Blue Bunny Ice Cream Giveaway

Blue Bunny Raspberry Today kicks off National Ice Cream Month and Traveling Mamas gets to participate in the fun by teaming with Blue Bunny Ice Cream and offering a giveaway of…you guessed it! Ice cream!

You might be wondering what ice cream has to do with travel, besides being the perfect snack along the journey (especially if you’re road-tripping in the hot summer months). Well, if you’re traveling through the Midwest with kids (or without!), you don’t want to miss Le Mars, Iowa, home tovisitorcenter the Ice Cream Capital of the World Museum. More ice cream is made in Le Mars - home of Blue Bunny - than anywhere else in the world. Families can stop during a road trip, or take a side trip while visiting Sioux City (25 miles south of the museum) and learn all types of fun ice cream facts, play in an interactive game room and devour ice cream in the vintage 1920s-style ice cream parlor. (Cost to tour is minimal: $3 for adults and $1 for children age 5 to 12. The little ones are free.)

bluebunnyUntil you can make it to the Ice Cream Capital of the World, let’s talk about how you can win ice cream during National Ice Cream Month.

We are giving away FIVE Bunny Bucks coupons, that’s five cartons of ice cream or five boxes of novelty ice cream treats (like ice cream sandwiches) to ONE Traveling Mamas reader. All you have to do is leave a comment about anything ice cream, such your favorite ice cream flavor, a childhood memory of eating ice cream cones, or a much-loved ice cream stand you uncovered while vacationing. The contest will run through July 8 when we will randomly select the winner and announce him or her on Thursday July 9. US residents only; one entry per person, please. Want to win even more? Head on over to Travels With Children to enter to win the Ice Cream Capital of the World trip package!

Good luck and Happy National Ice Cream Month!

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July 1, 2009 | Filed Under Travel News | 87 Comments 

Family Friendly: Loews Lake Las Vegas

Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort Is there such a thing as family-friendly Las Vegas? That’s a question many parents ask as they begin to research their vacation options. I’m here (really, I’m here in Las Vegas right now) to tell you Yes! Las Vegas can be family-friendly - especially if you stay at Loews Lake Las Vegas  Resort in Henderson, only 17 miles from the strip.

What makes Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort so family-friendly? Let me count the ways…

1. Playground. As soon as we arrived, the kids made a beeline for the Playground outdoor nautical-themed playground which sits next to one of the pools and the basketball/tennis court.

2. Beach. You can see the full beach in the top photo (taken from our room). There are tons of sand toys for the kids to play with and the kids especially have fun trying to “catch” the fish swimming along the shore.Beach

3. Fantastic pools and water slide. This Loews has two pools, the shallower of the two is the landing pool for the water slide and is where most of the kids swim. This pool is  loaded with pool toys like kickboards and noodles. Small cabanas line this pool and are available for rent as are the larger cabanas surrounding the upper, more mellow pool. We enjoyed one of the larger cabanas for a day and thoroughly enjoyed the misters, cabana fan and mini fridge for keeping our water cool. There’s also a safe to keep your valuables so you don’t have to worry when you’re off enjoying the pools. I highly recommend  renting a cabana during your stay. It’s a great place to kick back and lets the kids relax in between water slide rides and swimming.

4. Summerfest on the Lake. From now though September 7, 2009 Loews Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort Lake Las Vegas is offering weekends of fun for the kids. Kid’s Concierge, set up in the lobby, is the place to stop and sign up and learn more about the weekend activities and grab a snack. Some of the kid and family friendly activities you will want to check out are:

SushiSkool is a fabulous program where kids aged five and up learn how toSushiSKool create their own sushi rolls. The class is held every 1st, 3rd and 4th Saturday at 3pm. Cost is $20 and while the kids are in session the parents can hang out and enjoy wine and sushi for $25 (one adult per enrolled student).

Friday night parents can enjoy Date Night Movies and on Saturday night families can partake in Dive-In Movies at the pool. Both Friday and Saturdays evenings families can create memories with Smores on the Sand ($5 per packet). A fire pit is set up, ready and waiting to greet some unsuspecting marshmallows.

5. Kids Club. This it the ultimate reason to stay here if you want the opportunity to experience the glitz and glamor of Vegas without hauling the kids along. Kids ages 3-12 (if they’re potty trained) can experience several different activities (swimming, hiking, fishing, arts and crafts!) from morning to afternoon to night. Traditional kid-friendly meals are served.

The best part, Kids Club is the only fully licensed resort childcare facility in the city. What does this mean? Loews Kids Club is the only property that allows parents to leave the resort property while the kids are in the facility’s care (so go pop a few quarters into a machine at Mandalay Bay or watch Bette Milder sing her heart out). We took advantage of this wonderful opportunity and went over to the nearby Lake Las Vegas Village and enjoyed a wine bar, had a kid-free dinner, played a few slots and listened to live jazz - all while our kids had an absolute blast. They chowed on mac n cheese and pizza, made glow-in-the-dark bracelets and went out on an evening frog hunt - the highlight of their stay.

No matter what your thought is on Las Vegas being family-friendly or not, I am extremly impressed with the family-friendliness of Lowes Lake Las Vegas and recommend it to any family thinking about hitting Las Vegas for  vacation.

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June 29, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel | 7 Comments 

Cool Baby Sunscreen: Baby Silk Towelettes

Between residing in Arizona and frequent traveling, my family has become baby silkaccustomed to repeated sunscreen use, especially baby sunscreen. My little girl is extremely fair and burns almost instantly when faced with the sun and my son was the same as a tot.

I was recently introduced to the coolest baby sunscreen towelettes called Baby Silk by MD Moms. These towelettes particularly interested me because when my son was little he always managed to get sunscreen in his eyes and I still have a problem getting my daughter’s face fully covered. But these wipes are exactly what I needed. The towelettes are pulled out one by one (just like tissue or baby wipes) and applied on the skin. (Just rub on!) Baby Silk was developed by pediatrician-moms and is SFP 30. The name is absolutely appropriate; when I first opened the package and pulled one out, that was the first thing I noticed, the sunscreen cloths feel like silk and the kids felt so silky after applying,  probably due to the combination of Vitamins E and B5, marine silk, aloe and oat ingredients. The kids love using them, too, because they can apply the sunscreen themselves. Plus, the towelettes make reaching places like the back of the neck and forehead are easy.

I’d have to say these designer sunscreen towelettes are great for travel because:

  • You can carry them on the plane without worrying about liquid size
  • They are super portable and are resealable
  • Baby Silk is very easy to apply
  • Every summer vacation is spent outdoors, so it’s important to protect our children from the sun.
  • The sunscreen is water resistant and sweat proof

If you’re looking for alternative baby sunscreen instead (you will pay more for these towelettes than traditional sunscreen - but it’s well worth it) you will be pleasantly surprised at the ease and quality of Baby Silk sunscreen towelettes.

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June 19, 2009 | Filed Under Travel News | 3 Comments 

Kid Friendly JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort In Phoenix, Arizona

Marriott Desert Ridge

If you tuned in a few days ago you saw my review of the JW Marriott’s new Room with a viewNickelodeon Getaway Program at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, but this resort deserves even more attention than I could give in the earlier SpongeBob and Dora filled post.

Talk about an extremely kid-friendly resort!

Nickelodeon aside, this Marriott was perfect for the kids right from the start.

1. Comfy rooms. I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I love a good beds, Luxury Suite and Marriott has them. In addition, if you’re a family who needs a lot of space, I recommend you reserve a Luxury Suite. The main suite has two separate entrances  and is equipped with a murphy bed, a dining/conference table (perfect for room service or for a family pizza gathering when you want to take a break from the pool). The suite has a wetbar, desk, TV and sitting area and one of the most spacious bathrooms I have ever seen. On each side of the suite are door leading to two traditional bedrooms (also with spacious bathrooms), one room has a king-sized bed, the other one has two doubles. Depending upon your clan size, you can reserve only one or all three rooms.

2. Kid-friendly dining. There are several dining options on the property Kids Buffetbut we stayed within the comforts of  Blue Sage restaurant because 1) With the resort fee, kids eat for free, 2) The environment was casual enough to accommodate our preschoolers, and 3) The buffet had a kid-sized area filled with mac n cheese, chicken strips and tater tots (Darling!). My kids loved being able to help themselves.

3. Fun in the sun! Sure, mom can hit the on site Revive spa and dad can play a Lazy Riverround at the Wildfire Golf Club, but the entire family will want to spend time in one of the four pools. We opted to spend the entire day in the lazy river and playing on the waterslide. There are no rental fees for the tubes, just grab a one or two person tube and relax.

4. Water, water everywhere. When in the desert, it’s imperative you stay Fruit Waterhydrated, and Desert Ridge happily helps guests do just that. Scattered throughout the pool areas are pitchers of ice water with plastic cups so you can help yourself as needed. In the lobby (this one was near Blue Sage) was fruit flavored water which changed daily. My kids are big water drinkers so fruit water was quite  a treat.

This JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort made it so easy to have a relaxing yet memorable weekend with all of its kid friendly features. I can’t help but recommend this resort to other families looking for the perfect weekend.

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June 4, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel, Luxury Travel | 3 Comments 

Damsels In De-Stress Girlfriend Getaway Conference

Looking for a de-stressgirlfriend getaway this summer? Well, have I got a weekend for you.  July 25-26, in Prescott, Arizona, is Damsels in De-Stress Girlfriend Getaway Conference.

Held at the luxurious Prescott Resort and Conference Center, the two days will be filled with 35 female-focused classes and presentations such poker, yoga, kick boxing, body camp, beauty tips, physics and of course various travel sessions.

Traveling Mamas is going to represented (by your own DesertMama), offering two presentations: Girlfriend Getaways and Budget Travel. (If you have a question or would like to see something specific addressed feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. )

The cost to attend the conference is $199 which includes your choice of classes, lunches, continental breakfasts, t-shirt, giveaways, a martini party and more. If you register by June 15th you will receive the VIP package which means you score a VIP Gift Bag, preferred seating at all ballroom events, fast track check-in and priority meal services. The best part about this weekend is that the proceeds benefit Trauma Intervention Programs of Arizona, Inc.

The Friday night before the conference starts, at The Palace on Whiskey Row, is the Heroes of Yavapai County Calendar Release Party and Bachelor Auction (also benefiting TIP) where women can bid on a dinner date with local police officers and firefighters. Even if you’re booked that weekend, you can support the organization by purchasing a Heros Calander or DVD.

Just to throw in one more reason to attend, Prescott and its pretty pine setting is a lovely escape from the heat of the summer months with daytime temperatures only reaching into the 80’s and the evenings dipping into the 50’s.

Does this sound like bliss to you? Sign up today (or at least before June 15th for VIP treatment) and be sure to follow the Damsels In De-Stress Girfriend Getaway and Conference blog for up to the minutes information and news.

See you there!

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June 2, 2009 | Filed Under Girlfriend Getaways, Travel News | 1 Comment 

Nickelodeon Getaway Program at JW Marriott Resorts

The new Nickelodeon  Getaway Program at select JW Marriott Resorts is a guaranteed funtastic way to have a full-blown “all about the kids” vacation this summer. This past weekend the  program meeting-sponge-bobkicked-off, and my family was lucky enough to be invited to partake in the launch at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix. I have to say it was one of the most memorable weekends we have ever had as a family.

Stay tuned for a more thorough review of the extremely family-friendly Desert Ridge Resort, but in the meantime, let me tell you about the Nickelodeon  Getaway Program.

Immediately upon arrival, families know they in for a treat. Nickelodeon Getaway Hosts greet guests with a big welcome in the resort lobby.  You can’t miss them, since they are dressed in bright orange shirts (and some in orange Crocs) and a couple of popular TV start might be nearby. (Hint: One is big and yellow and lives in the sea and they other wears a purple backpack and is always up for an adventure). The hosts kindly answer questions, offer itineraries and pump everyone up for the weekend (the program is held over weekends and, depending upon the location, is offered year-round or seasonally.) Rates start at $139, which I think is very reasonable since seeing the kids’ faces light up when the see Dora and Sponge Bog is  priceless. dora

Our first night, all participating families gathered poolside for the kick-off, which consisted of games, Otter pops,  the classic green sliming and a swim-in movie.

Saturday morning families that wished to participate in the character breakfast (at an extra cost) had the pleasure of meeting Sponge Bob Square Pants and/or Dora the Explorer, and even getting the star’s stamped “autograph” (which will certainly be included in the kids’ scrapbooks).

Saturday was filled with other Nickelodeon activities, such as themed art projects (some cost a little extra) and poolside game activities. In between swimming and riding the resort’s water slide, we had a great time watching the Nickelodeon Getaway Hosts entertain guests with songs and games, which included parents and grandparents getting pies in the face!sayinggoodbye

Saturday evening was another movie by the pool which featured iCarly (remember MudslideMama’s daughter’s interview with actor Nathan Kress?).

By Sunday it was time to say good-bye (and let’s just say our little ones were not ready - and honestly, I wasn’t either).  We bid farewell to our character friends in the lobby and snapped a few final shots before returning to Tucson.

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly experience this summer, I highly recommend the new Nickelodeon  Getaway Program at JW Marriott Resorts - it’s a great way to keep the kids entertained and make some wonderful family memories.

For more information visit www.nickelodeongetaway.com.

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June 1, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel | 3 Comments 

BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light: On The Move Approved

I’m not kidding when I say, in my experience,  the biggest hassle of traveling travelcribwith a baby is the sleeping situation especially if you have a baby who likes his or her own space, meaning that baby is not keen on sharing a bed with mom and dad.

Then there are the safety reasons…

When my daughter was two,  my kids and I went to Denver to visit my parents and siblings for a week. I was in the big bed with my loves-to-thrash-about-all-night-long son and I put my never-moves-in-her-sleep daughter on a blow up mattress. In the middle of the night I hear my daughter saying, “Mama, help me!” She sounded so far away. The room was pitch black, so I headed to the light switch by the door, which was still closed. When I turned the light on I felt sick by what I saw. My little Madeline’s head was stuck under the room’s heavy dresser and I couldn’t lift it. I started yelling for my brother who was in a nearby room and thankfully he was strong enough to lift the dresser while I pulled her out. It was then I wished I had used a travel crib.

The reason I didn’t….

When my son (first child) was three weeks old we took him on his first trip to Palm Springs to see my in-laws and his great-grandparents. I will never forget the hassle of the portable infant crib we brought with us. It had so many poles, buttons, locks and latches, I’m not sure an Eagle Scout could put it together easily. Getting it back into the bag was no easy feat either. I don’t think we ever brought it on another trip again and were quite disappointed we spent the money. From then on, we opted for a huge playpen-sized travel crib which was too big and heavy and quite a hassle to lug on trips.otmapproved

When Baby Bjorn contacted me to see if I was interested in reviewing the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light I instantly had flashbacks of our previous crib experiences as well as the scary situation with my daughter and how I would love to find the perfect travel crib to recommend to Traveling Mamas readers. I think I found it.

The Travel Crib Light folds up flat the carrying case reminds me of a thick portfolio case. With just one snap the bed opens. (Yes, just one!) There is no assembling whatsoever. The crib’s fabric is lush and washable and so is the bed fabric (a problem I had with my first and second portable cribs). The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light really is light, weighing in at only 11 pounds. The best part is it can be used from newborn to age three (depending on the size of your child).

I tried to find something about the crib that needed to be improved but I  couldn’t. This travel crib is a Traveling Mama’s dream: It’s lightweight, easy to use, comfortable, spacious but not too big and it’s chic. That’s why the BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light earns Traveling Mamas On The Move Approved seal.

Already a fan of BabyBjorn? If you want to be even more involved with the company, fill out the survey at www.babybjornbelievers.com/join to see if you qualify to become a BabyBjorn Believer. This unique group of parents helps inform others about safe, high-quality BabyBjorn products; gets a first look at new BabyBjorn products; and is able to share feedback directly with BabyBjorn. To learn more visit www.babybjornbelievers.com

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May 7, 2009 | Filed Under Travel Gear | 1 Comment 

Crocs - The Best Family Travel Shoes

The “best travel shoes” is a subject that arises often. And why wouldn’t it? You have to pack them, wear them and pretty much are stuck with them the entire trip unless you plan on purchasing a pair on the road. That’s why this post is about Crocs - my favorite family travel shoes.
Crocs

When Crocs contacted me to check out their new spring line to see how terrific they are as travel shoes, I jumped at the chance. My family is not new to Crocs. In fact, we call them Croc-a-doodle-doos in our home.

Plus, my kids are suckers for Crocs because they are easy to slip on and off (no ties) and they collect those cute little Jibbitz that snap into the holes (Denver Crocs City Tour has Mile-High City inspired charms at several city attractions).

The cool part, Crocs keep getting more and more stylish — beyond the traditional funky, brightly colored original Crocs clogs that were all the buzz a few years back when they first launched. Today, for the ladies, Crocs come in various styles from the more traditional Mary-Jane style to flip-flops (so  comfortable) to heels and wedges. Men have a choice of manly styles like the Tideline Canvas or Santa Cruz slip-ons (my husband couldn’t believe these were Crocs).

2160_1_berrypearlThe kids styles are so much fun! My all-pink-and-lace-girl pointed right to the Disney Sleeping Beauty Mary Jane and since getting them, I don’t think she has taken them off yet. My son snagged up the Scooby-Doo Hanna-Barbera style, which makes finding them a ton of fun when they’re lost: Scooby-Scooby-Doo, where are you?

Here are just a few reasons I adore Crocs for travel (the kids wore them the entire time we were in Phoenix last week):

1. Crocs are easy to slip on and off at airport security and for pit stops on road trips.

2. Crocs don’t stink when the kids take them off in the car (whoo-hoo!).

3. Crocs have every color to match every outfit in the kids’ (and my) closets.

4. Crocs are super comfortable for mom, dad and the kids and they never leave blisters.

5. Crocs are so light, making them easy to pack.

Crocs in Quebec City6. If you wish to buy Crocs while traveling — you can! They’re everywhere, even in airports. If you look to the right, you’ll see I stumbled upon a store in Quebec City, Canada.

7. When my brother Paul and I were on a road trip in 1994 we were driving through the sunflower fields of Kansas when we saw a barn with “Happiness is Crock of Beans.” Since then I’ve come up with my own phrase, “Happiness is a Box of Crocs” (or maybe a few boxes).

8. Crocs are simply the best family travel shoes.

Check out the Crocs blog for the latest news and fun stuff!

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April 30, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel | 14 Comments 

Beach Girlfriend Getaway: San Juan Marriott Resort

View from the San Juan Marriott Girlfriend getaways — there is nothing like them.  Last month we Traveling Mamas hit San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a week of fun. We covered it all — relaxation, adventure and history and culture.  A huge part of our fabulous time was due to where we stayed, the San Juan Marriott.  Below are several reasons I love this resort and why you should go there for your next girlfriend getaway adventure:

Fantastic views. Both of the  water-view photos in this post were taken from my balcony. The first one was shot in the morning, the other was taken in mid-day. As you can see, the rooms certainly have a view.

Good Spa. Located in close proximity to the gorgeous pool is the intimate Ocean Club Spa (the fitness room is right next door). All four of us gals tried a different treatment, mine being the lavender Aromatherapy Massage. After the hour long, relaxing, float-on-a-cloud experience (that’s how I felt!) I walked a few steps out the door and to a poolside chair and continued to enjoy my la-la experience beneath the bethsanjuanlooming palm trees and warm sun. (Yes, I left with a fantastic tan despite wearing my Coppertone sunscreen and Walaroo hat).

Good Eats. San Juan Marriott two main restaurants. The first night we hit La Vista Restaurant and Ocean Terrace. I enjoyed the buffet and couldn’t help visiting the pasta bar (the chef makes your dish right there as you pick your ingredients). Just make sure to save room for some flan at the (huge) dessert table.

The next night we dined at the marvelous, and I do mean marvelous, Ristorante Tuscany. The four of us got dolled up in our dresses and headed down for an evening of delicious Italian cuisine. Between the fresh bread and antipasto bar I was in heaven.

Good Drinks. To be honest, I didn’t think I liked mojitos (I had only tried Daytime view the kind in a bottle) but when I tasted the San Juan Marriott’s version  of this rum drink I was sold. You should see how much mint the bartenders use. If I had to describe a mojito it would be refreshing. Did you know mojitos come in flavors, too? Pina Colada was my absolute favorite. You can order one at the Lobby Lounge (live music and dancing every night) or even at the Beach Bar to enjoy (sans glass) poolside or lounging on the beach.

Good Beds. I’ve announced my need for a good hotel bed many times before and all I can say is that  San Juan Marriott has comfy, cozy, perfect beds.

Good Friends. You can’t go on a girlfriend getaway without good friends — someone to laugh with when you find out the restaurant you took a $20 cab ride to is gone. So when you go to San Juan Marriott for a getaway, don’t forget the girlfriends and your giggles!

mamas

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April 30, 2009 | Filed Under Girlfriend Getaways | 4 Comments 

Family Friendly: Children’s Museum of Phoenix

I can’t begin to tell you how family-friendly Phoenix, Arizona is. A couple of days ago I gave a thumbs up to The Legacy Golf Resort for its family fun atmosphere but I didn’t tell you everything we did during our stay in Phoenix. You can read about our first evening at the Botanical Gardens here. On day two we went to the Phoenix Children’s Museum which is as much fun for us grown ups as it is for the little ones. The 55,000 square-foot museum is located in the historic Monroe School building and as soon as we entered the spacious first floor the kids were off to explore. Instantly our two tots became enthralled with the wall of wind pipes, which are several clear pipes blasting with air. The kids put scarves and balls in one end and they come shooting out of the top for the kids to try and catch.

It ends up the fun was just beginning.

Not long after we arrived The Deedle Deedle Dees (a fantastic kids’ band)  began jamming, which was great fun for the parents as well the children. The tunes could be heard up to the second floor as we cruised around. The second floor has an art room where children can tap into their artistic side and take home their projects. The house in the photo is painted a different color every day. Fortunately for my daughter the color of the day was pink - her favorite color! Also on floor two is an exit to the outside gated courtyard where the top photo was taken. The kids enjoyed running on the grass until they decided to return inside and continue exploring.

Many hands-on experiments lined the museum halls, including a trike path where the kids could ride around and around. There was a bit of a traffic jam and a long wait to ride, so we moved on to the third floor where there we found a spacious room for infants and toddlers to play safely (our kids are too big but it looked perfect for the little cuties). Past that was an even larger area for the older kids which consisted of a grocery store and kitchen, including a “brick oven” for “baking” pizza! Just outside the grocery store, in the wide hall my daughter had great fun scooping ice cream into cones, passing them to customers, while my son couldn’t get enough of the hundreds of  hanging Styrofoam tubes.

By the end the kids were worn out and so were we - but it was such a great time. I hope we can return to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix soon!

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April 23, 2009 | Filed Under Family Travel | 7 Comments 

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