Spiced Apple Cider - An Easy and Delicious Fall Cocktail

It's apple cider season. One of my favorite things about the fall, is apples and apple cider. I can still remember as a little girl, stopping at Sunny Slope Orchards with my grandfather to pick up apples and apple cider. While he was making his purchases, I would help myself to a paper cone cup of fresh apple cider, straight from a dispenser right in the warehouse.

A few years ago, I discovered a way to make my apple cider a little more "grown-up" with the addition of spiced rum - YUM. This is a great warm, fall drink. I make them every Halloween, while the kids are out trick or treating.

The Best Summer Ever | #Moms4JNJConsumer {sponsored}

 

This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

Summer is the time for fun - right? And what could be more fun than having some friends over for  a little old fashioned backyard summer fun? Thanks to The Motherhood and Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc, we got to share some backyard summer fun with friends and family and do a little summer entertaining.

We know that Target is THE place for all your summer fun essentials! Last summer, we bought the boys an inflatable pool to hang out in on hot days. Well they and their friends use that as a "filling station" for squirt bottles, water shooters, sponges and water balloons! Throw on a bathing suit, grab a towel and enjoy some good old-fashioned water play on a hot day.

For the smaller kids, you can't go wrong with some sidewalk chalk and bubbles.  Target has a great selection and we keep a supply of both on-hand all summer long.

For family fun, lawn games like badminton, bocce and croquet are all making a big comeback. We picked up a few sets at Target and have been getting a kick out of learning new games. Through August 16, you can play a virtual soccer game, share your score and take a shot at instantly winning a $200 Target eGiftCard. You could also win one of more than $15,000 in prizes! Score savings with Target-specific coupons on key essentials for summertime (and all the time!)

Refreshing drinks and summer snacks are always in demand. When the boys have friends over, we serve up lemonade (traditional yellow and festive pink too) and iced tea to help keep them cool. Soda and Mixers for the grown-ups too. In between water battles, I like to have a variety of snacks to keep everyone's energy levels up! Some fruit, cheese sticks and pretzels keep active kids energized.

After a full afternoon of playing, treat kids to a yummy and cool treat like popcicles or old-fashioned fudgcicles. I found a great recipe on Pinterest, that tastes just like the originals (see more ideas on my Summer Fun board). Don't have enough molds? Don't worry, paper cups and popcicle sticks do the trick too!

With all the summer fun, bumps, bug bites and scratches happen too, so I keep a small bucket handy with Neosporin, anti-itch cream and Bandaids in it for quick fixes! Don't forget the sunscreen! Hats and sunglasses can add layers of protection too for all your outdoor fun!

We sent our guests home with family favorite, everyday HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® courtesy of Johnson and Johnson.

Sadly, we can't invite EVERYONE over this summer, but that's okay because the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® program is offering amazing printable coupons, tips and tools and so much more for all the products you and your family love! So be sure to head over to save! HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® Products are key essentials that can help you and your family keep going and stay focused on fun this summer, no matter what happens. You won't have to worry, because you're prepared for the Best Summer Ever!

How are you and your family having fun this summer?

catch you soon -

How-To: Make a Bowling Ball & Pin Birthday Cake

For his 7th Birthday this year, Owen wanted to have a bowling party. The lanes where we chose to have the party supplied everything but the cake. So I set off to figure out how to make a bowling ball and bowling pin birthday cake, and now I am sharing that with you.

Let me start by telling you I am not a talented baker. I can follow a recipe, I can operate a pastry bag. . .but the Cake Boss has nothing to fear from me. But this is relatively easy, so take a deep breath, and let's get started!

Avocado Watermelon Skewers Recipe

This post was sponsored by The Motherhood and The Amazing Avocado.

You may know that avocados are a delicious and healthy addition to your menu and party plans. About three slices of avocado (a one ounce serving) has only 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Did you know that an avocado is a fruit and that they are available year-round? It's true, and avocados contribute good fats to your diet.

How-To Throw a Birthday Party

In this day and age of extreme kids' parties and over-the-top celebrations. . .there is still much to be said about having a simple, low-key birthday party for your child - one that celebrates them and shows how special they are. That's really what it's all about it int he end, celebrating the life of your child.

Get Patriotic and Crafty with an Easy Photo Booth

With all the red, white and blue out from Memorial Day through Flag Day, it's easy to capture some great photos using a Flag as a back drop.

We have an old flag in our garage. . .I hung it over the fence in the side yard and got these pretties. . .If you're having a party, this is a great way to capture everyone as they walk in. You could even add props.

If you don't have a big flag - consider making a semi-circle of little ones and having your family sit behind them. . .or a white background when they are in their red, white and blue.  You could have your kids paint a flag on white posterboard and use that in the background too.

But take this opportunity to record a moment in your family's history - the story of you.

catch you soon -