Have an aspiring Paleontologist on your hands? Then you're going to want to see DINOS! Live at Denver Zoo, brought to you by your Hometown Toyota Stores.


Yesterday Madison and I were invited to a private preview of Denver's Zoo newest traveling exhibit, DINOS! Live. Madison has been obsessed with Dinosaurs for as long as I can remember and almost 2 years ago I took her to the Dinosaur Museum which she just loved. The Denver Zoo's DINOS! Live was something that I knew she'd be excited about and we weren't disappointed. The exhibit features 21 life-size animatronic dinosaurs throughout the zoo, from a Tyrannosaurus Rex at the Conservation Carousel to a Stegosaurus at Sheep Mountain. I also want to share 3 easy ways you can turn this event into a learning adventure for your little ones.


The exhibit officially opens to the public tomorrow Saturday, July 1 and extends until October 31st. However, tomorrow from 6:30-9:30pm there will be a Prehistoric Party for members only with it being offered every Saturday Night in July for the general public.


On July 1, 8, 12, 22, 29 respectively, you will be able to visit these 21 life-size animatronic dinosaurs after the sun goes down while enjoying additional family-friendly entertainment, such as craft stations, animal demonstrations, fruit carving and more!


Pricing for the Prehistoric Party.
General Public Age 12-64 - $17.00
General Public Child 3 -11 - $12.00
General Public Age 65+  - $14.00

Looking to make your home a little bit smarter? Think Hive Smart Home Ecosystem!


Two summers ago we were visiting with my brother, who is a master when it comes to all things electronics, in sunny Orlando at his condo. If you know Orlando in the summer, you know that it can get really heated. However, on our way back to his condo, he took out his phone and stated "I need to see what the temperature is at the house". OK? I didn't have anything that cool in my house. I had to manually set the temperature and I had to do it at home, not when I was out and about. It was then I knew I wanted my home to be as smart as that, but with a bit more features. When you are on the go as much as I am at times, you want the things that matter to you to be safe and comfortable. So when I was asked to give Hive a try in my home, I was ecstatic. Now you may be thinking; "why do I need a smart home?", well I'm going to tell you three reasons why!


Save Money on Energy Bills
Control your thermostat from anywhere with a touch of your smartphone. You can turn off your thermostat when you're not at home. Not sure if you've forgotten to do so, a simple look at your smartphone app can show you. You can also set your thermostat to the level of comfortability that you need when you return. It's nice to get home to a cool house in the summer, and a warm house in the winter.

Control the Lights When You're Not Home
What better way for thieves to know you're not a home than your home being in complete darkness. You can switch your lights on and off, or set lighting schedules for your home when you're not there remotely with the Hive Active Light bulbs.

Stay Connected to Those Who Mean the Most
I can't begin to tell you how many time I've asked my kids to let me know whenever they get home if I'm not there. With Hive, I know when someone enters or leaves the house. With the Hive window or door sensors, you will get an alert when your door or windows are opened.


So how does Hive work? 

Hive consists of smart products that are designed to make your life easier and for you to get the most out of life. Thus giving you more time to do the things you love doing the most. Each product is beautifully designed and easy to use and set up is simple. With Hive Actions, you can set them up to work together, giving you a truly connected home experience.

It won't be complete, however without the Hive Hub, which is like the brain of the operation and controls everything. With the Hub you can control your Hive products remotely with the Hive app no matter where you are. The hub is included in all of the Hive Plans.


Hive Features

Affordable
When looking into smart home options, one thing that I wanted was something that was affordable and wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. Hive plans start at just $9.99 and the service includes access to the Hive mobile app, on-demand customer service and ongoing warranty, however the ability to control my home from anywhere, is priceless.
Easy to Use
I just love how easy everything is to set up and use. I'm not really a techie person so that played a big role in determining whether I would love using Hive. Installation was pretty simple, even for me with no experience and if you're in a rental, this would be perfect.

Quality
The quality of each product is top of the line and I have to say that I was greatly impressed.

Hive has not only made my everyday life a little easier, but they have taken the worry out of me leaving home when I travel. I'm able to save money on my energy bills and keep in touch with the people that matter to me most... my family. So live a little better and focus on the important things in life with Hive.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hive. The opinions and text are all mine.

Today we want to share some tips on how you can save money while traveling.


There's nothing that I love more than traveling. I grew up in a family that enjoyed traveling, and my mother took me on vacations every summer. I saw the different cultures of each country and came back after every visit with a sense of awe. It's why I live by this quote:

Travel is the only thing that you can buy that makes you richer. 

While traveling can be expensive, getting to your final destination is so worth it. As a family, we do a major destination once a year. However, as a mother of a pre-schooler, I want to visit as many places while she is still young. I also try to go on an international trip once a year. Travel doesn't necessarily have to cost you lots of money, and I have shared a few tips before such as how to travel when you're broke, how to travel on a budget and even how to start saving for your next trip. There are so many ways to save and today's post will share a few more.


Flights

When it comes to travel, transportation is always going to be your most expensive cost, especially if you're traveling overseas. While you can drive to your destination if you're in the US thus saving you some money, sometimes it can be cheaper to fly. There are many ways to monitor the price of your airline ticket. Google Flights is one way, where you track the price of the flight you want. While it's best to purchase your ticket early, you can also save by flying into less popular airports. Layover flights can also be cheaper than a direct one if you're not in a hurry.

Use Deal Sites

Sites such as Groupon can get you discounts on some very popular destinations. I have used them myself for quick getaways. Another awesome site is LivingSocial which is similar to Groupon. With LivingSocial, you will also find discounts on staycation packages, food and drink, and even events and activities.

Accommodations

While staying with friends and family is by far one of the cheapest ways to save money while traveling, it's not always feasible. You may not have any friends or family where you want to visit. Finding a smaller hotel or staying at an AirBnB will be cheaper than staying at a five-star hotel. Staying outside the city will also be more economical than staying inside the city. With this option, it may take you a bit longer to get into the city, just enjoy the sights and soak up the savings.

Transportation

Public transportation is always going to be cheaper than renting a car. While you may be thinking about the weekly rate, don't forget the price of gas and if you may have to pay tolls. Most major cities have a public transportation system. Check out their app and/or maps if available, and see how easy it will be to get to the places you want to visit using public transport. If necessary, you can also use Uber.

Food

Whenever I travel, I always make it my business to bring a few perishables with me. I also try and find the nearest supermarket so I can stock up on essential supplies. Eating out every night can be very expensive. Walk with snacks whenever you go out, so you don't have to stop at a restaurant to eat. If you do decide to go to a restaurant, ask for recommendations and check out the reviews.

Money

So you've saved for your trip, but make sure you also have a budget for spending money. You might be tempted to pull out that credit card, but remember interest will be added.  Which in the long run can work out to be more expensive. So your $100 shopping spree just turned into a $110 splurge. Instead, use your debit card. It's also a lot safer than cash.

Madison and I had a lot of fun practicing yoga moves with the help of the new GapKids Marvel - GapFit Marvel collection, after all, you need the perfect workout gear when working out.


Yoga has numerous benefits for both children and adults. If you practice yoga and would like to introduce the practice to your child(ren), or you yourself would like to get into it as well as involving the little ones, here are a few tips on how to start.


Keep it simple and quick

Children often don’t want to pay attention for long periods at a time, and that is very normal. When introducing yoga, keep it simple as far as poses go, and only do a pose for a minute before moving on with younger children (6 or younger).

You want to keep your yoga session around 15 minutes unless your child is over the age of 7, or thoroughly enjoys the practice. If they do enjoy it, be sure to mix in many minimally strenuous poses so that their body can keep up without being injured or strained.

Plan your yoga time

It’s best to do yoga after eating a light snack or right away in the morning. A full stomach can prevent your body from getting into the proper form and will hold you back from getting the full benefits of yoga. It’s also not good to let your child eat too much before yoga as they will quite possibly feel tired and not want to participate as they normally would.


Encourage them to use the proper form and breath, don’t force it

While doing yoga with your child, you will want to encourage the proper form, and help them, however you do not want to force them into it. Let their body naturally adjust as you continue to practice yoga and they will eventually be able to get into the proper form. (Practice makes perfect!) You also want to encourage them to breath properly during yoga, this will help them relax and will boost the effects of the practice.

Use positive reinforcement often

Before, during and after doing yoga you should be using positive reinforcement with your young ones. They need to feel like they are doing a good job and should never feel discouraged. If they are having trouble with a pose, be sure to let them know that it’s okay and that they will get better each time they do it.


Introduce it with a game of Simon Says or tell a story that includes yoga poses

Actually getting your child to participate is the first and can be the most challenging task. You will initially want to introduce it in a fun way such as a game of Simon Says, or telling a story that goes along with the poses and having them do the poses with you. Some children may jump right in and love it, others not so much. Be sure to let your child act naturally, don’t force yoga on them, if they want to do a certain pose rather than the one that you want them to do, that’s okay. There will come a time when they will participate and do exactly as you do. Age plays a big factor in this; if you have young children don’t get frustrated with them when they just want to run away and play, continue to introduce it each day and eventually they will want to join in.




The new GapKids Marvel collection features an assortment for boys and girls celebrating Marvel characters and their heroic adventures including Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk and Spider-Man. Together, Gap invite kids to be the Super Hero of their own stories and unleash their own Super Powers because, they already are, FIT TO BE SUPER. The collection includes graphic tees, shorts and swim along with leggings and tanks.

Shop the GapKids Marvel Collection!

Need a reason to take your kids to the fair? Today we share 5!


It's officially the first day of summer and with the summer comes state fairs and carnivals. The State Fair is a great place to spend a summer day with your child. Refreshening tall glasses of lemonade, fun rides, and a sneak peak at farm life in the livestock area, all things that you get to look forward to. No matter where you are from, or what you and your child like, you will find something right up your alley at your local State Fair. If you're on the fence about taking your child to the fair, today we share a few reasons why it's actually a good idea.


1. Childhood memories. The State Fair is packed full of fun things for kids and families to do. It's one of those places you can't go without creating lasting memories. Taking your child to the state's fair give them quality time spent with you that they can think back to when they are older. Don't forget the camera, or smart phone so you can record those memories as well.

2. New experiences. To grow as a person we must live and experience new things. The State Fair is full of chances to try something new. You could encourage your child to try a new food, try a ride that takes them out of their comfort zone or even pet a new animal at the petting zoo. It's often hard going to the State Fair and not come away with a new experience that builds your child into the person they are meant to be.


3. Plenty of sensory stimulation. Even the youngest of kids can benefit from visiting the State Fair long before they are old enough to go on the tilt-a-whirl. With lights, colors, and people everywhere, even babies can have plenty of visual stimulation. Older babies and toddlers can venture a bit and experience touch at the petting zoo or food from a vender. And well it's the state fair so everyone gets to experience new smells.

4. A great workout. We all need to get more physical activity in and the State Fair is a great place to do it. Yes you may be tempted to eat some of those fattening treats, but you are also giving yourself a great opportunity to walk, climb, and even test your strength. There's a reason you feel it all over the next day. Going to the State Fair is a great, and fun workout. Don't believe me, just take that FitBit for a spin.


5. Just for fun. Life is short and having a bit of fun is important for you and your children. Plan a fun day out at the local State Fair and discover all kinds of fun things to do, from live music to nearly anything under the sun... fried. Get a map on your way in and look for the things your family will love so everyone has a little fun.

Now that we've shared our reasons, find out when your State Fair begins and plan to take the entire family this year.

Throw one of the greatest block party of the year and enjoy these Bacon Cheese Wrapped Franks made with Bar-S franks.



Living in New York City, there are a few things you look forward to during the summer, one of them is the amazing block parties that the entire block threw. It's the one time that you got to meet all your neighbors that you don't generally see on a day to day basis. Everyone comes together as a community and the food, the music and drinks are amazing. It's something that doesn't happen here in Colorado and is just one of the things I miss about New York. How would you like to be able to throw an amazing block party that will rock the socks off the neighborhood, and have them talking for many years to come? Bar-S is partnering with CMT to put on a big block party for this year’s CMT Music Awards as well as a sweepstakes. Join Bar-S and CMT for a summer of music and a chance to win a trip to the 2018 CMT Music Awards, a private concert and backyard BBQ experience with one of CMT's hottest Emerging Artists, or one of thousands of other great prizes!


I grew up listening to country music with my dad. Together we would sit and listen to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers and all the other greats on a Sunday afternoon. Country music is still one of my favorite genre of music and it's not difficult to understand why. The lyrics are words I understand, unlike the music my children listen to these days, and looking back, I can now relate to most of the songs. This summer Bar-S and CMT are teaming up all summer long to bring you great food and great music you can't find anywhere else! You can check out the latest exclusive music videos by some of CMT's hottest emerging country music stars, and make sure to sign up for the CMT Summer of Music Sweepstakes! However, I want to share with you these amazing bacon, cheese wrapped franks made with Bar-S franks that you can make for your awesome block party.


Ingredients:

Bar-S Franks
Bar-S Bacon
Shredded Cheese
Toothpick

Directions:

Step 1: Cut a slit in your Bar-S franks down the middle.

Step 2: Add shredded cheese into the slits

Step 3: Wrap a slice of bacon around your franks

Step 4: Use a toothpick at both ends of your franks to keep the bacon in place.

Step 5: Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until bacon is thoroughly cooked.


So how can you enter Summer of Music Sweepstakes?

Simply purchase specially marked Bar-S products and enter the UPC codes to enter.

What are the prizes?

Grand Prize:
Two (2) tickets to the 2018 CMT Music Awards
Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) spending money

First Prize (2):
One (1) Backyard BBQ party (total ARV $2,000 per Backyard BBQ party)
One (1) live musical performance at the Backyard BBQ party from one of the emerging artist musicians who performed at the Bar-S Block Party leading up to the 2017 CMT Music Awards

Second Prize (2,000):
One (1) CMT Prize Pack, one (1) CMT & Bar-S co-branded Block Party Poster and one (1) $50 Visa gift card
So purchase Bar-S products and enter the Summer of Music Sweepstakes. Also be sure to visit Bar-S where you can find other amazing recipes and sign up to receive coupons.