As many of you know, my family and I are heading to New York this summer to help the economy.  :)  Okay, more seriously, we are going to visit my sister-in-law and her new baby (he was born on March 1st).  However, I didn’t want to fly for many reasons.

I don’t care how many times everybody keeps saying they don’t pat down kids.  I have seen 100s of videos on YouTube where they have.  Except, I would be getting arrested, because I couldn’t stand there while they fondle my kids (security my ass.  More like security theater.)  So I take my money where my mouth is — we are not flying.  Also, you have crap like this (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-belkin/children-on-airplanes_b_1492051.html) where you have people who take their position to the extreme.  I don’t need that crap.    Plus, flying would cost us a ton of money.

We had many reasons to drive besides not wanting the TSA patdown.  It is cheaper to drive even with gas as expensive as it is.  As a family, we drive to Green Bay all the time.  However, my kids haven’t really gone anywhere else.  After our disastrous trip to Florida without a car several years ago, we learned the importance of having a car.  (We flew on that trip before all these stupid TSA rules were in play).  Plus, we are looking at sightseeing along the way, so my kids can see more of the country!  Lastly, we are being loaned a Cadillac Escalade.  That vehicle alone is worth driving!  To be honest, a Cadillac Escalade gets around the same gas mileage as the van I drive everyday.  Plus, there are some features it has that my van doesn’t like 3 DVD players.  I wish we were a family that could all get along on a car ride.  We are not.  Instead, I have no problem flipping on a DVD and with 3 players, there is no fighting over what movie we are watching (WOOOHOOOOO!!)  Some other really cool features are GPS (which I need), satellite radio, heated and cooled seats, and cooled cupholders.  The really cool thing is that since it seats 8 adults, both families will fit in here for any sightseeing we do in New York.  (There are about 100 cool features that the Escalade has, but these were the ones I cared about the most!).

I am super excited for our trip.  Are you flying for your summer vacation?  Why or why not?

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Have you ever been in a tornado? Here’s a first person account how horrifying it is to live through one.  I don’t know if I would have had the presence of mind to record it myself.  The power is out so the visuals aren’t so hot, however, the audio is absolutely chilling.  I found this on YouTube, and from what I can tell, everybody got out of that store okay.  (though the rest of Joplin didn’t fare quite as well).

How do you think you would have reacted? (I have to admit that I am impressed how everybody was caring for one another. However, the frightened kids broke my heart!).

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You know we are Handy Manny fans at my house. We decorated Will’s room in a Handy Manny theme (if that doesn’t show dedication, I don’t know what does). That is why I was super excited to learn about the special Handy Manny show this Saturday (it’s on my birthday too!). For those who don’t watch Handy Manny, it was launched in 2006. The Disney’s Emmy-nominated animated series shares the adventures of Manny, a bilingual handyman, and his talking tools. Geared toward preschoolers, the show helps kids learn important lessons like problem solving and working together while introducing them to Latin culture and common Spanish words and phrases.

Well, the show on Saturday may be Handy Manny’s toughest one yet! Guest stars Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Lance Bass join Wilmer Valderrama (the voice of Manny) and the rest of the “Handy Manny” gang as they prepare for the famed Wood Valley 500 race. Manny and the tools team up with Eliot to revamp his used race car, as race time approaches, Elliot’s nerves get the best of him. Famous racecar driver, Chase Davis (Earnhardt, Jr.) and Manny both jump in to help. You can see a sneak preview on YouTube!

I know we’ll be watching this on Saturday!  The really cool thing is that we will be going to see Playhouse Disney Live that day and Handy Manny will be in it.  This show will be a great encore for us!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Playhouse Disney. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

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Now, I don’t know how long You Tube is going to keep this video up, so make sure you watch it right away.  It is awesome. If you want to hear the whole story, Read the Cnet article about what Warner Music has done. Star Wars fans will love this. Heck, even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan, this is awesome.

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I want this husband! This is one of the funniest first dances I have ever seen at a wedding. It even beats the “baby got back” one that we all saw on TV and YouTube.

Let me know what you think. Would you do this at your wedding?

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