Summer

Friday Favorites

May 26, 2017

It's hiking season which means getting a decent pack for your little monkeys, with my little 8 month old guy I love this one Once he gets bigger we will invest in something more legit looking for hiking trails. (if you have recommendations let me know!)

When summer rolls around I am a hat junkie, partly because I am lazy and only wash my hair twice a week and partly for sun protection from those harsh sun rays, my go to hat shop, (they are having great sales now too).

Im using more of this now that its getting warmer outside, Tomas Self Tanner This is my all time favorite self tanner; no smell, no mess, and great color!

We have made these cookies twice in the last week, the ultimate chocolate chip cookie recipe This will surely help your summer bod prep out!

Utah friends!!! Check out Battle Creek falls hike in PG for a fun family hike, easy for moms totting 22 lb. babies and tiny toddlers!!

May 24, 2017

Fun, Kids, Outdoormamas, Outdoors, Park Packs, Summer

I realize that the point of a trip to the park or the backyard play set is to let the kids play on park equipment and get out their energy. However, lately by kids seem to get bored rather quickly and/or start fighting with each other when they should be having fun. Shocking right.

So while cleaning up the house today, I thought it would be a good idea to put together some more "Park Packs" that we can use throughout the summer. I gathered up some small toys that either aren't being used much inside or would be fun to play with at the park or in the backyard. I put each group of things together in a sack or bag and put them all by the door so they are ready for me to grab when we are headed out.

The other thing I like about these is its a good way for kids to really play, be creative, and use their imagination. It gets them moving, away from screens, and lets you either play with them or have a moment of downtime while they play nicely with each other.

Pirate goods to pretend any playground is a pirate ship.

DIY capes with broken nerf guns makes for perfect Superhero play.

Make your own superhero capes out of Dads old shirts. Just cut the sleeves and front of the shirt off. Leave the collar to go around the kids neck. The sleeves make excellent masks!

Bug Catchers from the Dollar Store that have a built in magnifying glass can be used for all kinds of fun.

Dinosaurs, Sand shovels, and bug catchers make a great pack for a sandy park for dinosaur excavation.

Balls of every size work great for parks with slides or to throw, kick, (or roll with babies.)

Kaladiascopes, plastic toy dog bones, and plastic dogs for a pack about dog catching or hunting or whatever else they dream up. You can find packs of Kaladiascopes at Walmart for a dollar or two on the party aisle.

Sandwich containers can be used for snacks or to keep smaller items in to take to the park.

If you feel like you don't have anything to use head to the local dollar store. You can pick up a few things on the cheap and not worry about it spending the summer outside or getting lost. They also have all kinds of containers for snacks or to put your items in.

June 28, 2016

Kids, Kids Activities, Kids in Tow, Kids Summer, Lifestyle, Mom and Me, Mom Life, Moms Like Me, Outdoor Mamas, Outdoors, Summer

Its summer. Its hot. The kids are tired of the old garden sprinkler. We have tried dozens of activities for the kids and while we don't claim to be experts by any means, we love to by outside, especially in the summer and we want something fun but simple. Sooo to maintain our mom sanity during the summer we've found that WATER in many forms is a must. So read on for some of our favorite tried and true ways to keep the kids cool while playing in the great outdoors. Hope you and your kids like them as much as we do. Oh, and one more recommendation, next time you are at the grocery store hit the frozen food aisle and pick up a non alcoholic Bacardi mixer. Pop it in the blender with water and ice and enjoy a smooth treat while the kiddos play. You can thank us later.

Pop Bottle DIY Sprinkler

Take a 2 Liter bottle or other plastic bottle and poke holes in it with scissors and a knife. This should be an adults job for obvious reasons. Take it out and attach it to the end of the hose with some duct tape. Its just different enough from the boring old sprinkler that the kids will love it. More holes equal more water.

DIY Water Blob

These water blobs as they are called are all over Pinterest with varying levels of difficult instructions. We used duct tape and painters plastic to make smaller "blobs" so each child could have their own. Simple buy some plastic, fold it in half so all the sides match and duct tape well around the edges. Leave a small hole for the hose and fill it up with water. Cover the hole with tape and let the kids jump and play on it. You can make these as big or as small as you'd like.

Kiddie Pools For All Ages

Even if your child has outgrown the kiddie pool, which lets be honest we still stick our feet in them. You can still fill them up with ice, toys, small squirt guns, kitchen utensils, and/or any number of other objects to make it new and different and not just a pool of water. This time of year usually has some great sales on them too. So keep your eyes out.

Paint With Water

Stop by the painter aisle at your local hardware store or even at Walmart and pick up a few cheap paint rollers. Fill sand buckets or any other bucket with water and let the kids "paint" the driveway, sidewalk, or deck with water. It dries fairly quickly and results in no mess for you as it is just water, and the kids love it. Smaller children like the water and the roller, while older children can practice drawing shapes, letters, or anything else they wish.

Dollar Store Finds

Hit up the local dollar store for cheap pool toys, squirt guns, and giant water squirt swords and nearly anything else you can think of and then hit the local lake, splash pad, or pool. If and when the toys break you won't feel too bad about it as it was only a buck.

Water Balloon Fights

Walmart and the dollar store sell packs of 100 water balloons for 1.00. Stock up and every now and again fill them up for the kids to have water fights with you, dad, each other, or just to play with the balloons. We started doing it about once a week and ambush Dad when he walks in from work. It has become something fun we do that the kids really look forward to.

Trampoline Sprinklers

You probably remember doing this as a kid. Our only warning is to make sure that the kids are supervised well as trampolines are slippery when wet. Place a sprinkler underneath and let the kids bounce. As they jump down it creates a double splash that is fun.

Freeze It

Freeze colored water in plastic gloves, small toys in easter eggs or ice cube trays. Peel the gloves off and let the kids play with the hands while they melt. Place them in a small swimming pool or plastic tub full of kids toys and let the kids cool off. These make a fun addition to a sensory table while the ice melts.

DIY Fruity Pops

Popsicle molds can be found at almost any store this time of year. Target, Ikea, Walmart, Smiths, Dollar Store. You name it they have them. Pick them up for a few dollars and let the kids help you make their own popsicles. It can be as simple as freezing their favorite juices or lemonade. You can also freeze smoothies, shakes, root beer floats, strawberry milk, yogurt or the ones pictured below are coconut water with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in them.

Bubble Blowing

Sometimes the old classics work best. Some days it is just too hot to be outside and its best to wait for the evening hours and cooler temperatures to head outside and have some fun. We have really liked the bubble bases that hold 3 wands at a time and let the kids blow bubbles on their own. You can refill when you like and it lets several kids (and/or) you play at once.

June 22, 2016

Adventures, Bump Watch, Children, Fashion, Favorites, Kids in Tow, Lifestyle, Littles, Mom Life, Motherhood, Mountain Mamas, Mountains, Nature Photography, Outdoor Mamas, Outdoors, Pregnant, Summer

If you don't know the two of us are both expecting babies this fall. Between the two of us it will be baby #4 and #5, which means we have been through our fair share of diaper bags. While on the hunt for new bags for the new babes The Baby Cubby asked us to review one of their bags and we love it.

Diaper bags, in our minds must meet 3 main requirements:

Multiple handles so it can be carried several different ways.
Plenty of pockets and storage space for bit and small items.
Every surface of the thing must be waterproof and/or wipeable.
Its a nice added bonus if we like the way it looks.

After spending a day at the lake with their bag we fell in love and are currently in the middle of an intense game of rock, paper, scissors to see who gets it.

Why we love it:

The large middle pocket easily holds diapers, wipes, a changing pad, snacks etc.
The front zips open and becomes your wallet should you choose to make it so. There are pockets for credit cards, museum memberships, and any other valuables you'd like to keep there.
A long shoulder strap lets you carry it across your body, or on your shoulder while two shorter handles let you carry it more like a purse.
It comes with stroller straps to attach right to your stroller so you don't have to carry it at all.
All surfaces passed the wipe test as surprise surprise apple juice was spilled on it.
Its well made and can take the use and abuse of being taken on our outdoor outings but still has style for trips around town and out with the girls.
Two thumbs up for gender neutral. We are having boys, but this bag could easily be used for a girl which makes it usable for multiple children.

The Baby Cubby has given our readers at 10% discount. Use MEGYNJORDYN10 valid thru June 30!

IG: @MEGYNJORDYN

June 14, 2016

Bump Watch, Fashion, Favorites, Lifestyle, Pregnancy, Style, Summer, Summer Ready, Summer Style

Megyn Jordyn

During your entire pregnancy no one likes to spend money on maternity clothes that you will be out of in a few short months. Instead of breaking the bank on a maternity wardrobe buy a few staple classic pieces and accessorize with jewelry, shoes, cardigans and jackets that you already have on hand. Break out your box of "when I was fat" clothes (if you didn't throw them out) and boom you have a few extra pants and tops to add to your maternity wear. In the end embrace your bump, love your bump, you will miss it when it is gone, and have fun dressing your bump for the 9 months!

Button down chambray tops or blouses that are billowy
A-line dresses. Think of pieces that float away from your stomach
Being bloated and just feeling flabby and fat your first trimester you want to draw attention away from the bump
Baby doll dresses that your bump can grow into

The Daybook Blog

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The Daybook Blog

Time to show off that darling growing baby bump. Break out the spandex!
Body con maxis short or long
Fitted tee's to show off your bump, make sure the tee's are LONG
Tie button down shirts around your waist to emphasize the bump
Be sure to buy a size up so you can actually wear your clothes for more than a month or two, you always underestimate how quickly your bump grows