We held our first splinter removal ceremony yesterday. Summer has begun!

Over the weekend, thinking my children were distracted, I began to throw out old, moldy beach and water toys. Who knew that that dinosaur floaty thing covered with leeches and mud was their "friend?" Word to the wise: wait 'til after dark to throw out broken, meaningful crap. Now that I deep-sixed last year's trash, I'm movin' on to this year's cutting-edge bonanza of backyard, pool, and beach treasures.

When I was little, nothing was better than my father throwing me around in the pool or diving for pennies under water. Fast forward to the 21st century and there are websites solely dedicated to outdoor summer play. Toysplash is one-stop shopping for everything from a child-size backpack sand chair and jumbo sand shovels to my personal favorite, the under water walkie-talkie set. We'll be able to hold secret conversations under water up to 15' away. Watch out Nancy Drew!

Last year one of my children's favorite ways to send my dog (not to mention my husband) into total frenzy was rocket balloons. I'll be buying these again for sure! The balloons come with a pump that air-propels them on a zig-zaggy noisy mission. Check out the magnet dive gloves, too. You throw the magnet fish in the pool, watch them swim to the bottom, then when your child won't go get them w/ their magnet glove you jump in and get them yourself--fun!

Need to while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers, consulting with the rain do do do da do da doo, ooh sorry. Linkysprinks is a really cool, interactive sprinkler system. What is that you ask? Well, it's a 50-piece connectable water sprinkler toy that includes pipes, fittings, and valves. The connectable pieces can be put together and taken apart in endless possibilities for hopefully hours of outside fun time.

Headed to the beach? Can You Dig It Sand Tools Super Deluxe Sand Sculpting Kit is everything you need in one box to build the perfect sand castle. Of course I remember just using plastic cups and empty Tupperware containers. Those still work just fine!

Want to actually read a book at the beach? Make your child's beach towel fun, too. I love the tic tac toe towel from Maukilo. The towel is the game board. It comes with foam x's and o's. Really cute. Maukilo also has great beach toys for toddlers.

Need to cart all this stuff down to beach and you are tired of your husband complaining about being a Sherpa? Wheeleez Sports Caddy from the Beach Store is the way to go. It's a bit pricey at $179.00, but, it will be the last one you'll ever need. It has huge wheels that actually roll on the beach. Stack on your cooler, your chairs and all the monogrammed LL Bean bags we already told you about and have a happy summer!

--Cheers! HV