Hammocks are a big deal at our house! We have an area in the back yard where we can hang hammocks in the shade and read, snack, or rest. Sometimes we’ll take them to the beach, and in the past we’ve taken them camping too (I think it’s time we plan a camping trip….it’s been a while!) I recently came across a hammock that also functions as a tarp, a small tent, and a poncho! (How cool is that?). Wise Owl was so nice to send us one to test and review. We couldn’t wait to check it out!
This came in a carrying pouch attached to the hammock. I was worried it would be difficult to re-pack, but it really was easy!
Look at everything that in the same pouch: strings for setting up the tent, straps for hanging the hammock, and stakes for the tent or ground cloth.
The included stakes were so durable, yet lightweight, and designed to be easy to use without any additional tools.
The boys and I (and our dog) tested it out, and we all give it 5 stars (like thousands of other) We can see why this Wise Owl Outfitters 4-in-1 Hammock is the best selling hammock brand on Amazon.
Hanging out on the farm! This will likely be how we use this 4-in-1 the most, but we wanted to check out all the features.
Naturally, we had to test to see if you could wrap up in the hammock. It passed that test!
The tent set up was really nice. We kept it low to the ground because we wanted to see how tall it was if we spaced the stakes wide enough for one person to fit in there comfortably.
Seeing how spacious the tent is. We decided we could space out the stakes more to make it wider and shorter, or raise the rope to make it taller with airflow.
To make it into a ground cover, we just had to undo the carabiners, and use the stakes to hold the cover in place. This would be perfect for a picnic or open air camping.
I think the most unexpected feature of this hammock was how it converts to a poncho! When you remove the carabiners from the hammock, you can put on the hood and then snap along the edge help keep it closed.
I’m an Amazon Affiliate, which means when I find a good deal and share the link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you as the shopper. I love to “window shop” and finding good deals for other people makes me happy! My goal is to keep this page updated with good deals I find on Amazon.
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July 12, 2025
Epson Eco-Tank – We have a different version of this brand/style printer and I’ve been really happy with it! I’ve topped off the ink once in a year, and we use it for printing multiple full color workbooks and activity sheets throughout the school year. This one is 33% off right now! ((This is the model I have –> Epson Eco-Tank 2850 if you want to get an even better deal on a refurbished model)).
Kids’ soccer cleats by Adidas – We may be in the market for new cleats for one (or two) of our kids, so I’ve been looking for good prices. So far, this one seems like it might be a winner.
Kids’ soccer cleats by Dream Pairs – These are also a good price. I might order a few pairs for my kids to try on to see which fits their foot best.
I’m an Amazon Affiliate, which means when I find a good deal and share the link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you as the shopper. I love to “window shop” and finding good deals for other people makes me happy! My goal is to keep this page updated with good deals I find on Amazon.
If you don’t have a Prime Membership and are a student or between ages 18-24, you can get a free trial of their new Young Adult account.
Liquid IV Packs – These go on sale a few times a year, and right now is a good time to stock up! The 16 packs are currently $16-$18.
BIO KRAUTER Echinacea and Goldenseal Root Liquid Extract – We use these easy to use drops as support when we can feel the seasons changing. It’s currently marked down to under $14, and you can save even more if you add it to your Subscribe and Save items to automatically ship each month.
Milkshake leave-in conditioner – This smells amazing and gets all those tiny little tangles out of my little wild farm girl’s hair in between washes. Did I mention it smells amazing? It’s on sale this week, and of course I just bought a new bottle two weeks ago haha!
Last summer, I made a calendar of all the library events, VBSs, and community events going on in the area. It started as a little calendar to share with my friends, but the list got longer and longer….so I turned it into a full blog post. Let’s do that again! Here is the beginning of a list (download the June & July PDFs here) of fun free (or low cost) activities and events in the North Jefferson, Blount, Walker, and Cullman Counties.
Check back often because I will be adding more to the list throughout the summer.
Scroll down to see all the info, or click the links below to jump to different sections of this post.
Festhalle Famers Market – Downtown Cullman – Tuesday, Thursday, & Saturday 7am-2pm April through October – Kids earn POPBucks for sampling produce, then they can spend those POPBucks with vendors at the market.
Morris Food Truck Nights – 2nd Fridays – 5-8:30PM – Morris Town Park – June 13, July 11, August 8, September 12
Memorial Day at American Village – May 26, 10AM-4PM – Remember America’s fallen at an 11:00 a.m. service in the Colonial Chapel, followed by a wreath-laying at the National Veterans Shrine. Explore the 188-acre American Village campus, including replicas of George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the President’s Oval Office, Concord Bridge, and the West Wing of Independence Hall. Military vehicles and re-enactors will be onsite as well. Several events scheduled throughout the day.
Cigar Box Guitar Festival – May 31, 11am-6pm – Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, Huntsville – Join us at the largest privately-owned artists’ community in the U.S., home to The Cigar Box Guitar Store, the only brick-and-mortar CBG store in the world. If you’re a Cigar Box Guitar enthusiast, learn from the pros about playing a CBG and get tips on building their own in free seminars at The Cigar Box Guitar Store, Tangled String Studio and the Huntsville Traditional Music Association. Connect with fellow CBG fans to share your creations or jam together, swap tips on tools of the trade, and get ideas for your next project. Solo cigar box guitar players will show their skills at Kar’s Char Texas BBQ, while Lowe Mill’s 150+ shops will offer specials. All activities are free and will be held indoors.
Second Fridays – June 13, July 11, August 8 – 5:30pm – Downtown Cullman – Get ready to dance, shop, eat, and celebrate all summer long with THREE themed nights you won’t want to miss: – June 13 – Red, White, & Boots Celebrate summer with stars, stripes, and southern style! – July 11 – Christmas in July Who says you have to wait ‘til December? Break out your Santa hats and ugly Christmas tees for a jolly good time downtown. – August 8 – Friday Night Fever We’re throwing it back to the ‘70s with groovy vibes, disco beats, and vintage flair. Grab your friends, bring the fam, and come downtown for three unforgettable nights of local fun, themed festivities, and community spirit!
I Love America Day – June 26, 6PM-9PM – Bill Noble Park, Gardendale – Free event with Food trucks, Vendors, Crafts, Music, and Fireworks!
Art 4 All – June 28, 11am-2pm – Old Warrior Armory, hosted by Move Church – We are putting on a FUN, or should we say RAD, family event for our community! At this free event every child will be given a Wotown Co. design on a canvas to put their own creative spin on along with other crafts and games.
Fireworks in the Park – June 29, 6-8pm with fireworks starting between 8:30-9pm – Locust Fork Community Park – Inflatables, Music, and Food Vendors!
Family Fireworks Spectacular – July 2, 6pm, Fireworks start at 9pm – Morris Youth Association Ballpark, hosted by Enon Baptist Church – Bring your family and friends to the Family Fireworks Spectacular at Morris Ballpark on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. Gates open at 6pm and the fireworks begin at 9pm. Bring a chair, pack a picnic, and enjoy the evening with family, friends, and neighbors. There will be food trucks available.
Freedom Fest 2025 – July 2, 7-9PM – Sumiton Christian School Football Field – Food, Music, Inflatables, Games, & Fireworks -This is a community event and FREE to attend!! There will be hotdogs, food vendors, music, inflatables, games, and of course our annual FIREWORK SHOW!! This is a time to celebrate all God has done for our country and the freedom we are blessed to have! So bring a lawn chair and the whole family, and we’ll see you there!!
Fourth of July Fireworks Show – July 3, 6:30pm – 8037 Rouse Road, Warrior – Hosted by Gamer Geeks & Wayne’s Fireworks – Get ready for a night to remember! Join us for the biggest fireworks show our town has EVER seen as we celebrate Independence Day in spectacular fashion. Enjoy a full evening of fun with: A variety of local food trucks A family-friendly atmosphere And, of course, a jaw-dropping fireworks display lighting up the night sky Bring your blankets, chairs, and patriotic spirit, this is the can’t-miss event of the summer. A good time will be had by all! Let’s celebrate America together, bigger and better than ever!
Regal Theaters Summer Movie Express – $1 Movies June 10-August 6 – Movies include Sing 2, Puss in Boots, Trolls Band Together, IF, Sonic 2, The Bad Guys, Sonic 3, The Wild Robot, Spiderman Into the Spider-Verse, Paw Patrol the Movie, Spider-Man Across the Spider-verse, Paw Patrol Mighty Movie, Kung Fu Panda 4, Despicable Me 4, TMNT Turtles Mutant Mayhem, The Garfield Movie, Minions The Rise of Gru, Paddington in Peru
AMC Summer Movie Camp – through August 13 – Discounted tickets for The Bad Guys, Despicable Me Rise of Gru, Despicable Me 4, King Fu Panda 4, The Wild Robot, Shrek, Migration, and The Secret Life of Pets.
Pop Up Splash Pad – July 12, 3-5pm – Oneonta Fire Department – Bring the kids out to enjoy: Spray zones from fire trucks, Water games, Family-friendly fun, FREE admission!
We love to pick up something simple like a pizza for lunch, or pack some sandwiches and fruit and head to one of our favorite parks to spend an afternoon when the weather is nice!
Bill Noble Park – Gardendale Recently built with lots of unique play structures. Picnic tables and pavilions available for a picnic lunch while you’re there.
Dora Park Right next to Dora Fire Department. The play area is fenced in, with activities for all ages. There is a nice walking track around the entire complex, fun for bike riding or a stroller ride. They are currently working on some updates at their pond.
Fultondale Children’s Park Lots of huge animal statues, playground equipment, and a small creek. Rails to Trails walking track goes by this park as well.
Gardendale Civic Center Outdoor Walking Track There is a big bridge my kids love checking out, and there are several wooded sections of the track, which makes it nice on sunny days when you’re looking for shade.
Hayden Community Center Park This is a cute playground right next to the community center and it’s fenced in (which is bonus point in the eyes of every mom with a toddler!)
Kimberly ParkNice fenced in playground (with a pirate ship!) with basketball goal, tennis courts, and soccer fields nearby. My kids like looking through the Little Free Library here! This year, they have added an outdoor workout equipment area you should check out.
Little Park – Gardendale This tiny hidden gem of Gardendale has a picnic table and wooden play equipment that my kids love. Drive down Tarrant Road, and turn left onto Keith Circle to find this shaded playground.
Lumen Harris Park Located in Gardendale, near Fultondale, this park is another favorite and has lots of accessible playground equipment too! Drive down Tarrant Road and turn on Pineywood Road and you’ll see it on your left.
Maker’s Coffee Excellent place to hang out on days when everyone needs to burn some energy indoors, but also need to get out of the house. Pick up a tasty coffee and pastry, and let the kids have some fun in their indoor playground!
Mt. Olive Community Center Walking Track & Playground The track and playground is in a fenced in area behind the Community Center. Kids can run and play in the center of the track area while you walk or push a stroller with younger toddlers or babies who need a nap.
My Backyard – Morris One of my kids’ favorite places to visit. Picnic tables under a pavilion, and playground equipment for all ages. Another Little Free Library location!
Sportsman Lake Park – Located in Cullman, Sportsman has a playground, a lake, a small train that runs on weekends (along with pedal boats, bikes, and kayaks available to rent on weekends), a concession stand, and now they have added s Splash Pad.
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This year I am putting all my Summer 2025 files and links on one page, so check there often for updates!
Enjoy a full evening of fun with: 
A variety of local food trucks 
A family-friendly atmosphere 
And, of course, a jaw-dropping fireworks display lighting up the night sky Bring your blankets, chairs, and patriotic spirit, this is the can’t-miss event of the summer. A good time will be had by all! Let’s celebrate America together, bigger and better than ever!
Lucas Corner Farmhouse 