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Simply Sweet Days

Simple discoveries that make every day count.

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Coupons and Deals

It’s Possible to Enjoy a Budget-Friendly (and Healthier!) Family Trip to Chuck E. Cheese

This post is sponsored by Caulipower but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

It’s been a while since we’ve been to Chuck E. Cheese. Have you visited lately? My friends, it has changed SO much in the last few years! We took the crew there on a family outing, and found out that it’s possible to stick to a budget AND find healthy dining options at Chuck E. Cheese.

During a rainy spell last week, we were desperate to burn off some of the little guys’ energy. We spent one afternoon at an indoor trampoline park, which was great and definitely wore the little people out. However, this particular trampoline place had far more games requiring tokens than it had trampolines. The kids were just itching to play games, so we made a deal: If it was still raining the next day, we’d hang out for an hour or so at Chuck E. Cheese.

Sure enough, it rained the following day too. Cue the ecstatic little people.

How to Save on Good Food and Games

The key is to take advantage of the All You Can Play games. You can load your play card with a minute or a dollar amount, and the kids can enjoy games nonstop without having to bother Mom & Dad for quarters! This is also a great way to keep kiddos occupied while they wait for their pizza.

We’ve been pretty awful at making healthy eating choices this summer. I blame the seasonal need for snacks 24/7 during the summer that somehow wasn’t a thing during the school year. So I jump at any meal option that’s healthy, especially if I don’t have to cook it myself. Chuck E. Cheese now offers a Super Cauli Crust pizza powered by CAULIPOWER®. It’s a better-for-you pizza because it’s gluten free, made with vitamin-packed cauliflower. The Super Cauli Power pizza is nutritious, it tastes great, and best of all it gives kids (and parents) with dietary restrictions a way to share in the yummy experience at Chuck E. Cheese!

Use this exclusive promo code to save ½ off the Super Cauli Crust pizza powered by CAULIPOWER with $10 or more All You Can Play games purchase though 8/4/2019! The CAULIPOWER pizza from Chuck E. Cheese is the same trending gluten-free dish at the grocery store. Now that it’s available at Chuck E. Cheese, you can also order it for nationwide delivery through DoorDash, UberEats and GrubHub. 

Of course, pizza is nice but the games are the kids’ favorite part of Chuck E. Cheese. And don’t judge me but I’m pretty sure to be found at the Skee Ball lanes trying to sink a ball in the corner pocket. By the end of our playing time we had enough tickets to get each of the kids 2 small toys. Not too bad for a family trip to Chuck E. Cheese!

Make sure you go before August 4, and grab this promo code to save ½ off on the Super Cauli Power pizza when you purchase at least $10 All You Can Play games!

Best Early Access Deals for Amazon Prime Day 2019

My favorite shopping season isn’t Black Friday, it’s Amazon Prime Day. What is Prime Day, you ask? It’s a massive annual event on Amazon with savings and deals just for Amazon Prime members. Every year I tell myself I’m going to rock those Amazon Prime Day deals, but I usually end up aimlessly clicking around and missing out on all the good stuff. Not anymore, my friends. I’ve done a good amount of research on Amazon Prime Day 2019, which is actually 2 days this year – July 15 & 16. I’m ready to rock this party, and you can too. Savvy shoppers, read on for info on the best early access deals for Amazon Prime Day 2019. 

amazon prime day 2019
Image via Amazon

While we don’t know yet what specific items will be on sale for Prime Day, we can kind of get an idea of what deals to expect based last year’s deals. There are always great sales on books, electronics, Amazon devices, and toys. Keep an eye out for great Christmas gift ideas!

Image via Amazon

Amazon Prime Day Deals on Home and Electronics 

There are guaranteed to be amazing deals on electronics, especially Amazon products and devices. If you’ve been considering adding an Echo Dot or Alexa Show to your home, this is the time to do it. Last year, the Fire TV Stick was the #1 best seller worldwide. We have one of these and we just love it! If your family has Prime, I highly recommend watching this item for Prime Day 2019. We also expect to see some competitively low prices on 4K TVs. And don’t forget to watch home appliances. Pressure cookers were the most popular Prime Day deal last year in the U.S. 

So what deals can we expect this year? The masterminds behind Amazon Prime Day 2019 haven’t told us everything, but they have given us some details. 

Image via Amazon

New Product Launches for Amazon Prime Day 2019

We are looking forward to some fresh new product releases this Rime Day!

How about these organic, apple cider vinegar gummies that support weight loss? Um, yes, please! 

Via Amazon

I plan to snag this car mount that has Alexa built in. You don’t even know how many times my kids have been in the car calling out for Alexa to play their favorite KidzBop song. Now Alexa will actually answer! It works with both my iPhone and John’s Android phone.

Via Amazon

I’m also drooling over this gorgeous 4-piece cookware set, an adjustable Coleman canopy tent, and this adorable tropical baby playmat! And these are just a few of the literal millions of deals that Amazon guarantees on this 2-day discount celebration.

Ok, for those who are still holding out on getting your own Prime membership – there’s still a way for you to score some great deals. Take advantage of the 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime! Use it to shop your favorite products on Prime Day 2019! You could cancel it before the free trial is up and still get free shipping on all your Prime Day shopping. College students get an amazing bonus opportunity with this free 6-MONTH free trial of Amazon Prime Student.

Amazon Prime Day 2019’s Sneak Peek Starts July 8 

Amazon is giving us sneak peek only in the app, starting July 8! From the app sneak peek page you can get notified when new deals go live. This is a great place to watch for your perfect deal.

Extra Savings Starts Now

There are a couple deals already available that can offer a head start on Prime Day shopping:

Get a $10 Amazon credit when you sign in to the Amazon App for the first time, and get an additional $10 credit after your first in-app purchase.

Get $10 to spend on Amazon when you spend $10 at Whole Foods. 

These sitewide shopping deals are all available NOW!

  • Save up to 30% on “Off to College”
  • Deals on clothing for the whole family
  • Up to 30% off Household Essentials
  • Save 20% off select furniture

One final tip for the budget-conscious: 

To avoid over-spending, make a list of things you want to buy during the Amazon Prime Day celebration. Stick to those items as you browse the Prime Day deals!

Happy Birthday Kiwi Co.!

One of my favorite creative kids activities is having a birthday! Kiwi Co. is celebrating their birthday by offering a super deal to new subscribers.

Why Kiwi Co.?

We’ve been receiving Koala and Kiwi crates for a while now and the kids just LOVE them. The projects are awesome, and the time we spend together making the projects is priceless. 

Via Kiwico.com

Via Kiwico.com

We have gotten some really amazing activities in our KiwiCo boxes. One time the girls got detective kits complete with “invisible ink” pens and paper and a special detective suitcase to hold all their super secret notes. Johnny got a Koala box all about rainbows, where he made an adorable fluffy cloud pillow and a tie-die looking rainbow print tote bag. The activities always come with an activity booklet, full of kid-friendly science information and puzzles. So the fun continues after building the craft in the kit! 

The girls paint baleen whales that came in Emily’s crate while Johnny makes a “campfire”

We made Johnny’s camping kit shortly before our family’s summer camping trip. His pretend hot dog and marshmallows roasted over a little foam campfire. He was already a s’mores-making professional by the time we got to our campsite! And how cute is this little bear backpack? He wore it everywhere he went!

We first started getting KiwiCo boxes as a gift from the kids’ grandma. It is such a thoughtful way to give quality time and learning experiences to a family. John and I get to work one-on-one making the craft with a child. That individual attention our children receive as we create together is so special to them. We’re not only building a project, we’re building memories.

KiwiCo’s Birthday Promo

For just a few days only, KiwiCo is offering 3 free months when you sign up for a 12-month subscription. Just enter the code BDAY at checkout to access the special savings!     

Use the link below to get your 3 free months. This is the best deal they have offered all year, so you’re going to want to jump on it!

Happy Birthday KiwiCo! with Promo Code BDAY

Making Time for Family on Busy School Days

Now that the girls are back in school, our evenings can sometimes be hectic. Now in addition to the regular dinner/bath/bedtime routine, we have to fit in homework too. Some weeks it feels like, by the time Friday rolls around, we’ve hardly spent any time together. I’m finding simple ways to make time for family a priority on those busy after-school days. 

Give Kids Your Attention When You’re Together

Making time for family can be hard for me as a full-time working mom. But I know that when I set my phone and laptop aside and just be present with my kids, we are all more joyful and relaxed. Our time together is even more enjoyable when we’re doing something we all love. The younger ones are always ready to go in the pool, color, or play with salt dough. My oldest is into playing card games. Whatever the activity, we always have fun because we’re doing it as a family. 

Give Yourself a Break from Cooking

Cooking at home is great, but it is also incredibly time-consuming. Trust me, I’ve been working long days for the whole 15 years I’ve been a parent and I’ve tried every quick-cooking dinner idea there is. But you know what’s even faster? Not cooking! We don’t do it all the time, but every now and then we splurge on a dinner that Mom and Dad didn’t have to cook.

I’m currently loving Applebee’s Carside To Go. Last night, John had to work and I was just not in the mood to make dinner with cranky kids after a long day of school. I pulled up the Applebee’s app on my phone and quickly placed an order for pickup. We jumped in the car and it was ready by the time we got to the restaurant! There is an option for Carside, where you provide the make and model of your car when placing your order either online, over the phone, or on the app. When you park in the designated space an Applebee’s employee brings it right to you! 

Remember, Family Comes First

Some of our best evenings have been the ones when we spontaneously threw aside the routines and spent quality time together. Our kids are little, so sometimes this means we forego the bath (gasp!) for a late afternoon dip in the pool or a walk around the lake. If we can manage to bring takeout along with us, we have even more time for adventure! 

Make Memories on a School Night

There is so much value in giving kids your undivided attention and carving out special time together. The nest time you need a quick dinner option, use Applebee’s To Go. Type in the code 5off25 and get $5 off your online order of $25 or more. Then get outside or circle up around your favorite board game and make some memories. We don’t want our kids thinking we’re too busy for them, do we?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Applebee’s. The opinions and text are all mine.

Overcoming Challenges to Self-Care

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

I’ll be honest. Rest is not in my vocabulary. As a mom of 4, I’ve always just figured that people with this many kids just don’t get rest. That the busy, on-the-go lifestyle is embedded in you once you leave the hospital with baby #2 (or 3 or 4…). But that couldn’t be further from the truth. The key to finding balance in your life is to overcome your challenges to getting rest and practicing self-care. Here are some thoughts on how to do that.

Overcoming Challenges to Self-Care

Don’t let your excuses stop you

I have a goal this year to go to the gym once a week. Shortly into the new year I started missing gym day because it was too hard to find time to work out. To me, time spent at the gym was taking away from the time I had to spend with my kids. A friend recommended I try exercising in the living room with my kiddos instead. It’s not my ideal workout, but I do get my heart rate going and burn some calories. Plus, my kids love doing workout DVDs with me. And I love anything that helps them burn off some of their energy!  

Take baby steps by making healthy choices

Good nutrition is beneficial for your mind, body, and spirit. It’s so simple, but eating 5 fruits and vegetables a day can do a lot to improve your physical and mental health. While I was stocking up on groceries, I saw that our local Vons had a special on wanu water. It’s this fruit-flavored water drink that’s packed with essential vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, and B12. The B vitamins are a natural source of energy, and I could always use more energy! wanu also comes loaded with Folic Acid, Biotin and Fiber. You can get 24% of your daily recommended intake of fiber from one serving of wanu. Because fiber supports a healthy weight by making you feel fuller longer, it’s one of the main reasons I drink wanu. It’s at Vons, Safeway, Albertsons, and Pavillions. Use this coupon and get $1.00 off the purchase of any two (2) 16 oz. bottles of wanu.   3 wanu water flavors

Schedule some “me” time

Self-care doesn’t have to be a day spent at the spa. You can simply set aside some time to read a book, go for a walk, or get a manicure. Put it on the calendar and make yourself a promise that you’re going to do it. And, just as you would keep a doctor’s appointment, make sure to keep your appointments for self-care.

Celebrate small wins

When you DO make and keep an appointment with yourself, give yourself a pat on the back. You had to be intentional and put in effort to make that self-care activity happen. Reflect on how it feels to have done something nice for yourself. Remember that good feeling the next time you don’t think you have time to spend on yourself. Last week I took a walk on the beach by myself. It was only for about 30 minutes but I savored every moment of it, just enjoying the sound of the waves and the fresh ocean air.  

Find your passion

What is it that you love doing? If you’re not sure, try out new things and you will find something that you can’t get enough of. It’s funny, I always thought I was a terrible artist. Then one day a friend invited me to a painting and vino class, and it turns out I’m not too bad at painting! So don’t be afraid of trying something outside of your comfort zone. 

Be thankful

Even if I can only squeeze in 30 minutes a week for myself, at least I got some time to take care of my personal needs. Taking better care of my body is becoming more important to me. I’m thankful for low-calorie drinks like wanu water. It’s refreshingly sweetened with monk fruit, so it has 0 grams of sugar. It may seem silly to be thankful for something as simple as a drink, but you’d be surprised how much better it feels to always be in a gratitude state of mind.  I’m thankful for anything that tastes good and only has 10 calories, like wanu water does. I’m also thankful for each glorious sunrise, getting to work on time, the opportunity to help a friend… Everything! Living out thankfulness truly gives me a sense of peace. 

Don’t let daily struggles keep you from enjoying life. Find time to practice self-care, and take good care of your body. How could wanu help you enjoy better nutrition?  Overcome Obstacles to Practicing Self-Care

Easy Dinner Without The Guilt

In our house, we’ve got family members in 4 different schools. Right now we’re right in the thick of everyone’s new school schedules, different back to school nights, registration days, meet & greets, and getting supplies. We’ve managed to keep our family from feeling chaotic because we make it a priority to preserve our family time together. We do that by saying no to things that are more than we can take on, and by rotating through our easy family dinners. Keeping healthy food in our tummies helps us feel good, but we choose dinners that are easy to prepare so we still have some quality time as a family.

Pizza: Dinner Without the Guilt

Now typically we don’t consider pizza to be a healthy meal. But Papa John’s just came out with a gluten-free crust pizza that is actually pretty amazing. It’s made with ancient grains, including Sorghum, Teff, Amaranth, and Quinoa. The crust is thin and has lots of flavor, and the pizza has that great Papa John’s quality that we love. I’ve honestly never seen my little ones gobble pizza up the way they did this pizza. You may have seen my Facebook post about it.  Papa John's Gluten Free Crust is our favorite easy dinner without the guilt!

You know I love a bargain. We ordered our pizza online so we could use a promo code GLTN2T for a small 2-Topping Gluten-Free Crust Pizza $9.99. We picked it up from the store and the whole way home my little ones were talking about how excited they were for pizza.  

I’ve had gluten-free dough in the past and have found that some can be flaky or bland. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this pizza crust was very tasty!  

On busy weeknights, I feel better about not cooking a family dinner when I know it’s a healthier option like this pizza. We chose to add sausage and pepperoni since we were getting a 2-topping special. The price was just right and the pizza was delicious!  

Ordering online made it easy to customize our pizza.

First, navigate to the page for Papa John’s pizza with gluten-free crust. Then you just choose the cheese you want Add meat toppings, if desired   Than maybe some veggie toppings and that’s it! You click the button to add everything to your deal, and proceed to checkout just like any other online shopping experience.

Papa John’s has a variety of customizable options: square or round pizza, spicy or regular sausage, Parmesan Romano or 3-cheese blend… You can pick and choose what you want on your pizza to make it fit your taste, and with that ancient grains gluten-free crust you don’t have to feel guilty about it!

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What Teachers Want You To Know

This time of year, teachers and parents are all feeling like there is so much to be done before school starts! After chatting with a coworker in a similar situation, I thought I’d share with you what we talked about: What we really think is important at the beginning of the school year.

What Teachers Want You To Know

The beginning of every school year is so exciting! It’s a fresh start, with fresh supplies and new clothes. But when you get past those first few weeks, what is school all about? What do teachers think is important?  

Via Houston Chronicle

We Have Confidence in Your Child

One of the latest trends in education is the “growth mindset”. We all have room to grow somewhere in our lives. Successful, confident learners know that they have the skills to do great things. And guess what? Teachers believe that too. We know that each child has the stuff inside of him that he needs to use his whole potential. We’re just there to guide him down the path of world-changing awesomness.

We Care About Your Child As Much As You Do

A lot of teachers refer to their students as “my kids”. Last year I frequently found myself having to clarify, “No, not my personal kids, my sixth grade kids,” when I was talking with friends and family about life lately. Your child’s teacher probably has snacks in her cupboard alongside stickers and happy birthday pencils and bandaids.  

Via Not So Wimpy Teacher

We Want to Make School Fun

I know, it doesn’t always seem that way, but teachers know that happy, engaged kids are more likely to learn. When kids feel like what they’re learning is interesting, they buy in to the concept and it often sticks with them longer.
It’s So Easy To Help a School Out!

The thing is, those extra projects and activities are usually paid for out of the teacher’s pocket. In order to pull off that cool STEM activity or give kids hands-on experience with algebraic equations, teachers have to buy the materials. It’s not a big deal, we are usually excited to do it because we know how fun those materials will make school for our kids. If you want to help out in a big way, keep your eyes peeled for Box Tops and turn them in to the school. They can be found on a variety of products that you use every day.   

This week we grabbed some trash bags and slow cooker liners and, voila! Box Tops are right there on the side. You can also find Box Tops on Reynolds Kitchens™ products like Parchment Paper, Oven Bags, Slow Cooker Liners and Bakeware Pans. Hefty products with Box Tops include Trash Bags, Hefty Foam Plates and Hefty Cups.  

Right now, through August 29th, Reynolds Kitchens and Hefty Box Tops for Education are offering a sweepstakes. There will be 50 instant winners a day and 5 grand prize winners. Grand prize winners will each receive $1,000 in Box Tops for their school. Enter at this link for a chance to win big for your school!  

Teachers and parents, what do you want your kids to know as they go back to school?

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Teaching your Kids to Live Naturally

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

one way to live naturally is to get outdoors more and spend time in nature!

Last week I went as a counselor to my school’s 6th grade camp. We had a blast by the beach while learning about San Diego’s environment and habitat. Campers explored the jetty looking for sea life, and a few boys even dared each other to LICK a sea anemone! The bummer was that I had to leave my cell phone and laptop at home (gasp!), which really made me think about how digitally-dependent my family has become. During those days at camp I got to be like a kid again and live naturally.  

After several days out in the fresh air and sunshine, I’ve decided to make some changes at home. It’s important to me that my children appreciate living close to nature. Along with this, they need to learn a respect for the environment and their bodies.   we help our kids to live naturally by growing our own veggies and flowers

3 ways to teach kids to live naturally

Start a Family Garden

How cool is this idea for growing squash in a planter box?

One of the best ways to encourage kids to eat veggies is by working as a family to grow them. We started a little garden on our back patio a few weeks back.

Unfortunately, the plants got gobbled up by birds. I’ve learned a thing or two about protecting your garden from winged intruders now, so look out for a garden post soon once I get round 2 growing again!

AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner contains naturally derived cleansers and a sulfate free formula that gently cleans your hair and scalp

Shop products with better-for-you ingredients

When I was at Walmart last week I came across this great sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner in the hair care section. AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner contains naturally derived cleansers and a sulfate free formula that gently cleans your hair and scalp. I like knowing what I’m putting in and on my body, and that I’m taking steps toward a healthy lifestyle. Using this digital coupon, you can get AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner for $1 off (excluding travel sizes).   

Show your kids how much fun outdoor play can be

Every once in awhile it’s great to go outside and just have fun as a family. Anywhere you can find some open space, there is bound to be something you can do with your kids.

We love to explore new creeks. It's one way we work as a family to live naturally

Some ideas for outdoor fun are:

  • Have a water fight
  • Go bird watching
  • Draw with sidewalk chalk
  • Blow bubbles
  • Jump rope
  • Visit a nature preserve
  • Hunt for bugs
  • Play catch
  • Go on a hike
  • Visit a “U-Pick” farm
  • Make a bird feeder
  • Collect leaves
  • Make s’mores  

Basically, kids of all ages will get a kick out of playing outdoor games, just because they love hanging out with their parents!

The drawback to when you live naturally by playing outdoors is how dirty kids get when they’re busy enjoying nature. NEW sulfate free all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® delivers a powerful clean without harshness. All sulfate free gives your laundry a powerful clean without all the harshness My new detergent has a sulfate-free formula that lifts even the toughest stains by infusing effective, proven, essential ingredients into the fabric. I got my deep-cleaning all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® at Walmart, way up on the top shelf. Don’t forget the coupon for $.50 off one (1) all® product (while supplies last).

We’re enjoying making decisions to benefit our family’s health. Doing more gardening, playing outdoors, and switching to sulfate-free products like all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® and AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner are how I create a better-for-us lifestyle for me and my family.   some of my favorite sulfate-free products: All Fresh Clean Essentials and Aveeno Pure Renewal! Whenever possible, I substitute a milder/more natural ingredient for the one we were using. I love these products because they are better for our skin. I want to protect my kids from irritation and dryness, so I wash their laundry with all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS®. My AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner is better for my hair and helps with skin irritation.

Are you ready to join me in a better-for-you lifestyle and make the switch to sulfate-free products like all® fresh clean ESSENTIALS® and AVEENO PURE RENEWAL® Shampoo and Conditioner?

Have you thought about what ingredients are going in and on your body? In this post I share some ideas to live naturally as a family. Don't miss my tips on fun things to do with kids outdoors too! #FreeOfSulfates [ad]

Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag

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

A lot of our summer, we’re going out as a family on carefully planned trips and events. But some days, we totally change up our plans and go out for some super summer fun unexpectedly. That’s why I always keep a “grab and go summer fun” bag packed just in case we *need* to do something crazy and adventurous at the last minute. Besides, what is summer for if you’re not running off on spontaneous day trips?  

Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag Must-Haves:

Sunscreen

One thing I always have with me is sunscreen. I prefer to use the waterproof stuff for beach trips. But if we’re not planning to get soaked, it can make my skin feel greasy and gooey. A friend recently recommended this Neutrogena® Sheer Zinc™ SPF 50 Lotion sunscreen and I am absolutely in love. I got mine at Target, where you can also get a 2oz. size of face lotion that is a perfect fit for your purse. When you choose sunscreen, make sure it’s got that UVA/UVB sun protection, also called broad spectrum. This Neutrogena Sheer Zinc has just that, plus it’s gentle on sensitive skin. They call it “sheer zinc” because it’s made with naturally-sourced zinc oxide. That sounds good for you skin, doesn’t it?   

Snacks

I swear, my kids are bottomless pits. I’m baffled at how skinny they are when they’re constantly asking for snacks. My bag is stocked with kid-friendly snacks like crackers, granola bars, and those fruit pouch squeezie thingies.  

Towels

We rarely have unplanned beach trips, but we have had plenty of outings that resulted in soaking wet kiddos.  
We took a last-minute road trip last summer that had us at Lake Tahoe at one point. One stop was at grandpa’s place, in the wide open countryside of Modoc county. When you’re hanging out creekside in the middle of nowhere, it’s nice to have a towel handy.  

Water

Hydration is important, especially on those hot summer days. We usually leave the house with a water bottle or two, but it’s always a good idea to have one stashed in the grab and go summer fun bag for when those run out. And speaking of water, did you know that Neutrogena Sheer Zinc is also sweat and water resistant for 80 minutes? That’s almost how much time I have in between the demands for more snacks coming from my 3 littles!

Book or Magazine

Wishful thinking, I know, But there’s always the off chance that the kids will be grossly entertained by something that doesn’t require mom’s help every second. Last summer I was into home and garden type magazines. This year I’m reading a book on how to start using my “big girl panties” and stop being such a weenie. True story. 😉

Diapers

This one may not apply to all moms, but we are still in the diaper phase, although hopefully not for much longer! I tuck a few extra diapers in my summer fun bag in case for whatever reason our adventures outlast the diapers I’ve already got in the car, my purse, in the stroller basket… 😉  

Tips for Prepping your Grab and Go Summer Fun Bag

The great thing about having a ready-to-go bag for spontaneous day trips is that doing a little advanced planning actually saves you time and money. You’ll have more time to spend having fun family adventures when you have all your stuff packed and ready to go. Plus, vending machines and tourist spots can charge ridiculous prices for snacks and drinks. There is a special deal that works either in store and online, where you get a $5 Target GiftCard when you buy $15 of sun care – so I did! 😉 

This meant the kids’ snacks I got were practically free. This only worked because I got a special deal for buying the Neutrogena Sheer Zinc™, which is fine with me because I was going to buy it anyway! I actually wear it on top of my makeup and I seriously can’t tell it’s even there. 

I use sunscreen all year long because it’s always sunny in Southern California and I like the SPF 50 to combat the strong Cali sinshine. Where you’re living, would Neutrogena Sheer Zinc SPF 30 or SPF 50 be your SPF of choice?

Ideas for a grab and go summer fun bag - always be ready for an adventure!

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Hi, I’m Nikki!

I'm Nikki, a lover of coffee, chef for 6, elementary teacher, and expert in the art of wrangling twins. I'm also a working mom with a passion for having fun and keeping a cozy home. Come along with me on the journey of a joyful mom! Learn More…

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