Bowling with my Dad. I'm about five years old in this picture.

Bowling has been apart of my life for as long as I can remember. I bowled with my Dad as a kid, there were youth group outings to bowling centers, the student center at my college had a bowling alley (great for taking a break from studying!) and as a parent, I’ve had the opportunity to share this fun, family activity with my children. Bowling is one of those activities that can be enjoyed when you’re alone or in a big group and you don’t have to be a good player to have fun.

Summer is here and in many places it’s already really hot outside. Lounging by the pool or lake or on the beach is fun but sometimes, you just need to be inside where it’s cool. And if you have kids who are out of school, you also have that perennial challenge of finding activities to ease the “There’s nothing to do!” blues. This summer, go bowling! And there are no excuses because it’s FREE*.

AMF Bowling Centers around the country have launched Summer Unplugged, a program that allows kids 16 and under to bowl two free games everyday from May 30 to September 5, 2011. You simply sign-up on their website and each week you will be emailed a pass for free* bowling. Adults can get in on the fun, as well, for a drastically reduced rate. Just $27.95 buys four adults (17+) a summer’s worth of games so that you can show off your fancy footwork and artistic stylings. That is an amazing deal!

We’d love to hear about your experiences with AMF Summer Unplugged! Let us know in the comments! Did your kids beat the socks off of you? Where they “bowled over” by your mad skills? We just know you’re going to have fun!

Like AMF on Facebook to keep up with all the latest in summer fun!

*Shoe rental not included.

When I was a little girl, I, like many other little girls, thought about what it would be like to be married and have kids.  I always pictured myself with a husband, kids.  Husband would go to work, I would too (wanted to be a teacher when I was little – that never happened…) and we all sit around at the dinner table at the end of every day talking about what we did.  Well, I did get married and have kids – but my family life didn’t exactly turn out that way.  Instead of gathering around at the end of the day to talk about our day, we usually have to pick up a phone and catch up that way.  My husband doesn’t have a “normal” 9-5 job, he’s an audio engineer who’s job entails lots of travel for him.  Yup – he’s a “roadie”.

Simon’s always been on the road, from when I first met him (he was working for one of the bands I was dealing with).  So – it wasn’t anything new to me.  When we decided to have a kid we agreed he’d ease up on the touring a bit, and I’d keep working.  So – we did a “Mr. Mom” arrangement for a bit.  Then, when I decided I wanted to spend more time with my little girl – he went back into the rat race of touring.  Wasn’t bad at first, couple of days here and there.  And then – High School Musical hit the road, taking him with it.  At first we thought it would only be for a few weeks, then it turned into several months.  And after that, came Hannah Montana, Cheetah Girls, and several other tours in between those.  He could have turned down the tours, but our daughter was so into all of it – how could he say no.  Mianna definitely got benefits from his touring.  There’s not many kids that can say Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers sang happy birthday to them on their birthday!  Me, I just got lots of exercise chasing our son around the show arenas.  2 year olds are really not at all interested in meeting celebrities.

So while all of this sounds like oh so much fun (which it is), it’s also tough when he’s on the road.  It’s hard on me, but it’s hardest on my kids, especially my daughter.  I have to say, she’s been handling this so well since he’s been doing it.  She has her meltdowns every now and then – but hey, she’s an 8 year old girl who loves her daddy more than anything.  The toughest thing for me when he’s away is keeping life as normal as possible for them, all the while constantly reminding them how much their dad loves them and misses them.  He and I make sure they talk to him several times a day – always in the morning and always at night, at the very least.  He’s mentioned constantly throughout the day, and I really believe that helps keep his presence in the home when he’s away.   I’m always nervous that when he comes home, or calls, they’ll turn away from him.  But – when he walks through the door it’s like Santa just came in with armloads of presents.  It’s a good 10 minutes before they let him go.  And, while it’s hard on us – it’s just as hard on him.  Every time he misses a milestone (first tooth falling out, learning how to ride a bike, first day of school), it breaks his heart.  When my son was 10 months old – he spent a whole day with him trying to make him walk so he would be there for his first steps. It worked, Jordan took his first few steps after several hours of this exercise.  Ironically, he didn’t do it again until a month later.  Think he may have realized how tiring this walking thing is. Point is – it’s hard on everyone!

Being married to a road crew member (they don’t particularly love the term “roadie” these days) has its ups and downs.  It’s sort of like being married to a rock star without all the fame and fortune and drama that comes along with it.  But – he’s an amazing man and an absolutely wonderful father to our kids.  I wouldn’t trade our life for the world!

Michelle is a Project Manager for One2One Network

Some of our bloggers have been involved in a fun One2One Network campaign with new Wisk with Stain Spectrum Technology.  If you remember the old “ring around the collar” commercials…

…well it’s a new Wisk today.

Our bloggers are experimenting with different types of stains to see how Wisk performs today. See how fun some of these videos are!  This time it’s Proteins like grass stain…

How cute Amy at Taste Like Crazy‘s kids?

“What happens when you give a three year old a “scientist’s coat”, a pair of safety goggles and a pipette? She completely takes over!  Cara wasn’t told what to say. In fact, I was planning on saying it all. That didn’t exactly happen.”

I just have to say I want Cara on my sales team. 

You’ll find more cuties in action putting Wisk to the test at…

Keri a She Saved,

“….as you can see … this stuff works! (ours worked a little too good, I think … because instead of creating a smiley face on the swatch … it took all the stains out … but who is gonna complain about that?)”

Jill at Frugal Plus

“Those of you that have Son’s playing football  especially need to check this out! It will do an powerful job on those football uniforms and definitely is a time and money Saver! I have some red-hot love for this bottle’s power!”

Have you tried new Wisk?  We’d love to know what you think!

Disclosure: These bloggers are participating in a sponsored campaign with Wisk and One2One Network. Their personal testimonials and opinions about the product and the results of their experiments are their own.

Kids have their own sense of style and even as early as 3 know what they like to wear and what they hate!  Some kids are still trying to get in those last days of the summer wardrobe and some are already in school fashion mode.

Michelle at Honest and Truly is sending her’s back to school this week.  After her daughter wearing the same dress 3 days in a row, she is looking forward to uniform wear!

Audrey at Momgenerations always has the most up to date fashion ideas and her post on TJ Maxx and Marshalls back to school shopping.  Take a look at her picks for both girls and boys. And as a mother of 4 boys I’m sure she has great insight into that group!  We love following Audrey for all the latest trends in fashion.

Melissa at Girlymama has a few picks that her kids would love to back to school.  She obviously has great taste in classic clothes.  Picking clothes that your kids will wear is key….which is why I stopped buying my kids clothes years ago! Oh and does that purple dress come in my size *sheepish grin!

How is back to school shopping going for you?