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Deck + Good Weather = Awesome Time

April 21, 2011 by

When we moved back to Delaware last year we were pretty excited about the sizeable deck that our house had and about spending quality time outside during the spring, summer and fall months. I can remember house hunting while Melinda and the kids were back in Maryland and knew I had a winner after seeing the deck.

Our house in Maryland had a desk but it was a quarter of the size of our current one. I can remember while in Maryland Melinda and I looking at outdoor and garden sofas but just realizing the desk was no where near big enough to fit that kind of monster furniture.

Fast forward one year and size is no longer an issue because our deck is HUGE. Since moving into this house I have had my eye on the zuo algarve outdoor sofa. I would love to make our deck not only a place where the kids can play but a mini sanctuary for Melinda and me. I realized after our cruise last summer and spending some time in the serenity lounge that furniture makes a big difference when you are trying to create a little back yard oasis. We have some furniture already and a killer grill but I really want to get one last piece of furniture to make our deck complete. Hopefully this is the year that we make it happen.

Do you have a deck? If so do you spend a lot of time on it in the spring, summer and fall?








I Disclose




New Skate Shoes from Heelys

March 8, 2011 by

Helmet. Check! Knee pads. Check! Elbow pads. Check! Health Insurance. Check! We’ve got our bases covered so now Shaun can finally enjoy his Heelys skate shoes. He’s been asking for these for YEARS but I’ve always said no, saying he was too young, too careless, too accident prone. Honestly though nothing has changed but I thought it was time for me to stop being such a downer so I gave in.

Shaun received Heelys Double Threat shoes. These shoes are made to be low profile, comfortable and most of all FUN.

Heelys became a phenomenon a couple years ago but I hated them. Kids rolling around in stores, malls, hallways and sidewalks not paying any attention others; I just wanted to trip them. I’ve cheered up a little and blamed the bad behavior on the parents. Shaun won’t be allowed to wear them anywhere but outside.

I realize now that Heelys can be really great for outdoor activities and having fun. Shaun can head to the dog park with my parents and get pulled along by the poodles. Recently Heelys introduced the new Nano; a patented shoe bracket to give wearers a skateboard feel and look.


This option gives wearers the ability to skate faster, longer and farther than with just the traditional one-wheeled Heely.









I Disclose




First Decent Snow of 2011!!!

January 12, 2011 by

Here in Delaware we were suppose to get 4-8 inches of snow overnight and we did get snow yet I am not sure how much but it was enough for school to be cancelled and for me to take the day off of work.

We got an inch or so a week ago and Shae was dying to go outside and make snow angels which we never did but she made up for it today.  Shae literally just came in now for lunch but she was outside for about 3 hours.  Melinda and I were outside with her for a little while while she did some sledding and snow angel making then we came in and Sabreena took the second shift.

Shaun on the other hand is still outside.  We even put his lunch and water on the front step so he didn’t need to get undressed to come in for lunch.  I am sure we won’t see him until dinner time.

Must be nice to be a kid and love the freezing cold snow. LOL!!




Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster by Prime Time

January 9, 2011 by

Shaun and his friends in the neighbor play war and games similar to this often with foam dart guns so when I was asked to analyse the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster by Prime Time I was all over it.

Shaun currently has a few foam dart guns but nothing that compares to this Gatling style battery operated beast. It holds 48 foams darts in 12 barrels and when you show up to play war with the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster everyone knows you mean business. It also runs on 4 AA batteries.

Shaun was excited when he got the opportunity to use The Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster. It says this is for indoor and outdoor use but I would recommend using this strictly outdoors. It shoots darts easily 40-50 feet so that is why I say it should probably be used strictly outdoors. Overall Shaun said this gun was really cool and the best foam dart gun he has but the one complaint he had was that is jammed a lot. This could be because Shaun is 7 years old and isn’t using it 100% properly but I wanted to be honest and mention this. I also feel the gun is a little loud but not sure what I was expecting as we have never owned a battery operated foam dart gun. Again, neither of the last two opinions takes away from the awesomeness of this gun. I even had a chance to play with the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster and took a few shots at Shaun, Melinda and Sabreena. In my opinion it felt like it was a really solid foam dart gun and for approximately $24.99 you can’t go wrong.

If you are looking for a really awesome foam dart gun that is super affordable then you need to get the Power Strike Quick Fire 48 Blaster that retails for approximately $24.99 and is sold exclusively at Toys R Us.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Wordless Wednesday – Snug as a Bug in a ….. Sleeping Bag

October 20, 2010 by

This weekend is Shaun’s 1st Cub Scout outing, a camping trip.  Rob bought new sleeping bags and Shaun requested to sleep in his on his bed.  He’s always been a great sleeper but early riser but since sleeping in his sleeping bag I’ve been having to wake him up for school.  He must be really comfy in that thing.




Olive Barn for Garden Shopping and Wind Chime Giveaway-CLOSED

September 13, 2010 by

Music soothes the savage beast. It can at least bring some peace and calm to a stressful or hectic day. This is what my Music of the Spheres Soprano Chimes do for me. Sitting on my deck with the wind blowing, sun shining, drink in hand and the soothing musical sounds are a great way to wind down at the end of the week.

“These are professional grade, hand tuned wind chimes that are built to last. The sleek design of black, powder-coated, aluminum alloy tubing make these chimes outstanding in both sound quality and visual appeal. They are the only brand we carry at Olive Barn because no other brand meets the industry standards for tonal quality, sustain and durability. Best of all, these are made right here in the USA. Handcrafted in Austin, Texas by the talented artisans at Music of the Spheres®, Inc.”

I was given the opportunity another great item from Olive Barn. With a shop full of unique and eco-conscious garden goodies I was ecstatic when I opened up my Gypsy tuned wind chimes. We had the perfect spot near the sliding glass doors so that they can be heard inside also. Being on the end unit and having a field behind us gives us these great winds throughout the day. We are constantly being serenaded by the dingdong sounds.

A few weeks back Shaun and I were admiring wind chimes at a local shop and we realized we didn’t like the “tinkling” sounds that come from the smaller, lesser quality instruments. He picked out a wind chime very similar to the one received from Olive Barn. We ended up not purchasing it due to other purchases made that day. He’s very excited about having one now; he knows it makes his mommy happy.

Whether it’s a beautiful set of wind chimes or striking sun-catchers or seeds and bulbs for the garden Olive Barn has a mix of practical and indulgent gifts for yourself and others. Being a “green” business is also very important. Using only eco-friendly shipping materials whenever possible helps them make a positive impact on the world we all live in. They like this planet and they want to keep it around for as long as possible.

Shopping is fun and exciting at Olive Barn but winning is even better. Win Music of the Spheres Soprano Wind Chimes for yourself. Listen to the available tunings and tell me which you prefer.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review, Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Olive Barn on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 1 time per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Wind Chime #giveaway from @OliveBarn @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too http://bit.ly/cfs0oy             
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too!  and Olive Barn on Facebook AND post about this giveaway on your wall. (include link to giveaway)
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Monday,  October 4, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro Recap

September 8, 2010 by

Are you looking for a more natural way to collect water for your household garden and plants? Melinda and I were too and recently we were lucky enough to receive a Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro.

The Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro arrived just in time because at our house we have a full garden plus we have additional tomato and pepper plants in pots as well as herbs in a pot. We use a TON of water during the spring and summer months to keep all of our vegetables and herbs hydrated. Before receiving the rain barrel Melinda and I discussed ways we would collect rain water so we could use a more natural approach in our watering. We tried to leave the watering can out to collect rain which it was able to collect some but nowhere near enough to water everything.
Here are a few features of the Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro then we will discuss the installation process.

 

Features

 

  • DiveterPro™ channels rainwater from the downspout into the rain barrel. When the barrel is full, the diverter channels the water back to the downspout and away from your home
  • Removable filter to capture debris and transparent door to see if cleaning is needed
  • Fits both standard downspout sizes.
  • Spice granite color
  • Holds 58 gallons
  • Barrel and cover made of recyclable, UV-treated, impact-resistant polyethylene
  • Integrated base provides clearance for filling watering cans
  • Flat-back fits snug to house
  • Rain barrel made in U.S.A.
  • Limited 3-year warranty

 

Ok, now on to the install process. I’m not a person who typically reads directions but I made sure I did this time so before you install the rain barrel and DiverterPro be sure to read the directions (it is in your best interest). You will need to make a few measurements and cuts to the rain downspout on your home and you only have one chance to do it right so please be sure to read the directions. Believe it or not it was pretty simple to install. The hardest part for me was getting the ground level for my rain barrel. I actually needed to go to Home Depot so I could pick up a few patio pavers to make a level surface. Other then that everything else was pretty straight forward. You will need a drill to drill a hole in the side of the rain barrel and also a saw to cut the downspout. The DiverterPro went on easy and installing the tube from the DiverterPro to the rain barrel was straight forward as well.

 

Now I am waiting for rain, LOL. While we were away on vacation the barrel collected some rain but not enough to use yet. So I am hoping I get to use the Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro before the end of the season but if not no big deal I will have it for next year where it will get used for sure.

 

Need/want a rain barrel for your home? If so you have struck gold because Fiskars is giving one lucky Look What Mom Found…and Dad too! Reader a Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro valued at $149.99.  Go to Fiskars and tell me something you learned about Fiskars or a product you would love to try.

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Fiskars on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway up to 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Win a @fiskars_hq Salsa Rain Barrel @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too http://bit.ly/aNecUZ
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too!  and Fiskars on Facebook AND post about this giveaway on your wall. (include link to giveaway)
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Wednesday,  September 29, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Right In Our Own Backyard

September 3, 2010 by
Maybe not literally but this is a park just minutes from our house that we have driven past hundreds of times but for some strange reason never visited.  It was HUGE!  The playground itself was broken down into 3 or 4 sections; which spots for toddlers and special needs kids too!  I like the special UV protection “sails” that are over the picnic tables so you don’t have to roast while the kids play. 

This is NOT a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




ThermaCELL Patio Lantern

July 29, 2010 by
I like summer and spending time outside on the deck but I am not too fond of mosquitoes which always want to bite when Melinda and I are outside. Thank goodness I do not get bit that often but Melinda and Sabreena do constantly making sitting outside unpleasant.
When I was asked if I wanted to analyse the new ThermaCELL Patio Lantern I jumped at the opportunity. With our new place and new patio furniture the ThermaCELL Patio Lanterns provided the relief we were looking for from annoying mosquitoes allowing us to enjoy sitting outside. What I like about the ThermaCELL Patio Lanterns is they provide a decent amount of light with a low and high switch but the draw back it each lantern runs on 4 AA batteries (which are included). I also like how they are functional but add a decorative touch to the deck. We have used the lanterns on two different occasions with great success. They were easy to put together and turning them on is easy. You can run the repellant part of the lantern without having to turn on the light and vise versa.

HOW IT WORKS

ThermaCELL uses revolutionary, patented technology to dispense a small amount of repellent into the air over a long period of time. ThermaCELL is powered by a butane cartridge which provides the cordless, portable heat necessary to operate the device (batteries are not needed). It directs the heat to a metal grill. A mat saturated with Allethrin, a copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in chrysanthemum flowers, is placed on top of the metal grill. The heat generated by the butane cartridge vaporizes the repellent allowing it to rise into the air, creating a 15 x 15 ft (225 sq ft) “Mosquito-Free-Zone” in minutes. The repellent is very unpleasant to mosquitoes, but when used as directed, will not harm humans or pets.

Product Features
• Repels up to 98% of mosquitoes. Also repels black flies and no-see-ums.
• Provides a 15 x 15 ft Mosquito Free Zone, the size of an average deck or patio.
• Dual use product: repellent and light can be used together or separately.
• DEET Free!
• Silent, portable, and odor free.
• Easy to use: no open flame; no messy wax.
• Effective alternative to smelly lotions and sprays which must be applied to the skin.
• ThermaCELL technology has been tested and approved by the U.S. Army. Currently used in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
• EPA approved.
• Perfect for backyards, decks, picnics, barbeques, camping, and outdoor parties.

All in all I feel the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern is well worth the money and I would recommend them to friends and family. I have seen these lanterns in Home Depot as well as here with all of the accessories needed after you use the original provided ones so these are not one and done lanterns. So if you hang outside on the deck a lot like we do you should give the ThermaCELL Patio Lantern a try.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Enjoying A Day At The Pool

July 19, 2010 by


This past Saturday at our pool was free guest weekend so we took advantage of it.  We invited Mom Mom and Pop Pop (Melinda’s Mom and Dad).  It was a great day and it was really hot and the kids were really excited mom mom and pop pop were at the pool. 

Our pool has 2 water slides and Shaun finally learned to swim enough so he was able to go down the slides and he was so excited.  I think he spent at least an hour or two on the slides. 
It was an awesome day and really relaxing and that is how I love to spend my Saturday afternoon. 



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