An Afternoon of Beach Fun

Disclosure: I am a Goddess Garden Organics Ambassador. I have been compensated for this post, however, all opinions are mine alone.

Living in South Florida has it perks, the main ones being the amazing weather and the close proximity to a beach. We do not live by the South Beach area everyone knows Miami for but we do live really close to Matheson Hammock Park which has one of the few atoll beaches in the world. Sometimes in the afternoon, I like to grab the family and go to Matheson and just hang out.

No matter the time of day, even in the late afternoon, the sun is shining and everyone needs to wear sunscreen, especially our new favorite organic sunscreen, Goddess Garden. 

This is our usual setup under one of the palm trees. I love the nice breeze. JC prefers to take an afternoon nap so that's why there is only one chair. 

In our beach bag there's our Goddess Garden organic, chemical free sunscreen in both the everyday and kids, a coverup for Amberly, my trusty straw hat, a couple sandwiches and bottled water.

I let the kids bring whatever toys they want to the beach with the only rule being: you carry it! If I have to pick it up and carry it, it stays behind! They love the basics though: a bucket and shovels. 

Usually the beach will be open until sunset so we do get to enjoy a couple hours out there. Amberly likes the beach the least so she will usually just put down a towel and read or eat fruit. Sometimes she will venture out into the water, but that is always short-lived, 15 minutes max. 

The boys on the other hand could stay at the beach and in the water all day. They love everything about the beach and sometimes it will be just me and them. I love going to the beach to relax and there really is nothing nicer than just sitting under a palm tree after a long day at work!!

I have been mentioning Goddess Garden organic sunscreens alot lately and that's because we have really loved testing them out. I think you will too. Be sure to join our FB party next Wednesday at 9pm to learn more. RSVP for the party here!

Feel Good About Sun Protection with Goddess Garden Organics

Disclosure: I am a Goddess Garden Organics Ambassador. I have been compensated for this post, however, all opinions are mine alone.

Sunscreen is a must-have in our household. The sun in South Florida is brutal and sunscreen must be worn on a daily basis. I am very particular about getting sun, especially on my face. My face is usually covered by huge sunglasses or a hat. I don't want the premature aging, sunburns or even worse, skin cancer. Since my family and I wear so much sunscreen, I was looking for a more organic option and luckily stumbled upon Goddess Garden Organics!

Goddess Garden Organics are chemical free sunscreens for the whole family. They are made from natural ingredients such as sunflower and radish and active ingredients like zinc and titanium. These natural ingredients are every bit as effective as those found in conventional sunscreens. As natural mineral ingredients sit on top of your skin, they act like a mirror and reflect sunlight away from your body. The sunscreens are certified organic so you can feel good about what is going on your family's skin.

I have taken on the challenge to replace my conventional sunscreen with Goddess Garden Organic sunscreens. I have been using them for about a week now and this weekend, they are going to be put to a big test: our family cruise vacation!

4 days of beach and pool fun requires LOTS of sun protection! I have my Goddess Garden Organics all packed up and ready to go!

Have you heard of Goddess Garden Organics?

TGIF Blog Hop & Instagram Link-Up!!

Announcement: There's something new on the blog! I am now a host of the super fun TGIF Hop! I am super excited about this opportunity to help grow mine and others blogs. Also, you guys know how much I love Instagram so hosting this hop is perfect for me! Now hurry and link up! Can't wait to check out your blogs and Instagrams!!

Welcome To The TGIF Hop!

Lets celebrate making it through another week by

 linking your blog and/ or your Instagram below. 
You may link up any post.
 Remember, visiting other blogs and/ or Instagram links is what makes a successful blog hop.
This hop runs from every week. Starting Friday morning to Wednesday morning.
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1. PLEASE Follow your host and cohost blog's via GFC or BLOGLOVIN

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3. Please leave a comment stating that you are following and where so we can follow you back and get to know you! Sometimes it can be hard to know which is a new follower and we don't want you to think we're rude.

4. Tweet the hop below to help us grow. It's greatly appreciated. 

5. Be social.  Meet new friends. 

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Every first Friday of the month we will be hosting a lovely GIVEAWAY!

:: Three Sisters and us ::Mice In The Kitchen :: Second Chances Girl ::CompleteBliss Blog :: My Silly Little Gang ::

Welcome our new hosts that have joined the TGIF hop (link-up)! 

Mice In The Kitchen:

Mice in the Kitchen is my corner of the internet where I talk about the craziness that is my life...4 kids and tons of pets....did I mention my husband is not a pet guy?!  I am a newbie at being a small business owner and navigating that has been eye opening to say the least. On any given day on my blog you might find a funny story, join a link up, enter a contest or learn about a new product. I would love for you to stop by and say hi!  I love to get to know my readers and connect with other bloggers.

Second Chances Girl:

I'm a mom of one, step-mom of two from MIami, Fl. I blog our life as a blended family of five, along with sharing some recipes and a little style!!

Meet TGIF's Weekly Cohost!
Want to be our next cohost and be featured? Click here!!

                                                                                                                                                       

This Weeks Feature

From the blog of: Three Sisters and Us

Be sure to check her blog out here.

Pallet Wood-Center Piece

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The Fourth: Beach & Fireworks

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays! We have started our own family tradition of a day at the beach and then watching the amazing fireworks show at the Biltmore Hotel. This is our third year spending the holiday this way, I blogged about last year here.

I love the beach and JC doesn't. This is the one day a year that he will go with me. The kids totally enjoy it though so he is stuck with our 4th of July beach day!!

I posted some pics throughout the day on Instagram (@scggirl) and the rest I saved for this post!!

Isn't this guard house adorable?

When extreme boredom kicks in, JC practices his handstand walks. 

After the beach, we went home, caught the end of the Brazil vs Colombia World Cup game and got ready to go watch fireworks!

Every year, the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables opens up the golf course to everyone and anyone that wants to watch their amazing fireworks show. The event is free, put on by the City of Coral Gables, and runs from 5pm to 9pm. The event begins with an orchestra playing different types of music and then at 9pm the show begins. Since I color-coordinate our 4th of July outfits, I take this moment to take our annual family photo! There was a lot less cooperation this year, but after a couple tries, we managed to get this one. I don't love it but I am content for now.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July!!!

Essentials For A Beach Day With Kids

Living in Miami, we are pros at beach days. With gorgeous weather year-round, spending the day at the beach is the norm. When I was young, packing for the beach meant a cute bag, magazine, sunblock and a drink, not so easy when as a mom. As a mom, you need to think about EVERYTHING!! The beach is a great family destination and it shouldn't be a nightmare to get ready for a day of fun!

Here are my beach essentials as a mom of three:

1.   Beach Towels: One per person. I like regular beach towels, nothing fancy for us!

2.   Baby Powder: SUPER IMPORTANT! Baby powder is the best to remove sand from feet and hands.

3.   Baby Wipes: These are a mom staple, just pack them along for the beach also

4.  Wet Happened Bags: I love these bags for storing wet swimsuits. I never leave wet swimsuits on the kids.

5.   Beach Toys: These can vary depending on the age of your child but my kids (ages 8, 7, 6) still play with         basic buckets and shovels.

6.   Beach Cart: This is my life-saver. I pack everything in this cart and just roll it down to our spot. 

7.   Frozen grapes: The kids love these. It really refreshes them. I just stick them in the freezer the night               before.

8.   Beach Umbrella: Ours is over-sized but the kids only come under it when they are eating. 

9.   Beach Chairs : I like 5-position beach chairs. I drag my chair all the way to the water so I can watch             the kids closely. These are a tad expensive but they have lasted for years.

10. Neutrogena Wet Skin Kids & Aveeno Protect and Hydrate. I take separate sunblocks, one for kids,             one for adults. I love the Neutrogena for the kids. Every hour or so, I call them in and just spray them           with the block. No need to dry them off first. 

SUNBLOCK TIP: Apply before leaving the house. This way, it has time to dry on your skin and it serves a base for future re-applications. If you apply at the beach and then go in the water, it just washes off!

Along with these items, I pack sandwiches, chips and fresh fruit for everyone to munch on during the day. Water makes kids super hungry!

The beach cart makes hauling everything out and back to your car so easy! I highly suggest you get one if you plan on going to the beach all the time like we do!

*This post does not contain affiliate links. These are just the items we use!*

What else would you add to the list? What are your beach essentials?