by Signe Whitson

My husband and I are complete opposites when it comes to packing luggage.  I like to think of vacation as a time to simplify; for me, there is freedom in all of the things I can live without.  My other half prefers to make sure he leaves nothing to chance and that he brings along every possible possession, item, toiletry, and snack that he could possibly (or impossibly) need on a trip. 

This summer, our airline let us know that they assess a surcharge for baggage and require individual suitcases to weigh under 40 pounds (lest we pay a second charge).  Given those conditions, we agreed to meet in the middle of our packing preferences for our family vacation.  When it came to our kids’ bags, we found common ground with these takers and leavers:

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With the first day of summer almost here, who wants a hot cup of coffee? Not me! Although I was a bit skeptical, I was excited to try the Toddy cold brew system. I enjoy my store-made drinks! That being said, the ease and cost-efficiency of making these at home deserved a try! The drinks were easy to make (and fun to make!) and tasted great. I am looking forward to testing out other drink recipes!

Seattle’s Best Coffee’s cold brewed coffee brewing process can be replicated at home using the Toddy home brewing system.
YouTube sums up the cold brewing process pretty nicely here (and you can view cold brewed recipes to see all kinds of drinks you can make with the Toddy here.

To be entered to win, comment here on why you want to try the Toddy! Winner will be chosen on Sunday, Aug 1st. Winner received one pound of Seattle’s Best Coffee and the Toddy cold brewing system! (Over $50 value!)

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By Summer Minor, a mom first and foremost, but also a consultant writer for a baby clothes boutique

Learning how to swim can be a fun and exciting time. Seeing them in a cute baby bathing suit, makes you want to rush to the pool or beach. But, it can also be frustrating and nerve-wracking, for the parents and the children. When teaching a toddler to swim it can be even more challenging. Here are ten simple tips for parents to know when they begin swimming lessons for their toddlers.

Prepare yourself

• This means being CPR certified in case of emergencies. No parent wants to imagine the worst happening, but when water and toddlers mix it is too often the case. Knowing what to do before a tragedy happens will make the entire experience safer for everyone.
• And don’t forget the sun protection and sun hat - nothing ruins a time at the pool than a bad sunburn.
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1. Please tell us a little bit about your business/site?

Mamatini is the first-ever, doctor-designed, ready-to-drink, organic herbal infusion created to help women breastfeed better, easier, and for longer.

Do you know that the American Medical Association recommends mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first 6 months and continue breastfeeding for the first year, but only 11% of women do?

Do you know that breastfeeding can help mom get her pre-baby body back even faster?

So why do so many women who want to breastfeed get discouraged with the process and give up? They are often challenged by low milk supply, low energy, and the additional stress on their bodies.

That’s why we created Mamatini. Mamatini contains herbs used for centuries (fenugreek, fennel, chamomile and ginger) to address the challenges that can accompany breastfeeding. Mamatini was designed by a pediatrician to help increase milk supply, increase energy and increase overall good health for mom and baby.

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This week’s prize, a $25 gift certificate from My Baby Clothes Boutique!

Comment here about an item you like from My Baby Clothes Boutique and be entered to win! Contest ends July 25th.

There is a buzz going around the net about a new online baby clothes boutique. They have created a new concept in providing what parents want for their babies.

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