Love this picture I took at my mom’s country garden. Kudos to anyone who recognizes the 80s reference!

Water parks…never a bad idea, especially when you get there as soon as the pools open!

My latest post for the Wishing Well Blog for the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital is live and it’s all about creative activities for keeping tweens busy (and bored free!) Screen time is an easy cop out but the summer childhood memories I remember most fondly don’t involve any kind of video game or TV show.

What are some of your favorite summer activities for tweens?

Go check out 10 Fun Summer Activities for Tweens and let me know if you have additional ideas. I’m all for banishing the “MOM, I’m boreds!”

My girls get out of school Friday. FRIDAY! How the heck did this school year fly by so quickly? It seems like yesterday that Miss C’s teacher was sending out information about 4th grade graduation.

I’ve already asked the girls to each think of three things they really want to do this summer. It could be as simple as going to see a certain movie (Epic looks great and opens this Friday) or Miss A’s favorite outing, the public library. Summer’s going to be short for us, the girls go back to school August 1, so I want to make sure we hit all the highlights before it’s time to sharpen our No. 2 pencils and buy new backpacks.

12th Annual 5K for Fatherhood at Fontanel

This 5K, held on the Saturday of Father’s Day weekend, will feature tons of family friendly fun, such as hot air balloon rides and live music featuring inspiring vocalist Mirka and and accomplished saxophonist and songwriter, Charles Walker. Not only will you get out and get moving with your family ona beautiful summer day, but this 5K event benefits the Family Foundation Fund, a wonderful organization that helps fatherless boys. Register here.

Bluegrass Along the Harpeth

Admission is free for the Fiddlers Jamboree event and competition July 27. Great way to hear some fantastic live music and watch clogging and buck dancing. Benefits the Williamson County Cultural Arts Commission.

Nashville International Puppet Festival

One of my friends tells me this is a can’t miss event, especially the programs on Friday featuring the Velo Theatre from France.

Zoovie Nights at the Nashville Zoo

Enjoy a day at the zoo and settle in to watch a movie under the stars. We’re first time zoo members this summer (tickets are available for everyone) and I definitely want to check this out! Madagascar on June 24 sounds fun although we’ll be singing “I Like to Move It, Move It” all weekend, okay, okay…summer.

Leiper’s Fork Lawnchair Movie Theatre

Speaking of summer movies, I’ve been wanting to check out the free Friday night family movies in Leiper’s Fork for some time. While you’re in Leiper’s Fork, you must check out Country Boy restaurant, one of our favorite Southern style restaurants.

Bruce Munro Light Outdoor Exhibit at Cheekwood

This outdoor art installation will be on display on the beautiful grounds of Cheekwood until November 2. and is definitely on my must do list! First Tennessee Fridays will also feature live music, cocktails, and a late closing time of 11 p.m. The Fireflies exhibit in the Japanese bamboo garden sounds amazing.

Summer Saturdays at the Tennessee Agricultural Museum

I’ve written about Summer Saturdays at the Ag Museum before. They’re filled with family fun, get your kids outdoors, and there’s no fee. The Hold Your Horses program July 6 sounds like a must do!

Looking for more summer activity ideas here in Middle Tennessee? Check out my Frugal Family Fun Nashville Style post or this post featuring Ten Fun Frugal Family Summer Outings.

What’s on your summer must do list?

Ann Taylor is featuring an additional 40% off all dresses already on sale, so this is a great time to purchase a classic dress that will easily carry you through all summer…from weddings to work (and even college or high school graduations).

I love this peplum dress in this pretty green shade…and it’s now only $41.99.

Another pretty choice in a a more flowing style is this high-low hem dress in a vibrant shade of blue…with the 40% discount, it’s now $59.

What is your personal rule on wearing black to weddings? Personally I think this dress from Dress Barn is wedding appropriate! And it’s only $42.

I love the shape of this cowl neck dress (which features a sparkly material) from JCP and it’s on clearance for just $25. This would be great for an evening event.

Here’s a pretty pick in chiffon from Target…on sale for just $35.99 and it also comes in a gorgeous shade of aqua.

Which of these dress choices is your favorite?

My husband has had allergies his entire life and I deal with seasonal allergies, especially in the spring. Making our home in pollen central, also known as Middle Tennessee, isn’t the best scenario and I often joke that when we retire we need to retire to a more allergy friendly climate. We also have two dogs in and out of the house and although neither one of us has pet dander allergies, it can’t help the air quality in our home that one of our dogs is one heck of a prolific shedder. Typically at least one of our dogs, Zoey or Jack, sleeps on the floor in our bedroom at night. Miss A, my 8-year-old, also deals with seasonal allergies and has had episodes in the past when she has had to have breathing treatments for upper respiratory infections.

Airocide contacted me earlier this year about reviewing their state-of-the-art air purification system and what really caught my attention was the fact that Airocide uses NASA developed technology…this was no ordinary air filter. I knew the Airocide would be a great fit for my family and our home with our history of allergies and our dogs (it removes pet dander and pet odors from the air…I repeat REMOVES them. Yes!) As a busy mom I’d rather invest in one high quality product guaranteed to provide peace of mind, not to mention clean air, for years to come, rather than deal with cleaning filter blades or changing out filters.

The Airocide is ready to use right out of the box, no assembly or filters to purchase because it’s filterless. Instead of filtering the air, it actually cleans the air. It’s recommended that you place the Airocide Air Purification System off the floor so I have it placed on the nightstand table in our master bedroom. As you can see, it has a modern design that looks downright cool. And so far this spring I haven’t taken any over the counter allergy meds.

The Airocide has two power settings, high and low, and both feature a nice white-noise factor (which I am a huge fan of.) The unit comes with a “reaction chamber” that needs replacing once a year, but when you purchase the Airocide you receive two in the packaging.

Airocide is also garnering the attention of some celebrity fans. It was recently featured on Ellen as she is a big fan Airocide and uses it in her own personal office.

Here’s a little more about Airocide from the official website:

Airocide has helped thousands of allergy sufferers, and is hard at work in homes right now helping to decrease the symptoms of allergies and help people live better lives. Because Airocide eliminates (not filters) virtually 100% of all airborne pathogens including the main allergy triggers: mold, fungi, pollen, dust mites, viruses, bacteria and VOC’s — basically the harmful gasses emitted by products like aerosol sprays, cleaning supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, building materials, pesticides, carpet, furniture and even air fresheners (a claim traditional air filters can’t even come close to making). We’ve seen dramatic improvements for users across the country.

 

Surgery – average results 73% reduction in bacteria and mold
Office – average results 72% reduction in bacteria and mold
Households – average results 75% reduction in bacteria and mold
Childcare Center – average results 60% reduction in bacteria and mold
Dental Private Practices – average results 81% reduction in bacteria and mold

The Airocide air purification system is not an inexpensive purchase—at $799 it is definitely more of a long-lasting investment for your home—but it’s definitely worth looking into if your family suffers from ongoing allergy issues or asthma. Think of the peace of mind (not to mention the cost savings on medical bills and allergy medication over the years) that the Airocide will provide. And the company is so sure you will see a difference that it offers a risk free for 60 days guarantee or you will receive your money back.

Want to learn more? Follow Airocide on Facebook and Twitter!

Disclosure: We were sent an Airocide air purification system to try out in our home. No other compensation was provided. As always, all opinions and thoughts on my blog are my own.

When I was in Nairobi with Every Girl Counts, I met mothers raising their children in dire circumstances, struggling to make ends meet in conditions I will only brush off as a few minutes of experience. They would do anything for their children. They only want what’s best for them.

There are so many things we complain of in our hectic lives. Our stress is due to an abundance of convenience. We are lucky to have the “problems” we have.

My wish this Mother’s Day is that we all step back and think about how we can step forward to help the mothers in this world who need so little, gain so much.

Happy Mother’s Day!