Summer is here! I’m excited for the warm weather and weekends at the cottage. I’m less thrilled about entertaining all three of my boys at home for two months. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite things for summer that will keep me sane, my kids entertained and my family prepared for the warm weather….
American Tourister Luggage
I recently went on a trip to Disney World and I traveled with my new American Tourister Luggage. While it was carry-on size, it was large enough to fit my multiple outifts, shoes, hair straightenere, toiletries and gifts for a four day trip… so A LOT of stuff. I loved the fun Disney themed design and that it can be pulled or rolled on all four wheels. It’s fun, stylish, large and made of great quality material. You won’t need to worry about anything breaking or ripping (and who wants to worry about that when traveling!?!?). So whether you’re planning a family getaway vacation this summer or just going on a road trip up to cottage country, I would highly recommend the American Tourister Luggage for your traveling needs.
Keurig K200
Coffee! I love coffee. I can’t start my day without one and before it’s over, I usually have another. Almost all parents I know need coffee to start their day. I recently received the new Oasis coloured single-served Keurig K200. I’m excited to bring it up with us next weekend when we open up the cottage. For some reason, coffee at the cottage is even “sweeter”. I guess sitting on the dock watching the water while sipping a warm cup is what Canadian dreams are made of. The Keurig K200 has a compact design and classy colours. It fits great in small spaces and adds a splash of colour to your kitchen, office or wherever else you enjoy your coffee!
Alba Botanica Skin Care
As a parent, I’m always on the hunt for natural-based products for my kids. I was recently introduced to Alba Botanica sunscreens and I’m a big fan of the kid lotion spray. Unlike most natural children sunscreens, Alba Botanica is not as thick and difficult to apply to fidgety kids. Its highly emollient, moisturizing and fast-absorbing. I’m particularly fond of the lotion spray feature. It includes great skin comforting ingredients like lavender, aloe leaf, calendula flower, ginseng and gingko baloba among others. There’s a similar version made specifically for adults. If you’re looking for a great sunscreen, I would recommend that you pick these up for the summer. (Available at Well.ca)
Live Clean (baby) Sunscreen
I’ve already written about how much I like Live Clean baby products. I’ve often use the baby soap myself because of it’s amazing scent. I was excited to try out the new mineral sunscreen as Live Clean is a brand that I know and trust. While it does go on thick, the sunscreen is perfect for a baby’s delicate and gentle skin. It’s non-nano (no small particles that can be absorbed into baby’s bloodstream) and plant derived; free of SLS/Sulfates, Petrolatum, DEA, Parabens, Silicone, Phthalates and Phosphates.
Gazillion Bubbles Triple Bubble Blaster
What kid doesn’t love bubbles? I know my three are obsessed. We play with them in the backyard and when we remember, we bring them with us to the park; it’s always sure to draw a crowd from other bubble-loving little humans. The Gazillion Bubbles Triple Bubble Blaster creates three times the bubbles. While my kids found it tricky to dip each of the three wands in the tray, they loved pressing the (battery-operated) button to create the gazillion bubbles. This is a fun toy year round, but especially in the summer. (Available at Toys R Us)
Booger Balls Ultimate Battle Pack
I’ll admit that the name alone got me intrigued. I am a mom of three boys after all. The boys were so excited to try out this game but I made them wait until the weather was a little warmer as I knew it would get messy and wet. Just as the name suggests, this is an ooey, gooey, slime-filled Booger Ball battle! While I did find it somewhat challenging to create perfect bogger balls, the slime mixture was easy to handle and grab from the bucket, even if it wasn’t perfectly round. The boys had a lot of fun throwing it at each other and I didn’t worry about anyone crying as it’s gentle on the skin / clothes. The deck did get a little slippery, so watch out for that. The Ultimate Battle Pack creates a whopping 90 Booger Balls in 3 different colors – RevoltingRed, Gross Green and Yucky Yellow! (Available at Walmart Canada)
BabyBjorn Gear
Baby Shower season is upon us but so is spring & summer. That’s why a baby carrier is a great gift for someone that’s expecting. I loved my BabyBjorn carrier and used it with all three boys. In fact, Ryan loved being carried in it even when he was THREE (he barely fit). It came in handy when my kids were fussy and just wanted to be held but I still needed access to both of my hands and wanted to relief some body strain. It’s one of my favourite gifts that I received when we had Kyle and it’s a gift that I love to give too. I’m obsessed with the new watercolour collection (one of which is pictured below) and they are available in Canada exclusively through Snuggle Bugz.
Baby Self Feeding Book
While my baby days might be over, I still enjoy speaking to other new or first-time-moms about my experience. All three of my kids began eating solids at 6 months; Nathan, my third son, started even sooner around 5 months. With Kyle, I gave him pureed food and as you do with each kid, I became more relaxed and learned more. So when it was time to introduce solids to Nate, I gave him a mixture of puree food and non-puree food. I learned a lot about the benefits of self feeding and I was (mostly) ready to give it go. Ultimately, it wasn’t difficult (in fact, it was easier to coordinate and think about the meals that I needed to prepare) and I wish I just went for it 100%. If you’re curious about baby self feeding and its benefits, you need to check out this great Baby Self Feeding book. $18.49 (Amazon)
GIVEAWAY
I’ve partnered up with these great brands so you can enjoy some of my favourite things for the summer too! Enter to win a Keurig K200 coffee brew system ($99 value), Alba Botanica Skin Care package ($50 value), the booger balls battle pack ($24.96) and the baby self feeding book ($18.49). Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest is open to all residents of Canada. Contest ends Wednesday June 22, 2016.
i have a ZOKU iced coffee maker, which i just love! It also makes iced tea super quick
We love our popsicle maker for summer. It’s nothing fancy, but the kids make all sorts of great tasting combinations to cool off during the heat!
honeslty its hats we cannot put sunscreen in our hair so hats are a must
I’m going to have to say that Keurig coffee maker. We are currently without a coffee maker right now and that would make my summer wonderful. Lots of lazy mornings outside with the kids and a coffee.
I love our ice shaver machine and ice cream machine, both well used during the hot summer days!
So far this summer our favourite is simply ball & glove. We don’t leave home without it, bring them everywhere for classic game of catch.
I love my blender for making smoothies and cocktails during the summer.
Sandals. My feet prefer no socks and feeling the breeze in between my toes.
Sandals make me happy. 😉
Our favourite summer product is anything water related…bathing suits, pool toys, goggles and of course a good sunscreen to keep the kiddos protected. I have heard great reviews on the Alba Botanica products!
My favourite summer product is the Zoku popsicle maker and Sunzone sunscreen.
I took the travel quiz and would say the results are in the middle….not totally me, but not not me lol. I got the black Keurig!
Sunscreen. We burn easily since we are so fair!
My quiz results was the Turquoise but I am liking the Plum Grey one.
My favourite summer product is the Bubble maker,yes im a big kid and it brings hours and hours of unlimited fun
I took the Quiz,i got OASIS active and funny
My favourite summer gear is sunscreen. We love going to the lake, canoeing and fishing. We also love to blow bubbles and draw on the sidewalks with caulk.
My favourite summer product is the long sleeved rashguards we bought our daughters on our trip to Hawaii. They are super-duper sun safe, so when they wear them we don’t need to put any sunscreen on their arms and torsos. I love that I can send them out into the sun safely, and that I can save time and sunscreen by not having to do their whole bodies.
p.s. I LOVE that Mickey Mouse suitcase!! 🙂
I have a Zoku popsicle maker. I have to say, before I got one I was super skeptical. However. It is one of the best things I own! 10 minute popsicles FTW!
My Keurig personality is Black – Strong and Determined. Sounds about right!
I love our blender. We fill it with ice and our cocktail ingredients, and we have a drink we can sip on while sitting on the deck
Water balloons are my favorite . Always a blast with my little ones . ( I also really really love my coffee maker lol )
I got peacock blue . It absolutely suits me
The quiz results say Turquoise, the description does fit me – Carefree & Casual.
My favourite summer gear…. I would say my Ninja Food Processor to make ice cappos. I just love those things!
i took the keurig quiz and it says Black, determined and independent. Lately i’m becoming more independent. so i guess it does fit
We love our shaved ice machine!
My result was Peacock Blue – have to say, that’s a good result for me, I love it!
My favourite summer product would definitely be my sunscreen.
My result was Peacock Blue and yes it was close as I really like a challenge.
Maxi dresses are a fave right now!
All of those pretty colours and my quiz results say Black lol
For my grandkids it would be the Gazillion Bubbles Triple Bubble Blaster, they’d have a ton of fun with that and for me personally it would be summer clothes, to at last get out of all that winter gear and feel light, happy and free, marvellous
In the quiz I got the OASIS K200 BREWING SYSTEM, I do like the colour but was hoping for red as that’s my favourite colour.
My favourite summer product is the sprinkler, yes I love running through it on hot days, so cooling!!
For the quiz I got White..calm and graceful
My daughter’s favorites: Puffing Gear hats! Made in Canada and simply awesome!
We bought a new bike for my daughter and she loves it! She has finally got the hang of biking.
I did the quiz and got black. It sounds right: Independent and Determined.
We love our smoothie maker for a icy and healthy drink!
My favourite summer product is a maxi dress
My result was Imperial Red! I love red!
For summer I need lots of flip flops, sun screen and dresses. I like the bunchoballoons, I keep seeing them, going to get them for my kids!
I got sandy pearl, which is nice but I much prefer the look of serenity
I like my Davids Tea iced tea maker.
I got peacock blue and it sounds about right.
Definitely sunglasses! The girls have so many cute ones. I on the other hand keep losing them!
My favourite kitchen appliance in the summer is my blender for making all those smoothies and some wonderful adult only slushies. 🙂 Also couldn’t live without our canoe and being out on the water.
Hmm…. I got black. And I love colour so not sure how that happened. But designers do say that every room needs some black
There’s so many things!! We love our bullet for making fresh fruit slushys especially strawberry right now (yummy) and our little pool we just put up to stay nice and cool! And the kids really love their water table.
My favourite summer gear is a bottle full of water balloons that I bought for my son. We fill the bottle with water and it has a spray nozzle that he can use to fill the balloons. I don’t have to leave the hose running and it works so well for him.
Peacock Blue. I think it’s a good match. Curious and Adventurous.
I like my beach chair.
I like my blender for making some awesome cool drinks to sip at poolside
…..but I am wishing that Keurig into my life at the moment in that beautiful
Peacock Blue color!!The gift gods have to hear me because I am begging
and whining for one! Ha ha 🙂
I took the quiz and I got Turquoise Blue which is perfect because
it’s me…curious and adventurous!!
My favorite product is sunscreen. I burn easily and being out in the sun a lot so this is a must.
Took the quiz and got Serenity
Sunscreen is my favourite summer product. If I don’t have sunscreen I get burnt so bad that I can’t enjoy anything.
My favorite summer products are shades, sunscreen, cooler and air conditioner.
My result was plum grey
def would be a Keurig200!!! I hadn’t realized how much I would miss mine when I went away!
The Keurig.
My favorite summer product is my crock sandals for sure… as soon as its warm enough out they come
Sunglasses and sunscreen for sure!
I got peacock blue. 🙂
that would be my air conditioner my mobile home gets too hot
We don’t have anything special other than a dollar store popsicle maker! We make juice popsicles for our grandchildren to enjoy in the warm weather in our backyard!
I am a plum grey kinda gal!
I love your mickey bag ! mines a duffle bag but i always use it when i travel !
My favourite summer product is our ice cream maker.
I did the quiz and got Pantone Serenity..a little like me
favorite summer product my sunglasses
i got plum grey and it is totally me
My favourite summer product would have to be my blender! I love making my own homemade mocha ice capps almost every day.
I got Peacock Blue – curious & adventurous! and it’s totally me 🙂
My favorite summer gear is a cute sundress!
My Phil & Ted stroller is my fav piece of equipment during the summer. Easy to pack up the kids and enjoy walks on the trails.
My fave summer product is moroccan oil curl defining cream.
I got plum grey. Passionate and sophisticated is definitely me!
I would have to say my fav summer product is my fly screen!
I have a snow cone machine that we all love!
My favorite product right now is My sunscreen and I also live water games.
the Booger Balls Ultimate Battle Pack sounds fun
My favorite summer gear is a wide brim hat.
I got peacock blue. fits me!
Sun screen sunglasses and a hat are my best gear for summer
The Keuirg test gave me black Personally I would have picked the peacock blue but the pictures match my personality
i love using our ice shaver machine. we like to make snow cones and halo halo (filipino dessert)
I LOVE OUR Tommy Bahama outdoor lounge chairs, to relax in the backyard 🙂
I took the quiz and got black – independent and determined.. I wouldn’t really agree with that tho 🙂
I bought a pair of flip flops by the North Face about four years ago, they seemed expensive but I really liked them. I have worn them every summer since and they have held up, they look new.
I did the quiz, my result is Pantone Serenity. A lot of that calm describes me but I certainly have my bad days where there is zero serenity!!
I would definitely have to say my blender for making yummy smoothies and daquiris 🙂
I am Oasis which totally sounds like it matches my persona 🙂 seems very calming and plus I LOVE that color
one thing that is all the rage at our house is battle balloons.
Our great sprinkler is our favourite to cool off.
My favourite summer product is my Jergens Natural Glow moisturizer. For some reason my legs are always 8 shades lighter than the rest of my body so this helps them blend in a little better 🙂 Incredible prize pack! I love the BabyBjorn carrier for my boys! The new new watercolour collection is beautiful!
My Travel personality quiz result is Peacock Blue. I’d say we’re a good match 🙂
My favourite thing is a wide brimmed hat
My favourite item is my pair of jean shorts!
My favourite summer thing is my suitcase (it is well used) because it means another summer adventure is close by!
My favourite summer product is my Yonanas.
I got Turquoise on the test. I think it does describe me somewhat.
Nothing beats iced coffee on a hot summer day! (currently obsessed with Cold Brew)
SPF. I got Serenity
SPF and ice cream.
I have Turquoise, which I think fits somewhat.
sunscren is a must for us
It’s always sunscreen, we couldn’t make it through the summer without it!
We love our ice cream maker, and of course sunscreen is super important as we are white and pasty lol
I got plum grey. I’m not sure if that fits, but its probably the colour that I would choose as they don’t have red lol
I love stylish sun hats and sunglasses in the summer.
I have a Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker that I love to use during the summer! Homemade Ice Cream when it is hot out is the best!
I got Peacock Blue, not sure if I would pick that colour but then again maybe I would for a splash of colour.
Any piece of sporting equipment that we can play around with outside!
I got turquoise which my slightly fit.
It would have to be all the new nail polish colours I got
We love all of our outside toys 🙂
My favourite summer gear is our water guns
the quiz gave me Sandy Pearl, sound exotic not at all like me
I got Plum Grey on my quiz. I think it suits me…it would be the one I’d choose for my kitchen too 🙂
My favourite summer item is Sunscreen. Always wear it.
My result from taking the quiz is Plum Grey.
My result from taking the quiz is Plum Grey. I think it matches my personality.
I love Old Navy flip flops!
For summer, I really love carrying a hand fan with me to keep cool.
I took the quiz and I am a white, calm & graceful. It’s fairly accurate.
Salt water sandals are one of my summers must haves.
Mine was Plum Grey. I don’t think it’s me at all.
my sunscreen and lip balm are my favs
My favourite product is sunscreen
sunscreen ofc since the summer is gonna get messy with the son dawg :v
My favourite summer product is my ice cram maker.
My result was peacock blue.
My favorite summer gear right now is a vintage bike that I just got! It’s been years since I rode a bike…
Our favorite summer item are sunglasses.
My favorite product is sunscreen.
I would definitely have to say the sunscreen and luggage.
My favorite summer item is our sprinkler. It’s so much fun to run through it with the kids.
~Jonnie
My favourite is flip flops
I think my air conditioner is probably my favorite summer item! haha
My favorite is water misting fan.
I am peacock blue which I like but I don’t think I would choose.
i’m plum grey. i can be calm most times lol
We love our water guns.
My favourite summer gear is life jackets and pool toys. We spend a lot of time boating and swimming so comfortable life jackets for our three littles is a must!
i love my ice maker
My favourite summer gear is our giant donut pool float. It’s a fan favourite for all the kids in our family when we bring it over to my sister’s place/pool.
I took the Keurig quiz and got white: calm and graceful.
I would absolutely love any and all of these but my three girls are obsessed with the Booger Balls!
My favourite summer product is the Burts Bee aloe and linsen flower after Sun soother. It’s great for everyone and is very soothing and moisturizing – a must have after spending a day out in the sun!
For the Keurig quiz, I got Serenity for peaceful and zen. I would say it matches my personality!