UltimateMama has purchased numerous goggles for her kids in the past 9 years, many with extremely disappointing results (uncomfortable, leakage, breakable, and so on).  However, after purchasing Aqua Sphere’s youth goggles she found a winner.  For younger children who swim recreationally, the Moby Kid goggles reign supreme.  For older children, the Vista Jr mask is a must have for ultimate comfort in the water!  UltimateMama’s kids used their amazing Aqua Sphere googles on a recent snorkeling expedition in the Caribbean!

UltimateMama and her family had a spectacular time in the Virgin Islands recently. One tip:  buy your snorkel gear ahead of time so you don’t have to rent – that goes for adults and childrens gear!  UltimateMama’s kids loved Head Pirate snorkeling gear (the 3 piece set includes a mask, snorkel, and fins).

Stay at Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove in order to get a villa with full kitchen.  UltimateMama enjoyed her two bedroom unit in the Tortola building.  The pool with water slide is terrific for kids as is the hot tub for adults.  There are myriad activities on site for people of all ages (bingo, movies, karaoke night, crafts for kids, and more).  You can snorkel right off the beach.  Additionally, one can take advantage of the Marriott Hotel’s offerings next door.

You will want to rent a car in order to explore the island of St. Thomas and have the ability to go to the car ferry to St. John.  UltimateMama was happy with our Avis rental and used it right away to stock up on groceries for the week at Gourmet Gallery.

An absolute must is an all-day boat trip on the Breakaway II to the British Virgin Islands (bring your passports).  You will board the boat at Sapphire Marina then have a wonderful day exploring The Baths at Virgin Gorda, snorkeling at Diamond Reef, eating lunch at Pusser’s in Marina Cay, and jumping off the boat to hit the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke.  Make sure your entire family has water shoes, sunglasses, UV protection shirts, bathing suits, towels, and plenty of sunscreen.  There is a short stop in St. John then you return back to St. Thomas in the late afternoon.

A trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands wouldn’t be complete without a trip to St. John to hit some great snorkeling beaches such at Trunk Bay.  Choose either a car ferry or a foot ferry to get over to St. John (car ferry obviously gives you more freedom once on the island) from St. Thomas.  UltimateMama advises you to get to Trunk Bay early as the parking lot fills quickly.  Trunk Bay has an amazing underwater snorkeling trail, a bathhouse, snack bar, and souvenir shop.  Cinnamon Bay is nearby too.

Back in St. Thomas, take your family on a drive to explore the beautiful beaches that the island offers.  Coki beach (on Coki Point) was a big hit with UltimateMama’s family due to the amazing fish seen when snorkeling in addition to not only a full rainbow sighting but also a double rainbow sighting.  UltimateMama arrived late in the day, parked and spent an amazing early evening snorkeling and taking pictures of various species of fish.  Apparently, the beach gets crowded when cruise ships are in port so be aware of those times in addition to making sure that you know where your belongings are at all times.  UltimateMama had a lovely time at Coki and it was not at all crowded.

UltimateMama’s family looks forward to their next meal so the following restaurants greatly appealed to all travelers (make all reservations in advance):

Havana Blue (on the Marriott’s campus):  Get a table overlooking the water and enjoy the blue lights

Grande Cru (located in Yacht Haven Grande): Upscale food in a tranquil setting

Banana Tree Grille (overlooking the Charlotte Amalie harbor):  Go on a night the piano player is playing and order the amazing Key Lime Pie

UltimateMama and her girls ventured to M&J Trimming last week in the quest to find goods to use to create our own barrettes and hair accessories!  And, were we ever successful (after about an hour of looking through all of the store’s amazing supplies).  First, we headed straight to the clearance section to find beautiful appliques of all kinds at spectacular prices ($1 to $3 each).  Next, we found bags of 4-5 hair clips (medium and large in size) in each pack. Finally, our eyes locked in on E6000 craft glue.  It only took us 30 minutes to glue on the appliques and create red carpet worthy hair barrettes that have become a big hit at school!

Easy, fun, cute, and useful!

UltimateMama and her children love making Ultimate Star Scones!  It is a quick and easy way to incorporate MATH (measuring) skills into your daily routine — not to mention fun and delicious.  It is as easy as this:

Ingredients

2 cups of all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon of baking powder

2 teaspoons of granulated pure cane sugar (plus another teaspoon for the topping)

3/4 cup of dried raspberries

1 cup of heavy cream (plus another teaspoon for topping)

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and sugar (2 teaspoons).

Next, add the dried raspberries.

Then, add the heavy cream (1 cup).

Form the dough into a large ball with your hands.

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface (use a rolling pin).  Dough should be about 3/4 inch thick.

Using a star shaped cookie cutter (or any other shape you fancy) cut the shapes in dough and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.

When you have used all the dough up it is time for the topping.

For the topping use a pastry brush and paint the tops of the star shaped scones with the heavy cream.  Use your fingers and sprinkle sugar on top of each scone.

Put the stars in the oven to bake (about 8-11 minutes).

Serve warm (or at room temperature) either plain, with raspberry jam, or whipped cream.

Enjoy!

Depending on the size of your cookie cutter it makes around 10-12 scones.

UltimateMama’s recent visit to the local library was a smashing success.  Her 9 year old devoured the following books:

School’s Out by Johanna Hurwitz

No Talking by Andrew Clements

The Candy Smash by Jacqueline Davies (part of the Lemonade War series)

Ava and Taco Cat by Carol Weston (yes for all you smarties that is a palindromic name!)

UltimateMama loves giving her kids lots of fruits and vegetables!  Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack are important times to promote a healthy lifestyle by showing your children how to eat healthy! 

Avoiding pesticides is also important for clean living.  The Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently released its 2011 “Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce” so check it out now!

UltimateMama believes manners should be taught early!  A child is never too young to receive personalized stationary that they can use for “thank you” cards and the like. 

UltimateMama loves expressionary.com for its unique designs for children.  One can personalize folded notes and single page cards with names and eveCheck out the “clearance” section for big savings!

UltimateMama knows how hard it can be to “cook” with youngsters so she suggests creating a colorful, fun, and easy berry fruit salad together!  One can teach their children the various colors, shapes, and tastes of fruit while encouraging them to be creative in the kitchen. 

Even those who fear the kitchen can help their children make this easy fruit salad.  So, don an apron and try some of these ingredients (remember to cut fruit for your little children to avoid choking hazards):

– strawberries

– raspberries (red and golden yellow)

– blueberries

– blackberries

Rinse the fruit, separate the fruit into various bowls, and have your children pour the fruit into one big bowl!  This is a perfect Mother’s Day breakfast treat too!

UltimateMama loves to dye eggs…and wants you all to know that egg decorating is not just for Easter! 

Take advantage of post-Easter sales at your local drug stores or grocers and stock up on egg dye or decorating kits.  UltimateMama loves to buy a bunch of PAAS dye kits and save them for a rainy day — literally! 

Your kids will be so surprised when you bring out the egg decorating kits when they least expect it…and you will have fun too!

UltimateMama believes that gifts really do not have to be expensive…especially in this tough economy.  Let mommy know how much you appreciate her with one of these inexpensive Ultimate Mother’s Day gifts:

– Balloon bouquet using her favorite colors or the colors of her alma mater (this one would bring a smile the face of any mommy who attended the University of Michigan)

– Homemade card with lots of glitter and sequins

– Handmade coupon book (for breakfast in bed, a tea party, or a back rub)

– Basket of nice smelling hand lotions

– Beaded bracelet or necklace – made by the child

– Fresh flower arrangement or even a silk flower arrangement

– Potted plant

– Vase painted by the children

– Fingerprint art done by the kids

– Shoebox diorama made by the little ones of mommy’s favorite city or top vacation destination (just cut out pictures from magazines or newspapers and glue them on an old shoebox)

– Photo gifts such as key chains, mouse pads, tote bags, calendars, books, puzzles, posters, etc.

– Story books written and illustrated by the little ones