I had one very bad burn on my back as an 8-year-old and another serious burn on my back as an adult. Both times it was due to not applying sunscreen. I am a fanatic about sunscreen.

I have used different brands over the years. Here’s my take on sunscreen/sun exposure:

• I never used sunscreen on a baby less than 6 months. I limited sun exposure until the baby was over 6 months of age.
• Coppertone Baby is excellent for babies up to late elementary school age. Comes in the pink bottle. It is a thick liquid.
• For active kids, Banana Boat or Coppertone Active is excellent. It is thick, plus resistant to sweat. I reapply after swimming for a long period.
• When my kids were about 8, I started letting them sunscreen their arms and legs. I would do their backs and chest.
• With my tween and teen, I trust them to apply sunscreen.
• Each of the kids carries a sunscreen in their pool bag in case they go to the pool with a friend.
• The kids wore rashguard shirts on the beach and at the pool until around age 10.
• If you need sunscreen due to fair skin AND you are going to the beach, apply sunscreen before you go on the beach. Applying sunscreen to already sandy legs can result in uneven sunscreen coverage.
• Avoid spray sunscreens! The spray will not cover all areas. I find myself applying twice as much spray to be sure.
• Only use cream sunscreens. I like to see the cream on the children’s skin to know that I have covered each body part.
• We have a house rule that if a child refuses to use sunscreen the child does not go outside. No exceptions.
• The worst time of year for sunburn is April/May and September/October. At these times of the year, the sun can be bright but I don’t think about using sunscreen. Invariably one of the kid ends up with raccoon eyes.

I’ll be keeping this list of tips in mind as I prepare to travel to Ocean City with my family. The beach is a hit with my husband and kids. Not so much me, with my fair skin and ability to burn when near the sun.

One constant in any of our active activities is the value we place on safety. Whether it is wearing a helmet for lacrosse or skiing. Or wearing appropriate shoes for volleyball. Or getting enough sleep before a swim meet. We stay safe.

Underwriters Laboratories and Disney have a list of tips for summer safety — pool, water, and playground safety.

Keep your family safe by reading the following tips:

POOL SAFETY AT HOME
·    If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child’s reach.
·    Cut overhanging tree limbs and remove chairs or ladders from the pool area to prevent children from climbing over the fence that surrounds the pool.
·    Keep grates and drain covers in good repair and secured in place. Alert your family and guests to stay away from these devices, as the suction from drain outlets can be strong enough to cause entrapment of hair or body parts, which can potentially cause a person to drown.
·    Make sure you know infant and child CPR if you own a pool.

BE SAFETY SMART WHILE SWIMMING
·    Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool every 10 seconds, and reach the water within 20 seconds.
·    Always have rescue devices, such as UL-LISTED life preservers, nearby.
·    Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
·    Always drain wading pools after children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.
·    Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted.
·    Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Toys may attract children to the unattended pool.Check out these guys…Timon and Puumba from the Lion King…in a video teaching kids how to stay safe while swimming during the summer, and all year long.

BEFORE INSTALLING A BACKYARD PLAY SET…
·    Make sure your backyard is large enough for playground equipment. The site must also provide good visibility and security. Before setting up equipment, look out for obstacles, such as the garage, tree branches, utility poles and wires.
·    Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when setting up play set equipment. Be sure your child’s weight and age fall within the manufacturer’s recommended limits for the equipment.
·    Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feed in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

BEFORE HEADING OUT TO PLAY…
·    Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed and bolts are not protruding.
·    Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
·    Always supervise children on play set equipment to make sure they are playing safely.
·    Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, pet leashes or cords of any kind to play set equipment. If used improperly, they can be potential strangulation hazards.
·    Watch for potential trip hazards, such as rocks, tree stumps and concrete footings. Make sure you’re children are aware of them as well.
·    Do a sandbox check. Before letting your child dig in, rake through the sand to check for debris or sharp objects. Also, inspect for any animal contamination or insect problems.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Underwriters Laboratories. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

I knew the Toy Fair would be big, but never guessed just how big it would be. It was located on 3 floors of the Javits Center. I walked through about 80% of the exhibits. My choice of walking shoes was a good one. My decision to carry my laptop and a bag of books/work papers for the train rides was a bad one as I was dragging — literally — as the day came to a close. Plus, Amtrak has no wifi. Doh!

I saw as many vendors as I could. I left with 3 bags full of brochures and samples. Some products I passed by without a backward glance. Some products I stopped because I wanted to know more.

I spent quite some time chatting to a mom who created a line of dolls for girls who love sports. I chatted to Jodi Norgaard, the founder of Go! Go! Sports Girls dolls, about girls, sports, blogging, and social media. She very kindly gave me Suzi the Swimming Go! Go! Sports Girl. Once I arrived home from #ToyFair, my tween daughter took possession of the doll — she is a swimmer. The Go! Go! Sports Girls swimmer doll has a cute pair of flip Flops and adorable goggles. Best of all, Suzi the Swimmer is wearing a one-piece swim suit!

Go! Go! Sports Girls are a line of dolls for girls who love sports. The dolls are girl-shaped — no Bratz or Barbie silhouettes on these dolls. The dolls remind me of a girl doll I had that looked like me. I never see dolls for tween girls that look anything like tween girls, do you?

Go! Go! Sports Girls are available for golf, tennis, gymnastics, swimming, and many other sports. My girls love volleyball and swimming, so I knew Go! Go! Sports Girls would have two new fans! The dolls are available from the following online retailers: amazon, Sears, Target, Kohl’s, and Sports Unlimited. The dolls are appropriate for ages 3-12. I can tell you that teen girls also love these dolls, too!

Giveaway for Musings from Me readers! I am giving away one Go! Go! Sports Girl of your choice. Once I choose a winner, I will ask the winner to pick a doll. One comment = One entry. Enter now!

• For one entry, go to the Go! Go! Sports Girls website and tell me something interesting you learned.
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I was given a Go! Go! Sports Girls doll as part of my review. The views expressed in the article are my own. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. The giveaway ends June 9, 2010, at 11:59 p.m.

The highlights — more detailed blog post to follow:

• tween and teen happy to stay in dorms
• thankful that other moms were happy to chaperone both of my daughter’s teams
• thankful for comfy King-Size bed
• puzzled by spa tub in the middle of my hotel room
• irritated that my son did not like sleeping on the rollaway cot provided by the hotel. I insisted he stay in his bed, but boy did he whine about the metal springs. The Prince and the Pea!
• satisfied by the dining service food
• more than satisfied by eating at Eat n Park in State College.
• Glad to be home!!Here’s my Whrrl

• chorus concerts
• piano recitals
• band concerts
• Daisy, Brownie, Girl Scout bridging cermonies
• soccer, t-ball, basketball, and volleyball matches
• swim meets
• poetry readings
• plays and musicals
• school awards ceremonies

My son was a mere 1-month-old infant when he was taken to his sisters’ t-ball game. I recall covering his stroller in a blanket to make sure he did not get any dirt blown in his face or experience any direct sunlight. I have walked him miles along corridors and hallways in his stroller while his sisters were in classes and activities. As a toddler I could distract him with snacks in a way that did not work when he was a preschooler. At 4, he wanted to do the activity. Woe betide ANYONE who stopped him from coloring the outside of the shoebox for the Brownie Christmas gift boxes. He was a preschooler on a mission to crayon a shoe box, STAT.

He’s now a 1st grader with his own interests. He has tried his hand at soccer, music, t-ball, basketball, and now lacrosse. In the fall, we will have a tackle footballer in our midst.

My son is old enough to know when the activity is about him and when it is not. I try when I can to avoid taking him to the girls events. Some events I do take him to like band concerts as I think that the event is cultural and enriching. All-day volleyball tournaments are not a fit for him. I send my husband with the girls or I take whichever daughter has a tournament. He does not need to spend time watching match after match.

In a turn of the tables, I do make sure that his sisters come to his lacrosse games, preschool graduation, and soccer games. It’s only fair for them to support him the way he has cheered them on.

This weekend was an exercise in restraint for him. His sisters and dad planned a roadtrip to the Happy Volley Tournament at Penn State. I booked a hotel room for my son and I. I wasn’t sure if I would go or not. I wanted to leave my options open. I wanted to be able to cheer on each of my daughter’s during their matches. My husband helps coach both girls, so I knew he would be tied up in one gym while one of the girls played in another gym. I was torn. I wanted to go to the 3-day tournament soooo badly, but I knew that 3 days of volleyball is hard for an adult, but torture for a kid.

My son is active…very active. He needs to run and play. Sitting in a gym for hours is not a good move for him. I don’t have anywhere to leave him at home. 3 days is too long for both sets of grandparents. With no solution in sight, I decided on a compromise…my son and I would go for 2 days not 3. I would have him watch 1 match per day per daughter — so two matches per day. I would plan activities for the down time between matches. Note: My idea for a trip to BABW was a bust as there are no BABWs within 50 miles of State College, PA. The movie theater was a good plan, but my son if given the choice prefers to see a movie at the movie theater with the whole family. The hit of the trip? I let my son play catch with the Nerf football in the hotel hallway. Who knew that he would love throwing that ball around so much!?

I’m writing this post on the second night at the hotel. We arrived late last night. Today after a frazzled start we watched the tween’s match, then the teen’s match with lunch in between. My son found a friend to play with which meant we saw about 1/2 of another match …a bonus for me! How crazy is it to meet a boy from your son’s lacrosse team hundreds of miles from home?

After the bonus match it was back to the hotel for a quick shower for me and a quick TV fix for him before heading out to the tween’s team dinner. Even with the compromises it, the weekend was punishing. Would I do it again? I’ll make that decision next year. Will I bring my son again? I’m not sure. With each passing year, it is harder and harder to drag him to events that are not his own.

I enrolled my daughter in preschool when she was 2. The program was 3.5 hours long twice a week. Aside from a couple of sad days in the beginning she loved going. I had a few low days myself where I missed her, but I quickly put my nose to the grindstone and did my work.

My daughter’s first few months at preschool culminated in June. Her preschool offered summer camp. The summer program was less rigid with more outdoor playtime. I signed her up, so that I would have day care coverage while I worked from home.

That summer she had a blast! Over the years she participated in a sponsored tricycle ride for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, played in a sprinkler, drew on the sidewalk with chalk, learned about animals from a person who brought in animals, made a pizza at Pizza Hut, visited the Rainforest cafe, played miniature golf, and the list goes on and on. Her summers were fun. She was happy and well cared for camper, so I was a happy camper, too.

KinderCare Summer Camp Program is well known. KinderCare Summer Camp provides kids and parents with the opportunity to remain engaged and active throughout the summer months. With approximately 1,700 centers located in 39 states and the District of Columbia, KinderCare Learning Centers, an accredited early childhood provider, offer a range of educational programs and after-school care for infants as young as six weeks old to school-aged children through age 12. Run by specially trained, passionate teachers who fully embrace a balanced approach to learning, KinderCare Learning Centers aim to educate and entertain children within nurturing environment, and encourage strong communication between families and teachers.

My children enjoyed many fun activities at summer camp, but when they were in preschool the day’s schedule would include reading, art, and rest time. My son has learned about dinosaurs, the Wild West, circus, and undersea creatures at summer camp. My tween and teen girls spend their summers at summer swim team practices and a volleyball camps.

Did you know that KinderCare’s Summer Camp has weekly themes, like sports, art and science? With fun field trips and activities, KinderCare Summer Camps work to excite children to continue to learn and discover beyond the classroom. The best part? KinderCare Summer Camp is created by kids and features a 12-week themed program where each week brings new activities and new friends!

For more information on the KinderCare Summer Camp Program, head to KinderCare’s website: http://www.kindercare.com/summercamp.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCare and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Saturday’s plan seemed doable. I could foresee a problem or two, but I had a bunch of contingency plans. I was sure I could handle it. How could I have been so wrong?

Saturday was a tough schedule day for us. What could have been a lovely Saturday playing in the yard and relaxing, was anything but relaxing. You see Saturday the tween and teen BOTH had volleyball tournaments in two different counties.

My husband and I divided and conquered. I took the teen to the Discovery Center in Germantown, MD, a multiple use sports center and park area. My husband took the tween to Charles County, MD, a 2-hour drive from us. Two kids + two parents = doing two events works. But, I have a 6-year-old. He loves sports…when he is playing them. He is not so much a fan of watching sports.

After about 1 hour at the teen’s tournament…he was bored. My bag of games, coloring books, and toys was not exciting him. What to do?

Bring out the Verizon Palm Pre Plus cellphone! I opened YouTube. Showed him how to type in “kid action movies.” He watched clips from the Transformers, Lego Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and many more. I knew that YouTube drains the battery of even a 3G smartphone, but my son was happy. As my son was happy, I was able to watch the teen’s volleyball team win their first game of the day. Woohoo! Verizon Palm Pre Plus saved my day!

I was given the Verizon Palm Pre Plus phone and one-month’s service as part of my review.

My volleyball uniform may be black, but am rockin' the socks!

Capital Hill Classic Volleyball Tournament

The teen plays volleyball. She swims in the summer…somewhat under duress.

The tween plays volleyball AND swims yearround…not under duress.

The 6-year-old plays soccer, t-ball, and recently started karate.

Coach Dad is a lover of the Skins, the Terps, and whichever team the kids are playing on.

And then there is me. Little old me. I am not what you call sporty. Never played on team…except for dodgeball at recess. And yes I was always picked last. I played netball — British version of basketball where you throw, but don’t dribble the ball — and rounders — Brit version of baseball with a tiny bat…in years of playing I never connected to the ball…not once — and field hockey in school P.E. lessons. Perhaps, my P.E. teacher set a bad example? She never wore sneakers AND drove her car to the athletic field while we walked. I did win silver in my health club raquetball league…but one of my opponents never showed up and the other? The other broke her arm. So yes I won silver by playing one raquetball match.

But, today I proudly spent 6 hours in the DC Convention Center watching the teen play Volleyball at the Capital Hill Volleyball Classic. I may not be sporty, but I am a Volleyball Mom!