Summer Fun With The Family At Our Bomb Pop Party #BombPop #sponsored

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received  product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

We have a huge family and are very close, which means we are constantly getting together, celebrating and having a great time. The summer is such a busy time and it has been much harder for all of us to get together lately. Our little softball player, Rylee, is on the all-star team this year, so she stays on the go. We are so proud of all her hard work this year and we've wanted to throw her a party. Since we were all free this weekend, we decided to throw a big cookout party complete with delicious Bomb Pop ice pops, a favorite treat to help us cool down during all of this hot Georgia weather.

We spend a great deal of time outdoors playing and this day was no different! While our steaks were marinating for later, we started up the party once our guests arrived. Who came? Me, my husband, Josiah, Liam, Rylee, Ethan, Aimee and Jeremy! Our neighbors also came over to join the party with their two kids. While I was setting up some surprises in the backyard, Liam hopped on the swing set and the other kids took turns driving around the yard in the police car. These are two of their favorite things to do outdoors. Since we live in the country, they can drive the police car all over the place and have so much fun.What they didn't know was that I was sent an awesome Bomb Pop party kit containing all kinds of goodies! I'd managed to keep that a secret all week somehow.

Did you know Bomb Pop is an official sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball? I played softball for over 7 years and look back fondly on those years. That's why I am so excited and proud of Rylee since she plays Little League softball, too. I've been watching Rylee progress as a player from the year she started t-ball and boy has she improved! It's amazing how well 7 and 8 year-olds can hit the ball into the outfield and round the bases. It makes me nostalgic for my days on the baseball field and the first time I tried a Bomb Pop. 

We couldn't invite Rylee's entire team over for a game, unfortunately, but we did set up an awesome Bomb Pop Home Run Toss for everyone to play. We are all huge baseball fans and my husband watches the Braves every single time they play, so even the adults were excited to give this game a try. Josiah was so excited to get 6 home runs, but my aim, on the other hand, was in need of practice.

The kit also included Bomb Pop Key Chains and foam Bomb Pop baseballs that the kids loved. We usually play a family wiffle ball game, but this time we used the foam balls instead and they worked perfectly. Plus, it didn't hurt as bad when someone inevitably got hit in the forehead (ahem, and when I say someone I mean ME)! 

While all of this was going on, my husband was cooking steaks and the smell was killing us! It was finally time to eat and that is exactly what we did. Unfortunately, I was so swept into the moment that I forgot to snap a picture until afterwards. Apparently it was pretty good because this is all that was left:

After eating, we were back to playing and the boys thought it was time for some golfing. Liam and Ethan are golfing buddies, after all, so they took turns swinging their clubs and whacking the ball across the yard. Ethan has quite a swing for a little one!

About this time I brought out the real treat of the evening... Bomb Pops! We were sent a variety of delicious flavored pops, including the Original Bomb Pops, Hawaiian Punch Bomb Pops, Sour Wower Bomb Pops and Sugar-Free Bomb Pops!

I will never forget the first time I tried a Bomb Pop many years ago. It was a hot summer day and we'd just gotten finished playing a softball game at our local field. As always, we ran to the concession stand for drinks and treats, but on this day they had Bomb Pops!

There are certain items I associate with summer and Bomb Pops are definitely part of that group. I love all of the different flavors, especially the blueberry, and I don't feel like they are too sweet. With the temperatures well into the 90s here, sometimes air conditioner doesn't quite do the trick, but a Bomb Pop not only tastes great, but cools you down, too. 

Rylee had never tried a Bomb Pop before, but by the end of the weekend she had eaten many and was a quite a fan. She was asking if we could get more of the Sourer Wowers since they were gone. How could I say no? I've been eating Bomb Pops every time they do, so I'm definitely up for more. We had such a great time at the party and it carried through the entire weekend. I love making special memories for the kids and that's exactly did this weekend with Bomb Pops! 

What do you and your family love to do outdoors during the summer months? Have you ever had a Bomb Pop? 

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Bomb Pop. I received  product samples, a party kit, and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Make This Summer Fun & Memorable For The Family With Target's "Big Honkin' Summer"

We always make the most of our summer vacation with the kids by planning activities, trips to the beach and more. Just last week we actually went to Myrtle Beach and had a blast! I want to make sure all of us have a great, relaxing summer away while having fun at the same time. I remember being a kid and some days were just plain boring. I couldn't wait to get back to school just to have something to do. That's why, even if we are staying at home for the day, we still play fun games, have arts & crafts time and more.

On the way to the beach, we made 2 stops for food and one stop at Target! That is, by far, my favorite place to shop and the perfect place to purchase everything we need for the entire summer! Right now Target is celebrating Summer with their "Big Honkin' Summer" promo. You'll find great deals on all the items needed to make this summer unforgettable! We bought sandals for the beach, a new swimsuit for my husband, snacks and a few beach toys while there. I'm pretty sure I could spend hours browsing the store if my husband let me. We always shop at Target before and during our trips as well as when at home.

We received an awesome activity pack from Target for the kids and boy did they LOVE it! There was so much for them to do that I we had no idea where to even start. We received the Kid Made Modern Printed Tape Set, Kid Made Modern Board Book Kit, Toy Golf Club with Ball Set, Giant Badminton Set along with everything needed to set up a lemonade stand! You should have seen the kids' eyes light up when they opened this box of goodies! We took the Badminton Set and Golf Club Set to the beach with us and the kids couldn't wait to give it a try. For the golf set, I dug holes in the sand so the kids could try hitting them in from all different directions. For only $2.99 at Target, it was a deal and something that was so much fun. Then the kids played badminton for over an hour! Be sure to check out Target's kids catalog with a huge list of fun products, activities and more.

Ry ready to play some badminton at the beach!

For rainy days and days that are so hot it's impossible to go outdoors, the Kid Made Modern Printed Tape Set and Board Book Kit are perfect. The Printed Tape Set is definitely my favorite because I'd never seen anything like it before. Kids can make wallets, bags and other items from masking tape! Isn't that so cool? The Board Book Kit allows kids to make their very own book from start to finish. Both of these are great ways to get that imagination going and keep those minds going. The kit included everything needed to make a creative and colorful book. Even our babysitter was intrigued and made one for the boys! Here's Josiah working on his book, sure to become a best-seller one day:

The book Emily, our babysitter, made!

We haven't had a chance to do the lemonade stand stuff just yet, but the kids are dying to give have their own little business. The entire set of items, including a banner, money box, sign, juice container and ice bucket, is all you need to get started besides the lemonade! Since we live up in the mountains (aka- away from civilization), there is no one to sell lemonade to, but we are going to take it to grandma's house next weekend for some fun.

This summer has been so much fun and we still have 3 weeks to go. I know the kids have had a blast and we've made some memories that will last a lifetime. I have definitely taken a great deal of photos. The great thing is that Target now has a Facebook app called the "Summer-izer", which allows you and the kids to upload your summer photos and add the "Big Honkin' Summer" icons to them. Then, you can either share them online or print at a local Target Photo Center.

How do you plan to make this summer fun and memorable for your children? Have a great summer and enjoy every minute! School will be back in session before we know it, so we have to make the most out of your vacation!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Target and received products to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.

Banana Boat 101 Days of Summer Play House Party & Giveaway #BananaBoat

 We all know what the summer weather brings! We come out of hibernation and leave the indoors for the nice outdoor weather. Many of us travel to the beach, go on cruises and stay in the sun, which means it's very important to keep your Banana Boat sunscreen nearby. Our family makes it a point to spend time outdoors whenever possible and Banana Boat wants to encourage other parents to do the same by taking their 101 Days of Summer Play Pledge! Thanks to Banana Boat, we were sent a huge package of goodies to share at a house party to keep the entire family safe and ready to play outdoors. For each pledge, a donation of one bottle of new Banana Boat® Sunscreen Natural Reflect Lotion will go to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a nonprofit, residential summer camp and year-round center serving children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses, so please take the time to take the pledge today!

 I received an awesome beach bag with a Banana Boat t-shirt, cup, hat, and a smaller bag that my son promptly claimed as his own!

My son's 5th birthday party was last week and I knew we'd have just about 10 adults present, so I thought what better time to hand out goody bags? Josiah helped me prepare all the goodies for parents along with the gift bags for the kids. He had an Angry Birds party, so the kids got Angry Bird bags while the parents received Banana Boat products and themed items.

The day was beautiful and sunny, a great day to be outdoors. We bought a new water park pool for the party and also set up the trampoline and bounce house! The kids were ready to go, but we handed out the gift bags first. The parents were so excited to receive the new Banana Boat Natural Reflect sunscreen and immediately put some on the kids before heading outdoors.

The birthday boy with his Banana Boat sunscreen on, ready to go outdoors!

What did the gift bags include? The Banana Boat Natural Reflect sunscreen, a 101 Days of Summer Play Activity Booklet, coupons and a frisbee! Everything needed for fun in the sun! If you'd like to I think the mamas were even more excited to receive a gift bag than the kids because it was totally unexpected. Plus, they received items they would definitely use during these hot, sunny summer months! Be sure to "Like" Banana Boat on Facebook to read/print out the 101 Days of Summer Play Activity Booklet full of fun summer activities for the entire family. More importantly, take the 101 Days of Summer Pledge! This pledge says you will encourage your kids to spend time outdoors every day this summer. We took the pledge and you should, too!

Here's a little about the Banana Boat Natural Reflect, Banana Boat's new line of wonderful sunscreen:

•  100% naturally sourced mineral sunscreen active with Zinc Oxide and Titanium

Dioxide!

•  Oxybenzone free

•  Paraben free!

•  Gentle on sensitive and delicate skin

•  Proven effective against sunburn and to help prevent!long-term skin damage

•  Broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection

•  Water resistant

•  Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation

Josiah with some of his guests throwing rings and the frisbee into the pool!

Little brother on the go, too!

We had such a great time outdoors and Josiah loved his 5th birthday party! Thanks to Banana Boat Natural Reflect sunscreen, we were safe and no one got sunburned. There are many ways to enjoy time outdoors, to get kids active and away from the tv. Luckily we don't have to try very hard with our kids so far, but, if you need some help, here are5 fun activities for this summer.

1. Water Balloons - All kids love balloons and water-filled balloons are even better! It's a great way to get exercise and to keep cool, too.
2. Swimming pool, water slide, etc.- This year we bought the little island pool in the picture above. For bigger kids, they may like a bigger pool.
3. Bike riding - we live in the mountains, so many of the kids here love to mountain bike! It's great fun and amazing exercise. We went mountain biking in Jamaica and it was the best exercise ever... and beautiful!
4. Go tubing - Here in the mountains, many people go kayaking, but if you don't have one, you go tubing in the rivers. It's so fun to float down the river as a family, enjoying the beautiful scenery, sun, and still staying cool in the water. The entire family can enjoy this activity.
5. Go to the park- You may have a playground in your backyard, but something is always more exciting about the park. My kids never give up an opportunity to go to the park. We walk along the trails, play on the sides, swings, and even play in the creek.

Just don't forget your Banana Boat Natural Reflect sunscreen, of course! I carry sunscreen in my purse and diaper bag just to have it handy. You can even get burned in the winter, so it is definitely best to be prepared when outdoors. So, have a wonderful summer, everyone, and make this one extra fun.

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