Spring is here and, as happens every year about this time, I've got the travel bug! Something about the warm weather make me just want to hit the road, escape the house I'v ebeen trapped in for what feels like MONTHS, and explore the world. Alas, two things can get in the way -- time and money -- but they don't have to. Carve out some vacay time and check out these budget friendly trip ideas!

Raise your hand if you’d rather skip this year’s road trip than listen to whichever kiddie soundtrack your own little passengers are currently fixated on? Is anyone else raising his or her hand and waving it wildly? I am!

On the other hand (presumably not the one waving around like a spaz above your head), it’s not like you can just play whatever you want. Those goobers in the backseat have ears after all, and if they’re anything like my daughter, who at age 3 asked why the man singing on the radio was taking the lady’s panties off, you’ll need some tamer tunes.

So how to reconcile the parents’ need for decent music with the kids’ needs for catchy musical distraction? We find fun pop songs from present and past that don’t talk about getting it on gangsta style -- or any style for that matter. Here are nine songs that are safe for the kiddos to sing along to.

There is certain bad behavior I expect to get a passenger in trouble for while flying. For example, getting out of your seat when the pilot has instructed everyone to strap in; getting so drunk you make a scene and disturb others; and, of course, putting your hands on someone (be it crew or a fellow traveler). But I was surprised to hear that a Virgin Atlantic passenger was detained by FBI agents for not flushing the toilet.

There's nothing like spending a beautiful weekend with our loved ones. And with a bevy of sunny, blue sky spring days to look forward to, it's time to start planning how to enjoy 'em to the utmost. Sure, there are tons of summer activities we make time on the calendar for year after year -- hitting the beach, joining the pool -- but who says we have to wait 'til after Memorial Day to get the fun started?

Here, 12 springtime must-dos sure to make for amazing memories for your whole family ...

Have you seen this stupid graphic on the "Mommy Business Trip" yet? If you haven't, please go and have a look -- and then we'll discuss. It's basically a cartoon strip of all the "wild" times we mommies have when we travel for those blogger conferences. Mainlining cheeze doodles from the minibar, FTW! Right.

Honestly, I just had to laugh. Because if these guys had any idea what really goes down at these mommy blogger conferences? Holy hell, they'd shut us down in a heartbeat.

A few times a year, moms need a break. And I'm not talking about a coffee break, a trip to the spa, or a girls' night out kinda break. I mean a break break -- where you leave town for a few days without the kids and remember what it's like to be an adult again.

And I know what you're thinking: Leaving the kiddos is tough, mainly because it stirs up all sorts of unnecessary feelings of guilt -- either because you feel horrible for wanting to be away from your kids, or because you're afraid they will miss you so much they'll cry their eyes out for the entire duration of your little getaway.

But guess what? Neither of those things is cause for feeling guilty. They'll be just fine without you for a few days, and leaving your kids does NOT make you a bad mom.

Now that winter is fiiiinally behind us -- please let it be safe to say that?! -- we can start locking up the skis and snowboots and start enjoying the more temperate weather. And with that weather comes the ability to travel much easier and the desire to get out and play! You've gotta admit: Some beautiful springtime days are just designed for a day trip.

Here, 8 day trip ideas for you and your loved ones that are perfectly fit for the flourishing season ... 

Last week on a road trip to Disney, I was digging through the contents of the arm rest compartment for some tissues when I realized the old maxi pad that had somehow gotten stuck to my hand would have to do the trick. Plus it had wings, which made for an easy clean-up.

I looked at my mother and said, "We need to invent some kind of portable tool that has all the necessary mommy accoutrements to tackle any parenting task."

Because this was a long road trip and we were two slap-happy adults listening to a Bratz movie for the fourth time, we made a list of all the things said contraption would need.

So here are the fruits of our brainstorm. I give you ... the Swiss Mommy Knife.