Countdown to Summer Fun!

If you have school-age kids, no doubt you have been counting down the days till summer break! In our household, we're down to single digits which is both exciting and terrifying. :) It will be awesome to have a break from the early morning routine of school, but at the same time...so many hours to fill! 😌 My kids love school and so I am probably more excited than they are at the break from school routine for a few months. But with four kids ages 5-9, I also know it's important to keep routine to our summer as well.  Summer is a great time to schedule less, hang out more and enjoy fun activities together. I am excited to use pghsummer18.org as a resource for our family this summer. We chose not to do many summer camps and will be traveling a bit throughout the summer, so this website is going to be the perfect resource for me to find daily activities on our free days.

We say a big thank you to Mayor William Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, the United Way’ of Allegheny County's Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School Time (APOST) and all the various child-serving organizations who are teaming up for Summer18 Dream! Explore! Do! The youth-centered campaign will provide thousands of local children, grades K-12, with fun, educational learning activities. 

I love that summer is a time to experience new activities, check out new (or new to us) venues, and most of all, have all the art projects done outside my home! (#amiright? 😅)

What is on your summer bucket list? Ours includes:

• Activities from the PghSummer18 Calendar
• The roving art cart
• Free movies in the park 
• Free indoor movies 
• Hiking at Fall Run Park 
• Free Super Summer Sports Camp
• Swimming at Raccoon Creek Beach
• Checking out new (to us) parks
• + much more! 

{Don't forget that kids under 15 can swim for free at Pittsburgh city pools when you register for a Recreation Center Membership pass.}

So here is to many happy summer memories! I hope you and your family have a great summer and find fun, unique and creative ways to enjoy our great city! Don't forget to stay updated with the PghSummer18 calendar for great ways to engage with your kids.

This post sponsored by the Summer 18 campaign. All opinions remain my own as I do not endorse venues that my family does not love!

#PGHSummer18

Cleaning with less chemicals (+ a giveaway!)

Cleaning. I don't think I ever realized how much of my life would be spent cleaning with 4 kids, haha! Anyone with kids knows it's kind of like vacuuming in the midst of a tornado, but yet, you gotta keep up with it or it gets out of control quickly. 😰
I'm always looking for ways to cut out toxins and chemicals for our family, so I was intrigued when my friend, Jennifer, began sharing more about Norwex. I love how their cloths clean with water only! They are really amazing! Jennifer gave me the EnviroCloth and Window Cloth to try.

Window/Mirror cleaning is one of my daughter's favorite chores around the house. (And it's something that fairly young kids can do). Look at those dirty mirrors! 😲

Usually I just spritz the window for her instead of handing her a bottle of cleaner. With the Window Cloth, she loves getting a spray bottle of water and getting to do it herself. My mirrors have never been cleaner! The Window Cloth works so well! So as a newbie, I later realized these cloths can actually be used without any spray at all. So extra bonus on an easy job for kids to do!

The Norwex microfiber is unique because it is equivalent to 1/200th the size of a human hair (vs traditional microfiber you can purchase in the store which is often 1/6th the size of a human hair).  Because of how fine the Norwex fiber is it removes 99% of bacteria from a surface (that’s why you can replace all of your chemical cleaners...think about the money savings when switching to Norwex) and is SUPER absorbent (think about never having to purchase paper towels again!).  When you use traditional chemical cleaners you are leaving a residue behind that attracts dust, dirt, and grime and you have to clean frequently.  When you use Norwex microfiber and just water, you leave nothing behind and will not have to clean as often because it stays cleaner longer!  Not only are you saving time & money when using Norwex but you are protecting your health because you are not exposing yourself to toxic chemicals (over the past 50 years 80,000 new chemicals have been created and only 200 have been tested for toxicity...so all chemicals are considered safe until proven otherwise) AND you are protecting the environment because Norwex offers items that are reusable vs disposable!

Another feature of Norwex (which is a patented technology) is the Baclock (used to be called Antibac) technology….microsilver that is physically embedded in most of the cloths.  Silver is not new and is used in the healthcare environment!  When the Norwex microfiber cloth is wet the silver is activated which then self sanitizes the cloths by inhibiting the growth of bacteria!  This means that you don’t have to launder the cloth as frequently...HUGE savings!!!

Here are some ways to use the EnviroCloth (wet with just water) and Window Cloth (dry to polish) together....

• Windows (house and vehicle)
• Mirrors
• Stainless Steel appliances
• Fixtures in the sink & bathroom
• Flat, glass-top stove

Whenever you are inclined to reach for any chemical cleaners, go for the EnviroCloth instead.  You can clean ANYTHING…

• Microwave explosions
• Refrigerator cleanout
• Surfaces in the kitchen
• Bathroom (yes, including toilets)
• Spills on furniture, carpet, rugs

I admit, I'm a major paper towel user. And we have a lot of spills and messes in our house!
Enter my new solution: Counter Cloths. These ultra-absorbent, reusable cloths feature a unique new weave to quickly pick up spills and messes in the kitchen, bathroom—really anywhere! Constructed from Norwex Microfiber made from 50% recycled materials in the same size as a half-sheet of paper towel, each set contains almost a whole recycled plastic bottle (500 ml), so you’re helping to clean up the world every time you quickly clean up! They dry fast and you can use them multiple times before laundering. Best of all, they look great in their stylish Counter Cloth Box, where they’re always ready when you need one.

I have begun to love reaching for the Norwex cloths instead of my typical cleaners and they are so easy for my kids to use as well. 

The EnviroCloth and Window Cloth.  These two cloths come in a package called the Basic Package (item # 1505) for $34.99.  These 2 cloths will replace most of your traditional chemical cleaners.  The EnviroCloth is used wet with JUST water to clean EVERYTHING!  The Window Cloth is used dry to create a shiny, streak-free surface!

Want to try the EnviroCloth and Window Cloth?  Here's an awesome opportunity to start your Norwex journey!  These could be yours, just ENTER BELOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

SHOP
So who is ready to try these right away??? Most of us can do more in removing more chemicals from our homes (I know I can!).

1) visit the website: www.jenniferkang.norwex.biz
2) shop (check "I'm not here for a party")

3) at checkout you will be prompted to search for your host, please use KELLY HUGHES to continue to support the Pgh Momtourage.

Norwex is a global company, started in Norway in 1994, and is spread through the direct sale industry.  You can purchase products from a Norwex Consultant OR earn your wishlist for FREE when you host your own party.  My hosts earn, on average, $360 in free products, with some earning $500+!

This post sponsored by Jennifer Kang. It is very rare for me to spotlight a direct sales company, but I think these products are very valuable in helping our environment and being more chemical free in our homes. And I'm all about supporting a Pittsburgh mama and her beautiful family! All opinions remain my own.

Use the app, avoid the doctor's office!

OK, fellow parents, anyone else ready to put this winter and sick season in the rear view mirror? 🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋🙋 We just came through a week of a virus that went through all six in my family. Thankfully, it wasn't the flu, but whew, it wasn't a picnic. Now that every piece of bedding has been washed and everything has been sanitized, my fingers are crossed for avoiding any more viruses this season. 😷

I know I'm not alone as we're in the peak of cold and flu season, one of the worst flu seasons ever. :( We LOVE our pediatrician, but right now I'm trying to avoid her office if at all possible! It's a busy place as we recently waited 50 minutes to be seen (this is extremely rare, so I know there were a lot of sick babies there!) But hey, selfies took up at least 5 minutes of our waiting time. ☺

And that is why I'm extra excited about the new UPMC AnywhereCare app! The UPMC AnywhereCare can connect you with health care providers on all devices to help with symptoms like colds, coughs and sore throats. Your child wakes up at 2AM with symptoms? How great to first check in remotely with a medical professional to determine if they need to be seen! Anyone can sign up for UPMC AnywhereCare online or download the app at UPMCAnywhereCare.com.  One thing to note: UPMC AnywhereCare cannot be used for children under three.

UPMC AnywhereCare offers patients with non-emergency symptoms quick online access to high-quality care — anytime, anywhere. If needed, we can send prescriptions directly to your pharmacy.

It only takes a moment to download the app, so do it now and give it a try!

NEED AN EXTRA INCENTIVE?
You’ll also have a chance to win a free digital thermometer when you sign up here by March 5.

 Here's to healthy kids and the help of an app when they're not!

This post sponsored by UPMC Health Plan. I only endorse companies or products that are beneficial to our families.  

Giving the gift of water safety

As the holidays arrive, gift-giving goes into full  motion. My kids definitely enjoy creating a list of wishes and the joy of granting some of those wishes is very special! But we also know our households can only handle so much "stuff". So I love the idea of giving experiences for our kids rather than just gifts. Swimming lessons are such a high priority for our family and I think they make a fantastic Christmas gift!

We started swimming lessons with British Swim School almost two years ago. Our kids were 6, 4, 4 & 3. They all started as yellow cap and hey - when you have 4 kids close in age you can fill your own swim class! 😃

The first focus for lessons with British Swim School is water safety. Learning to float on your back and call for help and even lessons with clothing on to practice if a child were to fall into the water unexpectedly.

One of my kids has extreme fear of not being able to touch the bottom of the pool and also is extra sensitive to uncomfortable water temps. So the fact that BSS uses indoor heated pools has been a huge boost in alleviating that discomfort. The instructors have also been patient, kind and encouraging through their process of learning to overcome those fears.

It's been fun to see them progress from yellow to red to blue to green caps. Each level is celebrated! 

My kids love swimming, so lessons during the winter is perfect. They love getting to swim every week throughout the year and FUN is always incorporated into every lesson!

British Swim School offers lessons beginning at 3 months. Go here to check out the variety of programs they offer. They also offer lessons at 10 locations throughout the Pittsburgh region so you can find the one that is most convenient for your family. 

My kids are so confident and comfortable in the water now. It definitely makes water activities less stressful for this mama of 4! 

Need a gift idea for your kids that will be with them for the rest of their lives? Swimming lessons would make a fantastic and fun gift. Be sure to mention Pgh Momtourage when signing up to receive FREE registration! 

This post sponsored by British Swim School with whom we partner for swimming lessons. We only endorse companies that pass the test of our family! 

Kid-friendly benefits of Xfinity

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Xfinity. All opinions are my own. 

Along with some fellow Pittsburgh bloggers, I was recently invited to the new Xfinity store in Upper St. Clair.  Full disclosure: we use Comcast internet in our home, but do not currently have cable.

We try to do limited screen time in our home and as my kids have gotten older, it's not unusual for us not to watch any TV Monday - Thursday. To mamas of toddlers, I definitely used some afternoon shows to give us all a break when we were home all day every day. :) My kids use some devices as part of their homework, but the evenings go fast between off the bus and bedtime. Too fast!

Ever since my husband and I have been married, we chose to cut the cable bill and rely on our 3 local channels + Netflix for down time. We also were grandfathered into a monthly $20 internet bill for several years which made that an easy choice. But unfortunately, that nice perk has now gone away and we have been thinking through some other options. We've realized that we can now bundle and get cable for only $10 more per month that we are currently paying for our internet. So this was perfect timing to see what the Xfinity experience could offer us!

Our guide first introduced us to the X1 experience and Common Sense Media. First awesome perk - voice feature of the remote. Can your kids say "kids zone"? Then they can operate it by themselves! (This obviously has pros and cons. ☺) One of the best options for this is that there is a ton of parental control for wifi + TV . Once they get into kids zone, they cannot get back out without a password. That brings peace of mind that they won't be surfing through content that you haven't already screened!

X1 will give you a clear review of each show and movie as to what elements will be appropriate for your kids. You have the option to block any shows or movies from kids zone that you don't want them to see. 

Some other benefits of parental control options: 

• Can pause a device from your app 
• Can monitor the usage and see what times they were on their device. 
• Bedtime pause 
• Control wifi during dinner, bed time, ect....

Another important option that we learned about is the Xfinity Home system. This gives great control and peace of mind for who's coming in & out of your home. It can be extremely personalized based on your needs. You can download an app that will allow you to control cameras, thermostats, lights, sensors and monitor activity in your home from afar. But you also don't have to get cameras to use many of the benefits of the home system.  You can monitor anytime doors or windows are opened in your home - for example checking to see that your kids arrived home after their scheduled bus drop off.

And lastly, for those that may be interested in their phone options - they have Xfinity mobile. They work off the very reliable Verizon network. Currently, you need to buy their device, but can bring your own device beginning in 2018. 

• Pay by the gig which is shared with all phones.
• Up to 5 lines which can each be on a different plan. Customize to each person.
• Unlimited for $45 a month
• Unlimited calls & texts
• Port your number
• Free upgrades
• Buy back program for your device

This was a very informative evening to learn about so many family-friendly and safety features that Xfinity offers! I hope passing this information on to you will be helpful in the decisions you are making for your family as well.

#XfinityMoms

Giveaway with Jord Watches

Gift giving season is here! I love buying gifts for others and enjoying the joy in giving. But does anyone else have trouble with finding the right gifts for their husband? My hubby is notoriously picky. And that's ok! He has great taste. But it definitely makes gift-giving a challenge!

So I'm always on the lookout for things that he might like. When JORD Watches approached me with the opportunity to try one of their beautiful watches, I was pretty sure we had a sure winner!

Wood Watches by JORD  are created out of unique and beautiful woods. There are so many gorgeous choices, it's hard to pick just one!

What's to love about JORD?
Hand-crafted wood timepieces. Raw material, refined design. JORD is run by artists, designers, marketers, and minders. We are focused on creating timepieces that are modeled after a modern lifestyle. We value sustainability, efficiency, and experiential living. 

GIVEAWAY:

For anyone that might want to snap up one of these beauties for yourself or choose to give one as a gift this holiday season, I'm excited to offer a $100 giveaway to JORD! 

Simply go here to enter to win!

And if you don't want to wait to see if you win....I can offer you all a 25% promo code today! Simply use code pghmoms where it asks for a gift code. 

Would you choose a Ladies Wood Watch Ladies Wood Watch or a Guys Wood Watches by JORD? TOUGH CHOICE! All I can say is you can't go wrong either way and getting a his + hers might be the way to go. ☺

Happy shopping! 

This post sponsored by JORD Watches. I have received product or compensation for my review. I don't endorse things I don't love!

Sick kid on vacation – is there an app for that?

This is a sponsored post in partnership with The Motherhood on behalf of UPMC.

Picture this: You and your husband are taking a vacation with your kids. You’re away from home and it’s hard enough to keep a small humans happy and healthy in a familiar place – but you’re about to take your family somewhere you’ve never been. So, after what seems like the longest flight you’ve ever been on (really only one hour and 50 mins), you all head to the hotel and notice that your son is coughing. By the time you check in he feels warm and has a rash on his belly. What?! Not on vacation! He can’t get sick here! You have no idea where the Urgent Care is or the local pharmacy, for that matter. Your husband says, “Sick kid on vacation – is there an app for that?” 

Well…

I am so very excited to tell you that YES – There’s an app for that! It’s called UPMC Anywhere Care!

The UPMC Anywhere Care app allows you to have a face to face visit with a UPMC doctor right from your phone, tablet or desktop! The app is free and it’s free to sign up for an account. Visits start at $49, but for those with UPMC Health Plan, the cost is similar to the cost of a PCP co-pay. So, even if you don’t have UPMC insurance, you can access a UPMC doctor for $49 per virtual visit.

Here’s how it works:

• Download the free UPMC Anywhere Care app and sign up for a free account.
• When someone in your household is sick, you can use the app to find the appropriate UPMC doctor for your virtual visit. You will be able to scroll through and read about available doctors. You will even be able to see what languages they can speak and their specialties.
• After you choose a doctor, you will be notified when your visit will begin. You can choose to use video chat or audio only. You can also send photos if necessary.
• If a prescription is required, it will be sent to the nearest pharmacy for your convenience.
• If you’re in Pennsylvania (PA), you’ll be connected with a UPMC doctor. If you’re are outside of PA, you can still use Anywhere Care, but you’ll see doctors staffed from American Well (Online Care Group).

When I heard about this app, my mind started recalling all the times it would have saved me time and unnecessary anxiety. 

Imagine:

·         Not having to wait until your PCP can get you in.

·         Not having to take your already sick kid out in the freezing winter air to go to the doctor.

·         Not having to pay for parking at the hospital ;)

I urge you to take the stress out of being sick and download the free UPMC Anywhere Care app so you are ready for the inevitable, non-emergent illness. Some of the most common visits fall into the following diagnoses:

•         Sinusitis
•         Upper respiratory infection
•         Bronchitis
•         Urinary tract infection
•         Conjunctivitis
•         Cough
•        Allergies

We've all seen how bad the flu has been across the country this year. The worst part is that it can spread quickly. But downloading this app is even quicker! With the UPMC AnywhereCare, you can see a medical professional on any device. So while we're facing a widespread flu season this year, fortunately, you can also a see a quality health care provider with a UPMC AnywhereCare virtual visit from any device!

UPMC is also giving away free digital thermometers! Enter for your  chance to win a free digital thermometer when you sign up here by March 5: http://upmchp.us/MHUPMCAnywhereCare

So, next time you are packing for vacation, be sure you have the UPMC Anywhere Care app with you, so you will have one less thing to worry about and maybe you will actually be able to relax!

And for more great health information from UMPC, check out their blog: UPMC’s HealthBeat

Thanks to Momtourage mama, Kayt Bech, for the great write-up!

$250 Sears Gift Card Giveaway

Shopping has changed pretty drastically for me since my pre-children days. I'm guessing it has for you as well! No more lingering and casually browsing while sipping an iced coffee. Now it boils down to a good bit of shushing and chasing with the occasional bribe thrown in when necessity drags me to the store with kids in tow!  😂 It's all good, we adapt. But that's not to say my kids haven't been known to sport some highwater pants a time or two. 😉

As a busy mom with 4 kids, there are a few ways my shopping habits have changed.

 #1 - it has to be on sale
 #2 - the store has to have quality brands that I trust
 #3 - a one-stop shop is the best

This week I had the chance to tour the Sears store at Ross Park Mall. The first thing I noticed was the SALE signs. It was a good start! In celebration of July 4^th, Sears is making the holiday last even longer by extending its July 4^th event for the next four days (7/5-7/8). Sears has store-wide savings in every department going on right now – in-store, online, mobile, via the Sears app, no matter how you want to shop. Plus, every day Sears is featuring one perfect summer item with an amazing deal from 7/5-7/8.

Sears is a premier shopping location since it includes - one of my top 3 musts - a one-stop shop! It carries a huge variety of items including clothing, baby gear, appliances, home goods, tools, electronics + much more. You can even get your car serviced while you're shopping! 

Sears is among the leading appliance retailers and America’s #1 fitness equipment retailer. Sears is America’s #1 provider of appliance and product repair services, with nearly seven million service calls made annually.

The Shop Your Way rewards program is definitely worth the free sign up! You earn points for every dollar you spend which means more free stuff. 👍 Download the Shop Your Way app for the best deals!

Swim wear can be one of those things that we moms do not love to shop for, right? Sears has a great swim wear section with a variety of styles for every body type. Shop here where you can get a lot of these pieces for under $16! When you're in the store, keep in mind that there are two separate swim sections. One section is the Lands End brand and one section is the other brands they carry. 

From swim wear to tools & tractors - that's definitely a first in my posts, haha! Because another aspect our family loves about Sears is that my husband and I BOTH love to shop there! Can we say Craftsman tool section? My hubby could spend hours there. 😊 

Today, Sears’s perfect summer item is the Craftsman 4-piece Lithium Combo Kit – it comes with a 1/2" drill, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw and a handy work light and two lithium batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty bag to store it all in. And it’s 20% off!

Yesterday's big sale was the Poulan Pro Riding Tractor. Over $500 off! Since my hubby currently does our lawn mowing, these specs don't mean much to me, but he was impressed! 

• 15.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine that helps get the job done in less time. 

• 42-inch mowing deck that allows you cut wide sections of grass at a time. 

• 6 cutting heights let you customize your mow to the condition of your lawn.

• 16" turning radius makes handling tight corners and hilly terrains no problem. 

• The seat is nicely padded and includes a cup holder to keep your drink close while you're out in the yard. 

• It mows in reverse mode, so you never lose any cutting time.

So whether you're looking for some deals on clothing, baby gear, outdoor furniture (currently 50% off!), lawn mowers, appliances or anything else, Sears has got you covered! 

Now that you've seen lots of fun summer stuff your family could definitely use to chill, eat and DIY everything. Want to try and win it? Head to Sears’ Facebook page where you’ll find links to the daily Sears Great Giveaway sweepstakes they’re running. Many bonus chances to win.

GIVEAWAY

And what's better? We have a $250 gift card to giveaway, thanks to the generosity of Sears! I'm sure that could go a long way in helping with upcoming school shopping, finishing a house project or splurging on something extra fun. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#Sears #WithAmerica #Ad

This post is sponsored by Sears and I have received compensation for my services. All opinions remain my own. 

Save Money with Jetty

Moving. Does anyone else start getting tremors just by thinking about moving? My husband and I have moved five times in our twelve years of marriage and I'm hopeful that we're staying pretty settled now. But you never know! As foster parents, we're always needing more space as our family size can grow and shrink at strange intervals. ☺

I was recently introduced to Jetty, an insurance company that can get you out of paying a security deposit and can act as a co-signor as well.

Jetty is a new kind of insurance company designed to help people in cities reach their goals faster by removing obstacles and risks. Our mission is to protect our customers against setbacks of all kinds, from fire and theft to wasted time and money.

PASSPORT DEPOSIT

Maybe you've found the perfect space to move, but you simply don't have the money for the deposit that they require. Enter: the Passport Deposit. This is basically a security replacement product. Jetty will help you manage a deposit with a security deposit bond. Jetty charges a one time nonrefundable fee of 18% to get you set up and covered. Then they'll pay the rest of your deposit to your landlord. (Keep in mind that you would still be responsible for damages during your rental time).

Swap the security deposit you might never see again with a smaller, one-time fee: just 18% of the deposit amount. It isn't a loan, but it is that easy.

So if the required security deposit was $1,000, you would pay Jetty $180 and be on your way to getting into your anticipated home. Sounds pretty sweet! Their website is extremely user friendly and you can get an insurance quote and pay premiums all online.

Maybe you already own your home, but are considering a rental property or doing AirBnB. Jetty is a great option to suggest to your renters! Jetty also offers AirBnB Host Protection for an extra charge in addition to your policy.

PASSPORT LEASE

There can often be very high requirements to get a landlord to rent to you. You may need a credit score of 700 or higher. You may be required to make an annual salary of 35-40 times the rent. They may require a co-signor. There are many people who cannot rent in the neighborhood they desire because they can't fulfill these requirements. Maybe your mom, dad, aunt or uncle aren't able to help you as a co-signor. Jetty to the rescue once again! They will step up to be your guarantor through the purchase of a Passport Lease. Although it will cost more money up front, it may be what you need to get you into the perfect place!

So are you #ReadyToJetty? You can find more helpful information and see other people's experiences by searching the hashtag on Facebook or Twitter.

Jetty might be the company you've been waiting for to get you into the perfect home!

If you are renting, don't forget that renter's insurance. It's extremely affordable and will cover all your treasured possessions should the worst ever happen.

This post sponsored by Jetty. All opinions remain my own.