British Soccer Camps: Summer Camp Fun

Last year Anika attended a summer soccer camp held by Challenger Sports, and this year I think that I will have Noah attend soccer camp. He has fallen in love with soccer and I think he is at the perfect age to attend something like this.

How to Create a Memorable Outdoor Party This Summer

Compensation provided by Gold Peak via Mode Media. All opinions are my own.

You all know by now how much I love summertime. One thing I really missed doing last year though was the end of summer BBQ that we had held annually for several years. Things just didn’t quite work out right for it to happen and we ended up not having anyone over to celebrate the end of summer with us. It was sad and I don’t want that to happen again!

One of the things that I love most about outdoor summer parties is the memories and traditions that it creates for everyone. The food, family, atmosphere – it’s a day where everyone gathers together to celebrate.

The first way to create a new outdoor party tradition is to just start. Yes it can be stressful hosting a party, yes it costs money and can be slightly overwhelming. But is the look on everyone’s faces when they get together and share an amazing evening together worth it? You bet it is.

Once you’ve established your outdoor party tradition, do something a little different every year. One year I held a pie contest – where everyone brought a homemade pie and then we all stuffed ourselves tasting each one and voted on the best one. Another year we had a bunch of games for everyone to play. Once I held a dinner party on the night of a Blue Moon, so I created a Blue Moon themed party. Whatever you decided to do, changing things up year to year will make for lots of memories – and conversations the next year. 

Create some killer food. I know this definitely is a matter of opinion on what food tastes the best here, but whatever menu I put together, I always try and do this: have an appetizer or a dish that makes some guests step out of their usual food comfort zones. My friends and family for the most part are pretty conservative when it comes to food and they have teased me about my creations over the years, but you know what? They actually end up liking some of it and would have never tried it had I not given them the opportunity.

Of course I always make sure there’s lots of food and drinks that everyone likes, lots of sweet tea being one of them. Nothing sings summer like sweet tea – Gold Peak Sweet Tea is one of my favorites. It’s made with real sugar, no preservatives, and tastes like homemade. Sometimes we’ll serve it right from the bottle, or if I feel like fancying it up a bit, I’ll pour it into a beverage container with ice and some fresh blueberries.

Extra added touches to make your summer party memorable could also include fun invitations, blankets to keep guests warm when the sun goes down, ample lighting to create a homey atmosphere, games available to play, and even a pack of conversation starter cards.

Hopefully in a couple of months I will have more fun photos to share with you, because the best ways to have a fun and memorable evening is to just spend time with people you love.

~Melissa

There’s nothing like Gold Peak’s home-brewed taste. Gold Peak, the taste that brings you home.

What You Really Need to Keep in Your Car For Summer Adventures

What You Need to Keep in Your Car For Summer Adventures 
This post is sponsored by Chevrolet Traverse.

What You Really Need to Keep In Your Car for Summer Adventures

I am so excited to finally have the kids on summer vacation. I miss having the school routine already though! I mentioned on my Facebook page last week that unlike the previous three years we didn’t create a summer bucket list for this summer. I think after juggling our first year with three kids in after school activities (that won’t finish until July) I just didn’t feel like over-committing myself. That doesn’t mean that we will not be having tons of fun this summer though – I have full intention of going on some amazing adventures and creating lifelong lasting memories with the kids – and we have 12 weeks to make them. 

I’m currently working on creating a chore and curriculum chart for the next couple of months. The kids are old enough that they need to do some more cleaning and pitch in a little more – but I want to do something a little different and reward them once a week for doing so. I intend to take them on an adventure like the zoo, beach, waterpark – and whatever else I decide – sometimes planned and sometimes spontaneous. There’s one thing that I’ll do to make sure that all of our summer adventures are fun and easy: keep certain things in our car so we are prepared for any kind of adventure that comes our way. If you’ve ever been on any length of road trip with kids you know how important it is to keep your car stocked with certain things, things that make your adventures just a little easier than extra pit stops or bored kids. In the summertime there are a few extra things you can keep in your car for outdoor adventures and day trips – so you don’t have to do anything but jump in the car and go!

 Don’t know what you should pack? Here’s a list to get your car ready for summertime adventures!

• · Water bottles – Because it’s always good to have water with you.

• ·  Protein bars // dried fruit // nuts – Because kids will always be looking for a snack – make sure whatever you keep in the car won’t melt –No chocolate!! Keep it minimal with lots of nuts and dried fruit that can last longer.

• ·   Hand sanitizer – Because everyone needs to sanitize after snacks or adventures.

• ·   Hand wipes – You will need them. I promise.

• ·  Activity books – So you don’t hear those dreaded ‘I’m bored’ words.

• ·  Colored markers + paper – Again, got to keep the kids entertained. Just make sure they are washable markers, or use crayons or colored pencils. 

• · Sunglasses – I never forget to bring my glasses along, but the kids frequently do. Or one of them loses a pair. Keep some backups in the car. 

•   Bandages – Just in case.

• · Bubbles – Not for in the car, but for extra outdoor fun.

• · Outdoor toys – Again, something fun to have for a family game if you decide to go to a park or the beach.

• · Jump Rope – A jump rope is a must! Take it out and let them get some energy out!

     Of course no family road trip or adventure can happen without a great vehicle and the 2015 Chevy Traverse most certainly falls into that category! With seating for up to 8*, best-in-class maximum cargo space, and a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety**, it’s a really nice midsize SUV option for active families. My first large purchase ever was in 2004 and it was a brand new Chevrolet! It was one of the best cars I had and I love the idea of having a good midsize SUV for the 5 of us.

So now I've shared some of my summer plans and tips - do you have any to add? If there was one thing that you couldn't live without in your car for day adventures what would that be?

~Melissa

*Standard on LS and 1LT. Available on 2LT. LTZ seats 7. Not available in Ebony/Saddle Up interior color.

** Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s New Car Assessment Program. (www.SaferCar.gov) . 

How to Have a Radiant Summer

Compensation provided by Arm & Hammer™. All opinions are my own. 

I’m back! After working the past couple of days at my “other” job – I was beginning to go through blog and social media withdraws! I think I may have a slight addiction. :) 

The kids have been out of school for a week now – and we hadn’t really done anything together yet, with my birthday, working, and the softball/baseball routine still going strong – it really didn’t feel quite like summer yet.

Until today.

(Thankfully) I slept in until 8, laid in bed until 9, then decided to had better get up and break up the arguments (ha!) and tell the kids to get ready and load up – we were going to pick some strawberries. My friend Carolyn and I had decided a few days ago that we all needed to go together, so the kids and I met her at the u-pick farm.

The next two hours we spent in the radiant sun – hunting for the reddest, juiciest berries that we could find. Noah and Emma also happened to find some pools of water in between the strawberry rows which promptly turned into mud when they splashed in it!

We came home this afternoon with 16 pounds of strawberries, half of which I froze and the other half became strawberry jam.

Today finally felt like summer.

What activities really make summertime sink in to you? Is it BBQs in the backyard with your closest friends? Or perhaps spending the day at the county fair? Whatever activity it is, summertime should be full of fun memories. I always feel the most radiant; the most full of life – in the summer.

Summers are simpler, with less stress and more downtime (hopefully). Summers are not to be taken granted for – but so often we do. We rush through activities because we have to move on to the next one; we go through the motions, but aren’t always mentally present – I know I’m completely guilty of this.

As I knelt down picking those berries today I was present and living in the moment. I wasn’t on my phone or worrying about other things. It was a truly radiant moment for me, and I want my summer to be filled with moments like that.

Have you ever had one of those moments? Moments that when you look back it makes you smile? Right now through the end of 2015 Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant™ wants you to share those moments with everyone. They’ve partnered with the City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center to launch a social media initiative and are encouraging women to share their radiant moments using the hashtag #TrulyRadiantFinish across Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. For every hashtag used, Arm & Hammer is donating $1 to the City of Hope.

I love Arm & Hammer's Truly Radiant because they also want women to feel strong and beautiful with their smiles, and they've launched three new products this year for a stronger, cleaner, whiter smile.

There's the Arm & Hammer Truly Radiant Rinse, which is the first and only whitening rinse that strengthens enamel and helps stop stains before then start without alcohol or peroxide. Then there's the Rejuvenating Toothpaste, that goes beyond the surface to strengthen, clean and repair tooth enamel in a crisp, mint flavor. And finally, the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant Manual Toothbrushes are the only manual toothbrushes that feature a rotating head, plus elongated, all-access bristles that get deep in-between teeth to help blast away plaque.

How amazing is that? Will you share your radiant moments with your friends?

And just how do you have a radiant summer? I believe that by counting your blessings and intentionally making memories, this could be your best summer yet.

~Melissa

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Arm & Hammer™.

Fun Summer Camp Idea: British Soccer Camps

You guys know how much Anika loves soccer - she's been playing for 5 years now! I recently found out about British Soccer Camps and thought I would pass the information along to you! For all of my local readers they have camps in Sherwood this summer, but they are the most popular camp in North America (150,000 campers!), so you should look and see where the closest one is for you! 

About British Soccer Camp: The British Soccer Camp has an innovative curriculum that develops skills, speed and confidence in players ages 3-18, British Soccer Camps provide boys and girls with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international expert's right in the heart of your own community. In addition to teaching new skills and improving game performance, each British Soccer Camp provides lessons in character development, cultural education and is the most fun you child can have learning the sport they love!

How To Enroll: Find a camp close to you HERE. Also, if you sign up during Early Registration and they will immediately ship you a British Soccer Jersey! PLUS if you enter the code FMG15 you will also receive a bonus Challenger water bottle.

She will be very excited when I tell her that she's going to get to go to a soccer camp this summer! Has your child ever attended a British Soccer Camp before?

~Melissa

Full Disclosure: I will receive a complementary summer camp pass in exchange for a written review. No other compensation is provided.