Nintendo Wii

With all of the video game systems out there, the Nintendo Wii is by far one of the best. It used to be that to play a video game you sat on the couch, and the only part of your body that got any exercise was your fingers. Although it is a video game system, it promotes physical activity. It is a good system for all age groups. My 2 1/2 year old plays it very adeptly. About the only thing he needs us to do is change the disc when he is ready for a new game. Wii Sports is a great tool when your kids have some extra energy and it is not a good day to be outside. There is baseball, tennis, boxing, bowling, and golf. You must use the Wii remote as the actual item you would be playing with if you were outside playing. When you play baseball, you hold the remote like a bat and swing at the ball, or hold it in your hand and mock pitch. (please make sure to have the wrist strap on, or you are going to end up with a Wii remote through your TV.)For tennis, you must hold the remote like a tennis racket. Bowling, you hold the remote and perform all of the actual motions of throwing a bowling ball. For golf, you hold the remote as you would a golf club. Boxing requires by far the most energy. After three rounds, my kids are usually sweating and panting, but they are also laughing. They think they are just playing, but I know they are getting some exercise.
With the introduction of the Wii Fit, Nintendo has opened up a whole new way to get fit. It offers those of us who can't seem to make it to the gym, or are uncomfortable in a gym setting the opportunity to get some of the same benefits in the comfort of your own home. The Wii Fit offers Yoga and Aerobics,plus much more, and the balance board that comes with the system will keep track of your progress.
I was never big on video games. I didn't play them much, and didn't let my kids play them much either. The Nintendo Wii has changed my perspective somewhat. I enjoy playing, and am a little more liberal with allowing my children to play. Especially on those days when the weather is not cooperating, and they can't get outside. When they play the Wii, I know they are at least getting some physical exercise.
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Summer Beach Trip

One of the things I look forward to most during the summer is a trip to the beach. I have been to quite a few beaches on the east coast, and there are so many to choose from. My favorite by far is Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Located about 30 miles southeast of Jacksonville, NC it is a fantastic beach to go to, whether you go for the day, or you rent a property for the week. Shorewood Real Estate, and Emerald Isle realty along with a few others are good real estate companies to go through if you are looking for a rental property. Emerald Isle is more of a quiet beach. There are a few amusement places for the kids with Miniature Golf and games, but there isn't a boardwalk with rides and things like that. It is not as commercialized as say Nags Head, NC or Ocean City, MD, but it is a beautiful beach with beautiful waters. There are fun things to do in or around Emerald Isle, including The North Carolina Aquarium, which is located in Pine Knoll Shores, approximately 8 miles from Emerald Isle. Another great trip is to Cape Lookout National Seashore. It is a group of barrier islands located 3 miles offshore, and offers great shelling. You can take a ferry from Beaufort, or Morehead City to the islands then a beach shuttle to the point which is where you will find the best shelling. If at all possible, take the first ferry of the morning, and then the first beach shuttle to the point for the best shelling opportunity. It is an undeveloped beach area, so there are things to keep in mind before you go. On the point there isn't any shade or restroom facilities. There is a visitors center at the lighthouse with restrooms, but not at the point. Also keep in mind that whatever you take into the park, you take out of the park, including trash. For more information on the beautiful park, you can visit their web site at nps.gov/calo It is a fun day trip to take. So with enough things to do to keep busy, but not so much it is overwhelming, Emerald Isle is a great place to go as a family for a relaxing beach vacation.

The Fabulous Las Vegas

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I just returned from a trip to Las Vegas. If you have never been there, it is a trip you should take at least once in your life, but chances are after you have gone once, you will want to go again. This was actually my second trip to Vegas in two years. My husband and I went last year for our anniversary, and this most recent trip was for a wedding. My sister got married at the Las Vegas Wedding Chapel in a beautiful garden chapel. It was a beautiful ceremony, and staff was great. They web cast the wedding, so our family and friends back home that couldn't make it to Vegas were able to watch it online. They even let us say hello to our kids. The photographer did a great job with the pictures. So much so, that my sister and brother-in-law could not make a decision as to which pictures to purchase, so they got them all including the copy wright, so now they are to free to print them out as they wish.
We stayed at Excalibur Hotel and Casino, right on the strip. It is a great hotel, and I would strongly recommend it. The rooms are clean, the beds are comfortable, and it is one of the more reasonably priced hotel and casinos to stay at. I would also recommend that you plan your trip as a package deal. One of the best that I found was through US Airways Vacations. Air and hotel all wrapped up together. It was a great deal.
Whether or not you are into gambling, there is so much to see and do in Vegas, you could go there many, many times and still see new things each time. Tournament of Kings dinner show at Excalibur is a great show, with a lot of audience interaction. Some of the free shows include the fighting ships at Treasure Island, and the beautiful Dancing Fountains at Bellagio. Both of those are must sees. Another must see is the Lion Habitat at MGM Grand, which is right across the street from Excalibur. At the Mirage, you can see an erupting volcano outside, then go inside and become a dolphin trainer for a day at the dolphin habitat. There are many shows to choose from. There's The Blue Man Group, David Copperfield, Mama Mia, Carrot Top and many many more. There is something for everyone in Vegas, and for all you ladies; Thunder From Down Under at Excalibur is male revue that you will not soon forget.
With so much to see and do, it is almost a necessity to go more than once. We have now decided to make Vegas a yearly getaway for my husband and I. As I said before, we have now been there twice, and still haven't seen a fraction of all there is to see. Even after being home for only 2 days, I am already looking forward to our next trip out there. Viva Las Vegas!

Fool's Gold

Fool's Gold, with Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey is a great movie with a little bit of everything. It has action, comedy, and even somewhat of a love story. With all of these elements incorporated into this film, it makes it a great movie for men and women alike. Oh, and for all you Matthew McConaughey fans, he was just really nice to look at. :-)

Independence Day

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As we celebrate our independence, let us reflect and remember what it has cost us to get here. From the Revolutionary War to our current War on Terror, please take a moment to think about the sacrafices that our soldiers, as well as their families have made and are continuing to make to keep this country free and independent. I personally would like the thank all of you for all you do, so that I may continue to enjoy the freedoms that I have.
May God bless you, and may God bless America.

A Tasty Chicken Recipe

You Will Need:

1 package of thick Chicken Breasts
Ham (sliced, lunchmeat style)
Provolone Cheese
Honey Mustard
Flour
Eggs


Slice each breast in half to make thinner breasts.
put a little bit of oil into a skillet and let it heat up.
beat eggs in a bowl
put flour into a seperate bowl
Dip a breast in egg and then into flour, and place into skillet.
Cook until chicken is cooked through.
Once all of the chicken breasts are cooked, place them on a cookie sheet.
Pre-heat the oven to 375.
Place one slice of ham(folded in half), and then one slice of cheese on each breast.
Put in the oven for approximately 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Remove the chicken from the oven and spread honey mustard over the top.
Serve and enjoy

The Joys of Parenting

From the day you find out you are pregnant, you are in a state of constant curiosity. It starts with wondering if it is a boy or a girl. Then you begin to wonder will the baby look like mommy, or daddy? We spend nine months wondering, and anxiously waiting. The day finally arrives, and when you hold the baby for the first time, you are then in a state of awe. Not believing that this precious little thing actually grew inside of you. Those first moments are incredible. As time passes by you are constantly amazed with watching your child grow and develop. There are trying times, when you just don't think you are going to be able to make it through. There are amusing times when your child says or does something, and you don't think you will ever be able to stop laughing. There are milestones, you child says his first word, or takes his first steps. There are heartwarming times, when your child says for the first time "I love you mommy", or "I love you daddy". The years quickly pass and your family grows. You then get into crazy times. Wondering how you are going to get one child to soccer practice on this side of town, and get the other one to basketball practice on the other side of town at the exact same time. Before you know it, you are at a high school graduation, and as watch your child walk accross the stage to receive his diploma, you are again in awe of the wonderful person your child has become, and where in the world all of the time went. When your youngest child graduates from high school and prepares to head off to college, you begin wondering; "Wow, what am I going to do with myself?" Take comfort in knowing that your job as a parent is not finished. No matter how old your child gets, they will continue coming to you for advice, for help, for someone to talk to, or for someone to lean on. The joys of parenting begin at pregnancy, and will continue for the rest of your life.