This post is part of a series of posts I’m writing about my adventure at the 2nd Walt Disney World African American Mom Blogger Mixer.

Back in May, I had the opportunity to flee to Disney World for a kid-free weekend courtesy of Maria Bailey at BSM Media, but I chose to bring my Booga Shuga along with. He is the baby behind this blog, so he deserved to go too! And I’ll admit, I wanted to show him off, lol. Hey, I’m a proud mama. I was a little worried about how he would behave on the plane. It was his first plane ride! And you know, people on planes can be complete A-Holes when it comes to children riding along. Some of the things children do can be controlled by their parents, but infants, they don’t know any better.

Due to an accident that brought traffic to a near halt, we arrived at the airport late. By then Boogie was screaming hysterically. We had to wake up around 5am, so needless to say he had every reason to be a little cranky. I missed check in outside by 9 seconds, so I was advised to speak with an agent to be put on a stand-by flight. I didn’t want to sit in the airport for a whole hour, but Boogie and I got our hugs and smooches from Daddy and we were off to the gate.

I was amazed at the help we got from total strangers at the security checkpoint. I couldn’t get the travel stroller folded. I should have tested it out the night before. A random man and woman came to the rescue. They were seasoned parents, lol. Boogie was on his best behavior. That kind of behavior is granted on a mircale. Boarding the plane, I found myself sitting in the middle seat, between.two.men. I was so hoping that I wouldn’t have to nurse him. Being the nervous mom who didn’t want to get dirty looks because of her kid, I assured them that he’s a good boy and he’d hopefully take a nap. HE.SLEPT.THE.ENTIRE.FLIGHT! Can I get a hallelujah!?

After arriving in Orlando, we proceeded to catch the Magical Express. We waited a good 30 minutes. I was so hot, sweaty, and ready for a shower. While riding The Magical Express, Jayden notified me that he wanted to nurse. So we proceeded to the restroom at the back of the bus. Since it was a bumpy ride, we stayed in there until the driver stopped. He asked me if I was alright when I sat back down, anti-bacterial wipes and Boogie in tow. I didn’t want everyone thinking I was in there taking a dump, so I let him know that I was nursing Jayden *blushes*.

When we arrived at The Boardwalk Resort, the staff gave us a warm welcome. If only there were more people in the world like them. As soon as we entered our room, all BOOGIE broke loose! He.had.to.touch.everything!

Since we arrived late, I didn’t plan on going to dinner with the girls. I smelled like I was fresh out the gym and our luggage had not arrived yet. I felt so bad because I didn’t want to seem antisocial. I didn’t want to make a bad impression. I felt like everyone was having fun without me . Little did I know that poor Michele was having some drama at the airport as well, so she got in late too.

The Celebration team brightened my day. They came knocked on our door, Disney swag in tow. It was supposed to be a surprise, but since I was having technical difficulties, I was still lurking in the room. To make it special, Boogie and I went out on the balcony while the team decorated the room.

Boogie and I got settled, dined on a $33 pizza ($16 was in tax, service fee, and tip), took a bath and prepared for what would be a looong and fun filled Saturday with some amazing women!

On a side note…

Do you guys know that he jumped in the tub face first in his clothes??? I would have taken a picture but he wasn’t too thrilled at what he had done, lol. All his monkey business was rounds for a time out! I see why our room was nestled down a long hall in the corner, lol.

Shortly after he was out for the count! To be continued…

(more photos)

• Hanging Out With The Disney Mocha Moms!
• Vacation In Comfort With Kids
• Mom’s Nite Out Is May 7th 2009, Get Ready!
• We Won Disney On Ice Tickets! Want A Discount?
• New Study Examines Moms by Race

• No Related Post

Our url didn’t make the cut, but some press is better than none .

• Check Me Out At MyBrownBaby MOM OF THE WEEK!
• Press & Projects

Love this one, but the focus was out of wack :-/.

• Why Kids Should Be Strapped In Their High Chairs at All Times
• Happy Father’s Day!
• Boogie You Can Do It!
• Boogie Caught Bouncer Snoozin’!
• Wordless Wednesday: Thudguard

This Wednesday July 8th at 2EST, Katja of Skimbaco Lifestyle will be hosting another live Snazl-show. In the chat, Katja and her co-hosts will be sharing home spa recipes and tips and tricks. They will also raffle 2 x $25 Vintage Body Spa gift certificates and other home spa related products! In addition, they will be giving away a $25 Walmart gift card, a relaxation fountain, and a surprise! To get in on the fun, be sure to register at snazl.com. You can watch the show here, snazl.com, and on other participating blogs.

• Katja Presnal + e.l.f. Cosmetics + Snazl + You = LIVE Paaartay!
• Mama Fakes A Poop Just To Be Alone! ROFL!

Jayden’s been taking lots of baths lately. We think he has a water addiction. Normally we don’t let him bathe back-to-back-to-back because of his eczema, but the olive oil baths are helping legs.

*smooch* *smooch* *smooch*

• Photos From Today: Our Big Boy
• Why Kids Should Be Strapped In Their High Chairs at All Times
• Happy Father’s Day!
• Boogie You Can Do It!
• Boogie Caught Bouncer Snoozin’!

My good friend Katja Presnal of Skimbaco Lifestyle will be hosting her First Ever Interactive LIVE Multimedia Snazl show TODAY on Tuesday June 30, at 2PM EST! The show is part of e.l.f. Cosmetics BlogHer stories series, done by Snazl.com, and can be seen at both of those sites as well as SkimbacoLifestyle.com. If I am able to grab the embed code when the show goes live, I’ll have it streaming  here on Mommy Daddy Blog as well. During the show, Katja will be giving away a total of 5 $25 gift cards to e.l.f. Cosmetics! The first gift card will go to the person who guesses the SUPER STAR that Katja saw in NYC yesterday. One of the remaining 4 gift cards will also go to a blogger who blogs about her show. Be sure to visit Skimbaco Lifestyle for more details and tune in on Katja’s blog, Snazl, or the e.l.f. Cosmetics promo page at 2pm EST for the party!

• Live Show: How to Create An At Home Spa by Katja Presnal

Summer Family Tips From Scott Common Sense + $50 Visa Giveaway! – During the month of June, Scott Common Sense is all about making the most of the time you spend with family and friends. Scott Common Sense is definitely a great go-to destination for tips and advice. We’ve teamed up with Scott Common Sense to giveaway one $50 Visa Gift Card to put towards those backyard barbeques, along with coupons for Scott Long Lasting products. (ends 6/30)

Reviews

Balcony Makeover With Walmart And The Home Depot – I’ve been itching to do something with my balcony ever since the weather started getting nice. I had no clue as to what I wanted to do. But before I had a chance to start actively looking, Walmart presented me with the opportunity to choose a patio set and accessories of my choice to help decorate my outdoor space. Shortly after, The Home Depot presented me with a mini shopping spree in their gardening section.

Review: Toni by Vincent Shoes – I’m somewhat obsessed with shoes and ever since having Jayden, I’ve become even more obsessed. I love finding fashionable shoes in teeny little sizes. The folks over at Vincent Shoes sent over a pair of Toni’s for us to review and I am thrilled. I’ve heard rave reviews about Vincent’s shoes before Jayden was even in the works, so I didn’t expect any less when reviewing them.

• Buzz of the Week – June 21st, 2009
• Buzz of the Week – June 14th, 2009
• Buzz of the Week – May 31st, 2009
• Buzz of the Week – May 24th, 2009
• Buzz of the Week – May 17th, 2009

Staying Safe at BBQs. According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don’t forget to check that your child’s hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.

Keep the Pool Cool and Clean. If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don’t forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Staying Healthy and Hydrated. Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours.  Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.

Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds. Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts.  As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!

Saving on Spills. Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don’t have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink.  Don’t forget to rinse and dry when done.  A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)

Related Posts:
How to Budget for a Family Vacation with Julie Casserly
Summer Family Tips From Scott Common Sense + $50 Visa Giveaway!

• Boogie You Can Do It!
• Spot Shot Non-Toxic: Safe For Little Crawlers!
• Mean BUT Green Dishwashing Liquid!
• Cascade Complete & Electrasol Advanced Challenge
• Win A Merry Maid For An Entire Year!

Ms. Casserly offered some tips for making your vacation memorable without paying for it until next summer. I couldn’t resist sharing them.

• Last Minute Deals – We live in a world where there are so many things to do and many, many options.  Many of the travel websites will have last minute trips at a deep discount, particularly today with this economic environment.  Decide, OK, we have $2000 to spend on vacation and then search online for an all inclusive trip for the long weekend that falls into that number.  The exciting part is that you are leaving yourself open to trying a new adventure or a new place.
• Look At The End, First - Steven Covey says, “Begin with the end in mind”. I couldn’t agree more. Decide what are your priorities for your vacation, what amount your will choose to spend, then build your plan out from there.
• Choose the Day – Choose to travel on cheaper air fare days, say Tuesday – Saturday
• Name Your Price – Rent your car, hotel, or your airfare through priceline.com where you can name your own price. I have tried a 30% lower price than the market price and most times I am successful.
• Pack the Snacks – If you’re taking a road trip, pack a cooler!!!  No need to spend extra money on those high cost, high calorie snacks.
• One Stop Shopping – Buy in bulk, get airfare, hotel, and car from one vendor.
• Locals Know Best – Talk to the locals once you get somewhere, go to the restaurants where the locals eat, they’re not tourist traps with higher costs, and many times better.
• Set the Plan and Open an Account - If you don’t have a vacation planned, set those financial intentions by opening up a separate savings account that is ONLY to be used for your vacations. If you’ve decided you want to spend $3000 per year on a vacation, then make sure you put $125 per check (if paid twice per month) into that savings account straight from your paycheck.  I’ve met so many people who want to go on vacation, but they don’t because they don’t plan on it….this is a really easy thing to do to go have some fun in life!

Got a tip for making your vacation memorable without paying for it until next summer? Feel free to share in the comments. Also, be sure to share some of your summer tips here for a chance to win a $50 visa card courtesy of Scott Common Sense!

• Craigslist Find: Used Kenmore Washer And Dryer Set
• *OVER* Earth’s Best Savings And Our Gift To One Lucky Baby!
• Vacation In Comfort With Kids
• SALE ALERT: The Children’s Place Come Up!
• *OVER* Would You Like To SmartShop With DOLE Fruit Parfait Coupons?