From a Sizzling Summer to Back to School Guide

Wow, just wow is what we have to say about this cool (or hot if you prefer) ASMOKE portable Applewood Pellet Grill. We just got ours but so far we are impressed. We are new to the world of smoking food but boy oh boy our tastebuds and tummies are sure happy. We're talking fall of the bone ribs, tender and flavorful food from the stakes to the corn on the cob. Yes we smoked corn on the cob and yummy.

Now we just got this grill as mentioned so we're still testing it out and we will be sharing a full review very soon. We will look to the review here once it's done in a few weeks. We just had to share this now so you can take advantage of the promo price on Indiegogo where this grill is only $176 but that ends on July 21, 2020! Hurry and GO HERE to check it out.

Go low and slow, or fast and hot with ASMOKE’s temperature dial ranging from 180° to 500° F. The hopper holds up to 4 lbs of pellets, while the 256 sq in ample cooking space fits all your favorite meats, vegetables, seafood, and more.

Just wait until you see those ribs we cooked, yes the ones in the photo that were cooking, they look (and tasted) mouth-watering once they were done!

Anyone who has gone to the beach and tried to either help their kiddos build a sandcastle or tried themselves we all know how not helpful those little plastic shovels are. Really none of those plastic shovels get anything done let alone lets kids and adults have fun, let their imaginations run wild while they dig in the sand whether to bury mom or dad or a sibling up their neck in sand, build a sandcastle or make our own little rivers to that big body of water.

Say hello to the Beachgoer heavy duty metal beach shovel. Fun in the sand can and will be had with these awesome shovels in your beach must-haves.

These metal beach shovels will last you for quite a few beach trips, unlike your average plastic beach shovel. Say goodbye to the days of broken beach shovels that only last for a couple days.

These large group of 3 beach shovels feature a 31" wood shovel shaft and 6.25" diameter, they're large enough for all ages three and up. These are excellent big shovels for kids and adults alike.

• HEAVY DUTY wooden sand shovels feature a wood handle and metal spade. The reinforced handle makes these an excellent set of wood beach toys for your next beach trip.

These shovels feature a metal spade and are extremely sturdy.

Similar to garden shovels, they have a solid frame and can easily hold piles of sand without worrying about any snapping.

They've put these shovels to the test, and they're nearly unbreakable.

Pair them with one of our beach pails or your own set of beach buckets and start digging. Great for building sand castles as well.

Not going to the beach? They work excellent in sandboxes, playgrounds and parks alike. Great for long summer days and unlimited backyard fun.

Want a set or two or three? GO HERE to the Beachgoer website and enjoy the some sand time this summer.

Vessi Footwear fabulous shoes for summer and back to school!

Vessi Footwear has created a shoe that can be worn all day, every day, in any weather. Wear them in the snow, wear them in rain, wear them in the sun, even wear them in the shower because sneakers that can do it all are a thing now.

Antibacterial insoles keep things fresh, while cloud-support keeps things comfy.

Also known as Dyma-tex, our patented, 100% waterproof, breathable knit will keep your feet cozy all year long - cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Made in Canada but they ship worldwide and even better these shoes all styles are comfortable, and stylish for the person on the go or just taking it easy. We can't wait to try them out and share more on them very soon!

Hello summer and with it usually hot weather. While I love the hot weather, yes I really do we still need a way to cool down. Why not do that with a tasty no-churn ice cream that you can make yourself.

This Papaya Mango ice cream is a tropical treat that the whole family will love. GO HERE for the recipe and enjoy!

Whether you have limited mobility or not you can appreciate this seated elliptical machine from Cubii. Rair or shine, by the pool, your garden, patio or at your desk at home, watching tv etc.. you can keep your legs moving with this seated elliptical.

I love the Cubii Pro for oh so many reasons. As someone who has rheumatoid arthritis which has affected by knees and wrists I know how challenging it can be to exercise. We know exercise is good for us but when your knees are stiff, your joints are so it can be hard. The Cubii allows me to warm up my joints in my knees and helps me to keep them from getting so stiff and sore that I can't walk.

I also love the features on the Cubii Pro:

• Patented whisper-quiet design lets you pedal smoothly with plenty of clearance for knees and no noise disruptions.
• Sleek, compact design fits seamlessly into any space.
• Built-in handle makes it portable.
• 8 levels of resistance, start slow & increase performance over time.
• Bluetooth enabled.
• Free Cubii App to track your strides, miles, calories.
• Create competitions groups in the app for cheer others on.
• Connect the Cubii to FitBit and AppleHealthKit.

Make sure to check out the Cubii Pro and their other models on the Cubii site HERE.

If your kids are struggling with stress and not getting the proper sleep each night, Gravity Kids is here to help. It provides the same stress-reducing and sleep-enhancing benefits as Gravity's world-famous blanket, but in a safe format for children ages 7 and up. Gravity Kids features:

• A luxurious, therapeutic 10lb weighted blanket designed specifically for children ages 7 and up
• Available in two colors, green and pink, the Gravity Kids blanket is sized 66” x 42”.
• Each Blanket comes with a weighted dog toy, providing extra snuggles for your little one throughout the night.
• The outer duvet cover is made of our 100% polyester cooling fabric, which wicks moisture away during use and ensures a lightweight, breathable experience in any climate.
• The cover is machine washable (wash in cold water, tumble dry on low), making any spill or stain a breeze!

I love these parent-child journals from Promptly Journals. Journaling with my kids will help them and myself grow closer together. 

The Loom Parent-Child Journal is a beautifully designed and illustrated journal that helps you build a stronger relationship with your child. 

• Thoughtful writing and drawing prompts that will spark open conversation and genuine connection with your son or daughter (5 years old and up)

• A meaningful, screen-free activity 

•Improves reading, writing, and communication skills in an engaging way 

• Sparks creativity and imagination 

• Contains research-backed practices of gratitude, affirmations, and the growth mindset

• Includes a mini booklet of prompts to start conversations inside and outside of the journal

• Neutral design with beautiful illustrations and gold foil accents 

The hot summer weather is here and what better way to cool off then with a nice sorbet. It’s easy to make and you can change up the flavors as often you want. Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries or skip the berries and do mango, banana, orange, lime or whatever fruit catches your fancy! 

Enjoy these tasty tarts any top and top with your favourite summer fruit.

When I moved to the Kansas City area I was aware of Kansas City BBQ. I discovered this whole culture around Kansas BBQ and I loved it. I have a large, but simple charcoal grill. Now, I can get the sweet, bold, and savory smokey flavors in my dishes that really define tasty BBQ. Plus, these Authentic BBQ flavors are achieved quickly and easily. 

We believe that people don’t just want a comfortable pair of shoes — they want to know that their purchase actually benefits the artisans behind a product. Sadly, the footwear industry is filled with stories of labor abuse, sweatshop conditions, and unfair wages. But it doesn’t have to be that way. That’s what Fuchsia’s sustainable footwear is all about: high-quality, environmentally responsible shoes that genuinely benefit the artisans who make them. Learn more below.

Fuchsia shoes are made in Sangla Hill, a remote town in Pakistan with a history stretching back to the time of Alexander the Great. Here, each pair of flats is handcrafted in a traditional workshop by a group of artisans who are passionate about using their skills to support their families and community. By making shoes for Fuchsia, they not only get to do what they love, they also receive a respectable living income which provides them and their loved ones with food, shelter, education, and health care.

Fuchsia is committed to treating these artisans with respect and dignity, supporting them as they continue a centuries-old tradition of time-honed craftsmanship. Not only does this result in a sustainable, environmentally responsible manufacturing process, it also means our customers can enjoy unique, handmade products that would otherwise be inaccessible to a global audience.

Fuchsia shoes begin with locally sourced natural leather which is cleaned by hand, then refined, cured with salt, and sun-dried to preserve its delicate, subtle texture. From leather-cutting to detailed embroidery, our artisans craft each shoe by hand, using raw materials that support the regional economy. The result is a shoe of remarkable quality — one which may just be the softest and most comfortable ballet flat you’ve ever worn. Find out for yourself.

A small-batch limited edition shoe. Every step you take sparkles in these pearl-embellished flats handmade one at a time. Wear these glamorous and comfortable, padded flats for a day in or a night out.

• Hand Beaded Embroidery
• Faux Suede Inner Lining
• Padded Footbed
• Rubber Sole

Too tired or it's too darn hot out to even leave the house. Don't feel like going out and having to put on a mask? That's okay we've got you and the kiddos covered there too with our ultimate list of virtual tours and activities.  

The tours and activities will also take you all over the world from Canada, all over the United States to Europe, all without ever having to leave your home! Whether you are looking for ideas to make homeschooling a little easier, or simply want to enjoy some virtual tours of places you’ve never been, you will find some lovely options here. 

Check out wildlife in the mountains of Canada, under the sea or take a tour of a museum and so much more. GO HERE to check out all of the fun activities.

A healthy and tasty treat to cool off with this summer!

We all know and have felt what a hard year 2020 has been and it's not over yet. At the best of times children need tools to navigate the realm of their feelings and actions.

Help your child understand with these best Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Tools from the Imagination Neighborhood podcasts for children! These fun podcasts help to develop social-emotional learning like teaching how kindness is contagious. It’s a great resource for helping you navigate some teaching moments with your child.GO HERE

to learn more about this free tools.

Pencils are essential back to school supplies and with how incredibly inexpensive it is to pick up a pack of both sharpened and unsharpened you might as well get the best. Some will be ready to go at the start of school and others won't lose their tip by sitting around waiting to be used. I know my kids are not easy on their supplies! You get plenty in a pack, so you shouldn't run out any time soon.

Have an absolute blast this summer with Fobbles! A single machine produces fun fog, bubbles, and fog-filled bubbles called "fobbles." Kids learn patience waiting for each blast of the fobbles they can pop, then chase them down trying to release the enclosed mist. It's fun and great for play or decoration year-round. Check it out!

Summer is synonymous with grilling and I sincerely missed having a grill since moving a couple of years ago. Not having a BBQ grill living near Kansas City was almost a crime! Really though, nothing tastes as good as grilled food does. There’s also a special flavor that charcoal grills achieve that gas grills cannot. My kids and I were ecstatic to get this Weber Kettle grill and home improvement products from DAP. Now we can have our own friends over for a BBQ and our house can look great to host!

Back to school time has arrived at our household. In the midst of buying the kids their school supplies, it dawned on me that Momma needs a few things too. Nothing makes me happier than a cup of coffee and time to sit filling up my planner. About a week ago, a box from Scribble Stuff and USA Gold arrived. Lo and behold it was full of amazing pens, pencils, and highlighters for me to review. The level of excitement in my household is akin to a kid going to Disneyland!

The sun is shining again and thunderstorms are predicted this week so I’m calling that a win in the summer is almost here category. Every summer, our family sits down and creates a little to do list–a family summer bucket list if you will. This year, the kids are a little bit older and have realized how much we can do with just a little planning. I’ll include a short list of must-haves for your summer survival kit to go along with our top 5 things on our family summer bucket list.