This is the second of three posts on the subject of cruising with your family.

• If you don't want to gain weight from all the food you'll be eating, here's a great tip: Take the stairs everywhere- no exceptions. My hubby and I did that last time. I gained one pound, and he gained about three, and we ate ourselves silly. Midnight buffets, etc.
  
• It's a chore taking the stairs every time, but if you have a partner

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Have you been on a cruise -- with your family -- yet? I add the part about "with your family" because many couples think of cruising as a singular activity. However, I beg to differ. Cruising with your family can be a wonderful experience. In fact, in our case, going with extended family provides the best of all worlds. The kids all have cousins to "hang" with, and the adults never lack for a counterpart, whether it be in the… Read More

This post represents the third of three on the topic of starting up your own cookie exchange. As I mentioned last time, it's not too early to start thinking about a Valentine's Cookie Exchange. February can be a great time to get back out there with your friends. In fact, my teen is bugging me to plan a Mother/Daughter cookie party with her and her pals. We'll see about that. I'm still getting through the holidays!

The final steps… Read More

This post represents the second of three on the topic of starting up your own cookie exchange. Do keep in mind that if the holiday season is too busy for you, this could be a really fun February activity. Who doesn't like to get a sweet treat on Valentine's Day? Especially the men and children in our lives!

• Plan your supplies. Will you use real or disposable? Get those ready well in advance, so you're not racing out at the

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I have been intending to write this post for some time now, but I have to tell you: the task seemed rather daunting! Teach someone else how to throw a cookie exchange? Mine has gotten a little "over the top" throughout the years, so contemplating telling you how to do what I do initially seemed impossible. I envisioned a 10 part post...ha ha.

But then I told myself to get over it (just like I'm always telling… Read More

"Clean your room!" "Make your bed!" "Where is your permission slip for the field trip?" "Did you take your shower?" "Why isn't your homework done?" "Get up when your alarm goes off!"

Does anyone else out there feel like a broken record of complaints aimed at her cowering children? My husband and I often find ourselves in the quandary of 'how much is too much'? We teeter along that ever-so-fine line of parenting, forever wondering if we are too hard on… Read More