A Minnesota family is breathing a big sigh of relief as their 2-year-old son was found safe yesterday after being left at the lake by himself. When leaving Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis, both parents thought the other had him. When they arrived at their destination, they discovered he was missing.

Police were called, a search ensued, and fortunately the boy was found safe. He'd been alone for an hour, and the horrible things that could have happened -- especially around a body of water -- are unimaginable. How could they? we wonder, but the truth is, it could happen to any of us.

As a mother of four, Brooke Burke has learned a thing or two about kid-friendly fun in the summertime. Take a look at this pic of Burke and her 5-year-old daughter Heaven Rain getting ready to hit the beach near their home in Malibu: These bathing beauties are well-prepared!

Preparation is the key to having a fab family day at the beach. I know, you used to be good to go with a pair of sunglasses and a bikini top, but you'll need to tack a few more essential items onto your packing list now that you've got tots. Still, as Burke proves, you can be fully stocked without going overboard.

First thing to jump out at me in this shot ... tissues! Now, as you most likely already know, tissues come in handy no matter where you're going with your kids, but this is especially true of the beach. There are countless beach-related crises that a tissue can fix: Salt water up somebody's nose, sunscreen in somebody's eye, hands that are too sandy to eat a sandwich. Don't leave home without 'em!

As far as toddlers are concerned, the summer is one big naked party. Think about it: If we weren't so self-conscious and/or worried about getting arrested, we'd be stripping down, too. Clothes are lame.

Of course, this philosophy is all well and good when you're at home or splashing around in the kiddie pool in your backyard, but what about when your toddler starts disrobing at the playground? Or the beach? Or in line at the grocery store? There definitely comes a time when naked kid in public = not cool. But when?

It's summertime, which means swimming pools, trips to the ocean, and lakefront summer barbecues. While these fantastic activities are great ways for you to spend quality time with your family, it's also time to be on high alert as your children head towards the water. But what should you be watching for? Flailing hands and screams of "Help!"? Lots of splashing and freaking out?

Actually, no. That's not at all what a drowning victim looks like. And what's even more frightening is how most of us could easily ignore a drowning child, and have no idea what horrible thing is happening right in front of our eyes. Because a drowning child is completely still and silent. Even more frightening, once people enter this stage called the instinctive drowning response, you only have between 20 and 60 seconds to save them.

Summer days with toddlers are all about transitions: Going from the playground to the pool to the beach to the sprinkler park; dry to wet to sandy to wet again. So when you're shopping for the perfect summer footwear for your little one, you'll want to find shoes that are versatile (both waterproof and sturdy/comfy enough for tackling the jungle gym) and super-easy to get on and off. And of course they have to be cute, like these.

Perfect for adventurous types, these sneaker-sandals from Keen dry out quickly and won't fall off mid-climb. They come in purple, orange, and striped for girls; boys can choose from black with green or blue with gray. Sizes range from infant to youth and go for $50.

Dear Kristen -- I'm going on my second week of parenting alone and I'd love to know if you have any suggestions for taking solo road trips? -- Caramama
 
There's nothing in the sometimes single mom rulebook that says you have to stick around the house while your spouse is gone. And in fact, enjoying a little jaunt away from home can do wonders in passing the time. A little change in scenery and routine will keep you just busy enough so you're not staring at the calendar, or worse, feeling overwhelmed by having to manage the house and your kid(s) alone.

But if you're not used to road tripping alone, even the shortest day trip can be a bit challenging. That shouldn't discourage you from going, but these helpful tips might at least prepare you a bit better for what's to come and truly allow you to enjoy yourself.

Of all the historical things in Boston ... they chose this giant macaroniSchedules are about to get nutty. September means school orientation for the kids, school orientation for the parents, no more summer Fridays, wardrobe changes, bus schedules, and just piles of stuff that I am going to have to deal with! Which leaves me to savor our recent family trip (and for that matter, the whole damn summer) as long as I can. Next weekend can't really be Labor Day Weekend, can it?

Toddlers and camping are not mixing as of late, as another toddler's life was cut short when a rattlesnake bite turned out to be deadly.

A family camping at Possum Kingdom Lake, outside of Ft. Worth, Texas, called the sheriff's office after the almost 2-year-old girl was bitten by a rattlesnake. She was taken 70 miles away to Ft. Worth, and later died at the hospital.

As a former Texan, mom, and snake-phobic crazy person, this is pretty much my worst nightmare come true.