Anyone else suffering from the daily calls of "I'm booooooored" from little people on a rainy day? 

Here in NE Ohio, it hasn't stopped raining in what feels like an eternity. No, really....A good part of my general area is currently flooded, and it's absolutely gut-wrenching to see the photos and videos of the after-effects of all this rain.

We're thankfully on a hill, and our house is not underwater at the moment. We are kind of stuck inside, though, so our summer plans have been kind of washed out so far. Therefore, many of our outdoor adventures are temporarily on hold while Mother Nature figures herself out. 

One thing the kids love doing on a rainy afternoon is playing video games on their XBOX ONE. 

DreamWorks Dragons Dawn of New Riders, the new title from global video game publisher Outright Games and partner Universal Games and Digital Platforms launched in conjunction with the release of DreamWorks Animation's new movie How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,. 

Developed by Climax Studios, the game tells a new story based within the popular DreamWorks Dragons universe and is available now on PlayStation® 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch™ and PC.

Check out this fantastic trailer below to get a quick glimpse into this magical, mystical realm. Hold onto your hats, though, because this is one wild ride! 

Since I just posted about our rain problems here in NE Ohio, I'll skip the long, drawn out description of yards that have turned into lakes and roads that are rivers. If you've been watching the news, you probably know that Ohio, and the Midwest in general, is dealing with non-stop monsoon-like rains, and the many issues that it brings. 

Oh, and earthquakes. We've had those, too. 

Oh, and tornadoes. We have had several tornadoes rip through the general area. 

Needless to say, our outdoor summer plans? They're kind of on hold at the moment. We've been staying inside, and we've been doing everything we can to keep Cabin Fever from making us go insane. 

Video games and board games have been saving graces, and one of our new faves? Definitely this Cartoon Network Bundle that includes STEVEN UNIVERSE SAVE THE LIGHT & OK K.O.! LET'S PLAY HEROES. This pack brings two of Cartoon Network's greatest games onto one physical disc and is now available exclusively at retail globally for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

If you’re looking for some real roses for your loved one, why not check out Mr Roses here https://mrroses.com.au/

They also send Roses in New York and do Flower Delivery in Singapore

Anyone down for some serious Girl Power?!
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Enter Marvel's f​irst female-led franchise film, centered on Carol Danvers AKA Captain Marvel. The spectacular, 1990s-era Super Hero adventure, which electrified and inspired audiences worldwide and surpassed $1 billion in ticket sales, is available now on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere May 28, and lands on Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD™.
 
Set in the 1990s, “Captain Marvel” is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that introduces the MCU’s first stand-alone, female-franchise title character—Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel. When we first meet Danvers, she already possesses her superhero powers, having left her earthly life behind and become a member of an intergalactic elite Kree military team called Starforce, led by their enigmatic commander, Yon-Rogg. But after Danvers has trained and worked with the Starforce team, and become a valued member­, she finds herself back on Earth with new questions about her past. While on Earth she quickly lands on the radar of Nick Fury, and they must work together against a formidable enemy in the form of the Skrulls—the notorious Marvel bad guys made even more dangerous by their shape-shifting abilities—and their leader, Talos, who is spearheading a Skrull invasion of Earth.
 
Based on the beloved Marvel comic-book series, first published in 1967, “Captain Marvel” stars Academy Award® winner Brie Larson (“Room,” “Kong: Skull Island”) as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel,  Samuel L. Jackson  (Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “The Hateful Eight”) as Nick Fury, Ben Mendelsohn (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Mississippi Grind”) as Talos, with Annette Bening (“American Beauty,” “20th Century Women”) as Supreme Intelligence, with Clark Gregg (“Marvel’s The Avengers,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) as Agent Coulson and Jude Law (“Sherlock Holmes,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”) as Yon-Rogg.
 
The film also includes a talented supporting cast that features Djimon Hounsou (“Blood Diamond,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Korath, Lee Pace (“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”) as Ronan, Lashana Lynch (“Bulletproof,” “Brotherhood”) as Maria Rambeau, Gemma Chan (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “Humans”) as Minn-Erva, Rune Temte (“Eddie the Eagle,” “The Last Kingdom”) as Bron-Char, Algenis Perez Soto (“Sugar,” “Isolated Victim”) as Att-Lass, Mckenna Grace (“Gifted,” “I, Tonya”) as Young Carol Danvers and Akira Akbar (“Grey’s Anatomy”) as Monica Rambeau.
 
Marvel Studios’ “Captain Marvel” is produced by Kevin Feige and directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck (“Half Nelson,” “Sugar,” “Mississippi Grind”). Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jonathan Schwartz, Patricia Whitcher and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The story is by Nicole Perlman & Meg LeFauve and Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet, and the screenplay is by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck & Geneva Robertson-Dworet.
 
Directors Boden and Fleck’s creative team also includes director of photography Ben Davis (“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,”Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange”), production designer Andy Nicholson (“Gravity,” “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”), costume designer Sanja Hays (“The Fate of the Furious,” “Star Trek Beyond”), editors Elliot Graham (“Steve Jobs,” “Molly’s Game”) and Debbie Berman (Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther,” “Spider-Man: Homecoming”), visual effects supervisor Christopher Townsend (Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”), special effects supervisor Dan Sudick (Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War,” “Black Panther”) and composer Pinar Toprak (“The Angel,” “The Challenger”).

Eating healthy during the summer months is easy to do because of all of the
vegetables and fruits that are available that grow throughout this time of the year.
As you spend more time outside and enjoy more activities with your family, you
need the healthy nutrients that are given by the foods that you eat to maintain your energy and to enhance your immune system for the upcoming cooler months when you're going to spend more time inside. Here are a few healthy lunch ideas that are easy to make and that kids will likely enjoy as well.

Vegetable Pizzas
A fun lunch idea that you can customize is vegetable pizza bites that are made with slices of zucchini and squash instead of pizza dough. You can lightly fry the slices in a frying pan for a little crunch before adding the toppings that you like. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the slices as well as cheese and herbs. Bake the pizzas until the cheese is melted.

With 3 kids, a husband in the automotive industry, a dog and 2 cats, cleaning is something that is basically a constant in my home. Whether it's spills, accidents, or just grease and grime, there's always some sort of mess that needs my attention. 
Of course when tackling tough messes, I prefer to reach for cleaning supplies that are not only effective, but safe for use around my family and pets. Natural, non-toxic ingredients are a must for me, and I am always looking for new brands and products that fit the bill. 

Recently, I learned about Truce. Truce's vision is that every home is a clean and toxin-free environment that is safe for everyone in the family - including pets. In fact, these natural, safe products were made with people who suffer from chronic illness in mind. This ensures that these products are safe. non-irritating, and ideal for any lifestyle. 

The awesome folks at Truce sent me a bundle of their best-selling products to check out for myself. First, I will tell you a bit about each product, and I will conclude with my thoughts and experiences using Truce. 

Father's Day is Sunday, June 16th. Are you ready to give the Dads in your life a day they'll always remember and cherish? Whether Dad likes playing a round of golf, shooting hoops, settling in for some XBox or Playstation, or just firing up the BBQ for a day of relaxation, it's nice to give him a day that celebrates all he does for his family. 

My husband? Well, he's the best Daddy ever. He's incredibly involved with his children, and has been an amazing father to all of them-even my oldest, who isn't his biological child. Dan has never called Kyle his stepson, though. Not once. Just his son. He's really one heck of a good guy. 

To celebrate this year, we will be heading to our local Nature Realm for a hike, and then we will be having a laid back BBQ here at home. Good tunes, good food, and family? That's what life is all about. 

We'll also give great gourmet Father's Day gifts from GourmetGiftBaskets.com. They have an incredible assortment of Father's Day gifts for every kind of Dad in your life. Chocoholic? Got you covered. Into salty snacks and nuts? Yup! Got that, too! Is he a beer or wine aficionado? Well, they have a huge selection of those as well! We chose a brand new gift that covers several bases, since Dan is a versatile kind of guy. 

Every single time I go shopping, my youngest son, Xander, reminds me to pick up more donuts. 

Every. Single. Time. 

It seems that in his mind, there is no better treat than a flavorful, moist Entenmann's Donut. Whether it's one of their mouthwatering chocolate varieties, powdered, plain, or even Entenmann's Softees, he never seems to tire of donuts. I guess in my house, donuts are the new bacon. Or something. They're definitely a hit, possibly bordering on a foodie obsession here. 

Donuts aren't just a breakfast craving, either. He's been known to ask for a donut with dinner or even as a snack. 

Let’s be honest. Summer isn’t the easiest month to budget for. At least with Christmas and the festive season you can plan well in advance how much you’re going to spend! When it comes to summer, everything seems so much more expensive…and days out, ice creams, holidays and summer clothes, sunglasses – check out this link for the latest in Transition sunglasses – it all quickly adds up.

So, what’s the answer? Well, I’ve come up with 5 tips and activities to help you save the pennies this summer. Good luck!

Head to your local market
Fresh produce, local crafts, collectables and curios, the opportunity to support local businesses, even tastier sessions and entertainment. There’s always lots going on at your nearest farmers market. You can take the kids, try some free samples and see what’s going on during the holidays, or you can buy some of your fruit and veg there! The kids will probably love watching the stall holders weigh out the produce and entice passers-by with some creative calls. You could even make a visit to the market a regular thing!

Go for a walk
You don’t have to live near a mountain range to enjoy a good family walk. Check out public footpaths in your local area, or if you prefer – drive out a little further and make a day of it. Bring a picnic, plenty of water and a good pair of boots for everyone and you’ll all enjoy a day out in the fresh air!

Have a water fight
Got a paddling pool? Fill it with water, turn on the sprinklers, break out the slip and slide, load those water pistols and let loose with some large water balloons! The kids will love this activity! It’s the perfect way to stay cool, keep them busy and watch your pennies at the same time. If someone in your family has a birthday party coming up – then it’s the perfect activity! Who says you need to go to an expensive water park to have fun?

Head to the library
The kids might groan at the very idea. But did you know that during the summer break, the library is a hub of activity? From reading clubs and challenges, to pop up cinema, guest authors reading from their bestsellers, plays, puppet shows and even a chance to try something imaginative like a creative writing class or even a comic book design afternoon. Pop along and see what’s going on. The kids can pick up some books too – the perfect way to spend those inevitable rainy days.

Have a game night!
Declare your Friday night – family game night! Turn off the TV, help the kids to make their own pizzas and dig out those family board games. Any chance to get the kids away from technology is a blessing and it’s a wonderful way to spend time together – even if someone is accused of cheating and doesn’t like the result of the game!

Recently, I got to check out some of the wholesome yet tasty snacks from a local Ohio brand, Crazy Richard's. (You can peep that post HERE.) 

I thought it would be fun to have a quick chat with the President of Crazy Richard's, Kimmi Wernli, to learn more about her brand and her vision. 

Q: Tell me more about your brand! I hear you’re from the Buckeye State as well! I’d love to know how you came up with the name Crazy Richard’s!

A: We are from the Buckeye State! We are so proud of it in fact that we even have a “Raised in Ohio” symbol on our new Wholly Rollies packaging. The name Crazy Richard’s comes from the fact that we are “crazy” about wholesome foods and clean ingredients. When Crazy Richard’s was founded 20 years ago, there was not a "Natural/Organic" section in the grocery store and many retailers thought that shoppers did not care about clean labels. But shoppers do care! And they have demanded more natural and wholesome foods over the years and we are proud to be one of the pioneers of this category.

Q: I understand you do a lot to give back. That's important to me as a consumer and human being. Tell me about your charitable efforts.

A: We at Crazy Richard's are "crazy" about helping others and established the Healthy Kids Happy Future project to give us a platform to do this. Peanut Butter is the number one most requested item in food banks nationwide - and we have lots of peanut butter! We donate to food banks and other charitable organizations who help support children's healthy and nutrition. We want to take an active role in fighting childhood hunger and we know that often starts with helping support families. Our employees also donate their time and energy to various organizations. We truly believe that one person or one small act can make a huge difference - in fact we are "crazy" enough to think that our family owned company can change the world!

Q: What do you do to support the environment? Do you have sustainable practices? 

A: Crazy Richard's is proud to be the first nut butter company and one of only a handful in the state of Ohio to receive the B Corp Certification! We support recycling programs and are actively against food waste. Our main product - peanut butter - is made from just one ingredient: Peanuts! We only source our peanuts from American peanut farmers. Importing peanuts from overseas may be cheaper, but in the long run it is more expensive for the environment. We are proud to support US agriculture and almost all of our charitable efforts are done locally in the US. Peanuts themselves are sustainable! The most sustainable nut there is, and one of the most sustainable sources of protein available on the market. Peanuts are a Zero Waste product - there is not a part of the peanut plant that goes unused. The outside shell and husk are ground up and used as animal feed or bedding, the peanut can be used in peanut butter or other foods or smashed into peanut flour and the oil extracted and refined into cooking oil. The stems and leaves of the peanut plant are pushed back into the soil in which they are grown because they are full of vitamins and are nitrogen fixing which means that they actually help replenish the earth for future crops!

Q: What are YOUR favorite snacking tips I can share? 

A: Snacking is a way of life for most Americans and we are on a mission to help Snack Frozen! Our new product Wholly Rollies is made from just a handful of ingredients and are ready to eat fresh from the freezer! We believe that food tastes better without preservatives, stabilizers or added sugars. Wholly Rollies are made with wholesome ingredients for the whole family and are my current favorite way to snack! Another snack tip is to pour a jar of Crazy Richard's creamy peanut butter in a squeeze bottle and keep on hand in case of a snack attack. Our PB is so creamy that a squeeze bottle is an easy and fun way to top anything with a little PB drizzle. Toast, yogurt, fruit, pancakes or even sweet potato fries!

Thanks so much for chatting with me, Kimmi! 

Be sure to check out all the awesomeness that Crazy Richard's has to offer on their website.