Ninja Mommy Hacks: Life with 2 Minions and lots of wine!

My husband and 2 young children (8 and 4) visited Villa del Palmar Flamingos in June of 2019, we stayed 9 days (8 nights).    We got the Groupon Deal w/All Inclusive.  My view from my 6th floor room.      But first- shout out to the employees were were the BEST in their class:    Maru & Emma (kids club).     Juan Carlos & Betty (Entertainment).    Hector and Marisol at the Patron Restaurant.    Alejandro & Roman at the Italian Restaurant.  Alex in the gym, always cleaning. Spa: Marce, Cinthia, & Maria in hydrotherapy! Alejandro and Isreal at check in- went over and beyond each time I talked to them in the lobby.  (The resort rewards the employees who are given SHOUT OUTS on TripAdvisor... its a really nice thing they get... I support companies who take care of their people!)  I am going to give you the great, the good, and the bad… THE ROOMS ·         1 Bedroom Villa: ·         Full kitchen ·         2 full bathrooms, ·         jetted tub

Taking the 3 or 4 day out of Long Beach on the Carnival Inspiration?  We just did it on SPRING BREAK 2019- and it was a win! Here are my tidbits: Do's 1) Kids club is pretty fabulous - I mean- you drop off your kids whenever you want- they take them and don't even give you a pager/phone like most ships.   If your kid is wanting to leave, they do NOT call you!   If your kid is whiney- they deal with it!   If something major happens- they call stateroom & start to look for you.    Unlike Disney where they can hunt you down any second with that pager! NOTE:  The little little kids - parents do get a pager.  They are tiny tots- I get that.  But remember, my kids are almost 5 and 9; they are just fine without me for a few hours.  My kids did arts & crafts, had movie time, played a ton of games... and liked it!  They had just as much fun as a Disney Cruise! (it all comes down to the programming).        (Except 1 older kid called my oldest "stupid"- but he

Rainy days are the BEST days to go--- no lines- literally you can walk on to everything!   How to do Disney in the rain: 1) Everyone in 2 layers.   (thermal for kids) 2) Ponchos for the adults!    $5 at Walmart!  Buy an extra for the stroller- cover it well when you have it parked.  3)  Towels- when rides are wet and you are NOT because of your 2 layers and poncho, you don't want to get wet right?!   So put the towel down and sit on it.  4) Mattress waterproof crib pads- to cover legs of kid in stroller!    You see the purple rain boots- those are my 4 year olds.   Mattress pad (the baby ones at Walmart that fit a crib) over his legs.  Poncho on top. 5) Waterproof shoes for ALL!   (double socks) 6) a GOOD Weather app that tells you when RAIN is going to start.   We figured out the heavy rain was coming at 11am-2pm--so we left to take naps during that time.  7) Change of clothing- in case you get too wet. 8) a GREAT attitude of adventure.  You will get wet.. you will.

Winter Wonderland! We just got back from our 2nd trip to Tenaya Lodge on February 11, 2019.   A storm had just dumped 4+ feet of snow and that was storm 3 of the season... This resort is amazing- here are some photos and your packing list: Packing list: Smores Items -  huge fire out by the ice rink!   Poles are there, just bring your cracker/chocolate/Marshmellows!  (Yes they have kits for sale $4)  Sleds & shovel.      Snow GEAR...  My kids wore a base layer, one more layer and then snow gear.    Warm socks w/snow boots.  They were FINE sledding down the mountain on and off the sled.   The tallest hill at the top, my 8 yo enjoyed sliding down on bottom (bc I refused to allow him to sled down and rocket off the entire hill to his doom).   **Note- they have a sledding hill!!!  It was under 6ft of snow and closed!   -sniffle  3. Bathing Suit- indoor heated pool and spa 4. Books/Kindle/Magazine/or your phone to play on as you relax in the lobb

EBATES!     In 15 days I have made $90 in cash and $30 is pending travel.      You start at the EBATES website and simply shop like normal online.  The referral link within Ebates makes you money. How it's legit:  1) Amazon says "hey EBATES send me people to shop"  Ebates loads up the % back and posts it.  You start on the Ebates webiste and click the Amazon link, it sends you to Amazon KNOWING you will earn cash back.  2) You shop on Amazon like normal (be sure to stay in that referral link) and BAM % back in your EBATE account the next day.    It is THAT easy!  *** Note: There is a Chrome Extension that follows you when you are online, so if you go to Amazon without starting on EBATES, it knows and will show you a pop-up "do you want to earn % back thru EBATES?  Click here to activate" 3) Cash is sent to your Paypal account (or paper check) every quarter.   This alone pays for our spending money for our Thanksgiving Cancun Trip.    Here is my sni

As always I explain our my family spends 25K a year on vacations while still have a $630 a month daycare bill.  1) Working REWARDS!       a) Disney Chase Credit card.  2% back .  Use if for EVERYTHING except 3 things.  We have one of us cruise for free on Disney every other year.   AND Disney Vacations are 6 months 0 % interest.        b) Costco Citi card!  We make over $1500 a year back from 2 cards and the Executive Membership.   That cash (sent as checks you cash at Costco registers) is used to pay for our entire Carnival Cruise this spring break!    Gas = 4% cash back.  Travel = 3%   Eating out = 3%  Costco= 2% cash back.             c) Alaskan Airlines Credit Card-   companion fares, free baggage, miles.        d) EBATES!    In 8 days I have made $63 in cash and $30 is pending travel.     You start at the EBATES website and simply shop like normal online.  The referral link within Ebates makes you money. ex:  Amazon says "hey EBATES send me people to shop"  Eb