Budget Travel Considers Me an Expert

A while back Budget Travel sent me an email that said

"...thanks for answering Budget Travel's call for travel bloggers! We got hundreds
of submissions—some good, some not so good—but I'm thrilled to inform you that
we've selected your blog as one of the top fifteen travel blogs submitted."

After months of questions answered and emails sent Budget Travel published a bit about travel blogging. My contribution was this :

Keep in touch "I always attempt to respond to everybody who
leaves a comment on my blog, even if I just drop them an e-mail to
thank them for visiting the site. Connecting with your readers
encourages them to keep reading and posting comments. That's really
what you want as a blogger—lots of comments!" —Jody Hxxxxxx, blog.havekidwilltravel.com

I really though there would be more as we exchanged lots of emails. But I am, of course, excited to be included in one of my favorite travel magazines.

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Staying at a Carlson Hotel? Here's a Tip...

I was searching the internet for the very best rate I could find for a two night stay in the St. Paul, Minnesota area today. I use every search engine available to me for this as I truly am frugal. I found two rates for the same hotel- one on the hotel's website and the other on Expedia.

I always prefer to book directly with a hotel. You get better service (yes, it's true), your rooms are guaranteed, and you can cancel if necessary.

So when I found the lower rate I called the hotel. Quite often calling a hotel directly can garner a better rate. Not this time, though; the online rate on the website it the lowest rate they had.

Next I called the toll-free number for booking on the website. I was told that the best they could do was the online price.

BUT... Carlson Hotels have a Best Online Rate Guarantee. Here's how it works... You make your reservation and then you submit your claim. You have to supply the website where you found the rate and it must be for the same days, number of people and room type. If that can all be verified they will meet that advertised price and take an additional 25% off the rate.

Which is how my $74 per night room (which was a really nice rate to begin with) is now costing me $47.25.

Carlson Hotels include Country Inn & Suites, Radisson Hotels, Park Inn and Park Plaza Hotels.

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Games on the Go

In Parent's Magazine's October 2008 issue is an article titled 29 Kid's Games to Play On the Go. A few of these ideas are really great for travel, too... And won't annoy your fellow travelers, which is always a plus...

For Babies:

Who's This? Laminate photos of grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins, and their pets too. Put them on a key ring. Say the name of
each person as your baby looks at the picture. When that gets boring,
point to the cat and ask, "Is that Grandma?" Then try to get your baby
to shake her head "no." We have a little photo album with "extra" family photos in it. My two-year-old still loves looking at it. And my 4-year-old loves to "remember" when the pictures were taken.

Paperwork: Crumple a piece of plain white paper and give it to your baby. Let her
crumple it more. This is apparently really, really fun. When she gets
it too soggy (because it will go in her mouth), replace it with a new
sheet of paper.

For Toddlers:

Look Closely Pack a child's magnifying glass. If you're at a
place where she can walk around, let her check out her surroundings. If
not, dig things out of your purse for closer examination.

Mirror Game Let your child draw on a nonbreakable mirror with a
dry-erase marker (don't forget to toss one into your bag) as he looks
at his reflection. Whether he gives himself a mustache, glasses, or
freckles, he's bound to give himself a giggle. The only problem with toddlers and dry erase markers is that they like to draw on themselves, too! Keep a stain stick in your purse, too!

Tell Secrets
Whispering has a great effect in a loud, crowded place. Simply whisper
a message in your kid's ear. The background noise will require him to
focus intently on your message, and he will undoubtedly want to whisper
a message in your ear next. Concentrating on hearing and delivering the
whispered messages is calming for your child -- and for you too.

Talk to the Hand Use a plain brown paper bag as a puppet, and
talk to your toddler with it. Give your toddler a bag too, and your
hand will have someone who speaks the same language. We use socks. My girls love "sock hand puppets" and will even do this at home.

For Preschoolers:

Art Appreciation: Look around you. Is there a painting on a wall? Ask your kid
questions about the painting and, together, create a story. Who lives
in the house? Why does the man look so happy? If we are traveling we always have paper and crayons or markers. Have your child draw the picture as she sees it and then talk about both pictures together.

Tricks of the Eye Floating Hot Dog: Point the tips of your index fingers together
until they almost meet. Bring them closer to your eyes until it appears
that a hot dog is suspended in the air between them. Hole in the Hand:
Roll up a piece of paper and look through it with one eye. With both
eyes, focus on a distant object. Now hold your other hand right next to
the rolled-up paper. You'll see a hole in your hand.

How Big? Whip out a plastic retractable tape measure and your young surveyor can
get the measure of the land ... and the leg ... and the arm. When that
gets dull, challenge your kid to a "guess how many inches" contest with
your child's head. All kids love to have their head measured. I like a sewing tape measure... It's more flexible, doesn't have sharp edges and can be used as other things, too. Like a leash or a jump rope. And you'd be amazed at how often a kid can roll it up and then watch it unroll across the floor...

Budding Photographer? My daughters love my digital camera- or even the camera on my phone. And seeing things from their point of view makes you realize how much you miss. We love our VTECH Kidizoom camera. Or give them an old cell phone with photo capabilities. Let them take pictures and then talk about what they've seen.

Handy Things to Have On Hand

• Emergency lollipop. Even if your kids don't normally get to indulge.
  
• Favorite book. The one they always beg for. The one you're sort of sick of reading.
  
• Travel-size Magna Doodle. Or Etch A Sketch. The Aqua Doodle Travel N Doodle is wonderful, too.
  
• Notepad and crayons. Can't do without 'em.
  
• Audio story. Whether it's delivered by a CD or an MP3, a story is a lifesaver for a very long wait.
  
• Deck of cards. Have your kid make up a card trick or two. Flash cards are a favorite of ours, as well.
  
• Sticky notes. Doodle on them, make a flip book, or arrange them on a table in a cool design.

Portions of this article originally published in the October 2008 issue of Parents magazine.

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VTECH Write and Learn Letter Book

In my house we love educational toys. They make learning fun! So when Caelan's birthday was coming up and I was being asked for gift recommendations one of the items I chose was the VTECH Write and Learn Letter Book.

Unlike other learning books this one requires no cartridges or add-ons; it's all in one so there is nothing to misplace. The pages are a flexible plastic that won't damage easily and will wipe clean after grimy fingers are finished playing.

This interactive story book has 20 pages that teach letters,
numbers, vocabulary and writing skills; you change the setting with the colorful sliding knob on the right. There are 17 activities to teach over 60 words, numbers 1-12, phonics skills, colors and all the
letters of the alphabet. Each page features two letters and teaches handwriting with finger touch so there are no pointed objects. The letter buttons light up to help the learning process.

Learning activities include matching letters to words, letter writing, "find it" game, letter order, spelling, counting and a music page that records the notes your child presses and lets them play it back. There is also an animals page.

This toy turns on automatically when it is opened or a page is turned and turns off when shut or after a period of time.

The age recommendation is 3 and up, but Caelan just turned 2 and she loves it:

She is learning letters and numbers in pre-school and this helps her to continue learning at home- when she thinks she's playing.

It has a handle for easy transport

and is great for car trips. There is a volume button on it, but low is still pretty loud so if you take this on a flight I would cover the speaker with a bit of masking tape to muffle the sound.

Brenna, who is 4, also enjoys this as she is learning letter sounds and is spelling short words. This is definitely a toy that can help your child learn through pre-school and into kindergarten.

Because it's made by VTECH it's built to withstand your toddler and I can tell you from experience that their customer service is top notch.

If you have a budding photographer in the house be sure to check out their Kidizoom Camera. We own one and love it.

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More Schmappin'

Schamp just chose another of my photos- this time for their Killarney edition.

I'm in their Cork edition, too.

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Celebrate Your Birthday at Disney in 2009

Coming in 2009 Disney Parks in both Florida and California will be offering free admission on your birthday.

The good: this saves about $75 for the admission of one person.

The bad: it is only good on your birthday. You must present a valid ID (age 18 or older) or a copy of a birth certificate (under age 18).

It is recommended that you sign up here prior to your trip to save time. You will receive a confirmation to print and redeem at the gate. You can sign up the day you arrive but be warned: you will have to fill out paperwork and that takes precious time away from playing in the park.

If you are a pass holder you will still want to register and print out the confirmation to receive one of these birthday gifts:

• A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-day Magic Your
  Way base ticket* for you to use on your birthday for merchandise, recreation
  or fun activities at select participating locations at Walt Disney World®
  Resort; or
  
• A special birthday FASTPASS® badge+ for certain attractions at the
  Theme Park you visit on your birthday; or
  
• A 1-day Magic Your Way base ticket for you to use any time until your
  next birthday.

You must be 18 or older to sign up for this offer. You may sign up for your under aged child. Children under age 3 are excluded from this offer as their admission is free.

Please click here for more FAQs.

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Geisler Family Farms- an Update for 2008

In what is quickly becoming a tradition we gathered a group of friends and welcomed the Harvest Moon at Geisler Family Farms. The theme has changed this year- to Vote 2008- and the maze is much more intricate than last year's.

There were other new updates, as well... A comfy sitting area has been added to the barn so you can warm yourself in front of a fireplace after navigating the maze or picking pumpkins. And while you are relaxing the kids can play in the corner or in the corn-box (like a sand box but filled with corn). It's much less messy than sand (that said, we did encounter some corn as we were changing for bed!) There are also large, clean bathrooms on site.

Fire pits are available for rental and our group made full use of two of them, roasting hot dogs and toasting marshmallows while we waited for the moon to rise.

The kids ran around and played with all the great play equipment and games the Geisler family has set up (including this tractor-tire swing).

Finally it was time to navigate the maze. A prize awaits those who persevere and locate all 10 markers. After the maze was complete many finished the night with a hay rack ride.

If you are near central Iowa any weekend through the end of October I highly recommend a visit to Geisler Family Farms. They have worked very hard to make their corn maze a great outing for the entire family. I promise you'll have a great time!

Please be sure to visit this article for previous information about this corn maze- and for links to other corn mazes around the country. This is a great way to support family farms!

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