**warning, I am going to let my surfer girl out in this post…I grew up in Southern California in a big surf town so this is an entirely other language, much has entered mainstream but I’ll try and translate as I go)

My son lives in boardshorts…they are a must-have here in Hawaii where you are either in a pool, at the beach or simply splashing outside in the sprinklers or dancing in an afternoon rain shower. Yes, he lives in boardshorts.  So I was super stoked when I found Haiden Surf. These sweet boardshorts for the little groms (that’s surfer talk for little boys/surfers) caught my eye – they are cool and REAL boardshorts, just like those that surfer Dad’s wear, but for little people.

We received these cool shorts for Cameron, my little grom, to check out. These are the Surfin’ USC Toddler Boardie” my brother will love that name…he’s a USC alumn.

Right away I liked the colors. They are cool, hip, not cutesy…afterall he is almost 5…”geesh mom!” …but they are still fun. They don’t have that mesh liner inside of them. Sometimes I like the liner in shorts and other times I don’t if it’s too tight. So no liner was cool. The fabric seems of good quality. And I think these suckers are gonna last for a while! I got the size 5T for Cameron – he’s about 36 pounds right now – and they are big – I had to pin them so that they were tight, so that should give you an idea on size. But this way he can wear these adorable boardies for longer! (yay!)

The first thing I looked for was to see if the drawstring was a real drawstring. You know, not just one that’s there to look like a drawstring – this is a major pet peeve of mine when it comes to boardshorts. I HATE shorts without a real drawstring. It’s such a tease, and then you realize the damn thing doesn’t really work and you find yourself at the beach with your son’s shorts falling down to his ankles {cover your eyes little girls!}.  Yeah, it’s a pet peeve of mine

Anyhow, I was excited to see that Haiden Surf’s boardshorts do have working, real drawstrings. Yay! Good job ladies! By the way…Haiden Surf was started by two moms from Southern California…two surfer moms…Here’s a bit more about them..

Haiden Surf was started in 2008 by, none other than two Southern California native surfer girls turned moms, who were tired of dressing their little men in boring beachwear. After some long brainstorming sessions, friends Katie and Alli — who have four boys between them (Haiden is Katie’s first born) — decided that if they can ride a long board, change a diaper and balance a checkbook at the same time, than they could totally take the boys’ surf wear industry by storm.

Haiden Surf is a cool store run by cool moms that make and sell cool stuff. Check out these undies…now, these are cool skivvies! And I love the slippas (flipflops). Oh and that lunch box…I just might need to get it!

Ok, seriously, I want it all!

Well guess what?! One Ohana Mama reader is going to win a pair of boardies for their little grom!

GIVEAWAY!

How to enter:

Surf on over to check out the ultra cool and sick (again, that’s a good thing) finds at Haiden Surf. Come back and leave a comment with which boardie you’d want to win.

Extra Entries

• Subscribe to The Ohana Mama
• Grab my button
• Tweet it!  Multiple tweets encouraged…leave a comment for each tweet.  You can simply copy this: Super Epic Haiden Surf Boardshort Giveaway Happening Now at The Ohana Mama Surf on Over! http://tinyurl.com/mdbp7j
• Blog about it – include a link to The Ohana Mama and to Haiden Surf

Deadline: Ends July 31st at 11:59 p.m.
US only

Happy Monday! It’s time to get our hula shake on!

Here’s how it works… Ohana Mama will have 1 featured site that we think is shakin’.

Then you can share, in MckLinky, your upcoming giveaways, funny posts from last week, latest promotion, you name it!

This goes for mom businesses too – please please share your latest sale or new items in your store!

Here is Ohana Mama’s pick to start off this week’s Hula Shake Around the Blogosphere…

There’s a new linky system in town!  And I am using it today!  So it’s only fitting that it’s my featured site on today’s Hula Shake Around the Blogosphere!

After weeks of down time by the other linky offering, hula shake had to take a break (my whole site would get messed up with the script) but WE’RE BACK!  All thanks to MckLinky!  About the new MckLinky…

“MckLinky was created by Brent Riggs and co-inspired by MckMama.

MckLinky was born from need. There was a time when there was only one “linky” service available and it wasn’t exactly Mr. Reliable.

As I (Brent Riggs), thought about using link lists on my own blogs, I did not want to rely on a service that had a growing history of being unreliable or unavailable. So as a programmer, I simply decided to create my own linky system to use privately.

Over time, others asked me about being able to use my system. I got to together with my good friend, MckMama, who has linky lists of hundreds, sometimes thousands of links, and we brainstormed the idea. As we were thinking about names, it became obvious that a takeoff on “MckMama” was the right choice… MckLinky.

We came up with a list of the best and worst aspects of how linky lists should work and planned to create a simple, reliable system that included the easiest and most useful features.”

In addition to basic linky list for you to host linky love on your blog, Brent and MckMama will also host blog hop lists weekly.  Be sure to sign up and take part!  I know I already met a bunch of new blogs from the Introduce Yourself Linky last Friday. Mahalo Brent and MckMama for this awesome new service!!

Now it’s your turn! Share your great posts, latest giveaway(s) or promotion(s) below in MckLinky. Be sure to visit each other, leave comments, make it a grand hula shake across the blogosphere! Share the Aloha!

Your bundle of joy is growing up and has taken his or her first steps.  Get YOUR running shoes on, Mom & Dad! These little ones are fast!  You’ll have to do all you can to keep up with your little speed demon, especially once they are wearing their kickin pair of See Kai Run shoes!

See Kai Run shoes are cute, stylish, and best of all good for your little one’s growing feet!  My little girl has a pair of Kaya shoes (pictured above).  They are adorable and keep her toes safe when she’s romping it up on the playground or going for walks with the fam.  With the hip look of sneakers and the bonus of easy velcro closures, See Kai Run’s Kaya shoes definitely get two hula shakes from this mom.  And from my little girl, it seems.  She loves to clomp around as loud as she can on our floors and seems to know that these babies mean business, as she takes off as fast as she can from mom.

I am already making my list of other See Kai Run shoes I want to get her – yes she is a girl and girls need shoes, lots and lots of shoes. (so do boys…but they keep that on the downlow…believe me, my husband has more shoes than me and my son is swimming in them)

A little bit more about See Kai Run shoes – a mom created company…

“Why See Kai Run?

Healthy Fit

• Very flexible soles are healthy for developing feet.
• Wide opening and toe box accommodate even the chubbiest little feet.
• Velcro closure allows for adjustable fit and easy on and off.
• Leather lining is breathable and durable.
• Padded collar adds comfort and helps our shoes stay on little feet.

Quality Construction

• Leather used for our footwear meets the most stringent available U.S. and international guidelines.
• Sheepskin leather uppers are butter-soft and more durable by weight than cow leather used by many other brands.
• Durable construction and rubber sole stand up to heavy play indoors and out.

Urban Style

• Hip, urban styles in modern color palettes.
• Bold designs and detailing.
• Modern takes on classic styles.”

And the winner is…can you believe it…numero UNO! wow!

You’ve had the baby shower, you’ve shared the news of your new arrival and now it’s time for baby’s first bath.  Oh but what a cold, trembly, and well, scary little task this can be (for both the baby and new parents!).  Most baths with the little ones involve mom and dad getting equally as wet by either splashes or when taking your babe out of the bath.  Well, not any more! With Spa Tim Baby’s ‘CozyCare Cape’, mom or dad are covered and baby is sure to stay nice and warm after the bath, all cozied up to mom or dad.

More about Spa Time baby…

“Bathe your precious little one in comfort & style.  CozyCare Cape is a safe and pampering alternative to bathing and drying baby.  Stay dry with our exclusive waterproof panel!  Each CozyCare Cape comes beautifully wrapped in a sheer organza pouch.  Makes a fantastic gift!  All CozyCare Capes are available for monogramming.”

What I love about my CozyCare Cape from Spa Time Baby…

• It has you covered!  Literally!  CozyCare Cape slips over your head and then over your shoulders so you are safe from bath time splashes.  And it’s built in wateproof panel on the side that lays against mom or dad, keeps you dry when taking your little one out of the water.
• It’s big.  Most baby towels are small for small little humans but some fall way too short.  CozyCare Cape is larger than most baby towels and allowed me to make my 18th month old bathing beauty into a bathing burrito after her get-clean routine
• It’s soft and stylish – with a beautiful trim in a hip pattern and made of soft cotton, the CozyCare Cape is perfect for a babies delicate skin.
  

And the winner is….

I am a simple jeans and a tee kind of girl, but I am a girl.  And you know what girls like, right? Shoes and bags!  Now, my shoes are a rainbow of different flip flips, but I still have a ton!  And my bags are mostly beach bags, but you guessed it, my closet is brimming with them.  So, I was excited to get a sneak peak at the new bags from eenamaria!

These bags are perfect for when I go to “The city” (aka Honolulu) or head back to the mainland for some partying with my best girl friends during a night out.  eenamaria bags are fun, colorful, mod and easy to clean! Yes, always thinking like a mom, the patent leather-like material on the outside is easily wipeable.  So any spills of margaritas or vino that may hit my bag on a girls night out can be easily wiped down with a wet sponge!  YAY!  A great looking bag that’s ALSO practical!  Gotta love that!

A little bit about eenamaria and the designer…

“Sarah Morgan is the creator and designer of eenamaria handbags, offering a fresh, edgy new collection that really makes a statement…And with bright colors and bold designs these bags are not only practical, but exciting and fun.
Sarah has truly made herself; someone to watch out for…she been nominated twice for the Fashion Group International’s ‘Rising Star Award’….Sarah hopes to share her new collection with women, such as those who read blogs, who are modern, confident and strong women on-the-go. Sarah hopes to inspire and empower any woman who wears her bag – creating bold looks that represent an attitude and lifestyle that is full of passion and adventure.”

Eenamaria bags can be bought at ebags.com.  They have a ton of different sizes, from totes to clutches to weekender bags that could easily be used as a diaper bag or for weekend get aways.  Check out more of Eenamaria at http://www.eenamaria.com/

I have recently come to the very real realization that I cannot do well in life without being organized. Having two kids, a husband, a blog, two part-time jobs and the starting of a business, well, I was feeling pretty out of control. I was looking for something, someplace to put everything that needed to be done – meetings, appointments, bills, housecleaning, blog posts. So when I received the chance to review Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer I was excited and hopeful that Amy’s product would help me feel like I was in control of all that was going on around me.

What I love about The Family Organizer – there are tons, I kept finding more and more great things as I used this planner…

The size – it’s small enough so that I can literally throw it into my bag and go, but large enough that there’s room to write on the full calenders and lists

A how-to: I am admittedly a tad bit organizationally challenged. At work I am much much better about this than at home. I never understood this. BUT, Amy has given users a very simple but very helpful how-to on using the planner. If you follow her suggestions, this planner really works.

Lists – Each week Amy has a section for your grocery list and menu planning. You are able to fill them out all week as you need things and then tear out only the list with you to the store. What’s really great is, if you’ve entered your appointments for that week, you can easily see which nights you will be able to have a nice meal and which ones you may have to have a grab and go meal or make a crock pot meal. Amy has this all in one place – right where they should be – genius!

Color coded stickers – these are towards the back and when I found them I thought to myself “Wow, she thought of everything!” You can use the stickers to show birthdays, vacations, appointments, even pay days on your calendar. And she’s included blank ones for you to write your own task on them. They really bring your attention to important dates and can be a life saver!

Full month views- Each month starts with a full month calendar to put important events on, so you get an overview – this is great for bills! I put a paperclip at the top of the current months, full calendar so I can easily flip to it every morning to see what lies ahead.

Year Planner – towards the back of the book, Amy has included a spot for you to plan your year – this is great for traveling and planning trips as well as noting when property taxes are due

Other useful features of Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer - She has thought of everything! Budgets, a place to put your information for when you have a baby sitter as well as a section to tell your babysitter about any little nuances or allergies your kids may have. There is a spot for keep baby sitter’s numbers as well as any of your children’s friends names and numbers and an address book for anyone else that you may need to contact in the future. And in the day of the internet Amy has created a spot for you to list any web sites that you may need a password for – no more having to chase down your password when time is short!

Amy Knapp’s Family Organizer is giving this super busy mom a little hope that I can continue this bustling life and stay organized and feel in control. These times with two little ones, jobs and a mortgage are tough and stressful, thankfully this organizer will hep me stay sane, get bills paid on time and NOT be a month early to my daughter well baby check-up (again). Thank you Amy Knapp! http://www.thefamilyorganizer.com