amushro

Even Superheroes Need a Snack

September 8, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MARVELSnackBar #CollectiveBias

Sure MARVEL has Iron Man, The Hulk, and Captain America to save the day, but around here, we’ve got Super Aaron. Never heard of him? Let me tell you all about my superhero! He’s pretty amazing and has all kinds of superpowers like making everyone around him laugh all day long, can surf some of the biggest waves on his boogie board, is always willing to share with his sidekick (his sister), and he just started kindergarten!

Already he is using all those super powers all day long to make friends, listen to his teachers, and ride the big yellow bus for the first time. I mean, even I wasn’t feeling so super about him riding that bus. However, he just got right on and waved and waved until we couldn’t see the bus anymore.

So just like his bookbag, lunchbox, shoes, shirts, socks, underwear (yes, underwear)and every toy he owns, he wants his favorite superheroes everywhere. His current lunchbox must have is a MARVEL Chewy Granola Chewy Bar. He is loving that all of his favorite MARVEL heroes are featured on the granola bars: Captain America, Hulk, Spider Man, Iron Man, Black Widow, and Thor, and that these bars are 40% bigger to satisfy that superhero sized appetite. So these granola bars are perfect for his lunchbox or a quick snack after school to get him refueled and ready to save the world again.I just turned by back for a minute, and I can’t be sure if Spider Man came swinging in and finished packing Super Aaron’s Lunch, or maybe Iron Man used his lasers to move the entire box of MARVEL Chewy Granola Bars into his lunchbox. Either way, I had to use a Hulk Smash and put a few back in the box, but I assured our Superhero that I would defend these yummy granola bars from any planned attacks (or a Daddy that likes to eat his kids’ granola bars.

When I was doing all my back to school shopping, I found the MARVEL Chewy Granola Bars at Walmart, and grabbed a few boxes to last us through lots of lunch box packing, after school snacks, and the occasional evil villain’s plan of taking over the world (or just eating a few too many granola bars)

Even superheroes need a snack after a long day of fighting crime (or learning all those important kindergarten lessons), and Super Aaron is happy to be reunited with his sidekick and to be refueled and ready to save the day after a quick superhero snack. These two are quite the dynamic duo!

Be sure to check out how to make snack time even more SUPER at the MARVEL hub. How do you play superhero during lunch time?

Back to School and Back to Germs

August 27, 2015 by amushro

Since it’s back to school time, you can bet it’s also back to germs time. I’m looking at you, kid that keeps coughing and refuses to cover his mouth, and you, kid that keeps picking his nose behind a book. You’re not fooling anyone! As those big yellow buses pull away from the bus stop and you realize you didn’t put your kid’s PB&J into his superhero lunch box and your hoping no one sees you are still wearing your PJs during preschool dropoff, let’s all send up a silent prayer that all those coughs, colds, sniffles, goopey eyes, and other strange illnesses stay far-far-far away from our kids.

Even though we will try and try very hard, someone is going to get sick in your house this school year. But it’s all cool because you’re a mom that knows what your family needs when they’re sick: a little rest, a lot Mom TLC, and if they need medicine to help them feel better, you’ll find the right ones. But let’s talk about putting those reading skills to good use when it comes to choosing and dosing medicines for your family. Reading the drug labels before you give medicine is something that my friends at Know Your OTCs knows all about. Even if this isn’t your first rodeo, here are the key things to remember:

Reading active ingredients- When you or your kids aren’t feeling well, you might feel tempted to grab several different medicines to help you knock out all of the symptoms, but be sure to read all of the active ingredients in each medicine. You might not realize it, but you might be taking or dosing too much of the same medicine. Taking a pain reliever and a cough and cold medicine at the same time may seem simple enough, but these medicines might have the same active ingredients so this means you have doubled the dose of medicine without realizing it. Double the dose could be harmful to you or your kids. This just means we need to read those medicine labels to make sure we know which active ingredients we’re dosing.

Uses – You know which OTC meds work well for your kids when they have fevers and which OTC meds can relieve your worst headaches, but we have to remember that most OTC meds only treat symptoms and do not cure illnesses. Also, make sure you are choosing OTC meds that only treat the symptoms your kids have. If they don’t have sinus pressure, you don’t need the medicine for sinus pressure, right?

Warnings– Keep it simple: Keep that medicine up and away from tiny hands. An easy way to remember all the dosing info is to set an alarm on your phone. And finally, if an OTC medicine gives a warning that is might make your child sleepy, just put it down and find another. We all love a good nap, or a napping child, but it’s best if that nap comes from some snuggles from mom and not an OTC.

Directions- Even if it’s a medicine you have used a million times, read those directions! Some medicines just aren’t made for your youngest patient. Cough and cold medications are labeled for children ages 4 and over. If you have questions, always call your doctor.
Other Information- To refrigerate or not refrigerate, that is the question. Check the labels for all this info!
Inactive Ingredients- Now that you are checking all the active ingredients, do a quick check of the inactive ingredients too (especially if your child has allergies).

If you are ever concerned that a child has gotten into an OTC medication accidentally, call poison control immediately: 1-800-222-1222

This post is sponsored by the CHPA educational foundation, KnowYourOTCs, but all opinions are my own.

Staying Organized with Snack and Lunchbox Stations

August 26, 2015 by amushro

“How was your day?”

“What did you do?”

“What made you laugh today?”

“Who did you sit by at lunch?”

These, along with 50 other questions, are what I fire off at my kids the very second they get home from school. Some days my kids rattle on and on about the happenings on the playground, but more often they simply give me a few grunts, blank stares, and mumble “I’m hungry. Can we have a snack?” If I leave those two to their own food scavenger hunt, they will dive head first into the pantry, eat a bag of chips, and plop onto the couch in a carb comma until dinner. So I created a snack system that carried over into the kids helping to pack their own lunches in the morning. Now I know they are getting yummy, healthy, and proportioned snacks after school and the dreaded task of packing lunches, has gotten so much easier. Add these to my list of back to school parenting hacks to make snacking and lunch box packing a breeze.

Create a Snack Station

Use small plastic storage containers as your designated snack bin (I got mine at the dollar store)—have one for the fridge and one for the pantry.

For the fridge, pack the container full of snacks your kids love: yogurt, cheese, cut up fruit in sandwich bags, fruit cups, veggies and dippers like hummus, peanut butter or ranch (use small to-go condiment containers for the dips), small portions of meats in sandwich bags, juice and milk boxes and small bottles of water are just a few ideas.

For the pantry bin, portion out bagged snacks like chips, crackers, and trail mix and throw in applesauce, raisins, and granola bars.

My kids know they can have two items from the fridge and one from the pantry. I try to only refill the items once they have eaten everything. This way I know they are getting some variety of food after school. With Snack Stations, I know my kids aren’t over eating and won’t be full on snacks and ignore dinner.

Create a Lunchbox Making Station

Depending on the storage space in your kitchen, use either small, plastic stackable drawers in the pantry or baskets to organize each menu item. While I’m packing their “main course,” the kids are choosing what else will go in their lunchbox based on the numbers listed outside the drawers or baskets. You can use chalkboard paint just a sharpie to write the number on the outside of the container. The rule in this house is they don’t have to take everything, but they need a variety and cannot take more than the actual number (unless it’s a fruit or veggie, then take as much as you want—a mother can dream ,right?)

In the Pantry

Drinks (in addition to water): 1

Salty, Crunchy snacks and crackers (individual bags that I proportioned or the lunch size):1

Apple sauce, fruit cups: 1

Special Treats like fruit gummies or a piece of chocolate: 1

In the fridge

Different cheeses: 1

Yogurt and yogurt drinks: 1

Fruits and Veggies: 2

This system allows them to make choices on what they want to take and they are being responsible (and saving me time) by packing their own lunches.

Also I use command hooks inside the pantry door to store their lunchboxes when they aren’t in use,

I designate a drawer that has everything I need to put their lunch together in one place: plastic utensils, napkins, sandwich bags, and little Post-Its and pens so I can write little notes to my kids. Since my kids are really little, I draw silly pictures and it makes them laugh, which is always rad.

All this talk about snacks has me hungry! Looking to make breakfast a little easier? Check out my breakfast sanity savers!

Back to School Life Hacks

August 11, 2015 by amushro

Sometimes I lie in bed in the morning and calmly think “It might not seem like it now, but we’re already late.” And within twenty minutes, I’m throwing shoes and socks at kids while I bark orders like “Did you brush your teeth? Come breathe on me so I can check.” But not this year, friends. This year this mom is embracing all the sanity savers and parenting hacks to protect my precious sanity and shave a few minutes off our hectic day. Back to school is serious stuff. Just ask these two.

Here’s a few parenting hacks to make the school year start a little smoother.

Breakfast Hacks

Easily cook a dozen eggs for breakfast sandwiches by baking eggs in a muffin tin. Using a lightly greased muffin tin, crack one egg into each cup and bake for 15 minutes on 350 degrees. Build your sandwich with English muffins, cheese and ham. Freeze the sandwiches and wrap in foil for later or heat and enjoy.

Cut down on breakfast mess by mixing pancake mix for the week and putting it into several freezer bags and store in the fridge. Be sure to leave room for the batter to expand. When ready to make, cut a bottom corner of the freezer bag and squeeze the mix into a hot pan.

Have a breakfast smoothie any morning by chopping up and freezing all the ingredients for a smoothie in a individual sandwich bags. When you’re ready, grab a bag and throw the ingredients into a blender and enjoy!

Serve yummy oats and not cook a thing! Mix equal parts milk, yogurt and rolled oats with a banana and some cinnamon. Place in the fridge overnight and in the morning, add fruit or nuts and serve.

Lunchbox Hacks

Never run out of ice packs for lunch boxes again! Grab kitchen sponges from the dollar store, soak in water, place in sandwich bag, and freeze for effective and cheap ice packs.

Never worry food in a thermos isn’t still hot at lunchtime. Fill the thermos or can with almost boiling water and put the lid on. Let it sit while you pack lunches or serve breakfast. Heat the food hotter than you would normally serve it. Dump out the hot water and add the food. Now you have hot food stored in a warm thermos. Perfect for a hot lunch!

Use that thermos for food other than soup. Heat chicken nuggets in the microwave and store in a hot thermos. They will be warm and yummy when your kids are ready for lunch. Just don’t forget the ketchup.

Keep apples from turning brown by using a knife or apple corer/slicer to cut around the core. Put the apple back together and wrap a rubberband around the apple. The apple will still be fresh at lunch.

Clothing Hacks

Choose outfits for the entire week and store each outfit in a section of a hanging sweater organizer. Be sure to include socks, underwear, and hair accessories to make the morning even easier. Write out the days of the week and post on each section for extra site word practice!

Loop a soda can tab on a hanger and attach another hanger to the other side of the tab to create a double hanger. For after-school activities, hang all uniforms pieces and practice clothes on these hangers to save closet space and stay organized.

Bathroom Hacks

Cut an over the door shoe organizer to fit inside a door of a bathroom cabinet. Give each child a row on the organizer to store all their hair brushes, hair products, hair accessories, tooth brushes,tooth paste, or anything else they use to get ready in the morning.

Affix a magnetic strip to the inside of the cupboard door and attach bobby pins and hair bows to the strip to save space and help with organization.

Never lose a hair elastic again by using a caribbeaner clips to store hair elastics and ribbons.

At the Door Hacks

A decorative silverware organizer is perfect to leave by the door so each family member can always grab what they need before heading out the door: phone, keys, ID tags, headphones, wallet, and even a stain remover stick

Change the locked picture on your phone to a written note with your kid’s schedules, pickup times, and drop-off times for a quick reference at the beginning of the year.

Use command hooks or decorative towel hooks inside a closet or on a wall to create a backpack nook. This gives kids the perfect place to hang their backpacks

Create a “last minute” station using milk crates near the door. Using shoeboxes or plastic containers, store socks, hair accessories, change, and quick grab snacks like applesauce pouches or granola bars for those last minute needs.

Homework Hacks

Create a portable homework station for each kid by filling binders or shower caddy with with everything they need to complete homework: pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, and paper. This is great for younger siblings that want “homework” too.

If you don’t have a desk for homework time, use an inexpensive shoe rack to create shelf space on a table

Create a “Mom Command Center” in your kitchen so everything you need to stay organized is in one place: start with a large dry erase board or chalk board paint to create a calendar, folders for all school forms going in and out, places to store kid’s art work, a place to menu plan, and a docking station for your phones, tablets and computers.

Cover all your bases by setting the bookmark on your phone or tablet to all those important sites you’ll visit every day like the school website, Today Show for news and Wake Up with Al for weather.

So here’s to a new school year, never missing the bus, and not having to ask your kids to brush their teeth five times!

This post was originally featured on The Today Show Parenting Team-– check out all of my posts on The Today Show!

Tips for Caring for Curly Haired Kids

August 5, 2015 by amushro

The 80’s and early 90’s weren’t kind to a young gal with curly hair like me. There were lots of bad perms, Christmas tree shaped haircuts, fluffy poodle mullets, and years of school pictures that will never see the light of day. So years later when the Curly Hair Gods smiled down upon me and gave unto me a little curly haired girl, I was thrilled when every single day she woke up like this:

I’m totally kidding! Most days this is how she wakes up. Yikes! Pass the coffee and the leave in conditioner!

On these mornings, her hair looks exactly how I feel, but I was determined to figure out the best and easiest way to style her hair so that my girl would always love her wild and fabulous curls. So here’s what we’ve learned:

Just say NO to shampoo– For curly kids you need lots of moisture in their hair. We only wash my daughter’s hair every 2-3 days, and when she is due for a wash, we only use a moisturizing conditioner and skip the shampoo. Try shampooing just once a week for bouncy, fun curls.

Throw in the Towel- Wrap your kiddos up in a fluffy towel when they get out of the tub, but keep that towel away from curly hair! Since curly hair is so fragile, a regular towel is too heavy for curls and can cause a lot of frizz. Instead, grab and old t-shirt and lightly dry their hair with the t-shirt.

Tools of the trade– Detangling after bath time used to take forever and there were lots of tantrums and tears (mostly that was just me). Now we use the Wet Brush or a wide tooth comb and detangling is no big deal. Do you have a brush? Get rid of it. Seriously, brushes and curly hair do not mix. Don’t believe me? Don’t make me show you my second grade school picture. *shivers*

Bottoms Up- Detangle from the bottom and don’t start at the roots! This causes damage and frizz plus it just hurts! Instead, pile the hair on top of your child’s hair with a clip and work in smalls sections. Working an inch or two from the bottom of the hair near the neck, detangle with your fingers or the Wet Brush. Then move up a few inches and so on. As you finish each section, wrap the hair around your finger to help the curl bounce back.

Morning Bounce Back- My girl’s hair always looks best right after a bath, but who has time for all that work in the morning? Not us! So we’ve created a new system to freshen up her curls. Using a spray bottle with water and conditioner wet the hair. Use your fingers or Wet Brush on hair that is tangled or fizzy. Grab small sections and wrap the hair in a spiral motion. This helps hair to bounce back and regain it’s shape. Air dry wet hair as much as possible, but if you’re in a hurry or for a little extra volume, flip hair upside down, use a hairdryer with a diffuser attachment (never without!) until hair is 80% dry. Too much heat is a no-no for curly hair.

Coiled Care- Deep condition once a week but there’s no need to spend a fortune on expensive treatments. We just lather up the conditioner, put a fancy shower cap on, and let my curly kid play in the tub while those curls get the much needed moisture.

Up Do Safety– Only use ribbon elastics for ponytails and braids. These will cause minimal damage and won’t get tangled in curly hair like regular hair elastics and rubber bands.

Style Tips- When it’s time for a haircut, find a stylist that is comfortable and experienced with curly hair. This makes a HUGE difference, and I usually ask the salon manager for their recommendation. Also sometimes finding the right product takes a lot of trial and error, but stick to sulfate free shampoos and conditioners and think less is more when it comes to hair products. Right now we are using a light weight foam cream that is working well with her hair.

I love her curls. I want her to love her curls. And I promise, no fluffy poodle mullets for either of us. Ever.

Making Birthday Mornings Super Special

July 31, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BDayOnBudget #CollectiveBias

I am a firm believer that if you Momma doesn’t make a big fuss over your birthday, then who will? So around here we do birthdays BIG! We start those super special birthdays off right with a few birthday mornings traditions that Aaron and Lyla absolutely love. We’ve had the same birthday morning traditions since we celebrated their first birthdays, and their excitement over their birthday mornings makes me the happiest mom around. But here’s part of my secret planning, we don’t need to spend big bucks just to make their birthday morning super special.

The night before their birthday, I tuck them in and usually start weeping. I know, I’m ridiculous, but I’m super emotional and Aaron and Lyla’s birthdays really bring out All. The. Feelings. Once they’ve fallen asleep, I get to work decorating their door. This year my son has a slight obsessions with Star Wars Rebels, and I was able to grab a bunch of inexpensive decorations from Walmart that were perfect for the door decorating. As silly as this sounds, this is both of my children’s favorite part of their birthday–even with cake, a party with friends and family, and all the presents–they LOVE waking up to their door completely decorated.

I love it because early in the morning when I hear my birthday boy beginning to wake up, I cannot wait to see this little face seeing his door for the first time!

And then I get this face! Seriously, is there anything better than THIS face?

But the birthday morning celebration isn’t over yet! The birthday boy and his sister race downstairs because they know a special sweet treat is waiting for them. While most mornings their bellies are full from the usual breakfast fare, on birthdays, we have cupcakes for breakfast! Yes, cupcakes! I set out the yummy cupcakes (which I grabbed at the Walmart bakery) and laid out the Star Wars Rebels plates, napkins, and cups to continue the birthday boy’s theme. Cupcakes for breakfast may see like a bit much, but they love it and I love it! I fully plan on having birthday breakfast cupcakes for them when they are grown adults and they don’t live with me anymore. Wahhhhhh

And if it’s your birthday, your mom might even let you eat your cupcakes like this:

Don’t forget the milk and fruit (Hey, I’m a mom. I just can’t help but sneak healthy foods into our birthday celebration)

I grabbed everything for Aaron’s super special birthday morning in the Celebrate aisle at Walmart. The American Greetings decorations are really reasonably priced and they carry tons of party products with all of the characters your children love!

I really love making every part of my children’s birthdays super special and their birthday mornings are my absolute favorite days of the year. What special traditions do you have for your children’s birthdays?

I’m On NickMom!

July 30, 2015 by amushro

When I was a brand, spanking new blogger, I pitched an idea to NickMom and patiently waited for a response. Then I got one: A BIG FAT NO. That’s the thing about being a writer, you hear lots of “nos” all the time. I would venture to say we hear more nos than we do yes, but this particular no really bummed me out because I loved the site and wanted a spot on their contributor list.

So I boo-hooed for awhile, and planned on never pitching an idea to NickMom again. But recently I got a little inspiration from another writer that “no” really means “not now.” I love this idea: “no” really means “not now.” So I submitted another idea, NickMom said yes, and I did a roundhouse kick in the air and landed in a split because I was so stinking happy.

Long story longer, here’s the post I’ve going celebrated by eating every cookie in this house. So head over and check out The Nine Thoughts Every Mom has at the Pool

“Did I shave today? No, no I did not.”

“Again? Ugh, why can’t my kid pee in the pool like everyone else.”

“Look at those moms of older kids, relaxing on the lounge chair, reading books. SOMEDAY I WILL BE ONE OF YOU.”

“Swimming counts as a bath, right?”

“Is that 20-year-old nanny wearing my bathing suit? I knew I was shopping too close to the juniors’ section.”

“Must get home to make dinner. Must get home to… oh forget it, snack bar hot dogs for all!”

“Is that a rain cloud? (checks weather radar on phone for the 4,000th time)”

“Alright, older kids, you’re getting too rowdy for the shallow end. Move it along.”

“IT’S JULY. WHY IS THE WATER THIS COLD???”

via Giphy

Sunshine and Mac and Cheese

July 24, 2015 by amushro

“Sunshine and mac and cheese.” That was my response to a friend that hasn’t seen my son in a few months and was shocked to see how he’s recently shot up in height. All I could say is “It must be sunshine and mac and cheese because that’s all this kid needs to grow.” The truth is, my boy should be a shade of orange because his diet consists mainly of orange colored food: mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, and cheese sticks. I’ve never really considered Aaron a picky eater because when given the foods he likes, he eats really well, is super healthy, and he is a so tall. However, when his little sister came along and was willing to eat anything we put in front of her, I realized this guy is a little tougher at meal time than I realized.

Is there anything that makes a Mamma’s heart sing more than seeing her kids eat well? No one wants to fight with their kids every single mealtime. Ugh, no thank. My mission this summer is to get creative, keep the peace, get this boy to try some new foods, and to show him a veggie will kill him.

With our free schedules during this easy breezy summer and tons of fresh fruits and veggies available right now, it was time to change the way we eat. Here’s what were are doing in this house to get a little more adventurous with our eating.

Try It Tuesday and New Food Friday- Everyone gets something new on their plates on these days and we have to try at least three bites. Even Mom and Dad. We make it a game and then celebrate when we all take at least three bites.
Small scoops- When we’re trying new foods, we start with tiny bites. So rather than dumping a pile of peas on his plate, I give him two or three. Imagine being a kid and your mom is making you try new food and there is a mountain of green stuff that looks and smells sketchy. However, two or three green things, not so bad.
Hide It- You think that’s just pizza right? (Insert Evil Laugh) I added pureded spinach! I have to be creative and sneaky and this does take a lot more planning, but the blender is getting lots of use and I feel better knowing there is zucchini in his blueberry muffins.
Smoothie Season- The kids think they’re getting a sweet treat, but this mom has packed a smoothie full of greens he would turn up his nose too. All he tastes is his favorite fruit, blueberries!
Week By Week- My pediatrician gave me this tip when I was feeling like my attempts to get my boy to eat new foods and veggies was failing. She suggested rather than look at every meal, every single day, look at the week and pat yourself on the back for trying new foods and veggies a few times a week.

Vitamins are essential for good health through every stage of life. Our bodies require a broad variety of vitamins and minerals to function properly, yet it can be challenging to get all the nutrients we need from food alone. And believe it or not, a kid can not survive alone on sunshine and mac and cheese.

We all strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle for our entire family. We know the importance of a balanced diet and exercise but for many of us, we can continue to rely on vitamins and minerals to fill nutritional gaps and enhance health.

Did you know that kids tend to gain MORE weight in the summer months? Considering my kids seem to be busy every single minute of a summer day, this statistic shocked me; however, check out this graphic from Know Your OTCS to see why this is true.

Looking for more information about dietary supplements for you and your family? Know Your OTCs created a really helpful site that can answer a lot of your questions.

What are your tips or tricks to dealing with picky eaters?

5 New Things You Need For The Beach

July 23, 2015 by amushro

It’s official WE LOVE SUMMER. We love every single part of summer and since the kids and I are living at the beach for a few months there is a good chance we are never, ever coming back. OK, school starts at the end of August so we’ll be back for that. Otherwise, we would just become beach bums. I’ve already shared with you my favorite beach parenting hacks and sanity savers and was ecstatic to share those hacks on the Today Show. So now I want to share a few things that have become a must for our days at the beach, plus a really fun giveaway. So here are the 5 new things you need for your beach trip.

1. Fine Foutas- Since the kids are spending 90% of their days in the ocean or the pool, we seem to have an endless supply of beach towels,. But this year those towels are simply taking up space in the linen closet because I’ve ditched them all for my first favorite summer product Fine Foutas. Fine Foutas (pronounced “foo-tahs”) are hand woven, 100% organic cotton towels that we’ve been using as a beach and pool towels, wraps, picnic blanket, throw blankets, and even a shawl on a chilly night.

At first I couldn’t imagine how a towel that was so thin could be so useful, but I’m telling you, friends, I’m a complete convert. We took the whole family to a waterpark and everyone else was unsuccessfully shoving big, bulky towels into their beach bags, but all four of our foutas folded up nicely and were perfect towels and coverups on a hot day. I love that they get softer every time they’re washed and they really hold up to the beatings of daily uses. Plus they are so pretty and I’m a sucker for anything pretty. When I told the owner of Fine Foutas that I’m a convert, she offered to give two Fine Foutas to one of my readers! Yay for giveaways!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2. Sunscreen Face Sticks- Before my kids head out the door, I cover them head to toe in sunscreen, but after hours of boogie boarding and cannonballs, that morning sunscreen isn’t enough. So when I can wrestle them out of the water for a quick snack or drink, I cover their faces and shoulders with a sunscreen stick in just a few seconds. No mess, no fighting, and I protect those precious faces. Right now we are using this one from Neutrogena.

3. Catch and Release Beach Aquarium- We’ve acquired roughly a million shovels, buckets, and random sand toys; however, the kids newest toy has trumped them all. The Catch and Release Aquarium is the perfect toy for catching sea creatures, studying them, and then releasing them back to their homes. The aquarium is plastic and floats (this has saved us when a big wave has taken it away) and the screen lid allows anything you have collected to still breathe. I love that we can use this toy at a lake or pond too. You can find the aquariums here.

4. Tailgate Tent- In the beginning of summer, a beach umbrella was just fine for a little bit of shade. However, now that we’re in full swing and heat of summer, sorry umbrella, our tailgate tent just kicked your colorful butt. We put the tent in line with all of the other umbrellas along the water and claim our spot for the day. Our entire family can take a break under the tent and it’s perfect for getting a little extra space when the beach gets crowded. Need one? Find it here.

5. Beach Chair With A Cooler for Your Phone– I’ll admit, even at the beach, I find it hard to disconnect from my phone. And while you can keep the sand out of your phone with a sandwich bag, I learned that if you leave your iPhone in the sun, it will lock until the temperature drops! I had no idea this could even happen. Did you? So this year my beach chair has a smaller cooler on the side that keeps my phone cool and sand-free. Here’s the one I’m using:

Hope you are having a great summer and good luck on the giveaway!