#ad Review: Marshmallow Pro Roasting Sticks

I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the Marshmallow Pro of roasting sticks at a deep discount. You can buy this on Amazon. We like to roast marshmallows quite a bit I wasn't sure if I would actually get to use them here in Minnesota in the winter when the review was do but I lucked out and it was 57 degrees on Saturday and we decided to have a bonfire in the backyard. My daughter had over some friends and we roasted marshmallows, hot dogs, and brats using these roasting sticks. They are a heavy duty roasting stick and have a feature on them that allows you to twirl them by moving your thumb on this black piece on the handle. The kids thought that was pretty neat. They are definitely strong enough to cook meat on them which I find other roasting sticks we have are not. My favorite feature about the roasting sticks is that they are extendable which also means they collapse back down to a much smaller size and can be easily stored away. They cleaned up pretty decent but the handles are made of wood so I wouldn't put them in the dishwasher. They also come with a storage case. And they have covers to put over the sharp tips although I have already lost a couple.

I love the choices of colors the handles come in and now each kid can have their own and we know which ones they have touched and 10 to get sticky with marshmallow. They have already claimed their colors.

4th Graders Get in Free at National Parks!!

Starting this Fall, every 4th grader can get in free (their families INCLUDED) to national parks in our great nation. This is a new initiative by the National Parks Service and they are just offering this to 4th graders and their families right now. Learn more about the program in this link.

But the awesome thing is that MANY national parks already have free admission, so just check out the Park Locator and look at what the admission fees are, there just might not be any.

Look at the rates if you are getting this free pass (normally it's $80/family) to make sure it is covered. Special tours are not covered by this and parking fees may not be covered.

Or just pay attention to when the next National Park Week it (it is usually in April) when they also offer FREE admission to everyone.

Try It Tuesday: Easter Bunny Smores

This Easter we are going to spend some time at our Rustic Cabin since it is also my husband's birthday. So, we'll be having campfires and a fun time and I thought it would be cute for the Easter Bunny to leave behind these treats (along with some other outdoor exploration items) for the kids to find in the morning. I can't wait to see how big these bunnies get!

Want some other S'mores ideas? Then check out my post called 12 Ways to Make S'mores or how about some S'mores Oatmeal?

Wordless Wednesday: Forestville State Park Mystery Cave

Mystery Cave at Forestville State Park in Preston, MN

Note - we did see 2 bats flying around in one part of the cave, right after the park ranger said we probably wouldn't see any. LOL!

Wordless Wednesday: River Bend RV Resort

These are from our summer trip to River Bend RV Resort in Watertown, WI.

It might be too late for you to enjoy this same vacation destination this year, but you are already thinking ahead for your plans next summer, this will give you an idea of some of the amenities.

We rented an RV onsite at this Resort that we camped in. This was our second year going to this resort.

Try It Tuesday - DIY Camp Lantern

We made these at Camp MOM (you gotta be getting curious about Camp MOM and I promise I will tell you more about it soon!) This project was something that the other mom, Becky, came up with us to do.

We re-purposed some jars and covered them in stickers and tape (the foam kind you can get at the dollar store or craft supply stores) in a pattern we liked. Then we spray painted frosted paint (do this step outdoors!) over the entire piece, including stickers. When it was dry we peeled off the stickers and the print was left.

Next we twisted craft wire around the top to create something for our wire handle to be held on to the jar with. Twist together enough craft wire to keep to keep it from bending too much and twist the ends through the wire around the top of the jar and twist in to place. Use scrap fabric to decorate. Insert a battery operated tea light or a regular tea light to provide illumination.

Thrifty Thursday: FREE Admission to MN State Parks on SATURDAY!

This Saturday is FREE ADMISSION to all MN State Parks for National Get Outdoors Day. Normally you would have to pay a $5 vehicle admission fee. So, go check out what they are all about. GO FISHING! Did you know everyone can fish for free in MN State Parks, which means you won't have to pay for a fishing license. And what's more is those State Parks with a Fishing Pier (like Sakatah Park which is nearby me) has fishing kits to loan out for families that have poles and tackle for you to use.  FYI - Sakatah Park is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary on Saturday and will be giving out cake & ice cream from 1-3pm.

Just go to the State Parks website and check out where your nearest one is and check on events on the parks page, there may be other things going on at the park you are going to go to.

In addition to the fishing kits, many state parks have free loaner kits for GPS, birding, and Kids' Discovery!

12 Gifts of Christmas: Homemade Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

I know that packets of hot cocoa are inexpensive, but making your own can be just a little cheaper and a whole lot better for you. If you are trying to keep high fructose corn syrup out of your families' diet, you will be out of luck with most store-bought packets. Most packets also contain preservatives as well. This recipe is simple to make, although if I am honest I would much rather prefer making my hot cocoa with liquid milk, but having homemade packets to bring along when you are camping are pretty handy. Making up some of these packets and tying them together with a nice ribbon would make a good Christmas present as well.

Homemade Instant Hot Cocoa 
makes 1 serving (packet)

1/3 C powdered milk
1 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp raw sugar

Mix above ingredients together in a mug. Pour in hot water and stir until dissolved. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday: Minneopa State Park

MN State Parks : Minneopa State Park

Wordless Wednesday: McIntosh Woods State Park (Ventura, IA)

This is one of the three places we went camping in August. We stayed in a Yurt at McIntosh Woods State Park in Ventura, IA.