15 Summer Activities for Kids

What are your kids doing this Summer? For many of us Summer time with the kids is a time to enjoy the outdoors, the sunshine and if you're lucky the ocean.

As much as kids love Summer holidays, keeping them busy can be a real chore! If you've not got the luxury of a Summer camp then it's up to you as parent to find things for the youngsters to keep busy with.

Failing that, your kids might spend all their time in front of a computer, tablet, phone or other screen and research has shown that spending too much time in front of a screen can have a detrimental effect on the health and well being of children.

Yes my girls watch Netflix and YouTube but I am blessed because they would rather be outside playing then cooped up inside. They like to swim, bike, hike, build forts etc. 

Studies have shown that taking part in nature-based activities helps people who are suffering from mental ill-health and can contribute to a reduction in levels of anxiety, stress, and depression. In fact, a daily walk in nature has showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression.

With what our family has been through in the last year this makes so much sense. So this mom is stepping up her game, introducing more nature-based activities, while not just turning fun into learning but also providing my children with new outlooks into the world. I may not totally enjoy nature, but I want to make sure that the opportunity for my child to make a decision in what they want to do with their lives is as broad as it can be.

One in four people are estimated to experience bouts of mental ill health and it's on the rise. Prescription medication of antidepressants are also at a record high level and the demand for more invasive treatments are also on the rise. Health and social care commissioners are examining and commissioning different options for cost effective services for mental health and one of these options is a daily walk of 90 minutes or more. We need to learn from the past when kids got excited to spend their time climbing trees and building dens rather than spending hours inside.

Joe at Nature Rated understands this all too well and has put together an info-graphic on 15 Summer activities to help your kids appreciate nature.

This is what it looks like:

From baking a blackberry pie to constructing a pond or insect hotel, there's plenty for the youngsters to get up to. Head on over to his site for step by step instructions to get your kids out and about enjoying nature.

MarksvilleandMe has already taken a look and has big plans for summer time activities for my girls and my grand daughter. Here is to better mental health with the help of nature. 

Aulexy Black Stainless Steel Silicone Kitchen Tongs

* Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.

These tongs by Aulexy are great because the tongs are silicone which means I can use them in my non-stick pans without worrying that I will scratch and ruin them. I also love that you can lock them closed so they take up less room in your drawers. This set comes with a 9" and 12" tong.

Great for flipping your chicken, fish, or steaks. Also great for those days when you don't want to touch something with your bare hands or when something falls in a small area and you need just a bit more of reach to get it. Tongs can be very helpful all around the house.

The Aulexy Black Stainless Steel Silicone Kitchen Tongs can be found on my affiliate link below.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Aulexy. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

7 Piece Baby Grooming Kit

* Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.

This is a great gift for a mother to be. It comes with a zipper case, nail file, nail clippers, brush, comb, scissors, tooth brush, and finger brush. My favorite item is the finger brush great for brushing our babies gums. 

My daughter loves the color purple so she really likes this. I think this is a great kit to have in your diaper bag because you just never know when you will need something. 

This  7 Piece Baby Grooming Kit can be found on my affiliate link below.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Tenswall. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Aulexy kitchen tool set

* Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.   

I love to get new gadgets for the kitchen so I was very excited to get this nice colorful set from Aulexy. You get a Juicer, bottle opener, corer, and a fruit/potato peeler that changes from one to the other just with a slide of the button. Easy to wash and care for this set will be a hit for years to come. 

The Aulexy 4 in 1 set can be found on my affiliate link below.

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Aulexy. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

100 count #usartsupply bullet tip super markers

* Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  

These markers have been used in our home for about 8 months now and they are still going strong. My children and I just use these at home but when we need color this is what we grab first for our inspiration with color. Lots of colors to choose from 100 to be exact no doubles. They are bold and just keep going and going. We use these for drawing, coloring in adult coloring books, making cards, homework, etc. We really love the rack which works great for keeping your markers within reach and organized although in the picture above this was after they fell so they aren't quite organized but you can see which color you need at a glace.

You can get these markers from #usartsupply on Amazon.


Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and #usartsupply. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Mending made easy

One thing we have been missing and needing since we have been homeless is a sewing kit so we can repair clothing. Luck would have it a review for one came up and I snagged it. The Ebeauty 100 piece sewing kit includes 32 * assorted thread spools 32 * matching bobbins 30 * needles in a box 1* scissors 1 * soft measuring tape 2 * thimbles 2 * threaders which is packaged for gift giving and makes a wonderful beginner kit.

I love that it comes with threaders as I love this item the most. The assortment of needles was good too so you have different sizes for different tasks. I know this color palate will do well in our family because we love to wear colorful clothing. There is something for just about any color you may need.

I think this would be great for beginners which I already said or even for someone who needs to refill their sewing box that is running short on several things. Now we can finally sew up my daughters pants so they can continue to wear them.

The Ebeauty 100 piece sewing kit can be found on Amazon.


Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Ebeauty. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Monster Mob

Looking for a great fun and easy game that doesn't take hours to learn how to play right? This might be the game for your next family game night. Mind you this is slotted for 2 players from ages 3 and up. Yes it is that easy to learn how to play and talk about fun.

My daughter likes to take this with us when we are waiting at appointments. Of course anyone who knows our family knows we love to play games. We like to look for games different then most out there. Even though this one feels like others games it is has it's own charm that everyone seems to love right from the start, from the cute monsters to their funny names. So funny. We have even come to trying to make the faces or sounds that some of the monsters might make if they were real.

Very easy to play. Mix up cards, divide in half and turn over the cards one at a time. You have two kinds of carts. Catch cards, and Monster cards. When a catch cart up for example catch 3 the other person has three cards to come up with a catch card of their own or lose the pile of cards. If they come up with a catch card for example catch 1 during their turn then the other player has only once card to come up with a catch card or that person will win the pile. Lots of fun with lost of twists and turns. Just when you think you are winning this game of chance can turn it right around on you.

We loved this game so much it is going on our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide List.

Monster Mob can be found on Amazon.


What Brain Box Ltd. has to say about their product.

Monster Mob as seen on kickstarter:
Everyone will enjoy playing Monster Mob, an exciting new children's card game.
Monster Mob is more than just a game
Our aim is to teach your child about taking turns and sharing. As the game is based on luck, a winning or losing streak doesn't last long.
Your kids don't need to know that they're learning just let them have fun assembling their Monster Army.
Because Monster Mob is compact, they can play it anywhere: at home, during car trips and with cousins at grandma's house.
Try Monster Mob risk-free
Customer satisfaction is our top priority, even with our youngest shoppers.
If your children aren't delighted by this fun family card game, return it within 30 days for a 100% refund of your purchase price.
No hassles and no questions asked.
How to play:
- There are two kinds of card - capture cards and monster cards.
- Play continues alternately until a capture card appears.
- Each capture card has a value of 1 - 4.
- The number on the capture card determines its value.
- If capture card with a value of 1 is revealed, then the opponent has only 1 attempt to reveal another capture card or lose the pile of monsters.
- Likewise a capture card with 2, 3 or 4 means the opponent has to reveal a capture card within 2, 3 or 4 cards or lose their monsters
For a fun family game that enhances your child's cognitive development, add Monster Mob Children's Card Game to your cart today.

#MonsterMob

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Brain Box Ltd.. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Let’s Eat Together

Being parents for quite some time we are always looking for ways to show our children table manners as well as keeping it family friendly.

We eat around the dinner table most nights as a family all together, starting with blessing our food before us.

Usually during dinner time we catch up on the day's events with our children, remind them of upcoming events, as well as checking in on them to see how they are doing.

We have lots of laughs but sometimes we even have some major discussions about things in the world.

This placemat can help your child learn to help with getting dinner ready, their manners, as well as keeping them occupied while adults are talking. They can even jot down their ideas so when it is their turn they don't forget what they want to bring up during dinner.

I think this is a great idea for both families just starting the dinner time routine or those who have been doing for years. We give this item a thumbs up.

The chart can be found on Amazon.



What the Victoria Chart Company has to say about their product. 

To help parents and carers maximise their children’s mealtime experience, our double sided dry erase ‘Let’s Eat Together’ placemat (11 x 18 inches and includes a pen) is a fun, interactive tool that children just love to complete after a meal.  Side one provides a check off system encouraging children to learn their table manners and side two provides fun activities to play at the table after a meal.
Side one:  some of the ‘table manners’ include:

• I helped set the table
  I have washed my hands before eating
  I didn’t talk with food in my mouth
  No playing gadgets at the table
  I helped clear the table

Side two:  some of the ‘activities’ include:

• What’s your best loved? (choose a theme such as animals, letters, food and then discuss why)
  What makes you feel? (happy, excited, proud, worried or tired and then discuss why)
  Animal alphabet fun (see if you can complete the alphabet naming an animal for each letter)
  What’s the opposite of? (think of some fun, simple words suitable to your child’s age)
  Just doodle

You can find out more about the Victoria Chart Company on:

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#Letseattogether

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Victoria Chart Company. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

#BehindTheBlogger The Things I Should Have Said

My Mom, Dad, and Me

When faced with a terminally ill parent, family member, or friend there are always thoughts about what you should have said before they passed, or even asked.

For my it happens that my mother Frieda Graham died on this exact day in 2004. We all knew it was coming. When my father died she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after. She had it for a while but just didn't voice it to anyone that she was having problems.

She decided against treatment she wanted to be with my father. Her decision was made, there was nothing we could say to change her mind. At first I thought everything was on my shoulders. Taking her to appointments, getting her medicine, taking care of my children, husband, home, while working. It all took a tole on me. That is until I was facing being ill once again myself.

The Dr.'s thought I had Cancer but after all of the tests were done they came up with I was taking on too much, the stress was literally killing me, so I was instructed to slow down while getting Hospice involved. Finally my brothers stepped into help out with her care which helped me out greatly, just in time for me to find out I was pregnant.

This gave my mother new life, she wanted to live and swore she was going to see that baby be born. The Dr. was thinking otherwise but her thinking was she was going to see it happen. Sometime during my pregnancy soon after a routine visit I stopped feeling the baby move, after a visit to the hospital we found that the baby had no heartbeat and had just stopped everything. This was February 9th, 2004.

From the day I lost the baby I didn't stop bleeding I was getting more sick by the day while keeping the news of the baby's death to myself and hearing my mother talk about the baby all of the time. I finally broke down and spoke to the Dr. and to Hospice they told me I had to tell her no matter how painful it was because they both knew she was only holding on so she could see that baby and it was unfair for me to lead her on with a birth that was not going to happen. 

So I told her. She cried, I cried, and we held each other. A month to the day on March 9th, 2004. My mother passed. Right in between my Father's Birthday March 5th, 1943, and their Anniversary March 15, 1969. March is a very hard month for me to say the least. 

Soon after I told her she ended up in the hospital and never came out. It was hard seeing her deteriorate so quickly. Three days before she died she heard a baby crying and she was telling my brother Timmy who wasn't even there to go and get Pam she fell and got hurt. She was apparently reliving her life at the time. When she was coherent. She had remembered my husband and myself being together and having our son but she didn't remember the girls so I kept showing her pictures of her grand children. It was hard.

The day before she died they called in everyone to come and see her. Kind of like her last respects I suppose. The worst part of it was telling her she could leave. Daddy was waiting for her. That I would be OK. 

What I would have said thinking back at it would be don't go, I need you, I am not OK without you. 

That  night before she died I went to give her a hug and leave and she wouldn't let me go so I ended up kneeling on a chair and slept with her all night. In the morning I told her I was going to go home take a shower, check on the kids, and I would be right back. 

While I was gone we got the call that she had passed. They told me she was holding on to life, ME, and she couldn't or wouldn't leave until I had left. I felt like I had let her down. I would have held on to her forever if I knew it would have kept her here longer. 

Today 12 years later I still have questions I want answered. There are things I want to say. There are things I would have done differently. No matter how sick I was I should have been with her every day. There is never enough time to spend with those you love. Time slips away to quickly leaving you with The Things You Should Have Said.

Thank you for reading a story from #BehindTheBlogger Hop. Every 2 weeks a group of bloggers is given a writing prompt. These prompts are very open ended, so our bloggers can write about whatever they desire. The main rule is that their blog post directly relates to the topic of that week. The point of this hop is for our readers to get to know us on a personal level.  Please hop along and read all of the blog posts in this weeks hop. Just click the links below. If you want real and raw emotion, then you will find it here. After you read each post, please comment and share. We want to get to know you too!

Are you a blogger looking to join our future hops? Click here Sign Up Here

Family Game Night with Family Alias

We have always enjoyed playing games, but finding new games we haven't played yet to add to our collection is sometimes hard.

I recently went through our board games and have a list of older games that we have played so much that we are missing pieces or they are falling apart so I added those to our buy again list.

Family Alias is a great game for big or small families. Our family had quite a good time playing. At first my husband was not quite in it because he didn't think it would be fun but after a few turns he was right in the game like everyone else.

Easy to set up, play, and gives several options for play, and also a way to make it easier for children to play by giving them other options to get their points to move on the board. You can see in my picture one of my daughters helping out the other when she had to explain the picture without saying the word on the card.

This gives both children and adults a fun way to be able to explain something to someone else by using other words to get them to guess the right word. I have to warn you the adult cards are harder then you would think, at least the first card was for me. I told my husband I would have had to get a dictionary out for a couple of the words but the family cards are friendly for any age.

You also have wild cards that are just fun and silly ways to do things during the game and then kids cards that bring the game down a bit so that the youngest can play just as well as the older game players.

Slotted for ages 7 and up. 2-8 players. We played with 4 people and the youngest was 8. She loves family game nights.

Alias and other games made by Tactic can be found on Amazon.


What Tactic has to say about their product.

Family Alias ($20 for ages 7+) The Alias game that is equally challenging to both children and adults. In this game, players use a spinner to see who you partner is for that round. For grownups there are special explaining styles that make the game even more hilarious.

About Tactic Games:
Tactic Group® is an international and fast growing developer and marketer of board games in Europe, now launching in the U.S. and Canada.  For the past 48 years, the Finnish board game company has provided consumers with innovative, high-quality products that have been warmly received by the public, including award-winning Mölkky® and iKNOW®.  Their mission is to produce entertaining games that offer moments of genuine delight and entertainment to family and friends the world over. 

You can find out more about Tactic Games on:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

#tacticgames

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Tactic Games. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Healing from Incest

MarksvilleandMe reviews

Healing from Incest

Written by

Geri Henderson

&

Seanne Emerton

This is not the general area I usually hit here on my site. Matter of fact I usually keep this on my other site One Mother's Account of Daily Life or even my Sibling's Separated a true story which I really need to get back to if I ever expect to finish my story or even get it published one day.

There is a long story behind my conception, birth, and finally me being taken away from my bio parents and placed with my forever family who happened to be my bio Uncle and Aunt on my bio paternal father's side who were supposed to have me from day one. Instead they were finally able to hold and keep me when I was 2 weeks old.

I am 10 of 12 because my mother was the kind of women who had twins and gave one away and took one home. From family stories the real number would be 12 of 14. I know we all read or hear the stories but my life was almost snuffed out by this women hours before the police arrived and found me hidden by my older in the woods during a rainstorm the night before. Sure I was in the hospital for weeks with pneumonia but if my sister hadn't done what she did I would not be here today.

And to think I was the lucky one. Out of all of my siblings I am the only one who was not  sexually abused by a family member. I am the only one who had a stable family growing up almost from the very beginning. I didn't have sick parents who were abusing their children and having their children abuse each other.

With that years later as I find each of them or they find me their lives have been full of fear, regret, remorse, hatred, and so many other feelings that I just could not understand. Then even though it skipped me it happened in our very own home. I won't say which children or who the aggressor was. We are past those times but still healing. It seems like it will be a lifelong sentence of healing, watching, and hoping it will never happen again.

When a child trusts someone to do the right things they think if someone close to them asks them to do something or does something to them it is OK. I never kept what happened to my siblings quite, my children grew up with age appropriate warnings of what not to do with anyone, and to always come to us for help. Trust is what hurt them, and now we are in the process of trusting again, no so much the person or persons who did this but that all people are not like this. You can reach out, there is help, you can heal.

This book helped out with lots of areas I didn't understand so that I can be there for both my siblings and children. I may be one of the youngest siblings but I still have compassion for what they went through, and love for my children who I never thought would ever have to worry about such tragic events.

This book is not the beat all of all books but it is one of many that are helping our family to heal, while helping me to be able to understand what they have been through.

You can find Healing from Incest on Amazon.


In speaking about Healing from Incest, Susan J. Lewis, Ph.D., J.D., Healing writes: “"Brave, profound, touching, healing. This well-written, honest book takes the reader inside the complexities of the therapeutic healing process from the patient and therapist's unique perspective. It is the story of hard work, hope, commitment and recovery!" Healing from Incest tells the journey of a victim-turned-survivor, working with her therapist to find healing. Readers are pulled into the therapeutic process as Henderson relates her conversations and feelings as a victim of child abuse and Emerton interprets those feelings and describes interventions. For those who recognize this as their own story, this frank and genuine narrative will be reassuring in its descriptions of one woman's journey toward hope and healing. About the front cover: kintsukuroi(n.) (v. phr.) "to repair with gold"; the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken.

You can find out more about Geri Henderson on:

Amazon

 #MSIPress

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Geri Henderson. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Nitetime Badminton

How do you make a game of Badminton more fun? How about night time Badminton with some really cool LED Shuttlecocks. Oh Yeah! Super fun for the the whole family. 

Badminton used to be one of my favorite games to play when friends came over to our house. It was fun that is until sundown came and you couldn't see the shuttlecock anymore. 

I really like how it came with 4 for some reason I thought I was only going to get one. I must have read it wrong but sure enough there are 4 in a pack, 3 steady lights, and 1 that changes color. Anyone for a game of nighttime badminton? 

You can find the LED Shuttlecocks on Amazon.

~Enjoy playing badminton at night with these Ohuhu® LED Badminton Shuttlecocks!

Fesrures:
*4 x LED Feather Shuttlecock (Red, Green, Blue, and Color-changing) - Perfect for playing in the dark environment.
*LED lights installed in the back of the cork, with On/Off push button.
*Material: goose feather, feather, SMD lamps, electronic products.
*Cork ball head and each shuttlecock only weights about 6.7g/0.24oz.
*Economical shuttlecocks for beginners and amateurs.

Specifications:
-Package Dimensions: 7.3 x 2.5 x 2.5 inch
-Product Weight: 60g 

Package Includes:
-1 x Red LED Shuttlecock
-1 x Green LED Shuttlecock
-1 x Blue LED Shuttlecock
-1 x Color-changing LED Shuttlecock

#LEDBadmintonShuttlecock

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Sunsella. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Making Cinderella

In case you haven't realized Halloween is just a hop skip and away from being front and center. The stores are setting up their merchandise, some people have even already started to decorate. For our family the kids are picking out what they want to be. Sure I have lots of ideas what I would like them to be for Halloween, but it really comes down to what they want to be. 

MarksvilleandMe joined with Costume Supercenter to bring you a great idea. Instead of running out and trying to find everything you need for your costume in the stores, wasting precious gas, resources, as well as time, you can sit in the comfort of your own home and shop when it is convenient for your family. 

Costume shopping 101

1. Ask your child what they would like to be.

2. Shoot out some ideas of your own. 

3. Decide on what they will be.

4. Decide how much you can spend.

5. Look in your own inventory for products you might already have. 

6. Sit back bring up Costume Supercenter and start browsing. 

My 7 year old Dorothy settled on being Cinderella from the Wedding. We have the Tiara (borrowed from my older 12 year old Princess Deanna) and the shoes. All we needed was the dress.

Once it came in she couldn't wait to give it a whirl. This dress is super nice by the way. I would even let her wear this to a special outing because it just is that nice.

Even though she wears a size 8 in girls clothes I always order costumes a size bigger so we went with the 10-12 size. A little extra room so she can get more than one wear out of it.

All of my children have loved to play dress up so we have lots of props for different kinds of play. Imagination is something I love to instill in my children and their love for creating just fills my heart with cheer. Often when the girls aren't playing Princess, you will find them fighting crime and evil by being fully dressed in Superhero Costumes. In case you are wondering Costume Supercenter has those too check the Superheroes section out.

Yes your majesty I would be honored to dance with you.

Looking to make someone Cinderella? You can find some great costumes at Costume Supercenter. They have costumes for young and old alike. 

You can find out more about Costume Supercenter on:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Costume Supercenter. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

When the pool is closed

Here in Ny after Labor day the outdoor pool is closed so how do our kids cool off? With water guns of course. One of my favorite ways to stay cool even being 43. Of course now I can't run after the kids but I can sit and wait for them to run by to get them with mine.

I found this water gun to be a little heavy in the back but it did shoot well, and soon became a new favorite in our home. We haven't had a new water gun in a long time. We had a huge set we bought years ago with enough for my whole childcare so I think we had around 15 of the same gun. Sadly 13 years later we were down to our last one and didn't even know where to start to look for a new set of water guns.

Even though I like this one it is a bit awkward for my 7 year old daughter and granddaughter so the search is still on for the perfect family water gun that is comfortable for both children and adults. Until then this one is mine. Ok back to the game.

GAME ON!

You can find the 31" Assault Rifle Single Nozzle Pump Water Gun on Amazon.



What Velocity Toys has to say about their product.

• 31" Assault Rifle Single Nozzle Pump Children's Toy Water Gun
  Powerful Single Nozzle Blaster!
  Perfect for Outdoor Fun in Spring/Summer!
  Approx. Length: 31"

You can find out more about Velocity Toys on:

Website

#watergun

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion with Tomoson and Velocity Toys. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com. 

Sleep Well for Kids: Under the Sea CD

Do you have a child that needs to calm down before getting to sleep or one who has a problem getting to sleep? Then this might be the CD you are looking for. Each of my children had a different song that they requested over and over for me to sing to them when they were little, but sometimes mom has been sick and a CD has just had to do. 

Luckily Jeff Gold and other musicians like him have come to our rescue with Relaxing Bedtime Tunes to lull our little ones to sleep. Sleep Well for Kids: Under the Sea CD is one of those CD even parents will want to fall asleep to, bring out the child imagination in all ages.

You can purchase Sleep Well for Kids:Under the Sea on Amazon.

What Live Well Series has to say about their product. 
How about giving a good night's sleep to an entire family?

Our CD, “Sleep Well for Kids – Under the Sea” features soothing guided meditation and beautiful relaxing melodies. Together, they combine to create a calming, nurturing atmosphere that is perfect for children (and parents) who have a difficult time winding things down at bedtime.

Janet Montgomery CH.t. is your guide as she takes you on a magical journey using guided imagery and visualization techniques to float you on a relaxing voyage to a special beach.  You will then be guided on a leisurely tour through the tide pools before diving down under the water to play with the dolphins and learn about the abundant sea life….all the while drifting off to a deep, restorative sleep.

Children are introduced to the basics of breathing techniques, progressive relaxation for their body, and visualization for managing worry and relaxing into a restful sleep.  “Sleep Well for Kids: Under the Sea” is a wonderful tool for helping children to learn the essential life-skills associated with calming down and relaxing.  Parents will find they will get the rest they need too!

We'd really appreciate your review, and we'd be happy to participate in a give-away!

To listen to clip, please visit our website,
http://livewellseries.com/sleep/

You can purchase Sleep well for Kids: Under the Sea and other music by Jeff Gold on:

Amazon

iTunes

cdbaby

You can find out more about Jeff Gold on: 

Website

Twitter

#jeffgoldmusic

Disclosure: MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.

Photo Chalk Markers by Ander Blake Company

This is the second set of Liquid Chalk Markers I have tried and even though these were a little harder to get started I liked using them just as much. Just follow the directions be patient they do work and work well. 

I love how bright they are and no more chalk mess everywhere like when you use regular chalk. I have found a new personal love, I don't share these with the children because of the price but I can see these and other brands of chalk markers becoming popular and we will see the price lower considerably. Low enough I will buy them for the kids too. 

Super fun. Think gift for teachers. 

You can purchase Photo Chalk Markers by Ander Blake Company on Amazon

You can find out more about the Ander Blake Company on:

Website

FaceBook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Pinterest

Google+

#ABCChalkMarkers

Disclosure:  MarksvilleandMe received one or more of the products mentioned above as part of a promotion using Tomoson.com. Regardless, MarksvilleandMe only recommends products or services we use personally and believe will be good for our readers. Some of the links in the article may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive compensation.  If you would like MarksvilleandMe to review a product or service please contact us at marksvilleandme@gmail.com.