Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

13.5.14

Summer Fun Family Travel Guide 2014 Begins Soon #summertravelguide

Hi all! School will be out soon and the kiddos will be home all day, every day. I'm excited to have both my boys home, but I know after a week or so, we'll be going insane and looking for things to do. That's why I decided to put together a list of fun travel ideas for the entire family. I'm putting it all together now and we'll have some great reviews, giveaways and other travel features for our readers all summer long.

Our Summer Family Travel Guide will officially kick-off at the end of the month and I'm so excited to not only share our adventures with readers, but give you a chance to visit the same places and have some fun, too.

Stay tuned! Summer will be here before you know it!


Sponsors Still Needed
We are still seeking sponsors to add to our roster for the Summer Travel Guide. If you have a great summer activity idea you'd like to include or know someone who does, please email us at childrenteachingmama@gmail.com! We'll be closing the list in a week, so get those requests in soon.

9.4.14

Find The Perfect Swimsuit With Hapari Swimwear & $100 Gift Card Giveaway

The weather here in Georgia is slowing warming up and we've had some high temperatures the past few weekends. After all of the snow we've had this year, I'm so happy to see the sunshine and to spend more time outdoors. We enjoy spending time at our pool, going to the lake and going to the beach! We'll be at the beach in only a few weeks, so I've been excited to begin my yearly search for a new swimsuit. I have to admit, as I get older, finding the perfect swimsuit has become much more difficult. In fact, just this morning I was listening to the radio and heard other women complaining about the exact same thing! It seems like they either cover too little or too much these days, so when I started looking at Hapari Swimwear, I was blown away by their beautiful swimwear.

Hapari was founded in 2005 by moms who had the same issues with traditional swimsuits that I currently have! They believe women shouldn't have to choose between the perfect style and the perfect fit, so they created swimwear for real women that is not only fashionable, but flattering. I worked with Hapari about two years ago and, as soon as I recently revisited the website, I immediately noticed how much the line of swimwear has not only changed, but expanded. I was blown away by the beautiful choices and had the most difficult decision of choosing one swimsuit. With traditional swimsuits, I have trouble finding any that I love, but I found several that I wanted on the Hapari website.

After a week of debating, I finally decided on the Denim Tile Twist Bikini Top. Two years ago, I chose a Tankini style swimsuit, but I'm finally back to my pre-pregnancy weight and ready for a bikini. Hapari has several different swimsuit types, including one-piece, push-up bikini tops, bandeau and more. In addition, there are many different designs and patterns. You can choose from a variety of solid colors or designs that fit your tastes. My favorite color is blue, so when I saw the Denim Tile Twist Bikini Top, I knew that was the one for me. There were 3 different matching bottoms from which to choose, too! The Denim Tile Cali Bikini Bottom is what I chose because it is such a unique design and I love the how the yellow meshes so well with the blue. Usually, that would conclude my swimsuit shopping, but nope, not with Hapari because they also have matching cover-up shorts, skirts and wraps! I just had to splurge for the Denim Tile Straight Swim Skirt.
After placing my order, I was excited to receive it only a few days later! As you can see in the photo, the swimwear is true to size and fits perfectly! The top has plenty of room and covers everything very well, so I don't have to worry about playing on the beach with my kids or riding the waves! I feel completely comfortable with my body and the swimsuit, which is a definite plus and what Hapari is all about. The skirt is much more comfy than shorts and matches perfectly with the top, so I can wear it down to the beach or to the pool. In fact, I can just leave it on if I want because it is made of the same material as the swimsuit. Another thing I love about Hapari is that there are several other Denim Tile style swimsuits, such as the tankini and string bikini, so I can easily add pieces to my collection. There are other colors and styles that match well with the colors, too, so mixing and matching are possible, too.

As I mentioned, I had a tough time deciding on a swimsuit because they have so many great styles, but this one is, by far, my most favorite swimsuit in years! Not only are there many different styles, but they now have underwire options, push-up tops and Tummy Tuk bottoms! Plus, all of the swimwear is affordable and we don't have to spend an arm and a leg for a beautiful new swimsuit. I cannot say enough about Hapari and that's why I am so excited to offer this great giveaway for our readers!

Ready For A Giveaway?
One Lucky Reader Will Receive A $100 Gift Code For Hapari.com!

23.5.13

Top 5 Savings for Summer

I am so excited to announce the beginning of summer for us. Josiah's last day of school was yesterday and the boys could not be more excited. Every summer we spend a great amount of time on the go and this summer is already filled with excited adventures for our entire family. Summer can also mean spending money. My husband can see the dollar signs flash before his eyes, I am sure, so I do what I can to save money. There are many great ways to save during the summer and I wanted to share my top five ideas!

Fashion
Each summer I end up buying myself a new wardrobe. I can never resist a new swimsuit and a few new outfits for our beach vacations. Mango promotions online has us covered this year with some great discount codes on clothing and much more. I've learned never to pay full price for items and love finding great discounts. Need some new clothes, too? Now's the time to check out the great deals and go for it.

Holiday
Going on vacation this summer like us? Save money in a very unique way this year by renting a home or apartment. When we visited Italy, we searched online for rental apartments in the area, so we were able to find a bigger space for our money. Four of us traveled together from Germany to Italy and our apartment was not only spacious, but right in the middle of town, so we were able to be right in the mix of everything. Not only did we save money, but we also had an amazing time. This is such a great alternative to hotels. You can also list your home for free while on holiday and make money when others stay at your own home!

Cards for Father's Day
Father's Day is on Sunday, June 16th this year and my boys have already been planning gifts for him. We have actually already planned a birthday/Father's Day party that Sunday and saved money by renting a pavilion at our local park. The boys have decided to buy their Papa a new football, which will be perfect for our time at the park. In addition, we found 3 for 2 on cards at MoonPig.com, so not only did we get a card for my husband, but also for my father and my husband's.

Kids
During the summer, we spend a great deal of time outdoors. Plus, Josiah's birthday falls in June, so this is the time of year we do much of our shopping. Did you know there is a Lego Sale and up to 50% off at Toys R Us? The gift my son has requested for months now is the Lord of the Rings Battle of Helm's Deep Lego set. Don't tell him, but I got it... for less than $100! I saved well over $30 on this set and was absolutely amazed. I cannot wait to see his face when he opens this gift.

Suncare
Josiah is a redhead and, if you have red hair or a child that does, you know this pretty much ensures pink sunburned skin in the summer. The poor boy burns so easily, unlike his brother who immediately tans when in the sun. This is why I have to stock up on sunscreen at the beginning of the summer. Yes, sunscreen can get expensive, especially name-brands, but do not pay full price. You can find up to Half Price savings at Superdrug.

How do you plan to save money this summer? We are going to the beach twice, to an aquarium, visiting grandparents and also going to Six Flags, so we need all the help we can get with expenses. Thankfully we've found so many great deals so far!

10.5.13

Spray 'N Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park Giveaway

Welcome to the Spray 'n Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park Giveaway hosted by Sweet Silly Sara, Sublime Media Connection, It's Free At Last, Simplified Saving, With a Side Of Thriftiness, and The Adventures of My Family of 8.
The Spray 'n Splash 2 brings all the fun of a the water park to your backyard. This inflatable will bring hours upon hours of enjoyment to your family and it will save you time and money. Imagine not having to spend a lot of time in the car, a lot of money on gas or admission to a water park and still hearing  delighted laughter from your kids. The Spray 'n Splash 2 from Blast Zone can accomplish all of that and then some.
This is a durable, high quality inflatable that is super easy to set up. Within minutes you can have this inflatable water park set up and ready for summer fun with your family. The fun doesn't have to end when swimming season does. You can add play balls to the pool area and create super sliding ball pit style fun for your kids, making this a great multi-season source of recreation. Sweet Silly Sara had the chance to review this really cool product from Blast Zone. You can check out her review and find out if this product lived up to her expectations of family fun by clicking here. One very lucky reader is going to win the Spray 'n Splash 2  inflatable water park just in time for summer! This giveaway begins on 5/10/13 and ends on 5/17/13. This prize is valued at $299.99. The participating bloggers are not responsible for the delivery of this prize, the sponsor Blast Zone will handle shipment of the Spray 'n Splash 2. Blast Zone offers a variety of commercial inflatables and bounce houses in assorted sizes and prices to bring endless hours of fun to your family. This giveaway is in no way affiliated with Facebook. I hereby release Facebook from any possible liabilities.

Ready for a Giveaway?
WInner of this giveaway will receive a Spray 'n Splash 2 Inflatable Water Park ($299.99 Retail Value) from Blast Zone!

23.2.13

Chichanella Bella Vintage Inspired Swimwear Free Shipping Coupon Code #usfamilyblogger


Chichanella Bella is a Vintage Inspired Swimwear Company for babies and children. This collection reflects influences of the 1920's through the 1970's. Ruffles, flowers, polka dots and stripes give this vintage inspired swimwear line for babies and children a nostalgic feel. Paired with matching bonnets adorned with ruffles, flowers and bows, the swimsuits carry such whimsical names as Rowboat Rosie, Cotton Candy, Lifeguard Lu Lu and Diving Daisy. Thoughtful touches such as snap bottoms, hand rolled rosettes and UPF 50+ rated fabrics are just some of the details that make this collection distinct. 
For a limited time, receive FREE Shipping On Your Order with Code: FREE SHIPFG
For more information click on the link below.
All Suits Made in the U.S.A.

13.8.12

Summer's Not Over Yet! Make The Most Our Of Summer With Embassy Suites


It's now August and many kids are back in school or starting within the next 2 weeks. I want to let you know that summer is NOT over! It's still officially summer and you need to enjoy every minute of the beautiful warm weather because, before you know it, the air will be chilly and snow will fall. I get cold just thinking about it. We definitely made the most out of the summer vacation time as a family and had such a wonderful time!
Playing Putt-Putt at the beach!
This summer we took several trips to many places near and far. We went to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for our beach vacation with Granny and Pop. Liam loves the beach and could play in the sand all day with Ry! We stayed for an entire week, which was so great for Papa to be off of work the whole time and ready to play with the kids. We also took a weekend trip to Buckhead, a part of Atlanta, Georgia, with the kiddos for a visit to LegoLand Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza. Josiah is a huge Lego fan, so imagine his face when we walked into a place filled with Legos! As a bonus part of our weekend trip, we were able to stay at Embassy Suites, which just made this trip awesome because the room was huge and had more than enough room for 2 kids and 2 adults! The boys didn't know what to think when they walked into our room.
Our gorgeous bedroom at Embassy Suites (only half of the suite)!
How are you making the most out of your summer vacation? Speaking of Embassy Suites, they teamed up with Dr. Biali, who encourages vacationing and suggests some great ways to get the most out of your summer vacation time! She has some amazing tips that I completely agree with, including to actually relax during your vacation. I remember when I was younger my mom had to plan out every little detail. Instead, it's best to have some down time, relax and actually enjoy your vacation time. Don't overdo it or you will go home even more exhausted than before and that just totally defeats the purpose, right?
Josiah relaxing by the pool at Embassy Suites in Buckhead
Summer may be winding down, but there is still time to plan a vacation! You could even plan a special end-of-summer mini-vacation or back-to-school vacation to get the kids excited about returning to school. Dr. Biali also suggests turning a family obligation into a mini-vacation, which is something we often do. With this tip in mind, I decided to plan a mini-vacation with my oldest son, Josiah, next weekend! A high school friend is having a baby shower in Athens, Georgia and I am taking Josiah along for an overnight trip! Instead of just going to the baby shower, I am going to take him to the University of Georgia campus (my Alma Mater) and show him where I went to school, go eat at my favorite restaurants, and go to the Botanical Gardens for a hike. We are also going to stay with my friends and visit his Great Grandmother! He is so excited about this trip and now so am I. This will be the perfect trip before school begins and I think he'll be ready.
On the Road! Summer is definitely not over for us!
Are you going to plan a trip before the end of summer? I suggest checking to see if there is an Embassy Suites in the area because this hotel is an amazing family-friendly hotel that really helps you get more out of your vacation time. The Embassy Suites we stayed at in Atlanta had 2 pools, a hot tub, and a beautiful lobby. Plus, they have Manager's Receptions every night with free drinks/appetizers and we were able to get room service from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. We took advantage of that and the kids loved it!

Want to Win a Vacation?
There is still a great deal of time to enter the "366 Days of More" Sweepstakes on the Embassy Suites Facebook Page to win 2 free nights, one for yourself and one for a friend! Enter from now until February 28th, 2013! Also, be sure to follow Embassy Suites on Twitter to keep up with all the latest news!


Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in an Ambassador Program by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Embassy Suites Hotels and received a one-night complimentary stay at an Embassy Suites Hotel to facilitate my reviews and a promotional item to thank me the taking the time to participate.

28.6.12

Save Money By Finding Great Coupons & Promo Codes This Summer

The kids are officially out of school for the summer, which means many things for our family: vacations, traveling, keeping kids entertained and staying on the go! All of these activities mean I will be spending money, money, money. I am sure all of you can relate to this issue and, if you are on a budget like me, spending money is not something you take lightly. However, there are many ways to offset all of the money spent on traveling and activities. I try to save money whenever and where ever I can!

It's true, you can get great coupons & promo codes for cheap deals online to help you save money! CouponCodes offers a variety of great promos so you can make the most of your vacation time without going broke. Now that I use coupon codes, I can save so much money on the items we really need. There is one thing I have learned: never buy anything at retail value!

We are actually leaving for the beach this weekend, so I had to stock  up on several items, including sunscreen, beach towels and even a mini grill for us to cookout on the beach for the 4th of July holiday! I found great coupons for Sears, including a sale on sandals, something I really need, and up to 50% off warm weather gear. With temperatures over 100 degrees here, we definitely need some new clothes and items to help keep cool!

How are you saving money this summer? Leave a comment below with your helpful hints on how to save. Also, be sure to sign up for the CouponCodes newsletter when looking for great deals. You will receive all the latest deals from your favorite retailers straight to your inbox

21.5.12

Mother's Day Gift Guide: The Sunglass Man Online Review & Giveaway

sunglass man
My hubby has to have sunglasses…. for him it is an absolute necessity. However, he tends to lose and break them quite often which means I don’t want him spending tons of money on them. And so that is why I was pleased to find The Sunglass Man Online. Finally lots of options and at affordable prices too – makes for a happy wife.
The Sunglass Man Online was originally a walk in store located in the exclusive Siesta Key Village on the Gulf Coast of Florida. In 1999 they made the jump to the internet where they have been selling affordable and fashionable sunglasses ever since. Dustin was excited to pick out a pair of glasses from their huge selection which includes sunglasses for the entire family. He ended up choosing a pair of sunglasses very similar to Ray Ban Sunglasses, but at a fraction of the cost.
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Dustin was very pleased when his sunglasses arrived. These Ray Ban replicas are semi rimless with a sleek classic style – especially the angular frame and arms. They also feature spring temples and wide wrapped lens coverage. Plus they are available in five different frame and lens colors. Dustin went with the grey metal frame and smoke gradient lenses. I think he looks pretty darn handsome in his new shades, hehe.
IMG_1476IMG_1510
Plus as I mentioned at The Sunglass Man Online you will also find sunglasses for the women and kids in the family too. There are quite a few pairs that I would love to have… and with free shipping when you spend $25, why not? And I know sometimes ordering glasses online can be a little daunting, but there’s nothing to worry about because The Sunglass Man Online has a money back guarantee! If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase just send them back for a full refund, doesn’t get much easier than that.
So what are you waiting for? Head on over to The Sunglass Man Online and check out their huge selection of glasses that are extremely affordable. Oh and guess what? You can enter to win a gift card here! Just fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below.

19.5.12

Carson-Dellosa Summer Bridge Activities Educational Gift Package

My son is so excited about school getting out on his birthday, June 8th! He has worked so hard this year and learned so much from his amazing teachers. I remember when I was a child, I never looked at a book or learned anything worthwhile the entire summer, but I definitely don't want this for my children. I want them to have a fun summer that is also educational!

It is very important to keep up with the learning process during the summer, especially for young children who are still learning the basics. Josiah has been learning his alphabet, sounds and numbers. If he went a few months without practice, he wouldn't retain much by the next school year. Research shows that children can lose up to 2.5 months of learning during the summer, which causes teachers to re-teach those skills the following year for 2-4 weeks! It's important as parents and caregivers to make sure this doesn't happen. Here are some fun facts about education and why it is important to practice during the summer break.

This summer we can do our part as parents to refresh our children's skills and that's where Carson-Dellosa comes into play. Their products, such as the Summer Bridge Activities items, help kids prepare for the upcoming school year and keep their skills sharp throughout the summer months!

Thanks to Carson-Dellosa, One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Receive An Awesome Summer Learning Gift Pack. 
The pack includes:
  • 1 Summer Bridge Activities Workbook (grade of winner's choice)
  • 1 Summer Bridge Activities Card Set (grade of winner's choice)
  • 2 Sun Notepads
  • 2 Packs of Sea Life Name Tags
  • 1 Pack of Sea Life Mini Incentive Charts

To enter just use the Rafflecopter form below! This giveaway is for US Residents only. All entries must be received before Sunday, June 10th at 12:01am. Good Luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

4.5.11

Get Ready For Summer With Become.com


I'm constantly searching for products, gifts, and articles using a search engine. The problem is that I have to personally weed through all of the websites that pop up and actually aren't even related to the items I am looking for. It's annoying and definitely takes too much time.

With Summer coming, we have many beach trips and activities planned so, it's time to shop!  I've really wanted to buy the family bikes and have had my eye on a Micargi Beach Cruiser. On Become.com, I can not only compare prices, but many items have product reviews, so you can see what others think about the product to see if it's really something you'd like to get. This is a great feature, as I'm always looking to see what others think about items before I purchase!

We spend so much time outside during the nice warm months and I'm always looking for sales on outdoor activities for us. Lacrosse has gotten to be very big in our area and I've been thinking about purchasing a lacrosse rebounder. I'm positive this will keep the kids occupied for hours each week. As someone who loves lacrosse, I'll have to make use of it, too, of course!

This summer also marks the beginning of my son's baseball career. He starts t-ball and I couldn't be more excited. He has his uniform and now we need some baseball cleats to match. I'm glad to finally find some a great prices. I can't wait to see him running around the field in his outfit.

As a Stay-At-Home-Mom, my time is valuable and there are only a few spare moments in my day. I want to go online, find what I'm looking for, and go back to being with my kids. Now that I've found Become.com, life is easier, searching is much faster, and I can find the perfect Summertime items we need! What more could I really ask for?