In less than two weeks my children and I head down south to what my parents have dubbed "Camp Cuckoo." It took 12 hours last year driving in the car through 6 states and the retch-inducing Blue Ridge Mountain roads by myself with the children, a DVD player, 6 Thomas the Tank Engine movies and the entire first season of Full House on DVD. I don't remember Cousin Joey being that annoying 20 years ago. Once we arrive it's all fun and games, but getting there is another story! This year I decided to have an entire car arsenal ready for the onslaught of my little passengers.

The first thing I ordered was the Kid's Car Organizer so I'm not freakin' when the crayons are melted all over the seats. The organizer is tall enough for children in booster seats and built with identical pockets on each side to stop all backseat bickering-yeah ("He touched me, he touched me..."). There is tons of space to organize snacks, games, music, DVDs, and coloring books. Best of all, children will be able to completely help themselves-yeah, right ("I dropped my baby, I dropped my baby...").

After you have everything packed up in your handy dandy travel organizer, here are some ways to while away the hours:

The How Much Further GamePrint out a map of where you are going. Mark major stops, cities and a happy face for your destination. You could even draw a few landmarks you'll see along the way like a bridge or tunnel. Every time they ask "How much further?" show them how far you have come, how much farther you have to go and let them mark it with a crayon for themselves. At some point, break out the Kids' Road Atlas, which contains road maps, state-by-state puzzles, and back seat games and a Book-A-Ma-Thing for the Backseat which has 33 activities in all. If that doesn't work, toss 'em the Swedish fish!

Bubble Blowing Contests

Although my son can't chew gum, I plan to buy lots and lots of disgusting flavored bubble gum and try it out!

Cow Poker

First, decide how long you can stand to play. Count the cows on your side of the car. Count fast if you see a whole field full. If you pass a cemetery on your side of the car, you lose all your cows...but only if the other side of the car yells out "your cows are buried."

Cows= 1 point

White horse= 50 points

Wind Mill=50 points

Sheep= 5 points

Cemetery=wipes out points

Look at The Bright Side Game:

You say "There is an elephant on top of the car." Your son says "Unfortunately, he's going to dent the car." Your daughter says "Fortunately, he has lemonade and I'm thirsty!"

When I can't listen to Marry Poppins on the DVD player anymore, we like to listen to audio books. If you are willing to lend your ipod, StoryNory has free children's audio books you can download.

Since I'm thinking my guys will want to sleep (you know half an hour before we get there) I'm going to try and avoid the "I'm so uncomfortable whine-a-thon" and order Comfy Kid Coddlers. These are child-size comfy travel pillows that come in toddler and kid sizes.

And I have one last word for you: GAMEBOY!

Cheers! HV

A few years ago, my sister-in-law introduced a travel rule: nobody was ever to say those dreaded four words: ARE WE THERE YET? We have since adopted this rule in our family and strangely, if anyone utters the words, all I have to say say is, "YOU KNOW THE RULE!" and it has 'em shaking in the boots.

My neighbor once told me that when her boys were young she would take a roll of Scotch tape on the plane, make tape balls, and stick them all over the kids' shirts. I kid you not. Have you ever seen toddler with a roll of tape? HOURS of fun! The same friend gave me another great suggestion: stockpile mail-order catalogs and take along these "magazines" for the kids to "read." When you get on the plane, hand them each a pen and have them circle the things they would like to put on their holiday/birthday lists. But remember, the magazines must be "forgotten" on the plane!

A few ridiculous things that have entertained my kids over the years: a rubber band ball kit (as a bonus, you can take it apart and do it over on the way home!), a giant horseshoe magnet (let's see if the pilot's belt buckle is magnetic!), and a tape measure (seriously, it goes on every trip).

If you aren't familiar with it, check out New York's Flight 001, the coolest travel store around. On my last visit, I picked up Plane Pals Kids Kits, which are prepackaged inflight entertainment kits: crayons, games, activity books, and binoculars ('cause you may have to check out what the lady in seat 6D is doing!). I stashed them away for our next trip and bought a few as holiday gifts in case they run out in December.

You know those soft cotton receiving blankets you use for about three minutes to swaddle your newborns? Still have a few in the house? Since I am completely frightened by airline blankets, I toss one or two of these puppies in my bag each time I get on a plane. It's the perfect size to throw over yourself or your kids when the air conditioning is blasting. And if your kids aren't cold, you can always introduce them to the "silent ghost contest."

I am too lazy to transfer shampoo and conditioner into small empty bottles, so before I travel I ransack Duane Reade for sample sizes. But here's my new source: drugstore.com has tons of travel sizes. Type "travel" into the search box and from shaving cream to deodorant, they have tiny sizes galore. While you're at it, order a pack of makeup remover wipes so you need not worry that your eye makeup remover is going to leak.

--Enjoy! AS

Marshmallow Dip

We serve this at every birthday party with fresh strawberries. NOBODY ever believes what's in it (ancient Chinese secret!).

1 15-oz jar Marshmallow Fluff

16 oz cream cheese, softened

Whip up softened cream cheese with electric mixer, add Fluff, whip more. Dip away!

p.s. also makes a great frosting for cupcakes.

Knorr Veggie Dip

Remember this served in the ol' bread bowl? We like it with any kind of chip!

Buy Knorr Veggie Soup Mix packets, follow directions on package! You mix in thawed frozen spinach, chopped canned water chestnuts, mayo, scallions, sour cream.....so nasty, so so good!

Crab Dip

Not as lowbrow as Alyssa's BBQ'd salami, but just as good!

16 oz cream cheese, softened

8 oz sour cream

4 T mayo

1 t lemon juice

1 t dry mustard

1 small clove garlic, finely minced

1 lb backfin crabmeat

4 oz (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Blend all ingredients except crab and 1/2 c cheddar in food processor. Fold in crab and put in oven-proof dish. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove from oven, top w/ remaining cheese. Serve with Bagel Chips (I like the garlic ones). Oh, make sure you buy extra bagel chips 'cause they always come broken in little bits and pieces and you can't serve those. You have to eat all the little bits yourself!

Palm Vistas

Back by popular demand! This weekend I figured out that if you make a double batch and leave the leftovers in the fridge overnight, they taste even better the next day--extra minty!

1 12 oz can frozen Minute Maid Limeade, thawed

1 1/3 cans of vodka (use can from above)

1 litre club soda

fresh mint

Mush up a handful of mint, add limeade, vodka and club soda. Stir. Garnish w/ mint sprig and bottoms up!

--Cheers! HV

Barbecued Salami

With kudos to the Mendelson Family of Chicago

1 Whole Hebrew National Beef Salami

Barbecue Sauce (plain, no special flavors)

1 Jar Orange Marmelade

Heat grill.

Slice salami into 1/4" pieces.

Combine equal parts marmelade and barbecue sauce.

Put salami on the grill. While it is cooking, brush top side with sauce mixture. When bottom begins to brown, flip and sauce again. Repeat until the salami is bubbling and well-done around the edges.

Spear with toothpicks and serve.

Grilled Pizza

With apologies to Wolfgang Puck

2 Large Boboli Pizza Crusts

Tomato Sauce

Chopped fresh mozzarella

Chopped, well-drained tomatoes

Barbecue Sauce

Diced Chicken (left over from previous night's dinner)

Handful of Minced Red Onion

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Place a layer of aluminum foil on the grill. Heat grill on med.

Spread one pizza crust with tomato sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella, and tomatoes.

For pizza #2, spread crust with barbecue sauce, sprinkle with chicken, minced onion, and cheddar cheese.

Place pizzas on grill and cook until cheese is melted and crust is browned (about 15 minutes). Allow to set for about 3-5 minutes before slicing.

Buffalo Chicken Salad

My son went through a popcorn chicken stage for about an hour. When he decided he hated it, I concocted this in order to get rid of the Costco-size bag of chicken in my freezer.

1 Head Iceberg Lettuce, Chopped

Chopped Cherry Tomatoes

Chopped Red Onion

Chopped Celery

Chopped Red Pepper

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

A Few Handfuls of Frozen Popcorn Chicken

Buffalo Wing Sauce

Blue Cheese Dressing

Prepare popcorn chicken according to package. While it's baking, prepare and combine the vegetables in a large salad bowl. When chicken is ready, toss with a healthy dose of buffalo wing sauce. Add chicken to salad and toss all with blue cheese dressing.

All of the above are splendid with a Mike's Hard Lemonade or Mike's Hard Lime. Okay, I admit that it's one step away from a wine cooler, but don't knock it until you've tried it. Pour one into a glass with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime or throw it into the blender with some ice. Try it...you'll like it!

--Enjoy! AS

We held our first splinter removal ceremony yesterday. Summer has begun!

Over the weekend, thinking my children were distracted, I began to throw out old, moldy beach and water toys. Who knew that that dinosaur floaty thing covered with leeches and mud was their "friend?" Word to the wise: wait 'til after dark to throw out broken, meaningful crap. Now that I deep-sixed last year's trash, I'm movin' on to this year's cutting-edge bonanza of backyard, pool, and beach treasures.

When I was little, nothing was better than my father throwing me around in the pool or diving for pennies under water. Fast forward to the 21st century and there are websites solely dedicated to outdoor summer play. Toysplash is one-stop shopping for everything from a child-size backpack sand chair and jumbo sand shovels to my personal favorite, the under water walkie-talkie set. We'll be able to hold secret conversations under water up to 15' away. Watch out Nancy Drew!

Last year one of my children's favorite ways to send my dog (not to mention my husband) into total frenzy was rocket balloons. I'll be buying these again for sure! The balloons come with a pump that air-propels them on a zig-zaggy noisy mission. Check out the magnet dive gloves, too. You throw the magnet fish in the pool, watch them swim to the bottom, then when your child won't go get them w/ their magnet glove you jump in and get them yourself--fun!

Need to while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consulting with the rain do do do da do da doo, ooh sorry. Linkysprinks is a really cool, interactive sprinkler system. What is that you ask? Well, it's a 50-piece connectable water sprinkler toy that includes pipes, fittings, and valves. The connectable pieces can be put together and taken apart in endless possibilities for hopefully hours of outside fun time.

Headed to the beach? Can You Dig It Sand Tools Super Deluxe Sand Sculpting Kit is everything you need in one box to build the perfect sand castle. Of course I remember just using plastic cups and empty Tupperware containers. Those still work just fine!

Want to actually read a book at the beach? Make your child's beach towel fun, too. I love the tic tac toe towel from Maukilo. The towel is the game board. It comes with foam x's and o's. Really cute. Maukilo also has great beach toys for toddlers.

Need to cart all this stuff down to beach and you are tired of your husband complaining about being a Sherpa? Wheeleez Sports Caddy from the Beach Store is the way to go. It's a bit pricey at $179.00, but, it will be the last one you'll ever need. It has huge wheels that actually roll on the beach. Stack on your cooler, your chairs and all the monogrammed LL Bean bags we already told you about and have a happy summer!

--Cheers! HV

I'll admit it. One of my least favorite parental duties is taking my kids to the park. In an effort lessen the pain, I started looking for fun things to take along that would engage a group of kids so that I don't end up having to play hide-and-seek in the muddy water tunnel.

Twister Scram is a cool variation on the classic game: it comes with a mesh tote bag of rubberized dots that you put out all over the lawn. The caller spins the spinner and calls out the colors and the players have to dash to the dots. The instructions give a few different ways to play the game, and of course there's always the option of tossing the dots like Frisbees. Fear not...they're made of soft rubber.

What did we do before cable? We played outside in the street! Do you remember how to play bottlecaps, stickball, running bases, or potsie? I didn't either so New York City Street Games has come in handy. We park ourselves on the loading dock in front of our building or on a park bench and break out this book of games, which comes with both bottle caps and sidewalk chalk. And since my kids like to make up rules to their own advantage, I like having a manual to settle any arguments.

What's a trip to the park without ice cream? The Play and Freeze Ice Cream Maker combines three activities: cooking, playing ball, and eating. You fill one side with ice cream ingredients, add ice and salt to the other side, and then roll it around for about 20 minutes. Believe it or not, it really does work. It comes in a ton of bright colors so buy a couple: one for each kid's favorite flavor. Just don't forget to bring along spoons.

My son can never have enough balls. Get your minds out of the gutter--you know what I mean. And without a garage or backyard, who has room for soccer, basketball, and good old-fashioned bouncy balls? That's why I love the new Phlat Ball. It squishes down flat and you can throw it like a disc, then it pops open into a ball as it is caught. It comes in a whole bunch of sizes and colors and is perfect for shlepping to the park or to the beach.

But the consistent winner at the park is the mesh backpack of "guys" I tote with me. A pile of Power Rangers or Superheroes (at another point in my life it was Barbies, Polly Pockets, and My Little Pony) is guaranteed to get the party started. I love these mesh bags because you can rinse off the park muck in the sprinklers right through the bag before you head home. And don't forget to toss in the wet bathing suit while you're at it.

--Enjoy! AS

Keep it flat. My daughter is going to sleepaway camp for the first time this summer and that seems to be the mantra for all camp packages nowadays. I am trying to figure out how to sneak the candy in between the layers of Tiger Beat magazine but I am not hopeful. In trying to keep my packages flatter than Flat Stanley, here's what I have going on.

I just ordered return address labels from Vistaprint, where you can upload your own photo. I bought a set for me (with my kids' picture on them) and a set for my daughter (with a photo of the family dog). Vistaprint's turnaround time is practically overnight and their prices are super-reasonable. You can also create postcards or notecards with photos or artwork of your choosing.

Bunnies and Bows makes great autograph pillowcases that can be personalized with your camper and the camp's name. They have a few different camp designs as well as a design for just about every hobby from ballet to extreme sports. For just $1 extra, they'll sew on a ribbon and permanent marker so the autographs don't get washed out during the first round of laundry at home.

Rest hour is a great time to break out a deck of cards. I ordered some playing cards from Shutterfly with a fun family photo on them. Kikkerland also makes those fun "invisible" playing cards in a variety of games, from Go Fish to Crazy Eights. But don't think about sending Junior with a stack of poker chips-I understand these are a big no-no at camp!

Mad-Libs still rock. The Letters from Camp Mad-Libs are not only fun to fill in, but they fold and seal for mailing. Maybe it won't be the long and verbose letter you've been waiting for but it will be better than the empty envelope I sent home one summer when the counselors insisted that we write home. Your camper will need some stickers to decorate their letters and Oriental Trading offers the best bang for the buck, ensuring that there will be lots left over for trading. Send along some cool customized pencils (but don't forget the sharpener).

Puzzle and game books are sure to please. Who doesn't love a Yes & Know Invisible Ink book? Sudoku, crossword puzzles (great vocabulary builders!), joke and riddle books, Magic Eye books, word searches, and trivia books are perfect flat options. No need for rest hour or rainy days to ever be boring again!--Best, AS