Showing posts with label Lifestyle. Show all posts

Family Time During the Holidays

Hey Y'all

It is winter break around here. That means I have a 6 year old, 2 year old, and newborn underfoot most of the day. I'm always trying to come up with fun ways to hang out with the kiddos. This year I've decided we will do a variety of activities.

I think making and drinking cocoa is always a fun activity. I found a variety of super simple and customizable recipes here

You can also do family movie night. There are some great movies out there for kids of all ages. Here is a list of the top 15.

You can even do a family game night. Here is a brief list of some you and your littles may enjoy playing.

We actually like to do all three with some other activities mixed in. We like to include cookie making, gingerbread house decorating, going to see Christmas lights, and of course ornament/decoration making.

I think if you include the things here you will definitely keep the littles busy as well as have a ball this holiday season. Click the "here"s to get the most ideas.

Happy Holidays

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate and/or referral links. It may also include items received for review in exchange or my honest unbiased opinion. All reviews and opinions are 100% my own and unbiased.

1 comment Family Traditions, Holidays, Lifestyle

Adapting to a New Sibling

It's no secret that it's sometimes hard to adapt to a new sibling, especially when your other children are younger. Consider the following three tips when helping your kids get to know their new brother or sister. The process may be easier than you think!

Stay Consistent

Of course, you can’t expect a newborn to follow the same rules that you put in place for your other children. Still, it's best to treat your kids equally whenever possible.

Z and Zsquared

For example, if you bring along an extra bottle or jar of baby food on your next outing, bring a snack for your older child or children so they can all eat together. Your older child may get upset if they feel like they’re being treated unfairly. But, make sure that they understand that the rules can’t always be the same and that they still need to follow the rules even if they don’t seem fair.

Keep Old Routines Around

When a new sibling comes into the household, your older children may be worried that their lives aren’t going to be the same. Try to keep as many of your family routines the same as you can.

If your family usually eats together at the dinner table or gets up early to watch cartoons on Saturday morning, keep up the tradition once the new baby arrives. This will let them know that the things that they enjoy aren’t going to go away just because there’s a new member of the family.

Encourage Older Siblings to Help Out

Often times, older brothers and sisters love “helping” out with a new baby. Whether it’s bringing you the diaper bag when it’s changing time or helping you to tuck the baby in at night, getting your older kids involved is a great way to make them feel included and appreciated. Not only will it help bring them closer to the new baby, it will also help them feel closer to you.

This is just three easy ways to help your other kids get used to their new sibling. As you can see, they're all easy to put into place and don't cost a thing. Remember, with a little patience and a lot of love, you're kids will be best friends before you know it!

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate and/or referral links. It may also include items received for review in exchange or my honest unbiased opinion. All reviews and opinions are 100% my own and unbiased.

Leave a Comment Family Life, Lifestyle, parenting

Ways to help with a new baby

Ways to Help with a New Baby

There are many ways to help with a new baby. You can rest assured that most parents appreciate even the smallest of gestures when it comes to an offer of assistance. So, why not make mom or dad's day? Follow through on any of these thoughtful suggestions. They're both easy to initiate and won't break the bank.

Don't Visit Empty-Handed

If your finances allow, never visit empty-handed. Gift mom or dad with something for the baby they really need. Yes, little outfits are adorable. But, they aren't as practical as a package of diapers or a few days worth of formula. Am I right?

On a smaller scale, consider bringing baby wipes instead. Wipes are obviously WAY less expensive than diapers and are uber-handy... in the nursery and all over the house.

Make Nap Time Possible

It's certainly no secret that the art of parenting is a joyous but tiring task. That being said, probably one of the best things you can do for your favorite new mom (or dad) is to give them the luxury of taking a well-deserved nap.

Give your friend or family member a "heads up" that you're on your way over specifically to babysit. Sometimes, just showing up at the door and announcing your intent will result in the the person insisting that no nap is needed.

Provide Meals or Cleaning Services

There aren't very many parents who wouldn't appreciate a home-cooked meal or a clean house. If you decide to prepare a meal or two, make sure to ask about any food sensitivities beforehand. They'll appreciate the gesture even further, if you include paper plates and plastic silverware. Less dishes to wash.

There are lots of ways to help with a new baby. These are just three of them. Just lending a listening ear is highly appreciated too. Remember, there's no need to spend money to be of assistance.

Leave a Comment Family Life, Lifestyle, parenting

Fall activities for kids

Simple fall crafts, cozy family activities, and easy ways to enjoy the season together.

Pull Up a Chair…

Fall has a way of giving us plenty to do without requiring a complicated plan. A few pinecones, a pumpkin, some paint, or an afternoon outside can turn into something the kids remember long after the season is over.

These are simple fall activities you can pull out whenever you need something to do together. Pick one for an afternoon or work your way through them as the season rolls along. 🍂💜

💜 Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only share products and resources I genuinely think may be helpful.

Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder

This is an easy one for a fall afternoon, especially if the kids have already collected pinecones outside.

Tie a piece of twine around the top of a pinecone so you'll be able to hang it when you're finished. Cover the pinecone with peanut butter, then roll or sprinkle it with birdseed.

Hang it from a tree or somewhere you can watch from a window and see who comes by for a snack.

You’ll need: pinecones, peanut butter, birdseed, and twine.

Build a DIY Scarecrow

A scarecrow doesn't have to be picture-perfect. Half the fun is seeing what personality it develops as everyone adds something to it.

Use old clothes you already have, stuff them with straw or another suitable filling, and use burlap to make a simple head. A little twine can help secure everything together.

Add a face and a hat, then set your finished scarecrow outside as part of your fall decorations.

Decorate Pumpkins

Carving isn't the only way to have fun with pumpkins.

Set out pumpkins with craft paint, brushes, and paint pens or markers, then let everyone decorate their own. Faces, patterns, names, silly designs, and completely unexplainable kid art are all fair game.

This is also an easy alternative when younger kids want to decorate pumpkins but aren't ready for carving tools.

Make Fall Nature Decorations

Take a walk outside and turn collecting fall treasures into part of the activity.

Look for colorful leaves, pinecones, acorns, interesting sticks, and other seasonal finds. Back home, arrange them in a centerpiece, fill a clear jar or bowl, or use a little twine to create simple decorations.

There doesn't need to be a perfect finished project here. The collecting, arranging, and creating is the activity.

Visit an Apple Orchard or Pumpkin Patch

Some fall activities are better when somebody else has already done the setup.

Plan a family trip to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch and see what your local spot offers. Depending on where you go, you might find hayrides, corn mazes, animals, games, apple picking, or plenty of pumpkins to choose from.

Let the outing itself be the activity. You don't need to squeeze every attraction into one afternoon.

Have a Fall Family Picnic

Take lunch or an easy dinner outside while the weather is comfortable.

Pack sandwiches, fruit, snacks, and drinks, then head to the backyard or a nearby park. You don't need anything fancy, but a picnic basket set with an included blanket makes it easy to grab everything and head outside.

For a cooler evening, bring something warm to drink. If you have a safe place for a fire, finish the evening with s'mores.

Have a Cozy Family Movie Night

Not every fall memory needs an outing or a craft table covered in paint.

Make some popcorn, pile up the blankets, choose a movie everyone can enjoy, and call it a night in. Add hot cocoa or another favorite fall treat if you want, but there's no need to turn movie night into an event that requires its own planning committee.

Sometimes movie + popcorn + everybody on the couch is plenty.

Make Apple-Print Pumpkins

This one brings apples and pumpkins together without requiring anyone to bake a pie. 🍎🎃

Cut an apple in half and use the cut side as a stamp. Dip it lightly into craft paint, then press it onto sturdy paper or cardstock.

Once the prints dry, add stems, leaves, and pumpkin faces with markers or paint pens. Kids can make one big pumpkin picture or fill the page with their own little pumpkin patch.

For younger kids, an adult should handle cutting the apple before the crafting starts.

💜 From My Kitchen

You don't need to do all eight activities for fall to feel special. Pick the ones that fit your kids, your schedule, and what you already have around the house. Sometimes a walk to collect leaves or popcorn on the couch becomes just as much of a family tradition as the activities that require supplies and planning.

From My Kitchen to Yours

Pick an activity, gather everybody up, and enjoy the season your way. 💜

Leave a Comment Crafts, Fall, Family Activities, Lifestyle

7 hacks to An Awesome Road trip from Blitzify

Hey Y'all

So the holidays are coming up and its time to prepare for those holiday/fall road trips. We all know going on a road trip has its pros and cons, especially if you have littles. We won't be road tripping this year but I figured this could help some of you guys out. Pros, you’re going on an awesome adventure; cons, it can be costly. Here are some hacks you can try to balance those pros and cons to reach vacation nirvana.

1. Download a gas app: One of the most costly aspects of any road trip, especially in this economy, is gas. When you’re traveling in an unfamiliar area, it’s hard to know where to stop for the most frugal fill-up. To aid in your decision, you can download GasBuddy or Gas Guru, only two of the several gas pricing apps. These apps display the location and gas prices of gas stations near you. Most apps like these are free and update pretty regularly, so you won’t be deceived when you pull up at the pump.

2. Take side stops: Have you ever gone on a trip and passed signs for museums or monuments that you think would be awesome to see in person? Allot time in your travel to make a few stops on the way to your destination. It will not only keep you entertained throughout your trip, but it will also give you a chance to stretch your legs and learn something new.

3. Gassing up a rented or borrowed car: Chances are, if you’ve never driven a car, you probably don’t remember which side the gas tank is on. If you do forget, look at the gas gauge. There is an arrow that will point to whichever side of the car the gas tank is on. This will save you a tiny bit of time and hassle when you have to stop at the pump.

4. Stay awake while night driving: If you’re feeling sleepy, it’s probably best to switch drivers or check in to a hotel. But if you’re feeling only a little drowsy, try listening to comedians on your road trip. Odds are, the comedian will keep you laughing and their jokes will keep you engaged, chuckling and most importantly, awake, all the way home.

5. Know North from South: If you’re old school and like following paper directions instead of having a little square computer yell at you to turn, you know that your passenger might end up telling you a wrong direction by mistake. Remember that interstates and highways with odd numbers run North to South, and interstates with even numbers run East to West. If you get mixed up, this will help you get back on track, or at least in the right direction, in a jiffy.

6. Cool down hot cars quickly: In the dead of summer, stopping for only five minutes for a quick bathroom break can leave your car unbearably hot. To cool down a hot car in seconds, roll down one window all the way and open and close the car door directly across from that window a few times. This will force hot air out of the car.

7. Know where to get directions: When asking for directions, some people gravitate towards gas stations. However, the best place to ask for directions is a restaurant with a delivery service. Stop in at Pizza Hut or Dominos to ask for directions. Odds are, they have a driver waiting for a delivery who can give you quick and easy directions to a destination in the area.

With these seven road trip travel hacks, you’ll be ready to hit the road for the vacay of a lifetime.

For more tips on all things car related, visit Blitzify.com, check out our blog, and download the Blitzify app that is revolutionizing the way motorists search and shop for automotive services.

About Blitzify
Blitzify is a new mobile application that connects customers and automotive service providers through a comprehensive and innovative mobile platform that is changing the way people buy and sell
automotive services. The app merges data from local market research, information from service providers, special offers, testimonials and ratings and reviews from customers into a user-friendly interface giving the user out-the-door, real time price comparisons. For more information, visit www.blitzify.com.

Leave a Comment Family Travel, Lifestyle, travel

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