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

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).  ...

We have season passes and just went on Thanksgiving.   I thought I would post my ninja mom hacks-  we have a 6 year old and a 2 year old. 1) Pack snacks (if on a budget, pack food- they didn't seem to check or mind all that much). 2) The only 2 places you will want to hang out w/the toddler are: Super Silly Fun Land & Dino Play Area (lower Lot) Super Silly Fun Land This is minion-land... and it's amazing.    Across from the store is a play structure with staff!  That is right, park like play structure with slides & full time staff to monitor it (not that you can leave the toddler, but it's nice to have extra eyes).  Across is the store and photo op w/all the minions!  The music is amazing and you will feel like you are in the movie.   (Remember the part where the girls make Gru take them to the carnival place?  Well, this is it!) Summer time?  Bring swimsuits/towels + you MUST have water shoes.  There is a ver...

UPDATE:   12 months later I had $132- I cashed it into my Paypal acct, then into my checking acct (3 easy clicks)--- bam- upgrade the ipad!!!   original post: OK, I have been using Ibotta for 5 months and have $100.75 in my account.  This is hard cash that I can deposit thru Paypal into my acct, or put it on some sort of gift card.   I love Ibotta...  it's an app and this is how it works: 1) You can search for the store you are headed too (Walmart), and it will pull up the hundreds of rebates available. 2) You must "Unlock" the rebates by tapping the button, then they usually ask you a marketing question or make you watch a short video.    (Me:  start video, put it down... come back in 60 seconds). 3) Once unlocked you go buy the product. 4) Right when you get home, (do not wait on this, Ninja Mom Hack), get your receipt and put all the Ibotta stuff on the table.   You only have 7 days to do this!!! 5) In app- then tell Ibotta which...

I am NOT a stay at home mom, that would be too difficult- and I like my job.  My job is my vacation :) - props to you stay@home peeps.      I am a full time high school counselor and my husband is a 6th grade teacher + an Air Force Officer in the Reserves. Here is how I keep my sanity...    My ultimate Ninja Mom Hacks: 1) Sunday Night-  is YOUR time.  Devote 2 hours to yourself and the week ahead.  Make no plans, and be HOME.... easy dinner in crockpot.. husband takes the kids (sorry, this is not Wine Time... yet).  Here is the to-do list for a stress free week. Get all clothing ready:  kids clothing in easy to find/reach bundles for the week.  Little minions bag packed for daycare- for all week (diapers, supplies, clothing).   Your clothing (5 outfits) ready in order hanging in the closet {bonus points for undies/socks/jewelry there too}.    School aged kids:  they clean out backpacks, get org...