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

Yes, Rothy's are expensive & YES they are Worth it!  Here is why: They are machine washable I wear them 12-15 hours a day- feet do not hurt They fit the same years later-- still look brand new (they LAST)! They look great with anything!  I took them on my last Mexico Vacation and left my heels at home! Hand Made- from plastic! (recycled) Easy returns, in case you try them on and too snug- they WILL not stretch, EVER!   -note: go 1/2 size up in the POINT!  Does paying $100 (with the discount) for a pair of shoes hurt you?  It should NOT-  if this shoe will last 10-15+ years... it will replace all other dress shoes- saving you $ over the course of the decade. AND what about your foot health?    Happy feet = a quality day of productivity!  Here is a code to get you $20 OFF your first order (its a referral link):   Click Here for $20 Discount

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 ·  ...

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).  ...

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) Chan...

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-...

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 mo...

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. ...

Ok Ninjamoms, you know me...I will give you the good and the bad. We spent Thanksgiving week 2018 there, 7 days.    My kids are 8 and 4.   Note most all inclusive resorts have the same amenities, all you can eat/drink, high shelf liquor, 24 hour room service, etc. I will be touching on the things we LOVED that set Moon Palace Grand apart from the rest.   YES: 1) The rooms are huge!  We had an adjoining family suite- 1 King bed in one room, 2 Doubles in the next.  Jacuzzi in both rooms,  large bathroom...  it was literally too big.  2) Mini bar w/FULL hard liquor pour spouts (hello Captain and Coke all day everyday). They will bring you wine/champagne if you ask for it.   (as always travel with dollar bills for tips) 3) The food on site was probably the best I have eaten in Mexico. 4) You have access to the other 2 resorts on the property (Sunrise and Nizuc).  Sunrise has a Japanese restaurant (hello Sushi...

Ok people... the bottom line:  Yes, it's worth the $100 per ticket for the Halloween Party!  NO, do not even DARE add on a 2nd day to enjoy the park.  You won't enjoy the park, cause there are a million others with you.  Not FUN! Here is my advice: 1) arrive right when you can at 4pm- and go straight to Calif Adventures!!!   Enjoy that park while you can!  I noted 5 min wait times for some of the rides. 2) When the Halloween party starts at 7pm, head to DLand.  Stay away from Main Street- they are ushering everyone OUT and only the wrist bands (your ticket) gets you on rides/candy. 3) Bring 3 bags extra for all the candy you will get (the good stuff, it's Disney... they spend $$  on candy). 4) Spend your time on the RIDES and enjoy the shorter wait times.      -This will mean trying to convince your kids to not do the candy lines...  good luck. Did not work for my kids.   Hence the 10lbs of candy we brou...

Note: Military only hotel! Here are my tidbits: 1) The beach is amazing for kids!  Gentle waves where my 3 year old can sit in the surf and play without being SUCKED into the ocean. 2) Hotel food is pretty good!  The Breakfast buffet is amazing!  $18 per adult, but even if you wanted to save money and head to IHOP 2 blocks up-- it comes out to the SAME price!  Barefoot bar has chili dogs for $6.   Warriors lounge has a good happy hour.   There is a ROOM RATE with Breakfast Buffet, chose this rate!  Saves you money if you want to eat on site daily.  3) PX on site, and it's a good size.  We got cereal and milk for breakfast each morning when we wanted to save money.  BEER and wine selection!   Save $$- buy your liquor there! 4) Rooms are not that big...  2 beds, and a bathroom.   Patio is a good size, but of course you will need to watch the little's as they are out there. 5) Rooms have a s...

We just spent 1 night at Tenaya Lodge (March 29, 2018)- and we fell in love.   Here are my tidbits:  website:  Tenaya Lodge Do this:  1) Prepare for the price.  Regular rate is $479, but the calendar shows some (weeknights) as low as $169.    SO WORTH IT! 2) Budget!   Almost everything is extra $$, but you are in Yosemite (ok, more like 1 mile to the gate), the scenery is amazing and you get what you pay for! 3) Ice Skating rink  ($15 approx per person)-  It's covered outside.  Not sure if year -round 4) in winter (snow) they have FREE sledding runs, just bring your sled!   Below was start of spring, we had to walk down the  hill towards Archery to sled.   A short run, but my littles had a blast. 5) Other things to do:    Arcade/game room $, Archery $, Nature Hikes $, Tour in a nice small bus of Yosemite $$, Yoga for kids $, morning stretching $, Paint Nights $$, and MORE!...