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  We're Traveling Mamas sharing our adventures with the world. We offer tips on great (and not so great) places to visit with children and how to have the best family vacations -- but it's not all about the kids, of course! Romantic escapes, girlfriend getaways, and solo trips are also important to us. Plus, we cover industry news and review travel gear, and we love to give things away!

  
  
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Interview with iCarly Actor Jennette McCurdy

The Nickelodeon Family Cruise out of Los Angeles, on Royal Caribbean to ports in Mexico, is great and highly recommended for family vacation. There were plenty of child friendly activities every day, ranging from Dora the Explorer sing-alongs for young children, to the Club Nick Late Night Deck Party for teens.  Meeting the stars of Nickelodeon was absolutely one of the best highlights for my own kids, though: My younger daughter got to interview Nathan Kress, and later, when he sat down next to her and started up a conversation, that excited little girl could barely contain herself.  Now, Jennette McCurdy is another fantastic, well-grounded young actress on iCarly. We were able to grab her for a quick interview, and she answered my older kid’s questions very sweetly. Here’s the video:

Isn’t Jennette McCurdy a terrific young person? She generously talked about about the cruise, acting on iCarly, and favorite travel spots. She, Nathan Kress, and True Jackson VP’s Keke Palmer were all just wonderful  (and dealt with hundreds of adoring fans) for the entire Nickelodeon Family Cruise.  My children still talk about this vacation, and I’m sure they’ll keep the cruise memories alive for the rest of their lives. Thanks for the interview, Jennette!

Best Luxury Resort in Colorado: The Broadmoor

I’ve stayed at some phenomenal luxury hotels in Colorado — Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, RockResorts’ Osprey, Westin Riverfront, The Little Nell and St. Regis Aspen, in particular, come to mind. But no other Colorado property can truly compare to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Its sheer size, fascinating 90-year history, 54 holes of championship golf, brand-new spacious cottages, a million and one places to eat (okay, 18), a full-service spa,  swimming pools and a gorgeous setting on a lake at the base of a mountain are just a few of the reasons I think The Broadmoor is the best luxury resort in Colorado.

My family and I spent one night at The Broadmoor (courtesy of the resort) before we hopped on a plane at the Colorado Springs airport this summer. One night is by no means enough time to truly enjoy all of its amenities, but we packed in as much as we could into, oh, 18 hours there. Here are just a few of the highlights we enjoyed:

The Ambiance: I  felt as though I was dropped right into a scene from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. The manicured grounds, rolling green golf courses and historic decor in the public spaces, to me, exude glamour. We pulled up to the property’s security gate, gave our name, and then continued on to the porte-cochere, where valets greeted us – by name – which gave us a clue to the incredible service we’d receive all weekend. Lots of “How is your stay Mrs. Williams?” and “Whatever we can do to help, Mrs. Williams.” I loved the intricately tiled mosaic floor in the entryway to the lobby, as well as the historic photos, marble staircase, ornate chandelier and brass escalators.

The Tavern: The steaks were excellent at this landmark restaurant at The Broadmoor, dating back to 1938. We ate in its enclosed “Garden Room,” filled with lush vegetation and twinkling lights overhead. No fusion foods or unusual entrees here; just favorite hand-cut prime steaks, chops, seafood, prime rib, plus shellfish appetizers, soups and salads. One must-see: Bottle Alley, where all the liquor and wine bottles that were consumed during Prohibition are displayed; check it out just not far from the entrance to The Tavern (also near the main lobby).

The Swimming Pools: We arrived on an unusually chilly and rainy day in July, so we took the kids to The Broadmoor’s indoor heated pool (near the spa, which I wish I had time to experience), with outdoor hot tub and heated lap pool. This is a huge boon for parents who like to be able to keep a close watch on their kids, as the indoor pool is not huge and there are plenty of lounge chairs if you don’t feel like going in yourself! The next day, just hours before we had to get on a plane, we hit the big, outdoor swimming pool, where we were greeted by one of about a dozen staff members whose sole job is to outfit you with fluffy beach towels and lead you to lounge chairs. The outdoor infinity pool is next to Cheyenne Lake, so matter where you are in the pool — or adjacent hot tub — you’ve got great views of the grounds. Two water slides entertained the kids — that is, until my son got sick (yes, puked) in the pool, and closed it down. While that’s an entire blog post in itself, let’s just say that a) it was hugely embarrassing and b) The Broadmoor staff responded quickly and with grace (not making us feel badly at all). And yes, we did make it to our flight and he traveled the rest of the day without incident.

The Cottages: We stayed in one of the brand-new (as of May 2009) two-bedroom, one-story cottages just off the 18th fairway of the east golf course. At the same time charming and elegant, these accommodations feature high ceilings, window doors that open to an expansive veranda, heated bathroom floors, and hand-crafted area rugs. We all appreciated the luxurious bedding and the mini fridge to store our drinks and snacks.

Of course all of this luxury does not come cheap. I found standard rooms starting at $270 a night this fall, and the rack rate for the smallest one-bedroom cottage is $1,400 a night. Do ask about summer specials that run through September 30, 2009, and otherwise check out the Specials & Packages page.

Top photo: Courtesy the Broadmoor; others by me!

The Astor’s Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island

Astor’s Beechwood Mansion is just one of a long stretch of jaw-dropping, meticulously maintained mansions along the Cliff Walk in Newport, Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Convention & Visitors Bureau invited me and my family to come to Newport and look at these mansions – and the Astor’s Beechwood was specifically mentioned as more accessible for children.  The phrase “more accessible” means “less boring,” in this case, as goggling at fancy furniture probably doesn’t rank highly on many kids’ vacation priorities. The Beechwood Theatre Company work here: Several actors in era-appropriate costumes act as actual Astors and their staff (footmen, maids) to give kids an idea of what life was like in the Gilded Age.

I have many more photographs from the Astor’s Beechwood Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. They’re on my digital camera, though, and I forgot to pack the USB port that lets me upload photos (these ones were taken with my Blackberry). A more detailed post about the actors that made an educational tour fun for kids will have to wait for my eventual return home. In the meantime, enjoy the glimpse of life at the upper-crust of a more sophisticated era!

Actors on the Nickelodeon Cruise Make Children Happy

My children and I were so lucky to have been invited to go on the Nickelodeon Cruise.

This Royal Caribbean West Coast cruise set sail from Los Angeles, going to the Mexican Riviera with ports of call in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. In between, as you can guess, there is non-stop Nickelodeon fun and activities for the kids. Since this was my first real cruise (we were also on a two-day “mini-cruise” in February), I can say that this was the Best Cruise Ever! (Yes, having no point of comparison makes this a rather flimsy claim, but all the children I spoke to on the cruise were having the time of their lives.) One of the biggest highlight of the Nick Cruise was the up-close interaction with several young actors on Nick television shows.

Children younger than mine were delighted to see Dora, Diego, and the Penguins (from Madagascar) walking around, and my kids loved getting to meet real-life actors from iCarly and True Jackson, VP. On the 2-day cruise my younger daughter got to “interview’ iCarly actor Nathan Kress, and she was delighted when he recognized her and sat next to her for a few minutes. He’s a great guy.

My older daughter got to interview his costar Jennette McCurdy on this cruise, and later, when Jennette remembered her name and spoke to her briefly, my daughter was (for once) rendered nearly speechless. And Keke Palmer, star of True Jackson, VP, was so friendly and delightful that even the shyest kids accepted her hugs with glee.

Yes, Spongebob Squarepants is all over the Nick Cruise – and there was a great “concert” starring the voice of Spongebob, Tom Kenny. Seriously, he rocked out with a band, in a way that the children and teens really appreciated. It was the most joyous sing-along of the Spongebob Squarepants theme song you can imagine. Loud, too. On the last night of the cruise, all the stars participated in a game of “Tic Tac Nick” (I think it should have been called Nick Tac Toe, but whatever) in one of the giant theaters, The Savoy. Lucky Tom Kenny got to go twice, once as himself and once as the voice of Spongebob. This was, like every other theatrical show – including the ice show – an audience participation game.

More on the cruise to come – I loved getting off the Mariner of the Seas and exploring a little of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta with my children – but believe me; those teen actors on the Nickelodeon Cruise couldn’t have been nicer to the kids on the boat, or more professional with the adults. Nickelodeon does a great job with their cadre of young actors. What a wonderful family vacation.

The Best Luxury Hotel in The World!

The best luxury hotels in the world are constantly trying to one-up each other; witness the rise (and fall) of the uber-luxe 5-star plus hotels in Dubai. The more dignified, less garish approach to upscale accommodations is to provide class and luxury that provides a sense of place, and to keep it that way.  This explains why the Four Seasons George V, in Paris France, is the best hotel in the world. It’s actually on every important “Best of the Best” hotels list (Forbes, Conde Nast, etc) for several reasons.

Neighborhood: Now, hotels are not resorts; there are no sprawling grounds and golf courses on the Four Seasons George V property. Instead, we get a stay in the 8th arrondissement; this most upscale Paris district extends from the Seine to the Arc d’Triomphe, with the Champ-Elysees, luxury shopping, and views of the Eiffel Tower.

The Staff: From the moment I walked through the large revolving doors, I knew I was in for a hotel experience par excellence. Our luggage was whisked away, and was waiting for us in our room. The staff at the Four Seasons is always exemplary; here, they speak several languages (to accommodate their international guests), have an incredible knowledge about their city, and are unfailingly polite and friendly. The concierge gave us several great restaurant recommendations, made the reservations for us, and gave us a map. Check-in was a breeze, and we were walked through La Galerie (a piano bar area to relax and have tea) to the elevators and our room.

The Rooms: Half the rooms at the Four Seasons have balconies or terraces; while ours did not, we did have a view of the Eiffel Tower. Not too shabby! The rooms are large, which is notable: Most hotels in France, like much of Western Europe, are considerably smaller than what North American tourists may be used to. Here, the large rooms are complemented by equally impressive bathrooms. Marble floors and walls (as with the first floor lobby), double sinks, a separate shower and huge tub, and special Bulgari shampoos and soaps. I have a special affinity for upscale hotel shampoo and soap (other Four Seasons usually have L’Occitane bath products, which I also love), and the Bulgari made me feel pampered and happy. The king-size bed was sumptuous and unbelievably comfortable, with down pillows and duvet, and high thread-count sheets. I don’t always sleep well in hotels beds, but I almost didn’t want to get out of this one!

Fitness Center: Like most Four Seasons hotels, the George V has a first-class fitness center and day spa. If an intense workout isn’t part of you luxury vacation plans, then the massages, body wraps and treatments at the spa are a perfect way to recover from a day of shopping and sightseeing in Paris. Try the Le Tout Chocolate spa package; you won’t regret it.

Dining: I already mentioned La Galerie. This dining and relaxing area, just off the lobby en route to one set of elevators, served light snacks and high tea. I found high tea here to be a sophisticated, mature affair. There are a few highly gifted piano players, whose music adds to the romanic ambiance. They play from 3PM to midnight every day. The Four Seasons Hotel George V also has a Michelin 2-star restaurant. Le Cinq, open from 7AM to 10:30PM, is one of the best hotel-based restaurants in Paris. The food, of course, is French. During the warm months, there is also the Marble Courtyard for outdoor dining within the calmness of the hotel.

Four Seasons Hotel George V is about as perfect as a 5-star hotel can be. It’s no wonder that Zagat named in the Top International Hotel, Daily Telegraph awarded it the Best Hotel in Europe, and Conde Nast Traveler named it the Best International Business Hotel. If you’re planning a top-of-the-line luxury vacation in Paris, you can’t do better than to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel George V. It’s a 5-star oasis in the midst of a bustling Parisian neighborhood – there is no better place to stay for a luxury traveler in the city of lights. It is the best luxury hotel in Paris, in France, and to many, the world.

Arizona’s Family-Friendly Hidden Meadow Ranch

Where do I begin…Hidden Meadow Ranch is located on 150 acres in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona and is one of those locations that you say, “You just have to go to really understand how wonderful it is.” But today I will try my best to give you a glimpse of this bit of paradise.

Service. My husband and two tots were kindly invited up for the weekend by Hidden Meadow Ranch and we knew immediately that we were somewhere special when we checked in and were offered homemade lemonade. From that moment on, we found the service and kindness of every employee to be impeccable, or as my husband described, “The service was first-rate every time.”

Sweet Accommodations. Our two-story rustic cabin was absolutely charming. We stayed in the Elkhorn (each cabin has a unique name and theme). It has a wood burning fireplace, a stocked (soda, water, and juice) mini-fridge, board games for the family, a master suite downstairs and loft bedroom upstairs. Even the shower/bath has a cowboy soaking tub.

Unplugged. For a truly unplugged experience, this is it. There isn’t a “guest office” temping you with the internet every time you walk by. In fact, it wasn’t until we left that I realized there weren’t TVs in the cabins. There is a TV in the Ranch House loft and rooms do have wireless internet but I didn’t feel the need to check email or look for the remote, none of us did, as we were all completely distracted by the fact we were in a log cabin in the mountains.

No worries. When we travel with the kids there is rarely such a thing as 100% relaxation. We’re always concerned the kids might wake up our hotel neighbors or are we’re on guard because we’re playing on the beach or by the pool, but this time was different. At Hidden Meadow Ranch we opened the back door and let the kids run around gathering treasures (pinecones, wildflowers, and rocks).

Relaxing Options. Speaking of relaxing, if you want to put your feet up, but don’t want to stay in the cabin, kick back in one of the many hammocks on the property (I did!) or hit the outdoor hot tub.

Kids’ Paradise. In the center of the ranch is a huge sprawl of grass with a bucket of balls, a large made-from-logs swing set and an amazingly huge log teeter-totter – even I became a kid again.

All Inclusive. I’m a huge fan of all inclusive properties for several reasons, but mainly, it’s just a simple way to vacation. You don’t have to dig into your wallet every meal and the staff gets to know your preferences (and the kids’). (FYI, alcohol, gratuities and tax are not included. You also have the opportunity to leave more than the 15% gratuity, which we did, and even single out special employees) There are two packages at Hidden Meadow Ranch, one includes activities and the other doesn’t, which brings me to…

Outdoor Adventure. You can be as active as you want at Hidden Meadow Ranch, but if action is your scene, activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, archery, fly fishing, hiking…and even leather crafting and woodworking (the kids left with awesome birdhouses).

Fantastic Food. I’m not exaggerating when I say the food here is superb. My husband and I agreed every dish at the Ranch House was the freshest we have ever had. The filet mignon melts in your mouth, the cream of corn was obviously fresh off the cob, the blueberry pancakes and the made-to-order omelets were divine. The menu changes with the season.

Thistle and Iris. Next to the playground is a pen where the ranch donkeys, Thistle and Iris, hang out.  They’re kind of like the ranch mascots, everyone loves them.

Wildlife. It’s hard to be in nature and not run into wildlife. We saw numerous bird species, including a blue jay, but the  absolute highlight of the trip was seeing the two local elk who came down to the pond at sunset.

Personal. Every evening during turn-down service, in addition to melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, the housekeepers leave a handwritten note or poem on each bed. Each morning the “Hidden Meadow Harold” is delivered, left on each cabin’s front doorknob. The Harold wishes a personalized “fond farewell” to the day’s departing guests as well as a schedule of the day’s events, activities, weather and meal times.

Other Fun Highlights. Saturday afternoon we sat outside and enjoyed a BBQ lunch. That evening, after dinner, we made  s’mores and sipped snifters out on the Ranch House deck with other guests. Sunday morning we were greeted with a hardy, and quite tasty, Cowboy Breakfast at the Fire Circle and took a carriage ride around the grounds with “Tom” the carriage horse.

Lovely Every Season. While our trip was over the summer (and the weather was absolutely perfect as well a great escape from our Tucson heat), Hidden Meadow Ranch is a year-round ranch which means you can head up this winter to play in the snow, enjoy the crisp autumn or colorful spring. Besides, I don’t think one visit to Hidden Meadow Ranch is enough. If you go, please let me know how much you love it – because believe  me, you will!

Win a Spa Getaway Vacation in Napa Valley, CA

Quick – who here loves California’s wine country, spa treatments, and long weekend getaways? Really? Me too! Imagine that. I’m excited because one of my favorite resources for luxury family vacations, Ciao Bambino, is running a giveaway that seems tailor-made for me: A 3-night stay for a family of 4 in Napa Valley’s Solage Calistoga, plus a (get this) MUDSLIDE spa treatment for two. No wonder I’m excited.

Honestly, part of me considered keeping quiet about this – giving myself a better chance to win – but then, that wouldn’t be fair. Solage Calistoga, after all, is a beautiful resort that is really child-friendly, somewhat of a rarity in upscale Napa Valley. Wine tastings and romantic getaways are more typical of Napa Valley vacations.

Just fill in this form to enter, and good luck. I entered too. The contest run ends July 17, 2009.

What’s Open on Christmas Day in NYC?

Your Questions Answered: A little while ago, one of our readers wrote to ask about Christmas in New York City. Specifically, she wanted to know what would be open on Christmas Day in NYC: It would be her last day in the city, as she has a nighttime flight home and some time to spend strolling around by herself. Well, the Mudslide family spent a lot of Christmases in New York City, so I’m happy to help her figure out how to fill the last day of her vacation with NYC activities!

• Sure, not EVERYTHING’S open in NYC on Christmas Day, but you’d be surprised at what IS. Since you’re not leaving until nighttime, you have all day to wander the chilly streets and take in the sights. Radio City Christmas Spectacular has shows at 1PM, 4PM and 7PM – plan ahead, buy a ticket, and watch one of the most famous Christmas time shows in the world. Who hasn’t heard of the Rockettes?
• If you’ve already seen the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show, or if you’re just not that interested in it, there are several Broadway theaters that aren’t dark (i.e. closed) on Christmas Day. This changes year to year, of course, so check playbill.com to see what your options are.
• Why not see NYC on Christmas Day from up high? The Empire States Building is open until early afternoon (last year it opened from 10AM-2PM) and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center is open all day.
• Also at Rockefeller Center, the ice skating rink is open all day, straight through to midnight on Christmas Day. Other ice skating rinks that are open on Christmas Day include the Wollman Rink in Central Park and the Pond – well, it’s presumably a frozen pond by late December – in Bryant Park. Both remain open through the late evening.
• Now, tons of restaurants stay open during Christmas Day in NYC. If you want to splurge, consider making a reservation at the Rainbow Room. Yes, this is in Rockefeller Center, like the Rink and the Top of the Rock – this restaurant is pretty fancy, though, and men need to wear jackets. If you’re wearing what you want to fly home in (meaning comfortable clothes), then The Rainbow Room Grand Holiday Buffet may not be the smart choice for you. Chinatown restaurants are by and large open. A great resource for dining is Open Table. It has updated lists of the restaurants in NYC that are open on Christmas Day.
• And, you know, it IS Christmas Day. If you so choose, there are religious services (and special concerts) in churches all over New York City. St. Patrick’s Cathedral Christmas Day Mass is celebrated nearly every hour on the hour until 1PM. and St. John the Divine hosts annual Christmas Day concerts – usually one mid-afternoon and one at night. The Trinity Wall Street has a late morning Holy Eucharist on Christmas Day too, although St. Paul’s Chapel itself is closed on Christmas Day.

B. wrote back and said, in part, “…Going to NYC at Christmas time  has been a dream for years and I’m going alone as no one else thinks it’s such a wonderful idea!! (I think it’s just because it’s so cold). But I love Xmas lights and all the excitement. I’m all ready to go shopping and see the sights…Thanks again for all your information.” You’re welcome, B. The Traveling Mamas hope you have a wonderful Christmas in New York.

Kid Friendly JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort In Phoenix, Arizona

If you tuned in a few days ago you saw my review of the JW Marriott’s new Nickelodeon 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, 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 but 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 round 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 hydrated, 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.

Q&A with Nia Vardalos, My Life in Ruins Movie Star

Show of hands: Who here has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Whoa! Maybe I should ask, who here has seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding over 5 times? …That’s still a lot of hands. Well, the Traveling Mamas are extremely proud to have Nia Vardalos with us for this Mama Interview. Nia Vardalos is, of course, the creator/writer/star of Greek Wedding, and June 5, 2009, sees her starring in another fun comedy, My Life in Ruins. This movie takes place in Greece (get it? Ruins?). I loved the gorgeous background scenery for Mamma Mia; My Life in Ruins promises to be a movie with settings that makes the travel lover in all of us want to pack our bags, too.

Nia Vardalos is also a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights – the Traveling Mamas’ featured nonprofit this month. What with starring in movies, raising her daughter, and supporting this worthy organization, she is one busy mama. She still finds time to be HILARIOUS though.

Your movie, My Life in Ruins, takes place in Greece. Where were some of the locations? Had you been to those specific places before?

All the locations are within the Mystical Triangle: Acropolis, Olympia, and Delphi which were built 121 kilometers from each other…2500 years ago! I had visited all these sites (bored) as a kid. Now I see the healing powers of traveling the triangle. You’ll come out refreshed. Your skin will be clear. And you will fall in love!

How did you come to be such a strong supporter of the Alliance for Children’s Rights?

I didn’t know, before my husband and I adopted our daughter, that we didn’t have orphanages in the U.S. But we do have 500,000 kids in foster care. Of these kids, 129,000 are legally free for adoption and waiting for a family. We had waited on many waiting lists for an infant and when these routes kept falling through, turned to FosAdopt. Nine months later our daughter, at the time 3 years old, walked into our house, and turned it into a home. Now I feel compelled to tell anyone and everyone: American FosAdopt does not discriminate against age, single parents, sexual orientation, income level.

Where is your favorite travel destination?

Clearly I love Greece, and not just because the men look like my costar Alexi G, and the landscape looks like the posters, but because there is a laid-back wisdom and joy in that country. Also, I loved being in Japan because I couldn’t speak the language or even read the street signs. It was a joy to just get lost and figure out what to eat every day (oh boy, I can only imagine what I thought was a gum ball, may have been an eye. Anyway, I loved it there!)

Any mama can be a Traveling Mama. Have you taken any trips with your daughter yet?

Yes, and I always thought I would be an organized drill sergeant. I am surprised how laid back I’ve become. So, we forgot the crayons, big deal…I hand her a lipstick and let her draw on my pants.

Lipstick on pants? Been there. Believe me, the Traveling Mamas are going to be first in line to see My Life in Ruins. And who knows – a group trip to Greece may be next! …we can dream, anyway. Thank you, Nia!

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