The Rebel Housewife

This is a terrific article on Family Vacation - Saving Money on the Road by Laurel Smith (a.k.a. Road Trip Mom) -- don't miss it!

www.MomsMinivan.com:
Stretch Your Dollar on the Road

You might also want to see Laurel's Hurricane Katrina Evacuation Experience, which was horrifying, but an incredible piece of writing that she began and continued day-by-agonizing-day on a separate blog during her family's evacuation, devastation and recovery after Hurricane Katrina rolled over Slidell, Louisiana in 2005. Wow. I wish I could read the book! (I don't think there is one...yet???)

We've been Back To School three weeks now, and I'm still buying school supplies, for yet another class binder or project. GOOD DEALS this week at Office Depot :

10¢ Elmer's Glue (Limit 5)

15¢ Notebook Paper (Limit 5)

25¢ Crayola 12-Pack Colored Pencils (Limit 5)

Merchandise, prices and promotions in the ad good in-store through 9/1/07
Those are the deals you stock up on, whether you need them or not -- take the extras to school for always-needed and much-appreciated teacher/classroom supplies.

I think there must be a name for Office Supply Store addiction? I don't know what it is, and I know there are others who will understand: I love Office Depot and Staples almost as much as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com...well, maybe not quite that much!

I have been researching on the Internet this morning, trying (so far, unsuccessfully) to find re-useable water bottles for the kids to take water to school and bring home to wash & reuse, instead of adding hundreds of 12oz Aquafina bottles to the landfill this year (the ones that don't make it to the recycling bin). As I said, no luck so far -- I am not paying $12 - $15 for state-of-the-art plastic or stainless steel water bottles that are: a) too big; b) too heavy; c) not dishwasher-safe; and d) destined to be accidentally thrown out, lost or left behind frequently enough that I need to buy in bulk...

Anyway, I did find something else in my surfing, which is wonderful:
10 Ways to Entertain Young Children for $1 or Less (Without TV)

Please check it out on FetchRex.com, my favorite social networking site for non-techies!

Just last night, we were going a little stir-crazy in the condo, after an aborted attempt to take the kids over to Piedmont Park. It is still WAY TOO HOT in Atlanta to spend much time outdoors. We came home, and they settled into the typical TV/Nintendo/Computer routine, but our 7yo (ADHD Phenom) was still antsy and needed to DO something. I pulled out the dominoes (the little tiles, not the pizza!) and, together, we built and tumbled patterns, designs and architecture for an hour. It was really fun, and a good reminder to unplug and find something else to do. The 10 Ways article has 10 great ideas, and then there are dozens more down in the comments.

Have Fun!

My cellphone rang while we were at the pool yesterday afternoon. I usually don't answer when we're out having fun, especially if there is no caller id info and I don't recognize the phone number, but I did (having forwarded my office line, trying to be sneaky!), and instantly regretted it:

"Hi, this is so-and-so from CheapFlights.com..."

As I was getting all ruffled up to lay into a telemarketer calling on my cellphone, he quickly went on to explain the reason for his call. Turns out, it wasn't a telemarketer at all, but a PR guy representing CheapFlights.com, with a request to review a new travel publication they are currently offering online: "Kids Airport Diversion Guide."

The Diversion Guide is a handy compilation of kid-friendly places and activities at 22 U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Seattle, New York, Boston, Chicago, Orlando... The Guide is four pages (blessedly brief!) of interesting and helpful info, if you are going to be flying in the U.S. with children.

Of course, you have to sign up for CheapFlights.com Travel Deals Alert Newsletter (Free!) to access the Kids Airport Diversion Guide, but it seems to be a win/win, with more interesting & helpful info for family travel in the newsletter.

Here are some additional expert tips for traveling with children, by Jerry Chandler, aviation expert and author of the Kids Airport Diversion Guide (and a father of five!). Chandler has experienced the challenge of traveling with children first-hand. He offers these additional tips for families flying with kids this summer, or anytime:

• Book direct, non-stop flights whenever possible, to avoid airplane changes. On international flights, try to travel at night, so children can sleep.


• Ask about early boarding to avoid crowds; many airlines pre-board families traveling with children.


• If you’re child requires a car seat, call ahead to ask about on-board car seat regulations and availability; you may need to bring your own.


• New laws require that every child, no matter how young, travel with a valid individual passport for international travel; children can no longer travel on their parents' passport.


• Keep kids busy! Choose an airline with movies and seat back video games for older kids. For younger ones, pack crayons, paper, books on tape, cards, stuffed animals, etc. in your carry on, but don't unpack them all at once. [Rebel Housewife note: Our all-time favorite, most-successful, must-have airplane boredom-buster: window clings (vinyl 'stickers' that will cling to the window and can be taken off, replaced, moved around. Don't fly without them! Also: comic books, Disney Magazine & puzzle books!
  Also see: Free Printable Summer Fun Books!]


• Bring snacks. New regulations prohibit passengers from carrying liquids through the security checkpoint, so leave time to purchase water and juice in the terminal prior to boarding. Rice cakes, breadsticks, dried fruit and small boxes of dry cereal are great portable snacks.


• Prepare for the worst. Snacks and activities will be especially needed if you are delayed on the tarmac for an extra two hours. Arriving to the airport early will leave plenty of time for crowded security checkpoints.


• Many infants under age two experience ear pain when changing altitudes, which can cause cabin-rattling crying. Encourage swallowing, which reduces discomfort, by giving them a bottle or pacifier.

Be sure to check out CheapFlights.com and sign up for the email newsletter to access your Kids Airport Diversion Guide -- could be a sanity-saver this summer!

Here's a great resource for summer from the raising4boys.com blog, listing all of the large movie-chain theatre promotions: FREE Summer Movies For Kids!

See you at the movies!