I've always known we were special, I mean there aren’t many mom and dad blogger teams out there with such kooky kids. It’s only fitting that we were chosen for this freakin awesome opportunity

Alright so maybe that wasn’t the criteria they needed but I do think it has something to do with having 3 kids that span the ages toddler to teen. Carnival is known as The Fun Ship but they are also making an impact as a family friendly cruise line with activities for kids ages 2 – teen, the onboard WaterWorks waterslide and a more relaxed dining schedule.

Our job as your newest Carnival Mom(and Dad)-bassadors is to let you know our experiences while we sail the Caribbean Sea to ports like Belize and Cozumel. We’ll update often with the activities the kids are enjoying, the beaches and towns we visit and the fun we have.

While this is a cruise review it’s so much more. This will be the FIRST cruise for all of us. Now is the time for all of you to chime in with you advice and tips and tricks for making this dream vacation the best it can be.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.
Growing up I remember walking to several corner stores for all of our daily needs. Cooper’s had snacks and penny candies and P&S had groceries. Even the diners were not only so tasty they were reasonably priced. Today, Cooper’s isn’t there one of the diners turned into a pizza place and small doctor’s office turned into a daycare center. For a long time all of those charming mom and pop shops were disappearing.

If you’ve noticed there’s been a resurgence of the quaint Main Street feel in the big cities. Crumbling neighborhoods and dilapidated houses are being transformed into hip bistros and trendy shops. Made in America is in fashion again! Local isn’t an insult, it’s a badge to be worn proudly on doors, menus and labels.

Rambler’s Way is changing small town life in Maine; refurbishing buildings, bringing business back to the community and revitalizing the area with jobs and opportunities that weren’t available for a long time. The neighborhood I grew up in was in bad shape for a long time. Northern Liberties, Philadelphia is now one of the most sought after communities after its tremendous growth in recent years. Memories of vacant lots, boarded up buildings and damaged streets are long gone.

Think back to where you and your family grew up. How is it different today? Is it still changing?

HOW IT WORKS

ThermaCELL uses revolutionary, patented technology to dispense a small amount of repellent into the air over a long period of time. ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides the cordless, portable heat necessary to operate the device (batteries are not needed). It directs the heat to a metal grill. A mat saturated with Allethrin, a copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is placed on top of the metal grill. The heat generated by the butane cartridge vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) “Mosquito-Free-Zone” in minutes. The repellent is very unpleasant to mosquitoes, but when used as directed, will not harm humans or pets.

Product Features
• Repels up to 98% of mosquitoes. Also repels black flies and no-see-ums.
• Provides a 15 x 15 ft Mosquito Free Zone, the size of an average deck or patio.
• Dual use product: repellent and light can be used together or separately.
• DEET Free!
• Silent, portable, and odor free.
• Easy to use: no open flame; no messy wax.
• Effective alternative to smelly lotions and sprays which must be applied to the skin.
• ThermaCELL technology has been tested and approved by the U.S. Army. Currently used in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
• EPA approved.
• Perfect for backyards, decks, picnics, barbeques, camping, and outdoor parties.

All in all I feel the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern is well worth the money and I would recommend them to friends and family. I have seen these lanterns in Home Depot as well as here with all of the accessories needed after you use the original provided ones so these are not one and done lanterns. So if you hang outside on the deck a lot like we do you should give the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern a try.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound...and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.

This past Sunday we all headed out for a family shopping trip. After dropping dropping off Melinda for a chance to shop in quiet. Shaun, Shae and I headed to Boscov’s so I could find a few items. I thought I would be ok taking Shaun and Shae with me alone but I was so so wrong!

It started ten minutes into the trip where I don’t think I even had 3 things picked out with Shae saying “Daddy, I need to pee” so I asked the associate where the bathrooms were. Of course they were on the second level and guess what level I was on, yup you guessed it level 1. So after Shae went to the bathroom we headed back down stairs to the men’s department. The whole way Shaun and Shae touching everything they passed. Question, why the heck do kids find this so fun and amusing? After we got back downstairs I asked the associate where the boys department was because Shaun needed a new bathing suit. It was on level 2  AGAIN. At this point I am starting to get annoyed. So we made our way upstairs and on the way we had to take the escalator which I forgot to mention on our first trip upstairs Shae was terrified of and she made me hold her. So after we get his bathing suit and he tries it on we head back downstairs becauseI still haven’t got what I came for. We get back downstairs and I am looking for clothes and here comes Shae, “Daddy, I need to poop”. REALLY!!!!!!!! You couldn’t have told me this last two freaking times we were upstairs. Now at this point I am ready to pull my hair out but we go back upstairs; for those keeping score this is trip number 3.

One last time i'm going to attempt to look for things for me; I ask Shaun and Shae to have a seat but I can hear them fighting over the chair. I was trying my hardest to find clothes quickly and try them on but I can still hear them fighting over the chair. I come out and hear Shae crying. I run over to see what happened and Shaun said Shae fell over the side of the chair. I asked him if he pushed her and while saying "No" he had a sneaky little smirk. If you know Shaun he tends to laugh or smile when he is lying so I figured he pushed her. At this point I am ready to scream and I threatened bodily harm (even though that never happens). When I looked up an older couple was staring at me probably because I threatened Shaun. All I could do was stare at them and see if they planned on saying something which they didn’t. After Shae settled down I asked her if Shaun pushed her and she said no which was a good thing. Not sure how long the shopping trip took but I did find most of what I was looking for but let me tell you it was the most difficult trip I have ever been on with Shaun and Shae.Suffice it to say I was ready to go home and lock myself in a room.  Not sure how Melinda does it all of the time.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Mission Foods. All opinions are 100% mine.
3 kids, 2 adults equals mini squabbles at dinnertime. Shae doesn’t like sauce, Shaun doesn’t like chicken, Sabreena doesn’t like beans, Rob and I eat almost anything and expect the kids to eat what’s on their plate.

Most nights are pretty successful, I know what the kids like and try to offer some choices with veggies or sides but our main meal is for the most part not up for discussion. If I want a meal to go off without a hitch I go for Mexican. Mission Tortillas are my godsend. Food stuffed in a tortilla the kids will eat. From tacos to enchiladas to most recently beef and bean burritos, Mexican food is a hit. Always on our grocery list we go through about 2 packs a week, small ones for lunch (cheese quesadillas, peanut butter and jelly rolls) and big ones for dinner. I find Mission brand tortillas fresher, softer and tastier than other brands and low in fat and calories making them a guilt free meal or snack.

Beginning today Mission Foods kicking off the Mission Menus Challenge; a contest encouraging consumers to submit their budget conscious recipes for a chance to win a $10,000 Dream Kitchen Makeover and to participate in a LA area cook-off. All recipes must be original, include Mission Flour Tortillas and feed a family of 5 for $10 or less. Quick this contest ends August 9, 2010

Visit Mission Menus Challenge for all the rules and details and to also learn about Mission’s commitment to end childhood hunger through Share our Strength.