Cruise Like a Norwegian

December 18, 2014 by 10 Comments

norwegian breakaway

Our first full day on board the Norwegian Breakaway cruise (out of NYC, convenient!) was just that- a full day. It was a day at sea, and it was still too cold to use the pools, hot tubs, or water slides in my opinion. Instead, we explored the ship and took part in many of the ships on-board activities.

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We went down to the buffet for breakfast, and found ourselves a table. Before you enter, the staff sprays your hands with a disinfectant hand sanitizer to help stop the spread of germs. The food was good, and it’s nice not to have to cook ourselves, I will tell you that. My son, of course, had to use the bathroom halfway through the meal, so I took him out. In the hallway, we came upon quite a sight- a sound, really. Several staff members, one with a guitar, were singing a song about washing your hands. The song was “Washy washy, happy happy, everybody wash your hands”. We stopped for a full minute, it was such a strange song- but they sure put all their energy into it. Then we were off to the bathroom- and we of course remembered to washy washy before we headed back to finish breakfast. (Check out the video below- it’s not a great video, people had no problem walking in front of me, but you will get to hear this insane song. Bonus- it’s the one that will get caught in your head for the rest of your day. You’re welcome.)  You need to give it a few seconds.  Really- it’s just nuts.  And you will love it.

After breakfast, we went to Family Arts and Craft time. Today’s craft was making a SpongeBob bandana. After everyone made their craft, the kids got to put them on and did a little parade around the room.

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We then took the kiddo to Splash Academy- Norwegian’s kid’s club. No, they don’t take the kids swimming, no worries. We signed him up yesterday right after we boarded the ship, and he got a bracelet with his ID on it that has our names and cards linked to it in their computer. We also had to make up and give a password so no one could “Fake” being one of us. The kid’s club staff are all very energetic and keep the kids active and having fun all day. They all have silly nicknames as well, like “Boots”, “Tic Tac”, “BBQ”, and etc.
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Splish Splash Water Park

July 24, 2014 by 4 Comments

Splish Splash Waterpark is a great place to spend the day as a family in the heat of the summer. When you are trying to have fun on a warm day, options can be limited. Waterparks should be high on the “to do” list, and this is a good one to check out.

6 20 14 and waterparks 174There are lots of options for kids of all ages, with smaller splash or wade pools for smaller kids (scaled down pools and slides, little swings, spray parks, etc) in several varieties so that everyone can have fun and enjoy themselves. The bigger the kid, the more places they can play- but of they are too big, they can’t play in the small kid areas, so that the little ones don’t have to worry about being trampled.

There are a ton of great slides and rides at Splish Splash, and everyone had a favorite.

6 20 14 and waterparks 189Mutiny Bay is new this year, and something everyone enjoyed.  This all new interactive water attraction will take you and your fearless crew on a captivating voyage! The new ride is designed for the whole family to enjoy together. Seated in brightly colored boats, riders use water-spray “cannons” to blast other boats as well as spectators roaming the perimeter. The excitement is enhanced by shoreline guests returning splash-blasts with water cannons fixed along the perimeter of the attraction. The continuous moving boats travel through numerous interactions while cruising along the 300 foot long lagoon that holds 185,000 gallons of water.

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Savings On Splish Splash Waterpark @SplishSplashWP #SplishSplashSummer14

June 10, 2014 by Leave a Comment
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Photo Courtesy of Splish Splash

We’re going to Splish Splash in Long Island. I don’t know about your kids, but my guy is insane over water parks.  When we’re at a regular amusement park, they want to be on the water slides- the whole day.  I don’t know what it is about water parks, but kids are 100% committed to seeing all of them.

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Photo Courtesy of Splish Splash


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World Oceans Day Celebration

June 2, 2014 by 1 Comment

Join us at the aquarium for a weekend of ocean-themed events to celebrate World Oceans Day! People around the world rely on oceans to survive and thrive, and we’re celebrating with the help of Bubble Guppies, kid-friendly activities, and family fun.
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Activities Include:

Bubble Guppies
Celebrate the seas with Nickelodeon’s Bubble Guppies! Molly and Gill, the stars of the show, will be at the aquarium along with Bubble Puppy to meet and greet guests. Five attendees will have a chance to win a fin-tastic prize-pack, featuring an assortment of Bubble Guppies product.
Where: Oceanic Deck
Time: 11am; 1pm & 3pm

Crafts
Create a recyclable craft!
Where: Ocean View Room
Time: 11am – 4pm

Sea Life Beach Cart
Come learn about local marine biodiversity & The Aquarium’s NY SeaScape through chats and interactive experiences.
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Meeting Kristi Yamaguchi and Finding Alpine Lace’s Perfect Match

May 7, 2014 by 2 Comments

Yesterday, I was able to “Dine, dance and discover” with Kristi Yamaguchi, the Alpine Lace Deli Cheese brand spokesperson in New York City.  At this event, we chatted about family life, what matters most to each of us, and the things that make out days that much better.  We also tried out some fun and delicious pairings with Alpine Lace cheese, and learned some dance steps.  Yep- we tore up the dance floor.  OK- maybe there was no actual “Dance Floor”, but life is what you make of it, ay?  We were dancing, it was a dance floor!  🙂

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Kristi Yamaguchi (who was on the TV Show “Dancing With the Stars”) even gave us a performance of the Rumba steps to inspire the wallflowers among us.

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At the Perfect pairings station, we spoke with the Alpine Lace test kitchen expert, who showed off a variety of food and wine pairings that go great with Alpine Lace Swiss. Some examples are chocolate, strawberries, crackers, cucumbers, and mortadella.
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NY Car Show- Not Just For Guys

April 6, 2014 by 4 Comments

The New York International Auto Show is coming upon April 17th (opening night), and I will be there to give you all the details.  I will be attending as a guest as well as attending a party with Girls Night Out, learning more about style, health and organization in cars while seeing the many new and exclusive cars on the NY Auto Show Floor.  I will be a guest of SheBuysCars, and sponsors Toyota and Dr. Oz Magazine.

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Passed out in the backseat, high on doughnut holes 😉

Cars aren’t just for guys.  With as many road trips as we take, me and the kiddo spend a whole lot of time in the car.  As some of you may have read, late last year my Mazda and I joined the 100,000 mile club, which we are very proud of.  I keep up with it’s maintenance, regular oil changes, and am a real jerk about things like THE SECOND I hear any noise at all from the brakes, it’s in the shop.  Yes, my mechanic knows me by name, and once even came to check up on me when my car was acting up locally.  (It’s a small town, and with a car in the 100,000 mile club, I give him a lot of business, LOL.)
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Lake Placid Holiday Stroll

December 23, 2013 by 8 Comments

The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll is the perfect way to discover the magic of the holiday season in an Adirondack Winter Wonderland. The volunteer ran committee of elves has a wonderful weekend of art, music, gourmet foods and boutique shopping planned for the pleasure of visitors. Shoppers love the alternative to the big box store options and the intimate setting makes the Village Stroll appealing to couples and families.

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The Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll features over 50 unique stores that accept holiday bucks to help you find the perfect holiday gifts in a serene setting. There is no hustle and bustle of the mall crowd to contend with, and you will find gifts that will be treasured by the lucky recipients.

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The weekend isn’t all about shopping. Families will love the ice skating party and Holiday Story Time at the Mirror Lake Inn. Couples will enjoy the wine tastings and art displays. Children will delight in the matinee showing of the Polar Express, the craft workshops and breakfast with Santa at participating hotels on Sunday morning.

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If you are traveling to attend the weekend you might wonder where to stay and eat. I have a few recommendations for you to consider while you are planning your 2014 Village Stroll trip.


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The Pines of Lake Placid  is truly a home away from home. Featuring a huge hot tub and gorgeous decor, the family operated inn offers a peaceful ambiance in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I loved the cozy atmosphere and wholesome vibe of The Pines. I had the pleasure of spending 2 nights at the Pines Inn, I had a lovely stay and was very impressed with the Pines of Lake Placid.  The beds were wildly comfortable, and it was within a short walk to all of the town festivities.  They also offered great activities for the kids and adult alike, from free movies and popcorn to wine and cheese tasting and a wrapping station.

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During my stay I dined at a few great places in Lake Placid. Duncan’s Grille at the Pines Inn offers Authentic German cuisine on weekends at affordable prices including Rahm Schnitzel, Schnitzel Cordon Bleu and Zwiebelsuppe. 
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A favorite place to dine or celebrate in Upstate New York is the Dancing Bears Restaurant, located at 2384 Saranac Ave., Lake Placid NY 12946 .  The energy of this establishment makes for a fun dining experience. The rich history of the restaurant includes the celebrations of Olympians during the 1980 games. On the menu you will find 3 egg omelets, gourmet burgers, lobster rolls and pizza to name a few.

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The Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Companyoffers delectable selections such as the maple and pear flat-bread pizza, BBQ Brisket, Bangers & Mash and the Portabella Philly. The menu here is affordable, most options are under $13.  They also have an award winning beer which is loved by locals and visitors alike. Lake Placid beer this fresh is not to be missed, and the kids menu is awesome as well.  The below photo is a rib-kid-meal.
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Five Attractions to See in NYC Over Christmas

December 10, 2013 by 2 Comments

The day after Thanksgiving, when families are still full of holiday cheer and pumpkin pie, New York City hangs its wreaths, switches over its store displays, and gets ready to celebrate Christmas. The sound of taxis speeding through crosswalks is replaced by the sweet sound of Christmas carols, as holiday shows go up, store windows are lit with icicle lights, and visitors descend on the city to share in the cheer. Plan your perfect holiday trip with these fun and festive stops along the way:

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Holiday Windows: The Upper East Side is known for its terrific shopping, but even those on a budget can enjoy the city’s wonderful department stores during the holiday season without spending a dime. New York’s most famous stores, including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys, and Bloomingdale’s, all deck out their storefronts with elaborate and festive scenes during the holiday season. With just over a mile between all of the shops, checking out all of the windows is a terrific, but time-effective, tour of central Manhattan.

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The Nutcracker: George Balanchine’s holiday classic comes alive with some of the world’s greatest dancers at the NYC Ballet. For those seeking an activity that provides ample holiday cheer to a variety of age groups, this festive celebration more than fits the bill. Whether you’re a visitor or a life-long New Yorker, The Nutcracker’s mix of true artistry and holiday whimsy rarely fails to delight.

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