It’s been a long time since I’ve written anything here…have been incredibly busy with life…but we have been doing some traveling with the children.

Christmas was a big 2 week trip back East to visit my family.  And recently we hit Vegas!

Vegas with kids you say?  Yes!  It was actually a fantastic trip.  We had both of our Dads there with their respective girlfriends and of course Uncle Brandon lives there, so it was quite the family vacation.  We stayed at Mandalay Bay, THE Hotel.  Highly recommend this hotel if your going to Vegas with your kids for a few reasons.  THEHotel does NOT have a casino so you can escape the chaos (and avoid the nagging “I want to play that game” – ie., the slot machine, each time you pass one on your way to your room – we got this request about a 100 times).  The rooms are also all suites meaning you get both a bedroom and a living room – key for nap time.  And of course the beach, lazy river and wave pool in The Mandalay Bay is a hit with the kids.  Though, children under 4′+ can’t go into the wave pool.  And, the rate was incredibly affordable ($139/night…we are paying more for a cabin in Big Bear this summer per night).

We also took the children to the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  Great aquarium and pretty amazing to see the sharks swim above you as you walk through the aquarium.

Stella and I hit Disney’ The Lion King show…absolutely amazing.  The opening Act alone was worth going back again to see.  It was Stella’s first show and she loved.  Sebby didn’t get to go as we thought he was too little to sit through the entire thing but in retrospect I think he might have.  Every time we passed the theater they both went wild with excitement and insist on reading the book every night now.

As for dining…there’s not a ton that is both Mom/Dad friendly and kid friendly.  We hit a few “burger” joints but the hit meal of trip was definitely brunch at Simon’s at the Palms.  Definitely a crowd pleaser from anyone aged 0-100 (our Dad’s really enjoyed)…Not only do they have amazing made to order selections and small but high quality buffet items but they had plenty of healthy options (beet root juice and green drink) and a candy bar…They also have an old school dessert plate (think homemade ho-hos, snowballs, rice krispy treats, caramel corn and cotton candy).

We actually drove this trip which ended up being pretty easy (5.5+ hrs) with no problems except early in the trip on the way out there Stella kept crying hysterically saying “there is a toy stuck in my nose…”  Some how we averted a trip to the hospital when I finally got her to “blow” the small ball out of her nose…She later asked when I told her never to put anything in her nose again if she could put something in her ear then…

Anyone who knows us knows that neither Justin nor I enjoy long car journey’s but we figure that if it’s going to take us about the same amount of time door to door to fly then we might as well drive now that we are party of 4!

We also recently broke down and bought a DVD player before our Christmas trip…it was well worth the purchase though I do have to admit Justin and I had a bit of a “smug” sense of pride that Stella was 3.5 and Sebby 1.5 before we actually bought the DVD player and we’ve made hundreds of trips (both car and plane) without one.  And even now, it only comes out on long (think over 2 hour) car drives or plane trips.

Here’s my thoughts (and some tips) on why you should postpone bringing out the DVD player on trips as long as possible.

1.  Once it’s out…it’s hard to put it away…

2.  Part of the road trip or plane adventure is taking in the scenery, learning to entertain yourself with simple things like reading or coloring or writing vs. being entertained.

3.  You can use it as a reward for good behavior…now I’m sure I might be getting into trouble here by saying that it should be used for a reward but it seems to work for us…

So, consider turning of the DVD player, kick old school and enjoy a road trip like you used to with Mom and Dad, radio sing-a-longs or games of “I Spy” or “Punch Buggie…”  You might just have some fun.

We have a few adventures planned for the summer so I hope to post more soon.

Until then…see for yourself how much Stella and Sebastian enjoyed Vegas….this was shot soon after we returned home.

Stella and Sebby Want to Go Back To Veags

I’m on week one day 3 of my 5 day solo parenting week of a back-to-back solo parenting weekend.  Did you follow that…

Probably not…

Anyway, Justin is away drumming us up some more business partners this week and again next week.  I should be there too but the reality is we have two very small children and I love them and don’t want to leave them that long.   Not to mention, who would they stay with?  The problems with living in a town where you know no one (outside of business colleagues, a few parents I’ve met and our nanny) and have no family. You are alone in the parenting.

I have to say, parenting alone the past few days hasn’t been that hard.  I did complain this AM to my nanny (she’s come in today for her twice a week nanny gig for me to work) that my arm was hurting from carrying Sebby and Stella so much….that’s my only complaint?

In some ways things have been easier.  No fussy dinner to make (the children will eat just about anything as long as there is some meat and fruit).  No cleaning up after my “third child” (now that he’s gone “paleo” the grease clean-up from all his “healthy breakfasts” has become an overwhelming YUCK feast on the cleaning front).  No waking up in the middle of the night when the “third child” decides to come to bed after falling asleep on the couch…No coordination of plans.

But on the flip side there’s also no help with baths, no help with bedtime, no help with delivering Stella to school on time and picking her up.  No help with meals.  But more importantly I’m lonely.  No one to share a laugh with over something funny the kids did.  No one to strategize with on how to best discipline …does anyone really know?  That’s something Justin and I work on together as neither of us have it figured out…who does?   And no one to kiss goodnight and snuggle up with in the morning.  No one to fall back on if something goes wrong.

As Hillary Clinton made famous the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child,” I reflect, how do single parents raise a child?  It’s not easy.

I feel blessed to have a loving husband and caring father to help me on the road to raising our children.  What of those who do not have that spousal support on a daily basis?  What about those fathers or mothers who have to travel weekly for their jobs?  Is the parent left at home basically a single parent?  I’ve heard many a parent lament over this issue.

And I fear that my children don’t have a “village” to raise them.  We’ve moved to a new city, that we are enjoying as a family and as we grow our business, but we lack a village.  No family, no close friends.

I grew up with a huge “village” of close family and friends and I reflect fondly on my younger years.  I truly believe it formed who I am today in many of the good ways.  I had many teachers.  I learned different ways of doing things.  I received feedback (good and bad) regularly from different people who loved me.

While I complain a bit about being alone the next few days to raise our children I actual worry more about the village I don’t have.

My sister and her son are flying out next week to spend some time with me and the children while Justin is away.  My “fly-in” village.  Our parents come often for visits with the children.  Their weekend “village.”

Friends come for a day her or there for visits.  The children love it and in some ways it’s still part of “our village.”

We have hired a nanny who comes twice a week and is from a different culture (Hispanic) who provides “our village” with different ways of doing things.  She brings her daughters some times, fun “stand in cousins” for the children.

Stella has started pre-school at an elementary school with 24 other children and 3 teachers.  “Our village” is growing.

But at what point will I not feel alone in this parenting thing? When will “our village” be big enough to shoulder the enormous responsibility of raising a child?

I just returned from my first 2 night solo trip and it got me thinking….Mommy’s definitely get the shaft…

As a disclaimer Justin did a great job with the kids while I was gone but I have to say…it’s definitely different from when he goes away.

Daddy’s Pre-Trip Preparation:
Pack Bag
Print Boarding Pass
Mommy checks to see that Daddy has cell phone, charger, etc…

Mommy’s Pre-Trip Preparation:
Grocery shop (can’t have an empty fridge for the kiddies and Daddy)
Clean
Do laundry (what will they wear when I’m gone?)
Arrange child care while away (yes, Daddy has part-time duty)
Check that there’s enough diapers, wipes, etc…
Water plants
Open mail and deal with mail, pay bills
Schedule activities for children
Pack Bag
Print Boarding Pass
Double check that she has essentials

Now, Mommy or Daddy is off for a few days.

They return…

Daddy’s return:
On time pick-up at the airport with full tank of gas.
Children happy
Dinner prepared
Quiet evening at home, ahh, “it’s nice to be home he says…”
Mommy unpacks and does his laundry

Mommy’s Return:
Late pick-up at the airport
Children cranky
Dinner out
Unpack
Put the children to bed
Open mail and pay bills
Do laundry
Fill up gas tank

Buy groceries
Catch up on work
Water Plants
Take children to activities and appointments

Ahh…equality and women’s lib…gotta love it!

Compliments of My Mommy Peeps in Canada, Urban Mommies: http://www.urbanmommies.com/the-baby/travel-with-baby-the-baby/what-to-wear-when-traveling-with-a-child/

In the midst of holiday travel planning and getting excited about our next adventure as a family.

I’m off to Vancouver next week on a solo mission to pass my Canadian Citizenship Test. My first 2 nights away from the family since we had Stella. Justin has some back-up day support but will be on his own at night…wish him luck!

We are currently looking for an intern to help with an upcoming product launch.

Below is the job description. If you or anyone you know is interested in this position please email: support@efficiententerprisesinc.com

Social Media and Online PR and Marketing Internship
Are you looking for an exciting Social Media and Online PR and Marketing internship working for an entrepreneur? Interested in working virtually, setting your own hours, and helping to promote a new product showing entrepreneurs how to build and run a successful internship program?
A well-established online entrepreneurial business seeks social media and online public relations/marketing interns to work remotely (or in our offices if you are in the Southern California area). This position is unpaid, but offers exceptional resume-building and networking opportunities. You will learn the in’s and out’s of the online industry and an entrepreneurial company (from the ground up).

This opportunity is open to those seeking hands on experience. If you need college credit for your internship we are willing to work with your school and academic advisor to assist you in obtaining credit.
Interns applying for this internship should be Public Relations, Marketing, Business, or Journalism, News Media and Communications majors with experience on the Web and a solid understanding of social media. We prefer current college students but would consider recent graduates.
Must be a dedicated, responsible, creative, articulate, personable and an organized self-starter. The applicant should possess excellent writing and communications skills, be detail oriented and be able to work on a variety of projects simultaneously.

Applicant must be Social Networking/Internet savvy. We will be using Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and all social networking to promote and conduct an on line marketing campaign for the product launch.

Responsibilities may include (but not limited to):
- Building, maintaining and promoting profiles for: Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and all other social networking sites as deemed appropriate
-Press release and article writing and online submission
-Blogging

Qualifications we are looking for:
- Proactive go-getter with an entrepreneurial spirit, high energy, fun, positive can-do attitude and work-ethic who is hands-on
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written
- Reliable, detail-oriented and extremely motivated
- Candidate will work in a highly confidential environment and must maintain confidentiality at all times.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand how to do everything listed above: training will be provided.
If you are interested in an internship:
-With an entrepreneurial company
-With a company that has remote workers from India to Virginia, and from the Philippines to Louisiana to Canada
-With a company run by a husband & wife team who have taken 2 sabbaticals in the past 4 years
-Where you will learn the foundations of how to market an online business using social media

Then this is DEFINITELY for you!
If you are looking for:
-A paid position
-A stuffy office environment
-A “big” company
-Somebody watching over your shoulder every 5 minutes
Then this position is NOT for you, please do not apply.
Here are our expectations:
1. Honesty
2. Hard work – (doing your best)
3. Willingness to learn – (We will put a lot on you to learn)
4. An email sent to every day you work answering the following questions – (This is an ABSOLUTE MUST)
What you got done that day? What challenges or obstacles you encountered? What questions you have?
5. Communication. That is a big one. This includes the ability for me to call you if necessary, although 90% of our communication will be via email or IM.
Other requirements/important information:
- Minimum of two days a week
- Must commit through the completion of the product launch (Dec. 1, 2010)
- Knowledge/prior experience in marketing/PR a plus – but not required
- Position available immediately
- This is an unpaid internship for college credit if desired. We will work with your school/academic advisor to help you fulfill college credit if needed but please let us know PRIOR to the beginning of your internship so that we can coordinate appropriately with your school.
-Please send resume, cover letter, sample of your work and let us know if you will be applying for credit for your internship.