Today's Sand Gone is a new summer essential — something that totally needs to get stashed in every beach bag.
This got me thinking about other must-have items that should get stashed in your satchel on a trip to the beach or even your neighborhood pool. I am addicted to lists, so I took some time to whip up a quick packing list for your Beach Bag!
News sites and blogs around the internet are abuzz about the 16 LB baby born in Texas. (You can learn more about this big bundle of joy here, here, and here.) Many people are wondering how this baby got to be so big, and it seems that there are a lot of factors in play including the parents large stature and gestational diabetes.
Each and every year, it's estimated that a quarter of kids 14 and under will sustain an injury that requires medical attention, and it seems that nearly half of these happen during summer months. YIKES!
You don't need to keep your kiddo at home on lock down (isn't there some stat about most accidents happening in the home?), but there is plenty that you can do to help your kids be safe and injury free while still having fun. Here are some tips to help your kids stay healthy and safe this summer!
It's an old-fashioned idea, and maybe a little cliched, but running a lemonade stand has been a right of passage for kiddos for generations.
A lemonade stand does more than keep children busy. Running a microbusiness can be fun and educational, and it can teach an even greater lesson when your child commits to donate their profits to a charity, like Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to fight childhood cancer.
While this new venture might keep most kids busy for a day or two (or if they are like little me, maybe a couple of hours), it's a great way to pass the summer. Keep an eye out for garage sales, parades, festivals and other activities your little one could piggy-back on when setting up their stand in order to gain maximum profits (or donations). With any luck, your child will have a super fun time, work on their math skill and learn a little about economics — all under your supervision, of course :)
Summer is in full-swing, which means lots of little guys and gals are hanging out in the outdoors. BBQs and backyard parties are sure popular, but it is always a bummer when the buggies arrive!
Thank heavens I found P.S., the Paper Source Blog! They have a great step-by-step instructions for putting together these lovely cup toppers to keep the critters out while looking cute. Pretty and practical, these cup covers can be a fun party-activity or a lovely handmade alternative to place cards.
Visit P.S. to get the scoop and get crafting!
I recently stumbled across this super sweet and ultra simple Father's Day craft project at Toddler Craft and just had to share! This is exactly what I would have wanted to make for my Dad as a little girl.
I was obsessed with books, and I wanted to be a writer. One of my favorite activities was to "write" stories by dictating them to my parents and other relatives. For other kids, they might not be as into books and reading as I was, and by "writing" their own book for their daddy, it's a great way to teach them that the written word can be fun!
Take a moment to visit Toddler Craft for some easy instructions on how to help your little guy or gal write a "My Family" book for Father's Day (which is coming on June 19th this year).
<3
Julie
P.S. Happy almost Father's Day to my dad and all the other amazing father's out there! Thank you!
Summer vacation is finally here for many boys and girls! Woo hoo!
Now that school isn't in session, you might be looking for a way to keep your smart kiddos sharp and creative until school is back in session. We at Team Hippo have a swell idea: CRAFTS!
We came across an AMAZING craft blog, Ken's World, published by an "accidental crafter" named Ken Oliver, and we are enamored with his newest project. Continue reading »
The Posh Petals Hair Clips on HB today are so pretty and so perfect for summer! If I didn't have such super short hair, I would have already snagged one of almost every pair!
These fun floral clips are making me think of all the other fun-in-the sun styles for summer. Aside from a flower clipped into tresses, I'm thinking painted toes, espadrilles and sun dresses.
Let us know what you like to rock when the weather gets warm. What are your favorite summer styles for you and for little ones? Are there any summer must-haves that you would love to see on HB? Tell us in the comments or via Twitter. We love to know what you like, and we love getting new ideas for amazing deals!
Can't wait to hear from you!
Julie
Now that all those April showers are out of the way, I am more than ready for some May flowers. While I don't have much of a green thumb, there are plenty of folks out there that do. There are also a lot of folks out there who have green green thumbs — organic gardeners. Lucky for us, some of these folks also happen to have amazing blogs.where they dish out the dirt (if you will pardon my pun), on how to have healthier, prettier plants with lots of hints, tips and solid advice. Read on to find my FAVE organic gardening blogs:
As a cat momma, I have become enamored with almost all things feline. One bit of cat-related awesomeness I've come across is Simon's Cat. Simon Tofield's short videos are super cute and ultra-hilarious, and I'm sure those of you who aren't cat people will still find his cartoons pretty funny. Check out his newest video below, and feel free to tell me what you think.
<3
Julie
