One of the best gifts I ever received  with my first baby (The Boy), is still in use today and is so great for summer excursions.  It is the Tuffo Water Resistant Outdoor Blanket with case.  It is gorgeous, functional and comfortable.  Perfect size.  It even comes with us on the plane…to pad the airplane floor the kids sleep on.  For trips to the park and to the lake, we love our picnic blanket.  The only drawback is that you have to fold it a certain way for it to fit back in the case.  Different patterns available at the Safety Superstore ($44.95).  Makes for the PERFECT shower/new baby gift.

There are a handful of products out there that make my heart swell (portable toilets included).  Moo is a printing company that lets you create all kinds of neat things with your photos – greeting cards, stickers, and MINI CARDS which are just so awesome in my opinion.  They are sturdy little rectangular cards and you can print anything on them.  A while back, I printed photos of the kids and put them in Moo’s sleek key-chains (they hold 15 mini-cards) and gave them to the grandparents as a gift.  It was a hit!  I just can’t say enough about mini-cards, you have to see for yourself.  Moo is having a 48 hour sale and all their printing products are 30% off.

A warm afternoon.  Husband comes home early so we can take the kids to the park.  Picnic blanket, dinner, and fruit all ready for a family picnic on the grass.  Kids play.  We smile.  We plop ourselves down on the blanket and begin to eat.  Bliss.   The Boy announces “I need to make a poop”.  No toilet in sight.  Husband grabs two kids and runs for the car.  I frantically collect our things.  We get home in the nick of time.  I search the internet for future preventative measures.

The very next day, I purchased this great On The Go Potty by Kalencom.  It’s compact and has short plastic legs that fold in to make it flat.  It comes with 3 disposable potty bags, each with a super absorbent liner.  With its own  carry bag, this potty is going everywhere with us this summer.  Available at The Safety Superstore.

Kids will love stacking and displaying their trains on this fantastic display shelf from Gifts By David. It can also be used for displaying rock collections, favorite toys and keepsakes.  Fits Thomas the Tank Engine (wooden and diecast), Geotrax and other similar size trains. Square compartments are each 3″ wide x 3″ high x 3″ deep.  Handcrafted and available in a few different colours.  Display shelves for cars were also available but sold out and inventory is currently being replenished.

Mamapicks loves Mabel’s Labels!  You can label everything from shoes to clothes with your child’s name.  Very important if your child is going to camp soon.  Enjoy 15% off your order with coupon code KIDS.

This is a personalized hand-stamped golf marker set which could be perfect for the dad in your family.  It’s my daily Etsy find.  However, I have to admit that I don’t know what the hell a golf marker is.

While I was at Walmart buying 20 boxes of diapers last week, I came across these popsicle molds in the “patio dish” aisle.  There are a few great things about these…the lids close properly, it’s a great way to get vitamins into your kids by using real fruit juice, AND near the end when popsicles get all melty, your kid can simply use the straw to slurp the mess away.  Only $2.47 for a set of 4.  If you have any great home-made popsicle recipes, do tell and I will share them here.

Ever go over to a friend’s house, have your baby fall asleep on you, and have no where to put it down?  Finally, someone thought of a portable bed.  It’s comfy, well-sized and secure.  You can place it on your bed for safe co-sleeping, take it with you when traveling (it folds up) or visiting friends.  Available throughout the US and online stores.