheek and Mac-O-Chee, showcase the history of the family and the splendor of the western Ohio countryside in which they reside. The castles are open daily during the summer, and summertime camps are available for kids.  Visitors may choose from a combo ticket for both castles or a single-castle ticket. Discounts are offered for kids, seniors, and AAA members. The first floors of each castle are wheelchair accessible. Visit the website at www.piattcastles.org for more information and to plan your visit.

Airstream Factory Tours. Ever wondered about those sleek silver bullet trailers seen in campgrounds and cruising along the interstate? Well, they’re made in Ohio! Each trailer is made by hand in accordance with the company’s belief of quality, innovation, and design. To watch this process in action, take a trip to Jackson Center for the Airstream Factory Tour. This free tour is given every Monday through Friday at 2:00 p.m. You’ll tour the production facility in an easy ¾ mile walk. Group tours for 10 or more people can be arranged in advance. Visit http://www.airstream.com/company/tours/ for more information.

Bicycle Museum of America. Do you have a bicycle buff in your family? If so, consider a trip to New Bremen, Ohio, and the Bicycle Museum of America. This museum features over 300 bikes on permanent display and another 1,000 bikes displayed on a rotating basis. The collection includes bikes from the 1800s through current times. An on-site theatre provides the history of bicycles, and a gift shop is also available. The museum’s interactive website is worth a visit for bicycle fans and students conducting research. The museum is open Monday through Saturday in the summer. A small admission fee is charged for entry with discounts for kids and seniors.  See more at www.bicyclemuseum.com .

At Ohio Caverns, see the Crystal King, a
5-foot formation. Amazing!

 

Armstrong Air and Space Museum. It’s an easy interstate drive to Wapakoneta, Ohio, where you can visit the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. Visitors will view exhibits related to Neil Armstrong and space travel, including an Apollo 11 moon rock, Neil Armstrong’s Gemini and Apollo spacesuits, and the Gemini VIII spacecraft. In addition to the memorabilia on display, visitors can try their hand at three different simulators where they can try to land the lunar module and space shuttle or dock the Gemini capsule. A 25-minute film showcases the Apollo 11’s lunar landing. Open daily during the summer, admission is charged for entry. Discounts are available for children, seniors, and active military personnel. Group visits may be arranged for 10 or more people. Find more information at www.armstrongmuseum.org .

A trip through Ohio can be a fun vacation with some easy research and a day’s worth of travel. After all, Ohio is the heart of it all!

Successful Strategies for Flying with Kids



Planning makes it easy to fly with little ones.

Over the years, my husband and I have flown with our young kids on family vacations. Successfully taking little ones into the skies requires some planning and organization. These handy tips will help you turn flying into a positive travel strategy for your family.

Practice Makes Perfect: No matter the ages of your kids, get them used to traveling and being “on the go.” Since most of us can’t take practice trips in a plane, make sure your little ones have lots of experience traveling in the car. Kids who travel well in the car will most likely do well on an airplane.

Make the Most of Your Stroller.  Managing babies and toddlers in the airport is much easier with a stroller, especially with some of the long distances that must be traveled between checking in, security, and your departure gate. An added bonus is that you can stow some of your carry-on baggage in the lower part of your stroller, depending on the design. Most airlines will allow you to take the stroller right up to the plane and then check it gateside. Check your specific airline’s policies before departing.

Take Your Car Seat With You. If you’re concerned about an appropriate car seat for your child once you arrive at your destination, know that most airlines allow you to check a car seat for free. Confirm this with your airline before departure, of course. Some car rental companies will rent car seats, but you never know what the quality of the seat will be. Taking your own along allows you to transport your child without cause for concern.

Use the Facilities Before Boarding. Get the kids ready for boarding with a timely visit to the restroom. Even if kids say they don’t need to go, make this part of the process non-negotiable. Follow the same process with baby’s diaper change. The time between boarding and take-off can be miserable for little ones who need a diaper change or have to use the restroom. Also, changing a diaper on an airplane is less than ideal, so try to be strategic with your timing.

Board Early.  If your airline allows pre-boarding for families with young children, take advantage of that option. Don’t feel guilty about getting on the plane before everyone else. The pre-board gives you time to get situated on the plane before a long line of passengers flood in.

Pack the Essential Gear: Pack plenty of onboard entertainment for your brood. This includes books, toys, small games, coloring books, and personal electronics. Have a good supply of snacks and drinks ready, too. Coming with the right equipment helps keep everyone happy and content.

Sometimes baby will sleep on the plane.
Lucky parents!

Pack Light: Hauling a baby or toddler through an airport can be strenuous enough as it is. Try to take only what is needed for the first few days of the trip, and then buy items along the way as you travel. Consumables like diapers, food, sunscreen, and beauty products are better purchased once the final destination has been reached. If you stay in one place for awhile, explore the option of renting equipment for baby or the beach. If possible, do laundry halfway through the trip. All these things make the luggage less cumbersome, and it means you’re hauling less.

Prepare for the Ear Popping. The ascent and descent of the plane can be a painful experience for little kids’ ears. For babies, try to nurse or give a small bottle or during lift-off and landing. Older kids can chew gum or eat a small snack. The chewing and sucking motions of these activities will help those little ears to pop and will keep kids happier.

Don’t rule out flying just because you have young kids in your family. It can be a fast and fun option when you plan in advance.

Preventing the Summer Slide

Camp is a great way to keep kids moving in the summer!

School’s out, and most kids look forward to a lazy summer full of freedom. Unfortunately, if that summer is too lazy, then kids can lose some of the valuable knowledge they gained during the school year. Here are a few strategies that parents can implement to prevent the “summer slide.”

Enjoy the Great Outdoors. Get your kids outside. Bike riding, nature hikes, time in the sandbox...these are the normal things that kids are supposed to do in the summer. When kids get outside to exercise and explore nature, they not only benefit physically, their minds are fast at work. They see new things and make up games. An hour spent playing in a sandbox employs imagination and gets the creative juices flowing.

Read, read, read! Pick up a good book and turn off the TV. Keep your kids reading all summer. Join the summer reading program at the library to help motivate and drum up interest. Reading doesn’t have to just be books, either. Magazines, graphic novels, comic books, and newspapers all qualify as reading. Set the example for your kids by choosing some of your own reading material. Hop in the hammock and spend an afternoon reading.

Go to Camp. Whether it’s a local camp or one that’s far from home, sending kids to camp is another ideal way to keep their minds sharp. Some camps have themes, like sports camps or nature camps, others are just general fun times spent in a particular place. Whichever you choose for your kids, not only will they continue to learn, they’ll also continue to develop their social skills which will benefit them throughout life.

Get Crafty. Provide opportunities for your kids to be creative. Let them sculpt, build, and paint. Older kids can tackle projects that involve skills like sewing or basic carpentry. If you need an idea, the internet provides a bounty of websites that will inspire and direct. An added bonus for summertime projects is the warm weather. Most of the mess can be kept outside, and this makes clean-up easier.



Traveling puts kids in new situations.

Hit the Road. Take your kids on vacation. Whether it’s a “stay-cation” close to home or a long trip to a far-away place, get the kids outside of their comfort zones with travel. Traveling to new places expands their minds, and kids learn from new experiences that occur daily. Whether it’s a museum, a trip to the beach, or a hike through the mountains, traveling away from home teaches kids valuable lessons that can’t be gleaned from a book.

Keep up the Routine.  Keep kids in a routine, as much as possible. Continue to implement household chores on a daily basis. Don’t let kids sleep half the day away and stay up all night. Continue to participate in music lessons or sports practices whenever possible. The more consistent you are with expectations and routines, the easier it will be to transition them back into school routines in the fall.

Pull out the Workbooks. For parents who want to take a structured approach to preventing the summer slide, there are a myriad of workbooks on the market for purchase. Require kids to complete several pages a day to keep skills fresh in their minds. When the new school year rolls around, they won’t need to review. They’ll be ready to go.

The summer slide doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of kids’ lives. When parents keep their kids’ minds and bodies moving in the summer, easing back into the school routine is as easy as 1-2-3.