Home Vacations!

No money in the budget for summer travel? You can still have a great family vacation right in your own home.
Some years ago, as parents of three daughters under the age of ten, my wife, Kathy, and I thought it was time that we start making memories in the family vacation department. We wanted these events to be something we could do every summer, things that we would all look forward to. But we also realized we must be careful about starting such traditions, as the recurring annual expense can become a plan-altering factor in any given year.
Now we all know that vacations can be expensive, especially when it comes to travel and accommodation expenses. Thankfully, my smart wife did some exploring and found an idea in a magazine about "vacations on a budget." The writer called it a staycation, which incorporated the idea of having a vacation in the privacy of one's own home. We really liked this idea, and we began planning for one.
We decided that, while on our staycation, we would turn off the phones, as if we were really gone - out of town and unreachable. Staying at home meant that our only vacation expenses would be for food and entertainment, and we were willing to really spend the money there. We thought if we could have a five-day vacation with our little family, and spend only five or six hundred dollars making memories, what a savings we'd make!
The plan was this: since there are five of us, the vacation would unfold with each member of our family choosing a theme and the events for one of the five days . . . sometimes with a little help from mom or dad.
Our eldest daughter, having loved Madeline the little French girl, was interested in "going" to France. We began the day getting some lovely croissants and pastries at a local French bakery for breakfast. Then we went to a children's museum for a couple of hours. Afterwards, we went to an authentic French restaurant for a late but very French lunch. And finally we came home, had a little nap, and then watched the Madeline movie with all sorts of snacks to eat.
As each new summer would approach, our girls - who now knew what to expect - became more and more inventive. Over the years, we've traveled through a homemade time machine, gone to the Hawaiian Islands, and even journeyed into outer space. And all that for a pretty reasonable price.
by Kennth Cope

Kids' deals:

Free storytime & craft activity

Stop by the Doll House and Toy Store in Scottsdale this summer for Story and Craft Tuesdays, where kids can listen to a story and make a small craft. The event starts at 10:30 a.m.; reservations are required. July dates and books are: "Caps for Sale," July 7; "Little Rabbit & the Nightmare," July 14; "The Gingerbread Man," July 21; and "The Three Billy Goats Gruff," July 28. The store has other summer activities, some free and some with a charge. The store is in the Promenade Shopping Center, 16447 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite D-115, Scottsdale. 480-948-4630.

Big Surf's 40th anniversary special

Enjoy an afternoon at the "beach." Online only: Pay $10 a ticket for packs of 4-7 tickets to Big Surf. You save up to $16 a ticket. Tickets are valid 2-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; all tickets must be redeemed at the same time. 1500 N. McClintock Drive, Tempe. 480-947-2477.

Nickelodeon Getaway weekend

Get ready to get messy at the new Nickelodeon Getaway at JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. This two-night package, which starts at $149 a night, includes a SpongeBob Squarepants or Dora the Explorer sleepover kit with pillowcase and Nickelodeon-themed gifts for the kids and character breakfast for the family.

Also, kids can enjoy Nickelodeon’s interactive signature poolside game show where contestants can end up with a pie in the face, dance to music, play games and trivia, or even be on the receiving end of an iconic Nickelodeon sliming. Before leaving, enjoy a special photo-op with SpongeBob and Dora. Valid through Labor Day. 5350 E. Marriott Drive in Phoenix. 480-293-5000, jwdesertridgeresort.com.

Thanks to azcentral.com

Sun Myths

As you gear up for fun in the sun, make sure to the know tanning myths and facts so that you can keep your family safe.
New skin cancer diagnoses are on the rise internationally. In the U.S., the American Cancer Society estimates about one million new cases of basal or squamous cell carcinoma and about 60,000 cases of malignant melanoma will be diagnosed this year in the U.S. Many of these skin cancers could have been prevented by protection from the sun's rays.

If you're gearing up for a trip to the beach, understand that the truth about these common sunburn and tanning myths so you can keep you and your family safe.

"It's safe to tan if you do it slowly." Wrong! When skin is exposed to sun, its melanin increases, creating a tan. This indicates skin damage. The darker the tan, the higher the risk of skin cancer, no matter how gradual the tanning process.

"Starting the summer off with a sunburn is a good way to begin the tanning process." One bad burn early in life can mean skin cancer later.

"If I put waterproof sunscreen on my child, he/she can play all day in the pool and be safe." That's not quite right. Waterproof sunscreen may last up to an hour in the pool, but it should be applied every hour or so because many products rub off.

"My children are sun safe if they wear T-shirts while they play in the pool." Surprisingly, the typical light-weight, white cotton T-shirt is not the best protection, and when wet, is less effective than using water-resistant sunscreen. Choose tightly woven fabrics that you can't see through when held up to a light and use in combinations with sunscreen.

"Tanning beds are a safer way to tan." Indoor tanning is not safer than outdoor sunlight. Popular among women, tanning beds emit dangerous levels of UV rays. The American Academy of Dermatology and the World Health Organization recommend that no one under age eighteen be allowed to use a tanning bed. A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reported tanning bed use was linked to a 2.5 times increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma and a 1.5 times increased risk for basal cell cancer.

Information provided by the Utah Cancer Action Network.

Quick and Easy Recipes

Easy Flag Cupcakes (Betty Crocker)
Perfect for 4th of July

1	box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
	Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1	container (12 oz) Betty Crocker® Whipped fluffy white frosting
	Betty Crocker® red sugar
	Betty Crocker® blue sugar
	Betty Crocker® Decorating Decors stars
2	thick pretzel rods (7 inch)
1	roll Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot® chewy fruit snack rolls (any red flavor; from 4.5-oz box)

1.	Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for cupcakes, using water, oil and eggs. Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
2.	Frost 9 cupcakes with frosting; sprinkle with red sugar. Frost 6 cupcakes with frosting; sprinkle with blue sugar and star decors. Frost remaining 9 cupcakes with frosting. Arrange cupcakes as shown in photo.
3.	To make flag pole, arrange pretzel rods end-to-end and wrap with fruit snack; place on left side of arranged cupcakes.

I just loved this one! It was fast, quick and easy. Especially when it is 5 o'clock and they say "Whats for dinner?"

EASY CHICKEN POT PIE (Betty Crocker)



1 2/3 cups Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers™ frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup cut-up cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1. Heat oven to 400°F. In ungreased 9-inch pie plate, stir vegetables, chicken and soup.
2. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate.
3. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes or until crust golden brown.