My Absolute Favorite Summer Products

 

Every product in this post is something I personally have tried and would buy again.

First up, sunscreen for summer sun safety fun!

1. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids Sunscreen Spray, Water-Resistant and Oil-Free, Broad Spectrum SPF 70+
• This is good for not just kids but adults too, and it goes on very quickly!
2. Banana Boat Kids Sport Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Stick with SPF 50
• This is great for kids' faces, and it doesn't run into their eyes.
3. Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Reef Friendly Sunscreen Spray, Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• If you've ever gotten a sunburn in the part of your hair, you know why I'm recommending a spray sunscreen specially formulated for hair.
4. The Body Shop Vitamin C Glow-Protect Lotion SPF 30
• This is what I use on my own face for daily wear, and I like the extra hit of Vitamin C.

Sunscreen aside, what else is important for summer skin? I'd say moisturizing properly is important.

1. Too Cool for School Egg Mellow Cream
• I've been using this moisturizer for years. What I like most about it are that it doesn't break me out, and that the packaging is very convenient and hygienic (no tub to dip one's finger in).
2. Sheamoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Body Lotion
• This is a relatively new product for me, but if you're looking for an affordable all-over moisturizer that smells nice, try this hibiscus-scented one.
3. Pre de Provence Artisanal French Soap Bar Enriched with Shea Butter, Starflower
• Personally, I love this bar soap, but what's important is to find a soap that won't dry you out.
4. Panama Jack Burn Relief Gel - After Sun Topical Analgesic, Cools & Soothes Sunburns, Insect Bites, Cuts & Scrapes, Contains Aloe and Menthol
• I found this product on a vacation and the more fair-skinned members of my family can attest that it helps if despite your best efforts you've gotten a shoulder or neck sunburn.

Here are some products my children use throughout the year, but especially during the summer.

1. It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In product
• I use this on my own hair, but also on my long-haired daughter and my wavy-haired son. It works well and has a pleasant scent.
2. Bed Head Curls in Check 1875 Watt Diffuser Hair Dryer
• It seems like summer is one long cycling transition from dry children to wet children, whether it be from a sprinkler, the pool, or a water gun. I find this hair dryer to be reliable and affordable, and use it myself too.
3. Kids UPF50+ Safari Sun Hat Breathable Bucket Hat
• A brimmed hat is a wise choice for anyone, young or old. This hat fits my three-year-old daughter, but she'll need a larger one next year.
4. Crocs Kids' Classic Clog Slip On Shoes for Boys and Girls
• Whether we're at the beach, the pool, the splash park, or just walking the dog, these amphibious shoes are great.

And here are some products I use on my own hair during the summer in order to combat the humidity and add moisture. In addition to the items that follow, I'd also recommend a wide-toothed comb for detangling, and some gentle hair ties.

1. Foxy Curls by TIGI Bed Head Screw It Curl Hydrating Gel
• I wish the packaging were better - it can and will leak. I can add a dab of this to my hair after a shower and it will be more behaved.
2. Spa Life Shea and Avocado Nourishing Hair Mask
• I use this mask in the winter too, but find that chlorine and saltwater are really punishing to hair and this helps to mitigate their deleterious effects. I also like using olive oil hair masks.
3. L'Oreal Paris Studio Line Overworked Hair Putty
• I use this hair putty to tame flyaway hairs. I have heard that you can use clear mascara for the same purpose but haven't tried yet.
4. Conair Color Match Bobby Pins, Brown
• Using a few bobby pins to effortlessly pin up an asymmetric hair style is a quick way to add a bit of visual interest and height to your hair.

All of the above being said, do what works for you, your family, and your budget.

Shared Boys Bunk Bedroom

I was going for a vaguely tropical vibe with does of colors found in nature, specifically, greens and blues. I was also on a relatively tight budget.

I particularly liked these two photos for inspiration: bunk room with turquoise walls and T-Rex poster, and bunk room with black and white.

My goal was not only to create a space for restful sleep, but also a place where the children could participate in virtual school via laptops connected to an online classroom.

Shopping Links:

1. White photo frame
2. Wood photo frame
3. Bunk beds
4. Desks
5. Bed canopy
6. Monogram alligator art
7. Monogram whale art
8. Submarine sheets set 1
9. Alligator sheets set
10. Submarine sheets set 2
11. Multi-colored square pillow (no longer available from CB2)
12. Multi-colored rectangular pillow
13. Beige rug
14. Pair of koalas art
15. Single koala art
16. Shark art
17. Cockatoo art
18. Pair of chairs
19. Stars blanket (no longer available from Target)
20. Coat hangers
21. Curtain rings
22. Wall shelf for books
23. Wire bin for closet
24. Whiteboard set
25. Math notebook
26. Drawing pads
27. Wooden storage box for office supplies
28. Gray wall shelves
29. Teal mason jars for storing whiteboard markers
30. Weighted blanket
31. Superhero curtains
32. Blue sheets set (no longer available from Walmart)
33. Fleece blankets
34. Warmie microwavable heating pad
35. Hamper

Individual details - Each boy got his own desk, chair, and bunk bed. The curtains feature The Hulk, because that's what they wanted, and I don't think it's bad to let their personality shine through too. The blank wood boxes were customized by the boys - each decorated his own with acrylic paint.

Installation - There was only enough room for one boy to have a bed canopy because of the window placement. I actually hung the gray shelves side by side to create a longer shelf. I hung the art in clusters, although the whale and koalas are for one boy, and the alligator and sharks are for the other.

This post contains Amazon Associates links.

#bunkroom #boysroom #sharedbedroom #kidsroom #virtualschoolsetup

How to Make $1,000 in Only 6 Weeks

 

Recently, in a budget group I'm a member of, someone asked this question:

How can I make an extra $1,000 in 6 weeks? Besides get a job, or get a second job.

My answer:

• Cancel all subscriptions: gym, magazines, Hulu, etc.
• Avoid all delivery and convenience services: Grubhub, Doordash, Ubereats, etc.
• Revise your transportations situation: downsize your car, or stop owning a car, which will also save you on car insurance

Here are some other ideas, organized by short versus long term:

SHORT TERM, and/or ONE TIME

• Participate in paid wellness initiatives through your job, e.g. weight loss or smoking cessation
• Use up your pantry or freezer stash
• Sell items around your home
• Proofread on Fiverr
• Shop around for a better rate on your insurance or utilities, and/or ask your current providers for discounts
• Temporarily scale back the amount of your income that you devote to retirement or kids' college savings (we're talking about doing this for a few months, not forever)
• Refinance high-interest loans
• Become a paid research test subject
• Sell plasma (not something I would personally do)
• Cancel anything with a recurring membership fee, e.g. credit cards with an annual fee

LONG TERM, and/or LIFESTYLE

• Become an influencer - get endorsements and earn commissions
• Cook at home and eat leftovers - avoid dining out
• Write a book and self-publish - earn passive income for years
• Fix your items and/or buy secondhand instead of buying new - a penny saved is a penny earned
• Never borrow money - don't pay interest on your purchases

You may wonder, "Where's the tip to use coupons?" or "Where's the tip to buy in bulk?" Coupons rarely net enough savings to merit the time it takes to clip them. Unless the purchase is quite large, like a refrigerator, coupons or rebates may not be worth it. As far as bulk purchases, the upfront cost to purchase would probably not net you savings in the short (6-week) timeframe.

Note that this post is not advice; this post is written for reader enjoyment only.

Mini Closet Makeover for the Boys

Results

The results photo is above. I decided to move things around one afternoon using only items I already had. Changes made: moved little girl clothes to Rosie's closet, swapped in a larger drawer unit (on right, from laundry room), moved pet bunny's hay to under the bed, removed the wire pull-out drawer, hung jeans from the lower shelf, allowed more height for hanging clothing (e.g. bathrobes), and moved pajamas into one of the re-used / smaller drawer units. On the top-most drawer is still clothing that is one size too large or excess / overflow clothing, what organizers might call "back stock." There is one "back stock" bin per child. There is actually room to grow in this closet - the wicker basket is empty, as is the bottom-most drawer of the re-used / smaller drawer unit.

Steps

Not a bad "before" for two kids and a pet bunny

The basket drawer was always sliding out because nothing is ever level in our home

Seeing how low I could hang the lower shelf with the larger drawer unit

Staging area, a big mess during the process

Trying things out

Putting all socks and underwear in the lowest drawer, divided in baskets by child

Almost the final version... still has large hay box

After

Links (from top):

1. Wire bins
2. Wicker rectangular basket
3. Gray bin, no longer available
4. Pet food container
5. Small dust pan and brush, similar
6. White bin
7. Clear bins
8. Teal three-drawer unit
9. Trash can, similar
10. Large white and clear three-drawer unit
11. Closet system with shelves and rod

*This post contains some affiliate links

#closetorganization #boybedroom #kidsbedroom #sharedcloset

Myself, Pre-40

No, I'm not going to post exactly how old I am or when my birthday is, but let's say that I'm running out of time to post about who thirties "Me" is. So, consider this an out of the ordinary post recapping myself for once.

A. My Schedule – On a work day, I wake up at about 7 a.m., but on the weekends, I prefer to sleep in until 8 a.m., when the kids wake me. I'd prefer to take a 2-hour early afternoon nap and then go to sleep at about 11 p.m. on the weekends.

B. My Size – I think I'm currently rocking a size 8 at three months postpartum.

C. My Personality – I don't know... I used to consider myself an optimist and generally a person who has far more happy days than sad days.

D. My Favorite Things

• Colors: Aqua blue. White. Off-black. Fuchsia.
• Shows and Movies: I've been watching a lot YouTube - some of my favorites are: Screen Junkies Honest Trailers, and Alexandra Gater. I also secretly love watching old episodes of The Golden Girls.
• Books: I tend to read non-fiction books. I really enjoyed reading Marie Kondo's The Magic of Tidying Up and Leo Babauta's The Power of Less.
• Toys and Play (Recreation): I feel like all I do in my spare time is clean. That being said, I like jogging and going for low-key hikes. I used to like doing cross stitch and painting but I haven't done either regularly in a very long time.
• Art: When I do art these days it's drawing or calligraphy. Every now and then I daydream about turning into a handmade cards kind of person, but then don't.
• Activities: My favorite thing to do these days is sing songs with Rosie - she loves singing!
• Time of Day: Afternoons.
• Bedding: I have a white comforter, a pillow I love from IKEA that is the perfect amount of puffy, and a genuine Pendleton National Park blanket.
• Clothing: I'm a jeans shorts and neon sandals kind of person. With a brimmed hat.
• Foods: My favorite food is probably crème brulee doughnuts from a local restaurant.
• Animals: I really likes horses, but I also really enjoy cats, and other cuddly animals.
• Heroes/Characters: I always liked Rogue from the XMen TV show because of her super strength.

E. Things I Do Not Like – Waking up. I like hitting "snooze."

F. What I'm Thinking About – I feel like I'm on the cusp of some big life changes. Like I'm in the "making preparations" (saving money) phase. And that the next chapter hasn't been written or even decided yet.

G. Surprises – I really thought I'd be a homeowner by now. Someday I will be again.

H. Best & Worst Things –

• The best thing(s): I'm fairly healthy, and am thankful to have the love and support of my family.
• The worst thing(s): That there aren't more hours in the day.

I. Family and Friends – I've missed seeing friends during Covid.

J. Parenting or What I’m Doing Differently – Honestly, everything I'm going through right now with regard to parenting is new territory. I'm an only child who is raising a large family (four kids!). I wish I had enough money to outsource the things that I'd rather not spend my time on (e.g. food preparation) and to buy more space for us to stretch out. Living in a small home is cozy but also limiting at times. And thus that I'd get to spend more time with my kids, ideally relaxing in a massive living room watching movies or spread out around a fire pit in a secluded, secure, inviting backyard.

The Last Son, at Age 0.25

We had our fourth and final child recently. This post is titled "The Last Son" but could've easily been titled "The Last Baby" or "Our Last Child."

A. His Schedule – He wakes up at round 7 a.m., and goes to bed for the night at about 10 p.m. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. he's rather fussy.

B. His Size – He's wearing size 6-9 month clothing at age 4 months.

C. His Personality – He seems good-natured and patient. He has mastered the silent smile. I joke that "he keeps a low profile," lest he get smothered by his older sister's attention.

D. His Favorite Things

• Colors: It is way too soon to tell, but he looks good in aqua.
• Shows and Movies: He loves TV, no matter what's on.
• Books: It's hard to hold him and read a book to the other kids.
• Toys and Play: He likes holding on to burp cloths and mouthing them.
• Art: It's too soon to know.
• Activities: He seems to like just about everything, especially being held and being outside. I think he likes feeing the breeze on his skin.
• Time of Day: Uncertain.
• Bedding: He has a couple of mint-colored blankets but honestly doesn't use them. He seems to "run hot" and thus he sleeps in nothing but his footie pajamas.
• Clothing: He has spent every day of his life in footie pajamas except holidays when he dressed up.
• Foods: He's never had anything but milk.
• Animals: Too soon to tell.
• Heroes/Characters: Too soon to tell.

E. Things He Does Not Like – Tummy aches.

F. What He’s Thinking About – He tends to look deep into my eyes. I don't know what he's thinking about though.

G. Surprises – It's worked out really well to have his crib in his sister's room. They keep each other amused when they're in there together.

H. Best & Worst Things –

• The best thing(s): He's a strong, healthy baby.
• The worst thing(s): That I can't spend more time with him due to work commitments.

I. Family and Friends – Who wouldn't want to hold him? He's so sweet! He hasn't seen/met much of his family yet due to Covid, unfortunately.

J. Parenting or What I’m Doing Differently – I'm planning to stop breastfeeding much sooner than I had for The Bear and Rosie. Why? It's just too much on top of everything else. I want to focus on what's most important, and that's spending time with him, not giving him 0.001% superior-to-formula milk.

Rosie, at Age 2.5

A. Her Schedule – She wakes up at about 7 a.m., takes a nap at about 1:30 p.m., and goes to bed at between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m.

B. Her Size – She's wearing size 3T clothes and size 9 shoes.

C. Her Personality – She's a very sweet, friendly, good-natured child. She loves people, especially babies. She also loves singing and has memorized so many songs!

D. Her Favorite Things

• Colors: Red, pink, and aqua.
• Shows and Movies: She likes Yo Gabba Gabba, Peppa Pig, and Mickey Mouse.
• Books: She likes Dr. Seuss.
• Toys and Play: She really likes dollhouse-style play (setting up a "house," putting "furniture" in it, and then putting "characters" in it). She also loves bath-time play, from bath bombs to playing with kitchen toys in there.
• Art: She loves drawing with markers and creating with Play Doh.
• Activities: She loves being outside. She likes the slides at the playground the best, but is also happy just walking around or playing in her "sandy box" (sandbox).
• Time of Day: Any time that she's not being put to bed.
• Bedding: She has a couple of pink fleece blankets.
• Clothing: She likes "girlie" clothing best, from dresses to items with lace, ruffles, or floral designs.
• Foods: She likes Danimals, McDonald's, Goldfish crackers ("goldie fish"), juice, and milk.
• Animals: She is far more fascinated by babies than by animals. She is even afraid of our dog and rabbit, despite that they are fat, gentle creatures.
• Heroes/Characters: She doesn't really seem to care about superheroes. I guess her favorite character might be Peppa Pig.

E. Things She Does Not Like – Bedtime.

F. What She’s Thinking About – How to reliably get Alexa to sing her songs. She can easily get Alexa to play "Baby Shark" but something like "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" is much harder.

G. Surprises – Possibly how into babies she is. I'm also surprised that she seems to know all of her ABC's, something that "The Bear" didn't learn until halfway through Kindergarten.

H. Best & Worst Things –

• The best thing(s): When she says "thank you" or cuddles.
• The worst thing(s): That she takes all of the toys out all of the time. It makes it impossible to stay on top of the mess.

I. Family and Friends – She's a bit of a social butterfly so Covid has been harder for her than my oldest child. She seems to glob on to any kids she sees.

J. Parenting or What I’m Doing Differently – She has never been at a daycare center, and honestly, I think that's a good thing. Daycare centers have a lot of noise and activity, and I think that can be overwhelming and draining for most kids. And that's before factoring in that my older kids, who both went to large centers, got sick a lot during that time.