SYNC 2020 Starts THIS Thursday

Once again SYNC will be giving away 2 FREE audiobooks every week all summer long. The first two books will be available starting this Thursday, April 30, and two more will be available each week through July 29. All books are yours to keep - no due dates - but you do have to grab them during the week they are available. The program is aimed at teens 13 and up, but anyone can sign up and enjoy the books.

This year Sync will be using the Sora app from Overdrive, so it's a bit different from years past. Be sure to visit the Sync website and register for the program. They'll give you all the information on downloading the app and getting signed in so you'll be ready when the first two books come available. I just did it, and it was super simple and took just a couple minutes. Be sure to get that done before Thursday.

Also, while you're there be sure to sign up for the text and/or email reminders so you don't miss any of the books. Remember, they're only available for 1 week, and if you miss them, there's no going back.

Here's a look at all the books that will be available this summer:

Looking for a Fun Family Vacation? Rent an RV!

You’ve done the theme parks, and you’ve been to all the tourist traps. You want a vacation that is not only fun but relatively stress free — a vacation where you are not spending most of your time waiting in line, not surrounded by huge crowds, and not shelling out a fortune. You want something different, a way to really make some memories. Renting an RV  may be the answer you are looking for, especially if you have kids.

• An RV Is More Fun Than a Hotel - A hotel room can be rather small and restrictive, and most of the time there are just a couple of beds, a TV, and a bathroom. But an RV has it all — a kitchen for midnight snacks, a table for family game night, and a bed for an afternoon nap. Unlike in a hotel room, you and your family can spend evenings outside enjoying a campfire and each other’s company. And when you’re ready to hit the hay, your bedroom is just a few feet away.
• RV Parks Are Fun, Too! - If you haven’t been to an RV campground in a while, you might be in for a surprise. There are some great RV parks that are full of sights you’d never get to see if you were stuck in a hotel. Many of these places are not too far from major cities. If you run into trouble, you can find a mobile RV repair Waco TX company to get you back on the road.
• You’ll Save Money - If you stay in a hotel, you have to shell out some money for expensive restaurants, but an RV has its own portable kitchen. This might be a great time for the kids to pitch in and make some meals, and think of all the money you can save!

If you and your family are staying in an RV, you also don’t have to worry about transportation to the sights you want to see, and you don’t have to pay extra for a rental car or a taxi. A rental RV is inexpensive and the possibilities for fun are limitless. It might just become your family's choice for an annual vacation.

3 Ways to Make Your Summer Party Amazing

It seems everyone is going stir crazy - either that or they're the 'essential' workers who really wish they could stay home and can't figure out why everyone else is complaining.

As the weather warms up, we're thinking of getting outside and looking forward to the time when we can get back together with our friends and family and have some fun. I wonder if more people will be planning big parties or get-togethers this summer than in past summers.

Here are three ways to make your summer party a success:

1. Canopy Tent - The hot summer temperatures can make it uncomfortable to be outside in the middle of the day. You can beat the summer heat by purchasing or renting a canopy tent for your party. A canopy tent can offer shade during the heat of the day and give attendees relief. It can be a great place to have tables and chairs set out, so you can enjoy a meal and conversation in the comfort of the shade.
    
2. Mobile Restroom - Having a large number of people outside can cause an issue when it comes to using the restroom. There may not be easy access to a public restroom or it may be too far away. Consider renting a mobile restroom. This can offer party-goers access to clean restroom facilities whenever they may need them. Mobile restrooms can have multiple stalls and they can even have a sink area so your guests can wash their hands after using the restroom. (Hopefully, after all this we've all learned the importance of washing our hands; let's just keep that up, shall we?)
    

3. Inflatables - If your party involves children or young adults, consider renting an inflatable or bouncy house. This can offer a fun place for kids to play and enjoy the warm temperatures. Inflatables and bouncy houses can range from small and simple to large enough to accommodate adults. They can have obstacles and slides for added fun for all who want to play.

Don’t let the summer heat keep you indoors next to the air conditioner. By following these tips, you can get outside and have a great time without letting the heat put a damper on your summer party plans.

New Activities to Try This Summer

Judging by all the posts I'm seeing on social media, people are going to be overjoyed when summer rolls around and they can get out and try something new. Honestly, they just want to get back to normal life, but here are a few new activities to try out this summer. These all sound like a lot of fun.

• Equestrian - Equestrian combines the natural wonders of outdoor horseback riding with the thrill of competition. Learning to ride a horse is one thing, but then learning to navigate it around an obstacle course is another aspect of the fun challenge of equestrian. The one easy part of this activity? It's easy to find a place to learn it this summer, such as the equestrian center Chester County. The summer will provide the time you need to get this activity down and make some big strides in equestrian. And then, when the Summer Olympics finally roll around next summer 2021, you'll know a lot more about the equestrian events, too. (I am really bummed about the Olympics being postponed)
   
• Surfing - Live near the water? Why not try out surfing? This sport also requires lots of practice and skill, but the refreshing nature of being in the water on hot summer days is a bit of consolation to wiping out on your board before you get the hang of things. There is nothing as cool as mastering a wave and being in complete control of your board. If you have the time, learning to surf can be a memorable summer activity that you'll come back to for life.
   

• Camping - There are lots of activities to get you closer to the great outdoors, however, nothing will immerse you in them more fully than going camping. With the warm weather, the camping season is at its peak in the summer. To try something different this summer, find a favorite park or campsite and pick a place for your tent to enjoy a rustic night outdoors.

Equestrian, surfing and camping are three fun new activities to try out this summer. With the extra time on your hands the summer will provide, why not try something new?

An Afternoon at the Pool

Jason has been visiting. He always stays with us for a couple weeks in the summer, and it's a tradition we plan to keep up as long as possible. I spend a lot of time reading with him or playing UNO. That boy loves to play games!

He also loves to swim, so we spent an afternoon at the pool this week.  I don't usually have anyone to go with, so I'd never been to the pool before. It was really nice, and even better? It was free! And there weren't very many people there at all, so it was almost like having our own pool. (school has started here - so early - so, even though the pool doesn't open now until school is out, I think people are just busy)

It was fun to hang out with Jason in the pool. He even jumped off the diving board! At first, he wasn't sure about doing it. He wanted to, but he was a bit afraid. After he'd done it once, he had no more problems and went off multiple times.

Google made a video from the pictures and video I took. I thought it was fun, so I'm sharing:

Make Sure Your Family is Ready for Summer

When the summer season starts and the temperatures start to rise, smart parents know that it's important to make sure that their family is ready for anything. From lazy days indoors to Sundays at the beach, the summer season can bring all sorts of excitement (along with cries of, "Mom, I'm bored!"). The question you have to ask yourself is, "Is my  family ready for the summer?"

One of the most important things for any homeowner to do before the summer season begins is to make sure that they have air conditioning. This is especially important if you live in one of the hotter areas of the country where the temperatures get very high and people can get very sick if they are left in the heat for too long. If you don't already have an air conditioner that is working well, you need to find and hire a local professional to get one installed in your home before the summer heat hits. For example, if you need HVAC Gloucester VA, you should call a reputable company like CC Air and Heat. This will ensure that your home stays cool and comfortable throughout the season and your family stays safe from the dangers of excessive heat.


Another important thing is to make sure that any pools in your area are completely secured and that your children are taught about water safety. If your children will be spending any time at the beach, at a pool, on a river, or at any other place where they could fall into the water, they should have swimming lessons as well as wear a life jacket. If you have a pool in your backyard, it's essential that it is fenced in and only accessible by a locked gate that is too tall for small children to open and enter. Drowning is a leading cause of death for small children in many places so don't let it happen to you.

Finally, make sure that your summer is fun. Let your kids relax, don't over schedule them, and spend quality time with them this summer.

Get the Most Out of Summer with the Kids

Summer can be a wonderful and enjoyable time with the kids, but there are times the summer heat can drain all the energy and fun out of your summer. Fortunately, there are several ways you can keep your cool all summer long whether you’re at home, outside, or on a fun-filled outing.

Cooling Off the Indoors

A little prep work inside your home will help you remain comfortable during the summer. Install insulated window treatments to block the hot rays of the sun, and remember to keep the drapes pulled on sunny days. Switch out bedding for 100% cotton sheets and lightweight blankets and quilts. Make sure your air conditioner is functioning properly too. There's nothing so frustrating as turning your AC on that first really hot day of summer only to find out that it does not work. If you are looking for AC replacement Fort Myers has many reputable professionals such as those at Gulf Shore Cooling that can help.

Get the Backyard Ready

Summers spent in the backyard can be fun as long as they are safe. Make sure you have plenty of shade. If your lawn lacks trees, use a table with an umbrella for picnic-style meals. Awnings and canopies are ideal for over sandboxes and other play areas, and water toys such as squirt guns, slip and slides, and children’s pools are great ways to cool off with supervision.

Ideal Day Trips

Summer days can become boring quickly when you are a child full of energy. Day trips are an excellent way to show your children new and fun places while spending time together as a family. Cool off at the local pool or spend an afternoon at the beach. The zoo is a wonderful place to visit, and walking the trails at a nearby park can be educational. You don't have to spend a lot of money to have a lot of fun. Do a quick internet search for free (and cheap) things to do in your area.

By following these tips you can have an enjoyable summer that both you and the kids will remember fondly for years to come. It is possible to have fun and stay cool this summer. A few quick changes inside and out along with some fun-filled day trips will help you make the most of this special time together.

Kids Bowl Free all Summer Long

Now that school is about over for the year, moms everywhere are dreading those two words - "I'm Bored"

Yep, the kids are so excited for summer vacation.  No getting up early.  No classes.  No homework.  Nothing to do.  It's all good for the first day or two, and then boredom sets in.

AMF has the answer!  Kids bowl free all summer long!  That means now through September 3, kids 15 and under can bowl two free games every day.  Free bowling is available 7 days a week until 8pm. All you have to do is visit the AMF Summer Unplugged page, find a participating location, and fill out the simple registration form.  Every week they'll email you vouchers for two free games for each child per day.  Whether you go every day or just a time or two during the summer, it's a great deal and a great way to beat the heat and the boredom.

And if you want to bowl too - because it's more fun that way! - or if your kids are older than 15, AMF has a deal for you too.  For only $29.95 you can purchase a Summer Pass that enables you and up to 3 family members 16 and up to bowl 2 games every day all summer long.

Note: I was planning to post this earlier, as part of a campaign through One2One Network, and I would have been entered to win some kind of prizes for doing it.  But I was thinking I had more time - for some reason the wrong date got stuck in my head, and I just kept putting it off.  So I will not be eligible to win anything, but I still wanted to let you know about this - in case you haven't heard about it on the radio or seen it somewhere else online.  I love free (or very cheap) entertainment!  And I strongly believe in getting out and doing things with the kids as much as possible - enjoy them while they're young and make memories.  Plus, now that smoking is not allowed indoors (at least here in Wisconsin), it's actually possible for families to go bowling together without worrying about all that nasty smoke.  I always thought bowling should be a family activity, but unfortunately the smokers did their best to discourage that!  Not anymore!!

I'm just wishing my kids weren't all grown up and off doing their own things and living their own lives, because I'd love to include bowling in our summer activities.

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The Most Important Thing to Know About Sunscreen

What is the most important thing you need to know about sunscreen?  Is it the SPF?  The higher the better, right?  Whether it blocks UVA or UVB rays, or both?  That is contains ingredients like Mexoryl SX or avobenzon?  And what do those even do, anyway?

Nope, I'd say the most important thing you need to know about sunscreen is to apply it - and remember to re-apply it! Swimming, sweating, and just generally spending time in the sun wash away your sunscreen and lower the effectiveness.  So, applying sunscreen in the morning is a good thing, but if you go out canoeing all day and don't re-apply, this is what can happen:

Pain!  For days. Then, you turn into a reptile of some type and get all scaly and start shedding your skin.

We've been using a lot of aloe gel around here.  More you need to know about sunscreen.

Let the Summer Fun Begin

Memorial Day Weekend - the unofficial start to summer. Unofficial because summer doesn't actually start until around June 21, but that doesn't stop everyone from getting into a summer state of mind. Already the Events Calendar for Milwaukee is full. Every weekend there is something going on, starting this weekend with Chocolate Fest in Burlington. Who can really argue with a whole festival dedicated to chocolate? We went to that one once, and my biggest suggestion there is - MORE FREE CHOCOLATE. There was plenty of chocolate there, but I wanted some samples!

Some of the other big festivals in this area include Summerfest - the world's largest music festival, Festa Italiana, Mexican Fiesta, River Splash, Bastille Days, Irish Fest, and Polish Fest. There is literally something for everyone, and you really could attend a big event every single weekend all summer long - Memorial Day through Labor Day. I don't think it would be possible to attend all the Events in Milwaukee and surrounding areas. It would certainly take a lot of planning and dedication!

We're not quite that dedicated. We usually go to Summerfest, the 4th of July fireworks in Waukesha, and the State Fair, and that's about it. How about you? What are you doing for fun this summer?

Radio Disney Concert Series at Morey's Piers

Cory and the band got a pretty decent day at the water park yesterday. It wasn't extremely sunny, and it wasn't extremely warm, but it wasn't cold, and that's always a good thing. There was one summer we went on a Sunday, and the day was cloudy and cold and pretty miserable. we still managed to have a good time, but I know we would have appreciated some sunshine and warmth!

Speaking of water parks, I've been wasting time on browsing this new jersey water park website. It's called Morey's Piers, and it's not just a water park, it's a whole amusement park, family fun, water park extravaganza. Cory and I were talking on the way home yesterday about which water slides he went on, and which ones he didn't. For some reason, even though Jeffrey and I really like roller coasters and thrilling rides, neither one of our kids does. How did that happen? Anyway, at Morey's Piers they have the fun rides Jeffrey and I like and the water park the kids like, all in one place. They've got three amusement piers and two beach front water parks. It looks like a great place for a New Jersey vacation with the family.

Also, looking through some of the Wildwood events at Morey's Piers, I see that they are having a Radio Disney concert series this summer. On Magic Mondays (July 7, 14, and 21) the concerts feature some of the hottest rising stars of Radio Disney, and they are FREE. Shows are scheduled for both 1 PM and 4 PM. Then, on July 26, Raven-Symone of That's So Raven will perform, along with Mitchel Musso from Hannah Montana (which my kids would never admit watching, but I have caught them watching now and again) and Drew Seeley. Partial proceeds from that concert will go to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. I remember little Raven-Symone from The Cosby Show. Wasn't she just the cutest thing?

I'm pretty sure we won't make it to New Jersey this summer, so I'm not ready to book any Cape May hotels. But if you like amusement parks, water parks, concerts, Disney, and fun, and you're going to be in New Jersey in July, head on over to Wildwood to Morey's Piers.

School's Out for the Summer

Cory's last day was yesterday. He was only required to take 4 of his exams, and one of those was Jazz Band, which he took last Thursday. The other 3 were all yesterday, so that was his only day this week. Beth only had 3 exams she had to take, but hers were spread out - one each day, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So, when she got home today, she was all done - done being a sophomore. Next year she'll be a junior. Only two more years of high school. Wow. I remember when she started kindergarten, just yesterday.

It was good that Cory only had one day of exams. Otherwise he would only have gotten two days off (plus the weekend) before summer school starts. This way he got practically a whole week off. I don't know what he's doing with his time off, but it's nice to have some. I think tomorrow we might go to the lake and go swimming. Other than that, what should we do for summer? Better start thinking of some fun stuff.