Wish you could wave a magic wand and make traveling with babies and toddlers easier this year? This season, Diapers.com is making life and holiday travels of moms and dads a little easier by allowing parents to ship their baby essentials directly to their holiday destination. With the help of the nation’s largest online retailer, parents can travel with just a few baby basics on hand and have everything else they need for their holiday visit shipped directly to grandma’s house. Even better? They guarantee door-to-door delivery in just 1-2 business days. There's still time left for travel this week! Find great products and special offers (like free shipping on orders over $49) here: Diapers.com

You had to expect it. The smash hit High School Musical series is now a show on ice, literally! Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour skates into the LA area this holiday season. Tickets are already on sale. What a great gift for the entire family!

SOUTHLAND SHOW SCHEDULE

STAPLES Center: December 18-21, 2008
•    Thursday, December 18th, 7:30 PM
•    Friday, December 19th, 11:00 AM and 7:30 PM
•    Saturday, December 20th, 12:00 PM , 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
•    Sunday, December 21st, 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Honda Center: December 23-28, 2008
•    Tuesday, December 23rd, 7:30 PM
•    Wednesday, December 24th (Christmas Eve), 6:00 PM
•    Thursday, December 25th, (Christmas Day) 6:00 PM
•    Friday, December 26th, 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM
•    Saturday, December 27th, 12:00 PM , 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
•    Sunday, December 28th, 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Long Beach Arena – January 2-4, 2009
•    Friday, January 2nd, 7:30 PM
•    Saturday, January 3rd, 12:00PM, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM
•    Sunday, January 4th, 12:00PM, 3:30 PM and 7:30 PM

Ticket Prices: $65.00 Front Row/ $40.00 V.I.P./ $25.00/ $20.00/ $16.00
To order tickets by phone or online: 213-480-3232 or 714-740-2000 or visit www.highschoolmusicaltheicetour.com

If you're planning to hit the slopes this winter but afraid of how the economy is going to affect your plans, follow these tips for putting together a fun, yet affordable ski vacation.

1. Avoid the peak holiday periods. Lodging prices around Christmas, New Year’s and President’s Day are often double during peak seasons. Air fares are dramatic: a Sunday to Sunday round trip from Chicago to Denver currently averages $250 for most of the 2009 ski season, but a whopping $1,000 for the Christmas-New Year week.
 
2. Book early, especially if you fly. Most winter fares to Denver or Salt Lake City are historically at their low point until the end of October, at which time they will gradually start increasing. Shop travel sites as well as the direct airline web sites. They each allocate a specific inventory of discount airfare seats, and once that inventory runs out, the same flight might be cheaper on a travel site than on an airline site, or the opposite. This being said, don’t panic and book something just because “2 tickets left at that price” is on your screen; it’s often no more than a marketing gimmick.
 
3. Lift tickets can also equal substantial savings when booking early. Discounted lift tickets are typically available until mid-November. For example, a Dual Mountain TransFour Card, offering four days of skiing at either Copper Mountain or Winter Park, Colorado (blackout from December 27th to December 31st ), can be purchased at any Christy Sports front-range locations or online at www.passwagon.com  for $209. This is a 30 percent savings in comparison to ticket window prices.
 
4. Factor in all transportation costs, including airline baggage fees. When booking your flight, make sure that you consider the airline baggage fees that will be associated with your ticket. You might find a cheaper airfare on a particular airline, but once you add in the various fees, it may not be the cheapest option. If you are bringing your skis from home, be aware of the oversize/overweight fee policies.  
 
5. Rent Equipment and save extra baggage fees. Rather than bringing your skis/board from home, consider renting high quality equipment from a local shop at your resort destination. It can save you money if you make a rental reservation ahead of time rather than renting upon arrival. It also ensures they will have the equipment you need.
 
6. Call lodging properties directly. Many offer a direct booking discount, and generally know the property better than the central reservation systems. By talking to someone at the lodge directly, it is more likely that a “deal” will come out of the conversation. This person will also do a better job of matching you with the right kind of unit for your personal needs. Also, don’t overlook older properties. They may not have all the plush ammenities, but they can be very comfortable, close to the lifts, and much more affordable!
 
7. When dining out, call the restaurant and ask if they have a “bar menu”. The portions are hardly smaller, yet much cheaper. It’s a very popular option amongst locals, and the seating area usually offers great ambiance.

These helpful tips are courtesy of Christy Sports (www.christysports.com), one of the largest ski and snowboard retailers in the Rocky Mountain region, with shops at nearly every resort so check them out first!

Sock puppets get a new twist with this wonderfully compact and complete kit called Sockett Kit. Founded by dedicated visual artists and art therapists, Tiger Candy Arts developed these innovative projects to allow the expression of anyone's creativity. The kit came with a surprisingly abundant amount of crafty items and embellishments (much more than we needed) so we created four puppets. It included four "socks" already prepped to make the puppet mouth. The kit also came with a carrying case that could be decorated. It was fun to create and then exciting to watch the little ones put on a show. Animal puppets doing HSM, but what do you do? Find these great kits here:  www.tigercandyarts.com

Did you know that if you recycling your water bottle with the lid attached, it will more than likely be tossed directly into the trash? It's a shameful secret you might not know. The time it takes to remove the cap - no, the cap isn't always made of recyclable material - is time "wasted" by the sorters so the entire bottle is put into a pile on the way to the dump. From now on remember to separate the bottle and lid, or better yet, cut back on your use of plastic water bottles. There are so many conflicting reports out there and the levels of plastic recycling have gotten even more confusing. Try to find a BPA-free (Bisphenol-A is the plastic that degrades right into your beverage or food with overuse) until the dust settles over the use of plastics in reusable containers. We like this CamelBak version available at rei.com.

I like to keep this site and its content on the light side, but allow me this rant, I believe it needs to be said. I was watching an early morning chat show and became outraged. The host was interviewing several women of various ages about the candidates and the issues. There was a middle aged woman who actually said, "I don't like either candidate so I will not be voting." What? Not voting? What planet was she from? Voting is not only our right as a woman but our duty as a citizen. What kind of example is she setting for her kids? Women, in this country, were only granted the full right to vote less than 90 years ago and there are women alive today who were refused the opportunity to vote in even local politics. There are other countries today that still do not allow women their voting rights. Not vote? Get your head out!

There is no excuse to not vote. You can vote in the comfort of your own home with an absentee ballot. You can register online for free at Justvote.org

Well, bums that get diaper changes on a regular basis. Tired of trying to imagine how many wipes end up in the landfills? We just found these great little cloths by Bummas. These are so great because they can either take the place of a wet disposable wipe or they can dry off babies bottom after using a wet wipe. This cuts down on diaper rash without creams or ointments-another bonus for delicate skin! They are re-usable, eco-friendly, highly absorbent and chemical free. They are perfectly sized and the pack comes with enough to always have one handy. We use them as bath time wash cloths and at meal time as well. Stop using a wipe (that comes with perfumes and dyes) every time and try these little Bummas. For more info: bummas.com

We've recently gone somewhat dairy free in our house. For allergy reasons, of course, but we also decided to try some new products that we normally wouldn't consider a staple in our kitchen. To replace our cereal milk, we tried Almond Breeze® from Blue Diamond (don't get me started on why we don't have soy-based products in our stash either). This replacement is lactose, gluten and cholesterol free. While nothing can replace the actual flavor and texture of true cow's milk, these products received four out of four thumbs up. The chocolate was the big favorite-surprised?

We also decided to try the Blue Diamond Nut Thins® crackers in our snack bag for Kindergarten. They are tiny but packed with taste. Made with natural California almonds and nuts, they are wheat-free and gluten free. We really enjoy the variety and flavors and anything that makes "snack time" selection easier for me wins my vote!

Find out more: Blue Diamond Growers

Ok, so it is a Bon Jovi song...but I did go home recently and I agree, you CAN go home. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't go to my parent's house, but to the city where I spent 13 of my 18 years at home. I live in a large city now and the town I visited is extremely small. Only a few of my close friends still live there and going back brought a flood of memories. My house (our last and favorite historic military housing) was in between tenants so I got to wander through it and look for my initials in the closet which no doubt has been painted over several times by now. Of course, anywhere we moved my mom was able to make it a design home, but it looked smaller and the yard would've made my dad cringe.

The town was a refreshing change from the craziness of LA. Things moved at a drastically different clip and progress has come slowly. I rather enjoyed it that way. If you are planning a trip "home" consider yourself lucky to have lived there no matter what. A town's personality is a reflection of the people and if you lived there, embrace the past.

A bag with a rich history and it looks great. These Zebags come in several sizes but the original is perfect for toting along to the market, playground, beach, gym or work. It's perfect for all the stuff  we need throughout the day. Each Zebag is handmade by a group of Artisans in Kenya. Since they incorporate hand weaving into their everyday lives, each bag takes roughly 2-3 weeks to complete. The income the bags bring enables the families to gain economic independence and alleviate poverty.

Find your bag here: zebags.com

Since we just finished pre-school (complete with cap and gown), we are spending the summer gearing up for Kindergarten. We are very excited but the change is a little scary. New school, new kids, new teachers, the works. This website offers inspirational t-shirts designed by kids. We have the appropriate "kindergarten rocks" t-shirt to help us get ready. This web site also offers a design your own shirt page, a voting section for designs and more. A former elementary teacher, Meri Zeiff, launched the brand to counteract the negative messages and expressions she was seeing on the playground. Find out more here: verymeri.com.

Are you already thinking you might need a little help with your next party? Do you have some amazing ideas for the festive occasion but need help with the execution? Enter this contest for a chance to win the ultimate in kid's parties. Worth over $4000, this prize is an astounding compilation of invitations, decorations, music, party favors and more for 25 kids ages 1-13. Best yet, Lisa Kothari from Peppers and Pollywogs will be organizing the event. You need to enter the contest no later than July 31st for your chance to win. Put your most creative ideas to work for you and win this great contest. For more info and to enter, visit www.pepperspollywogs.com

So I thought I was the last one to join, but since I asked a few friends over the weekend if they were on Facebook and they asked "what is that" I thought I would update everyone else who didn't know how fun this site is. I really thought it was for students, given that it was called Facebook...but there are so many people on the site young and old. I joined and within a few days I had reconnected with old friends, family and coworkers. I even found a friend from a junior high I attended briefly 25 years ago and found she lived only the next town over. I am already playing (well losing by 100 points) a scrabble-like game and I have seen updated photos of my friends and family. I like anonymity so others online can only see my profile if I say they can. It's a nice way to keep in touch. www.facebook.com

I am sure you have heard about just how many plastic bottles end up in landfills, BUT did you know that even though you put your plastic bottles in the recycling, they could still end up tossed in with the trash? Most recycling centers only recycle the bottle portion and not the lid....so if you keep them together, they get tossed into the trash at the recycling center. Separate them if you have to use them.

Ever wonder how many steps your child takes in a day? Between television and video games I bet you'd be surprised at how little those feet move. It's summer and you can't beat these pedometers for the pint sized mover and shaker in your home. These functional and adorable frog-shaped pedometers come in fun colors and help kids track their steps (just like we should be doing). The corresponding web site helps them set goals, play games (the kids must enter their steps each day to earn points to move throughout the site), challenge their friends and more. My favorite part is the security strap so the pedometer doesn't fly off during activity. Why don't the adult versions have these?? Brilliant. Find more information here: www.mypedz.com

Confused about BPA-free materials? Plastics is a confusing business...leaching, deposits, recyclable, polycarbonates, phthalates...bless you. Not to mention PETE, LDPE, HDPE and PVC. Playtex has come out with a very helpful Q & A fact sheet about the use of plastics in their products as well as an easy to understand guide for recycling materials and choosing plastics for you and your family. Find the great info here: http://www.playtexbaby.com/bpafree/info.html

For you bottle users, sign up to receive a free sample of their Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser System.

http://www.playtexbaby.com

We just found a site with stations perfect for the little ones. Slacker.com, an interactive Internet radio service, has created Toddlers and Kids music stations for parents who want their kids to enjoy the very best hand selected children's music. After a few hours of sampling the stations, we got a double thumbs up. The littlest one gets the toddler station for Laurie Berkner, Hi-5 and the Wiggles and the older insists on "big kid music" with her own station featuring some of the Disney kids from HSM (that's High School Musical for all of you living under a rock). You and your kids can listen to endless songs without having to change CDs or stations. On a side note, we did a big person test run after the kiddies went to bed and the variety is great. You can find whatever suits your mood and unlike the radio, you can skip a song and no commercial interruptions. Slacker.com

I am always looking for music that I like. I visit itunes, I have a huge CD collection....but while I am working at the computer (all day) I am constantly hitting the "next" button on my OWN iPod! I know I need to just sit down and make new playlists and organize all of my songs-but in my spare time, right? That makes me laugh out loud. I was just introduced to Pandora.com. It's an online radio that you control. It is brought to us by the Music Genome Project-a comprehensive analysis of every musical detail of a song. You choose "stations" by selecting your favorite artists. Pandora then matches musical genres based on the analysis of the artist you prefer. In the beginning I was hitting some thumbs down but I can go an entire day listening to the music I like and learn about new artist I would have never discovered on my own. Music lovers, you would be fools for not checking this out immediately. Pandora.com

I love finding people, especially moms, who start their own business and launch a product all while keeping their senses of humor. I recently had the opportunity to give Boogie Wipes a try. These new wipes were created specifically for those sensitive noses brought on by colds and allergies. How appropriate since we're full steam ahead into allergy season. Aside from feeling so nice and comfy on your nose (and the noses of the tissue connoisseur at our house), these wipes are hypoallergenic, alcohol free, and contain moisturizers like chamomile, vitamin E and aloe. These Boogie Moms know what they're doing. See the products here: BoogieWipes.com

I posted some tips last year as we were celebrating Earth Day and I feel these (and more) are just as appropriate and even easy to do all year long. Don't just wait for a special one day celebration of the Earth to try these activities.

GO on a Family Nature Walk
RIDE Your Bike or WALK When You Can
CLEAN Up a Local Beach or Park
BRING Your Own Reusable Grocery Bags
SWITCH to Cloth Napkins
TURN Lights OFF When Not in Use
PLANT Trees In Your Yard or With a Local Program
PACK Lunches in Reusable Containers and SKIP the Plastic Bags
VISIT a Recycling Center or Call Your City to Find Out More
KEEP Your Tires Fully Inflated and SAVE Gas
CHANGE at Least 5 of Your Light Bulbs to Energy Efficient Florescent Bulbs
RECYCLE More Than You Throw Away
BUY and INSTALL an Energy Efficient Thermostat for Your Home

I heard this morning that our local grocery chain is offering PAPERLESS coupons. You can visit the website, choose your coupons and add them to your club card for swiping at checkout. See the program here and see if your store offers the same. www.ralphs.com