This summer we're bringing your kids "buckets" of fun in the sun!

For almost five years now, Milk Factory has had fun providing families with a selection of functional products designed to let kids do what they do best -- play! We're pretty proud of the offerings to date but new this month, our most fun yet!

Speaking of proud...I am beaming with the knowledge that I am part of such a supportive local community here in Vancouver. Don't get me wrong, I love our fans worldwide, but the love that comes from our very own backyard is heartwarming. You, my loyal Milk Factory fans, are at the top of that list. I love to hear from you when you've had a particularly great experience with our products and are back for the next size or for a gift for a friend. And, when you have questions - be they about our products or because you're looking for something and just can't find it - it's fun to share with you my knowledge of other great businesses and products that I come across.

I find it especially fun to work with local women entrepreneurs like Melanie and the girls at Fit 4 Two, Jen at Jump! Gymnastics and Amy at Shirtseed Clothing. These are only a few of the countless women I work with on a regular basis...really, a daily basis. Online or at networking events. At school, daycare and birthday parties. We're everywhere! And, we help each other through the good and the bad, operating more like a small village raising a bunch of great businesses that love to show their support for each other. It's a wonderful feeling.

Having the studio open a few days a week has been so much fun! It's given me a chance to meet many of you that I have only known by email - some since we launched 5 years ago! To you, I get to say "thanks" in person. To our subscribers, I say "thanks" here and invite you to drop me a line this summer if you want to come by and say "hi" in person! Visit the studio page or contact me for more details.

Kids are keeping it on and parents are breathing a sigh of relief knowing their kids are protected from the damaging rays of the summer sun.

The 22" circumference leaves lots of room for toddler heads to grow and the lightweight, quick-dry, UPF 40, wicking fabric won't make them melt while they play!

Available in six fun color combinations, the Bucket Hat can be worn brim-up like sailor-princess JJ here or brim down like June's Kid on the Go: Romeo!

Shop for a Bucket Hat now!

There are so many fabulous and fun summer activities that encourage kids to grow and learn.

A relatively new facility in Yaletown, jump! gymnastics offers a carefully designed curriculum that is intended to give children the tools they need to be successfully active for their whole lives, regardless of what sports interest them as they grow.

They have 8 half-day (3 + 4 years) and 8 full-day (5 - 8 years) camps to choose from, all with a ratio of 1:5 and featuring a different theme each week.

This summer, full day camp goers receive a Jump! shirt, and will be protected from the sun when heading out for weekly themed field trips, by a Milk Factory Bucket Hat (UPF 40), exclusively in Jump! orange and white. full day campers will receive a MilK Factory Quick Wick Bucket Hat in a jump! exclusive orange and white.

It's no secret that Milk Factory Designs and Fit 4 Two are good buds. Melanie and her team of instructors are simply wonderful, inspiring women and lots of fun to work with.

Fit 4 Two is growing rapidly! They offer 12 pre + postnatal fitness class types through 12 locations in BC plus 2 in Manitoba and 1 in Saskatchewan.

In addition, they've just launched the Fit 4 Two Ambassador program. A great opportunity for 12 pregnant women to benefit from a year of FREE Fit 4 Two classes and more!

• A Fit 4 Two Ambassador is a woman who is passionate about exercise!  She is a proponent of being active during and after pregnancy. She is someone who recognizes that our classes are not just about physical fitness, but also about connecting with other women and building community. A Fit 4 Two Ambassador believes strongly in Fit 4 Two and is intrinsically motivated to tell other women about our programs.  In fact, the ideal Fit 4 Two Ambassador has probably already been telling everyone about us.

Our SpillProof Blanket is the official Stroller Fitness blanket - the instructors and many of the class participants (and their babies) are hooked on it! In case you're interested in checking out either, wIth every purchase of a SpillProof Blanket, you will receive a free drop in card to a Stroller Fitness class!

This Sunday, June 14th, various communities around the Vancouver core are going car free and hosting community festivals.

Amy at Shirtseed, the artist behind the limited edition Quick Wick bike tees, will be at the Main Street location selling the remaining tees, as well as some of her own fab creations - like the new Men's Vancouver Bike tee!

The Main Street location is combining forces with the monthly Blim Community Craft Market. There will be over 7 music stages, tons of local vendors, story-telling, food, arts and crafts, grafitti wall, Lots of fun stuff for all ages!!

Check out the car free festival on Main Street, between 12th Ave and 25th Ave (King Ed) from 12-6 pm.

More details at Car Free Vancouver Day and Blim for the extensive vendor list.

If you can't make it to the market, order a tee before 10am Sunday morning and we'll hold it or ship it to you.

Get a tee before they're gone!