More 4 Mom

Are you timeshare savvy?

2018-08-15T09:35:00.002-05:00

In the fast-paced society we live in, getting away to a luxurious vacation spot sounds like heaven on earth to most people. All of this is why the idea of owning part of a timeshare condominium sounds so ideal. Timeshares are usually presented as outstanding investment properties by well-practiced sales people who know how to say all the right things. Sure, owning part of a luxury condo in a popular resort area and sharing some of the expenses sounds ideal, but the reality behind the idea can actually be rather daunting.

Problems With Timeshares

Timeshares are shared, obviously, and one problem many owners have is that the property often isn’t available during the times they want to use it. As family needs change and children grow up, some owners decide they just aren’t getting enough use out of their timeshare and decide they don’t want to keep paying maintenance fees on the property. All of this can motivate an owner to want to sell off their share in the property and move on.

That, however, is often where the trouble starts.

Some timeshare contracts are worded in confusing ways that can lead potential owners to sign off on deals they don’t understand. This can really be a problem for owners who are motivated to sell and who suddenly feel they are trapped in a contract they can’t get out of. All of this has become such a big problem that there are now legal consulting agencies that specialize in helping timeshare owners get out of their contracts. So, if you are feeling trapped in a confusing timeshare contract and you need help to get out of it legally, get more information by contacting a timeshare legal consultant today. Know your rights as a property owner, and take action today.

Mom to the rescue: School crafting made easy with Wescott

2017-10-16T06:04:00.000-05:00

Disclosure: Occasionally, this writer receives items to facilitate a review. All opinions are her own.

It’s a phrase that moms dread. The project, the craft, the something elaborate is due tomorrow. Somehow, some reason or fabrication, the teacher assigns a project that needs crafting done in a day. No, I’m not talking about the 2 month project that your kid forgot (yes that happens too). But, those last minute projects are the ones that make moms scream. Having a basket of Wescott crafting supplies on hand is the mom salvation.

First, I am not a crafting person. I like lines, neatness, order, etc. I don’t spend time scrapbooking or searching pinterest for the perfect crafting idea. In my world, I’m about convenience. If I could buy the finished project, I probably would.

For me to have crafting supplies on hand means that the products must be easy to use, otherwise they wouldn’t be in my house. The handful of my Wescott crafting tools are exactly that, easy to use. Specifically, the glue guns.

Have you ever burned yourself on a glue gun? I have. I swore that I wouldn’t have another one in my house after the last burn incident, but now I’m sold on this thin glue gun. Previously, my biggest complain about glue guns was that too much glue came out. Big globs would be a hot mess, literally. With this glue gun I can control the smallest amounts of glue. It is simple and easy, especially for this non-crafting mom.

We used this glue gun on two last minute projects in our house. In the “due tomorrow” file, my son came home with great news. He was a finalist for homecoming prince. Great, but he needed to make a campaign poster for the morning. That’s right, after a long school day and a high school swim meet, we had to make a poster. Time to break out the glue gun, paper cutter and glitter. Luckily I had everything in the office.

With the Wescott paper cutter, I knew that we could ensure straight cuts for the whole project. But, the cutter doesn’t stop there. It has a scorer feature. This feature lets you mark an area with an indentation without actually cutting it. It is perfect to make straight lines for adding elements. For example, we used the score option to make sure that the letters and picture were lined up. The little, non-visible line provided the straight surface to line up the printing. Simple, easy and done.

While the Wescott paper cutter is works for cutting shapes too. We made all types of arrows, borders and designs. While rounded cuts aren’t the best, arrows and triangles are easy. Plus, this cutter is much faster and easier than regular scissors.

Of course, the glue guns made sure that everything stuck and nothing fell off. From the heavier photo to all the glittered letters, I had great confidence that the Prince would still be Prince, not Rin or ince.

But, posters aren’t the only use for these crafting projects. My other son had been working on an original book for his language arts class. What he neglected to tell me is that the book had to have a real cover. Extra points were given for a creative cover. Bring out the supplies.

Since his book was about the big five animals on safari, we wanted the book’s cover to look like animal skin. We took some grey felt and some fake fur to create the cover. The materials covered a sturdy folder. Plus, we even scored the felt to make it look older, like an elephants hide. The final product looked pretty good. Bonus, he got an A on the project.

These two simple examples show that anyone can craft when they have the right products. These Wescott products, like the paper cutter and glue guns can make anyone feel at home in the crafting world. I may not be Martha Stewart, but I won’t end up on the Pinterest fail channel.

Disclosure: Occasionally, this writer receives items to facilitate a review. All opinions are her own.

9/11 Movie, adding perspective to our nation's tradegy

2017-09-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

Life can change in a moment. The tragic events on 9/11 make that thought apparent. When people woke up that morning, no one knew that the would change in a single moment. Ever since that fateful morning, life as we know is hasn't been the same. While my children know non different, sometimes I wish for a simpler, less fearful time.

The 9/11 Movie tells the unlikely tale of a group of people stuck in a World Trade Center elevator. This unlikely group faced life's hardest moments together with complete strangers. They could have given up, succumb to the despair and let fate take over. Instead, these real people fought and found a way to never give up. Some people may not want to watch this movie because of the subject matter.

It can be upsetting to think about the day that the world changed. But, this story isn't about tragedy. It is about triumphant. People, even those people who would never interact with each expect for these circumstances, must work together. Commonality can be found in everyone is people look for it. Instead of only seeking the different, people need to look with a different perspective.

With Charlie Sheen as one of the main characters, viewers are challenged to think and see differently. Instead of the pre-conceived notion of him as a person, viewers see him as the character. A man who looks to help others and find a solution.

Again, the idea of perception is questioned. Sometimes, everyone needs to break down the barriers. After watching this movie, I hope that people learn to appreciate others. From looking past people to being closed minded, people's perceptions are keeping the world stagnant.

It is unfortunate that tragedy spurs people into action. Why can't people work together for the great good?

Take 90 minutes out of your busy life and watch the 9/11 Movie. This movie isn't about reliving a tragedy. Rather, the movie encourages everyone to inspire others to never give up, move forward, and never forget.

Disclosure: I received a screening link of this movie for review purposes. Opinions are my own.

Three Businesses That Work for Stay-at-Home Parents

2017-08-23T13:43:00.003-05:00

If you stay at home to take care of your children, you may be frustrated by your lack of economic power. While parents and other caregivers are an absolute necessity for the health and happiness of your child, all too often they are not paid for their work. For parents who stay at home, it's nice to have a small home business to bring in extra income while you take care of your home and family. Here are a few business ideas that you can do at home without neglecting your little ones.

Graphic Design At Home
If you've studied graphic design in school or college, you're in luck. This skill is useful for many businesses, and you can often do the work from the comfort of your home. You can look for graphic design jobs online, or you can just reach out to your friends, family, and neighbors and advertise that you're accepting work. To help you get started, volunteer your graphic design services with a local nonprofit. This will help to get your name out there as well as help you to build your own graphic design portfolio.

Home Brewer
This is a fast-growing field, and mothers and fathers who are staying at home with their kids are quickly seeing the advantages of starting their own brewing operation. Start small and master your brewing techniques before you start to sell your product. In a few years, you'll be good enough to start your own microbrewing operation. Then, take it to the next level with a personal brand and your own bottling process. When you need a beer label maker, turn to a professional company like Bottle Labeler to make your product look truly professional. Then, work with your local bars and distributors to get your beverages to the market. You'll be proud of your beer and eager to share it with the world.

Child Care Provider
One of the easiest jobs for a stay-at-home parent is child care provider since they are already set up to do the work. Before you start looking for other kids to watch during the day, make sure you are certified in first aid and CPR. Be realistic about how much it will cost you to take another child into your home each day and adjust your fees accordingly. You'll make money and help another family.

Getting the Step-by-Step Details for Any Outdoor Remodel

2017-08-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

Outdoor remodeling projects require a certain amount of talent and finesse that you may lack. You might be quite skilled at handling indoor projects like painting or installing new light fixtures. However, when it comes to improving the way the outside of your house looks and feels, you may lack the experience needed to get the job done safely.

When you want to take on a project like laying down a new sidewalk, building stairs for a deck, landscaping your yard, or other kinds of work, you need some guidance on how to complete the work from start to finish. You can get the step-by-step details and hire the right contractor for it if necessary by using the online resources made available by the referral and vetting company.

Selecting the Project by Category

When you first visit the website, you will find that it categorizes the most popular types of remodeling projects that homeowners often undertake. It lists indoor projects as well as those that take place outdoors.

Using the categories, you can select the project in which you are most interested. You can then click on its name and find a page that will go into more detail about how it is done and what kind of effort must go into its success.

If you have never before built a set of stairs, you may then realize that you need to hire someone to help or take over the job entirely. The website makes it easy to vet local contractors and to accept bids that fall in line with your budget and calendar.

Vetting Contractors

You may not have time to call around to each local contractor to ask for a bid. The entire bidding process requires you to give a host of details that you may or may not forget during a phone call.
Instead of calling local businesses, you can input those details on the website and then get a list of local contractors who are ready and able to get the work done. You will know what ones are available right now or in the near future. You also will know how much they charge by the day, hour, or project using the website to vet their bids.

Outdoor remodeling jobs can be cumbersome and difficult for novices. You can get the work done without risking its success by vetting and hiring remodeling contractors on the website.

Second jobs, who's more likely to work extra hours

2017-08-11T05:30:00.001-05:00

Work life balance is a tenuous subject. A day job can be stressful, overwhelming or even cumbersome. If that day job is so difficult, why are more women choosing to take on a side hustle to supplement their income?

According to a recent Career Builder survey, 35 percent of women have some type of side job. This supplemental income isn’t necessarily for women below the poverty line. Workers with salaries above the $75,000 annual income are just as likely to have an extra job as workers under $50,000 a year salary.

Rosemary Haefner, Chief Human Resources Officer at CareerBuilder, said “while we continue to be at what is considered full employment, the quality and pay of jobs isn't always what workers want, causing them to seek out new ways to supplement their full-time income.”

While this survey is quite interesting, the numbers don’t tackle the underlying question. Is the side job a monetary issue or a job quality issue? Included in the survey results were some popular examples of common side jobs. These jobs included chef/baker, blogger and dog walker. Could the side job be more about a passion versus income?

Looking at some of the popular types of side jobs, these jobs tend to fall under a passion profession. For example, many people are outstanding cooks with amazing culinary talent. But, making a living as a professional chef is tremendously difficult. For every Food Network Star there is a struggling line cook who can barely afford her apartment. Still, she may want to share her culinary creations with others. A side gig catering for friends or baking birthday cakes could be a way to increase her income and engage her passion for cooking.

The same can be said for the other examples of blogger or dog walker. Some people have a special way with animals, but veterinary school may not have been possible. Or maybe, a wife wants a dog but her husband doesn’t. A side job as a dog walker works for her. The same can applied to blogging for the struggling writer. Maybe that blogging job won’t pay the rent but it could keep you in Starbucks for the month.

Very few people are fortunate enough to have a well-paying job that is also their passion. Compromise in some job aspect is highly likely. From work/life balance to feeling undervalued, these thoughts creep into everyone’s daily lives.

While some people may point to this study as a reflection of workers being underpaid, I believe that simple answer isn’t the complete story. Of course, many people would love extra income for many reasons. From monthly bills to saving for a special event, extra income can be extremely beneficial. But, the type of side jobs seems to reflect more than just a monetary reason.

Women may be more likely to have a side hustle, but it may not be for the reasons you think. Even if I win the lottery this weekend, I will continue writing for publications because writing is enjoyable for me, regardless any money.

How to Express Love with the Gifts You Give

2017-07-26T11:11:00.002-05:00

Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones is less about the money you spend and more about knowing what they will love. You can show someone you love them by simple gestures. And, when you do gift them with something you bought, aim for practical AND sentimental instead of something they simply look at. Read on for tips on how you can express your love for someone with the gifts you give.

Know Their Passions, Hobbies, and Interests
When you love someone, regardless of what kind of love it is, you should know that person’s passions, hobbies, and interests. Do they love to make arts and crafts? Are they always in the kitchen cooking up something awesome? Or, do they simply love watching a good movie and lounging in a big, comfy chair after work? Or, better yet, are they the game king of backyard barbecues and <a cornhole boards? Whatever the case is, strive to get to know someone before you decide to buy them something.

Be Sweet, Sentimental, and Authentic
When you give someone a gift, it matters most when your feelings are in it. You should be sweet, sentimental, and authentic. How so? By giving them something that makes an impact and lets them know how you feel. For instance, if your loved one is an artist, a framed canvas of something you painted, or paid to have painted, is genuine, super-sweet, and memorable.

Include a Sweet Message or Kind Words
Love comes from actions more than words. But it takes courage to put your feelings to paper. When you give someone a present, include a sweet message, preferably handwritten in your own kind words. Express yourself in something short and simple, or compose a loving essay—your choice. But be genuine in whatever you say. If need be, look to a Thesaurus for words that mean more than the ones in your vocabulary, but make sure it all comes directly from you.

Make Your Gifts Memorable and Uplifting
The best gifts to loved ones are memorable, uplifting, and positive. They are trinkets with sentimental value, or practical gifts that allow your loved ones to practice their hobbies. They are gifts that show that you listen, pay attention, and know someone on an in-depth level. People need to feel that connection. And, in the case of gift-giving, you are showing your friendship, relationship, or love with personal presents from the heart.

When you give a loved one a gift, it’s important to remember the aforementioned tips. You never know how much a gift might mean to someone. You could make your loved one’s whole day with the perfect, well-thought out presents.

A Gift That’s More Than Just a Gift

2017-06-15T12:38:00.000-05:00

It’s not unusual to feel stressed when you realize you need to find a gift for someone’s birthday, plan a party or decorate your home for a holiday and your schedule is too packed to allow for leisurely shopping, planning and decorating time. Just imagine how wonderful it would be to have a special go-to idea or plan that eliminates that stress. Fortunately, there are some tips to follow that will give you an enthusiastic, rather than stressed, approach toward special occasions and holidays.

Shopping Made Easy

One of the best ways to save time and give exceptionally thoughtful gifts is to find a gift source that offers gifts for all occasions. Jim Shore figurines is an ideal example of a source you can depend on to find gifts for kids, teenagers, adults friends and family. Disney theme collectibles can delight a child and revive happy memories for teens and adults. Giving a young child a collectible can be a teaching opportunity. They can learn that some gifts are meant to be played with while others are to be appreciated for their artistic beauty. You can start a trend by giving friends and family collectibles for special occasions. You won’t have to wonder what to give them and they will eagerly anticipate the next item to add to their collection.

Holiday Decorating

If you acquire a collection of holiday-themed figurines, you can quickly decorate your home for all special occasions. Figurines don’t require much storage space. You can rotate the figurines as the seasons change or as specific holidays roll around. You can choose a central location in your home as a display space or incorporate the figurines in various decorative ways throughout you home. Your family and friends will be impressed with your style and creativity and you’ll be pleased with how quickly it all came together.

You can choose party themes that coincide with the collectible gift you plan to give someone on their special day. Regularly exploring collectible gifts may inspire you to give someone a surprise gift when there’s no special occasion. Gifts to encourage and comfort someone often become treasures that they can see, touch and be reminded of how much you care. Always remember, it’s okay to buy a gift for yourself simply because it makes you smile.

Treating Pets Like Royalty

2017-06-15T12:20:00.000-05:00

When you're on vacation, your pets can be on a vacation as well. There are boarding facilities that offer suites that are comfortable and feature amenities that the pet would find at home, such as a cot or a blanket. Facilities will also provide food and water as well as time outside for the dog to play. A luxury dog hotel offers a bit more in the way of freedoms that are offered and amenities to make the dog feel like it's in a castle instead of in a kennel.

With most hotels, the staff will contact the owner of the dog to make sure that they are still planning to arrive. This is to ensure that the space will be used. The staff will also find out if there is any special treatment that needs to be offered or if the dog has any dietary needs that the staff needs to abide by, such as a food for a healthy weight. Most luxury hotels offer a spa package that includes a bath and a massage. This helps the pet relax while away from home. It's a good idea to make sure that this service is included if the pet has never been away from your before as it can be a way for the pet to focus on the attention instead of being away from home.

When the dog is inside the suite, there will likely be some kind of sound. Some suites have a television that is set to an animal channel while others play soothing music. A benefit of your dog staying in a pet hotel is that someone will take the dog outside for walks and play time during the day. If the dog has been spayed or neutered, then there could be play time with other dogs staying at the facility. This is a fun time for dogs as yours might not interact with others at home. Dogs are fed a high-quality food and given water during the day. Treats are usually given as well. Your pet is treated like royalty at most luxury hotels, allowing you to focus on your vacation and time away from home.

Urban Hymn, letting a song lead a new path

2017-05-29T17:37:00.000-05:00

I was sent a screening copy of Urban Hymn. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Life is full of choices. Sometimes those choices are easy and others are quite difficult. The new movie, Urban Hymn, a young girl's difficult choices.

Although sounding like an old person, kids today have a rough life. Growing up too fast, too many temptations, lack of direction and a multitude of other issues are part of every day life. For many kids, it is just easier to choose the like path, follow the crowd and basically give up. The new movie Urban Hymn examines how a young girl can make a different choice by finding her voice, literally.

This movie examines the relationship of a social worker and a young girl. The young girl has a talented singing voice. The social worker recognizes this talent and encourages the girl to explore her talent. The hope is that this talent can bring the girl out of a less than ideal place. But, the decision isn't as easy or clear as it seems.

Many of the characters and scenes are realistic. As much as we want to over look it, kids make poor choices, use foul language and may be walking down a bad path. If they are lucky, someone will try ton intervene and make a difference. Unfortunately, many kids don't have a positive influence.

Even with a good voice in their ear, kids have to choose the right path. Standing out from the crowd is often more difficult than the repercussions from a bad choice.

Urban Hymn is a good conversation starter. The movie isn't easy to watch and it shouldn't be. The dirty side of growing up is real even if no one wants to see it. Change is possible, but only when the problem isn't ignored.

Although this movie isn't for young children, it could be a worthy watch for parents.

Urban Hymn is out now and available for download. To learn more about this movie, visit their social media pages. Facebook / Twitter

Wordless Wednesday - Pandora countdown

2017-05-10T08:04:00.004-05:00

Are you excited? Pandora opens at Disney's Animal Kingdom May 27

#WordlessWednesday - look for the details

2017-05-03T07:20:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the details are more special than the big picture.

Tax Day Specials Bring Savings Relief

2017-04-17T12:04:00.005-05:00

Tax Day have you down? Very few people look forward to the annual tax day. Luckily a few companies are brining some tax day savings relief to your day.

Here are a few savings for this Tax Day.

Planet Fitness

From Saturday, April 15 – Saturday, April 22 consumers can receive a free HydroMassage at any Planet Fitness location. De-stressers need only bring in a coupon available on PlanetFitness.com (starting April 15) before relaxing their cares away.

Noodles & Company

From Wednesday, April 12 – Tuesday, April 18, those who file their taxes digitally this year can receive $4 off any $10 purchase placed through order.noodles.com using the code “TAXDAY17” at checkout.

Boston Market

On Tuesday, April 18, any guest who dines in-restaurant can purchase a $10.40 Tax Day Meal Special. Offer includes a Half Chicken Individual Meal with 2 sides, cornbread, a regular fountain beverage and a cookie.

Benefits of Studying the Arts

2017-04-14T19:33:00.000-05:00

Subjects like music and art are critically underfunded throughout the country. Some are even being eliminated due to budget cuts to education. It is incredibly unfortunate that these valuable, worthwhile classes are often some of the first to be sacrificed. Students of all ages gain much more than concrete knowledge and skills through the pursuit of these activities. The associated dividends are great. Continue reading below in order to understand the tremendous benefits of studying the arts.

Confidence
Kids gain a ton of confidence through the mastery of skills required in artistic endeavors. From playing those first scales to completing a difficult song without mistakes, instrumentalists become more self-assured along the way. Theatre performers most certainly gain confidence as they learn to maintain a stage presence and project their voice. Stepping out of one's comfort zone is required of most types of art.

Focus
The ability to maintain attention on multiple components is a common theme throughout the arts. Musicians, both vocal and instrumental, must be able to think ahead while they are performing in order to avoid mistakes. They also must listen to those around them and observe the conductor so that they remain on tempo.

Perseverance
The ability to keep going despite difficulties is essential to success in any pursuit, and it's a skill that is highly valued by employers. Artistic lessons require students to persevere if they hope to achieve even moderate proficiency. Each new song or skill that is learned provides motivation to continue. The development of this attribute is reason enough to support the arts, as it will benefit your children throughout their lives.

Problem Solving
Another practical skill learned through exposure to arts programs is the ability to solve problems and think critically. Across the board, each art form provides ample opportunity to solve problems because each new project must be interpreted in unique ways. Students need to determine the steps to take to bring words on the page to life through line delivery in theatrical productions. A ball of clay doesn't become a vase on its own, and paints must be spread across the page in a particular fashion in order to create the masterpiece an artist envisions.

These are merely a few of the advantages kids gain by studying the arts. There are plenty more. Artistic pursuits are fundamental to the growth and development of our future.

Great Rainy Day Projects That You and the Kids Can Enjoy

2017-03-31T10:22:00.001-05:00

Great Rainy Day Projects That You and the Kids Can Enjoy

Children are full of energy. On nice, warm spring and summer days they can run around outside to burn some of it off, but there are those gloomy days when everyone is stuck inside. These are the perfect days to help the little ones get creative.

The whole point of doing projects with the kids is to have fun together. The problem is finding something that the parents will truly enjoy but isn’t too complicated for the children to handle. The following ideas are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.

Beading

Beading can describe a vast array of crafting projects. Most people immediately think of jewelry making when they hear the word “beads,” but this category includes much more. Jewelry is terrific for the older kids, but little ones can become frustrated with such fine work. This is when parents need to think outside of the box.

Perler Beads are great for all ages. You can buy the supplies separately or in kits. Perler beads are small cylinder shaped beads. They come in a rainbow of colors. Kids can simply set each bead on end on a plastic peg board to create pictures. They can come up with their own or use patterns found online. When they are finished, Mom or Dad can iron the piece to fuse the beads together. They are left with a wonderful picture to hang in their room.

In addition to children’s Perler beads, one can find other ways to use beads to create pictures. Mill Hill bead kits can be found online from retailers such as the Threaded Needle or items can be bought separately at the craft store. The idea behind this type of project is to embellish a picture that is stamped on fabric with small glass beads.

Painting

Painting is a project that any age group can enjoy. The trick is to find a paint project that is age appropriate. Even a preschooler can step into this exciting world of color. Parents can purchase washable paints that can be used for finger painting. Shake things up by using a sponge, a potato cut in half, or a piece of fabric dipped in paint for new textures and designs.

Slightly older kids can branch out into regular paint supplies. Let them practice on paper, and when they get confident, make a special treat out of offering them an actual canvas to work on. They will proudly display their masterpiece on any wall. They can also begin doing paint by number kits.

Parents shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that the older kids don’t need busy work on rainy days. Teens can stay in touch with their crafting side by painting wooden objects such as shelves or trinket boxes. They are also at the perfect age to start helping with painting projects around the house.

The next time the entire family is feeling that dreaded cabin fever creeping in, try one of these craft projects. They are fun for all ages, and can help pass an afternoon quickly. Parents will find they are not simply making a craft together. They are making memories too.

#WordlessWednesday Shark Bait!

2017-03-29T06:36:00.000-05:00

He caught a shark!

Fun Activities Before Your Child is Born

2017-03-28T10:39:00.000-05:00

While there are plenty of articles written on what a mom can do with her child, what about before the child is born? As it turns out, there are plenty of unique opportunities out there for moms that are lost as soon as the pregnancy ends. If you want to make the most of your pregnancy, then look no further, because this guide will look at a handful of ways in which you can enjoy your pregnancy and create memories with your child before you've even really gotten a chance to know them.

Ultrasounds
It may sound strange, but getting an ultrasound can actually be a bonding experience for both you and the subject of the ultrasound. Ultrasound Adelaide services, like those at Before You Were Born Imaging, can take comprehensive photos and recordings of the ultrasound, including 4D images. These can then be taken home with you, so that you can later present them to your child after they're born. Regardless of whether you show them when they're still kids, or you wait to present them when they're planning a baby of their own, it's a great opportunity that you don't want to miss.

Yoga
As it turns out, yoga can actually be highly beneficial to women during pregnancy. If you're nervous about attending a class due to your pregnancy, don't be. In fact, you'll probably find that your teacher is already very knowledgeable in how to help pregnant women get the full benefits of specific yoga poses. In addition to helping you deal with your pregnancy, you may also find that yoga is just a great tool for keeping yourself centered in other areas of your life. If you're having difficulty managing your stress, then be sure to give yoga a shot.

Knitting
As fun as it might be to take a unique ultrasound of your baby, you may want to consider other keepsakes to make before your baby arrives. Knitting a blanket or other gift for your baby can be a great way of keeping your mind off the pregnancy while simultaneously preparing for it in a fun and interesting way. With a pregnancy, it's important to remain calm and try to avoid stressful situations. As it turns out, knitting is perhaps one of the least stressful activities you can perform, and it has the added bonus of creating a useful product afterwards.

Regardless of what you decide to do while going through your pregnancy, it's important to remember that there are still plenty of opportunities for you to bond with your child, even if they're not technically here yet. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box in coming up with ideas of your own to pursue while pregnant. Just remember that maintaining your health is important, and you shouldn't do anything that might put yourself, or your baby, in jeopardy. With that in mind, hopefully these ideas will provide a solid foundation for you to build your own ideas off of. At the end of the day, your child will thank you for all of the wonderful gifts you've given them, even if they weren't fully present to appreciate them at the time.

Wordless Wednesday - Stop and smell the flowers

2017-03-15T08:11:00.000-05:00

Stop and smell the flowers - Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.

Baby Football Gear Shows Support in Style

2017-03-13T07:29:00.000-05:00

When football games are a big deal in your home, you'll probably want to get your little one involved in all the exciting football action. Babies look precious in game day apparel. They're also cute in fun accessories and sweet little baby football shoes. When it comes to football, which has quickly become a wholesome family favorite game, no one is too little to take part in the excitement.

What to look For in Baby Football Gear

When you dress baby up in adorable baby sports apparel, comfort is the first thing you usually consider. Little outfits made from soft material like 100 percent cotton are the way to score a touchdown with your littlest fan. Super absorbent terry cloth for bibs and for clothing is another smart choice. When it comes to cute baby football shoes, here are some smart things to look for:

- Flexible Soles - Especially important if baby is very young, or even for tiny beginning crawlers and new walkers. You want shoes to bend and flex to keep little feet comfortable and protected
- Washable - Tiny shoes that are easily cleaned are perfect for little ones, especially when you never know when spitting up incidents can happen, and for other times when baby shoes inevitably get dirty
- Pull-On Ease - Shoes that are super easy to pull on and take off baby's feet are the best bet. Babies are wiggly creatures that don't understand about holding still so shoes can be put on! The less struggle getting shoes on and off, the better
- Soft and Lightweight - Perfect for when little ones are kicking and practicing future field goals, whether that's in the crib or outdoors in the yard. Lightweight shoes allow freedom of movement so little ones can perfect kicking skills
- Non-Slip Soles - Important for tiny walkers so you're assured they'll have good, sturdy footing for those tentative first steps
- Sturdy and Well-Made - Tiny football shoes need to be durable enough to withstand potentially rough use

Cute Little Football Shoes Get Little Ones off to a Great Start

Every little rookie has the potential to be a winner one day, especially when they get off to a great start. Comfy and cute baby shoes do that, in style. Baby helps support your favorite team and looks adorable doing it!

#WordlessWednesday Spring Is Coming

2017-03-08T09:36:00.001-06:00

#WordlessWednesday Bread with a message

2017-03-01T10:42:00.002-06:00

From South Beach Wine & Food Festival Barilla Bites on the Beach

How Moms Can Make Life Easier For Their Kids' Teachers

2017-02-28T10:35:00.000-06:00

Teachers have quite the difficult job. Not only are they expected to educate our kids, but they're often expected to do it with small budgets and sometimes difficult conditions. If you want your child to have a successful education, then it's a great idea to take action to make life easier for their teachers.

You don't have to become the world's most active PTA mom or treat your child's education like a second job. However, there are some little steps you can take to help your child's teacher succeed, which will help your child to succeed. Here's how moms can make life easier for kids' teachers.

Donate Supplies

Not all schools are suffering from the same budget shortages. However, even schools with adequate budgets can find themselves running out of supplies. For example, in kindergarten classes where spills and accidents are common, it's easy for a teacher to run out of paper towel and pre-moistened wipes pretty quickly. In just about every school, sharpened pencils are pretty coveted. You don't have to spend a fortune on supplies for your child's classroom. However, periodically donating supplies can be really helpful. If you're not sure what to get, just ask your child's teacher.

Communicate

Communication is amazingly helpful when it comes to ensuring that your child does well in school. At Landon School, for example, parents are encouraged to stay in regular communication with their kids' teachers. This helps your child's teacher to be able to easily contact you to keep you informed about how your child is doing in his or her classroom. Teachers resent parents who are difficult to get a hold of, especially if their child is having problems. Making yourself easily accessible will be very appreciated by your child's teacher.

Attend Events

Sadly, in many school districts, open houses and parent-teacher conferences can be sparsely attended. Teachers are required to be present at these events and they very much want a chance to speak face-to-face with the parents of their students. It's very helpful and quite appreciated when you, as a parent, show up to these events. Landon School hosts a wonderful event, The Azalea Garden Festival, that truly brings the school’s community together. These teachers very much want to speak to their students' parents and it shows that you're invested in your child's education.

Keep Your Cool

Every teacher has a horror story about a parent who threw a fit when they were informed that their child received a failing grade or got into a fight with another student. Sadly, some parents can't accept that their child is capable of wrongdoing, but the truth is that all kids mess up from time to time. If your child's teacher confronts you about an issue, it's imperative that you keep your cool. Remember, the teacher isn't "out to get" your child. Instead, he or she is just looking to remedy the situation so that your child has a better chance of academic success.

Teachers have a hard job. Not only do they have to educate kids, but they have to keep them all safe and help them to grow as people as well. If you do all of the things listed here, you can make you child's teacher's job a little bit easier. Remember, teachers want to work with you to do what's best for your child.

#WordlessWednesday - I will take all three

2017-02-22T09:16:00.001-06:00

To indulge at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium, you may want a HUGE appetite to eat all the delicious milkshakes.

What's Oscars Worthy- Pizza Hut 50% special

2017-02-21T15:00:00.000-06:00

Pizza is popular with everyone. While we all can debate our favorite toppings, pizza is a go-to food for almost any occasion.

Do you remember how Ellen delivered pizza to the Oscars? Pizza Hut does!! And to celebrate, Pizza Hut will offer the following special.

Visit www.PizzaHut.com or download the Pizza Hut Mobile App and now through Feburary 27, you can get a 50% off offer.

Additionally, pizza lovers can also enter promo code "FEBFIFTY" and the deal will be applied to their order. The offer will be available for all menu-priced pizza orders placed through Pizza Hut's online ordering systems for carryout or delivery. Deal does not apply to other menu items, tax, delivery charge, or driver tip.

Don't miss this great pizza deal!

Celebrate National Margarita Day at Bahama Breeze

2017-02-21T11:18:00.002-06:00

Did you know that National Margarita Day is February 22?

A margarita is a combination of sweet, salty, sour, bitter. When the cocktail is perfectly balanced, the libation is satisfying.

Many restaurants will be serving margarita specials for the day. National options, like Bahama Breeze, will be serving $2.22 margaritas.

This special is part of a 6 week Viva la 'Rita festivities. Through April 9, Bahama Breeze will host Margarita Mondays. Classic Margaritas will be just $5.

Or, if you're staying home for the celebration, here's a margarita recipe from Bahama Breeze that will make you re-think the classic, most common tequila cocktail.

Hibiscus Margarita

Inspired by the Bahama Breeze Menu

Ingredients

• 2 oz. of your favorite tequila (We recommend 1800 Reposado tequila)

• 1 oz. Simple Syrup

• 2 oz. Hibiscus tea

• 3 oz. Margarita Mix

• ½ cup of ice to chill

• Pineapple sugar

• Ice

• Lime slices

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a shaker.
Shake! Shake! Shake
Rim margarita glass with pineapple sugar.
Pour mixture into margarita glass filled with ice.
Garnish with lime slices and a Hibiscus flower, if available.