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Now, it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. Summer is here and because I purposely try to leave summer days free from too much programming, we are left with a lot of time to be together. My kids are pretty “easy” in that they’ll occupy themselves most of the day.

The boys will play outside or grab Wii remotes and wage epic battles on make-believe basketball courts or fantasy lands of sword fights and princess rescuing. The Girl will read, watch television, make Kidz Views reviews or ask to leave the house for playing at friends’ as often as she possibly can.

I could use all this time for work, chores, or my own pursuit of lazy activities like catching up on Summer Programming DVR shows.

Mom, please have a little fun.

Here’s the thing, just as they will easily occupy themselves, they would all be eager to spend time playing with me. I could get in on the Wii games or the four-square match in the driveway. I could be the manicurist when The Girl sets up all her polishes. We could bake or paint or plan adventures at nearby boardwalks or parks.

They still want to spend time with me and instead of looking at that as a distraction from what I’m “supposed” to be doing, I’m choosing this summer to make it what I’m supposed to be doing. The time for playing with my kids is limited and this summer I intend to capitalize on it as much as possible.

See, I used to be fun!

Today we’ll bond over organizing the house (finally time to swap out winter clothes!) and making lists for summer plans. Tomorrow, we’ll enact said plans and begin our summer of play. I’ll have to let go of the guilt over  not doing what I’m “supposed to” and instead embrace my new role as just mom. Instead of laundry, and writing and bill-paying and cleaning while they play, I’ll play right along with them and figure the rest out later.

A mom who plays this summer? I’m not sure who will be more excited about the prospect.

I’ve written some posts about our marble-jar summer behavior plan as well as chores and schedules. Today, my first #VlogMom video answers the question from Hilary at My Scraps, “Do you plan out your summer or just let it happen?”. See for yourself what I think I do.

Today is the last day and The Middle One has an after school party at his teacher’s house. They look forward to this all year and last night I had a moment where I thought I was going to email the group and tell them my kid was out.

Why?

The weather forecast. How lame is that?

There used to be a time I didn’t even pay attention to the weather. Blame it on my having one too many birthdays “snowed out” as a kid,  but I refused to succumb to snow or rain or too-brigh sky warnings. I figured all weather people were Sky Is Falling Over Reactors and I rolled my eyes and turned up my nose at everyone with a panic plan.

Somewhere along the way, I got paranoid. I’m not sure I can even blame it on The Storm, but that sure didn’t help. I actually think it comes from just having kids, this heightened need to control everyone’s safety as much as possible. It certainly isn’t helped by the tragedy in Oklahoma a few weeks ago. All I could think for weeks was about those parents who had to go to school to find (or not) their babies. I can’t even.

So, when I decided last night to stop ignoring the forecasts and check into the predictions, I didn’t like what I saw. What if I send my son and he’s in someone else’s car when a flash flood or tornado hits? What if he’s outside when a freakish wind kicks up and a tree falls? What if I can’t protect him no matter where he is? What if sending him is tempting some weather god and asking for trouble?

See what I mean? Stone-cold crazy.

In the end. I decided to channel my old self and ask whom I wanted to raise- someone who was prepared and cautious but lived their life out loud, or someone who lets fear trap them inside away from the life they should enjoy? They learn from us. They model our behavior. We teach what to be afraid of and generally how to be on this earth-fair weather or not.

I can’t teach people to be afraid. I won’t.

So, I’ll stifle my anxiety and let my boy go to his party. I’ll trust he’ll be safe with people I know care about him nearly as much as I. Then I’ll hope, as always with parenting, that I’ve made the right decision and welcome him safely home.

A million years ago I wrote this post about a mom’s trip to Vegas. I argued (quite well, I think) why it should be mandatory for moms to go let loose in Vegas now and then. I haven’t been back since I wrote that post. Vegas is far, and expensive.  I had no idea that I could replicate that dream vacation just a few hours (and a lot less money) away. I thought I knew about Atlantic City. I was wrong.

My impression of Atlantic City was somewhere between not a great one and not one at all. As far as I was concerned, AC was a place for gamblers, bachelorette parties or people who booked a cheap hotel because there happened to be a good concert in town one night.  Sure, I saw the pictures online and I knew people that went, but usually only for the reasons I listed above. Once, I even went so far as to plan a weekend trip with The Husband that we cancelled at the last minute because we just couldn’t wrap our minds around going to AC on “vacation”. In my mind, it was a place that used to be great but didn’t seem to be anymore and after Super Storm Sandy, I wasn’t even sure what was left to visit.

I’m here to tell you, last weekend I was proven quite wrong. Not only were the accommodations at Caesars lush, with ocean views and a marble shower I wanted to spend my entire day in, but the amenities at this property and the others in the Caesars’ family were plentiful and, dare I say it, decadent. Best of all, while there were plenty of opportunities for slots or sitting at the gaming tables, I never spent a second on a casino floor because there were so many other options for things to do. Not only is Atlantic City back after the storm, but it’s better than ever.

The guest rooms at Caesars and Harrahs Resort are huge and decadent without being over-the-top. It was hard to leave this home away from home.

In fact, I felt like I had more to do in AC than I’ve ever had in Vegas. There was shopping and not just those on a Christian and Louis budget. There were more incredible food choices than one could possibly make room for. There is the wide, soft sand beach that beckoned to me on Saturday when the sun came out. There is the Steel Pier and the Boardwalk that just asked to be strolled. Then at night, your options for drinking, dining and nightclubbing are so plentiful, it’s easy to pretend your someone way cooler and more fun than you are in your everyday lives of carpool and 9-5. See for yourself below with the pictures of Pool After Dark, where we hung with celebs and wanna be starlets all night long. It was entertaining in all the best ways.

Standard: Jersey Shore Life Guard Stand Picture.

I really can’t say enough about Atlantic City as a travel destination. I had a fantastic time last weekend at both Caesars and Harrah’s and I can’t wait to plan my next trip. I’m thinking the Food and Wine Festival or maybe a romantic weekend with The Husband that includes his love (blackjack) and mine (The Viking Cooking School) followed with some after-dark silliness, on the casino floor or at any of the many nightclubs that make you feel like you’re living someone else’s life.

The Viking Cooking School at Harrah’s Resort. You could learn from the best of the best. I’m hoping that’s my next trip!

I can’t think of much that would be more fun and what we save on airfare, we can put toward a million other excursion options in AC or just blow it on room service!

I could go on and on, but I’ll just let the images speak for themselves. See some of what I saw. Then get on down there and see for yourself. Go here to see more info on Atlantic City’s Food and Wine Festival coming up in July. After a tasting of some of the culinary treasures of these properties, it is imperative that I urge everyone to taste for themselves. I’m still wishing I was there at every mealtime since I’ve come home and I’m a good cook!

What does she mean by decadent? Oh, how about a television in your bathroom mirror? Good enough?

MIA-the restaurant that tastes as good as it looks. Can’t wait to come back with The Husband.

Melt in your mouth filet and baby chard at MIA. See what I mean? Gorgeous and delicious.

Popcorn mousse with toffee bacon crumbles from the genius mind of Caesars’ Master Pastry Chef Deborah Pellegrino. You might think it’s weird. I did. Then I ate two. Amazing.

This gorgeous pool oasis defines luxury at Harrahs by day.

And at night Pool After Dark, with it’s beautiful people, celebrity guest performers and even gaming tables, transforms into an adult playground for anyone who likes a good, no great- time.

Seen enough? Go book your trip to a Caesars property in AC today. I can almost promise you’ll see me there!

** I learned non-nano means the particles will not enter your bloodstream. So, Badger brand might have just become the front runner!

If you want the nitty gritty on how chemical sunscreens may actually cause cancer, read this article.  Trust me when I say spending $10-$15 on mineral based sunscreen will no longer seem frivolous. This  is the article that changed my habits almost instantly. If you want to read more about the topic, this post by my friend Jo Lynne is what caused me to pull my head out of the clouds and get serious about what I put on my and my kids’ skin. I know Jo Lynne well and she isn’t about hype. She takes her time to research the ins and outs of every decision and I trust what she shares to be rational and true, not conspiracy theory. I also found this video by John Douillard, DC which talks about optimizing Vitamin D, which every person I know needs to hear more about!

Finally, the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep website is where all the information that I use is stored. Let me warn you though, it can be overwhelming and cause even more panic if you go down certain rabitt holes. So, if you’re just diving into this sunscreen game, stick with Katie and Jo Lynne or even me. I do alright too, you know except for that pump spray bottle;)

This post is not sponsored in any way. I received a free Sunology product last year but as you smart people know, you are supposed to replace sunscreen every year so I bought all this on my own.

While in this house we are lucky in that we only have to worry about whether to serve organic or conventional fruit, there are 165 million malnourished  kids in the world who have far greater worries. The research also shows that not having a nutritious diet can severely impair a child’s ability to read and write a simple sentence and answer basic math questions correctly,  regardless of the amount and quality of schooling they received.

President Obama and other world leaders will come together this month in two global summits (known as the G8) where they will address global nutrition issues and solutions for the 165 million children that need them. I’d love our President to work hard at these summits to put nutrition at the top of the priority list. There is no reason 165 million global children should live at risk.

You could use social media to do the same. Tweet  President Obama to put addressing child malnutrition – especially in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life when their bodies and brains grown rapidly – at the top of his agenda. Tell him to put forth a concrete plan at the June nutrition summits that includes a target to reduce stunted growth in children and a strong financial commitment to get the job done.

Here is a sample tweet :  @whitehouse let’s make sure all kids get healthy food in their #next1000days so they can reach their full potential. #Nutrition4Growth

Meanwhile, in your home, you can help by trying some of these kid approved turkey burgers. My guys go crazy for them and they’re made from so few ingredients you know just what you’re getting. Plus, the burgers are so good you can even sneak some greens on the bun without any complaints!

Kid Approved Turkey Sliders

Print recipe

• Print with main photo
• Print text only

Ingredients

• 1.5lb Ground Turkey
• 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 medium Avocado (Sliced)
• 1 bunch Fresh Arugula (Washed)
• 1 cup Fresh Shaved Parmesan
• 1 packet Small Rolls

Directions

1.	Combine Turkey, Salt and Mustard in a bowl.
2.	Form meat mixture into 8 mini patties.
3.	Coat each side of the meat with a thin layer of olive oil
4.	Grill burgers for 3 minutes a side
Meanwhile...
5.	Prepare rolls: put one slice of avocado, cheese and arugula on one side of each open roll.
6.	When burgers are done place on the other side of roll. Serve with a fresh summers salad!

I wrote this post as part of The Global Team of 200, a highly specialized group from Mom Bloggers for Social Good . We  concentrate on issues involving women and girls, global children, world hunger and maternal health. 

Our team believes that individually we are all powerful and together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children. I was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own and all images and information are used with permission. 

Feel free to let the bad-mom comments fly. I might deserve them. But let me tell you a few things first.
Five years ago, my life was uprooted. I went from having a pretty decent job, a wonderful circle of friends and a husband who split the parenting role a pretty good 60-40, to being alone in a strange new place with no job, no friends and 110% of the parenting responsibility on my two shoulders.

For the first few months, I was mostly in shock so things were fine.
Then, summer came. School ended and I was left at home with no money, three kids under age 6 and only one or two destinations I knew how to drive to.

I was a sad, scared and lonely girl.You know what saved me?

The Jersey Shore.

Nearly every day for 3 months, I drove my kids to the cheapest beach around (or went really early to beat the badge guards) and we played in the sand. The ocean waves soothed me. The hot sun warmed my soul. The best part, was my kids had the time of their lives, completely oblivious to the fact that their mom was close to coming apart at the seems.

The Jersey Shore was my lifeline back then and it continues to fill me to this day. The Husband might even agree when I say the shore has been our marriage counselor from time to time these last five years. It seems there is nothing we can’t heal with some time spent by the sea.

In October, Mother Nature threatened my lifeline. Super Storm Sandy sucker punched us MTVshow-bar-fight style and nearly knocked us out.
Over the last six months, many people have showed the world what Jersey Strong really means and have worked tirelessly to restore the shore.

Indeed, much of our coastline is back and ready for the world. But, the fight is not over and there is still much work to be done for many neighbors and friends from Sandy Hook to Cape May. Jersey tourism is essential to our economy and the extended rebuild efforts. While so much is back and open for business, so much still is not and we can’t stop fighting until it is.

That’s why I’m missing my boy’s ceremony this week. I will be in Belmar, with 40 other influential social media women from two fantastic groups on a Social Good Trip. Our purpose is to show the world why they should come spend their summers on our shores. By bringing nationwide (maybe even worldwide) attention to the Jersey Shore and all it has to offer, we can help bring new life to recovery efforts, to ensure these amazing coastal towns can continue being someone’s lifeline for many years to come.
The Jersey Shore saved my life once. So, at the risk of being called a bad mom, I’m going to try to return the favor.

Then they grow up and they want to ride bikes or walk to school or wander their summer lair with friends, not their moms. It is then that you realize all those early days spent worrying about them seem silly, because at least then you could keep them under your nose and monitor their every move. Now?

Well, now you have all the evils of life to contemplate and you have to let them leave your sight.

I suppose I could keep them more under my thumb, but my fear of raising insecure people who eventually hate me for hovering far outweighs all my other irrational fears.
So. I let them wander away from my beach towel to the area their friends have gathered, or watch as they swim farther and farther into the surf, and try to quiet my mind about kidnappings or drownings or sharks who bite off surfers’ arms.
I watch as their helmeted heads bike down the street away from my house and pray for a strange cease of traffic all around town.
I curse myself for all the novels I’ve read over the years that centered on horrible things happening to kids. I vow never to watch the news or read any websites ever again. I hold my breath. I say a prayer and I do what mothers for years have done before me: I let them go and hope with all my heart that they are ready for the world, for it is theirs for the taking.

This post was inspired by the novelThose We Love Most by Lee Woodruff. Every family has its secrets and deceptions, but they come to surface a tragic accident changes the family dynamic forever. Join From Left to Write on June 6 as we discuss Those We Love Most. As a member, I received a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.