Planes, Passion, and Purpose: Letting My Baby Grow Up

The only thing worse than teenage hormones is realizing that, in what will feel like the blink of an eye, the little monsters will be ready to fly the coop. 

Letting my little guy grow up has been so hard. He's my one and only; I have absolutely zero desire to let him grow up! Unfortunately, I also have zero choice but to let him grow up. So, I am trying to find solace in watching him grow into a sweet, smart, driven, dreamer who is fearless. 

For as long as I can remember, Ollie has wanted to be a pilot. I can't help but wonder if his dream to fly planes has anything to do with growing up on a plane, long-hauling between the East Coast of the United States to Melbourne, Australia. In fact, I used to joke about the fact that he was infinitely better behaved on those 33-hour trips to Nana's house Down Under than his parents! Truth be told, he still is. 

The time finally came for me to let my little guy fly up, up, and away from me so he could start his journey to being a pilot, and, hopefully, one day, a captain.

This flight was ten years in the making — and the beginning of something incredible. 

I would say: “If only he knew at three, when he first boarded a plane bound for Australia, that he’d one day be flying one,” but, inherently, I think he’s always known. His passion for aviation is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

He can tell what any aircraft is just by the placement of its engines or the configuration of its landing gear.  And to back it up, he is constantly whipping out his favorite flight tracking app to prove he got it right! 

I can’t wait to see where the beautiful blue skies take my sweet little pilot. But with all my heart, I know one day, I’ll proudly call him: Captain Oliver.

In the meantime, I'll try not to throw up and cry every time he takes to the skies. 

Here's a video of his first flight with his flight club. You can also view it directly on our First Time Mom and Dad YouTube Channel. 

How To Shop Amazon Prime Day Like A Pro

As much as I always want to advocate the importance of shopping local and supporting brick-and-mortar stores, with budgets getting tighter and tighter, super sales events like Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week, and Walmart Deals Week deserve a second look. 

After nearly a decade covering these large "tent pole" sales events as a Commerce Writer and Senior Editor, I've learned the good, bad, and downright ugly of these major annual sales events. And with Amazon throwing a major sales event nearly as often as a Macy's One Day Sale, I have covered countless articles on The Best Prime Day Deals.

How Do You Find The Best Prime Day Deals?

You are likely already seeing countless articles and ads served to you about The Best Prime Day Deals on things like TVs, Electric Bikes, Beauty,  and Health deals. To create these articles, Editors and writers are given an advanced spreadsheet from Amazon and PR companies showing which products will be on sale, the percentage off (or increased. Yes, some products raise the price on Prime Day. More about that later.)

After spending years poring over these spreadsheets, I have learned a few tips for finding the best deals when shopping on Amazon Prime. I am going to share with you!

1. Don't believe the hype: This IS NOT an all-out Blowout Clearance Sale. 

I always found that the majority of the sale prices were between 10%-30% off, and seemed to creep lower year after year. I also saw plenty of items that were literally listed as more during the sale than on non-sale days. It blew my mind that Amazon would even furnish us with a list that showed that nonsense! 

(**Pausing for a second to consider: Can be sued for telling the truth about the dirty side of Amazon Prime Day? <shrugging> I guess we'll find out!**)

2. It's not just Amazon that's having a big sale July 8 - 11

Before you click buy on Amazon, check prices against the other big retailers piggybacking the Amazon sale, like Target Circle Week and Walmart Deals Week. 

3. You can save BIG on everyday items. 

Basic household items can have pretty solid discounts, from cleaning products to toiletries to health and beauty. You can especially save big on hair care products like Olaplex, Nioxin, and my ALL TIME FAVORITE Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Hair Oil-- It's under $10 all day, (currently $6 for Prime Day) and you can get it just about anywhere from Target to Walgreens to the grocery. I have tested more than two dozen hair oils so far for work and for the money, it's the BEST! 

4. Snag back-to-school deals: 

If you need a new backpack or super cute bento box lunch box, it's worth your time to scroll through your back-to-school shopping list for those higher ticket items or bulk buys on tissues or Clorox wipes. 

5. Look at the Lightning Deals Page, but DON'T be impulsive!

Sure, you can get 57% off a Sony 65-inch 4K TV today, but do you really need it? This is where these sales can get you. If you need a TV or Electric Bike, definitly browse the deals, but still read the fine print to ensure you are buying from a repituble seller, check the reviews to make sure it's not going to be a scratch-and-dent sort of thing, and, above all, before you buy, check the price against other retailer sales and places like Costco that always offer solid discounts. 

6. I have seen firsthand on sales spreadsheets the percentage off actually being PLUS 115% of the normal selling price.

That's right, the really awful sellers will raise the price WAAAAY up during these events. It's like all those awful turds that raised prices "due to tarrifs" that actually never happened. Or advertised tariff-free sales that meant absolutely nothing. 

Greed is the freaking worst! 

Please, don't buy anything of value unless you price check it. And even though these are big sales events, if it seems way too good to be true, it probably is. 

Bottom Line: Even knowing the ugly side of these events, I always take the time to browse the page devoted to Prime Day Deals on Everyday Essentials. I'm always up for saving on everyday items! 

Happy shopping!! 

Note: I may or may not make a tiny percentage if you buy something from links on my site. Likely not, but I have to say this by law. 

Silly me, how could I expect my teenager to be on board with this?

 I am soooo sorry for the delay on a new post. Silly me, I thought my teenager didn't care what the hell I did or said.

It turns out, he does. 

Me: Hey, buddy!  I am going to start my blog up again and make YouTube videos. Fun, right?

Teenager: **Looks up. Blinks. No words. Goes back to his game.**

Me: I need your help with videos!

Teenager: **Finally looks up from his game** Wait. You're doing that mom blog thing again about you and dad sucking at parenting?

(That was the fastest and easiest way to explain the blog to a then eight-year-old, and it stuck.)

Me: Yes! That! 

Teenager: Mom, no. That's dumb. And you can't talk about me, my friends will read it.

Me: Yeah, that would require you and your friends to not only find the blog online but also read the posts. 

Teenager: You said YouTube too? Are you trying to ruin my life?

I pause: I totally didn't expect him to care. Instantly, I regret saying anything. Of course, he would think it's a dumb idea. He thinks every idea I've had since he turned 12 was dumb.

Teenager: What are you going to write about me? It can't be embarrassing. I need to see it first. Same with videos. 

Me: Deal!

Fast forward to my first post talking about how EVERY time I walk past my child during the summer, he asks for something to eat. I feel like I spend half my day feeding my child and the other half shopping for food! So. Not. Cool.

Y'all, I'm here to tell you, a "growing boy" eats non-freaking-stop. Like, an absurd amount of food!

In all seriousness, with the exorbitant cost of groceries today, I thank my lucky stars I only have one child to feed! My heart goes out to every parent struggling to keep up with the constantly increasing cost of living. I see you. It sucks. 

I finish the post about me essentially spending summer 2025 as a private chef to a growing 5'10" thirteen-year-old and email it too him to read. 

Teenager: **His bedroom door flys open** WHY ARE YOU CALLING ME FAT?

Me: I am not calling you fat! I am talking more about how hard it is to keep up with grocery shopping and meals during the summer.

Teen: No, you are calling me a fatty McFatFat. You can't post that. Riz killer. 

Me: GHAAAAAA. Fine.

Next post: We live like feral animals during the summer. It's seriously IMPOSSIBLE to keep the house clean during the summer. There are shoes EVERYWHERE. Socks in every corner. Towels at the door. Sunblock on the floor. 

Y'all, I try, But, it gets to the point where I am done trying and yelling! 

So, until September, I'll be inviting in my home by saying: Welcome to my shithole. 

I've resigned to the fact that we will be feral af until the fall when we are back on a normal routine. Sorry, not sorry. 

News Flash: This post, too, did not pass the teen-test. 

Teenager: You can't tell people we live like dirty animals! Riz killer. 

Me: What can I talk about?

Teenager: Your garden.

Fear not, I will figure out a way to revive this beautiful space, and I'm no longer worried about grumpy teenager backlash. Besides, from what I understand from friends with older teens, my son is going to be perpetually annoyed by my ideas and even presence until he is 18 years old, so I might as well give him a good reason for it!

What Families Should Consider Before Booking A Hotel Or AirBnB

There's a new trend in the hotel industry making it easier for families to travel and stay in a serviced home-away-from-Home. Think: Airbnb with Amenities. What is it?  Apart'hotels. 

Photo Credit: Ascott Limited

Offering more than a cubicle with a bed and bathroom, Apart'Hotels provide a fully equipped home away from home, with plenty of room for a family to move around.

I've stayed in three, from Melbourne, Florida to Melbourne, Australia. They are the real deal, super budget-friendly for family travel and offer SO MUCH MORE ROOM!

While in the past, fully equipped serviced apartments were considered only for relocation and extended stays of more than a week or two, times are changing. Serviced apartments or Apart'hotels are popping up in major cities across the world. With comparable nightly rates to traditional hotel rooms, these multi-room apartments are staking their claim on the hotel industry. 

Pictured above is a two bedroom serviced apartment at the Apart'Hotel Citadines on Bourke, in Melbourne Australia. The Hubs, kid and I stayed in that beautiful space our first two nights in Melbourne. Offering two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen (with Dishwasher!), a separate living area and workspace. We were FLOORED! The place was huge, with beautiful views from the 25th floor, and centrally located in the Heart of Melbourne's CBD on the biggest shopping street in the city! 

But that's not all... The room rate was comparable to a traditional hotel room down the street! 

The trend towards Apart'hotel development is showing the growth of serviced apartment units to far exceeded traditional hotel unit expansion over the next two years. According to a survey conducted by the Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP), 48 serviced apartment operators show expansion targets both in the UK and globally, at an anticipated global increase in the supply of 145,000 serviced apartment units through 2018. 

The shift towards Apart'hotels is great news for budget-friendly family travel. With the larger room footprint, fully equipped kitchen, and in-room washer and dryer facility, families can pack lighter and prepare meals in the room. This is especially helpful when traveling as a large family, or with young children. The money saved on baggage fees and eating meals out may even pay for the room.

We were able to eat breakfast in the room, store leftovers from meals out, keep bottle waters cold, do laundry, and be centrally located. I cannot stress it enough, before you book a traditional hotel room, look for an Apart'hotel or serviced hotel first. Your family will thank you. YOU, will thank you. Most of all, your family-budget will thank you.