A place full of travel destination information, family travel tips, local destination fun, vacation planning services and home to The Macaroni Mama Blog
Category: The Macaroni Mama Blog
Macaroni Mama tips, stories and facts about my family.
May 4 is National Travel Advisor Day, a day to celebrate and promote travel advisors.
I started my business because I love to plan and research trips. I love exploring new destinations, looking for tips and tricks, and passing along all that information to my clients.
I started preCOVID and saying that travel looks different nowadays is an understatement. Everchanging entry protocols, airline cancelations/delays, and testing requirements, all make planning very stressful these days and changeling to boot.
I immerse myself in travel news and updates daily, so my clients don’t have to worry. My job is to take your stress away so you can travel with ease.
My clients enjoy a stress-free vacation and I help them with their planning every step of the way.
Travel is tricky these days, I can help you stress less and travel more.
It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation, and I can help you navigate the new travel world.
Well, we made it through the 2020-2021 school year, almost, and that means it’s time for SUMMER!! Can you believe we made it through the entire school year?
It’s been challenging and ever-changing for sure, just when you have a schedule figured out, you get the dreaded email that your child’s class has been quarantined and BAM, your schedule changes in an instant.
But as the end of the school year comes, I go instantly into planning mode because let’s face it, I’m a planner.
I get a calendar out and start week by week, I usually look up free activities around town, add in VBS, some trips to the museum or zoo, library activities, family trips and go from there.
Next time, I’ll share about our fun summer activities last year. We called last summer, “The Summer of the Outdoors” since we were still restricted, we did activities that were outdoors and let us social distance.
How do you plan your summer with your kids or are you not a planner?
We just got back from Universal Studios Orlando and this was out first visit since COVID-19. They did such an amazing job with masks, social distancing, hand washing stations and sanitizer given to each guest before you get on each ride.
Some must-haves that we found useful for Universal Studios or even Disney World, are lanyards, rain ponchos, little individual Wet Ones to wipe down rides tables and hands, extra paper masks, a water bottle, little packets of Propel, or a bottle of MIO to put in your water bottles. All of these items we picked up at Walmart or The Dollar Store before we left.
The water bottles came in handy at the hotel and I placed them in the mini fridge we had in our room overnight to chill. Adding the extra flavoring just made the water taste better as you are refilling with tap water.
Those rain ponchos get expensive at the parks and we were asked a few times as the rain was pouring down where we got them. Orlando is know for their quick afternoon showers, especially on those summer months.
Extra masks were helpful, we especially loved the paper ones, easy to change and dispose of, we definitely went through quite a few masks during the day.
Fanny packs are back, baby, and a great option while in the parks. Not too big and bulky and easy to store in the lockers while you ride the roller coasters or under your seat.
An extra phone battery or better yet, those backpacks that have a charger are a great option. Maps were few and far between and mostly checking your phone for wait times, showtimes, where the bathrooms are located plus taking pictures you definitely will run down your battery.
Snacks that are quick and easy to eat while waiting in those lines. I recommend ones that won’t melt, like granola bars with no chocolate coating. Goldfish are a must have if you have kiddos.
I hope you found this list helpful, it made out trip easier to have these things already purchased so you can save some money while you are travelling. And double check you have swim goggles, the one item I forgot and had to pick up at the hotel gift shop.
Seems like there is always one thing you’ll end up forgetting, but a quick trip to a drug store or the hotel gift shop and you will look like a hero or heroine to your family.
So often we are scrolling through social media, seeing images of a perfectly decorated Christmas tree with ornate ornaments and ribbons and we feel envious. Any other ladies out there?
I wonder why my tree has gaps, no beautifully themed ribbon running up and down, full of solid beautifully matching ornaments in a solid color or theme.
But guess what, my tree is perfect for my family, for our stage in life. We are busy with our three kiddos, working from home, remote learning, activities, albeit mostly on Zoom right now, but hey, we are still busy. We just got a puppy so that’s a whole other topic for another day.
As moms we want it all to be perfect, a perfect tree, perfect Christmas photos, we put so much pressure on ourselves.
If 2020 has taught me anything, it’s appreciate what you have.
So, as I sit here sipping my morning coffee, I’m enjoying my perfectly unperfect Christmas tree. It’s full of ornaments that don’t have the same color, or same theme but it has ornaments made by children, ornaments from family trips we’ve taken, ornaments symbolizing family milestones and to me that makes it perfect afterall.
Happy National Donut Day! Did you that June 5th is National Donut Day? Today, many donut chains are offering free donuts, some with no purchase necessary. Check around your town to see where you can cash in with your free donut.
What a great chance to visit a local donut house in your area, maybe buy some other samplings to support small businesses while discovering a great new place close to your home.
Growing up on Long Island, we have Munchkins all the time for celebrations. Birthdays, holidays, or whenever you went over someone’s house, there were always Muchnkins involved. So donuts always remind me of a celebration.
Another great idea is to make some homemade donuts with your kids. We’ve done a super tasty recipe air fryer donut recipe using canned biscuit dough, so easy and you don’t have turn on the oven. Check out the recipe we use here.
Check out my Pinterest page for some more great donut recipes here.
It’s hard with three children to be home all day for weeks and not have that spouse quality time. It’s so important to a marriage to make your relationship a priority right?
We’ve been struggling to find the time for ourselves. Between work, home school, chores, dinner, reading to the kids, by the time bedtime comes for the kiddos, we are beat. Some days it really is an effort to spemd that time together.
Some ways we have found to spend some alone time without the children are to watch a movie together after the kids are in bed or sometimes we will put a kids movie on for them in the basement and set them all up, then we watch ours together, alone, without the kids.
Another way we find to spend time together as a couple is to take a walk around the neighborhood. Let’s be honest, the kids are kinda tired of all the walks we’ve been taking these last few months so sometimes they are excited they don’t have to tag along. Our oldest is old enough to home with the others for 30 minutes while we walk around the block.
We’ve played restaurant. My kids helped me make an easy dinner, they set the table and played restaurant. I let my nine year old make us pudding for dessert, an easy thing for a kid to make. The kids put on “romantic” background music and loved serving us. They even dressed alike so they looked the part, they spend hours working on a menu and setting the table. I must say, the kids loved it and my husband and I had a blast too.
Good old fashion card games is another fun way to connect. SkipBo and Phase 10 are a few of our favorites. Sometimes it will bring out the competitiveness is either you or your spouse, so be careful with this one.
Now things are slowly opening and we have moved to a safer at home approach, I still see us staying at home quite a bit. But having the option to eat out and do something fun, outside the home with my spouse is something to look forward to.
What are some ways you are connecting with your spouse? Let me know in the comments!
If you have school-aged kids, May is usually a very crazy time of year. Piano recitals, moving up ceremonies, Mother’s Day programs, science fairs, band concert, graduations, picnics, field day, the list goes on and on.
Usually, I’m bombarded by Sign Up Genius. Lists after lists appear and I’m scared to even open my email because of fear of another signup lurking.
But this year, May was quiet. May was different, there was no signup lists, no end of year ceremonies, no Mother’s Day programs, no preschool graduation for us. No scouts end of year party or camp out, no moving up ceremonies.
The school play was postponed until later this summer, no end of year choir concert, no end of year parties. We did a drive-by, pick up your stuff, and wave to your teachers. We all tried our best but it still felt cold and sterile.
Field Day was on your own and post your pictures online. The kids always look forward to this all year long. And I appreciate our school trying to fill that void for my kids.
Usually, I’m run ragged from running to one event to another for each kid. Usually, my calendar is FULL of commitments, food to bring, places to be or items to buy (thank you Sign Up Genius).
Usually, I look forward to the Mother’s Day programs, recitals etc. I mean we mothers eat it all up,right?
Usually, I’m beaming with pride watching my kid present at the science fair or reading a poem they wrote. Usually, I take home the program and place it directly in their memory boxes. Usually, my heart is overflowing from pride with all the year’s accomplishments.
Usually by the end of May, I’m exhausted, longing for summer break.
This year was so full of the unusual that I long for the busyness, I long for the usual. I guess the old saying is right, careful what you wish for!
We are all putting on a brave face but it’s such an unusual time, an unusual end to the school year and an unusual summer ahead.
We don’t go to Starbucks often, just as a treat and usually after a holdiay or birthday when we have a gift card.
Sometimes, I’ll treat one of my daughters to a coffee date where we can chat, catch up, and spend some one on one time together.
They both love the Vanilla Creme Frappe and always order it when we go.
Since we have lots of free time these days we’ve been playing around and trying to copycat the recipe. We think we found it and wanted to share it with you.
Copycat Vanilla Creme Drink
1 cup of milk
1 cup of ice
1/4 cup of sugar
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of Cool Whip
Place all ingredients into a blender and mix until all the ice has been well blended and enjoy.
Quite refreshing especially going into the summer months.
Every morning I set my alarm for 5:30 AM and I am not a morning person. Why would I do this to myself you ask?
My kids are early risers, always have been. So I have learned in order to have my time, I need to be up before they are.
Somethings I like to do before they awaken are workout, listen to a podcast, check work emails complete my gratitude journal, write a blog post, jump on a quick travel training video, even enjoy a nice Nespresso from my machine. I’m also trying to read 15 minutes of a self-development book each day as well.
I can do a number of things before my kids start getting up with pillows and blankets in their hands, hair all messy and groggy-eyed asking for breakfast and/or a show.
One of my favorite times of day with my kids because they are still groggy enough that I can smother them with hugs and kisses and ask them if they had a good night’s sleep.
Then my morning really begins, breakfast, shows, sippy cups, cook, clean up, get dressed, shower, get them dressed, hair brushed,etc. It’s off to the races!
I cherish my “me” time, the only bad thing is I’m wiped by the end of the day and am usually in bed quickly after that “one more book, please mom” time.
But that’s OK because I would usually just spend time on the couch, with some late-night snacks, watching too much reality TV.
We have a May birthday at our house and I want to make it special for her since we don’t know if we are still under a stay at home order.
We usually celebrate lavishly at our house and this year will be no different. I have been seeing creative and out of the box ideas on social media, so I thought I’d compile a list of some of my favorites:
Cards-Put out the word on social media and ask friends and family to send birthday cards to your child. I know my kids love getting mail.
Birthday videos-Have friends, family send birthday videos of love, or have them sing happy birthday to your child.
Virtual Party-Arrange a Zoom or Google Hang Out birthday party. Arrange a time for your child’s friends can get together virtually and celebrate! You could even make some cupcakes and deliver them curbside to their friends so you can all sing to the birthday child. Plus their friends get a sweet treat as well.
Baking Fun-Make the birthday cake together, get your child in on the decorating. Kids love using icing and sprinkles.
Birthday parade-ask friends and family to drive by with signs, balloons, and honks of birthday love.
Crown the birthdaychild-Make a special crown for the birthday girl or boy and have them wear it all-day. The birthday child gets to pick which game to play, what’s for dinner, the movie pick, etc. The birthday king or queen is the decision-maker for the day. (Within reason of course-think cruise director type decisions.)
Decorate-Make the house look like it’s a party zone, balloons, streamers, party hats, the works.
Gifts-Order birthday gifts online, better yet, try to support a small business that offers curbside pick up or delivery.
Wakeup call-Gather the rest of the family and surprise your child with an early morning rendition of Happy Birthday.
Now Showing-Print faux tickets to a movie, make popcorn, and have a viewing of your child’s favorite movie.
