Easy Ways To Entertain In The Summertime

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com.

Summertime is in full swing all across the country. Families everywhere are vacationing, road-tripping, relaxing and entertaining. Summer seems to be one of the best times of year to entertain family and friends. It's always fun to hang out at the pool, play cornhole, badminton, volleyball, and of course, have water balloon fights!

It's not really summer unless you have something delicious sizzling away on the grill. We grill out almost daily, and especially love burgers, chops, steaks, and veggies. The scent of char-grilled meat makes everyone's mouth water. You definitely can't live in the South and have a meal without a glass of ice cold sweet tea to wash down all of that good food.

One thing I find important when it comes to summer entertaining is to keep it simple. Don't stress out and think you need to break out the fancy dishes and glasses to enjoy a meal together. We are all about casual dining! Sitting out on the back porch is where you'll find us.

Nothing says back porch sittin' like a cold glass of sweet tea. I know a lot of people who love a good glass of it but complain that they don't know how to make it properly. Well, a great solution to that is by using Southern Breeze Cold Brew sweet tea bags. They are made to where you simply place one bag in a glass and add cold water. In five minutes you will have the perfectly sweetened glass of iced tea, just add ice!

We absolutely love the taste of peach tea in the summer. The Southern Breeze peach tea does not disappoint! I love garnishing with fresh peach slices and a sprig of mint. Doesn't it look refreshing? It has the perfect balance of sweetness with a good hit of peach flavor with zero calories and zero sugar. If you're up for a cocktail, you can add a shot of whiskey. Yum! Right now you can get FREE shipping on your first order of Southern Breeze cold brew tea, available in original, peach, raspberry, and half tea, half lemonade.

Do you love a good steak? We are huge fans of the perfect ribeye on the grill. Of course, quality is everything. We received the most mouth-watering selection of meats for our summer grilling from Fareway Meat Market. Our date night bundle included two 12-ounce beef ribeye steaks, two 10-ounce Iowa pork chops, two 8-ounce America's cut boneless pork chops, 85% Butcher’s Blend Ground Beef (1 lb.) and Premium Steak Burgers (4 patties). We knew immediately that the ribeyes were going to be the first to hit the grill! 

I couldn't believe how thick they were. These beauties had the perfect amount of fat marbling to indicate that you were going to have one tender, juicy steak. Even when I was handling the beef with the tongs, I could feel how soft the meat was.

Look at this gorgeous beef! I cooked it to medium-rare. The flavor of the beef itself was outstanding. If you appreciate the natural taste of beef, you will know that this is the good stuff!

Sometimes in the summer, we like salads with grilled steak on top. It gives the balance of lighter fare with a bit of heartiness. If you hate going inside the store, you can order meat online with Fareway Meat Market. You will not regret using this meat delivery service. They send you only the finest cuts of meat. Enter code “meatlover” to receive $20 off your first order! 

By the way, if you need a tasty pre-dinner snack that won't make you feel guilty, you must try out Popchips in the many varieties they offer. I couldn't wait to dig in to the zesty jalapeño cheddar popchips. This is the first time I have ever eaten chips that actually taste like you cut open a jalapeño, shredded your own cheddar, and combined them into a chip. The flavor explodes in your mouth! You won't have any greasy residue left on your hands either, because popchips are never fried.

You can't beat healthy snacks made with real ingredients. Make sure you grab a few bags from your local grocer. You will want to try them all!

We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer before the craziness of back-to-school takes over. Now that we have shared some of our summer favorites, what are some of yours?

Airfree Air Purifiers 40% Off July 4th Sale

Can y'all believe it is JULY already? It is hot, hot, HOT out there! I often think the hotter it gets, the worse allergy symptoms seem to be. Right now is the best time to take advantage of the Airfree Air Purifier July 4th sale running now until July 9, 2018 at 23:59 PM.

They are offering 40% off on their most popular air purifier models:

Airfree Iris 3000
Original Price: $329.00
4th of July Price: $199.00

Airfree T800
Original Price: $159.00
4th of July Price: $99.00

You can find these incredible prices by shopping online at major retailers like: Bed Bath and Beyond, Home Depot, Wayfair, Amazon and by visiting their website at Airfee.com.  A complete list of participating websites can be found at Airfree.com.

Airfree products reduce microbiological contamination in the air naturally, without using chemicals or filters.  Airfree’s exclusive technology works by eliminating microorganisms and allergens using heat, destroying them in a fraction of a second. Depending on the model, between 14,000 and 20,000 liters of air pass through the Airfree device every hour, treating all the air in the room in a very short space of time. The process works in much the same way as sterilizing water by boiling it; when water is boiled, the microorganisms it contains are eliminated.

Airfree continually draws in air from the room, heating it to over 400 ºF and instantly sterilizing it. The purified air is then cooled inside the device before being returned to the room. The entire process is completely silent and requires no maintenance, not even the occasional replacement of parts. All you have to do is switch the device on and leave it on to perform the task.

The Iris 3000 standalone model is recommended for rooms up to 650sqft., weighs only 3.3 pounds, is guaranteed for 2 years, has a low energy consumption of 44 watts, uses 120 volts of electricity and offers users exclusive multicolor light option.

The T800 standalone model is recommended for rooms up to 180sqft., weighs only 1.5 pounds, is guaranteed for 2 years, has a low energy consumption of 33 watts, and uses only 110-127 volts of electricity.

We have owned air purifiers from Airfree for a couple years now and they are fantastic! I especially love that there is no maintenance and the unit it silent. It works so well for allergy and asthma sufferers. If you have been considering getting an air purifier or even upgrading, Airfree is the way to go!

Find Out How SafetyPIN Can Help Keep Your Family Safe

Today's conversation is a sponsored post in partnership with BraVoMark and SafetyPin Technologies.

Do you ever think about how much you use the internet and social media? Most of us are connected with thousands of people online, and there is that chance you might some day meet one of these virtual "friends". It is a scary thought that it is possible that some people might not ending up being who they portray themselves as on social media. There is also those times where you have to research for in-home childcare, pet sitting or those for-sale ad sites, and it's hard to know who you can trust. This is where SafetyPIN comes in.

What is SafetyPIN?

It’s like a virtual trust badge and the best way to know someone you met online is safe to meet offline. They can be assured that you are, too.

SafetyPIN's proprietary 4-pronged process screens criminal, financial, and personal history, and combines those with a behavioral profile. If you meet their criteria, you’re awarded a unique SafetyPIN you can share with people on sites like Care.com, pet sitting services, elder care, Airbnb, local sellers, and even your favorite dating sites.

The behavioral questionnaire was developed with criminal profilers, and a clinical psychologist to weed out people who may present a danger (even if they don’t have a criminal record). SafetyPIN holders are regularly rescreened, and SafetyPIN is revoked if they no longer meet requirements.

You can ask for one/use one anywhere: babysitting, pet sitting, elder care, Craigslist, Airbnb, HomeAway, Bumble, Match… One SafetyPIN, unlimited places.

Your private information is never shared with other party, and all personal data is encrypted and follows best practices for security. Also, you control who can verify your SafetyPIN.

It only costs $1 to apply, and $6 for the first 6 months. Less than $5/month after that. You can cancel your membership at any time.

How to get started with SafetyPIN

If you need to get someone to apply, and pay themselves, just send this link.

Want to you want to pay for a SafetyPIN for your babysitter, nanny, or someone else? Simply go to getasafetypin.com and register (if you’re already a member, simply log in). Once you’re signed in, choose “Vouchers” from the drop-down menu, and follow the prompts. Enter their information and your payment information and SafetyPIN takes care of the rest. (You can pay for just the application fee or you can cover their membership for as long as you choose.)

Check out the video below for more information.



We definitely wouldn't want anyone in our home or around the family without asking for a SafetyPIN! Thanks for stopping by today.

One Small Fee With Jenny Life Can Help Ease Your Stress

This is a sponsored post with Jenny Life Insurance and BraVoMark. All opinions are my own.

Do you ever sit around and think about special family memories, or even future grandchildren? Our home is filled with beautiful photos or mementos that remind us of some of the most fun times, and big celebrations together. It also gets me to thinking about what will happen if I were to suddenly die. I know this isn't a fun conversation to have, but it's very necessary. I mean, my youngest child is only 10 and still has a way to go before he becomes a self-sufficient adult. He still has to graduate high school, and go to college.

I try not to be overly obsessed with leaving my family behind, but it's so important to know that they won't have to worry about money. You may have read some of my previous posts about Jenny Life Insurance. It is a convenient way to get life insurance with ease from the Jenny Life app, on either Apple or Android devices. Visit this post to see how you can get started.

The cost benefit of a small monthly fee to save your family from years of potential finance stress.

Do you have any idea of what it costs to take care of everything when a loved one passes away? Look at some of these findings from Jenny Life...

• Americans die with an average debt of $62,000. source 
• A funeral runs between $7,000 to $10,000. 
• Parents paid an average of $15,895 for full-time infant care.
• According to salary.com, a stay-at-home mom's medium average salary would be $143,102 if you calculated costs. source

All of this is overwhelming when you think about it. What will surprise you is that life insurance isn't as expensive as you might think. One small fee every month will give you the peace of mind you should have in regards to your family. Knowing that your family isn't stuck with a financial burden after your death is priceless! 

If you don't have life insurance, we suggest you check out Jenny Life for yourself. Visit Jenny Life online for more information. You can also find them on Facebook & Twitter.

5 Benefits of Owning a Stun Gun

There’s no such thing as being overly prepared when it comes to protecting yourself from possible harm. You will never know when danger looms so it is best to have legal self-defense weapons. Among the choices available and what seems to be a very popular choice is the stun gun.

This item is a perfect item as it’s lightweight, effective, and accessible. You can protect yourself by using nonlethal force by using a stun gun. Here are five more benefits of owning this item:

1. No permit required

Thinking about where can you buy a stun gun and if you should? Go ahead and make the purchase as you don’t have to fill out tons of paperwork and go through background checks prior to purchase.

2. No permanent harm is done

The attacker will not experience permanent harm after they have been hit with a stun gun. This is true even if the person has a pre-existing medical condition. Its amperage is enough to restrain the person only.

3. No need for perfect aim

You don’t need to have a perfect aim to cause harm to your target especially since doing so is extremely difficult given the situation. All you have to do is take out your stun gun and use it at your convenience. The assailant will still be rendered defenseless.

4.  Easy to carry

Given the options available in the market, you will find one that is easy to carry around. They weigh a lot less compared to other self-defense weapons plus they also come in different shapes so nobody will actually know you’re carrying one.

5. They’re safe

Having lethal weapons at home will cause an alarm for your family’s safety. You’ll never know when a child may get hold of it and use it to everyone’s harm. It’s a different story when you buy shooting taser gun for sale. They’re pretty safe to have around the house.

As you can see, owning a stun gun has a variety of benefits for you.

Display Your Memories Easily With CanvasDiscount.com

This is a sponsored post with Canvas Discount and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

How many of you have hundreds, maybe even thousands of great photo memories sitting in your phone's camera roll or computer? I am raising my hand. I remember growing up back in the day, we had so many photo albums. Of course, you didn't have a choice. If you wanted to see the photos you took, they had to be developed and printed out. Fast-forward to the digital age. It seems like we almost exclusively share these photos on social media. 

I often look at some photos and think, "Wow, this is the nicest photo over!". Or friends on social media will tell me I need to frame a specific photo. Now there's a simple way to quickly upload those great photos and create a beautiful memory to put on display. Canvasdiscount.com makes it a breeze to affordably turn those digital images into a masterpiece. 

Just look at this beautiful family photo from my older daughter's college graduation a couple years ago. How sad is it that this photo has been sitting on my computer all of this time? I hopped onto canvasdiscount.com and from the time I uploaded my image, to the checkout process, I spent under 5 minutes total. The best part is that my gorgeous acrylic photo print was delivered super fast. If you're not familiar with acrylic photo prints, they are images that are printed behind acrylic glass. It's sturdy, and has a gorgeous finish. We love how crisp the image came out.

We were able to add on a metal hanger plate when we made it to our cart at check-out, so we will be able to easily hang it on the wall. Canvasdiscount.com offers so many types of beautiful print options in a lot of different sizes/styles of any photo on canvas.

Right now, Mom Files readers can get *TWO 8’’x8’’ format canvasprints for one price – only $9 USD! In order to activate the discount, go to the website: https://www.canvasdiscount.com/wall-decor/photo-canvas-prints.jsf, upload your desired photos, and select 8’’x8’’ format canvas prints. As soon as both images are successfully uploaded, you simply need to enter the name (MOMFILES)  in the coupon code section (Shopping Cart) and then your discount will apply. *This promotion code is valid until: 7/31/2018

This is such a great deal, and you will not be disappointed with your canvas prints. They accept most credit cards, as well as PayPal and Amazon Pay. Be sure to check out canvasdiscount.com on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest promotions. What will you get printed first? Let us know in the comments and thank you for stopping by today.

Tips To Make Sure You Don't Leave Your Family With The Burden Of Death Bills

This is a sponsored post with Jenny Life Insurance and BraVoMark. All opinions are my own.

One of the subjects that many of us avoid discussing is death. Talking about what happens if you were to suddenly pass away isn't the most pleasant kitchen table conversation, but it's actually quite necessary. Today we are sharing some simple tips to ensure that you do not leave a financial burden behind for your family to carry.

Have A Will In Place

It is essential to have a formal will put together in the event of your death. It doesn't matter if you don't own a lot of material items or assets. It still helps your loved ones know what to do with the things you leave behind. We have even the littlest things listed in our wills to go to a designated person or charity. Having a will gives your family a road map on how to close out your final wishes. You can purchase a kit from your local office supply kit, or go through a family attorney who offers this service. It costs a couple hundred dollars or so. Make sure you update it once a year since you can easily accumulate more items of money each year.

Keep Your Documents In A Safe Place

We recommend a fireproof safe to keep all insurance papers, social security info, stocks/bonds, photographs, and any proof of assets. Don't forget to give your family members information on where you keep the keys to the safe, or any passwords associated with accessing documents. Keeping all of your important documents in one central location makes things so much easier for your loved ones to find.

Make Sure You Have Enough Life Insurance

Death can happen at any time. We have no guarantee that we will live to be 100. Having ample life insurance eases the financial burden that might be left behind for your children, spouse or loved ones to handle. The bills don't stop coming even after you pass away. Making sure your loved ones have enough money to cover the cost of your funeral expenses, outstanding bills, mortgages, and even college tuition for your children is so important. We have witnessed firsthand the panic and struggle when a loved one dies, and you are left to figure it all out.

Jenny Life Insurance offers a quick and easy way to get affordable coverage with the simplicity of an app. You can download the app for your iPhone or Android device. All you need to get a quote is your birth-date, state you live in, and your gender. A little slider pops up for you to adjust it to a monthly payment you are comfortable with. Check out my previous post for more details.

You're never too young to start planning for the unknown. Be sure to visit Jenny Life online for more information. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Get Life Insurance Coverage Fast With Jenny Life

This is a sponsored post with Jenny Life Insurance and BraVoMark. All opinions are my own.

I can remember just like it was yesterday when my husband and I applied for life insurance 2 decades ago. It was quite a big ordeal. We had to make an appointment with a life insurance agent and a nurse to visit our home. There was so much involved like filling out tons of paperwork, being interviewed, weighed, having to give blood/urine samples, and more. I can't imagine anyone having time to do all of that these days.

Now there is a great solution, especially for busy moms. Jenny Life Insurance makes getting affordable life insurance fast with the use of a simple app. Boy have times changed! Gone are the days of medical exams, and you can have coverage in a matter of minutes. Knowing that your family is protected in the event something happens to you is priceless.

I can't believe how simple is it to get Jenny Life Insurance. You can download the app for your iPhone or Android device. All you need to get a quote is your birth-date, state you live in, and your gender. A little slider pops up for you to adjust it to a monthly payment you are comfortable with.

Coverage starts at 10k and goes up to 300k. Once you have selected your coverage amount, you are then taken to the screens to complete your application process. It is that simple! If you do not have life insurance and you are a parent, you should not wait. It's so easy to spend $15 on a lunch out with a friend, or $25 on some new cute coffee mugs that you probably don't need anyway. You don't want to leave a hefty financial burden on your kids when you die. Give yourself and your family some peace of mind and get life insurance right away. What are you waiting for? Download the Jenny Life Insurance app today.

 from JennyLife on Vimeo.

“Moms can’t live carefree. Your whole life is built around caring. We’re making it easier for you to care.”  —Chirag, Founder

Be sure to visit Jenny Life online for more information. You can also find them on Facebook & Twitter.

It's Our Anniversary!

Another year has gone by, and today we celebrate 24 years of marriage. It really is so hard to believe that it has been that long since the day we said I do. Marriage isn't the easiest thing, but I feel like it gets sweeter with time. This last year was a bit a test. I lost both of my parents, and felt like I wasn't fully present most of the time. My sweet husband has been so supportive and definitely put me first. I guess in reality, that's how marriage is supposed to work. You have to be strong when the other is weak.

I am thankful to have someone to catch me when I fall, and that I can do the same right back. You don't question anything, you are just there. I tell younger or newer couples to never give up on each other. I'm sure that's easier said than done, but I believe in putting in the work. So many of the arguments that couples have can be worked out. I wish for everyone to have the kind of marriage that I have. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that I don't have to face anything alone.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband and best friend of 24 years. Cheers!

Is Your Child Wearing The Right Shoe Size?

Survey Finds That Minority of All Kids Wear the Right Shoe Size

Your kid’s cool Adidas sneakers may look great, but do they fit properly? Shoes that are too small put children at risk of foot deformities and other serious health issues. The bad news for parents; almost two thirds of all children are wearing shoes that are too small!

Blitzresults conducted a survey and found that 65% of all kids are wearing shoes that are too small. Of these, 47% are one size too small and 18% are even two. Only 35% are wearing the correct size and only 11% of those have “room to grow”.

Improperly fitting shoes can cause hallux valgus. This is a foot deformity, it happens when the big toe starts to angle inward, which causes a swollen lump just below the big toe. A study conducted by the National Health Institute found that almost 30% of children had irreversible foot deformities, like hallux valgus.

To help parents make sure they are buying shoes that fit their kids properly, keep the following advice in mind:

• Go by the longer foot: The right and left foot are rarely the same length. A difference of up to half an inch is normal, that’s almost one whole shoe size. Therefore, parents should always go by the longer foot when buying shoes.
• Don’t rely on the shoe size: Shoe manufacturers label shoes with standard sizes, the ones we all know. But, there is no mandatory industry standard for shoe sizing, so each brand will vary. Be sure to try on every shoe carefully.
• Give ‘em room: Most parents are aware that feet need some room, but usually underestimate the actual room needed. At least ½ inch of additional room is optimal, it’s the only way kids can roll their foot properly when walking.
• Do a regular check: Tim Lilling, expert at blitzresults.com, tells us that, "Because the sense of touch isn’t fully developed in children yet, they have a tendency to squeeze their feet into shoes that are much too small, they don’t even notice it. Therefore, parents must measure their children’s feet every 2 months." A measuring guide, useful conversion tools and a lot of information on how to choose shoes with the perfect fit can be found at https://www.blitzresults.com/en/childrens-shoe-size.

Unfortunately, many parents still use these "tricks" to judge whether shoes fit:

• Trick: Hold shoe to foot. The shoe sole is held up to the child’s foot to estimate the size, but the length on the inside of the shoe can’t be estimated from the outside, and is often much shorter than you’d expect (lining, seams, foot bed). Better: Use an appropriate measuring device.
• Trick: The thumb test. The thumb presses on the toe of the shoe to see how much room there is to grow. The problem; children often draw their toes up by reflex, so the foot is rolled under. It may seem like there’s enough room, although, in reality, the shoes are too small. Using the heel test is just as bad for judging free space in the heel. Many kids push their feet forward until their toes are crammed in. Better: Carefully feel your child´s foot inside the shoe. Place one hand on the front of the shoe, so the child can’t draw their toes up. Then, with the other hand, check the position of the toes. This way you can feel whether there is enough room to grow.
• Trick: Size comparison using a stencil. The shape and size of the foot is traced and compared with the shoe sole, but this comparison is usually imprecise. Better: If there is a removable insole, take it out and place the foot on the insole, there should be 1/3 inch of space behind the heel and half an inch in front of the toes.
• Trick: Asking them how it feels. Parents ask kids; "Does the shoe fit?" Unfortunately, the answer will likely be wrong. Often, the nerves in kid’s feet are not fully developed yet and their awareness of pain is clearly lower than an adult’s, so, kids don't realize if the shoe fits. Better: First and foremost, measure their feet.

Converters, measuring guides and tips and tricks to find the right size can be found here.

Main findings of the survey:

• 65% of all kids are wearing shoes that are too small. Of these, 47% are one size too small and 18% are even two.
• Only 35% are wearing the correct size, and only 11 % of those have room to grow.
• Of the parents surveyed, 52% said they’d never measured their kid's foot length, but instead relied solely on sensorial and visual tests.

About the study:
2109 parents were asked about their kids’ foot length and shoe size. Afterward, special measuring devices and instructions on how to measure feet properly were given to the parents. The measurement values were used to calculate the actual shoe size, then these results were compared with the parents’ hit or miss values.

About BlitzResults.com:
BlitzResults is an open source educational platform with focus on science, consumer affairs and technology. A wide variety of tools, converters and checklists help users to calculate optimal results. All tools were created in collaboration with educational institutions and every info-graphic is licensed under creative commons and may be used free of charge in educational context.

Four Reasons Teaching Can Be A Great Career Change For Moms

If you're a mom who has chosen to stay at home with the kids during the early years, it can be quite tempting to consider retraining so you can have a new and better career once you do return to work.

The availability of online degrees that can allow you to study from home, full or part time, has made it very easy for moms who want to find a new career path to get qualified while they're at home with the family, but what career should you choose? With anything from accounting or an MBA, nursing or hospitality management available from online colleges like the University of Cincinnati, you really do have a wealth of options.

Here, we take a look at why a really good choice can be getting an online masters in education and becoming a teacher:

Match Schedules with Your Kids

In most jobs, it can be hard to find a good time to do things like take vacations as a family, as getting time off work during school vacations can be something of a battle – everyone wants it!

However, as a teacher, your schedule both on a day to day basis and when it comes to vacations will be fairly similar to your school age kids, making arranging family time much easier.

Learn to Teach Your Own Kids in New and Interesting Ways

Not all learning happens in the school environment, and as a parent you are sure to want to be able to teach your children interesting things and get them excited about learning. As you study for a masters in education, you'll gain some great insight into how kids learn, and be able to use this at home as well as in the classroom.

Use Your Existing Knowledge

Depending on what age group you want to teach, there is demand for all kinds of specialisms. This means that whatever your existing background and first degree are in, you can use that knowledge combined with what you learn in doing your masters in education online to become a specialist teacher in your original field, for instance science, IT, language or even things like art and music.

This means that while you are retraining, you are not losing the benefits of your past studies or experience.

Make a Difference to Children

As moms, we tend to empathize a lot with children and want to help and nurture them – even the ones who aren't our own! As a good teacher, you can inspire and motivate children, help those with difficulties at school, and become an important role model for them. Not all kids have good people to look up to and teach them, and so this is something you can take on as a teacher.

If you are looking for a career change that is rewarding, interesting and also has some practical benefits now that you have started a family, then teaching can be the perfect choice, and getting qualified has never been easier!

Snowland Returns to Great Wolf Lodge at Charlotte/Concord

If you're looking for somewhere to visit with your family this holiday season, Great Wolf Lodge at Concord is hosting its annual Snowland celebration. It runs from November 26th to January 1st. The resort is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with indoor snow showers and spectacular decorations.

Great Wolf Lodge’s month-long winter celebration, Snowland, offers festive activities from visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause to indoor snow showers to a Polar Wolf Walk. For a truly delectable experience, visitors are invited to dine inside the resort’s life-size gingerbread house. Other activities are Santa’s Letter Depot, North Pole University with holiday themed projects and the Great Clock Tower Holiday Show and Story Time.

Featuring more than 5,000 candies, 600 pounds of gingerbread dough and 1,320 pounds of sugar, the life-size gingerbread house is baked, iced and candied to absolute perfection, setting the scene for a memorable holiday feast. The appetizing walls of the lodge-baked abode have as much heart as taste, as the proceeds for each meal go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Guests can opt to stay in festive Snowland Suites, complete with twinkling lights, glimmering garland, a fully decorated tree, oversized snowflakes and a copy of Great Wolf Lodge’s story book, “Unique as a Snowflake.” As a special treat, Wiley and Violet the Wolf hand deliver cookies and milk to each Snowland Suite nightly to help guests end the day with a super sweet surprise.

Adults can receive their own special delivery of Wine Down Service. The menu, developed by Great Wolf Lodge and The Wine Group, features both sweet and savory culinary treats with wine pairings that can be delivered to the guestrooms after children go to bed. To avoid waking up the kiddos, a “pack member” sends a text announcing the delivery is on its way rather than knocking.

Here are some of the fun activities they have in store: 

• Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where children decorate cookies in the life-size Gingerbread House with Santa’s leading lady.
• Hot Cocoa with a Great Wolf Kid for an afternoon sip. Kids can customize their cocoa by adding fun toppings, or a favorite adult libation for the parents.
• The Snow ‘n’ Glow Dance Party, the chance to prance and dance the evening away with neon glow sticks under falling snowflakes.
• Festive Family Flicks, a time to wind the night down by cozying up with the family and watching a holiday movie in the Grand Lobby.

About Great Wolf Lodge:

Great Wolf Lodge is North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, and through its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates family resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge brand.  Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with Great Wolf Lodge locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Mich.; Kansas City, Kan.; Williamsburg, Va.; Pocono Mountains, Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Wash.; Fitchburg, Mass., Charlotte, N.C.; Garden Grove, Calif. and Colorado Springs, Colo. Additional resorts planned include Bloomington, Minn. (late 2017), LaGrange, Ga. (late spring 2018) and Gurnee, Ill. (summer 2018).

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Beach Walk & Family Fun Day

Join in for the third annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Beach Walk on November 4th! This event is hosted by Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark

-8 AM Registration begins
-9 AM Walk begins on the beach
-10 AM Refreshments provided by Loco Gecko and a celebration will follow the walk

Registration is a $25 donation per person. Ages 12 and under and Breast Cancer Survivors walk FREE!

Those who donate $25+ will get a free t-shirt. All Breast Cancer Survivors will receive a free t-shirt!

Dress in pink, and be sure to pick out an awesome team name!

Register with a team or as an individual here: http://bit.ly/RegisterMakingStridesMB

The event will include lots of family-friendly entertainment including

- Live broadcast by Gator 107.9
- Refreshments and complimentary light breakfast by the Loco Gecko Beach Shak
- Chili Cookoff (bring a couple dollars to try them out)
- Carnival Style Games
- Face painting, hair braiding and other kid-friendly fun
- Day use of the famous Crown Reef Resort Indoor Waterpark for a donation of $10 per person
- And MUCH MORE!

This public walk is being coordinated by Vacation Myrtle Beach in conjunction with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Can't make it to the walk? There is a special online auction set up to raise funds, and you have to option to make a donation instead of registering for the walk if you choose.

Keep Your Family #GermFree24 With Zoono GermFree24

CLOSED
Today's conversation is sponsored by Zoono USA. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you're a mom, you know how much effort goes into planning and packing for a trip or quick getaway. It might often times look like you're going away for two weeks when it's just a weekend trip. I mean, you can't leave home without all of the essentials, right?

It's almost the same situation for when we get ready to leave the house just to go to the grocery store. Moms have to make certain to be prepped for those just in case moments. We have experienced times where we took our little one out for a quick grocery run, and he came home sick out of the blue. I mean, we homeschool so how did he get sick? Germs can linger anywhere and it's unfortunate that you can come in contact with them without any clue.

There's a great way to combat germs before they take over by using Zoono GermFree24 Hand Sanitizer.

This hand sanitizer is an FDA-compliant, water-based formula that kills 99.99% of germs on contact and keeps killing them for up to 24 hours. Yes, you read that correctly, 24 HOURS! It bonds to your skin’s surface and sets up a nano-molecular layer of “pins” that physically impale and destroy germs on contact. Can you believe that it stays on even with hand washing or sweating? This is so far from your traditional hand sanitizer that stops working the moment water hits your hands.

GermFree24® has been proven to provide long-lasting antimicrobial protection against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses (such as influenza), fungi and mold. Over that time period, you might touch hundreds of surfaces, each covered with tens of thousands of microbes, half of which will stick to your hands. Here’s a breakdown on some of the germs you may encounter over a 24-hour period:

• Doorknob: 8,643 bacteria
• Computer mouse: 79,000 bacteria
• Remote control: 17,000 bacteria

Yikes! That's a whole lot of icky germs and bacteria and think of how often you come in contact with those everyday items. My son loves that it doesn't have a bad scent since he's very sensitive about smells. It's also not sticky at all and leaves no feeling of a film on your hands. The fact that you only have to use it once a day means you are using less, which makes it a great value. 

Zoono products are available on Amazon. You can currently purchase Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer ($6.99) here, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer ($13.99 for a 4 pk) here. I keep the spray in my purse for when I am on-the-go and is perfect for travel. I think this is the perfect hand sanitizer for teachers to keep in their desk for their personal use. It's great for the workplace as well. They make wall dispensers that I wouldn't mind having in my house. 

Reader giveaway: Would you like to try Zoono GermFree 24 for yourself and your family? Enter to win a gift pack for Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer as well as a $25 virtual Visa gift card so you can stock up on more Zoono products for the flu season. Enter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on October 16, 2017. Please follow all rules in the Rafflecopter widget and be sure to use a valid email. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Please be aware that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes. Good luck!