By Tricia Berwick

High gas prices and a weak economy have forced many American families to reevaluate their vacation plans this summer.   Instead of traveling many miles to amusement parks and other popular tourist attractions, more people are opting for a “staycation” instead.  This new type of “vacation” has become quite the buzzword during these troubled economic times.  Some decide to turn their backyards into a vacation paradise and really get into vacation mode by cutting off contact with the outside world.   Others stay local and visit the sights in nearby towns.  However you decide to enjoy your “staycation” this summer, the important thing is to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation without spending a lot of money.

If finances are really tight and day trips are not possible, simply enjoy all of the comforts of home without the distractions and responsibilities of everyday work life.  In order for this type of “staycation” to be successful, it requires a lot of effort and willpower to really unplug yourself from outside connections.  The computer and the phone both need to be turned off.  Your office also needs to know that you really are on vacation and that you cannot be disturbed!   Now start changing into relaxation mode and let the “staycation” begin!   Make yourself a fancy breakfast of homemade waffles and fruit.  Have that second cup of coffee you always want but never have time to enjoy.  Read entire newspaper articles instead of just scanning the headlines.  Take time to do the small, daily things you normally don’t have time for as you are rushing out the door.  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll even decide to go back to bed after breakfast.  It is your “staycation,” so take time to lounge and relax as you would on a normal vacation.

After breakfast, decide if you will enjoy your backyard and sit by the pool with a drink and a good book.  If you don’t have a swimming hole, maybe it’s time to invest in that hammock you’ve always wanted.    Instead of going away, some people are turning their backyards into an oasis.  Cindy Harrison of Point Pleasant spent a few extra dollars this summer to maximize her outdoor living space.

“My husband and I have fixed up the backyard so we have a sitting area with an outdoor rug” says Harrison, who is the mother of two-year-old twins.   “The kids have a small pool that they love, too.”

While you are outside, maybe you’ll order in some lunch for a special treat.  Or perhaps you won’t even make it onto your patio or deck.  Maybe you’ll decide to have a “pajama day” and watch movies, pop popcorn, and have some pizza delivered.   Since you’re on vacation, really let loose and abandon all chores for the week—no vacuuming, no making the bed, cleaning out the closets, or pulling weeds.  You wouldn’t do those things on a regular vacation would you?  Whether you are outside or inside, the important thing is to detach yourself from your daily work life and relax.

In fact, for many parents, having a “staycation” is more relaxing, especially if they have younger children.  When you are at home, you don’t have to pack up the pampers, bottles of formula, and special toys.  Everything is right at your disposal.  But, in order to fight off the crankiness, it’s best to keep the kids busy with planned activities.  Create different games and activities, such as a horseshoes or hopscotch.  Let the kids make sno-cones as a special treat.  Maybe you could even rent a movie and a projector from your local library and show the film on the side of your house or on a large sheet.  Invite the neighbors over with their kids and hand out candy and popcorn for the kids to enjoy while watching.

Talk to your kids and ask them what they would like to do on the “staycation.”  Let them plan a list of daily activities they would enjoy doing.   Kids love when they are provided a say in how the family spends free time.  Maybe they want to stay up late and catch fireflies in the dark.  Then set up a tent and spend the night camping in your own yard!  That certainly doesn’t cost a lot of money and definitely helps in preserving the “staycation” budget.

If you do have some money in the bank and would like to venture out, try researching some local points of interest.  How about a museum or a new restaurant?  What about visiting a new park, bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying a good book?  For the ultimate in relaxation, how about visiting a day spa for one or two of their services?

Harrison is certainly feeling the economic crush this summer and had to alter her plans accordingly.  However, with a little ingenuity, she is still planning on enjoying a great summer with her family.

“We had originally planned to fly down to North Carolina and stay with friends but the airline prices are as high as ever because of the fuel costs. So we had to nix that idea and be more creative,” says Harrison.  “We are actually going to a Yankees game with friends and leaving our twins at home. Luckily, my parents have a house down in Cape May so we will go and spend a few nights there with the twins.  They have a pool and we plan on taking them to the Cape May Zoo.  We also visit Bay Head beach a few times a week.   My husband and I will be going to a concert in August, too.   So even though we aren’t packing up and heading to an exotic location we have managed to fill our summer calendar with some fun family and couple activities.”

All of these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg.  Ideas for how to enjoy a restful and relaxing “staycation” are virtually unlimited!  With a little planning and creativity, it can be accomplished.  The important thing to remember is to treat it like a regular vacation, as if you were traveling somewhere.  Remember to take pictures, too.  You wouldn’t forget taking your camera on a vacation, would you?  Your “staycation” should be no different.  You are enjoying yourself and making memories with the ones you love.

You know the saying, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream!”  Well, depending on what you order at The Music Man Singing Ice Cream Shoppe, in Lavallette, you may find yourself yelling, “I want some Hot Fudge baby this evening, and I need some Hot Fudge baby tonight!”  Take your family to The Music Man and enjoy some good old-fashioned ice cream with a twist!  The Music Man provides a friendly and warm atmosphere for the young and old, serving up vaudeville style performances and ice cream sundaes to your liking.

“Every show performed here is different and is basically done on the fly,” explained The Music Man owner Aggie Roberts. “You could come here seven nights a week and see something different each time you come, because each show features a different performer and group performances.”  One thing that is certain to stay the same, however, is the enthusiasm of the cast and crew, as well as the quality time you will spend with your family.

You will be treated to a menu featuring everything from “naked” ice cream in over fifteen flavors to delicious over-the-top sundaes, along with a nightly performance of Broadway and upbeat American tunes sung by performers who dance and sing their way around the entire shop.  You may even find them singing directly to you and incorporating you into their show!  “It’s a family entertaining experience that appeals to all ages,” says Aggie’s wife, Josephine.

Aside from the nightly Broadway Cabaret show, which begins every night this summer at 6pm, The Music Man performs Theme Shows are on Thursdays and Fridays.  On Thursdays you can make a reservation for “Hannah Banana” This show finds the Music Man Cast auditioning for the title, it’s Hannah Montana meets American Idol.  Fridays at 5pm guests can make a reservation for The GLEEful “Ice Cream Musical,” featuring songs that have been presented on the ever popular TV Show GLEE.

“Apart from our Broadway Cabaret and Theme Shows we have our Children’s Fairy Tale Series,” added Aggie.  “At 4pm Monday through Wednesday, we offer a Children’s Performance where each child is treated to an afternoon snack of one scoop of ice cream as our cast members either get into character as Pirates and Princesses, or bring alive some of their favorite storybooks.” Aggie explained.  On Mondays, bring your little one dressed up as his or her favorite Pirate, Princess or Super Hero as the cast and crew themselves get all dressed up along with them.  On Tuesdays a special Puppet Theater performance of The Little Mermaid is offered as well as a special guest appearance from The Music Man’s mascot “FRED”, which stands for Feel Good Every Day! Wednesdays, your child can experience one of their favorite storybooks come alive as the cast visually tells stories such as Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, and Cinderella, and turns into character right in front of their eyes

Going into their 8th season, and serving over 40,000 patrons in the summer of 2009 is something that owners Aggie & Josephine are very proud of.  “My wife actually purchased this very building [the shop’s location] for my birthday present in 2003.  I was working in corporate America at the time, but had the desire to combine my love and experience in performing arts along with my wife’s experience as a digital artist and make us a career from that,” Aggie explained. Aggie took his experiences of working at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre’s Outreach Department, and also as a dessert theater performer in Hopewell, NJ, along with his educational background in Theater and Education, and the concept of “The Music Man” was born.  “From the start, Josephine and I knew this would not fail.  We had our hearts in it, and it empowered us as a couple to try something new.  This summer is our 6th and best season yet, and I have never once looked back on our decision” Aggie added.

The cast and crew have also completely bought into the concept and truly love what they do. They are the heart and soul of the ice cream shop, doing everything from performing daily to hundreds of patrons, to working hard at their individual production positions.  “We provide our cast with a complete educational program.  Not only do they perform each and every day, but they each hold a different production position, which gives them a well-rounded summer learning experience.  Some of the positions include company manager and box office manager.”  Aggie added that he and his wife have even set up housing for the cast for the entire summer, and their program has attracted performers from all over the country.

New to their menu this year is the Improv Comedy Bunch, new live show designed to make you laugh a lot!  If you like the show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” then please come out and support this new adventure at The Music Man. The Improv Comedy Bunch is a reservation show be sure to call ahead. Tickets are $8 and include a “bottomless” coffee cup.  Ice Cream and other treats are available at an additional price. Gratuity not included.   Our Morning Café opens at 7am when the phone starts ringing as our guest start planning their day.  And once the summer is over, be sure to ask about The Music Man’s education outreach program. You can have The Music Man and it’s cast brought right to your child’s school this winter to perform character education and leadership programs.  For further information and questions visit, www.njmusicman.com <http://www.njmusicman.com>  or call 732-854-2779.  The Music Man is located at 2305 Grand Central Ave (Route 35 North) Lavallette, NJ 08735

Lately, whenever I walk around the house, I see one.  Maybe there’s a pink princess on the family room floor, a red pizza slice on the kitchen table, or a brown baseball bat on the sink in the bathroom.  Finding them in the bathroom really drives me crazy!  If you have a child over the age of five, you know what I’m talking about.  They’re Silly Bandz!  Chances are you have lots of these colorful rubber bracelets sprinkled throughout your house, just as I do.  These slinky rubber bands which are worn around the wrist are shaped like animals, musical instruments, princesses, sea creatures, flowers and many other things.  They are the latest kids’ craze and are the main topic of conversation in schools across the country.  In fact, some schools have even banned the bracelets because teachers and administrators find them to be too distracting.

The bracelets, which are made of colorful silicone molded in different shapes, return to the original shape when taken off the arm.  Usually, kids keep them in plastic baggies they can securely close so none of their precious commodities will get lost.  Half the fun is collecting the bracelets and the other half is trading them with friends, which helps keep the trend fresh and exciting.  These transactions can take place on the school bus, on the soccer field, at the lunchroom table, or anywhere else. Here’s how it works:  One kid will take a band off her wrist, hold it up, and ask what bands other kids will trade for it.  Then the transaction occurs.  According to one of my six-year-old daughters, once the trade is made, the deal is sealed.

“The person really has to make up their mind before they trade Silly Bandz, because when you trade it, you trade it and that’s it,” says Chloe.  “You’re never going to get that Silly Band back again.”

The fad, which hit stores about a year-and-a-half ago, is the brainchild of Toledo, Ohio businessman Robert Croak.  Many different suppliers sell virtually identical bands, all with different brand names, but most kids call them all “Silly Bandz.” BCP Imports has a trademark on that name. A spokesperson for the company says the number of employees at the main office shot from about 20 a year ago to almost 70 today.  At around $5 for a 24-pack, they’re a relatively cheap collectible.  This factor definitely contributes to their staying power and popularity.  Plus, they are sold pretty much everywhere moms and kids frequent on a regular basis like supermarkets or other local stores.  Pretty convenient, huh?

Penny Chandler, a Brick mother of four, fully understands the Silly Bandz craze.  Her girls actually look forward to going to the doctor because they know they can get Silly Bandz after the appointment.

“My four daughters, ages 5, 5, 3, and 2 receive Silly Bandz at our chiropractor’s office which we visit on a regular basis,” says Chandler.  “The girls really look forward to it!  They can exchange one if they have doubles, or just simply add to their collection!  They are crazy about displaying them at the dinner table and with friends wherever we go. My youngest daughter fell a few weeks ago, and it was then that I realized just how powerful these silly bands really are!  As she sat hysterically crying in my lap, a seven-year-old young man handed her a corn dog band which made her so happy.  It was like he gave her a million dollars!  It really helped dry up all of those tears!”

Wow!  Now they are a healing mechanism!  Being able to console a kid during a crying episode is quite significant.  So, just what does this fad have that drives kids over the edge and can wipe away the tears, too? My other six-year-old daughter, Chelsea, finds it exciting and fascinating to see which bands she’ll come across every day on the school bus.

“I like Silly Bandz because you can trade them and you can get different ones,” says Chelsea who particularly likes the glow-in-the-dark bands.    “It’s cool to trade them, but it’s a little hard, too.  Some people aren’t good traders.  You have to be careful.  The people who have the most Silly Bandz usually have the best ones.  That’s who I like to trade with.”

True twins who even think alike, Chloe wholeheartedly agrees with her sister and fellow Silly Bandz buddy.

“I like Silly Bandz because they are so cool,” says Chloe who likes the princess Silly Bandz the best.  “I like to trade with the kids who have the best ones because they might have the one that you really want.  Then, once you get it, you don’t have to worry about it anymore.  I’m just so happy that I can trade Silly Bandz.”

As if the excitement wasn’t enough, now kids can trade the Silly Necklace which debuted in June.  At the moment, they are only available online at sillybandz.com.  It will be interesting to see if the Silly Necklace will enjoy as much popularity as the bracelets in the upcoming months.  There’s one thing I know for sure: the Silly Bandz bracelets are here to stay for a long time in my household.  My daughters are so obsessed with looking for new packs in the stores and then trading with their friends, that I can’t even imagine them losing interest in this new hobby anytime soon.  Just when I thought we had enough Silly Bandz to last us a lifetime, I’m hit with another desperate request:  “Mom, can we get the New York Yankees Silly Bandz?  Please?  I don’t have them and they are my favorite baseball team!  Pretty please with a cherry on top!”  How can I resist?  Guess where I’ll be tomorrow morning?

By Tricia Berwick

These days, it seems like there are more party ideas for birthdays than ever before. With so many resources to choose from, it’s easy for moms to get overwhelmed in the planning process. However, selecting the right option for your child’s next birthday fiesta doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Before any preparations are made, decide if you would like to host the celebration at home or invite guests to your child’s favorite party place. Once this decision has been determined, the other details will automatically fall into place.

First, it’s best to figure out how many children will attend the party. If the birthday boy wants to have fun with his entire class and neighborhood friends, think about whether or not your home is large enough to comfortably accommodate this type of guest list. Even with a long list of family members and friends, Neptune mother of three, Aimee Lomerson decided to have her twin sons’ birthday party at home last year.

Check out more places to have your child’s birthday party.

“When trying to find a place to have a party, we always need to look into something that caters to a wide range of ages and can be suitable for boys and girls, since we have a lot of cousins within a few years of each other,” says Lomerson. “There are a few places that do this, like McDonald’s or indoor jungle gym places. But, once you have attended several parties at each of these places it becomes boring. And it’s very expensive. So for my boys’ fourth birthday we decided to have an at-home party. We didn’t have $350 to spend on a birthday party and we felt like the old-school home party is actually something new and exciting to many kids. Having it in a place has its perks – they usually do everything and all you have to do is send invitations and show up. That is great! But sometimes having fun with a theme and needing to be creative is also great.”

Once the Lomerson family decided to throw a home party, they created a plan to keep the kids busy and entertained. Having organized activities keeps the party flowing smoothly, the kids out of trouble, and the sanity of the parents maintained. To reduce her level of stress, Lomerson kept the menu simple so she could channel her energy and concentration into entertaining the children, which was her top priority.

“We knew that we would have a packed house and that we needed to care for adults as well as kids,” says Lomerson. “So we kept it simple with the food. We served a sandwich platter for adults and had kid-friendly foods that matched our combination Wiggles and Spider-Man themes, like ‘Dorothy the Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets,’ and ‘Spider-Man Macaroni and Cheese.’ After the kids ate, we had arts and crafts projects set up on a big table and then played ‘Wiggles Freeze Dance’ and ‘Pin the Web on Spider-Man’ using a Spider-Man poster and webs that I printed from the computer.”

If you have the time to plan activities and can accommodate the guests in your house, home parties can be very rewarding and meaningful for your child. All it takes is a little creativity and preparation ahead of time.

“A person can have lots of fun creating an at-home party,” says Lomerson. “The ideas you can find on the Internet are endless. And if you can afford to spend a little more, there are all types of fun parties to have in your home – carnival themes, a petting zoo and pony rides. I think that switching it up each year keeps it exciting.”

Another advantage to having an at-home party is that the schedule of younger siblings does not need to be affected. Whenever it is one of her older girls’ birthdays, Brick mother of four, Penny Chandler always chooses this option because it works better for her little ones.

“A big advantage to having a party at home is that babies can nap in their own cribs and they’re not off of their schedules,” says Chandler. “Also, at home you don’t have to worry about any of them slipping off with someone else. You know all of the kids are safely inside your house. Plus, the party can last as long as you want and you’re not restricted to how many children can be invited. The more the merrier!”

Of course, all of this sounds gre

at, but the important thing to realize is that after the party is over, all of the mess needs to be cleaned up—by you! This factor alone is the main reason Howell mother of three, Tracy Hill has all of her parties outside of the house.

“When my sons were younger, it was nice to have parties at home, because we mainly had family over,” says Hill. “But now that the twins just turned five and my younger son is three, I prefer having it somewhere where they can run around, play with their friends and I can simply enjoy watching them laugh and have fun and not worrying about cleaning up the house. Having three boys means finding a place that fits their high energy levels and lets them feel special playing somewhere new. We are home every day so having a birthday party at the house seems like the same old routine. Plus, having it outside the house usually means a meal, the cake, and goody bags may be included. That’s one less thing for mom to worry about! The kids seem to really enjoy being at a birthday party and playing with new things and taking part in different activities.

If you decide that having the party out is your best bet, look into hosting the celebration at a park, family fun center or restaurant. If you’re not sure of what may be a hit with the kiddies, ask friends and family members for ideas about which places deserve a call and which ones you should seriously avoid. Most birthday party establishments offer discounts for weekday events,

so it might be worth it to plan the party on a Tuesday and save a few dollars. The beauty of having the party out is that other people will take care of the activities and food, but you should still be able to infuse some of your child’s theme into the event.

So, grab your calendar, pick a date and begin the planning process. Remember to include your children in the party details, too. Who knows? Your child could surprise you altogether and choose not to have a party—either at home or at a favorite place.

“This year we skipped a party all together and gave the kids the option to go to Great Wolf Lodge in Pennsylvania instead,” says Lomerson. “They were thrilled! Variety is the spice of life!”