Having a freshly cleaned car always feels amazing but if you are a busy mom, then you know that a clean car doesn’t stay that way for very long. So before the mess in your car gets out of hand, here are a few car cleaning hacks to help you stay ahead of the mess.

· In a pinch, baby wipes are great for wiping down dashboard, leather seats, the console, and car seats

· A small amount of Vaseline or olive oil can add shine to your dashboard.

· Silicone cupcake liner are the perfect size to be placed into your cup holders. This way the cupcake liner will catch all the spills, crumbs, and messes and will make cleanup a breeze.

· Dusty car vents are no match for a few swipes with a small paint or sponge brush. Use a dry brush or dip the brush in a vinegar and water solution for a quick dusting.

· Get your kids toys, books, and gear off the ground and organized an over-the-door shoe organizer. Just attach it to the back of the seat and fill the pouches with your child’s belongings.

 

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When the temperature heats up outside, you probably crank up the AC in your car. It usually only takes a few minutes for the temperature in your car to quickly cool down, but if you have kids in car seats, infant seats, or booster seats, they can still be hot an uncomfortable. So to make sure everyone stays cool and feels cool in the car, here are a few easy ways to keep the temperature down in your car on a hot summer day.

1. Start with a cooler car and car seats. From using sunshades in the windows to attaching reflective covers to the car seats, you can start with much cooler car. With just a few accessories and extra planning you can keep the temperature in your car down from the minute the sun heats up.

2. Cool the entire car as quickly as possible by rolling down all the windows and turning on the AC to high. After a few minutes, roll the windows up and turn on the recirculated air on. This should have your car and the carseat cooled in just a few minutes.

3. Let older kids have cooling toys or soft fans, spray bottles, or even cold packs to keep themselves cool and to cool down their seats. Having cooling toys, will not only entertain your kids in the car on a hot day but they will feel cooler longer and enjoy the car ride.

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So you have a vacation planned and you’ve already covered the travel, hotel, and picked out a few fabulous restaurants and places you want to visit. However, one thing you may not have planned for is not having Wi-Fi in certain locations. So instead of searching for places that have Wi-Fi or hunting down a hotspot, you just need a few great apps that don’t require Wi-Fi. Before you leave, check out these six apps that are perfect for travel but won’t have you wasting time searching for a Wi-Fi signal..

1. Tripit- With this app, you can manage your itinerary with or without a data connection. Also, you never have to worry that you are missing any travel updates or info because Trpit will monitor your email for travel bookings and updates. You can also manually forward confirmations. The app will sync with the latest updates whenever it has an Internet connection.

2. Google Maps- Great for getting directions when you are driving or walking. This is super helpful when you are in a unfamiliar place.

3. Netflix- Be sure to download a few shows and movies before your trip so you can enjoy a little screen time without Wi-Fi.

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If you can’t start your day without a delicious cup of coffee-or three or four delicious cups of coffee, then you know the struggle is real when it comes to taking your cup of Joe in the car. From spills and messes to your coffee never staying hot enough, sometimes taking your coffee to-go can be a real pain relief med. But if you need coffee to get your day going then you just need a few extra accessories to make sipping your coffee in the car a little easier.

1. Ello Cole Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mug- This is a vacuum-insulated stainless steel mug that is perfect for road trips and your daily commute. This mug will keep hot drinks hot for up to five hours, and cold drinks cold for up to 10 hours. So you can enjoy every last drop of your drink.

2. Coffee Joulies- If you make a hot cup of coffee right before you leave the house and you find that it is either way too hot to drink or you waited too long and now your coffee is cold, this handy coffee invention could be exactly what you need. Coffee Joulies are little beans have a material inside the steel shell. So when your coffee is hot, the material inside the beans begins to melt as soon as it hits hot coffee. This helps to quickly cool your coffee temperature that is perfect for drinking. So no more burning your mouth. Then once your coffee reaches the perfect temperature, the liquid interior begins to solidify. This keeps the temperature stable so you can sip and enjoy a perfect cup of coffee for your entire commute.

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Summer is the perfect time to have a little extra fun in the sun with your kids. But if you only have a day for that summer fun, don’t fret because there are so many adventures you can have with your family in the DC metro area. From DC to MD to VA and even PA, you can quickly get to so many fun locations that your family will enjoy. You can enjoy theme parks, water fun, a little history, and lots of great food all over the DC metro area this summer. Here are 35 family friendly day trip options to inspire your summer fun planning.

1. Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA

2. Sandy Point State Park

3. U.S. Botanic Garden

4. Virginia Safari Park

5. Skyline Drive at Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park

6. Bayside Break at North Beach, MD

7. B&O Railroad Museum

8. Harpers Ferry National Historic Park in West Virginia

9. Urban Pirates at National Harbor and Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake in Annapolis.

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It can be a real bummer for you and your kids when you figure out their favorite apps need Wi-Fi to work. Those apps are great at home but not so great in your car. So if you are traveling with your kids this summer, you’ll want to download a few new apps that when the Wi-Fi quits—the fun doesn’t. Whether it’s on a tablet or a phone, from fun and silly to brushing up on their letters and ABCs, here’s 45 kid friendly apps that don’t need Wi-Fi.

 

1. Netflix—just be sure you download shows and movie while you have Wifi
2. Kids Listen Podcasts for Kids
3. Toca Boca—we love all of Toca Boca’s apps!
4. Busy Shapes
5. Daniel Tiger—Great for younger kids
6. Endless ABC- Perfect for early readers
7. Endless 123
8. Minecraft
9. Fiete Math
10. Sago Mini Games
11. Dr. Panda
12. Transformers rescue bots: hero adventures
13. Gardenscapes

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If your summer travel would not be complete without a trip to a theme park, then we have a few hacks to make your day of taking a few trips on a rollercoaster and all rides that spin your round and round a little more fun.  Since taking your entire family on a trip to an amusement park can also drain your wallet and lead to standing in way too many lines, you’ll need a few hacks to keep everyone in your family happy. From tickets, to food and snacks, and even a few souvenirs, here’s how to save money and have loads of fun this summer at an amusement park.

·         While weekends tend to be easier to attend amusement parks, you might be able to save money during the week. Bonus-there will less crowds on weekdays.

·         Buying your ticket online ahead of time is usually cheaper than buying tickets at the park, and if you have young kids, you might be able to save a few bucks on their admission. Be sure to check park prices because often kids under three do not need a ticket. Also, check for other deal like group rates or senior citizen discounts. Usually a quick Google search will give you all of the possible price discounts.

·         Don’t buy bottles of water! Take refillable bottles of water and fill them up at water fountains or ask for a cup of water at food stands and restaurants. Chances are, those cups will be free.

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There are so many reasons to love living in the DC metro; however, sometimes it’s nice to get away. So if it’s time to plan a little vacation, forget looking up flights or even train tickets because part of the charm of living in the DC metro area is that there are tons of amazing places that you can visit for a weekend getaway. A quick drive can get you to the beach, a winery, a spa, or some small town charm. So whatever you are feeling in the mood for, you can find it close to home. So pack your bags and use this list for a little inspiration. From VA to MD and even PA, here’s a list of 25 fabulous places where can plan a quick weekend vacay.

1. Ocean City, MD
2. Salamander Resort & Spa
3. Morrison House in Old Town Alexandria
4. Primland in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
5. The Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort
6. Gibson’s Lodgings of Annapolis
7. Baltimore, MD
8. Goodstone Inn & Restaurant
9. The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia
10. Annapolis, MD

Click right here to see the entire list!