Life: R&W is on vacation.

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Raviolis & Waterworks is on vacation.

We're working on making some magical memories as a family.

...and relieving some of that stress while getting a tan and having fun!

**R&W will be back on it's regular schedule starting Monday, May 2nd.**

List: Ten long road trip planning tips.

Tomorrow we're leaving after rush hour traffic to start the long trek from NY to FL.

You have no idea how I'm dreading the whole driving part of this trip!

It's going to be my husband, my 2 year old, a 6 year old, and myself.

We're trying to do this estimated 23 hour trip without an extended stop.

That means that we'll have to take turns driving and we'll need distracted children.

We plan on leaving at bed time so the kiddies don't wake up until we're halfway through.

In order to save our sanity, we're pre-planning this trip by brainstorming any tip we've heard, ever.

No worries.  Of course Jax is going to share these tips with you!

Ten road trip planning tips.

1.  Fill a cooler.

Be prepared with drinks, sandwiches, and lots of snacks!

Something tells me that being confined to our car is going to make us real hungry.

2.  Pack lots of snacks.

In addition to the cooler, strategically plant a bag of snacks with the snack distributor.

I guess that I'll be the lucky one to obtain the title of "snack distributor".

3.  Invest in portable DVD players.

I've borrowed two portable DVD players to keep both kids entertained.

We definitely need two unless my God son wants to watch Tangled on repeat.

4.  Invest in headphones.

Please note that I said headphones and not earbuds.

Headphones block sound both ways which is something that will be real handy!

5.  Plan to play a few driving games.

Do a quick Google search before embarking on your journey to make sure your prepared.

This is when I thank God for apps on your phone.  Helllloo unlimited trivia!

6.  Update your music playlists.

You'll be driving through radio station signals like crazy so be prepared to be your own radio.

Note to self:  Remind my husband to download more than the 3 songs he likes to repeat.

7.  Pick a few small stop destinations.

I know that I love me a road trip Crackle Barrel stop and I have small obsession with the Waffle House.

We don't have any of these things on Long Island so I need to get my fill when i can!

8.  Make sure the first driver is well rested.

Since my husband will be driving first, he'll be napping the second he gets home.

I'm sure Ill be napping before we hit the city!  The car puts me right to sleep.

9.  Prepare for tolls.

This means to have the EZ pass ready and to have lots of singles and change.

I was so excited when my EZ pass came in.  It made me feel like a "big girl".  hah!

10.  Fully charge all electronics.

It may even be a bright idea to bring a couple car charges with you just in case.

Imagine starting the trip with dead DVD players and phones?  Oh, hell no!!

What are your road trip tips?

Trust me, I'm listening!

List: The ultimate child birthday party at home checklist.

Those who know me have been following the trail of tears to find me.

My baby girl is turning three this month.

I've been doing my best to wipe away the tears and plan a celebration fit for my princess.

My soon to be THREE year old princess that is.  She's practically old enough to be a queen.

Since my two babies birthday's are around the same time, we are double celebrating with Disney World.

My God son has always been like a second child to me and like a brother to my daughter.

While that was going to be the end of her third birthday, I decided to go old school...

...with a good old fashioned back yard birthday party celebration!

****************************

The ultimate checklist for throwing a child's birthday party at home.

__ Pick a theme.  

Be creative!  Don't settle for just "blue".

__ Pick a date & time.

__ Confirm your budget.

__ Create a finalized guest list.

__ Consider "main event" ideas.

It can be a game hour with prizes, hired entertainment, or even renting a bounce house!

__ Hire the entertainment, if applicable.

Please don't forget to research for best prices and solid reviews!

__ Rent equipment, if applicable.

Whether it's tables and chairs or a tent, do this early. 

__ Purchase theme friendly invitations.

__ Mail out the invitations.

Make sure the RSVP date is reasonable on both ends!

__ Keep track of responses.

__ Consider meal options.

Are you cooking or ordering food?

__ Plan a finalized menu.

This means appetizers, main meal, deserts, and drinks!

__ Place the meal order, if applicable.

__ Order the cake, if applicable.

It's always fun to have a theme friendly cake!

__ Purchase themed decor.

__ Purchase necessary paper goods.

Plates, cake plates, bowls, cups, napkins, cutlery, coffee cups, and serving spoons are musts!

__ Purchase goody bags and fillers.

Try to fill with 2 themed items, 3 fun items, and lots of candy.

__ Prepare a music playlist.

__ Purchase birthday hats.

__ Purchase disposable table clothes.

__ Plan for enough serving bowls and dishes.

__ Prepare to keep drinks cold.

Don't forget the cooler and lots of ice!  Don't forget to separate the adult drinks.

__ Plan easy activities.

Keep kids distracted with small activities like jump ropes or pitched tents.

__ Order helium balloons.

__ Plan layout arrangements.

You need eating areas, serving areas, play areas, and an area for the entertainment.

__ Purchase and fill a themed pinata.

__  See what you can borrow.

This can be anything!  I've borrowed things from folding chairs to gigantic coffee pots!

__ Make final confirmations.

Call the caterer, the entertainer, and the baker!

__ Assign day of tasks.

Who's picking up the balloons, cake, and ice?  Who's decorating and setting up?

__ Charge your camcorder, camera, and phones.

__ Put it all together.

__ Don't forget to have LOTS of fun!

What are your birthday party at home tips?

Jax Seal of Approval: SNS

For the readers that have been here a while, you all know that I'm no fashionista.

I'm not so great with a blow dryer, fashion or my make up.

I have my regular beauty routine that I know works for me and I stick with it!

All that aside, there is one beauty product that I take real seriously.

I don't mess around when it comes to my bi-weekly gel manicure.

I never stray from my favorite brands or salon.  Like, ever!

All of that was true until a few weeks ago.

My favorite manicurist at my usual salon convinced me try the newest fad.

It's called the gelous color manicure by SNS.

This new mani lasts longer than a gel manicure and it's UV light free.

No UV?!?  Good bye dried out cuticles that I can't help but pick at like a crazy person!

How does it work you ask?

Well, it's a little strange.  It's almost like magic.

They use several different base coats while dipping your nails into the powdered polish in between.

After the final dip they use three different top coats in between buffing.

The result is a shiny polish that is much harder and more secure than the typical gel mani.

When you're ready to remove the polish you follow the same procedure as before.

You soak your nails in polish remover and then easily scrape off.

Like I said, it's almost like magic!

What does Jax this of this new nail trend?

Thumbs up for- lasting way longer than a gel mani, eliminating the awful UV light, and making my thin, flimsy nails thick and beautiful.

Thumbs down for-having limited color choices although I anticipate this being a temporary problem.

Besides, if I only need to rock the salon once a month I won't need so many color choices!

It is my honor to extend the Jax Seal of Approval to SNS Gelous Color!

Leave it to my favorite manicurist to change my typical beauty routine.

I mean, I've only been rocking the same color gel mani for about 5 years...

Have you or will you try the SNS Gelous Color manicure?

List: Top five most annoying actors.

Last week The Viking and I sat down at our usual spot.

Yes, I am referring to your favorite diner, cat!

While we waited for our food to come, we engaged in our usual nonsense banter.

This time it was innocent actors that we never met who took the blunt of our verbal attack.

...oh please, like you don't judge people that you never actually met!  Psh...

Let's play a Jax Game!

Who are you're top 5 most hated actors?

...and by hated I mean that you dislike them so much that you refuse to watch any film they are in!!!

I'll start.

5.  Robert Pattinson

He's lacks any color to his skin and the hype for nothing kills me

4.  Ben Affleck

Anyone else notice that dot of spit ALWAYS on his mouth when he speaks??  Bleh, gag, barf!!

3.  Tom Cruise

He just annoys me.  I'm not sure why, but his existence irks me.

2.  Mel Gibson

He's a complete loon AND he filmed that awful movie, Braveheart!

1.  Nicholas Cage

Oh how he annoys me!!  His voice is worse than nails on a chalk board and he always looks confused!

After I gave The Viking my final list of my top 5 most hated actors he just turned to look at me and said "My daughter, the girl who dislikes the most top rated actors."  Then he just shook his head.

I'm just happy that I make The Viking proud to be my father!! :)

Well, now it's your turn!

Who are your all time most hated actors?

Bloghop: Question of the Month.

The very entertaining and talented Mike from A Life Examined has graciously decided to host a party.

Well, it might not be a party exactly, but it’s at least considered a gathering!

He has initiated a bloghop called Question of the Month and I’m honored to a part of it.

It was open to the world, but Jax can pretend that it’s an exclusive “gathering”, right? RIGHT?!

What's your favorite thing that starts with a C?

Let's play a Jax game and see which C thing is my absolute favorite.  Can you guess?

1.  Clothes

I love me a nice day at the shopping for new clothes to fill my closet.

How's that for a double C?!  If my OCD didn't bother me, I'd totally county this as 1 AND 2.

2.  Chubby Cheeks

I can't stop squeezing, kissing, and pinching my baby girls chubby cheeks.

As you can guess this is how she got her nick name mushy face!  May she never lose her mush...

3.  Cleanliness

There is nothing better than a clean house, sheets, car, cubicle, or anything!

I love when things are so clean that they shine!  Besides, no germs makes me smile.

4.  Crayons

I love to color because it's relaxing and fun, but I will only color with crayons.

I never got the hype of markers.  They don't color with even shades.  It's awful for OCD.

5.  Cream Cheese

One of my favorite foods is cream cheese.

I'm craving a cinnamon raisin bagel, scooped, toasted, and smothered in cream cheese!

6.  Cinnamon Raisin Bagels

This is another one of my favorite foods especially from our local Long Island bagel shops.

Some chain restaurants and states just don't get the art of a good bagel.

7.  Christmas

The holiday season is magical and filled with lots of family, love, and smiles.

I think "Christmas" all year long, especially when I see a great deal!

8.  Cheesecake

I'm talking about a nice, thick slice of NY style cheesecake.

Hence the reason why my manager bribes me with cheesecake factory.  Yum!

9.  Celebrations

Whether it's a birthday, baptism, or holiday I love ANY reason to celebrate.

I still stand by one of my theories:  Celebrate everything big and small.

10.  Chocolate

Chocolate is by far the winner of this monthly contest just because it's so delicious.

Clearly I enjoy food way too much...

What is your favorite thing that starts with a C?

Life: Friday Ramblings.

Can't stop thanking my husband for...

...painting the majority of our a house a color of my choice.

I'm saying buh-bye to the greenish gray and hello to a golden beige.

Our house is an open floor plan with lots and lots of moldings.  Painting it isn't an easy task.

Swapping my riding boots for...

...my favorite closed toe heels.

Soon the sun will be shining a little more and I'll rock shoes that bare it all!

I also need to prepare for peep toes with an emergency pedi.  Like, now...

Listening to some great career advice...

...from Caitlin @ Candyfloss & Persie.

She's advised us to limit our admin duties to help us advance our careers.

I listened loud and clear when someone tried to pass their daily admin tasks onto me.  No thanks!

Breathing better because of...

...all of our new house plants!

Consider our air purified with the five new house plants I decorated our home with.

Someone has to take advantage of all the gorgeous windows in this house!

Depressed and excited for...

...my baby girl's THIRD birthday in less than a month.

We're planning a killer party complete with a clown, food, cake, and a CASTLE.

Don't be jealous!  If you're in town, you're totally invited.  Just let me know!

Trying to gain control of...

...my face!

Let's just say that I'm pretty sure I have more pimples than clear skin at the moment.

Between fixing each minor home disaster, Disney, and my baby's birthday, I'm STRESSED!

Real frustrated over...

...the existence of the movie Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.

If my mushy face makes me watch it ONE more time, I'm going to turn myself into a meatball.

She did make my grandma smile with pride when she asked for meatballs.  If only nanny knew...

Fell in love all over again...

...when I woke up to an Easter basket from a very handsome Easter rabbit.

He filled it with my favorite candies, gum, and the complete set of The Hunger Games.

It's these little things that make swoon!

What are your Friday Ramblings?