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Friday, July 19, 2013

Find Your Perfect Fit! #JOCKEYbra

This is a sponsored post; I received free product as part of a promotional program with Jockey and MomSelect but all opinions are my own.


It’s happened to me a dozen times. I decide to go in for a bra fitting because I’m way overdue for a new one and the “certified bra fitter” tells me I’m a DD (or some other crazy size that I know I’m not). I give her the side eye, say “Thank you” and “No, I don’t need you to help me pick out the perfect bra,” and then I make a beeline for the exit.

I’m willing to bet that this has happened to you. What’s a woman to do? Wearing the wrong size really sucks if we’re being totally honest here – wires poking into your skin, boobage (that’s boob cleavage, FYI) coming out the bottom, top, or sides of your bra. Obviously it doesn’t fit and it sure as heck isn’t comfortable. You could spend two hours in the fitting room of your favorite department store trying on every bra ever made. You might even find one that feels perfect – only to get it home and by day 3 your new perfect bra now feels like a torture chamber!

LADIES – take a deep breath and relax! I’ve got the answer for you! You need a Jockey Fit Kit! The Jockey fit kit is the first and only system that measures the volume of your breasts. We’re not talking tape measures anymore! This is huge.



So the fit kit comes with 10 different fit cups, a measuring tape, a nifty wash bag to wash (and protect) your unmentionables in, oh and a $20 off coupon code for your Jockey bra purchase! You find the fit cup that best fits your breast (instructions included with your kit on how to do this – even a diagram!); the cups are sized #1 - #10.  Once you find the best fitting cup, you will measure around your rib cage. That’s it – you’ve just found your perfect fit!

I really loved my experience with the fit kit. It was so easy to use and understand – I even took it over to my Mom’s house so she could give it a try! There is one thing that I really love about having this fit kit; bra size tends to change especially with weight loss or gain. If you’ve got the Jockey Fit Kit at home you can get the perfect fit at any time. No running out to the mall to get a “complimentary fitting” that is way off base.

I also made a video about the fit kit on Instagram! Check it out! 

You can learn even more about Jockey and their new Fit Kit measuring system on their website.  While you are there, browse through and look at all of their beautiful bras. I’ll be writing a review on my “close to custom” bra soon!
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Thursday, July 18, 2013

Touring Chicago with #CityPASS


This is a sponsored post brought to you by CityPASS. I received a free CityPASS  to use during my trip to Chicago in exchange for this post, but all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.


By now y’all all know that I’m going to Chicago next week for BlogHer. I know you know because I’ve only mentioned it, what seems like, a billion times. My schedule is jam packed already with conference sessions and events – which I’m so grateful and excited for. However, I’ve never been to Chicago before and I knew right away that I was going to take this opportunity to squeeze in a little site seeing! When I started searching for “must see” things in Chicago I was a bit overwhelmed at all of the amazing things that I could experience while I was there.


With Chicago CityPASS ticket booklets, visitors skip most main-entrance ticket lines and save nearly half off (49 percent) regular admission prices. Cost: $89 adults (value $173.50); $79 kids, 3-11. Purchase online at CityPASS.com or at any of the participating attractions. 

Includes:
·         Shedd Aquarium
·         Skydeck ChicagoFast Pass
·         The Field Museum
·         Museum of Scienceand Industry, Chicago, OR John   Hancock Observatory Fast Pass

CityPASS Chicago covers the majority of what I wanted to see in Chicago! How awesome is that?! Rachel and I are going to be lightning fast tourists next week!

We are hitting up the John Hancock Observatory first thing when we get in on Wednesday night and then we have plans over the rest of the weekend to see Shedd Aquarium, Skydeck Chicago, The Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium! I’m so glad we have the opportunity to see these places while we are in Chicago and thanks to CityPASS we will be able to avoid the long lines!

Be sure you are following me on instagram so you can keep up with all of the fun we are having while being crazy tourists in Chicago! Stay tuned for a recap post when I get back also!

CityPASS is offered in 11 different cities across North America; for more information visit their website!

CityPASS is on Twitter and Facebook

Have you ever utilized a CityPASS? Which city and how was it?

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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Toobin' Tips!


I’m not sure about other parts of the country but here in Texas floating our rivers atop of inflated tubes is a favorite past time during the summer. We will take any chance we can get to fill up a cooler with iced down drinks, don our sunnies and flip flops and jump on in with a crowd of our closest friends. There is nothing quite like holding on to one another’s tubes (or sometimes ankles) as you leisurely float down a long and winding river. If you think I’m crazy – just hang in there for a minute. If you’ve never spent a day on the river you are seriously missing out. If you are new to the scene no worries – you can call any of the river outfitters and they can set you up. You don’t have to be seasoned to enjoy this “sport.” However, I’m here to share with you some insider tips on how to float the river.

Floating (also called toobin’) can be enjoyed both as an adults only or family friendly activity; the age of your group is going to greatly affect how you should plan your river trip. If you plan on taking children along you will want to plan your trip for earlier in the day. There are also specific rivers that I believe are calmer and more “suitable” for children, but we’ll talk about those in a minute.

General Tips

Go early to avoid crowds.
Wear sunscreen & reapply every hour or so – the Texas sun is HOT!
Pack a cooler with drinks & snacks.
Take plenty of towels & a change of clothes.
Wear Shoes! Rocks can be sharp or slippery and the traction from your shoes is helpful.
Know your entry & exit points (especially if you have a shuttle picking you up!)

Timing

Floating the river is a HUGE thing here in Texas. If you’d like to spend a holiday weekend on the river – say Memorial Day (the unofficial kick off of toobin’ season), the 4th of July, or Labor Day – you’d better book your stay months in advance. Yes, I’m serious. Everything gets booked up and quick! The traffic is insane and the river gets crowded. These weekends on the river are a lot of fun, but things do tend to get rowdy! In my humble opinion, holiday weekends on the river are not good for children. There will be a lot of drinking and a lot of people and it’s just not a good environment for little people.

Rules & Regulations

There are rules on the river people – it’s not a free for all fun fest. Be sure to know the rules before you head out. There are certain spots that don’t allow alcohol or cans on the river. You can ask your river outfitter and they can give you full details. Remember to be respectful of your surroundings. Don’t throw your trash into the river – it’s very easy to attach a mesh bag to your tube to hold your trash. Also, people live along those banks – don’t throw trash on their property, don’t lounge around on their property – you know, be a decent person.

Find the Perfect Spot

There are a ton of places you can float the river and some of them are very popular for varying reasons. Here are a few of the hottest spots:

Guadalupe Via
Guadalupe River – NewBraunfels, Texas This is “the place” to be when floating the river. Take a drive down River Road to find many choices of river outfitters and camp grounds to stay at. The Guadalupe will be busy all summer long but during holiday weekends it will be packed to the brim. The Guadalupe can be an exciting ride with it's rapids so get ready for a fun time! 

Frio via


Frio River – Concan, Texas This popular destination is also home to Garner State Park.This is the only river on this list that I haven’t personally floated and it’s on my to-do list (and soon!) Garner State Park offers campsites, shelters and cabins for lodging as well as other fun activities – like nightly dances throughout the summer!  Concan is a small town and from what I can tell most people like to stay at the state park. However, there are other places to stay in nearby towns.

San Marcos River via


San Marcos River – San Marcos, Texas San Marcos is near and dear to me because I attended college at Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) and I spent many days on the “hill” at the banks of the San Marcos River. Even though this town is full of college kids, I have to say that the San Marcos River is a fantastic spot for families. The crowds are usually lighter and the river is calm and cool (72 degrees all year round!) I recommend renting tubes from the Lions Club where your tube rental also includes shuttle service.

Blanco River via










Blanco River – Blanco, Texas My family visited Blanco last summer for their annual Lavender Festival – actually I think it was in April but it was so hot it might as well have been summer! We spent quite a bit of time at Blanco State Park and we had the greatest time! There were plenty of shallow areas for my young children to explore and enjoy. You wouldn’t believe the amount of time we spent grabbing rocks up from the river bed – kept my kids entertained for hours!

As you can see, you have plenty of choices when it comes to planning your float trip and this is only a tiny fraction of the awesome spots you can enjoy. 

Do you float the river where you live? Have you ever floated a Texas river? Where?

---A big THANK YOU to my friends at Petit--Lapin and ATXfoodnews for lending me pictures & tips to help with this article! 

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Sunday, July 14, 2013

Snobbiest City In America?!

Recently Travel and Leisure put out their “Snobbiest Cities in America” list and I was quite surprised when I found that two of my favorite cities are on said list. Both my hometown of Houston and my birth place of Austin were considered “snobby” enough to make it onto the list of twenty. Now maybe I’m a snob too and I don’t know it – but I can’t quite figure out how we could have been crowned with this title; and maybe just maybe I'm reading too much into this and T&L didn't really mean to make themselves look like total asshats. 
Houston, Texas via


Apparently Travel and Leisure rated a city’s level of snobbery based on if the city in question had things like food trucks and good looking locals. Also, if you are smart, tech savvy, or eco conscious – you might be a snob. Oh, not to mention if you have any interest in art and culture or enjoy a little high end shopping  – there is a good chance that you are a snob as well.

More specifically Houston was listed (#17) as snobby because of our rich arts tradition and luxury shopping. Austin (#19) is snobby because UT students have long been considered “Tea Sippers” and because they just happen to have an amazing local music scene chocked full of music scene snobs.
Austin, Texas via


REALLY Travel and Leisure?! This is asinine! Does Houston have all of those things mentioned above? Yes of course – but don’t most metropolitan cities? Houston is the 4th largest city in the United States so it only makes sense that we would have a wide variety of offerings for our residents and visitors. Are there snobby people in our city? You bet your ass there are – but I guarantee you it has nothing to do with the food truck down the street or the prius in their driveway. If you want to lump us all together you might want to have a real reason to back it up.

I’ve spent plenty of time in Austin being that I went to college right down the road and it’s actually one of my favorite “get away” spots. Are there snobs in Austin? Yup, sure are – but mostly the people are every bit as friendly to you as you are to them. That’s pretty much how the world works most of the time.

I'm anxious to see if Chicago holds up to their #7 spot when I'm there visiting in a few weeks. I'll bet I meet a ton of great people and not so many snobs.


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Saturday, July 13, 2013

Frugal Adventures: 5 Tips for Saving Big at the Water Park


This is a sponsored post brought to you by Schlitterbahn. I wrote it all myself though – they had nothing to do with that part.

Have you noticed a theme around here lately? I’ve been all summer and water obsessed for weeks, but honestly, I just can’t help myself. I’ve always enjoyed summer time but for some reason I was really looking forward to it this year. Leading up to summer I would catch myself day dreaming about my toes in the sand, crashing waves, splash pads, and wild river rides. Floating the “lazy river” at Schlitterbahn and watching my kids play on the giant pirate ship. Aaargh Matey! This be the life! Okay, that was kind of corny. Sorry. Not sorry.

We love going to water parks – my husband especially. I guess it makes him feel young again (don’t tell him I said that!), but let’s face it – one trip to the water park can get really expensive really fast. However, it doesn’t have to be that way! I’m the Queen of Cheap so trust me when I tell you I’ve got some great tips to help you save some dollars at the water park.


 Look for Coupons & Promo Codes

A lot of water parks will offer coupons and promotion codes on their website as well as on their facebook page. It really pays off to check these sources before you head out to the park. When you like your favorite water park on facebook you can stay up to date on any current promotions and Schlitterbahn has been known to post coupons there are only available to their facebook fans! It is also a good idea to be an email subscriber which you can do directly from your water park's website. 

Ask About Discounted Admission

Schlitterbahn offers a discounted admission if you come in the afternoon. During the summer season you get a discount after 3 P.M. and during the indoor heated season the discount starts at 2 P.M. You can call and ask your water park if they have a similar program, I know many of them do. Sometimes you can buy tickets at an offsite retail location, such as your local grocery store – check your park’s website for more information. Going in a group? Ask about group discounts!

Call To Ask About Food & Drink Promotions

Often times parks will have special deals on food and drinks. The one I see most often is buy a souvenir cup for X amount of dollars and receive free refills. This might be a good option for you instead of buying several smaller drinks throughout the day. Also, I’ve seen food packages being offered and a lower rate. For example pay X amount of dollars for one entrée, one drink, and one snack. Keep an eye out for these deals – if you plan on purchasing food and drink at the park then these promotions are a good way to save a few bucks.

Bring In Your Own Food and Drink

If you really want to save, pack up your own cooler.Schlitterbahn allows guests to bring in their own coolers as long as you follow the rules (no glass, no alcohol). This is the number one thing we do to save money when heading to Schlitterbahn. My kids drink like camels and eat like pigs. I’d much rather pack up a cooler full of food and drink than spend a ton of money in the concession lines. If your park doesn’t allow you to bring in your own cooler you can probably pack one anyway and just go out to the car at lunch time. Parks typically allow you to come in and out with your wristband.

Schlitterbahn Offers FREE Parking & Tubes

I’m so used to this at Schlitterbahn that it still shocks me when I realize that not all parks offer these perks. That’s right – at Schlitterbahnthere is no charge for parking or tubes, and they even offer free life jackets. Parking at Schlitterbahn Galveston is literally right across the street from the entrance so it’s not like we have to walk two miles to get into the park. There are tubes everywhere and unless it’s super crowded we never have an issue finding some to use. Plus, there are life jackets stationed all around the park which I love! Check with your local park to see if they offer the same sort of amenities! 

So yes, it is true – a trip to the water park can break the bank but it doesn’t have to!

Do you have any frugal tips for me? How do you save money at the water park?










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Friday, July 12, 2013

Step By Step: D.I.Y. Make Up Remover Wipes

I'm lazy. Phew, there, I said it. Feels good to let it out. Okay, maybe lazy is a bit harsh; there are certain things that I just choose to not do 99% of the time. One of those things happens to be removing my makeup at the end of every day. Oh who am I kidding? I don't wear make up every day! 

Okay, let's try this again. On the days that I do wear make up I'm usually too exhausted by that evening to be bothered with removing my makeup and washing my face. I know, that's horrible for my skin but I know I'm not alone in this - you probably don't wash your face either every night either. I am a huge fan of those super expensive but oh-so-convenient make up remover wipes that you can purchase at the store, however in case y'all missed it - I'm also cheap. So when I realized that I could make my own makeup remover wipes that were just as effective and save money at the same time? Yea, I hopped right on that bandwagon! Of course, I'm also a nice gal so you know I'm going to share my little recipe with y'all! Here it is, step by step, in pictures.

Here's What You'll Need:













A note about the paper towels I used - I used VIVA because I know how soft and strong they are. Keep in mind when choosing your paper towels that you will be using them to scrub your face.

Here's What You'll Do:



When cutting your paper towel roll in half, you might consider using a knife that is not serrated. I had a bit of a mess :) 

Because I was reusing a flushable wipes container, I decided to unroll my towels from the cardboard and fold the sheets over into a nice stack. I did this show that they would easily pull through the opening of the container. There are lots of ways to do this step, but this is what worked for me in this case.

Next mix up your cleansing solution.

1/2 Cup Distilled Water
3-4 Pumps of Baby Soap
1 Teaspoon Baby Oil
2 Tablespoons of Witch Hazel


Place your sheets into a zippered bag and add your liquid solution.

Zip up your bag and allow the paper towels to soak up all of the solution. You will need the flip the bag once or twice to make sure that the towels are saturated. 


When all of the cleansing solution is soaked up you can transfer the wipes to the container of your choice. As you can see in the picture below, my makeup came right off! I've been using these wipes for awhile now and I'm so happy with them. I keep a box by my bed and a box in the bathroom - which are a total of about 10 steps away from each other (totally lazy, I tell you!) and I use them every night. I even use them if I don't have make up on because they moisturize my face!


I'd love to know what you think about these wipes; give them a try! 


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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Whole Wheat Banana Nut Bread

I've posted a World's Best Banana Bread recipe on this here blog before and I still stand behind that recipe because it is darn good. However, I've formulated a new, healthy banana bread recipe. Now that's a phrase you don't hear very often! This recipe is easy and the bread is moist - two of my favorite things from the original recipe. This banana nut bread fits right in with my efforts of trying to eat healthier and more organically and I hope you will all find it useful as well. 


Here's What You'll Need:

2 C Whole Wheat Flour 
3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 C Organic Sugar (I use Wholesome Sweeteners
2 Large Eggs
3-4 Ripe, Mashed Bananas
2/3 C Stonyfield Plain Organic Greek Yogurt
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Cooking Spray
1 Cup Roasted Pecans, chopped


Here's What You'll Do: 

Roast your Pecans: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread pecans out on a cookie sheet and place them in the oven for about 5 minutes or until they become fragrant. Watch them closely because they will burn before you know it. Once you take them out of the oven, let them cool and then chop them up and set aside. 

Banana Bread: 

In a small bowl mix together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, blend together sugar and oil. Whisk in one egg at a time. Add banana, yogurt, and vanilla and beat until blended. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until well combined. Spoon in the pecans and mix well. Spoon batter into a loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for about one hour or until a tooth pick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cook on a rack completely and then remove from the pan. 



Enjoy!







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Monday, July 8, 2013

How To Cure A Sun Burn


A sun burn is something that some of us worry about year round, but we are especially concerned during the summer. In the hotter months we all tend to spend more time outdoors enjoying the beauty that is nature; unfortunately we often forget to prevent ourselves from the pain of a sun burn. While there is no cure for a sun burn, there are plenty of sun burn treatments and remedies.  If you follow the guidelines I have outlined for you below then you are sure to find some sun burn relief!



1.       Take a cool bath:
a. Add a heaping tablespoon of baking soda to a cool bath. Soak in the bath for only 15-20 minutes and then air dry. You can also substitute the baking soda with a ½ - 1 Cup of oatmeal. This helps to balance out your alkaline/PH levels and supports healing.
2.       Use Aloe Vera:
a. Applying aloe vera gel to your sunburn 5-6 times a day really eases the sting of a sun burn. You can use aloe vera gel straight from the plant or you can purchase it at the store.
3.       Apply a cold compress:
a. Usually I just get a washcloth, wet it with cool water and apply it to the sun burn.
4.       Stay hydrated:
a. When you get a sun burn your skin is very dehydrated. Drink a lot of water to promote the healing of your skin.
5.       Take an OTC Pain Reliever:
a. Taking an OTH pain medicine should help to relieve some of your discomfort. Just follow the instructions on the label.

The best treatment for a sun burn is prevention! Remember to wear sunscreen when you go outside – and one application isn’t enough! You have to reapply your sunscreen typically every 80 minutes. Save yourself the misery of a sun burn and enjoy your summer!

Take it from me, the girl who forgot to wear sunscreen at the beach two weeks ago.

My back is still peeling. *yuck*

Do you have any remedies for treating a sun burn? Share them with me on facebook











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Get Paid to Shop


*This post contains affiliate links*

I’m always so surprised when I bring up Ebates.com in conversation and the person I’m speaking to has no idea what I’m talking about. I”ve been using Ebates for three years now and I’m telling you – it’s the only way to shop. You see, Ebates PAYS YOU to shop at stores that you were going to shop from anyway!! Yes, I’m serious.

Here’s how it works:

Sign up with Ebates; it’s fast, easy, and free.

Then you can either browse through 1,600 participating stores or use the search function if you are looking for a specific store.  Once you’ve made your selection, Ebates will show you how much cash back you will earn by shopping through their site. 







For example, the other night I decided to get online and buy some new clothes for my trip to Chicago/BlogHer in a few weeks. I earned 3% cash back on my entire purchase. All you do is click on that little orange “shop now” button and Ebates will redirect you to the retailer’s website. Ebates tracks your purchases and you get paid. Easy Peasy.


You can save on travel (flights, hotel, etc.), jewelry, clothing, etc. If you are a frequent online shopper Ebates just might become your new best friend. I especially love using Ebates around Christmas time. It’s nothing like getting paid to purchase things that you were going to get anyway!

About getting paid: every three months Ebates sends out their “big fat check.” Basically, your cash back accumulates for three months and then they send you a check if you’ve earned more than $5.01. Seriously, there’s nothing like getting paid to shop!


Have you ever used Ebates or a different paid – to – shop site?


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Friday, July 5, 2013

Lifescript.com: Healthy Living For Women


This is a sponsored post by me on behalf of Lifescript.com.

A lot of you are aware that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in December of 2011; it is hard to believe that it has been 18 months since we first heard the news. At the time of her diagnosis, I didn't have a lot of information about breast cancer. I wish that I had known about Lifescript.com back then. Lifescript.com provides medical information, tips and advice that are all written by profession health writers, experts and physicians. 

When my mom was diagnosed I didn't have any concrete facts about breast cancer. Really, all I heard was the "C" word and I was completely terrified. Luckily she had a brilliant team of doctors who walked not only her, but her family as well, through each step of her treatment.

Because of adoption, our family's health history is uncertain and I often worry about the possibility of developing breast cancer myself. Lifescript.com has helped me to identify symptoms of breast cancer in women as well as provided me with the latest news articles on breast cancer. 

Lifescript.com's Breast Cancer Health Center is full of information to inform you on any leg of your breast cancer journey. Whether it is prevention, treatment or recovery, you will find helpful information within the site. 

Lifescript.com covers the basics such as risks and prevention and even provides you with a sample list of questions to ask your doctor about breast cancer. They also offer up resources for you to explore different breast cancer treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and alternative therapies. However, my favorite part of Lifescript.com is the Living with Breast Cancer section. In this area you will find many ways to manage your condition with nutrition and exercise, healthy recipes that fight off cancer, patient stories and breast cancer support groups.

I can remember one of the things my mom struggled with the most while going through treatment was that she felt very alone. Her family and friends hadn't been through breast cancer before and didn't know what she was going through. I know that a support group would have been extremely beneficial for her during her breast cancer journey. I love that Lifescript.com provides a resource for finding others to connect with.

I'm happy to say that my mom is now cancer free and completely healthy. However, we will be keeping Lifescript.com in our vault of useful knowledge should anything else ever arise with any of the women in our family.


Visit www.lifescript.com for useful information on Breast Cancer and other prevalent medical conditions related to women's health.

Lifescript’s Breast Cancer Health Center features tips, quizzes, recipes and articles – all by professional health writers, experts and physicians – covering new breast cancer breakthroughs, best antioxidant foods, interviews with famous women who have struggled with breast cancer and more. Please visit the Lifescript Health Center on Breast Cancer for more information.



This is a sponsored post by me on behalf of Lifescript.com.










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10 Water Park Survival Tips

*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Schiltterbahn waterparks. All content within is my own.


Spending the day with your family at the water park is always a blast – at least it should be. It’s summer time and it’s hot, everyone is looking for a fun way to cool off, and there is something there for everyone. Unfortunately, and especially if you have children, a trip to the water park isn’t always as carefree as you might like to be. There is however a very simple solution: BE PREPARED

Today I give you 10 Water Park Survival Tips. 


1.       KNOW YOUR WATER PARK: What are their operating hours? What are their specific rules? Can you bring in outside food or drink? Do you have to pay for parking or tube rental? Are there lockers to store your belongings? Does the park have specific areas for smaller children?

2.       PLAN AHEAD: I cannot express how extremely important this one is! Almost anything can go smoothly if you just plan for it in advance – especially if you have children!  Call ahead and ask what time of the week/day is best for avoiding large crowds.  Go online to the park’s website and scope out the layout and the different rides. You can decide ahead of time which rides you’d like to experience and make a plan on how to spend your day. You can also familiarize yourself with the restrooms and food and drink vendors.

3.       WEAR SHOES: I know you might not want to, but trust me when I tell you – wear shoes! There’s a good chance you’ll be walking across the park all day long and that ground gets hot. Save yourself the trouble of blisters on your feet. Water shoes work best but flip flops get the job done too.

4.       SUN BLOCK: For the love of all things Holy, put on some sun block! It’s hot as Hades and the sun is beating down on you – save yourself from the misery of an awful sunburn! Put.On.Sunscreen. Then, reapply it every hour or two.

5.       GET A DRY GOODS CONTAINER: You know those little tube (or sometimes rectangle) shaped plastic things people wear around their necks? Get one! You can put your money and ID in them and they will stay dry all day. This also saves you from having to walk back and forth to your locker all day. Less time walking across the park and more time in the water. Makes sense right!?

6.       STAY HYDRATED: This might seem silly to you considering that you are IN the water but you have to stay hydrated. Skip the sodas and opt for the water.

7.       SAFETY DEVICES FOR THE LITTLE ONES: Some water parks (like Schlitterbahn!) provide life jackets and place them all around the park. I love that. The first few times we took Addison to Schlitterbahn I was a nervous wreck. The fact that there were life jackets available really eased my anxiety. It is extremely important that you have some sort of floatation device on your children. There will be so much going on and lots of people around and adults can get distracted very easily.

8.       HAVE A BUDDY SYSTEM: If you are headed to the water park with a large group, pair up. This way no one is ever left alone. There is safety in numbers people.

9.       ID TAGS: Okay, I’m going to sound a little paranoid here, but bare with me. If your kids are a bit older you might let them explore the park on their own. Take a picture of them with your cell phone before you let them run off. This way you will remember what they are wearing and will have a current picture on hand. Also – create and laminate ID tags and have your children wear them around their wrists or ankles. Information to include: name, parent’s name, and emergency phone numbers. This way if your child gets lost someone can help them get in contact with you.

10.   ESTABLISH A CHECK IN POINT: This is especially important if you are with a group or you let your children explore on their own: Before your party separates establish a check in point. Then, every hour or two, everyone can meet up at that spot just to “check in.”

Be prepared and really enjoy your day at the water park. You deserve it! 


Which of these tips do you find most helpful? Do you have any tips for me?

*This post is part of a series sponsored by Schiltterbahn water parks. I received a family four pack of tickets to Schlitterbahn in exchange for writing this series. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

ENTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS TO ANY SCHLITTERBAHN WATER PARK! 
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