Things To Do In Orlando That Are Cheaper Than Theme Parks

Are you considering a trip to the Central Florida/Orlando, Florida area this coming Spring Break? You might want to check out these great ideas for places to visit and things to do that won't break the bank they way the theme parks can easily do. 

SAVE MORE AND DO MORE DURING SPRING BREAK IN ORLANDO NORTH

When planning a Spring Break getaway to the Central Florida theme parks you can save more and double the fun by selecting lodgings and add-on recreation in “Orlando North, Seminole County.”  Here your guestroom averages 40% less than those by the attractions, all hotels offer free parking, there are no long restaurant waits, and you're a short drive away from: 

• Walt Disney World® - 45 minutes
• Universal Orlando® - 30 minutes
• Sea World® - 30 minutes
• Wet ‘N Wild® - 30 minutes
• Kennedy Space Center - 60 minutes
• Daytona Beach - 45 minutes
• Downtown Orlando - 20 minutes

And throughout Orlando North Seminole County there’s lots of family-friendly fun that’s a fractional cost of a day at the theme parks:

• At Planet Obstacle, kid-friendly activities include a kids’ ninja course, trampolines, bungees, ball pits and bumper cars, while adults can enjoy an aerial ropes course, an extreme zip-line, an adult ninja course, a giant rock-climbing wall and more. Planet Obstacle, 1150 Emma Oaks Trail, Lake Mary, FL. http://planetobstacle.com
• Little girls will love Judy’s Dolls Middleton Newborn Nursery Adoption Center, with an adoption ceremony providing a chance to bond with her new infant baby doll, pick out its first outfit and feel the joy, of becoming a new “parent.” Judy’s Dolls, 280 W. Warren Ave. Longwood, FL. https://judysdolls.com/.  
• Stargazing and interactive shows at the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College in Sanford. For info on planetarium events visit Facebook.com/SeminolePlanet.
• U-Pick Strawberries at Pappy’s Patch. 700 Florida Ave., Oviedo, FL. Check out their Facebook page: Pappys-Patch-U-Pick-Strawberries.
• Reach new heights at the Aiguille Rock Climbing Center. 999 Charles St., Longwood, FL. http://www.aiguille.com/
• Artistic talents emerge at Hot Pots, where kids paint and decorate their own ceramics, from piggy banks to figurines, cups, vases and more. Hot Pots, 1071 WP Ball Blvd., Sanford, FL. http://www.hotpotssanford.com/
• Enjoy a thrilling airboat ride with Black Hammock Adventures, on Lake Jesup and learn about the eco system and the birds and beasts who call it home. 2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd., Oviedo, FL. www.blackhammockairboatrides.com
• Cool down at Wekiva Island where the river is a constant 72 degrees. Swim, canoe, kayak, paddleboard, volleyball, fish or just plain relax. Wekiva Island, 1014 Miami Springs Rd., Longwood, FL http://wekivaisland.com/
• Get up close and personal with wildlife at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where you can even participate in giraffe feedings. Also at the zoo is ZOOm Air Adventures a zip line adventure course that allows guests to explore perfect natural habitats from an animal’s perspective—in the air traveling from tree to tree by zip lines and suspended rope bridges. 3755 US 17, Sanford, FL. www.centralfloridazoo.org.
• Enjoy the playground and watch youth, collegiate and non-professional teams playing at the 102-acre Boombah Sports Complex at Seminole County. 3450 E. Lake Mary Blvd., Sanford, FL. www.PlayOrlandoNorth.com.
• Seminole County is also home to some of Florida’s best natural attractions, including the Wekiva River, one of only two National & Wild Scenic Rivers in the entire state of Florida, the St. Johns River, Wekiva Springs State Park and Lake Jesup to name just a few. With more than 30 parks and preserves the area is a favorite destination for hiking, biking, bird watching, wildlife study, nature photography and more. There’s something for everyone whether you are a nature lover or adventure seeker.

About Orlando North, Seminole County:

A short drive from all the major attractions of Central Florida and home to Orlando Sanford International Airport, Orlando North, Seminole County offers first-rate accommodations for less, varied meeting & event venues, and diverse dining and shopping in its charming communities. Known as “Orlando’s Natural Oasis,” the destination offers visitors a wide array of thrilling outdoor activities from an aerial adventure course with zip lining to paddling alongside manatees in clear freshwater springs and rivers. Long known as an exciting and affordable meetings/groups destination, Orlando North also offers an array of sports and training facilities, including the new 102-acre Seminole County Sports Complex. For destination information call 1-800-800-7832 or 407-665-2900 or visit www.DoOrlandoNorth.com.

South Carolina Is The Hot Spot For The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

In a couple short weeks, school will resume around these parts. My middle girl will begin junior year at the University Of South Carolina, the husband will be in grad school working on his MBA, and the littlest one will start fourth grade in his third year being a home schooler. We are all so sad that the summer break is coming to an end. We are planning to have one last hurrah by having an Ismail Party of Five-Total Eclipse Party. Okay, okay, it's not as fancy as I'm making it sound. We will be here at the house waiting in anticipation of viewing the eclipse. It will be the perfect time for the five of us to hang out and witness what will be a historical event.

It turns out that Columbia, South Carolina is one of the top spots in the country where the view is slated to be at 100%! Our local news has estimated over 1 million people will make their way to our state to partake in seeing the eclipse. Hotels are sold out everywhere and they say traffic will be crazy all over. That's a great thing for South Carolina businesses, for sure. If you aren't sure if your area will be able to catch any of the action, you can check here by entering your zip code.

The most important thing we did to prepare for the eclipse was to first purchase eclipse safe glasses, which we did a month ago. Little William was listening to a news report in regards to viewing the eclipse safely and insisted we must have the proper eye-wear. Here are the ones we got. Lucky for us, they came in a pack of 5. Perfect for our family!

Since we purchased them early, they were very inexpensive. I have noticed a big rise in the cost all over. I guess people are recognizing how dangerous it can be to your eyes if you get too much exposure to the direct sun. Let's hope these glasses work because when you put them on, you can't see a thing! Of course William had to be the first to try them on. 

We are so excited to have the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse together. I hope that you live in an area so you can catch a glimpse, too. Now we will keep our fingers crossed that the weather will hold up! Will you be participating in this big event? 

*This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made gives me a little pocket change. 

7 Ways to Have a Happy "No-Screen" Holiday with Your Family

For the modern family, it's not unusual for family members to spend a majority of time physically together, although staring at their phone, tablet, computer or TV screen — the "parallel play" of technology. This holiday season is an opportunity to overhaul your family's technological habits and truly enjoy family time together. The following no-screen family activities can pull your family away from their gadgets, and instead create special memories and happy moments this holiday season.

Indoor Snowball Fight
A blanket of fresh-fallen snow creates a magical winter wonderland for building a snowman or snuggling up inside with hot cocoa near the fireplace. Are you without snow but looking to get into the spirit of the season? Create your own gentle blizzard indoors by crafting glittery paper snowflakes to string and hang. Spread artificial fake snow along the floors and start a snowball fight with indoor stuffed snowballs — like right out of "A Christmas Story."

Family Cookie Car
Spread holiday cheer to those in need, starting right in your kitchen. Baking with your kids is a sweet holiday tradition that creates memories for a lifetime. And Christmas cookies are a heartwarming way to give back. Your family can bake cookies and turn your car into a mobile cookie delivery vehicle for delivering gift-wrapped cookies to the community with joy.

Name That Christmas Carol
Put a fun "Name That Tune" twist on Christmas caroling and sing holiday tunes as a family. Split into two teams in which one caroler from one team hums a Christmas carol. The first person between both teams who correctly guesses the song earns a point for their team.

Holidays for Heroes
Check out your local Red Cross office to see how your family can participate in the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program. This program encourages Americans to "Give Something That Means Something" during this holiday season. Participating in a variety of activities can help recognize and thank military members, veterans and their families.

Polar Express Adventure Night
"All aboard!" Bring the classic storybook to life at home with a "Polar Express" party for your kids and their friends. Ask all guests to wear their pajamas and hand them a golden ticket once they arrive. Then you (or another adult) can play conductor and invite the kids to hop aboard the (imaginary) Polar Express. As the movie soundtrack plays, hand out hot hot! hot! hot chocolate and cookies. During the train ride, read the story aloud and give the kids each a Santa's sleigh bell ornament as a party favor.

Holiday Journaling
This time of year is full of joy, happiness and love — which is why this special season is a great opportunity for your family to start a holiday journal. Throughout the month of December, set aside a few days a week for journaling based on a themed prompt such as:

• What does gratitude mean to you?
• What are you thankful for?
• What's your favorite holiday tradition and memory?
• What would you do if you were "Home Alone" on Christmas?
• If you were one of Santa's elves, what would a typical workday be like for you?

DIY Ugly Sweater Holiday Party
The ugly sweater party has moved from holiday trend into annual tradition. Host a kid-friendly party for young family friends centered around creating your own ugly sweater using materials like festive felt cutouts, jingle bells, garland and gift wrapping bows. For food, drink and dessert, go potluck style. Then unleash your Christmas creativity and get silly while munching on bites and sweet treats.

Need more holiday fun inspiration?

• Go on a festive doggy outing. Get your pup's photo with Santa and go shopping for stocking stuffers.
• Teach the lesson of giving and benevolence by helping your kids donate brand-new and old toys.
• Make holiday treats for your child's classroom and teacher

The Kid Files- When Your Child Has An Old Soul

Do you have a kid with an old soul? My son thinks and speaks like a 50 year old man most days. I guess when you're the youngest in a house full of adults, this is to be expected. The other day he was in his room with the door closed most of the way, and I knocked and asked him what he was doing. He told me he was playing with his toys. That seems like normal kid behavior, right? Well I noticed he had his radio on and a Zig Ziglar CD was playing. I said, "Did you feel like listening to Zig?". He responds, "Yes, I really needed some motivation". I was just like OH. I mean what do you even say?

This morning I was getting his breakfast cooked and he tells me that I need to eat too. I told him I wasn't quite hungry yet and he said, "It doesn't matter, you still need to eat now". I was also told that I had no excuse. Ugh, he's annoying 😅 Seriously, there's never a dull day around here. William always has something wise to say. I tell him almost daily that you're 8. Not 38, 48, or 58. Just eight. His favorite description of himself is that he is a 'professional man'. I fully blame his dad for that.

It's not unusual for him to walk up to me and put both hands on my cheeks and tell me, "Always believe in yourself". The funny thing is he does it at the time I really need it. It's like his spirit is in line with other people's feelings. He is a very special child. The bad part is when he loses his mind and has to be disciplined. I have to muster up all of my strength to be serious and not laugh. He asks for you to explain or elaborate when you are yelling telling him to cut out his foolishness.

As I am typing this post, he just yelled out from his room that his hand is itchy and he will be getting some money. You know what that means if you are old school. HA! William is a good trash talker. He will try to out talk anyone. He loves winning at everything. Don't watch sports with him. He gets super animated and yells at the TV. Also playing UNO with him is a trip. I don't know how he stays beating all of us and his celebrations are ridiculous. When he wins he says things like, "boom shakka-lakka, I am the champion!" and then does the whole superman shirt ripping thing and a victory dance.

Then there's the whole third child thing he has going on. This kid likes to ask about taking vacations and what resort we will stay at. He's very particular too. I think I can take the blame for that one. 😀 There are times where he attends gatherings with us, and any adult who comes in contact with him is usually blown away with William's words and mannerisms. Everyone agrees that he is most certainly not your average kid in any way.

William is an absolute joy and I couldn't imagine my days without having him around (even if it is 24/7 because of home school). Does your child have an old soul? I'm sure we aren't the only ones with an old man-child!

Get myCharge Portable Charger For Your Small Digital Devices

I am sure that most everyone is familiar with or owns a wearable fitness device that tracks your physical activity. We are a Fitbit family and we all try our best to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Okay, I lied a little. We love to compete and talk trash over who took the most steps each day. Hey, there's nothing wrong with a little family competition that contributes to better physical health! 😉

The one downside to fitness trackers is when you are running low on battery power. Now there is a convenient, portable item that will charge and store your devices and cords with ease. Introducing the PowerGear Sport by myCharge. The PowerGear Sport has a built-in USB port so that a variety of devices can be charged, including most smartphones as well as wearables. So this item is a must if you’re always on the go and find your devices are in need of extra battery life. 

This case is so great because you can keep your charging cords and extra bands organized and easy to find when you need it! This is a must-have if you travel a lot.

We have a few road trips to go on before the year is over, and I will be taking this along for the ride. It is so convenient and is rechargeable too! All you have to do is insert the included USB cord into the side of case and then into an electric power plug. It will juice it back up in no time.

I love how my charging case matches my Fitbit 

The PowerGear Sport retails for $29.99 and would make a great gift for teens, college students, fitness lovers, gadget geeks or just about anyone on your holiday list. I believe practical and useful gifts are the way to go! You can purchase one here. They come in either grey or grey/pink. I'm confident the recipient will LOVE this gift. 😍

Disclosure: I received a product sample in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Become the Ninja When LEGO NINJAGO World Opens Jan. 12, 2017 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

I wanted to pass along some exciting news to all my readers who are LEGO® NINJAGO® fans. Starting Jan. 12, 2017, kids are invited to enter a magical martial arts kingdom where you become the ninja in your very own LEGO® NINJAGO® [NIN-JAH-GO] adventure when a whole new theme park land opens at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort.

LEGO NINJAGO World will add an immersive area filled with several hands-on, outdoor activities where kids can sharpen their ninja skills before the ultimate showdown on LEGO NINJAGO The Ride, a dazzling new attraction that blends 3D computer animation, “4D” effects and groundbreaking technology never seen outside a LEGOLAND theme park.

Inspired by the popular LEGO building sets and the “LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu” TV show, LEGO NINJAGO World puts guests at the center of the action in lots of fun ways:

LEGO NINJAGO The Ride — a state-of-the-art “dark ride” where guests score points using ninja hand moves to blast animated fireballs, lightning and more at waves of 3D villains
Zane’s Temple Build — a giant LEGO building experience where kids can contribute to a model of a mountaintop NINJAGO monastery
Kai’s Spinners — master the ancient art of Spinjitzu at these twirling, whirling, single-person platforms
Cole’s Rock Climb — an outdoor climbing wall to test kids’ balance and endurance
Jay’s Lightning Drill — measure your reflexes with these “lightning fast” light-up targets

The lushly landscaped area also will feature daily meet-and-greet opportunities with sibling ninjas Kai and Nya [NEE-AH], and Wu’s Warehouse, a themed retail shop stuffed with LEGO NINJAGO building sets, toys, clothing, souvenirs and more.

LEGO NINJAGO The RideAssisted by Kai and Nya, LEGOLAND Florida Resort General Manager Adrian Jones announced the land’s grand opening date on the eve of the resort’s fifth birthday, continuing the largest period of growth and expansion in its history.

Since opening Oct. 15, 2011, the place #BuiltForKids has added LEGOLAND Water Park (May 2012), LEGO Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display (November 2012), LEGO World of Chima™ (July 2013), DUPLO® Valley (May 2014), LEGOLAND Hotel (May 2015) and Heartlake City (June 2015). In addition, the resort has unveiled several phased restorations of the historic Cypress Gardens, which celebrated its 80th anniversary earlier this year.

Along with LEGO NINJAGO World, construction continues on LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, which will more than double the resort’s on-site accommodations when its whimsically themed bungalows open in mid-2017. Guests currently can make reservations for stays from June 1-Sept. 4, 2017, with rates starting at $182 per night. A grand opening date and associated festivities will be announced at a later date, along with additional amenities.

For more information about visiting LEGOLAND Florida Resort, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, multi-tier annual passes, special events, VIP experiences, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, on-site accommodations and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida.

About LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Built for kids 2-12, this multi-day vacation destination located just 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa includes an interactive, 150-acre theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a world-famous botanical garden and the 5-acre LEGOLAND Water Park. LEGOLAND Hotel, located just steps from the theme park entrance, features 152 rooms and suites, each with its own LEGO® theme and some with beautiful views of nearby Lake Eloise. Opening in 2017 is LEGO NINJAGO World, an immersive theme park land with a groundbreaking, interactive ride inspired by the popular LEGO building sets and TV show, and LEGOLAND Beach Retreat, a lakefront resort with 83 themed bungalows offering 166 separate accommodations. LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a part of the Merlin Entertainments Group (LONDON: MERL).

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash Live Tour Headed To 40 U.S. Cities

Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, Peppa’s first North American theatre tour resumes on September 14. By popular demand, 40 additional cities have been added to the tour schedule for 2017, including coast-to-coast stops from Anaheim and Oakland to Newark and many more. In addition, the hit live show will make an exciting visit north of the border for the very first time with stops in major Canadian cities, including Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. The new tour dates will give fans throughout North America one last chance to see Peppa Pig live on stage during this final leg of the Peppa Pig’s Big Splash tour. Tickets for select cities are on sale and available now at www.peppapigliveus.com.

Citi® Cardmember and Facebook presale tickets as well as VIP packages that include a meet and greet, are available for the 2017 tour dates starting Monday, September 12 at 10:00 a.m. (local time).

The Peppa Pig stage show, based on Entertainment One’s (eOne) top-rated TV series airing daily on Nick Jr., is one of the most successful family tours this year. It has sold 250,000 tickets in the U.S. to date with 75 venues completely selling out. The fun-filled show brings the hit TV series to life on stage, giving families the opportunity to engage with their favorite characters like never before for in an unforgettable first live theater experience.

In Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, the nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it quickly. They set up a fair to raise money so Mr. Bull can do the repairs. There’s plenty of fun to be had as Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, along with Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep work together to organize an exciting day out complete with a Champion Puddle Jumping Competition judged by Mr. Potato, where everyone gets wet! An interactive experience full of singing, dancing, games, and muddy puddles, Peppa Pig’s Big Splash is a guaranteed oinktastic blast for the whole family.

For more information about Peppa Pig’s Big Splash, please visit www.peppapigliveus.com, Facebook and Twitter.

The current tour schedule includes:
2016 
September 14 Greenvale, NY Tilles Center for the Arts
September 15 Syracuse, NY Crouse-Hinds Theatre at John H. Mulroy CC at Oncenter
September 16 Binghamton, NY The Forum Theatre
September 17 Morristown, NJ Mayo Performing Arts Center
September 18 New Brunswick, NJ State Theatre
September 21 Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium at City Hall
September 22 Orono, ME Collins Center For The Arts
September 23 Waterbury, CT The Palace Theater
September 24 Kingston, NY Ulster Performing Arts Center
September 25 Williamsport, PA Williamsport Community Arts Center
September 27 Durham, NC Durham Performing Arts Center
September 28 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square - State Theatre
September 29 Charleston, WV Clay Center for Arts & Sciences
September 30 Norfolk, VA Chrysler Hall Theatre
October 1 Roanoke, VA Berglund Performing Arts Theatre
October 2 Charlotte, NC Belk Theater at North Carolina Blumenthal PAC
October 4 Savannah, GA Johnny Mercer Theater - Savannah Civic Center
October 5 Chattanooga, TN Tivoli Theatre
October 6 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
October 7 Columbia, SC Township Auditorium
October 8 Richmond, KY Eastern Kentucky University - EKU Center for the Arts
October 9 Columbus, OH Palace Theatre
October 11 South Bend, IN Morris Performing Arts Center
October 12 Kalamazoo, MI Miller Auditorium
October 14 Merrillville, IN Star Plaza Theatre
October 15 Appleton, WI Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
October 16 Waukegan, IL Genesee Theatre
October 18 Lincoln, NE Lied Center for Performing Arts
October 19 Ames, IA Stephens Auditorium – Iowa State Center
October 20 Davenport, IA Adler Theatre
October 21 Bowling Green, KY Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center
October 22 Memphis, TN Orpheum Theatre
October 23 Augusta, GA Bell Auditorium

2017 
March 25 Anaheim, CA The Grove of Anaheim
March 26 Santa Barbara, CA Arlington Theatre
March 28 Bakersfield, CA The Fox Theatre
March 29 Sacramento, CA Sacramento Community Center Theater
March 30 Santa Rosa CA Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
March 31 Fresno, CA Warnors Theatre
April 1 Modesto, CA Gallo Center For The Arts
April 2 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
April 4 Redding, CA Redding Civic Auditorium
April 5 Portland, OR Schnitzer Hall
April 6 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
April 7 Vancouver, BC Queen Elizabeth Theatre
April 8 Kelowna, BC Kelowna Community Theatre
April 9 Calgary, AB Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 11 Edmonton, AB Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 12 Regina, SK Conexus Arts Centre
April 13 Winnipeg, MB Burton Cummings Theatre
April 14 Grand Forks, ND Chester Fritz Auditorium
April 15 Sioux Falls, SD Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science
April 18 Toronto, ON Sony Centre For Performing Arts
April 19 Kitchener, ON Centre in the Square
April 20 Hamilton, ON Hamilton Place Theatre
April 21 Montreal, QC Place Des Arts Theatre
April 22 London, ON Budweiser Gardens
April 23 Ottawa, ON National Arts Centre
April 25 Lowell, MA Lowell Memorial Auditorium
April 26 Burlington, VT Flynn Center For The Performing Arts
April 27 Newark, NJ New Jersey Performing Arts Center
April 28 Scranton, PA Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at Scranton
April 29 Staten Island, NY St. George Theatre
April 30 Lancaster, PA American Music Theatre
May 2 Bethesda, MD Music Center at Strathmore
May 3 Sewell, NJ TD Bank Arts Center
May 5 Asbury Park, NJ Paramount Theatre
May 6 Rochester, NY Eastman Theatre
May 7 Springfield, MA Symphony Hall

Show Credits:
• Directed by Richard Lewis
• Composer Mani Svavarsson
• Matt Lewis is lyricist
• Simon Scullion is designer
• Andy Booth is music director
• Produced by Red Light Management, Fiery Angel and eOne

Keep Mosquitoes Away With A Thermacell Patio Shield Protection Lantern

It's summertime! Many of you may be participating in a lot of outdoor activities like cookouts, gardening, hanging out poolside, and more. We went through the catastrophic floods here in SC last year. It left behind so much damage and some people are still trying to recover. One thing the floods caused is a serious mosquito problem. We already have enough of them in SC, but now we have triple the amount. We can't be outside for long before someone gets bit. I don't always want to wear repellent on my skin and am always looking for alternate ways to keep those pesky blood suckers away.

I've heard about Thermacell lanterns before and was so intrigued by the video demo on how it works. Haven't heard of it before? Look at the short video below...



I received the Patio Shield Mosquito Protection Lantern to test out for myself. It comes with 1 butane cartridge, 3 repellent mats, and of course 1 LED lantern. It requires 3 AAA batteries that are not included. Just as the video instructed, you simply insert batteries, the butane cartridge, and a repellent mat in the slot. Turn it on and get ready for your outdoor fun! It provides a 15'x15' zone of protection. My son loves to refer to it as his very own force field.

Does it actually work? Let me tell you, if there are 1,000 people and one single mosquito, it will find its way to eat me up. My Thermacell lantern keeps them away! I sat out in my back yard recently for one hour and I was able to go inside completely untouched by mosquitoes and biting flies. Now we can say goodbye to the candles that do not work and say hello to Thermacell. This makes me so happy that I don't have to hide inside anymore.

Buy it: You can find a store near you here. I'm pleased to see that my local Walmart and Home Depot carry them. I forgot to mention that you can purchase refills as well. There are personal sized units as well as a variety of lanterns and torches. I keep my lantern in my mud room for each time I want to go outside. I don't miss the sprays one bit! I will be taking it with me when I go to my neighbor's cookout next weekend. I'm sure everyone will want to sit by me :)

Thank you Thermacell for providing me with a review unit. All opinions are my own as always and I simply love this product! 

Making Sure Your Big Family Holiday Goes Off Without a Hitch

Most people have family scattered across the country. Even when they’re scattered across the state, that can still mean they’re pretty out of reach. In these situations, people find that they only get to see all of their family at things like weddings or funerals.

But why wait for either of those things to occur? Why not consider making a family reunion happen yourself? Better yet, why not arrange a family reunion vacation? These sorts of vacations are very popular in America, given the country’s sheer size and potential for great vacations.

Here’s a quick guide to getting it all set up!

Photo credit

Pick a suitable resort

If you’re having a family reunion, then I imagine you’re going to be with a lot of people! This can make finding the right accommodation a little tricky. For some families, it’s a simple as going to the same hotel. This usually splits them up across the building quite a bit, though. Many families will try going to different hotels in the same area.

But to make the whole thing easier, you should probably consider resorts that expect guests to come in large packs. Thankfully, there are several of them dotted all over the country! Many of them also contain a bunch of activities for everyone, if you don’t feel like arranging all of that yourself. From golf resorts to mountain range getaways, there are plenty of places tailored to family reunions. Of course, you could eschew a resort altogether and go on a family reunion cruise across the ocean!

Arrange transport

Family reunions can get pretty darn big. And, as I’m sure you know, using public transport with a lot of people is somewhat of a hassle. In fact, even using public transport alone is usually a massive hassle!

Photo credit 

For this step, it really depends how far you’re going and how familiar people are with the area. If it’s close enough for everyone to take a car, then that might work out for you. But if you’d prefer to keep things as smooth as possible, you might want to consider other options. For example, you could look into renting a charter bus from somewhere like GOGO Bus Charters. That’s pretty much all the benefits of public transport with none of the negatives! (Except, of course, for the fact that one of you has to drive it!)

Keep a loose schedule

A loose schedule? Surely the key to good planning is a strict schedule? The problem with a strict schedule with this sort of vacation is that it’s destined to fall apart. Sure, you’re going to have certain things on your itinerary that you want everyone to do. But with that many people, there’s simply too much opportunity for timing to be off.

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When people are catching up with family members who they haven’t seen in years, the conversations are going to be long. People are going to be very busy catching up and taking part in the arranged activities. You’ve also got to account for the sheer variety of interests. One activity is sure to enthrall some members of the family, but other members might want to move onto something else nearby. So keep it loose and fun!

Avista Resort In Myrtle Beach Review

If you are planning a trip to the beach on the east coast, I have the perfect place to suggest. Avista Resort (part of the Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts family) is located in what I call the perfect area of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It is the perfect combination of slower-paced along with a splash of the touristy feel. The property is beautiful and offers ocean front living along with so many great amenities. The check-in process is super simple and they offer advance check-in online to make things even quicker. You can count on a courteous welcome from a staff that goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy. You know the old saying about first impressions being everything? Yeah, they have that down. Once you are checked in, you are handed your keys, parking pass(es) and basic information about the resort offerings. Parking is located across the street in a stand-alone parking garage. Honestly, it is no problem at all and is a quick hop, skip and a jump away.

You can stay in 1, 2 or 3 bedroom condos all fully furnished and equipped with a full kitchen, washer/dryer and more. It's like staying at home which is perfect for larger families. The units are spacious and offer magnificent views of the ocean. We stayed there during a busy time to celebrate our little guy's 8th birthday. The layout of the building actually made you feel like there was no crowd. One of the number one things that we liked was the security. It has all indoor entry and the way the units are laid out, it is very private. Also, very clean. There are 3 elevators which made it easier to get around. It was fun talking to different people on the elevator rides.

The nice thing about the Avista is that you really don't have to leave the property during your stay. With a full kitchen including microwave, stove, oven, and dishwasher, you can prepare meals there at your leisure.

If you don't want to cook, you can head down to the Just Off Main restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We had the breakfast buffet and can't stop thinking about how well the staff treated us. It felt like we were the ONLY guests there. The food exceeded our expectations and to my surprise, the coffee did as well. The staff checked on us to make sure we satisfied and never short on beverages or anything else. This was one of the best dining experiences we have ever had.

The Avista has the most gorgeous pool deck I've seen. We stayed way up on the 16th floor and overlooked the outdoor pools. You really don't appreciate the beauty of it until you walk down there. I liked the fact that there was a staff member down there at all times making sure the space was clean and inviting. We loved that there was an indoor pool, lazy river and hot tub since it did rain while we were there. They kept the pool towels well stocked and the area was large enough to make it not feel crowded. We really enjoyed it, especially the birthday boy.

We had easy access to the beach where we enjoyed exploring as well as some family shenanigans. I'm 100% sure that time at the ocean will take away all your troubles. It renews your soul. I think every person I made eye contact with had a smile on their face. Beach = Therapy.

One of our favorite amenities was the Tree Top Lounge located on the 4th floor. On our walk that way, we passed a fully equipped gym. It was far from the one treadmill, one elliptical set-up that most resorts offer. The space could easily accommodate multiple guests at once. Back to the lounge... this spot was perfect for a quick 21+ date. My husband and I snuck down there for a few cocktails and conversation. It was great! They have music, a pool table and plenty of seating available. They have a strict 21 and over policy which we saw it being enforced first hand. The drinks were everything and they were so reasonably priced at just $5 each. The bartender Louise aka "Weezie" came over to our table and made conversation with us. Again, we felt like the only guests in the room.

Let's talk about the bedrooms. Each room was tastefully decorated and offered ample space and storage. The bathrooms were well stocked with towels and basic toiletries, and were sparkling clean. As a matter of fact, everything about the Avista was clean and well maintained. Our son claimed the sofa bed and enjoys having his own space. I think he also loves having his own TV and access to free movie rentals. I think he watched 3 movies during our stay. Another great perk, especially if it's raining. One of those make-it-or-break-it things when it comes to staying at any hotel or resort is how comfortably we sleep. The beds were so comfy and the pillows were too. I usually travel with my own personal pillow and forgot it this time. Now I know not to bother bringing one next time. Part of a comfortable rest is also determined by noise. We heard none of that. No doors slamming, no elevator sounds, no loud music or talking. It was so quiet and peaceful. Our next door neighbors had 5 kids under 8 including a newborn and toddler, and you would never have known.

The Avista Resort is hands down the best place we have ever stayed in Myrtle Beach. We are already planning our next vacation there and look forward to going back. We are officially spoiled and can't imagine staying anywhere else. We all agreed that this was the most relaxing and enjoyable beach trip ever. We made great memories and look forward to many more in the future. This location is so close to many restaurants, attractions, shopping and more.

The Avista Resort is located at 300 N. Ocean Boulevard North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582. Phone: (855) 710-4941. You can easily book online and if you need to make any changes, and one of their friendly staff members will get you set up with no problem. If you want an ocean view from the master suite, make sure you look at the map of each condo or call in to ask. You can follow Avista Resort on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I received a small discount to stay at the Avista Resort and all opinions are my own as always. Even if I paid full price, my opinions would be the same.

Our Visit To SEA LIFE Aquarium Charlotte-Concord #hosted

Last week, my family had the great pleasure of visiting SEA LIFE Aquarium in Charlotte-Concord, NC. Lucky for us, we live just an hour away, so getting there was not bad at all. SEA LIFE is located inside Concord Mills Outlet Mall, at Entry 7. When I heard they were building an aquarium inside of a mall, I thought it was a joke. Well, seeing is believing in this case. SEA LIFE Aquarium was impressive in so many ways.

The ticket counter/check-in process is a breeze and the great part about this aquarium is that once you get your tickets and hand stamped, you are free to return to the facility for the entire day. This made it convenient for us to step out for a bite to eat or to visit the other shops in the mall. At check-in, we were able to get brochures about exhibits, feeding times, and featured events as well as a Dive Log Book for the little ones. Tips: You will get the better rates if you pre-purchase your tickets online. If you live in the area, it might make the most sense to purchase a season pass if you plan to visit several times a year. Additionally, you have the opportunity to have your family photo taken before entering the actual aquarium, so be prepared for that. 

Although the actual facility is not as large as most aquariums I have been to, this one made great use of every square foot! Each exhibit (known as "Dive Stations") was put together beautifully and had a touchscreen nearby so you can identify and check out facts about each animal in the tank.

We all learned so much. The SEA LIFE staff members were very friendly and eager to answer any questions we had. At the end of each Dive Station, we were able to stamp our Dive Log Book which gets your little one a prize at the end of their visit. SEA LIFE really did a great job at keeping both children and adults engaged throughout the visit. My son is a self-proclaimed 'Animal Expert', so he wanted to lead us as if he was our personal tour guide. It's amazing how much you can learn from a 7 year old kid.

There was so much to see and I really loved the instrumental music that was playing in the background. It was really soothing and made the experience even better. There was a nice variety of fish, shark, sting rays, jellies, eel and even some crustaceans. The touchpool experience was awesome. We were able to touch live crabs and starfish. This was like a major nerd moment for my son.

At the end of the aquarium sits a cute gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs and photos that are taken at the beginning of your adventure. Usually gift shops are very expensive, but SEA LIFE had so many great items at very affordable prices. We bought some cute plush sea animals for William.

On our second visit for the day, we overheard a SEA LIFE staff member telling another patron about a behind the scenes tour of the facility. We were told to join in and we are so glad we did! We got to learn how the aquarium is operated as well as seeing the different stations where animals are cared for if they get sick and how their food is prepped. We saw what the aquarium looked like from above. It was magnificent to say the least. There were locker rooms with dive equipment for the marine biologists who dive daily to clean the tanks and tend to the animals. They made about about how safety and cleanliness are an extreme priority and they work every single day to make certain the animals are fed and cared for.

I spoke with our lovely tour guide and told her how amazed I was that we are standing in a full-fledged aquarium that is in a shopping mall. It's one of those things you have to see in person to truly appreciate it. She was telling us that they have another 10,000 or so square feet that they will be expanding on and hopefully will get the papers in order to have a sea turtle tank. I sure can't wait to see all of that come together.

Before I forget-- if you have preschool aged children, SEA LIFE is featuring Disney Junior's The Octonauts from August 7-23

Participate in Octonauts Training Academy and learn what it takes to become a member of the crew. As cadets, they'll master the specialties of their favorite characters across 6 fun zones, meet Kwazii and Captain Barnacles in person and then be rewarded for completing their training with a very special Octonauts certificate! Check the website for more details.

As you can see, no matter the age, anyone is welcome to take a photo with their favorite characters. Also, they have some very cute Octonauts merchandise in the gift shop, so be sure to take a look.

We took away so much from our visit. The most important thing was the urgency to protect marine animals. SEA LIFE has provided a state of the art facility to not only showcase these animals, but also encourage better environmental practices to preserve these precious creatures. Although I have read reviews about people complaining about the cost to visit for such a small venue that doesn't take long to get through, I honestly feel like it is well worth the ticket price. You can go in as many times as you want for the full day of operating hours. I feel like we got even more the second time around by joining in the behind the scenes tour. The joy on son's face and seeing my husband and adult daughters behave like children were priceless. We fully enjoyed our time at SEA LIFE Aquarium and if you are ever visiting the Charlotte area or live in the vicinity, I highly recommend you check it out.

Be sure to visit the SEA LIFE Aquarium website for more information and follow them on Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I was offered media tickets in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own as always. Many thanks to Sea Life Aquarium for hosting us!