Five Favorite Family Time Ideas

Family time is so important! I have so many good memories of the times spent with my mom, dad, and yes even my little brother Dave growing up. I remember playing games and watching movies with popcorn on Friday nights. How we used to take a family trip every summer, and being dragged to countless museums and other cultural spots...places I fully intend to take my own daughter so I guess all that forced exposure did have an impact after all.

We do a lot of things together but over time we always seem to find ourselves doing special things over and over. Some of our favorite things to do together include:

Visiting the Zoo: We've taken ER to four different ones so far, and can't wait to add more.
Playing at the Park: This local park is one we like to meet our friends at for playdates and is where we took family pictures last fall. On this day the power went out and Daddy was out of work for awhile and got play with us.
Building Sand Castles: ER's first trip to the beach was quite different from the last. It took her over an hour to touch the sand but once she got used to it...well, she's been covered with it ever since.
Eating Ice Cream: There was no hesitation getting into this family tradition. I'm afraid it's MY side of the family known for this one! A visit to Grammy's and Papa's almost always means ice cream will be eaten at some point.
Being Creative! I know there is ample proof of this one on the blog, but I wanted to share this picture because no one ever believes me that at one point ER looked a little bit like, as Brad lovingly called her, "Daddy's Little Dude," so glad the hair has finally grown in!

We also love exploring new places and going on day trips, visiting our library and browsing the bookstore, and eating out☺ What things do you like to do as a family? Please leave your suggestions in the comments. I'm always looking for new things we can do and experience together!



I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and LEGO blogging program, making me eligible to get a prize pack. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

How to Grill Corn, Without the Mess

I love going to fairs and having grilled corn on the cob. I've always wanted to make it at home, but to be honest, the method sounded like way too much work. Soaking the cobs, peeling back layers, adding butter, folding back up the leaves, all that before you even put it on the grill. Then afterward, trying to peel a hot piece of corn, without burning your fngers, no thank you!

My mom recently showed me this simple method, all the delicious taste and way less mess! We've been enjoying our sweet Michigan corn like this every since!

To do it, start by shucking all your ears of corn and picking off any corn silks that remain. Lay an ear of corn on a double layer of aluminum foil, if you've got heavy duty foil on hand, you only need one. Dot ear of corn with a few pats of butter.

Take the long sides and fold up and fold over and down until you meet the corn. You're essentially making a foil packet.

Fold the open sides up and press down to seal. If my directions are confusing, I think most of you can figure it out from the finished picture. It's really so simple to do the directions take longer to write out than actually do.

Place your ears of corn on a hot grill for seven minutes and then roll over and grill seven more minutes on the other side. The butter will melt and get all carmelized and super yummy! I don't put anything else on my corn, it's so sweet and delicious. FYI: Peel open the foil carefully, it'll be hot!

Shared At: Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Bedlam & Beauty, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace, and Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff

Giveaway: BitDefender's BitMoms Community Teaches Families to Stay Safe Online

Today I'd like to introduce you to one of my sponsors, Bit Defender, who will be sharing some interesting information with you, as well as offering a valuable giveaway!

I know this is one company you'll all want to learn about, as so many of you are parents and as concerned about Internet safety for your family as I am. With technology constantly evolving, I know ER will grow up in a world where access to the Internet is the norm. I need help keeping up to date on all the dangers!

Please read about Bit Defender's new community and find out how you can be a part of it and WIN a copy of their excellent BitDefender 2011Total Security.

If words like sexting, social networking, tweeting, wall posts, cyberbullying, objectionable content, security, and privacy settings make you uncomfortable, the free BitMoms.com community can serve as a useful resource to help you keep your kids safe online. BitMoms provides news, content, and resources about family internet safety and security issues to make the internet a safer place for children.

Powered by BitDefender, the award-winning provider of innovative internet security solutions, BitMoms is an interactive website and social network. It serves as a hub for conversations on internet safety topics, as well as online safety news.

Members engage in information seeking through the discussion Forum, sharing diverse perspectives on current events involving internet safety topics for families, and accessing resources from the Content Library. The Content Library includes information about talking to your children about internet dangers, protecting yourself when online shopping, safeguarding Facebook photos from hackers, and a PDF download about online safety that can be easily shared with friends or used to educate fellow parents PTA meetings.

New content is constantly being added to BitMoms, making it a dynamic and exciting site to visit daily. Chief BitMom Leticia Barr, of TechSavvyMama.com creates blog posts and videos that are uploaded several times per week and the BitMoms community members are also regular contributors to all aspects of the site.

“As a mom of two, technology expert, and educator I am proud to serve as BitDefender’s Chief BitMom and blogger,” said Barr. “With BitMoms.com, we’re really trying to provide a constructive place for moms to go, to talk about the issues we experience as part of our daily digital lives as well as a place to gather information, industry news and helpful tips to keep our families safe online.”

BitMoms also encourages fellow bloggers to apply for the BitMoms Blog Network. BitMoms Blog Network members are an exclusive group of individuals who are passionate about helping other parents keep their kids safe online. Benefits include exclusive content, a stipend to attend a blog conference of your choice, and the opportunity to win a full sponsorship to BlogHer 2011.

BitDefender encourages all mothers, regardless of their experience using the internet and ages of their children, to visit and become a member of the free BitMoms.com community to become knowledgeable about family internet safety.

Giveaway Information:

BitDefender has three copies of the newest BitDefender 2011Total Security to give away! Three winners will each win a copy, but you'll need to go to my other blog to enter. Head over now! Good luck!

You can find and enter the giveaway here. The giveaway is open for entry until August 31st, 2010.



Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of BitDefender.