Bowling Birthday Party Ideas For Kids

Bowling parties are entertaining for both young and older guests.

A bowling birthday party is an interesting alternative to a traditional birthday party. Bowling parties offer built-in games and entertainment, as well as fun for adult guests who join in the bowling games. Bowling birthday parties lend themselves to a variety of decorations, menu ideas and favors. Throw your child a bowling birthday party and create memories to last a lifetime. Does this Spark an idea?

Invitations

Cut several small bowling balls and bowling pins from colorful card stock. Draw stripes on the pins with markers or felt pens. Draw finger holes on the bowling balls. Write one bit of party information per pin or ball (location, time, date and more). When guests read them, they must piece the information together to figure out party information, thus becoming a fun puzzle for them. Remember to tell guests to wear or bring socks and know their shoe sizes for bowling shoes.

Decorations

Use a color scheme of your child's favorite shades. Purchase tablecloths, cutlery, plates, streamers, balloons and confetti in these colors. Hang balloons and streamers around the party area, including on chairs. Cover tables with plastic tablecloths and sprinkle them with confetti. Print images of bowling balls and laminate them to use as placemats. Tie a large bouquet of balloons to an old bowling pin to use as a centerpiece. Guests can even sign the pin later so your child can have it as a memento. Make a birthday banner with pictures of bowling balls and pins. Write "Happy Birthday (your child's name)!" on the banner.

Menu and Cake

Your bowling facility may provide food and drinks for your guests as part of your party package, thus sparing you that effort. If you do need to plan your own menu, however, serve easy-to-eat foods like pizza and fruit or vegetable trays. Snack foods like chips, pretzels and crackers are good easy-to-eat sides. Decorate a large sheet cake to look like a bowling alley with miniature pins and balls in lanes or decorate a large round cake to look like a bowling ball in your child's favorite color.

Favors

Fill mini bowling bags with party favors for your guests. Bowling-related items like mini bowling pins, miniature bowling sets, bowling key chains and sport bottles make perfect party favors for this occasion. Other popular favors include candy, stickers, stick on tattoos, marbles, yo-yos, pens and pencils and notepads.

Tags: your child, bowling balls, birthday party, bowling birthday, Bowling parties, bowling pins, cake look

An Elegant Caribbean Treasure Wedding Decor Theme

Carribean Sun

A Caribbean Treasure wedding theme sounds like a great idea, but if it's done too "over the top" it can become cartoonish. If you are looking for a way to turn your Caribbean Treasure wedding theme from a kitschy affair to the event of the season, reflect your theme in the food, decor and the music. Tone down your references to the Caribbean Treasure theme to make it more elegant. The night should be suggestive of the Caribbean, instead of a full-fledged pirate adventure. Here's make your theme elegant and beautiful.

Decor

Obviously the decor of a Caribbean Treasure wedding plays a huge role in enforcing the theme. Suggest notes of the Caribbean with bright vivid colors as accents; turquoise blue, bright pink and deep purple are reminiscent of a Caribbean sunset, and look pretty in sheer fabric swathed from the ceilings. Use centerpieces that are shaped like small trunks, filled with chocolate gold coins and beads that you've purchased from a party store and that guests can help themselves to. Keep the lighting dim and instead use accent lighting through candles and spotlights to set the mood.

Food

You can have lots of fun planning Caribbean food for your Caribbean Treasure wedding. Begin with lavish fruit that has been carved into elegant shapes, such as a melon hollowed out to hold skewers of melon balls. For a main course, choose an authentic jerk chicken recipe, or barbecued, spicy food like they would serve in the islands. Grilled pineapple will not only delight your guests, but will also scent the air. And of course, serve island-inspired drinks with notes of coconut and citrus, such as margaritas, piña coladas and daiquiris, complete with sugar rimmed glasses.

Music

Playing authentic Caribbean music can really help to set the mood for your Caribbean Dream wedding. If you can find one, hire a Caribbean band that offers traditional instruments like the steel drums. If there isn't a band available, choose a deejay and let him know that you'd like only Caribbean music played. If possible, ask the venue owner if you can bring in sand to place on the dance floor, and invite guests to shed their shoes and dance the night away on your very own beach. Guests will love the attention to detail and will be talking about your Caribbean Treasure wedding for months afterward.

Tags: Caribbean Treasure, Treasure wedding, your Caribbean, Caribbean Treasure wedding, your Caribbean Treasure

Cheap Hotels In Milan Italy

Cheap Hotels in Milan, Italy

They say that if Rome is the capital of old Italy, Milan is the capital of new Italy. The city is also one of the world's major centers of fashion, contemporary art and nightlife. For this reason, Milan has a reputation of being expensive and catering to the world's elite. There are, however, quite a few less expensive hotels and hostels in the city catering to budget travelers.

Ostello Olinda

Ostello Olinda offers accommodation in singles, doubles and dormitory-style rooms. Hostel services include clean sheets and towels, blankets, a reading room with a television, a recreation room with food and drinks, vending machines, wireless Internet access, a parking area and conference facilities. There is a restaurant and bar on the premises; note that reservations are required for dinner.

Ostello Olinda

ex Ospedale Psichiatrico Paolo Pini

via Ippocrate 45

20161 Milan, Italy

011 (+39) 266 200 646

olinda.org

Hotel de Albertis

Hotel de Albertis is located on the east side of town, not far from the Mangiagalli clinic. The hotel contains 12 guest rooms equipped with amenities including private bathrooms, hair dryers, televisions, direct-dial phones, mini bars and high-speed Internet access. The property features retro furnishings, with additional stylish perks, such as wrought iron beds in some of the rooms.

Hotel de Albertis

Via De Albertis, 7

20100 Milan, Italy

011 (+39) 273 834 09

hoteldealbertis.it

Hotel Due Giardini

Rooms at this discount hotel feature private bathrooms with showers and hair dryers, a color television, phone and air conditioning. Hotel Due Giardini is situated within walking distance of Milan's main train station.

Hotel Due Giardini

Via Benedetto Marcello, 47

Milan, Italy

011 (+39) 229 521 093

hotelduegiardini.it

Hotel Demo

Hotel Demo is a boutique hostel offering singles, doubles, triples and quads. Rooms come equipped with bathrooms with showers, safe-deposit boxes, televisions, telephones, fans, heating, hair dryers, wireless high-speed Internet access and alarm clocks.

Hotel Demo

Via Tonale, 14

20125 Milan, Italy

011 (+39) 2 670 743 22

hosteldemo.com

Hotel San Tomaso

Hotel San Tomaso is a cheap hotel located in central Milan, not far from the central train station. It was completely renovated in 2004, and offers single, double and triple accommodations. Choose between rooms with private bathrooms and cheaper ones with shared bathrooms. Rooms are simply furnished, with beds, televisions and telephones.

Hotel San Tomaso

Viale Tunisia 6

20124 Milano

Italy

011 (+39) 2 2951 4747

hotelsantomaso.com

Tags: Milan Italy, hair dryers, Hotel Albertis, Hotel Demo, Hotel Giardini, Hotel Tomaso, Internet access

About High Quality Dress Shirts

About High Quality Dress Shirts

A high quality dress shirt is a piece of luxury that the well-dressed man cannot live without. Often handcrafted from the finest woven cotton, a high quality dress shirt is an essential garment for the burgeoning executive and the ambitious employee. Whether the bespoke dress shirt is sewn by European artisans or purchased off the rack at an upscale department store this item of clothing is the perfect complement to the formal tuxedo as well as the tailor-made three-piece suit. Does this Spark an idea?

Significance

High quality dress shirts are either tailor-made (bespoke) or purchased as ready-made from a boutique or department store specializing in suits and men's furnishing. High quality dress shirts are more expensive than basic shirts because of the attention to detail used to construct the dress shirt. The amount of stitching in the seams, use of handmade buttonholes, the precise measurements of neck, chest and sleeve, and the quality of materials used in construction of the garment are contributing factors in the high cost and legendary mystique attached to high quality dress shirts.

Types

The categories of high quality dress shirts vary by not only the types of materials used to create the shirts, but by the type collars, sleeve lengths and buttons used in the construction of the garment. The most expensive parts of a high quality shirt are the fabric used and the costs to construct the garment. Tailors refer to shirt fabrics as "shirtings." These fabrics dictate the quality of the shirt and also the occasion where the shirt is worn.

Although manufacturers for dress shirts commonly use polyester and rayon blends, cotton is the most popular fabric used for high quality dress shirts. Popular shirt fabrics for high quality dress shirts include: white pique cotton, silk poplin, broadcloth, pin-point, oxford, royal oxford, and cotton or herringbone twill. Egyptian cotton, Sea Island cotton or 100-fold, two-ply cotton is the preferred choice of high quality shirts due to its ability to breathe, its durability and unique capacity to keep the wearer's body cool throughout the workday.

Maintenance

High quality dress shirts must be laundered by a professional dry cleaner. To remove rings of dirt and grime from around the collar and inside of the cuffs, treat your shirt with a mild cleansing agent instead of bleach. Follow this spot cleaning of the shirt with a trip to the dry cleaning for professional service. Refrain from washing your shirt in the washing machine or drying it in the hot dryer. Find a professional cleaning service that specializes in high quality dress shirts to ensure the gentle removal of stains and to prevent shrinkage of the fabric.

Considerations

High quality dress shirts are not sized small, medium, large or extra large. Rather the sizing is based upon sleeve length, collar size and cuff. The types of collars available are: spread, button-down, tab collar, straight, curved, banded, Kent or London collar and mandarin. Popular designers of high quality shirts include: Thomas Pink, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Turnbull & Asser, Brooks Brothers and Ermenegildo Zegna.

Expert Insight

White shirts with collars are the most popular shirt worn for formal and business events. Executives in conservative environments: financial services, real estate, brokerage, government and law wear high quality dress shirt as an expression of their power, professionalism and sense of refinement.

Swedish shirt-making Company, Eton, created the world's most expensive, high quality shirt in 2008. This shirt, which retailed for $45,000, was made exclusively for a charity auction benefiting the children at Great Ormond Street hospital in London. The shirt was crafted from rare Egyptian cotton yarn and was adorned with 7 flawless diamonds.

Tags: dress shirts, high quality, quality dress, dress shirt, high quality dress, quality dress, quality dress shirts

Do It Yourself Printable Baby Shower Invitations

Sending out baby shower invitations is a great way to celebrate an impending birth with family members and friends. Using do-it-yourself printable baby shower invitations, you can invite others to attend a baby shower at a fraction of the cost of store-bought invitations. Adding information to these templates is designed to be easy and you can print as many invitations as you need.

Instructions

1. Purchase do-it-yourself invitation software or go to Microsoft.com, where free printable invitation templates are available for download.

2. Browse the list of template choices; keep in mind that subcategories may also be available. For example, Microsoft lists baby shower invitations under the subcategory "Event Invitations."

3. Click on the template you wish to use. An invitation sets the tone for a celebration, so select a template that best matches or complements the style of your baby shower or that has a design or images that relate to your larger theme.

4. Download and then save the template on your computer under a unique file name.

5. Insert text and graphics, following the template's lead. Customize the template with the details of the baby shower, such as the names of the expecting parents, the sex of the baby and the day and the time of the celebration. If guests are required to R.S.V.P., provide instructions on do so.

6. Save the final draft. You can make changes or print additional copies later.

7. Insert stationery or colored paper into your printer's paper tray per the manufacturer's instructions.

8. Click "Print" to print a test shower invitation. If you are satisfied, print the remaining number of invitations you need.

Tags: baby shower, baby shower invitations, shower invitations, baby shower, invitations need

Birthday Present Ideas For 40yearolds

While some people may say that "40 is the new 30," the reality of turning 40 hits some individuals hard. Turning 40 is the unofficial marker for middle age, which may trigger thoughts of self-worth, re-evaluating one's life, pondering health concerns that once seemed unimaginable, and reflecting on what the remaining decades may bring. Or the person turning 40 may have a tremendous sense of humor and security and will take this birthday in stride. All of this should be taken into consideration when choosing a gift.

Reflect the milestone of 40

An "over the hill" coffee mug may be funny to everyone except the person who unwraps the novelty gift. Plus, such a token is rather obvious, since the person you know turning 40 is probably one of numerous friends about the same age, meaning you've already been to plenty of parties where people wear black armbands and swap "over the hill" mugs and bottles of Geritol.

Instead, consider gifts that reflect your friend's personality. A music lover might enjoy a CD mix of 40 songs by a favorite band, or 40 free downloads from an online music store. A $40 gift card to a bookstore makes a perfect gift for a bookworm. A chocolate lover won't be able to resist a basket with 40 individually wrapped gourmet chocolates. As an added touch, you could compile a list of 40 significant things that occurred the year your friend was born, or perhaps share 40 reasons your friendship with this person has made a difference in your life.

Gifts that respect their age and indulge their dreams

People turning 40 have had a few years to ponder what's important in their lives. Chances are, their interests and tastes are well-cultivated by now, and if there are certain things they want, they probably have bought them. The trick to giving the perfect gift to a 40-year-old is to build on that person's interests and perhaps encourage him to follow through on long-held goals.

You might consider a book that highlights changes in people turning 40. It's a time to take stock of a life lived thus far, and you may find that many of your 40-something friends are recommitting themselves to the dreams they set for themselves 20 years ago---or pursuing new goals.

An evening tutorial with a professional chef makes a nice gift for the aspiring cook.

Many cities sustain small winemaking and beer-brewing businesses where amateur vintners and brewers can make their own wine and beer. For the cost of a couple of cases of good beer, you can send a friend out for an evening so he can make his own.

So if you know someone who has talked often of scuba diving off the coral reefs of Australia, buy a book on the subject and wrap it with a pair of flippers to underscore the point. Audio instruction programs on CD are a perfect gift for the lifelong learner. Know a woman who wants to learn to speak French, but spends two hours a day commuting in her car? Buy a CD course in conversational French.

Single parents turning 40 have precious little time to themselves. Consider the gift of baby-sitting for an evening---either offer to do it yourself or pay for a sitter so your friend can enjoy a few hours of freedom.

Classy, elegant and understated

People often mark milestones with sentimental gifts designed to last a lifetime. An engraved, personalized item makes a thoughtful gift that is likely to be enjoyed for many years. Fine writing instruments can be engraved with names and dates. Money clips and purses can be monogrammed, as can such clothing items as belts, sweaters, dress shirts and sporting apparel.

And while there may be some lingering misconceptions that gift cards are an impersonal way to give a present, the reality is that people with a passion for certain interests really enjoy shopping for items that enhance their hobbies and pursuits. Just load a gift card with the cash amount you feel comfortable with, then slip the card in an envelope and sign a note. You have the satisfaction of knowing your 40-year-old friends will get something they really want.

Tags: perfect gift, turning have, your friend, gift card, over hill

Bbq Party Food Ideas

Grill

Warm summer months are ideal for hosting BBQ parties. Gather a group of friends or family and fire up the grill; things always seem to taste better when cooked outdoors. Delight both your meat-eating and vegetarian friends alike by serving hamburgers as well as soy-based treats, such as veggie burgers. Don't forget to provide plenty of traditional side dishes, such as potato salad and baked beans. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Grilled Portobello Mushroom Caps

Portobello caps are hearty enough to satisfy meat-eaters and hold up well when cooked on a hot grill. Plan on serving one portobello cap per guest. Marinate the caps in a vinegar and olive oil mixture prior to grilling to add flavor and to prevent them from sticking to the grate.

Shrimp and Pineapple Skewers

Delight guests with exotic grilled shrimp and pineapple skewers. If you are using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for one hour prior to grilling. Marinate 1 lb. of fresh, peeled and deveined shrimp in a mixture of 1/2 can of pineapple juice and 3 tbsp. of soy sauce and place in the refrigerator for one-half hour. Thread alternating pieces of pineapple chunks and marinated shrimp onto the bamboo skewers. Grill over medium heat for 10 minutes, turning the skewers once.

Watermelon Salad

Watermelon, a summertime favorite, gets a surprising twist with feta cheese and mint. To make this refreshing salad, mix 1 1/2 qt. of seeded watermelon cubes with 3/4 cup of thinly sliced red onion, 1 tbsp. of fresh lime juice, 1 cup of chopped fresh mint, 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives and 3/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and serve in a hollowed-out watermelon rind for a summery presentation.

Sorbet

Sorbet makes an excellent light dessert on hot days or warm nights. Serve flavors such as strawberry, lemon, lime and mango in colorful goblets; top each with a sprig of fresh mint. Make your own sorbet or buy it in your grocery store's frozen section.

Tags: bamboo skewers, feta cheese, fresh mint, prior grilling, when cooked

Barbie Birthday Party Game Ideas

Barbie Birthday Party Game Ideas

A Barbie themed birthday party is fun for children of all ages. From beauty makeover themes to outdoor scavenger hunts, there are many options to choose from and party game ideas are endless. In just a short time, with a creative mind and a few inexpensive supplies, you can easily plan a successful Barbie birthday bash. Does this Spark an idea?

Barbie Makeover

Upon the arrival of guests, each little girl will be directed to certain beauty stations that you prepared prior to the start of the party. The beauty stations can consist of makeup, hair styling products, dress up clothes and glitter. Have a couple of friends or family members help you at each station. Once the girls are made over to look like Barbie, they will really get into the spirit.

Fashion Show

Now that the girl's are all dressed up like Barbie, conduct a fashion show with the audience members being the parents of the guests, family and friends. Introduce each girl to the audience while they individually walk into the room. Tell the audience each of the girl's favorite things to do, and have them sit in a special section of the room until all girls have been introduced.

Barbie Scavenger Hunt

Prepare your back or front yard by hiding plain colored Barbie clothing and accessories. Give each girl a Barbie and a list of items she needs to collect to complete her individual Barbie's look. After each girl has completed her Barbie's look, she will return it to you and wait for all of the girl's to finish their Barbie. After everyone has finished, go back inside to a table that you will have stocked with beads, jewels, gems, glitter and crystals. Let each of them decorate their Barbie dress the way they want to by using a hot glue gun, and gluing the items where they choose.

When planning your Barbie themed birthday party, make sure to send out invitations informing the guest and her parents what you are planning to do at the Barbie party. Invitations can be very creative and inexpensive and can be created on your home computer.

Tags: each girl, Barbie Birthday, Barbie Birthday Party, Barbie look, Barbie themed, Barbie themed birthday

Cheap Cruises Of The Hawaiian Islands

Honolulu, Hawaii, is a popular embarkation port for cruises of the Hawaiian Islands.

Consisting of eight islands, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Island of Hawaii, Hawaii is the most isolated population on earth, with a distance of 2,390 miles from California and 4,900 miles from China. Three cruise lines offer affordable, competitive fares to the Hawaiian Islands, out of Honolulu in Hawaii, Ensenada in Mexico, Vancouver in British Columbia and Sydney, Australia. Whether on a round-trip or a one-way journey, cruises to the Hawaiian Islands provide inexpensive itineraries aboard three- and four-out of-five-star cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Spirit

Carnival Spirit, which departs out of Honolulu and Mexico's port of Ensenada in 12- and 13-day journeys, sails to the Hawaiian Islands in April and September. Cruises sail yearly with affordable pricing and options, and port stops include Hawaii's Kauai, Kailua, Hilo and Kahului. The cruise is a one-way journey; passengers aboard the Carnival Spirit are responsible for return flights.

Awarded four-out-of-five stars in overall consumer satisfaction by the website Cruise Reviews Online, the 2000-launched Carnival Spirit is a large-sized ship with a passenger capacity of 2,124 guests on 12 decks. Features include spacious guest rooms, 80 percent of which offer ocean views and 64 percent offering balconies. A two-level promenade and the reservations-only supper club are also offered.

Carnival Cruise Lines

3655 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33178

888-227-6482

carnival.com

Norwegian Cruise Lines' Pride of America

An affordable cruise line with year-round departures out of Honolulu, Pride of America sails on seven-day, one-way and round-trip cruises to the Hawaiian islands. Passengers aboard Pride of America visit the Hawaiian cities of Kahului, Hilo, Nawiliwili, Kailua and the Kilauea Volcano.

Launched in 2003, Pride of America is a large-sized ship with a passenger capacity of 2,146 guests. Part of Norwegian Cruise Lines' three-out-of-five-star cruise fleet, the 14-deck Pride of America offers eight restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, and the Santa Fe Fitness Center.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Florida 33126

866-625-1166

ncl.com

Royal Caribbean's' Rhapsody of the Seas

Departing out of Honolulu, Vancouver and Sydney, Rhapsody of the Seas sails in April and September to ports in the Hawaiian Islands. Cruises sail in 10-, 12- and 13-day itineraries and offer affordable, competitive rates. The cruises offer one-way travel; passengers are responsible for return flights. Port stops on the Rhapsody of the Seas include Hawaii's Lahaina, Kailua, Hilo, Kilauea Volcano and Nawiliwili.

Awarded four-out-of-five stars in overall consumer quality by the website Cruise Reviews Online, Rhapsody of the Seas is a large-sized ship with a passenger capacity of 2,435 guests. The 10-deck ship was launched in 1997 and includes two pools, the ShipShape Day Spa, and eight unique lounges.

Royal Caribbean International Cruise Lines

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132

866-562-7625

royalcaribbean.com

Tags: Cruise Lines, Pride America, Carnival Spirit, Rhapsody Seas, capacity guests, cruises Hawaiian

German Tomato Varieties

Heirloom tomatoes, many of which originated in Germany, come in all shapes and sizes.

For many consumers, a tomato is a tomato, no matter how you slice it. However, serious tomato growers and chefs know that there are hundreds of tomato varieties, each with its own unique flavor, texture, growing patterns and appearance. Many of these "heirloom" tomatoes originated in Germany, where they were harvested by small communities or individual families for decades. Many of these German varieties are now popular in North America and can be found in farmers markets around the country. Does this Spark an idea?

German Giant

The German giant is a family heirloom variety that produces large, deep-pink tomatoes that can weigh more than 2 lbs. and are "brimming with luscious flavor," according to the University of Missouri. German giants feature potato leaf foliage similar to the brandywine, but its fruits mature earlier (within 77 days) and are typically larger.

German Red Strawberry

The fruits of the German red strawberry tomato do in fact look like large red strawberries and are quite sweet for tomatoes. These meaty, heart-shaped tomatoes are typically 3 to 5 inches in diameter and grow on 4 1/2-foot-long vines. On average, these late-season tomatoes weigh around 10 oz. German red strawberry tomatoes tend to have lots of seeds and little juice.

German Angora

The German angora tomato variety has, like other angora-type tomatoes, "densely white-pubescent leaves," according to the University of New Mexico. This variety features fuzzy, ovate fruits that are typically 2 1/2 inches long and have "good flavor."

German Pink

This heirloom tomato of German origin produces fruits weighing 12 oz. on average, according to Rutgers University. These sweet, beefsteak-type tomatoes have pink flesh and skin and can be eaten fresh or made into a paste. The German pink tomato plant grows to roughly 6 feet tall and has potatolike foliage.

Tags: according University, Many these, originated Germany, typically inches

10 Best Things To Do With Kids In London

London is one of the world's oldest cities, and one of the most exciting to explore with children. Some of the best sightseeing, museums, parks and neighborhood walks are to be found in London. Big Ben, Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace are no brainers. This article will help you go beyond the obvious.

Best of the Best

The London Eye: The tallest observation attraction in the world is a giant ferris wheel with contained cars ideal for kids of all ages. This 30 minute slow rotation will give the best view of the River Thames and Greater London. Kids under 4 ride free.

The Tower of London: This castle like fortress will enthrall young and old alike. Younger children will love the fairy tale like feel and the colorful guards, while older kids will be fascinated by the Tower's dark and mysterious history. Kids under 5 get in free.

Action and Adventure

Thames RIB Experience: Jump in the high-powered speed boats and take a tour of the venerable Thames unlike any other. The kids will yell and scream and maybe even remember some of the fun history they learn.

Hyde Park Riding Stables: Next to one of London's largest green areas, the Hyde Park riding stables offers lessons and mounts for anyone ages 5 or older. Like many attractions it is always wise to book in advance, especially on weekends.

Green Areas

Regent's Park: Designed by master architect John Nash, Regent's Park borders on some of the best markets in London. It also is host to the London Zoo, the oldest zoo in the world and a place the kids will love.

Hampton Court Plaza: Henry the VIII commissioned this magnificent palace, with its endless gardens, botanical mazes and gorgeous views. Kids may not understand the history, but they will love wandering lawns so huge they'll be thankful they don't have to mow it.

Rainy Day London

SEA LIFE London Aquarium: The kids will love London's new aquarium. Journey through the Ocean Tunnel, where sea turtles, octopus and zebra sharks swim overhead. See many wonders of the oceans in a beautiful and educational environment.

Kid's Cookery School: Give the kids a place to create their own concoctions that are both healthy and tasty. Both parents and children can experiment, learn and create, leading to a lifetime of healthy eating habits.

Shopping for Kids

Harrod's: This department store is the closest thing to Santa City any child will ever see in the real world. Toys, sweets, playthings dreamed of only in moments of ultimate bliss, Harrod's remains the undisputed king of department stores.

Hamley's: If toys are your little one's thing, then Hamley's of London Limited on Regent's Street is the place to go. With 20,000 items to browse, there is guaranteed to be something to excite any child.

Tags: kids will, will love, history they, Hyde Park, Kids under, kids will love, Regent Park

Beach Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Ocean colors make a restful palette.

A beach-themed bedroom can provide a mini vacation during drab seasons of the year. Paint walls in relaxing colors found at the beach and accessorize with souvenirs from beach vacations. The beach theme sets a relaxing tone perfect for a bedroom, Does this Spark an idea?

Shells

Shells are an attractive and inexpensive way to accessorize. Contain a collection of small shells in a glass bowl. Arrange large shells on night stands and shelves. Fill a shadow box with favorite shells and hang it on the wall. Use bedding that incorporates a shell design.

Colors

Beach colors include shades of tan, white, blue, green and brown. Go with a crisp blue and white pallette, or use a combination of several beach colors on walls, upholstery, rugs and pillows. Tan rugs made of seagrass are durable and lend a clean, fresh look to floors in beach-themed rooms. The rugs are best used on hardwood, but can be used on top of carpet.

Wall Paper

Use wallpaper or a border emphasizing light, airy colors such as white, tan, light blue or green. Or, use dark colors to give the room the feel of a light house or boat house. If you do not want to cover an entire wall in paper, add a beach-themed border around the top or middle of the walls.

Accessories

Decorate with items found along a beach. Use framed posters and prints of hot dog stands and changing booths. Add sailboats, life preservers and palm trees. Use light-colored woods and wicker for picture frames and accents. Sheer, light-colored curtains lend a light, breezy feel. Hang an old fishing net in a corner of the room.

Furniture

Use light-colored furniture. White furniture offers the airiest feel, but you can also use pale or natural wood colors. Dark-colored wood can overwhelm the room and may minimize the beach look. To maintain a light feel, use night stands with open shelves and refrain from using a dust ruffle on the bed.

Bedding

Go heavy on the beach theme with bedding printed with shells, waves or palm trees. Or, apply a lighter touch by using solid-colored sheets and blankets in beach colors such as tan, blue, white and brown. Consider adding decorative pillows with beach themes. For a subtle look, use pillows in solid colors.

Tags: beach colors, beach theme, blue green, blue white, colors such, night stands, palm trees

Good Foods To Serve At A Luau Party For Adults

Give yours guests leis when they arrive at your luau.

Historically a celebration hosted by Hawaiian royalty, luaus in Hawaii today are commonly held for special family celebrations. You'll need plenty of tropical flowers, leis, hula skirts and colorful table cloth, and Hawaiian music to make your own luau-style party. Set up a tiki bar and serve popular tropical drinks such as Mai Tais. The most important part of the luau, however, is the food. For an authentic experience, serve the best and most popular traditional luau dishes. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Kalua Pig

The Kalua pig is the star of the luau. Traditionally, a whole pig is covered in banana leaves and then slow roasted in an underground pit which is called an imu, which is full of hot lava rocks lines with banana or ti leaves. The word "kalua" refers to cooking in an underground oven. If you're not in a position to use or build an underground pit, you can still roast a whole pig wrapped in banana and ti leaves on an above ground fire pit that will impress your guests. If you don't want to roast a whole pig, simply roast a pork butt in the oven or on a charcoal grill. Season the pig with a little salt and barbecue liquid smoke over the pig for a smoky flavor and wrap tightly in the ti and banana leaves. Serve the pig shredded, the traditional way.

Lau Lau

Lau Lau is a combination of cubed meat and seafood, typically boneless pork chops and/or chicken thighs and salted butterfish.The meat is seasoned simply with Hawaiian sea salt, which is is red and tastes more earthy than regular sea salt. You can use kosher sea salt if you do not have the Hawaiian kind. Ti and lau leavs also know as taro leaves, should be washed and the stems and fibrous parts removed. One piece of each meat is placed upon five layers of the lau leaves and then wrapped tightly with the leaves to form a bundle. That bundle is then wrapped in a ti leaf and fasted securely with tooth picks, rubber band or a strip of ti leaf. The final bundle is known as a "puolu" in Hawaiian.The wrapped meat is then steamed for several hours in a steamer. You can also cook them on a grill or in the oven.

Lomi Lomi Salad

Lomi Lomi is a salted salmon salad mixed with tomatoes, onions, and chopped green onions for garnish. Chili peppers are sometimes added as well. The term Lomi Lomi means "massage" in Hawaiian, and it describes the way the ingredients are literally massaged together to create a cold salad. Salmon should be shredded and the tomatoes crushed and combined with your hands. Crushed ice is often added to the salad to make it ice cold.

Poi

A staple in Hawaiian cooking, poi is made from boiled taro root pounded with water to a smooth consistency. Taro root is a root vegetable similar to sweet potato or yam. Depending on preference taro can be served really thick or a thinner, soup-like consistency. Poi is so common that most people simple pick up a packed of fresh poi powder and mix it with water, rather than pounded a taro yourself. Poi is typically served as a side dish and goes well with the roasted and barbecued meats at a luau. To make poi from taro root, boil taro root until tender, then chop up into small pieces. Blend the taro root in a blender with a little water or if you have a wood bowl and a poi pounder, pound the poi until it is smooth. There really is no wrong way to eat poi. You can season it with salt, sugar or even soy sauce if you prefer it that way.

Haupia

Haupia is the traditional custard dessert served at the end of a luau, and made with coconut milk and sugar. The white, sweet dessert is considered a pudding but has a more gelatin consistency. Coconut milk is mixed with arrow root or cornstarch, then boiled with sugar and water until the mixture thickens. The mixture is then poured onto a clean baking tray and left to cool at room temperature. Once cooled, the dessert is chilled and cut into 1-inch squares.

Tags: banana leaves, taro root, Lomi Lomi, leaves then, mixed with, roast whole, then wrapped

Cheap Luau Decoration Ideas

The point of a luau is fun, not expense, so put your money into the food and drinks, and go recession-era on the decorations. These suggestions can help you make much of your own luau decor, but also see the Resources section for cheap luau decorations sold online.

Tables

A staple of a luau is the raffia-skirted table with silk flowers. They cost anywhere from $10 to $20 for a large table, so if you want to cut that cost, save brown paper grocery bags for a few weeks. Cut the bags into narrow strips, leaving an attached edge on top, and tape them end to end for a homemade luau table skirt. Attach cheap flower leis on the top to cover the edge.

For tableware, mix in clear or white plastic glasses, plates, napkins and silverware with just one package of tropical colors to save money. Instead of vinyl printed tablecloths ($5 to $15 each) draw colorful flowers with crayon on sheets of wax paper. Create centerpieces from super-cheap citronella candles, seashells and plastic fish for table decorations that look a lot more expensive than they are.

Room

Find wall clings that create a tropical scene for your guests, which may be a good value if you are not artistically inclined. If you are, tape craft paper to the walls with drawings or cutouts of tropical decor. Another idea: Twist two colors of streamers together, in yellow and blue or orange and red for a luau feel, and run them around the room, arching them to the ceiling with fishing line or bamboo poles.

Blow up lots of balloons and let them float around or tape them together to form balloon palm trees, tiki heads or pineapples. Add a few paper lanterns and foil hanging decorations and you're set. For nighttime luaus, make homemade luminaria from small paper bags, decorated with cutouts, and set tea lights inside them to go along pathways or patios.

Accents

Flower lights are a colorful decoration for a luau, but they can get pricey. If you already have white or colored Christmas tree lights, you're set. Remove the center of a fake flower and slide the light through the hole in the middle of the petals. (Some flowers may require cutting to make the hole bigger.)

Other accents that are must-have are cocktail umbrellas, coconut shells and flower leis. But for even more color and character in the decor, make tons of tissue flowers with little expense. You can use colored tissue paper or dye white tissue with food coloring. Twist the tissue into a flower shape and secure it with twist ties or pipe cleaners. Turn them into a garland or twist them onto available surfaces.

Tags: flower leis, flowers with, tape them

Birthday Party Ideas For A 5yearold

Birthday Party Ideas for a 5-Year-Old

In a child's eyes, a 5-year-old's birthday party is a huge event, ranking right up there with Christmas. To make it live up to the child's expectations, keep it simple, fun and upbeat. Does this Spark an idea?

Costume Party

Consider a theme costume party: Disney princesses, dinosaurs and SpongeBob SquarePants are all popular with 5-year-olds. It's extra fun if the parents participate. Hand out framed Polaroids of each child in costume at the end of the party.

Back Yard Party

Stock up on bubbles, sidewalk chalk and inexpensive lawn games like golf and Frisbees. Host the party outside and play hopscotch, have relay and potato-sack races, and make a sidewalk mural.

Craft Party

Offer a selection of simple crafts like Popsicle stick picture frames, foam masks and puppets. Five-year-olds can complete a craft, do cake and gifts while the glue or paint dries and take their creations home.

Pajama Party

Five-year-olds aren't always ready for a sleepover. Have them come in pajamas, get in their sleeping bags with a big bowl of popcorn and watch the birthday girl's favorite movie. Hand out small teddy bears or fluffy pillows as party favors.

Beach Party

A large wading pool, beach balls and a sandbox transform your yard into a beach for imaginative 5-year-olds. Set up a net and play beach volleyball, roast some hot dogs and stick umbrellas in the drinks to complete the theme.

Tags: Birthday Party Ideas, costume party, Party Ideas

Cupcake Ideas For A Pirate Theme

For a pirate-themed party or a costume party, make a batch of pirate-themed cupcakes for an easy serving alternative to a traditional cake. Pile the cupcakes onto a multi-tier serving stand or arrange them together to make a cake shape. Inexperienced cake decorators can make a professional looking cupcake display with a little bit of practice beforehand with any unfamiliar decorating techniques. Does this Spark an idea?

A Fleet of Cupcakes

Make a fleet of pirate-themed cupcakes decorated with miniature ships and pirate figures. Prepare a batch of cupcakes and cover them with a layer of tan-colored icing. Place the cupcakes on a multi-tier cupcake stand. Cover a plastic cake tray with a layer of blue icing and place the cupcake stand on the cake tray. Top each cupcake with palm tree and pirate figurines made from fondant or plastic. Make a batch of crisped rice squares batter and fill colorful cupcake paper cups approximately half-full. Place miniature pirate flags on toothpicks into the center of each paper cup to look like sails and cover the crisped rice with colorful jellybeans. Place the filled cups around the cake to make the fleet of ships.

Pirate Face Cupcakes

Make a batch of pirate-faced cupcakes for your next pirate-themed party. Bake a batch of cupcakes in a regular cupcake pan and cover them with a thin layer of icing. Roll out a sheet of white or tan fondant and cut circles from the fondant that are large enough to cover the top of the cupcakes. Alternatively, spread a smooth layer of white or tan-tinted butter cream icing on the cakes to make the face instead. Use small fondant cutouts or chocolate icing for the eyes, nose and mouth --don't forget an eye patch. Cut out half-circles in a color that coordinates with the party's color scheme and place them on top of the circles to make pirate bandannas.

Pull-Apart Treasure Map Cupcake Cake

Turn a batch of cupcakes into a treasure map. Bake a batch of cupcakes in a regular cupcake pan. Arrange the cupcakes into a rectangular shape and spread a thick layer of fluffy icing over the entire shape. Use a cake-airbrushing machine and brown-hued edible paints to add an aged look to the map. Decorate the cake with blue fondant cutouts for water, create a compass with brown icing and place a small wooden treasure box filled with chocolate gold coins at one end of the cake.

Fondant-Topped Cupcakes

For a little bit of variety, decorate cupcakes with different pirate-themed fondant cutouts and other goodies. Prepare the batch of cupcakes in a regular cupcake pan. Use a variety of different icing colors to top the cupcakes. Add four or five chocolate gold coins to the top of some of the cupcakes. Make fondant skull shapes and place them on top of some of the cupcakes. For more fondant decorations, make miniature treasure chests filled with tiny candies and fondant palm trees to place on the cupcakes. Continue adding as many or as few items as you would like. Other options include candy rings and licorice skull candies.

Tags: batch cupcakes, batch cupcakes regular, cupcakes regular, cupcakes regular cupcake, fondant cutouts

Catering Your Own Tropical Party

Tropical tastes, sounds and activities make the party enjoyable!

Tropical parties are entertaining, but they can get expensive very quickly. Catering the party yourself is a good way to keep costs down, but remember that catering involves more than just providing food. Catering means taking care of all the details of the party, which involves a lot of planning. Making decisions in advance saves time, money and energy. A big secret to a successful party is to do as much as possible ahead of time, so when party day comes everything runs smoothly. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Tropical Party

1. Decorate. Set up the tables, chairs and all the decorations the day before the party so that the day of the party is open for picking up food, cooking and other preparations. A tropical-themed party should have decor such as tropical flowers, bright colors and seashells. Start by using bright orange tablecloths. Use seashells or tropical fruit arrangements as centerpieces. Instead of using a linen skirt for the buffet table, use a fake grass skirt. If the party is outdoors, line the perimeter of the area with tiki torches. Set up the plates, silverware and glasses the day of the party.

2. Prepare the food. Cook at least one entree, two side dishes and one dessert. Entree choices for a tropical party include roasted pig, pork and pineapple shish kebabs or grilled mahimahi. Tropical fruit such as pineapple, guava and mangoes make an appropriate side dish, as do rice, kimchi or noodles. For dessert, offer coconut cake, rum cake or banana cake. In some instances, it's less expensive to buy prepared food than it is to make it from scratch. Do as much ahead of time as possible, so the only thing actually cooked during the party is the entree. Keep food warm during the party with the chafing dishes.

3. Make drinks. Blue Curacao and rum are the best-known tropical liquors and make excellent drink choices for a tropical party. Make a punchbowl of Blue Whales (half blue Curacao and half lemonade) and a pitcher of fruity daiquiris to get the party going once your guests have arrived. Not everyone likes mixed drinks, so you should also provide a tropical beer, such as Red Stripe. Lastly, have some nonalcoholic drink choices, such as tropical punch or soda pop, available for non-drinkers.

4. Set the tone. Great atmosphere, great food, great drinks, great fun! Turn up some calypso music to get the party going. Other music options include steel drum bands, reggae and ska. Turn up some Bob Marley, Ricky Martin or Harry Belafonte to set the tropical mood. Hand out leis as your guest arrive, and plan to have hula dance-offs and limbo contests. If the party is outdoors, light a bonfire to set the mood.

Tags: ahead time, choices tropical, choices tropical party, drink choices, during party

Birthday Party Activities For Toddlers

While not old enough for a traditional pinata, the toddler set may enjoy a pull-string version.

Toddler birthday parties do not have to be elaborate. At this age, children are happy with simple activities and play materials. Toddlers enjoy pretend play and short activities. Competitive games with rules are too complicated for toddlers, but they may enjoy short, simple games. Schedule parties around nap time and provide plenty of snacks and drinks to prevent any meltdowns during the party. Does this Spark an idea?

Games

Children of this age will enjoy playing a game of musical statues. Play some kid-friendly music and have the toddlers dance. Whenever the music stops, the children should freeze. Play "pass the parcel" by wrapping lollipops, stickers or small trinkets in layers of different color wrapping paper. Have children sit in a circle and play music while the toddlers pass the parcel from child to child. When the music stops, the child opens one layer of the paper to reveal a small prize. Stop the music so that each child gets a prize.

Playtime

Provide opportunities for toddlers to play during the party. Fun playtime activities for this age group include bubbles, jumpers or a petting zoo. Create a painting activity by letting the children paint outside on a large sheet of paper tacked to a wall or fence. Avoid mess by giving toddlers paintbrushes and buckets of water to "paint" the fence or yard. Create an inexpensive ball pit by filling an inflatable swimming pool with balls. Make your own sand box for the party by filling an inflatable swimming pool with play sand, buckets and spades.

Tea Party

Have a birthday tea party with your toddler's favorite dolls, or a teddy bear picnic with stuffed animals. Invite each child to bring their favorite doll or bear and set places at the table for the extra "guests." Make small bite-sized sandwiches and finger food for the children to eat, and serve drinks from a tea set. Provide doll sized dress up outfits, hats and candy necklaces for the children to dress up their miniature friends.

Fantasy

For an inexpensive themed birthday party, provide dress up clothes for children (or invite toddlers to attend dressed in their favorite costume). Make inexpensive props for hours of pretend play fun. Make a large cardboard castle for a prince and princess themed party, and provide craft materials for the children to decorate tiaras and crowns. For a fire truck party, paint a large cardboard box to resemble a fire truck, and provide plastic fireman helmets for the toddlers to wear.

Tags: birthday party, during party, each child, filling inflatable, filling inflatable swimming, fire truck

Cooking Times For A 300 Lb Hog In A Smoker

Smoking a whole hog for old-fashioned barbecue separates the real outdoor chefs from the great pretenders. When you've mastered the ability to thoroughly cook an entire beast over a smoldering, smoking fire and then feed 100 awestruck individuals, you have earned your fire tongs. The trick is getting it done. Pork must be cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria. Plus, medium-rare pork just doesn't taste very good. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Whole Hog Smoking

To smoke a 300-lb. hog takes about 20 to 24 hours, which works out to about 13 to 15 lb. per hour. This means sustained smoke and heat of 225 to 250 degrees F using a covered smoker, and leaving it covered except for when you baste the hog and add more coals to the fire.

Order the hog from your butcher at least a week in advance. The hog should be butterflied at the butcher shop so it will smoke faster and evenly.

Prepping the Smoker and the Hog

A 300-lb. hog fully cooked should yield enough pulled pork to feed 150 to 175 people with plenty of leftovers. You'll lose about one-third of the initial hog weight during the long cooking time, mainly to melted fat. Bone, skin and other non-edible parts are also wasted weight.

You'll burn about 100 pounds of charcoal during the 24-odd hours of smoking time, plus 30 pounds of hickory wood for aromatic smoke.

Start off the smoker with 30 lb. of charcoal and another 10 lb. of hickory soaked in water for several hours. While the smoker is getting hot, prepare about 15 cups of spice rub, then rub down all exposed surfaces of the pig. Use a meat injector to infuse the pig with tenderizing marinades. Favorites include a blend of apple juice and brown sugar with spices to taste, or orange and pineapple juice if you are planning a luau.

Smoking a Whole Hog

Once the smoker reaches 200 to 225 degrees, it's ready. Start the butterflied hog on the smoker belly-side down for the first 5 hours of cooking to give the hickory smoke an opportunity to penetrate the inside. Leave the smoker closed but vented during this time to maximize smoke penetration, which will add to the flavor.

After the first 5 hours, pour a fresh load of charcoal into the firebox, using as much fuel as necessary to sustain 200 to 225 degrees. Use a basting mop and vinegar-based sauce to mop all surfaces of the hog, inside and out, then close the smoker and let it roil for another 5 hours.

Reload charcoal and hickory wood whenever the temperature dips below 200 F. If you still have a good fire going, raking the existing coals will probably cause the temperature to spike right back to the desired range without adding more charcoal.

After 10 hours of smoking, baste the hog with the mop sauce every two hours.

When the deepest part of the ham or shoulder hits an internal temperature of 170 degrees, your hog is cooked. Let it rest for at least 45 minutes to allow the natural juices to flow back through the meat.

Serve with plenty of barbecue sauce on the side and hamburger buns with coleslaw and hot sauce.

Tags: first hours, hickory wood, hours smoking, with plenty

Facts About Tropical Rainforest Plants

Epiphytes live on host trees.

According to rain-tree.com, 137 plant species are lost each day due to tropical rainforest deforestation. As these plants vanish, possible opportunities to discover cures for fatal diseases may be lost as well. Rainforest plants, though threatened, do thrive today, providing as much as 80 percent of food to developed countries. It's not too late for people to take steps to protect rainforest plant diversity.

Features

Characteristics of tropical rainforests include massive trees, warm temperatures and in some cases, more than 1 inch of daily rain. Rainforest plants exist in most continents, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America and South America. The Amazon rainforest in South America is the biggest rainforest in the world. The Amazon River Basin, which contains the Amazon rainforest, is approximately the size of the United States, covering 40 percent of the landmass of South America.

Plant Types

According to the California Institute of Technology, more than two-thirds of the world's plant varieties appear in tropical rainforests. Some common types of rainforest plants include orchids, epiphytes and strangler figs.

Orchids make up the most diverse of plant groups. In tropical environments, orchids more commonly grow on trees, though not parasitically. Flowering orchids appear in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Epiphytes, or "air plants," as they are known, grow anywhere in tropical forests, but most commonly flourish on tree branches, trunks and leaves. Epiphytes produce far greater amounts of seeds than ground-dwelling plants, for many epiphyte seeds never find ideal spots to grow, and hence die off. Other epiphytes like orchids, lichens, mosses and bromeliads compete for space to breed on trees. Stated by rainforests.mongabay.com, an excess of 15,000 epiphytes exist in the neotropical zone.

Tropical stranglers typically come from the fig class. The Spanish word for strangler is "matapalo," which translates to "killer tree." Strangler figs initially exist as epiphytes, originated by excretions of fig-eating animals like birds and monkeys. Long strangler roots gradually grow toward forest floors, eventually surrounding their host trees.

Plant Deforestation

According to mongabay.com, sections of rainforest comparable to New Jersey's size are annually torn down. As a result, tropical rainforest plants that erstwhile lived in these damaged sections die off. Humans are the primary cause for destroying large sections of rainforest plants. Reasons for such destruction include using wood from trees for timber and for fire, providing agriculture for farming and constructing roadways.

Significance

Tropical rainforest plants play an important role in restoring ecological environments worldwide. As asserted by mongabay.com, rainforest plants provide food for animals, as well as stabilize the global climate, aid in prevention of drought and erosion, provide medicines to humans and make up an appealing natural system to visit.

Saving Tropical Rainforest Plants

Mongabay.com experts believe that in order to save rainforest plant biodiversity, the goal should be to focus on a TREES approach to restoration and protection. This approach suggests the following method: Teaching others about the environment; restoring damaged plants by planting new trees; encouraging society to exercise environmentally savvy methods for living; establishing parks for the protection of rainforest plants; and supporting companies that function to preserve tropical rainforest plant systems.

Tags: rainforest plants, rainforest plant, South America, Amazon rainforest, host trees, more than, sections rainforest

5th Grade Graduation Party Ideas

Fifth grade graduation parties are fun because they're probably the last time graduates will enjoy kids' activities. By the time they leave middle school, they'll be too old for pinatas and treasure hunts. So make the most of it: Create a fun theme for invitations, food and decor--and silly games like three-legged races and pin-the-diploma-on-the-graduate. Does this Spark an idea?

Theme

Use one of your graduate's interests as the basis for a party theme. A sport is always fun, whether it's soccer, swimming, baseball or lacrosse. Music, dance and plays make fun themes too. Incorporate a live performance into the event. Hire a band or take the kids to see a play or dance troupe before or after the party.

Invitations

Go to town on the invitations, which set the mood for the party. Personalize each invitation with the guest's name. Decorate the invites with themed stickers, available at discount and craft stores. Use free clip art from websites like HellasMultimedia.com.

Decorate

Have fun decorating without going overboard. Fifth grade kids will have a good time whether you spend $10 or 10 times that. Use streamers and balloons in the school colors, or hang themed sports, dance or music posters. Buy premade decorations from websites like Party411.com if it's in your budget.

Food

Serve your little graduate's fave foods. If hot dogs and hamburgers are at the top of the list, offer some extras like chili for chili dogs and bacon for burgers. Homemade food, like pizza and mac and cheese, is always fun--let the kids sprinkle on their own toppings. Serve fruit chunks on skewers as a side dish. And, of course, don't forget the cake.

Activities

Plan party activities, or buy packaged party kits at websites like SimpliFun.com. Allow the interest level to determine how far to go. Arts and crafts and treasure hunts are still popular with these kids, but if everyone is happy kicking around a soccer ball and playing on your swing set, that's a successful party, too. It's all about having fun and honoring the graduate.

Tags: websites like, Fifth grade, from websites, from websites like, treasure hunts

Cruises From Hawaii To Maui

You treat yourself to Hawaiian landscapes on an inter-island cruise.

Inter-island cruising is one of the most scenic ways to visit and explore the Hawaiian Islands. Aboard a cruise ship, vacationers can enjoy all the comforts of a hotel, while experiencing as much of Hawaii's breathtaking beaches, lush rainforests and spectacular views as possible. If you're already in Hawaii, there are several cruise lines that depart from Honolulu and travel to hot spots such as Maui, the Big Island of Hawaii and Kuai.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruises offers seven-day cruise itineraries that stop overnight in Maui and Kauai, as well as stop during the day in Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii. On this island hopping experience you will get the chance to visit the pristine beaches of Hawaii, see cascading waterfalls and visit historic sites. Norwegian Cruise line offers freestyle cruising, which allows you to dine on your own time, so you can make the most of your Hawaiian experience. Aboard ship, guests can take part in a variety of organized activities, make use of state of the art fitness facilities and watch nightly entertainment.

Norwegian Cruise Line

7665 Corporate Center Drive

Miami, Florida 33126

1-866-625-1166

ncl.com

Carnival Cruises

Aboard Carnival Cruises, you will get the opportunity to visit the many gorgeous islands of Hawaii, including the island of Maui. Carnival cruises depart from the island port of Honolulu and travel to ports of call such as Maui, Kona, Kauai and Hilo. Carnival cruises offers a wide range of activities on board and off shore. When in Maui, guests can book excursions to see the underwater Atlantis Submarine, go on a complete island helicopter tour or visit the spectacular rainforest of Hana.

Carnival Cruises

1-888-227-6482

carnival.com

Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean cruise line offers cruises departing from Honolulu, Hawaii. These cruises will stop in such ports as Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Guests can book off-shore excursions in different ports of call, such as snorkeling with dolphins or climbing the largest dormant volcano in the world. On board, guests will enjoy nightly entertainment and a variety of activities depending on the ship.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

866-562-7625

royalcaribbean.com

Tags: Carnival Cruises, Island Hawaii, Norwegian Cruise, Royal Caribbean, call such, Caribbean Cruises, Carnival cruises

Barbie Kid Party Ideas

Host a fun and glamorous Barbie fashion party.

Little girls of every variety love Barbie and the glamorous dress up fashion world she represents. There are many possible settings and activities for a Barbie birthday or slumber party, so let your child determine which ones she wants and create a party based on the idea that she and her friends will remember. Does this Spark an idea?

Setting, Themes and Decorations

Pick a setting appropriate for a Barbie party. If weather permits, you can hold an outdoor tea party, picnic or beach party with paddling pools or lounge chairs for older girls. If the party has to take place indoors, clear some room for dancing and have a Barbie dance and fashion party. Girls will want to wear casual "glam" attire for a dance party, such as spandex leggings, T-shirts and feather boas. For a tea party, they might want to dress up as Barbie princesses in long dresses and tiaras. Whatever setting and style of party you choose, pink, lavender and white are safe Barbie colors for balloons and streamers. Check toy stores for themed items like Barbie beach balls, paddling pools and tea sets. If there is nothing available at the time or you would prefer to find less expensive items, get them in the theme colors and it will look just as fabulous. You can then pick up smaller Barbie items to give away as party favors, such as wallets, sunglasses, lipsticks and stickers.

Fashion Show

The best part of a Barbie party is the fashion show. The girls can either have their own fashion show, hold a fashion show for their Barbies or both. For a girls' fashion show, simply visit the secondhand store for glamorous dress up clothes, shoes, handbags, hats and costume jewelery. Pick up some stick on body gems, tiaras and similar items from the dollar store. Have the girls model to music and snap lots of photos. Of course it won't be a Barbie party unless the girls have some Barbie play time, but for a Barbie fashion show you have to go the extra mile. Since Barbie clothes can be expensive, provide guests with fabric from the thrift store, felt and ribbon and challenge them to create fabulous outfits for their dolls. You might want to provide some store-bought accessories, such as shoes, gloves, hats and earrings. Then, create a T-shaped runway that the girls can walk their dolls down out of strips of fabric or shoe box lids. Alternatively, place one coffee table against another to create the T-shape and attach streamers to the tables that dangle to the floor to create a fabulous elevated runway. Make sure each girl's Barbie holds her pose for the audience at the end of the runway.

Food and Drink

Serve party treats and drinks in keeping with the theme colors and feminine vibe, such as cream soda, pink lemonade, strawberry and vanilla wafer cookies, petit fours and mini strawberry swirl cheesecakes. Fill plastic wine glasses with pink, purple and white jelly beans and have candy necklaces spilling over the rim. Set out bowls of fresh strawberries and melon balls with fruit dip on the side. If you really want to go all out for a spectacular Barbie birthday cake, decorate a cake to resemble a beautiful Barbie gown, with a hole in the top to insert a real Barbie. Voila--you have a cake that looks like Barbie's dress. It might be a nice touch to use a Barbie that resembles the birthday girl. Consult online websites that provide birthday party ideas and cake recipes, such as Easy Birthday Cakes and Kids Birthday Party Guide.

Tags: fashion show, Barbie birthday, Barbie fashion, Barbie party, create fabulous, fashion party, glamorous dress

Gift Basket Themes & Ideas

Tuck a few edible treats into any basket.

The only thing better than one perfect gift is a basket full of them. A gift basket allows you to create a completely personalized gift appropriate for any recipient on any occasion. Once you have put the perfect basket together, wrap it all in plastic to keep the elements in place. A perfectly assembled basket shows the recipient that you put time and effort into the gift.

Relaxation Basket

With the chaotic lives people lead today, almost anyone will appreciate a gift that helps her relax. Pack a basket with slippers, scented candles, bubble bath and a box of hot tea. Add guilty pleasure reading materials such as romance novels or paperback thrillers. If your budget allows and you know the recipient's size, add a fluffy bathrobe or cozy pajamas. This basket is appropriate for birthdays, Mother's Day or "just because," but also works as a sympathy gift since the relaxing items will help comfort the grieving person.

Food and Drink Basket

Unlike those generic meat-and-cheese gift baskets you see at the mall, making your own basket allows you to create a personalized gift for any friend. Use a large ice bucket to make a basket for a friend who enjoys upscale dining. Place a bottle of wine, gourmet chocolates and a block of artisan cheese inside. For a more casual friend, fill a cooler with a six-pack of beer, barbecue sauce and a bag of his favorite game-day snack.

The Great Outdoors Basket

No matter where the recipient lives, she will enjoy some outdoor activity with the help of your gift basket. For a friend who lives in a sunny climate, fill a flower pot with sunblock, a sun hat, lemonade mix and a book about games to play outdoors. If the recipient lives in an area that is often cool or snowy, line a wicker basket with flannel and fill it with warm mittens, hot chocolate mix and an inflatable plastic sled or snow tube.

For the Family Basket

If the recipient has a family and children, give him the gift of more time spent with them. A family basket is also ideal if you are close to the whole family and want to give every member a gift. Buy a board game or puzzle for the family to complete together, along with a DVD of a family-friendly movie and a box of microwave popcorn. If your budget allows, buy a movie ticket for each family member or museum passes for the whole family. Package all the items in a plastic bucket.

Tags: allows create, basket allows, basket allows create, basket friend, budget allows, gift basket, personalized gift

About Florida Tropical Decor

Whether you live in Florida, and would like to reflect the tropical setting in your decor, or would just like to add a touch of the tropics to your home, adding colors and accessories reminiscent of Florida to your home can add a bit of the warmth of the Sunshine State to any room. Does this Spark an idea?

Color

Rooms inspired by Florida reflect the colors of the tropical landscape. Rich greens and tans recall the palm trees that are indigenous to Florida. Bright and dark reds, corals, warm yellows and deep oranges bring in the shades of tropical flowers and fruits that bloom in the sunshine state. Turquoise blue calls to mind the ocean, while whites and creams bring in the sand

Furniture

Tropical decor reminiscent of Florida is about more than just the wicker and rattan pieces that are traditionally used in tropical decorating.

While wicker and rattan certainly have their place in a home with a Florida theme, dig a bit deeper and add pieces that recall Florida's colonial history. Dark woods, pieces with caning, and distressed pieces give a tropical feel that is a bit more substantial.

Family Room Ideas

Give a family room a tropical Floridian flair by adding wicker accent pieces, such as occasional tables and chairs alongside an upholstered sofa in a bright or rich color. Display art and accessories that reflect the Florida theme, such as tropical houseplants, botanical prints, or collections of found Florida objects, like shells, driftwood or beach glass. Use a natural fiber area rug, such as sisal, to tie it all together.

Dining Room Ideas

The dining room is the perfect place for furniture with a Florida feel. Cane-bottom dining chairs with turned wood legs recall colonial Florida, while a glass-top table with wicker or rattan chairs have a more modern Florida look. Dining rooms are great canvases for bold colors. Bring a touch of the tropics in by painting walls a bright red or yellow.

Bedroom Ideas

Make your Florida-themed bedroom a tropical retreat with a four-poster bed in a rich wood that recalls the master bedrooms of Florida's colonial past. Add a gauzy canopy for extra tropical inspiration and glamor. Light or bright colors on the walls and on the bed linens make a perfect contrast to a heavy, dark bed and other furniture.

Expert Insight

Interior designer Linda Woodrum, who worked on HGTV's 2008 Dream Home, located in Florida, gives some insight on the design she created for the tropical-themed home.

In the family room, Woodrum says "we used tropical foliage, dark floors, white walls, lots of wicker and cane, shells, matchstick blinds and flowing white linen drapes."

A guest bedroom features a black four-poster bed with white linens against a bright green wall. "I think you feel like you have awakened in the middle of a rain forest," says Woodrum.

Tags: wicker rattan, Florida colonial, Florida theme, pieces that, reminiscent Florida

Cheap Hotels Near Koa Hawaii

Hawaii is home to miles of pristine coastline.

KOA is the airport code for the Kona International Airport. This airport is the main point of entry for visitors to the island of Hawaii. Known for its scenic coastline, active volcanoes and laid-back lifestyle, tourism is a big industry in the area. While the area is full of high-end resorts, vacationers who are looking for a cheap hotel near the KOA airport have several options to choose from.

Kona Seaside Hotel

Kona Seaside Hotel is just under nine miles away from KOA. The property will match any lower rate that you find for the hotel on any travel website. As of 2010, room prices start at $88 per night. Located directly on the ocean, the hotel features a sun deck, two swimming pools, native gardens and guest laundry facilities. Each room features a balcony or lanai, air conditioning and refrigerator. Non-smoking rooms are available. Nearby attractions include a shopping mall, coffee farms and Kealakekua Bay.

Kona Seaside Hotel

75-5646 Palani Rd

Kailua, Hawaii 96740

800-560-5558

seasidehotelshawaii.com‎

Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel

Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel is approximately nine miles from the airport. Standard, garden, deluxe and superior rooms are available. All rooms include either a king or two full-sized beds, refrigerator, alarm clock, safe, cable TV, air conditioning and private lanai. Guests can enjoy amenities such as wireless Internet access, pool, laundry facilities, free breakfast and Internet kiosk area. Attractions near the property include Huilhee Palace, Captain Cook Monument and Kona Inn Shopping Village.

Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel

75-5739 Alii Drive

Kailua Kona, HI 96740-1791

808-329-1393

unclebilly.com

Kona Tiki Hotel

Kona Tiki Hotel is situated 10 miles from KOA on the shoreline. Every room on the property features an oceanfront view, refrigerator, free wireless Internet access, private lanai and small refrigerator. Complimentary breakfast is available to guests each morning and features tropical fruit, coffee and muffins. Hotel amenities include a pool, barbecue grill and lounge chairs. Local attractions in the property vicinity include Kahaluu Beach Park, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Park and the Kona Historical Society Museum.

Kona Tiki Hotel

75-5968 Alii Drive

Kailua Kona, HI 96740-1324

808-329-1425

konatiki.com

Tags: Billy Kona, Billy Kona Hotel, Kona Hotel, Kona Seaside, Kona Seaside Hotel, Kona Tiki, Kona Tiki Hotel

Decorating Ideas And Crafts For A Caribbean Party

The table at a Caribbean party should reflect the colors and scents of the tropics.

If you're hosting a Caribbean party, decorate the party area so guests will feel as though they're in the tropics when they arrive. Appeal to as many senses as possible when arranging the decorations to make the Caribbean experience complete. Add a simple activity for guests to do when they arrive and you'll have the beginnings of a tropical soiree. Does this Spark an idea?

Table Decorations

Use plain white tablecloths and accent with a variety of brightly colored napkins. Instead of choosing one color, combine fuchsia, turquoise, orange and yellow for an instant tropical look. Choose fresh orchids or birds of paradise for a floral centerpiece. You also can place a series of small hurricane candle holders along the table. Fill them with water and floating candles, or with sand, shells and votives.

Room Decorations

Accent the room with bright colors that reflect those on your table. Platters or bowls of fresh tropical fruit provide bright color, fresh aromas and delicious tastes. Add vases of more tropical flowers around the room and accent them with palm leaves. Buy crafted tropical birds and brilliant butterflies to scatter among the floral arrangements. Strings of wooden tropical fish can brighten up side tables and accentuate the bright color scheme.

Jewelry Crafts

Set one table aside for craft material so guests can create their own party favor. Offer string and a variety of brightly colored beads for your guests to make bracelets, anklets or necklaces. Small shells with holes for stringing also can make a pretty party memento. Elastic strings would be ideal for stringing shells or beads to create hair bands or ponytail holders.

Candle or Vase Crafts

Guests can decorate candle holders or vases for a gift they will use again and again. Choose small glass votive holders so the craft can be completed quickly. Guests can glue on seashells and colorful beads to create their own design. Offer each guest a few candles to go with their creation. Or give single bud vases for the guests to decorate. Set out some brightly colored paints so everyone can create a vibrant vase perfect for cheerful flowers.

Tags: brightly colored, beads create, bright color, candle holders, candles with, Caribbean party, create their

Diy Seal 'N Send Invitations

Seal-and-send invitations are an affordable alternative to traditional card and envelope wedding invitations. This all-in-one style invitation is also considered a more environmentally friendly option since all of the information is printed on one folded piece of paper with a perforated RSVP card, thus eliminating the need for multiple enclosures. Although the style is more casual than other invitations, the time and money you can save with seal and sends is well worth the compromise. Does this Spark an idea?

Purchased Sets

Because of the perforated response cards that are key to the all-in-one design of these invitations, it is probably best to purchase a set of seal and sends that are ready for printing. This is still an extremely cost-effective option even when compared to making your own traditional invitations from scratch, which often requires multiple layers of paper and sets of envelopes.

Online retailers like LCI Paper offer blank, ready-to-print cardstock seal-and-send sets for as low as under $20 for a pack of 50 invitations, as of 2009. These types of sets come in a variety of colors and patterns to suit varying themes.

Printing Template

If you purchase a blank set from an online source, you'll want to check the manufacturer's website for a printing template with instructions to be downloaded to your computer. Most of these templates can be downloaded to Microsoft Word or Works and provide step-by-step details on customize your text for the inside and outside of the invitation before printing it out.

Outer Seals

Round envelope seals are imperative to this type of invitation since there is no outer envelope for mailing. Although some blank sets come with a set of seals, you might be required to purchase them separately. Consider finding a decorative or monogrammed round seal to give your invitations a customized appearance, to add to your theme, or to simply dress things up a bit. Clear seals are more economical, but a decorative silver or gold seal adds elegance to the back of the invitation.

Attempting Handmade

If you want to attempt making seal and sends completely from scratch, cut out a large piece of cardstock paper to measure approximately 14 1/2 inches by 5 3/4 inches. With the paper positioned vertically, make horizontal score lines at roughly 2 1/2 inches and 6 1/2 inches down from the top. Create a horizontal perforated edge around 10 1/2 to 10 3/4 inches from the top by punching small holes about 1/16 of an inch apart in the paper using a quilting pin and ruler to guide. Find a seal-and-send invitation template to customize your text, and print it out.

Tips

When customizing the text on Microsoft Word or Works before printing out, remember to choose fonts and colors that fit your theme but are also easily readable. Check out examples online, and print out a test page on a regular piece of paper before beginning to print on your purchased set.

If you're unsure of this type of invitation, consider purchasing a sample from an online stationery store to see what you think.

Tags: seal sends, before printing, customize your, customize your text, from online, from scratch, inches inches

All Inclusive Beach Vacations In Florida

There are three all-inclusive resorts in Florida.

Although not as common as in the Caribbean, there are some wonderful all-inclusive beach vacation opportunities in Florida. Once you have experienced one of these luxury destinations, you will be sure to return again and again. Not having to worry about where to dine or whether there are enough activities for everyone in the family is taken care of when you choose to vacation at a Florida all-inclusive resort.

Club Med Sandpiper

Club Med is a resort for the whole family.

North of Palm Beach, Club Med is a family resort found in Port St. Lucie. Only five miles inland from the beach on the intracoastal waterway, activities include swimming, tennis, golf, trampoline and even skateboarding. If you take the resort shuttle from the airport, there is no need for a car as everything you need is on the resort. An abundance of children's programs give mom and dad a chance to have some quiet time on vacation, too. Club Med Sandpiper's all-inclusive program includes all meals, beverages and most activities.

Club Med Sandpiper

4500 Southeast Pine Valley St.

Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

772-398-5100

Clubmed.us

Little Palm Island Resort and Spa

Little Palm Island is peaceful and luxurious.

Travel + Leisure Magazine called Little Palm Island Resort, "Florida's most secluded and romantic retreat..." Luxury at its best, this resort has custom canopy beds with mosquito netting, secluded beaches, fine dining and no guests under 16 are permitted. All suites are non-smoking with no telephones or televisions and dinner is served by candlelight either on the terrace or on the beach. Located in the Florida Keys, this amazing resort can only be reached by boat or sea-plane.

Little Palm Island Resort and Spa

28500 Overseas Highway

Mile Marker 28.5

Little Torch Key, FL 33042

800-343-8567

LittlePalmIsland.com

Amelia Island Plantation

Relax on the white sand of Amelia Island.

Whether looking for a round of golf, tennis or supervised youth activities, Amelia Island Plantation has everything you need for a memorable vacation. The all-inclusive program includes three meals per day in nine different restaurants and many amenities. Relaxing on the beach or taking a nature tour, you will not regret choosing to spend your vacation on beautiful Amelia Island.

Amelia Island Plantation

6800 First Coast Highway

Amelia Island, Florida 32034

888-261-6161

Aipfl.com

Tags: Amelia Island, Little Palm, Little Palm Island, Palm Island, Amelia Island Plantation

Fake Palm Trees For Outdoor Use

Many artificial palms are very lifelike.

Almost any artificial palm can be used outside in the right circumstances. Artificial plants are often used to decorate patios or yards, giving the illusion of greenery without the maintenance. Sometimes people just want to decorate for a special occasion, like a party or barbecue, and don't want to re-landscape. Artificial palms can look great for a long time, but they have their limitations. For example, some types will bleach in the sunlight, and others can't take any kind of moisture. Does this Spark an idea?

Plastic

Plastic artificial plants aren't all that common anymore, but they used to be very popular and can still be found from time to time. Artificial palms made from plastic are moisture resistant and sturdy, but they don't look very realistic and they date the decor. Although they will retain their shape, after a season in the sun, plastic palms will begin to bleach out and look blue compared to living plants. In a covered outdoor area, the color may last longer but will still eventually fade. Plastic palm trees need to be replaced almost every season.

Silk

The most common forms of artificial palms by far are those with silk leaves. Silk fabric is cut in the shape of leaves and painted or stained. Artificial palm trees made with silk are often very realistic in appearance. They often have woody stocks or stems from real plants. They are widely used for interior decor, but can be used outside on decks, patios or in the yard. They can take exposure to some water but not rain showers, because they will droop just like anything made of fabric would; and if the leaves are connected with glue, the water may loosen the leaves. In sunlight, the silk palm fronds will fade to a bluish color. In protected areas, they will still fade and deteriorate, but at a slower pace.

Preserved

A preserved palm was once a living palm or the leaves were taken from a living palm. The leaves are treated with special chemicals and dyes to retain their life-like appearance. These are the most life-like, and can often fool those not familiar with plants. However, they are also the most delicate, and should only be used outside temporarily, like when entertaining on a patio or deck. They will not tolerate moisture and the sun will cause fading and brittleness.

Specialty

There are artificial palm trees in warm areas that disguise cell phone towers. The "trunk" is often painted a natural color similar to those of local palm trees, and the leaves are made of durable plastic. There are even artificial palm trees that disguise solar panels and wind turbines, and are made of durable plastic and steel. Although these structures aren't life-like, they distract attention away from otherwise unsightly structures, and are created specifically for outdoor use.

Tags: palm trees, artificial palm, used outside, Artificial palms, artificial palms, durable plastic

Decorating Ideas For Bridal Showers

Throwing a bridal shower for someone you love is a special time, and you want it to be a memorable occasion. As you plan the shower--specifically the decorations--think of the bride and focus in on her talents, accomplishments, and how she met her groom. You want her shower to not just be a celebration of her upcoming wedding, but a spotlight of her life and the woman she has become. With these things in mind, use the colors and flowers that she has chosen for her wedding.

Gift Table - Photos To Be Admired

There needs to be a designated place for gifts. This area is a great place to introduce the bride and groom in photographs that all the guests can admire, whether it's a small table set up next to the gift table, or a table large enough to accommodate gifts as well as photos. Place a variety of pictures of the bride and groom in matching picture frames on the gift table (if size allows). To make sure that the pictures stand out and do not get lost among all the gifts, place a stack of books or old shoe boxes underneath the table cloth to give some additional height for the pictures. Or, if space is limited, make a poster board-sized collage of the bride and groom, place a picture mat around the outside of the collage and place it on an easel. Leave a pen nearby so all the guests can sign the the mat. This is a way of helping the bride remember who attended her shower years after it happened.

Another fun idea for the gift table is to make large gift bows from satin or other ribbon and attach them to the front of the gift table. Have a large vase of flowers, each with an attached thank-you note that can be given out to each guest at the end of the shower.

Her Favorite Things - Table Decorations

Table decorations are a main focus of a bridal shower, especially since your guests will be up close and personal to whatever you put there. With that in mind, focus on your bride. Ask her to lend you a few of her favorite things to use as centerpieces. For example, she may give you a stack of her favorite CDs, a pair of pompoms she used in high school, awards she has won, copies of her favorite books or even her yearbooks, sporting equipment, jewelry and photo albums. Accompany these items with a single flower in a small vase, one that the bride specifically chooses or one that she is using for her wedding.

Food Table - His and Her Favorite Treats

The food table is another fun spot to decorate since you know all of your guests will be standing next to it at one point. Lay a large tablecloth in the bride's favorite color over the table. Before placing the food on the table, arrange vases filled with the bride's favorite flowers. Place white twinkle lights on the table, adding a little romantic atmosphere to the shower. After the flowers are in place and the lights plugged in, arrange the food on the table. Serve the bride and groom's favorite treats and desserts with the meal. Place decorative note cards next to each dessert with its name and whose favorite it is--the groom's or bride's.

Tags: bride groom, gift table, food table, your guests will, bridal shower, bride favorite, guests will

Contemporary Disney Hotel In Orlando Florida

The Magic Kingdom is just a five-minute walk from Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Disney's Contemporary Resort's unique architecture lets the Walt Disney World monorail pass right through the center of the building, allowing you to hop onboard without ever stepping outside. The resort's location makes transportation easy, with a walking path connecting you to the Magic Kingdom, boat transportation to Fort Wilderness, and bus transportation to all of the other Disney theme parks and water parks.

Rooms

The 655 rooms at Disney's Contemporary Resort are divided between the 15-story tower and the smaller south wing, a separate building located down by the water. Some upper-floor rooms in the tower offer a view of the Magic Kingdom theme park, while others look out across the water. All of the resort's rooms include a small refrigerator, coffeemaker, an iron with ironing board, a flat-screen TV and an in-room safe. Although the hotel opened with the Magic Kingdom in 1971, all of the rooms were refurbished in 2005 and redecorated in a modern design in shades of brown and sage green with the occasional red accent piece.

Recreation

Disney's Contemporary Resort's location on Bay Lake makes it an excellent choice for those who love water sports. At the resort's Sammy Duvall Watersports Center, you can go parasailing, jet skiing, waterskiing or tubing. You can also enjoy the hotel's two swimming pools, jogging trail, fitness center, arcade, gift shops and beach volleyball courts. At night, you can view the Electrical Water Pageant and Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort's beach.

Dining

Meeting Mickey Mouse tops many people's Walt Disney World to-do list, and Chef Mickey's restaurant at the Contemporary lets you dine with the main mouse himself, as well as his pals, at a buffet-style breakfast or dinner. For a more upscale but still casual atmosphere, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Wave, a full-service restaurant with a health-conscious menu filled with fresh ingredients, sustainable fish, and a variety of vegetarian options along with dishes like linguine with clams and braised lamb shank. For one of the best views around, try the elegant California Grill, one of Disney's signature restaurants. It's perched on the Contemporary Resort's 15th floor and offers a bird's-eye view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks if you time your dinner just right. If you just need a quick meal on the go, the Contempo Cafe serves up quick-service American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner with menu items such as baked goods, salads, sandwiches, pasta and flatbreads.

Tags: Magic Kingdom, Contemporary Resort, Disney Contemporary, Disney Contemporary Resort, breakfast lunch, breakfast lunch dinner

Haunted Tours In San Francisco

San Francisco has a past that can haunt you.

The City by the Bay has many attractions to amuse, amaze and entertain, but none are as haunting as the tours where you can encounter the specters lurking among the streets and alleyways of San Francisco after dark. With the knowledge of area history coupled with psychic understanding, the tour guides breathe life into local legendary apparitions. Join them some evening if the spirit moves you.

The San Francisco Ghost Hunt

Enter the world of spiritual awakening.

You do not need a reservation to join in the easy-paced three-hour San Francisco Ghost Hunt. This tour introduces you to haunted San Francisco. Who knows? You might encounter a real spirit stuck between the human and spiritual worlds. Jim Fassbinder, your tour guide, relates tales of the past based upon recorded history. You will visit streets that certain spirits do not want to vacate. You will take a walk where people report having seen the ghost of a wandering woman. Wear comfortable shoes so you can follow the path of ghostly encounters. Meet at the Queen Anne Hotel lobby at 7 p.m. even if it's raining. Join in the fun every evening but Tuesday. This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 8.

The San Francisco Ghost Hunt

1590 Sutter St.

San Francisco, CA 94109

415-922-5590

sfghosthunt.com/fatcow.com/Welcome.html

Haunted Haight Walking Tour

Visit Haight Ashbury to discover its frightening past.

Haight Ashbury is famous for its role in producing the flower child generation of the 1960s. On the Haunted Haight Walking Tour, the phantoms of the area come to life. You will hear ghoulish stories of murderers, the heads of cults and neighborhood ghosts. Your tour guide is a seasoned member of the San Francisco Ghost Society, a group that investigates paranormal happenings in the area. Grab your jacket, because it is cool and foggy at night, and meet at Coffee to the People, 1206 Masonic Ave., at 7 p.m. You are welcome to bring a camera, but video is not allowed. This tour is wheelchair friendly and guaranteed to have no hills at all. Children under the age of 13 should not attend.

Haunted Haight Walking Tour

1206 Masonic Ave.

San Francisco, CA 94117

415-863-1416

hauntedhaight.com/

San Francisco Chinatown Ghost Tour

Meet a ghost in Chinatown after dark.

During the day, Chinatown is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city, but at night it takes on an entirely different air. The demons from deep in Chinatown's past make themselves known just after dark. With a lamplight leading the way, discover the mystery of its ancient ghostly history. Cynathia Yee, a lifetime resident, guides you and shares the legends and folklore that she has heard since she was a small child. The walking tour lasts about one and a half hours and is bound to amaze you, but be sure to make a reservation.

San Francisco Chinatown Ghost Tour

800-410-8233

sfchinatownghosttours.com/

Tags: Francisco Ghost, after dark, Francisco Ghost Hunt, Ghost Hunt, Haight Walking, Haight Walking Tour, Haunted Haight