There are three different ways to do dishes. You can make your kids do them – but unfortunately, my little girl is only two. She’s not even tall enough to reach the sink. You can make your partner do it – but that doesn’t work for me either. He doesn’t believe in pre-rinsing anything, and it leads to a dishwasher filled with not-so-clean dishes. So that leaves the third way, the one moms end up with more often then any of us would like – do it yourself. But this doesn’t work for me either. I absolutely – more than any other task in the house – hate washing dishes. I sometimes look at an overflowing sink filled with dirty dishes and wonder how much it would cost to just buy new ones…

There’s a better way

Luckily for me, I was recently introduced to a new product that is a huge help at solving this dilemma for me. They’re Cascade Platinum Pacs, and they are rocking my socks. The Mister doesn’t mind doing the dishes, it’s just that his, um, style of dishwashing didn’t work so great with our old dishwasher. But the Platinum Pacs solve all of the problems – they eliminate the need to pre-rinse, and they work even on dishes with stuck-on food that’s been left for 24 hours. Score! He’s been using them for a couple of weeks now, and there is such a serious difference in the way the dishes turn out. Like, it used to be that when he did a load, there was still stuck-on food and film, and the dishwasher itself just looked dirty. But these little super powered pacs get in there like little ninja cleaners and leave the dishes crazy-clean. They also have a solution in them that helps prevent hard water build-up, and leave your dishwasher cleaner than before. I love products that solve my mom-challenges :)

It’s not all about avoiding the dishes

So, yes, I admit that the first reason I fell for these Cascade Pacs is because they work so great that I can pass doing dishes off to the Mister. One less to-do on my mile-long list is always appreciated. But, I’m also loving that my dishes look…. Newer? Brighter? Just better. We entertain a lot, so of course I want sparkling wine glasses and serving dishes. {Do you know how embarrassing it is to hand someone a wine glass that has gunk stuck in it that was missed in the dishwasher? Ugh.} And as a blogger and sometimes-food photographer, I’ve learned that the presentation of the food is almost as important as the preparation! So the better my dishes look, the better the food looks. {And when you’re prone to kitchen disasters like I am, your food needs all the help it can get, lol.}

Watch Top Chef’s Gail Simmons give tips on food presentation and entertaining!

Top Chef judge and Food + Wine Magazine editor Gail Simmons is partnering with Cascade and wants to prove why presentation is just as important as preparation when getting a meal on the table.  Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook are proving more and more  that people eat with their eyes first, so you need sparkling dishes, spotless glassware, and shiny flatware to enhance your meal – putting your best food forward.  She says, “The easiest recipes pop with unexpected gourmet presentations.  Drizzle bright sauces on sparkling white dishes or layer desserts in crystal clean glasswear.” I so agree!

And speaking of Instagram…

To really show off how much sparkling dishes can enhance your favorite recipes, Cascade is running a fun contest – Get registered on the website, then upload a photo of your fave foods and dishes to Instagram, and tag them with #MyPlatinum and @MyCascade. {See mine above? How sparkling that glass is? I love how you can see every little water drop from that icy cold champagne!} You’ll get a chance to win a KitchenAid^® Kitchen Makeover and a 1-year supply of Cascade^®! Weekly entries also have a chance to win a KitchenAid^®Dishwasher and six-month supply of Cascade^® too. How awesome would that be, right? So get your entries in today! And don’t forget to follow them on Facebook for more tips and tricks too.

Tell me – how do you feel about doing dishes? Love it, hate it, pass it off to someone else? Any favorite tips to share? Let’s chat in the comments below – I love hearing from you guys.

I have so many great memories, throughout my whole life, that involve boating. When I was a little girl, I used to love fishing days with my dad. We’d load up the camper, hook up the trailer to bring the boat, and always – always – stop at 7-11 to get those raspberry-filled powdered sugar doughnuts. We might go out for just the day – or make a long weekend out of it. He would catch fish, I would throw them back when he wasn’t looking, he’d catch more to make up for it. But even when we didn’t catch any fish at all – it was great time to bond with him. He helped me learn an appreciation for the outdoors, that I’m excited to share with Abby as she grows up.

Living the boating lifestyle

These days, my dad has sold the old boat and camper. But he’s made the jump to living on a boat. A lot of people thought he was crazy to sell a bunch of his stuff and buy a sail boat to live on – but I think it’s an awesome adventure for him. It’s set up to have every darn thing he needs, and is just perfect for him. He hasn’t gotten to take it out yet – he’s replacing the motor and taking sailing classes – but it’s beautiful and peaceful just to sit out there on the deck at the marina.  Abby can’t WAIT to go out sailing with grandpa. And I can’t wait for her to get to build memories of spending days out on the water with my dad, just like I did as a little girl.

Life is Better with a boat

If you can watch that video without getting a tear in your eye {or a whole waterfall of them like I did – I’m such a sap} – I’d be amazed. Buying a boat isn’t the same as buying a new car or something… You’re getting more than just a boat. You’re getting a whole new set of activities your family can do, new places you can see and explore, and so many great memories to make. While you’re out on the boat, you’re together – whether it’s a quiet father-son afternoon catching fish, or a bunch of friends out for fun, you’re creating those amazing moments that matter.

Making our own memories on a boat

We’re thinking of getting a boat of our own soon too – But I’m really unsure of what to look for when shopping for a boat. I mean, just being on a lot of boats over the years doesn’t make me an expert, lol. But there’s a super helpful resource I just found out about that has been a huge help already – if you’re thinking about buying a boat you can check out their cost calculator, or find out where you can rent a boat or two to try out, before committing to a purchase. They also have some great tips on boating activities – to give you inspiration and ideas for this summer. And be sure to check out their Pinterest page for more boating fun.

What do you think? Do you have family memories that involve boating too? Are you thinking about buying a boat – or have suggestions for us on what we should keep in mind when shopping for a boat? Let’s chat in the comments below…

Create Your Own Unique Space with FLOR Tiles

I am super excited to have found this! I love that I can design a rug that’s the exact size and shape that I want, in any color and pattern that I want. And when Abby spills her sippy cup on her rug – it’s super simple to just grab that one tile, wash it in the sink, and replace it again. And if she does something like color with permanent marker {been there, done that…} – well, it’s easy to replace just that one stained tile. So not only do I get a flooring solution that’s super bright and beautifully made, but it’s also a really practical choice for a busy mom like me. Check out some of the design ideas below to see how verstatile FLOR can be – making it a perfect fit for every child’s room. {See more design and installation videos on their YouTube channel.}

Soft and Safe for a babies room

This design is called Modern Mix, and is a perfect fit in a nursery. You can get other color combinations as well, to match your decor theme. The super soft, plush texture is the perfect place for a baby to learn to crawl and play – and the patterns are fun to look at and explore.

Trendy styles for teens

This is so on trend right now – Vintage Vibe would be perfect in a teens bedroom. The more muted shades keep the focus on the photos and posters and other memorabilia that teens are likely to have covering their walls and shelves – while still adding some really great texture and pattern into the room.

My pick for a perfect toddler room

Remember when I said I wanted to add a ton of color into Abby’s room? Well this rug is the perfect way to do that! I’ve ordered this one for her  - it’s called Fleece & Thanks – with a grey color for the middle, instead of the pale blue shown here. Once it arrives, I can then finalize my paint colors for the walls, based on the colors in the rug. I love, love, love that it can grow with her too – we can add or remove tiles to change the size when needed, or rearrange the tiles in new ways as we redo her room later on. This is the perfect focal point for her new space – and I can’t wait to show you some before and afters as we get working on it!

With FLOR, (www.flor.com) the unique carpet design square company, parents can create an inspired living space for their little ones. Offering a variety of patterns, colors and textures, FLOR carpet squares are not only stylish, but they are also sustainable, safe, and easy to clean (for those unexpected messes!). Time for a new pattern? Simply switch out the FLOR tiles you have with new ones for an entirely new look. For updates on new products and promotions, follow them on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter.

{Disclaimer: FLOR has partnered with us and let us choose a complimentary rug to try out – so that I can share some honest feedback with you guys on the product. I’m very excited to have been introduced to them, and thought you guys would love this idea too!}

Learning to love our Ubooly

Oh Ubooly, how I love you… Let me count the ways…. Seriously, this little gadget totally exceeded any expectations that I could have even imagined. I thought it might be a cool little toy to check out, the kids might enjoy it for awhile, and since summer vacation was coming I knew I’d need a few more things to help keep all of the kids occupied. {I’ve got my daughter who’s almost 3, and two nephews here daily who are 5 and 9.} But once we got our Ubooly, programmed him, got to know him a bit… Well, I realized what an amazing little guy he really was! It’s not often that the kids play with something more than once a day, every day, for weeks on end. Keep reading to learn what makes it not only popular with the kids – but a BIG hit with me, too…

How Ubooly helps your child learn in a creative way

At first, I loved that Ubooly just because he kept Abby occupied when we had to run around town. Waiting in line at Walmart? WAAAAAY easier if we have Ubooly telling Abby stories and jokes to pass the time. Long car ride around nap time? A lot less whining when Ubooly is playing games with Abby in the back seat. And my favorite – waiting at the restaurant table for our food usually drives Abby to madness; climbing over chairs, throwing appetizers, spilling her water. But with Ubooly, she sits calm and happy listening and laughing. Total lifesaver for me! But, Ubooly is NOT all fun and games…

• Helpers: These are so much fun! I especially love the tooth brushing helper! This really helps Abby get excited about brushing her teeth, and always keeps her brushing long enough to get all those pretty teeth clean and shined up. At almost 3, getting her into the habit of this now will lead to a lifetime of good brushing.
• Lessons: I LOVE the lessons that Ubooly teaches! He can teach more basic skills like foreign languages, grammar, alphabet, and math – as well as fun activities like science projects to learn about seasons, oceans, and space! Ubooly walks kids through {sometimes with a little bit of simple adult help} projects, activities, and craft projects that match each topic that your kid is interested in. I’m strapped for time, so it’s a huge help to be able to pick a Ubooly activity to do each afternoon.
• Did you know… Ubooly, “The Smart Toy“ has four teachers and staff who write new activities and games each month. Their job is to make sure child is never bored, and always learning something new! I totally believe it. Want an example of how it makes sure the kids in my house are not bored this summer?

Ubooly sets sail for adventure…

I love that Ubooly takes Abby on random adventures. Whether it’s imagining a scenario where she is helping fly a hot air balloon, or doing an experiment in the kitchen to see how ice forms, Ubooly keeps her busy. But my favorite activity we’ve had is this recent one – To sail the seas. Ubooly told Abby they were going to be pirates, and to go jump onto her bed {as a ship} – Abby ran straight for the pool. Ubooly walked her through a whole imaginary story of the high seas – LOVE it. So much fun. Abby “grabs” the ropes, “climbs” the poles, and even swabs the deck.

Get Ubooly for your own family!

Get the super sweet Ubooly app for iPhone {Android is coming soon. So check and see – this post is written 6/14/2013 – if it’s more than a couple weeks past that date, see if it’s available for you too!} Then check out the Ubooly site for more updates on cool features!

{I received a complimentary download and product from Ubooly so that I could try it out and share my experience. Only the best sites, services, and products make it onto this site – I love Ubooly, and know you will too!}

“Kids these days. They just don’t get scared like they used to.” - Henry J. Waternoose… There are a few phrases that can strike fear into both kids and parents. Things like, “Dentist Appointment,” or “Longer than expected wait time” make everyone cringe. And when you say, “Potty training” – well, that can cause a lot of apprehension from both the kiddo that has to learn a new skill, and from a first-time parent who’s not sure where to start.

“What does a little monster take?”…”A Potty Break!”

One of our favorite movies is Monsters Inc. And just like the way Sully and Mike Wazowski seem to be scary monsters at first, but turn out to be a couple of great guys once you get to know them – the fear of potty training can totally go away once you know a few helpful tips!

• Tip One: Don’t stress it. All kids develop at their own pace, and it’s better to be guided by them then by what a friend or family member tells you is the “right” age. Abby started showing us signs that she was ready a long time ago… But, with my crazy work-at-home schedule, I wasn’t able to focus as much time and effort at helping her as I should have. But we’ve had the potty chair in the bathroom where it’s easy to access, and she is super comfortable with it after using it off and on over the past couple of months. So now we’re ready to buckle down, and get this skill mastered!
• Tip Two: Make a fun routine out of it. This kind of goes along with the “don’t stress it” tip – no one likes doing something because they “have to.” If you make potty training fun with cool apps, rewarding routines {stickers and a chart on the wall work amazing}, and awesome gear, your little one will be much more likely to actually WANT to learn to use the potty. And as we all know – toddlers KNOW what they want. And when they decide they want something, there is NO getting in the way, lol. So help them WANT to use the potty!
• Tip Three: Bring their favorite characters in to help!Pull-Ups are so great for potty training - they can pull off and on like big-kids pants, while still containing accidents. And now, they feature your kiddo’s fave characters from the Monsters Inc. and upcoming Monsters U movies on them too! We buy both the girl and boy versions, since Abby loves the cars characters just as much as princesses – so I love that we can get the Monsters guys on both sets. It’s much easier to get a squirmy toddler to hold still for diaper changes when you’ve got one of their favorite movie friends to grab their attention!

I’ll be sharing our experience with getting serious about potty training over the next 3 months – I am determined to have Abby totally potty trained by the end of summer! She’ll be 3 at the end of July, and she is definitely ready to rock with this, so I know we can do it.

If you’d like to follow along with our potty training progress as we use the Monsters U Pull Ups to help take the scary stuff out of potty training in our house – you can subscribe to this blog via email {top right corner – you’ll love it.} I’ve also got a Potty Training Tips board on Pinterest you can check out. {Want an invite to help pin on that one? Email me at sunshineandsippycups@gmail.com.} Or follow the #PullsUpsPottyBreaks hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about our own progress, as well as a bunch of other awesome moms sharing their stories and tips too!

Pull-Ups helps take the scare out of potty training by making it fun and easy with new Monsters U character training pants! You can help make potty training easier by staying consistent and using rituals like the potty break. Make it a game and ask your toddler, “What does a little monster take?”…“A Potty Break!”

Visit Pull-Ups.com and “like” Pull-Ups on Facebook for more potty training tips and resources.

{This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Huggies Pull-Ups. All opinions are mine – Only the best brands, products, and sites that we try out are featured here. We love Huggies and know you will too!}

Balancing the Chaos with the Cute

To make the balancing act of motherhood a little more manageable, you need a few good tools in your mommy tool belt. Things like amazingly smart apps for your phone, some helpful household gear {Magic Erasers anyone??} – and great brands that you can trust, that make products that grow with your kids through all of their many phases. One that I’m particularly in love with is from Baby Magic – it’s called No-Rinse Wash, and it is crazy-amazing at solving SO darn many kid-tastrophes:

• Day at the beach: Oh, what fun! Sun and surf and sand…. But you end up with a kiddo who has sand in weird places like ears, between toes, noses and belly buttons – a mess. Grab some of the amazing No-Rinse Wash to quickly give them a wash up. The foam gets into all of those little hard to clean spots and leaves them soft and gently scented in a jiffy.
• Fast food restaurant: You love letting the kids climb and jump and slide in those big ol’ play structures. The giggles and squeals of excitement are priceless. But then when it’s time to sit down and eat their lunch you worry about what types of crazy germs they’ve picked up from their adventures. A little bit of the No-Rinse Wash can clean them up fast without a trip to the bathroom to wash hands.
• Babies are so sensitive: When you have a newborn, just barely getting through the day can be a challenge. Bath time can be extra nerve-wracking – they’re SO little! But a baby doesn’t really get dirty {they save up all of that getting dirtiness until toddlerhood, :)} – and their skin is so sensitive you don’t want to bathe them too often. But you do, of course, want to keep them soft and clean. The No-Rinse Wash is a lifesaver with a new baby – just use the foam to wash them off, add a bit of baby lotion, and dress ‘em back up in their favorite snuggly PJs. Easy peasy.

I bet your mind is already swirling thinking of the million different ways that you can use this in your daily madness too, right? Motherhood is messy – But Baby Magic No-Rinse can help clean up a few of your worst problems with a quickness.

A little bit about No-Rinse Wash

“Baby Magic No-Rinse Wash is your on the go solution to keeping your baby clean, fresh and smelling great. Our wash is specially formulated for baby’s sensitive skin and the self-foaming application allows you to clean your baby without using water. Now you can keep your baby clean even when you are away from home.” – Learn more on their site: BabyMagic.com.

Let’s Chat: What’s your go-to product to help with the craziness of motherhood? Leave me a comment with some of your favorites – I know we all need a little help, and reading what works for others is so awesome. Plus – by commenting you have a chance to WIN some great Baby Magic products of your own!!

Hello Sunshine and Sippy Cups Fans, my name is Kelly and I run a camping blog over at www.BeyondtheTent.com. It features our family of 7 camping around our home state Minnesota, as well as gear reviews, camping recipes and fun how to videos. I also run a Mom blog on www.MuddyFlowers.com. Thank you to Meagan for letting us steal some space on her wonderful blog Sunshine and Sippy Cups. I am excited to be here today!

I love tips for when I am doing anything with the kids. The less time I have to take trying to come up with the idea myself the better! Camping is fun and to keep the fun piece going while we are away I stick to these 10 great tips for camping with the kids.

• 1) Planning - When you are going away for a camping trip treat it as a vacation for your whole family. Plan times to be hiking and playing in the woods, swimming at the beach or lake and times for making those delicious Sʼmores around the campfire. Donʼt just stop there look around the area for ice cream shops to visit or any local parades/events that maybe scheduled for that weekend.
• 2) Google is Your Friend: Campground Reviews - I spend a lot of time researching the places we visit before committing my time or money to our travels. I make sure the campgrounds have a place to swim, hike and run around. I also need a playground for my smaller children. If it doesnʼt have these we arenʼt going there! I also look for bonus equipment like the ability to rent a boat. My teenager loves it when we stay at a site with a community room that has a pool table.
• 3) Take Time - It is such a blessing to be able to take time off from everyday life with your kids. Donʼt work during your stay, just play with them. Trust me it will make more of a lasting memory if you leave work and house chores behind. We make our getaways about family bonding and it shows because everyone gets along the whole time. Once we get back home it takes about 10 minutes to settle into our old habits of work, house duties and the kids are fighting with each other (again). My husband and I leave on Thursdays just to add an extra day of bonding when we go camping.
• 4) Games - Pack boardgames, playing cards, outdoor activities to play while you are away. We pack a huge tote from Target with balls, bats, gloves, jump ropes and some camping games. Last weekend my husband and I stayed up way past everyones bedtime playing Catan with our older kids. It was great even though I lost.
• 5) Plan and Prepare Meals Beforehand - It is always helpful to have everything ready to go. If you want to have a simple meal like burgers over the campfire making the patties before you travel gives you more time with the kids. If you plan a more time consuming meal ask the kids if they want to pitch in getting it prepared.

• 6) Pets - I know pets are some times more work to bring with, but they can be fun. If you have a pet that is well behave while you are camping make sure to bring the leash and pick up after your pet, too. My kids love to meet new dogs at the campground, so make sure you talk to them about how to ask owners if their animal is friendly before running at it arms wide open to give the dog the biggest hug ever.
• 7) FIRE! - Fire safety is a main subject around here. My oldest son forgot to push the grill piece back into the fire and our 3 year old caught her tiny hand on it later that evening. She is OK, but it gave her a healthy burn. Talk to your children about fire and set up rules for fire safety while you are camping.

• 8) First AID - After the above happened I realize the First AID kit I bought from Target didnʼt have everything I would want in an emergency. Yes, it had a simple set of items, however I would highly suggest checking your kit before you need to use your first aid kit.
•  9) Go To BED! - After a long day of fun in the sun with their sippy cups I always look forward to bedtime! We try to stick to our bedtime route even when we are away from home. It just keeps life easier. I love sending the little ones off to la la land and finding my spot relaxing around an evening fire with my husband.
•  10) Gross Bugs! - There is a product by Repel that keeps Ticks off your family! You spray it onto your clothes, let it dry before packing them for your camping trip. The permethrin in the spray will stay on your clothes keeping the bugs off for at least 6 washes. Plus, it comes unscented.

Thanks for checking out our 10 tips to camping with kids today. You can follow us at www.BeyondTheTent.com for more tips, how toʼs and articles on our trips. Happy Camping, Kelly.

If you guys enjoyed this post, be sure to show some love to my guest poster – Check out her site, and be sure to share the post around the web too!

The Father’s Day Gift He’s Sure to Love

Yep – this is REAL. I absolutely cracked up watching this video – LOVE it. I have some big-time bacon lovers in my life, and they might just be this serious about their love of bacon. You can buy one of three different Father’s Day bacon gift sets – The Commander includes a steel money clip engraved with bacon images, The Matador comes with a set of dashing bacon cuff links, and The Woodsman includes a rugged multi-use tool with an engraved bacon symbol. Each set also includes a card and a set of top-quality Oscar Mayer bacon. They are only available for a limited time – they restock daily, but sell out FAST!

Follow Oscar Mayer on Twitter, and check out the hashtag #SayItWithBacon, for updates on when they restock this great gift sets!

And for more fun gift and celebration ideas check out my Father’s Day board on Pinterest. Then leave a comment below telling me what you think about this Say it with Bacon campaign – Love it or leave it? Would you buy it for the man in your life? {I totally am if I can get in while they’re available!}

Why not pair your bacon with a gift subscription to The Original Craft Beer Club? CraftBeerClub.com-The Finest Craft Beers from America’s Best Micro Breweries! Click Here! – Have them delivered monthly, quarterly, or every other month – your choice.

{I have no relationship with Oscar Mayer, I just thought this was too fun not to share!}