Cloudroft, New Mexico - The Packing Process

Any time we take a trip, even for just a couple of nights, there is a couple weeks of planning out what to pack. Once I know the where, have the when, have the accommodations and vehicle figured out (if we are renting a car), then I need to know what we all need to bring. 

For instance, there's the car ride. Snacks and waters are a must. With this many people (4 of whom are kids), we always need to have that purchased at the grocery store before leaving. Buying such at the convenience stores are insanely priced! Not to mention, my husband eats snacks to help himself stay awake during long drives. 

Speaking of long drives... 

But what to do during long rides? How do the kids stay calm and not want to punch each other? For that, we often bring handheld game devices. Some of them will even nap. However, I'm adding a new element this time around. I had these dry erase game boards in a 'travel' drawer that I was cleaning out. I had picked them up one summer at the Dollar Tree, but I wouldn't be surprised if you can find similar ones online. I found this one on Amazon. I talked to my husband about turning them into tools for a friendly car ride competition.

We agreed to offer a prize for the first one who gets a bingo. Then a second (much bigger) prize to the first one who gets a blackout. I didn't think the kids would jump on such a thing. Maybe the girls... but I was pleasantly surprised when at least one boy agreed to join in the fun. This should help with the car ride a bit. 

Then comes the place we are staying at. Once we arrive, there are things that are needed besides just clothes and toiletries. For instance, my husband doesn't sleep on bedding provided. Hotel, Airbnb - doesn't matter! So I have to pack an extra large blanket that we lay on top of. And a couple blankets we use to cover up with. Gave up on trying to bring pillows too. The joys of being a germaphobe in your older years, I suppose. 

This has led to us deciding to rent a vehicle for the trip. Well, that and the fact that we need an AWD vehicle due to possible ice and snow while we are there. Lots of hills where we are going. Our SUV wouldn't be able to handle that. But since we are renting, we are going for a bigger SUV while we are at it. Something with space for the kids to spread out. And to have room for the luggage. 

Lastly, I also have to pack a hiking bag. Not a big one, but one that can hold things we don't normally take on vacations. My husband surprised me with wanting to actually walk/hike the Osha Trail out there! He knows I like that sort of thing. So I'll be lugging a backpack with hiking things as well.  

What are things that you pack for trips, that others might not think of? 

Cloudcroft, New Mexico - The Planning Process

My husband decided we should take a weekend trip for my birthday this year. Things have been crazy busy. And I don't see it slowing down any time soon. A week after my birthday, there will be one kid turning 16. Another week or two after that, I should have two high school graduates, both looking for jobs and planning out their next life steps. The stress has definitely taken a toll. Probably the biggest reason my husband suggested the trip to begin with. 

He had a friend at work that talked about amazing camping trips he would take to a village  called Cloudcroft in New Mexico. And yes, it is called a village. The spectacular views around it draw all kinds of people. Now... I'm not big on camping. We did it when I was a kid, on Nana's farm, in the tent that collapsed on my brother and I when the dew fell... then again as adults... both of those times in recent years were also fails when bed time came. So instead, we decided to take a different approach. We are going to stay in an Airbnb.

This is a huge first for us. Nothing against hotels we usually stay at, but these offer up so much more for a comparable price. First off, we will have access to a full kitchen. I plan to cook while we are there (at least some of our meals) to save on eating-out costs. We can also keep warm, as the area is still in some heavy winter weather with sporadic snows. The cabin we chose is near enough to get to hike the Osha Trail. 

My husband is not such a big outdoors guy, but for me, he is willing to occasionally walk or hike some trails with me. This one is a decent size at about 2.5 miles long. So I will be packing one of our backpacks to bring along simple things like water and snacks. And maybe a small first aid kit. In case someone trips and falls. Oh, and I won't forget the sunscreen! 

I have also started researching various places in Cloudcroft, as well as in the nearby village, Ruidoso. We want to visit the local Calvary Chapel in Ruidoso, too. 

From what my research of the area shows, we are going while winter is still fairly strong. And we will be high up in the mountains. So... winter gear is a must. We may actually get to use those coats we have! Crazy, huh? But here in Texas, that isn't a big possibility. Even during winter months. I think I used a heavy jacket once so far. Can you tell I'm excited for the wrong reasons? Yep! So here we go. Let's see what planning out ahead of time will do for our time in New Mexico! 

Summer Fun with a Pool?!

Yes, for some of us, winter is finally getting into gear. Some of you have been dealing with ice and snow for a little while. Not here in Texas. Some days, we are still looking at 70 degree weather. All while we were watching Christmas creeping ever closer. With weather like that, it feels wrong to have Christmas so close. But whatcha gonna do?  

How about get a pool? Yep, you heard that right. After all, we have the weather for it. So why not? Coleman's Pools partnered with me to share my latest product review - a giant pool! 

*Disclaimer - I was sent this product free in exchange for sharing my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine or others I shared the pool with.* 

I love getting to try stuff out and then let you know what my thoughts. So when they offered me a pool, I got really excited about it.  Not really for myself. This pool, I decided to share with some friends from church. I got her the biggest pool they had to offer. 

This bad boy is 22' in diameter! Talk about a monster size... It is above ground and comes with the pump. They had to deliver it via really big truck and a pallet jack. My sons barely managed to get it inside. Here is the box next to my tallest son who is just over 6' tall. 

I couldn't wait to let my friend know. This was going to revolutionize their summer fun next year. But we couldn't wait that long to show it off, now can we? After all, best to get the word out before sales see them flying off the shelves. 

So, after getting it to her house, they got it all set up and ready to bring on the fun in the summer! She said it was crazy easy to set up. A single person can do it. For them, it took about 2 hours, plus the filling time. It is deep enough that younger kids, maybe 4 years and under, will need flotation devices unless they are good swimmers. That is how deep this thing is! She and her family are so excited about the up-coming summer fun they will be having.  

Coleman has pools in various sizes, that also come in a variety of styles. This ones gives off the wood look, but you can find others to fit your preferences. 

Walmart.com has a lot to choose from. I found the one we got HERE. Looks like it is running about $1,200. You can go to the source at BestwayUSA.com. They are the parent company, I believe, of Coleman products. However, at the time of writing this review, their website says they are out of stock. So you might have to keep checking back. You might also sign up to receive updates and deals. 

What do you think? Are you a pool person? Let me know in the comments down below!  

When the AirSho Comes to Town!

Wow! We made it to the AirSho! It was amazing. But we didn't go in blind. We had some preparations to make beforehand. First off, we had no seating on hand to bring. So we went to our local Walmart and grabbed some fold out chairs for each person. I also reached out about bringing water. We might be in September, but it is still quite hot here. I think the average is still about 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit. While they were predicting we might dip down to the 70's, that remained to be seen. And their website was lacking direct information on this. But thankfully, you can call or text them with the number on their website. What did I learn? No food or drinks. Period. Which was even printed on our tickets... So, we had to deal with the option to purchase at the vendors or wait until we could get back to the car where a cooler would be waiting. Something good to know ahead of time. 

As for the vendors, my husband bought a personal pizza, a turkey leg, a drink, and some nacho fries - all for well over $50. So... one treat per kid really added up. About the same amount we paid for the tickets really. They do have ATM's on hand though if you need to pull out some cash. 

While there were not bathrooms, there were plenty of porta potties on hand. Sadly, no one was refilling the toilet paper so there were a lot of women who had to hold it. Washing stations were next to the potties too. And I will say that it was odd seeing the handicapped ones, but good at the same time. 

I appreciated that they started things off with the National Anthem and closed out with Taps to honor the fallen heroes. 

The flying was phenomenal! Trick flying, war flying, pyrotechnics, a jet car... all of it was fun. For my husband and I, at least.

My kids were only mildly interested. Sadly. But for my husband, this was his first air show! And I wouldn't have traded it for anything else. He and I love war history. He's always wished he could have been a pilot, so seeing them so close and in action made his day.

We got to meet one of the great trick flyers they had. He was dressed in period style clothing and gave out autographed photos of him flying. It was a fun addition!

 The sun started to come out about 2-3 hours before the end of the show. Despite the sunscreen we put on, it felt very much like we were cooking. And indeed, we are a family of tomatoes tonight. I think it was a great event. I think it was educational for those who listened to the announcers, which could also be pretty funny. My husband and I are considering going back next year. Maybe without the kids though, since it doesn't seem to be something they like. 

Have you ever been to an air show? If so, what do you like about them?? I would love to know! 

Get Ready, Midland!

Have you been to an Air Show before? I have! Several of them actually. I absolutely love going. Whether it has been with family, friends or even my Cadet buddies, it was always a blast. Maybe that can be attributed to my love of history. World War 2 has been one of the most fascinating history lessons I continually return to. The technological advances, the lessons learned in medical sciences, and the political lessons that we should glean from even today - all tickle my fancy! 

We have lived in this town for enough years to know that there is an annual AirSho here. But this will be the first year that we can actually attend! And yes, I am making the kids go too. I really do hope they will enjoy it. Maybe even learn something while we are there. If nothing else, I know my history-loving husband will! He is as much of a fan as I am. Where do you think I heard of Unit 731 and Dark5? 

But here I am getting distracted again. History does that to me! Let's focus here. AirSho (yes, that is how it is spelled) is coming back to town. This year is a little more special than past years. It marks the 80th anniversary of WW2. Crazy, isn't it? 80 years! So many of those from that time have already passed. The number of veterans dwindles quickly. 

What to know, before you go!

They have quite the list of restrictions. What stands out to me is that we can't bring foods in. No coolers. Now, while they have concessions, this means we might want to plan ahead on having some extra money for food.

They have activities geared more for kids like bouncy houses and games and snow cones, but you better bring more money for those too.  

If I could afford to, I would pay for my husband to live out his dream of being in one of the iconic planes as they fly through the sky above our town! But alas, we don't make that kind of money. Maybe when the kids move out... If you are interested in that, just look HERE.  

Where can you learn more? 

They have a Facebook Page that has updates on the planes included in the show. You can also get a ton more information on their website. We also should note here, there is an additional $10 fee for parking, cash only, unless you get the VIP bundle. There is a handicap lot, it costs the same amount as normal parking, but is accessible. You just need to have the plate or placard ready. And when ordering your tickets online, there are additional fees (you know the kind - pay with card, pay extra!). But I did not see anything about you being able to pay in person. So it just is what it is. 

I promise to share more about the experience once we have attended! Let me know what your thought on air shows is. Do you ever go? Do you enjoy them?  

A Slice of Our Town - The Cloverdale Mercantile

I love heading out for an adventure on the weekend. It doesn't happen often, but it is always amazing when it does. This most recent trip took us out to the Cloverdale Mercantile. My daughter is officially a teenager, and decided she wanted to celebrate her yearly uptick in age by doing some shopping! So off we went. 

Cloverdale Mercantile used to be known as Wall Street Antiques. It was in a large, old building. Everything was covered in dust. And sometimes you might question if things ever moved. But then the owner of that building decided they wanted to sell. And quite frankly, I'm glad! Why? Because Wall Street was then able to look into moving. They found a newer place to move to. It is cleaner. Everything is well organized. Booth after booth is brimming with amazing finds. You are guaranteed to see new stock every time you stop by. I won't bore you with talking about it so much. Instead, I will give you a brief glance into the types of things you can come across. Yes, my focus was more on miniatures and doll-related items this time. Maybe next time, I can show you a wider variety! 

You can check out more about them on their Facebook page.  

Enjoy! 

A Summer of Fun at the Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Well, we took a trip and made it memorable! Our most recent excursion took us into Dallas (and surrounding areas). In downtown Dallas, we had the great opportunity to check out the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. A HUGE thank you to them for giving us complimentary tickets for this time. 

*Disclaimer: I was given free tickets to the museum in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions shared are mine or my families.*

What to know when planning your visit

Okay, where to start?? They are located in Downtown Dallas. You can check out their website HERE. They had the Bug Lab Exhibit opening when we were up there. This one costs you extra to see. As with many museums, they rotate out their Special Exhibits. Other exhibits that stay year round are fascinating for all ages! They also have videos that educate while entertaining. While walking through one floor, there was quite the line waiting to try out the earthquake simulator! You stand on a platform that gives you the feeling of being in an earthquake. 

Tickets and entries are timed. Make sure you pay attention when you purchase your tickets, so that you know when you are supposed to go in. They have a high volume of visitors to juggle. This also means that there are times when huge crowds are EVERYWHERE! 

Parking... Here is one that is super important. They have a museum parking lot that is $15 for non museum members. If you get the membership, it is only $5. Per vehicle, not per person. It is first-come, first-serve. If it is full, they have an overflow lot. However, they also have a special section if you are needing a handicapped spot. We ended up finding a lot that charged us $5.35 for 4 hours. You have to download the app or find the kiosk to mark your vehicle paid and avoid towing. 

What is inside? 

They have 4 floors of exhibits to see. My youngest loved the dinosaur level. So many skeletons and things to learn about the fossils. 

Being from an oil town, we loved seeing the exhibit on drilling and oil processes. There was so much to learn from it. Even a giant drill exhibit to give you an idea of what they are like. or the one that shows you how the oil is pumped upwards. 

We loved seeing the Gemstone exhibit too. Learning about topaz stones and geodes. The giant geode was extremely popular with the kids.

Seeing all the types of animal displays was fascinating too. We got to see what kinds of animals live where. 

Start at the top and trickle down! The elevators were constantly busy. And the escalator was down when we went. So be prepared to climb all the way up and then all the way down. We loved seeing the outdoor walls that were decorated with greenery and rocks. 

The staff were friendly, even in the rush of dealing with so many people. They were helpful in guiding us and answering questions we had. There are seating spots all over the place in case you get worn out from all the walking. The bathrooms were clean too, which was really nice. Oh yes, final notes! There is a food court and gift shop available. There were also fun things for little ones to do out front.  

We are so glad we got to stop in and see everything! It was a wonderful trip for our family.  

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Review (Discount included)

Summers are meant for fun, for family, and for making lasting memories. Usually, you take time out of school and, if you can work, to travel together and do something different. 

That being said, times are harder on many. Maybe taking a full trip isn't in your budget. So what about a one night trip? What about a day filled with fun? What if one place could give you the away time you need? Come with us as our family did just that!

*Disclaimer: I was given the chance to go to Ripley's Believe It Or Not! in Grand Prairie, in exchange for sharing about our experience. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions are mine and my family's own.*

First off, Ripley's Believe It Or Not! has locations across the nation. Maybe not in your city, but I bet you can find one in your state. For us, it is near the Dallas area. This meant we had quite the drive to plan for. It also meant we had to get a hotel room and stay overnight. For my family, this equates to a mini vacation! So be sure to check their locator and see if you can find one close to you. 

Since the one we went to is the one I'm spotlighting, I'm going to say that not all Ripley's are the same! What we saw here, you most likely won't see at the other locations. So keep that in mind. 

How to get started! 

Ripley's in Grand Prairie has multiple things to enjoy. If you get their combo ticket, you can enjoy Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit, Ripley's Moving Theater, Ripley's Power Up and Ripley's Mirror Maze, as well as the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium exhibits. These tickets are $56 per adult. If that isn't in your price range, they also offer the 3-Way Combo or a 2-Way Combo option. I love the fact that you can choose which attractions you want as well, if you choose the 3 or 2 options. You can purchase your tickets online, ahead of time, or in person. In-person purchases are how you can use various modes of discounts, so check their website to see if you qualify for any before you purchase. 

                                Thinking I might just need to join the MIB.

Parking is free! Huge bonus for the wallet on this one. Especially in a big city. 

Our Ripley's just installed a new exhibit as well. It is based on their actual Ripley's Warehouse in Orlando, Florida. That warehouse holds all the oddities that Ripley's collects over the years. Things like medieval torture devices, odd taxidermy (ever seen a two-headed calf before?), and ancient artifacts from Asia - just to start with!  

My family voted on their favorite attractions. The Mirror Maze won hands down. It took us about 4 tries to find the exit and the youngest was begging to go back in. Part of the maze has a cool selfie room that is lit and mirrored. The floor was a shiny tile that almost made it seem like you were floating with the hanging lights. 

Luis Tussaud's Waxworks exhibit came in second place. It has a long trail to follow with so many characters, both modern and historical. If you are brave, the ending can lead into a horror haunted house. But they have an exit for those who are faint of heart as well. We chose to check out the haunted house.

And let me tell you... there were some great jump scare moments. My favorite part was seeing the Phantom of the Opera! 

We took up the challenge on the 7D Moving Theater to shoot at robots and try to save the city. That was a fun experience. I think my oldest son had the best luck at shooting the janky guns, but we all had a blast. (pun intended!) 

We shot at mutant slimes in the Power Up attraction. That allows 3 people at a time to go into a room where 3 of the walls allow your device to 'shoot' at things on them.  

The Odditorium had so many fun things to see though. A mechanical statue of the world's tallest man that will go from sitting to standing! Talk about having big shoes to fill. 

There are plenty of places to sit and rest. So don't worry about getting tired as you galavant along. You can rest along the way. Each one is designed to fit the theme of the exhibit. 

My final note was in the Wax display attraction. As a Christian woman, I was particularly surprised, and pleased, to see a part that was dedicated to the life of Jesus Christ. There were scenes set up to show important events like the Last Supper. 

You don't see things like this often. It was almost like a gospel presentation, but in an entertaining way that isn't hard to handle. I really loved that.  

I highly recommend a trip to Ripley's! No matter the age. No matter your interests. I think there is something for everyone! Let me know what you liked from what you could see. Or let me know if you have been. I'd love to hear from you! Until next time, my friends. Keep it weirdly real out there.  

What Are You Doing This Summer??

It is time to dive into some amazing fun! Summer is here, it is hot outside (my car was reading 117 yesterday), and the kids need something that tears them away from the screen. So I have a suggestion on one of your next destinations! If there is one near you, why not try a Ripley's Believe It Or Not?? Have you ever been to one of these? My Mom took my sisters and I once to the one in Florida near her. They are FANTASTICALLY FUN! There is something for everyone, of every age. But not just fun... They sneak in learning in ways that the kids don't expect it. Everything has a weird-but-true story attached. 

Okay, okay - so maybe oddly true facts don't seem like enough education to make that a selling point. For me, just having the kids out of the house, but inside where it is cool, and away from the video games for a bit is a sell I can't pass up! I'm looking for ways to beat the heat, but make some great memories. 

And best of all?? They are offering you some great coupon deals! Why?! Because you are my readers, of course! 

Don't wait, get your tickets! Then come back and tell me about your amazing trip. I can't wait to share mine! My local Ripley's is in Grand Prairie (The DFW area), but there are others, so don't let the location ward you off in the provided information they asked me to share with you. Other locations are also hosting similar deals, so check your local bloggers.  

One of DFW's Top Family Fun Attration's - Experience five extra-odd-inary attractions under one roof at Ripley's Believe It or Not! in Grand Prairie! Be astounded by hundreds of artifacts, incredible art, pop-culture memorabilia, and interactive games in Ripley's Odditorium! With more than 200 lifelike wax figures, strike a pose and take a selfie with your favorite superstars in Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax! Embellished with LED lights and infinity mirrors, challenge your perception and sense of direction in Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze. Feel every twist and turn while you compete to get the highest score in Ripley's 7D Moving Theater! And enter the Ripley's Power Up arena and immerse yourself in our all-ages, group gaming experience. Make lifetime memories and experience the excitement of Ripley's Grand Prairie, your one-stop destination for family fun!
$5 OFF Ripley's Attractions Combo Ticket with code DFWKIDS - Show this coupon at the ticket counter or use code DFWKIDS to buy online and SAVE $5 on a 5-Way Super Combo ticket!

Ticket includes admission to FIVE attractions: (1) Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Explore hundreds of oddities, artifacts, memorabilia, and more from around the world! (2) Louis Tussaud's Palace of Wax - Strike a pose with over 200 lifelike figures, from the famous to the infamous! (3) Ripley's Power Up - Battle it out against friends and family in this virtual, all-ages gaming experience! (4) Ripley's Enchanted Mirror Maze - Find your way out or lose yourself in seemingly endless hallways of lights and mirrors! (5) Ripley's 7D Moving Theater - Become part of the movie in this full-throttle, interactive motion simulator ride!

Children 3 & under are FREE!
Visit: https://www.ripleys.com/grandprairie/
Coupon to Share: https://www.usfamilycoupons.com/coupon.php?bid=13445&dealid=3359

Minecraft Party! (With Game Reviews)

Tryazon and Ravensburger are back with some board games to celebrate your love of Minecraft! And I'm going to share them with you. But first....

*Disclaimer: I was sent these games in exchange for hosting a party and sharing my honest review. All opinions shared are mine or my guests. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed.*

With that out the way, it is time to dive in!

Part of the deal in getting these games, is that I will host a party. As such, I took the time to do some research and get some ideas. If you are interested in doing something similar, there are LOTS of ideas out there. They fit all budget needs. I like to keep my parties sorta simple. For time, money and energy are easily expendable in this house. I printed off these water bottle labels to use.  I also got the invitations from that website.

I like that these are not just birthday invitations, which was what I mostly found while I was searching. I decided to host my party during the week for other homeschool families to join in. 

Once that part of my planning was finished, it was time to create a menu. Since I'm showcasing both a board game and a card game, I decided to keep things finger-friendly and less messy. But I still wanted things that pointed back to the awesome online game we love so much. So here are the food choices I went with. 

Pretzels = Sticks                                       Goldfish = Fish

Chocolate chip cookies = Cookies            

A fruit tray was thrown in, with Watermelon and Apples among the choices. The green grapes represented Slime Balls. 

Water bottles with the Creeper labels and some juice bottles provided hydration to our party goers. 

Like a dummy, I forgot to snap a picture before my guests arrived of the table layout. So just imagine it being awesome. 

Time to party!

Once everything for the party was gathered, it was time to host. We set up and awaited the arrival of our guests. The kids and I had already tried out the game before hand so we would be able to explain it to the others. Heroes of the Village and Minecraft Explorers are up to 4 players each. So I decided to have them play in rounds, which meant we only managed to play the first one this time. 

You set up the main piece to be your Village. Illagers are on their way to attack. You and your team have to take action! You get a character and a pet to help you in some way as you explore, gather material blocks fight mobs and build defenses. It really does require team efforts to accomplish a common goal as no one person can do it all before the Illagers take you out. 

The world grows as you explore, opening more possible places to gather building blocks from. Gathering blocks to be brought back to the village provides others with the ability to build during their turns as well. 

Heroes of the Village was met with great enthusiasm. I will say that kids who have difficulty sitting still for more than 20 minutes, might not enjoy this one so much. But even the most wiggly of our group were able to enjoy the fun and try to save the village.

We are looking forward to trying the Minecraft Explorers next. Sadly, we ran out of time at this party.

If you are interested in finding these games for yourself or to give as a gift, please check out the links below!

Ravensburger - You can find both games at THIS LINK. Plus others they offer. 

Walmart - Heroes of the Village

                 Minecraft Explorers