Time for a Vacation?

I don't know about you, but it always seems that after all of the fun and excitement of the holidays, life seems a little blah. Fortunately, there are still a few more days left in this holiday break, but I already find myself thinking, what will we do after the holidays. Here in North East Ohio, when you consider the weeks and months of cold and snow that likely await us, it starts to make me wonder how to mix it up and get away.

For the past several years, we have planned a get away to an indoor water park. There is certainly something to be said about wearing your swimsuit and splashing around in a water park, while snow gently falls outside. It is great to feel warm and escape the constant chill that seems to be a part of winter. Plus, after a few weeks of normal life, it is good to have something to look forward to.

The fun of a water park certainly helps to break up the blahs of winter. Why not consider booking a trip for your family in January or February? Don't forget to consider a trip to the spa to pamper yourself too!

Don't forget, you can still take advantage of the special package offers for A Busy Mom of Two readers at Kalahari Water Park in Sandusky, Ohio or the Wisconsin Dells.

No compensation was received for this post. I am participating in a Kalahari posting program through US Family Guides. As a participant, my family will receive a one night stay at Kalahari. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Are We There...Yet?

If you are a parent of a child that talks, you have heard on at least one trip, are we there yet? It has a close second at my house in, are we done yet or can we leave yet. There is a certain measure of patience and excitement associated with these familiar childhood questions. After several hours in the car, I start to feel the same way too!

The book "Are We There...Yet?" is the first edition of a five-part series titled "The Little 5 Watering Hole" and tells the story of an elephant family as they embark on their annual summer trek across Africa's Great Kalahari Desert to reach the cool waters of the Okavango Delta. The story takes peculiar notice of the family's baby, Tiko, as he experiences this journey for the first time - bringing to life his excitement, challenges and achievements throughout this great adventure.

Typically, you think of books inspiring other things, but in the case of "Are We There...Yet?", the opposite was true. The book was inspired by a recently installed, state-of-the-art Kids Play Zone named Tiko's Watering Hold, located at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells. In an effort to design a space that was perfectly suited for tiny tots, Kalahari Resorts reached out to moms to gain their knowledge and insights throughout the development of the project. Based on their feedback, Kalahari debuted Tiko's Watering Hole - a 5000 square-foot play area that features a 200 foot long lazy river, 12 slides and a variety of activities that inspire parent and child interaction, while piquing their curiosity and imagination.

Published by Kalahari Resorts and featuring unique writing and illustrations of Christie Morris of Weber Group Inc., the 11 page book is currently available for purchase onsite at the Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin and Sandusky. A Tiko elephant plush will be available to accompany the book in January.

Don't forget, you can still take advantage of the special package offers for A Busy Mom of Two readers at Kalahari Water Park.

No compensation was received for this post. I am participating in a Kalahari posting program through US Family Guides. As a participant, my family will receive a one night stay at Kalahari. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Kalahari - Being Green

When you think of the impact that one person can have by being green, imagine the impact that Kalahari Resorts with the world's largest indoor water park can have when make it a priority to maintain Eco-friendly practices to help reduce water and energy consumption. They feature low energy consumption water pumps throughout the parks, use low-flow dishwasher spray heads and low-flow shower heads that reduce water consumption by 2.46 million gallons/year. They use roof top solar panels to heat more than 50% of the hot water for the resort's facilities. They use low energy consumption pumps to move the water in the park and are installing massive fans to lower heating costs by pushing the warm air near the ceiling back to floor level. They also are upgrading to digital thermostats in guest rooms.

In fact, they were the winner of the 2006 Partners for Clean Air Recognition Award and continue to lead the hotel industry in energy conservation and reduction of our carbon footprint. They partnered with Clean the World organization, the largest global recycler of hotel amenities, to collect and recycle their resort soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions and gels to help fight the global spread of preventable diseases - helping to prevent the millions of deaths that are caused by hygeine-related illnesses every day.

Personally, I think that it is great that they are doing so much to help keep the planet a great place to live. There are things, like recycling soap and shampoos, that I never would have even thought about, but certainly with all of the 1/2 bottles of shampoo that we have left behind on various stays, I can imagine that it adds up really quickly.

Don't forget, you can still take advantage of the special package offers for A Busy Mom of Two readers at Kalahari Water Park.

No compensation was received for this post. I am participating in a Kalahari posting program through US Family Guides. As a participant, my family will receive a one night stay at Kalahari. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Kalahari Water Park & Spa Kalahari

We have taken several trips to indoor water parks, but typically when we go, we don't venture much beyond the water park and the room. One of these days, when the kids are bigger and I can sneak off while they play with my husband, I really want to check out the Spa.

Spa Kalahari features a full range of products. There is the In a Kalahari Minute - which includes a Zone Massage (25 min), the Kalahari Express Facial (25 min) and a Spa Manicure (25 min) - a perfect taste of several spa experiences in a reasonably compact time, so that you can have a touch of pampering and still spend most of your day playing with your family.

Looking for some more intense pampering, they offer several massage options that are 50 minutes or 90 minutes in length. They even have them available for couples, if you can both step away. They also offer several body treatments including body wraps, salt scrubs and a sugar and butter scrub (sounds a little more like the makings of dessert, than a spa treatment).

They also offer facials, pedicures and manicures. They offer waxing services too. You can even visit the salon for a hair cut. For the younger crowd, they do offer Kidz Spa treatments too.

Can't choose just one service, consider a Spa Day Package and experience several of the offerings from their menu of services.

You can learn more about the Spa Kalahari on their website.

Don't forget, you can still take advantage of the special package offers for A Busy Mom of Two readers at Kalahari Water Park.

No compensation was received for this post. I am participating in a Kalahari posting program through US Family Guides. As a participant, my family will receive a one night stay at Kalahari. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.

Kalahari Resorts Indoor Waterpark

Did you know that Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky, Ohio is America's LARGEST Indoor Waterpark? I've mentioned before that we love to take the family to indoor water parks. This time of year, when it is so cold outside, makes it even more appealing - no matter what it is like outside, the weather is always perfect inside.

One of our favorite rides at Kalahari Resorts Sandusky is the Zip Coaster. The first of it's kind, this "water-coaster" propels you through 500 feet and 30 seconds of zero to 20 mph free-falls, dips and turns. It really is pretty cool to go up on water slide.

One attraction that I have not been brave enough to try is the FlowRider. On FlowRider, 50,000 gallons of water flows under you each minute to create a five foot ocean-like wave on this exciting attraction. This stand-up ride combines the thrills and skills of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding in a wet, wild and safe environment.

For me, my favorite part about the indoor water park? Spending time with the family of course. Kalahari caters to that with their various room options, including an amazing family suite that sleeps 10 and includes a full kitchen.

Ready to book a getaway for your family? Check out the special offers (here) that they have made available just for you!

Want to learn more about Kalahari? Join us on Saturday, December 1st at 1:30 pm for a Twitter party. Watch for #Kalahari and join in on the conversation.

No compensation was received for this post. I am participating in a Kalahari posting program through US Family Guides. As a participant, my family will receive a one night stay at Kalahari. All opinions expressed are my own or that of my family.