With summer dwindling away and the start of school rapidly approaching, most families have already taken their summer vacation.  A lot of families, including mine, tackle the usual summer vacation of theme parks or the beach.  Fresh off of our beach vacation I started thinking of possible future vacation spots that don’t fit the theme park and beach mold.  Here are some things I came up with:

• A nature type vacation could include a visit to a national park.  Some of the national parks that come to mind are:
  • Yosemite - www.yosemitepark.com
  • Grand Canyon - www.grandcanyon.com
  • Yellowstone - www.yellowstonepark.com
  • Rocky Mountain - www.rocky.mountain.national-park.com
  • Great Smoky Mountains - www.great.smoky.mountains.national-park.com
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - www.hawaii.volcanoes.national-park.com
• Depending on the age of your children, a family cruise including your kids might be an option.  Many cruise lines offer family cruises including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Disney Cruise lines.  Check out www.familycruises.com for some great information about family cruises.
• Instead of renting a beach house an option could be to rent a mountain cabin.  Take a look at www.blueridgeonline.com for places and activities that are available throughout Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.
• Search www.tripadvisor.com and find a city that your family is interested in.  Research if they have a local zoo, aquarium, children’s museum, or water park.

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PIGGIES IN THE BLANKET

Makes 8 Servings

1 package of Cocktail Beef Frankfurters (about 32)

1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated, ready-made crescent roll dough

Honey Mustard or Regular mustard for dipping

Layout individual crescent rolls, then cut into thirds using a dull knife.  Wrap each strip of crescent dough around one cocktail weiner.  Place on baking sheet coated with cooking spray and cook according to crescent roll package directions.  Use mustard for dipping sauce and add a side of fruit.  Enjoy!

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Sometimes it is the rough times in our lives that make us realize just how nice our lives are when there are no rough times.  Things that make you realize that time with your kids and family shouldn’t be taken for granted.  A few months ago, my daughter had been sick on and off for the past 2 weeks, some nights and days were difficult.  When things around our house started getting back to normal and my daughter started feeling better, I paused and thought of all the things that I love about being a mother.  Here are some of my favorite things:

·         The knowledge that life in itself is a miracle, an amazing cycle through laughter and tears, and such a precious gift.

·         The excitement on her face in the morning when I get her out of her crib so we can hug and spend the day together.

·         Cuddling on the couch in the morning watching her favorite cartoon, while we both try to wake up.

·         Sharing stories about our child and other children with other moms.

·         Seeing my daughter giggle and scream as her daddy walks in the door from work.   Easily forgetting her favorite toys or books she is playing with at the moment.

·         Hearing her soft breathing and sighs as she sleeps at night.  A sound that can put anyone at ease and let you know that everything will be ok.

Tell us some of your favorite things about being a mom or dad!

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