Top Tips To Get Your Children Excited About Your Camping Trip

December 18, 2015 by 1 Comment

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Planning a camping trip can be lots of fun, especially if you’re taking your children with you. It’s an activity that’s filled with adventure and exploration and can ultimately bring you closer together. If your kids have never experienced camping before, you may feel even more under pressure to make this a holiday to remember. There is no need to feel stressed as there are countless ways you can keep your kids entertained and get them excited about the prospect of camping. Use these tips during your planning to ensure you create fun filled and successful trip that you can all enjoy.

Get the involved in the planning

Your children can give you a great deal of help when you’re planning your camping holiday. You can show them websites and pamphlets that advertise tourist attractions and places that might be of interest to them. It could be a kid’s outdoor playground or a family friendly history trail. Compile some potential activities that are nearby to your campsite and share your findings with them. You can talk through which ones you think might be suitable and get their feedback. Be positive when you speak about each activity to grab their attention.

Make them a Camping kit

Just before you head out on your trip present your child with their own individual camping kit. This could contain a blanket, walking boots, a map, a torch and a whistle. Educational books about wildlife would also be a great item to include. This will get them in the mood for an adventure and will be an excellent treat before their vacation. Make this gift to your child personal to them by choosing camping items in their favorite color or cartoon character. You could also include board games and coloring books to keep them entertained if it’s raining outside. Take this opportunity to lay down some rules about camping safety and explain what behavior you expect from them when you arrive at the site.

Do a dummy run

Nothing will get them more excited about their camping trip than a dummy run in their own back yard. It will be beneficial to your children to have some experience in a tent before you get to your campsite, even if it is only for a few hours. They might be nervous about camping for the first time so doing this will put all of their concerns to rest. Reassure them that the tent is perfectly safe and the noises they hear are just friendly animals and insects. You can teach them how to put up the tent properly and even practise cooking outdoors if you like. This activity will also be great during your planning as it may highlight essential items you need to buy or replace before you leave.

These top tips will make sure you and your kids are fully prepared and excited about your camping holiday. Spend lots of time having fun and getting involved in a whole host of outdoor activities. Having a stress-free experience will make camping your top choice in accommodation for the future.

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4 Top Tips To Make Your Next Vacation The Best One Ever

December 18, 2015 by Leave a Comment

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Holidays play a crucial role in the lives of millions. And once you’ve been bitten by the bug, exploring the world becomes top of your agenda.

Progressions to travel and other facilities make exploration easier than ever. Budget airlines and online resources make it possible to book a vacation from the comfort of your own home. Nevertheless, if you want to get more from your next trip, there are a number of steps that must be taken.

Follow these four items, and your next vacation will exceed even your wildest expectations.

Book Better Accommodation

When booking a vacation, your primary thoughts will concern tourist attractions and other fun items. However, you should never underestimate the importance of your digs. It’s easy to dismiss it as nothing more than a bed to sleep. But anyone that has endured a terrible hotel will confirm that accommodation is much more important than that.

A great night’s sleep will allow you to achieve far more from your waking hours. Meanwhile, you should be keen to look for location and cleanliness too. The right accommodation will take your enjoyment to an entirely new level. It’s as simple as that.

Give Something Back

Vacations provide some of the most enjoyable moments in our lives. But what better way to gain ultimate satisfaction than by giving something back to those less fortunate?

The concept of volunteering abroad has become increasingly popular in recent times. The great projects give people the chance to experience wildlife up close and personal. You’ll be doing something great for the planet while also enjoying a unique trip that will not be matched anywhere else.

If animals aren’t your thing, then you can always help out a village of people. Either way, it will help you mature as a person while gaining a truly unforgettable experience.

Be Social

Whatever type of holiday you take, getting involved with the local culture is a must. Make no mistake, we all love sitting by the pool for a few days. But there’s so much to see in this beautiful world and it would be a shame to miss out.

There’s a strong chance that you’ve picked a location for a particular attraction, and you should see it. However, the guide books won’t tell you everything. Try to immerse yourself in the culture. Eat the local cuisine. Enjoy the local entertainment. Speak to the local people.

You’ll gain far greater memories for doing it.

Choose Companions Wisely

Taking a family holiday rarely poses a problem, but travelling with friends can be a great way to end a relationship. Therefore, it’s imperative that you give the process of picking a vacation buddy serious thought.

Being in proximity for extended periods can be testing, especially in a foreign land. You need to be sure that you can handle being around those people. If you are unsure, then try to arrange a big group. Travelling in a large group gives you the chance to break away. Just remember that this is your holiday too, and you should do whatever makes you smile.

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12 Days of Christmas with Teacher Peach @TeacherPeach123

December 18, 2015 by 8 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this post.  All opinions are my own and honest.  For more information, please see “I Disclose”.

If you are looking for a great gift for teachers, look no further then Teacher Peach.  Visit the website http://www.teacherpeach.com/ and check out all the options they have for the teachers in your life- they have pre-made gift sets, bags, and ideas galore that are not only cute but also useful. Because, honestly, your teacher doesn’t need or want another mug, I promise.

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You can look at this link to all featured Holiday gifts and see what you like best for your teacher (or teachers).  There are also chances to win giveaways as well, so make sure you enter while you are browsing.  You never know!

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My son has several teachers we need to get gifts for, so this is a great site for us. It can be hard to figure out just what to get, because you don’t want to give something useless.  Like many classes, we contribute to a gift card for the main teacher, but we’d like to give her a little something as well, she is a real….well, I’d say doll, but in this case, let’s say she’s a peach, ha.  Not to mention the classroom aide, and his tutor.

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This would also be a good place to shop for any parent who is a home-schoooler.  Functional, useful, and to let them know they are appreciated for all the hard work they do as well.

From bags, to notebooks, to cute kits, even teddy bears and pet outfits (how fun is that?), there is something for every educator.  Check out http://www.teacherpeach.com/ and see what they have.  You can get all your teacher-related shopping done in one place, and even enter to win a fun contest.

Happy holidays from me and mine to you and yours!

Filed Under: education, gifts, Holiday Gift Guide 2015, review Tagged With: ,

Christmas with Teleflora and Peanuts #SendCheer

December 18, 2015 by 7 Comments

Disclosure- I received the below in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and honest. For more information, please see “I Disclose”.

Every holiday season there are some things we expect, like the neighbor with too many lights on their house and the Christmas specials on TV. Some of them classics that we will watch year after year like A Charlie Brown Christmas”, others not so much. A Charlie Brown Christmas special was first aired in 1965 and this December marks the fifth anniversary of the special which has aired on ABC every year since. The general story we all know and love. Charlie Brown has the feeling that Christmas has lost its meaning and has the blues, Lucy suggests a Christmas play of which Chuck must find the all important Christmas tree. Instead of a big full tree he comes back with a scraggly stick of a tree with an ornament on it. The tree thrives on a little bit of love and with the help of Linus share the true meaning of he season.

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To celebrate the fun of Peanuts, Teleflora is releasing two special floral arrangements, each with a special gift included.

One features the famous Snoopy laying down on his doghouse decorated for the holidays. This piece also doubles as a cookie jar and is filled with a beautiful festival floral arrangement, perfect as a center piece or just a conversation piece during your holiday get togethers.

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The second piece features the ice skating Peanuts gang decorating a festive holiday mug. The mug also has Snoopy features Snoopy on its handle. This arrangement is also holiday themed and comes with bright reds and whites as well as lush greens and red ribbons.

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The Snoopy Cookie Jar arrangement by Telflora is available now on teleflora.com for $59.95 and the Peanuts Christmas Mug is also available on teleflora.com for $49.95.

This is the cutest gift to send to friends and relatives near or far, and a great hostess gift.  Not only is it a lovely floral arrangement, but also an adorable Christmas keepsake for years to come.  Check out the website and choose the arrangement that speaks to you!

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, home, review Tagged With:

Win $25 Gift Card- Dream Kitchen for the holidays

December 18, 2015 by 16 Comments

 

During this busy time of year many of us find ourselves in the busiest room in the house, the kitchen.  IS your kitchen drab and plain?  A warm place for others to visit but not particularly sleek or new looking? Being in a drab plain kitchen can also be unmotivating to its chef in residence.  You don’t want an unmotivated chef in your kitchen or I foresee many spaghetti nights in your future as apposed to Curries and dumplings.

If I had the ability to ask Santa for a few gifts they would most certainly be a modernizing of our current kitchen.  Starting with the microwave.  The microwave has seen better days but the new black stainless steel line of appliances are far from it.

Check out the microwave below:

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I love the sleek modern look and feel of the black stainless steel appliances by Samsung.

Sleek and sophisticated, this new darker finish from Samsung resists the appearance of fingerprints for a stylish look that complements any style of kitchen.  Even better – this black stainless finish is magnetic, so you can still display pictures & reminders in the heart of your kitchen.
This Samsung Dishwasher provides revolutionary washing performance with WaterWall™ technology, which provides a powerful wall of clean for hard-to-reach places to ensure a more even, thorough washing performance than conventional rotary-spraying systems.
Owning the Flex Duo™ Range is like having two ovens in one.  The Smart Divider™ allows you to split the spacious 5.8 cubic foot oven and cook at two different temperatures simultaneously. Plus, the unique middle-hinged door can open just the top section or the full door, for total flexibility and energy efficiency.
Now available in Black Stainless, the innovative 4-Door FlexTM Refrigerator boasts an innovative bottom right door that can change from freezer to fridge at the touch of a button, so now you can store more Fresh Food than ever before.

Starting with one appliance at a time this could make a great way to surprise mom or dad this year, an appliance a holiday and before long they can wake up to a brand new kitchen.

Which of the new Samsung Black Stainless Steel line of appliances sing to you?

Leave your answer in comment below to enter a contest for a $25 hhgregg e-gift card giveaway.  Making that brand new kitchen just a few steps closer to reality.

There are also a plethora of promotions going on right now as well from hhgregg, from now through 12/31:

Up to $1000 Off Samsung Refrigerators
Up to $1000 Off Black Stainless Steel Refrigerators
Up to $500 Off  Black Stainless Steel Ranges
Up to $200 Off Black Stainless  Steel Dishwashers
Up to $100 Off Black Stainless Steel Over-the-range Microwaves

One of you can win a $25 gift card to http://www.hhgregg.com/ by answering the question – what is the first appliance you would choose to replace in your kitchen?

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Filed Under: home

Top Holiday Travel Tips for Dogs (and Win an Amazon Gift Card)

December 15, 2015 by 132 Comments

While the holidays are supposed to be full of peace, love, and fun, they can also be stressful, especially when traveling is involved at the busiest times of the year. It can be great to bring your dog along with you while traveling, but doing so also increases the things you must do and keep in mind to ensure a safe, happy trip. From packing a dog emergency kit to bringing along a DIY dog fence, there are many things you can consider ahead of time to help things go as smoothly as possible. Here are the top travel tips to keep in mind this holiday season with your dog.

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Keep Your Dog Safe in the Car

If you’re taking a road trip, you want to make sure your dog is as safe in the car as everyone else in your family. It’s a great idea to invest in a dog seat belt, which will keep your dog restrained in the car. If you don’t, at least place your dog in their crate during the ride. Not only is this safer for your dog, it prevents your dog from getting into the front seat and causing an accident by distracting the driver. Never allow your dog to stick their head out of the window of a moving car.

Contain Your Dog Wherever You Are

One of the worst nightmares you could experience would be to lose your dog while on a holiday trip. To avoid this, make sure your dog is contained at all times. While outside, if they are not in a fenced-in yard, they need to be on a leash. Of course, never leave your dog tied up unattended. If your dog is trained on an invisible dog fence, you can bring a portable version with you. It’s an excellent tool for containing your dog at rest areas, campgrounds, or in the yards of loved ones who don’t have a fence. However, it’s a good idea to supervise even the most well-trained dogs when in unfamiliar territory, even when using a wireless dog fence.

Pack Dog Emergency Essentials

If you have the extra money, it’s convenient to purchase a dog first aid kit to keep in the trunk of your car or bring with you on trips. If not, create your own. You essentially need to pack the same things as a regular first aid kit, but with some extra paw-sized bandages. Your car emergency kit should also include extra dog food, extra water, extra bowls, an extra collar and leash set, and an extra blanket for the furry member of your family. Also bring along a copy of your dog’s vaccination record and any necessary medical information, including medications.

Ensure Your Destination is Dog-Proof

Wherever you are staying with your dog, do some thorough dog-proofing before you relax and let your dog roam, especially if your loved ones don’t have a dog of their own. Make sure things like medications, cleaning supplies, candy bowls, and lit candles are out-of-reach. There are several types of common holiday plants that are toxic to dogs, too. Mistletoe, pointsettia, and holly should be moved to an area your dog cannot access, so you don’t even run the risk of your dog ingesting fallen leaves. Pine needles are also toxic, and the water from the tree stand can be, too. If there is a Christmas tree that your dog won’t stay away from, keep them in a separate room or position your electronic dog fence around the tree as a safety barrier.

Ask Others to Follow Safety Guidelines

Make sure whoever you are staying with is aware of certain safety concerns for your dog. For example, ask your loved ones not to feed your dog any table scraps unless you approve, and caution them not to leave their plates or drinks unattended. Alcohol, chocolate, and xylitol can be fatal to dogs, and other foods such as onions, raisins, grapes, nuts, bones, fatty foods, coffee, and tea can cause dogs to get seriously ill. If you are using an e-collar or electric dog fence, make sure others are aware. Also remind children that dogs don’t like hugs or kisses.

While traveling, remember to watch your dog closely for signs of stress. Signs of stress in dogs include pacing, panting, growling, freezing, staring, cowering, and hiding. Any behavior that’s unusual for your dog could be a sign they are overwhelmed, so try to give them a quiet, dark place that they can rest alone with plenty of water to drink. If your dog gets sick or injured, be sure to call your vet’s office or emergency number as soon as possible.

These holiday travel safety tips come to us thanks to the ongoing educational efforts of www.dogfencediy.com; Dog Fence DIY provides dog owners with an affordable alternative to pricey and complex dog containment solutions.
One of you can win a $25 Amazon gift card- use the RC form below to see how to enter.
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Filed Under: animals, giveaway, holidays, review Tagged With: , ,

Win $100 Kohl’s gift card with Elf On The Shelf !

December 15, 2015 by 129 Comments

My son loves his elf.  He looks forward to coming down in the morning and seeing where his elf is, and what he has been up to.  I like that he elf watches what he is up to, and reports back to Santa.  Nothing better then a straight line to the big man himself.

Elf on the Shelf

So much to choose from!

My son named his new elf Tom, and since we like to travel, Tom does as well. Tom has proven to be a hardy fellow, handling suitcases, backpacks, car rides, and even plane travel with relative ease.   I suppose when you are used to flying around to and from the North Pole, Pennsylvania and Puerto Rico aren’t that big of a deal.

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Tinsel, Tom, and Amy take a trip with us to Great Wolf Lodge. Bob the Reindeer stayed home to guard the house.

Once Tom came to our house, it was time to get him ready for Christmas.  Thankfully, we have a Kohl’s nearby, and they have everything an elf could want for the holiday season. Have you seen the new Claus Couture Collection?  Perhaps your elf wants to doll up on occasion, not just wear his or her same old red elf outfit day in and day out.  There are quite a few outfits to choose from. Perhaps your elf wants a friend, a reindeer to fly back to the North Pole at night with.  (The new pet reindeer come with their own charm and cute story book as well.)  Maybe your child and elf want a friend in common- an elf friend that can snuggle up at night, that doesn’t need to fly back to the North Pole at all, but stays at home with you.  So many options to choose from!

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Tinsel and Tom, dressed in holiday finery, waiting in the tree in our hotel room after flying back to Santa one night.

Then there are pajamas for your child (perfect for Christmas and the whole winter season), and flatware, take along cups, games, and more.  There is so much to choose from, and all to help you get your “Elf on the Shelf” on.

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Some of the “extras” my son chose- a pet reindeer, an outfit for him, and a snuggly Elf on the Shelf he named Amy.

My son has really enjoyed the new items and his new elf.  He had a great time choosing new items, new friends, and reading all about them.  His favorite thing, however, has been all the adventures they have taken together.

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It’s Elf on the Shelf time! Getting his new elf and reindeer out of the boxes and asking mommy to read the books.

As Christmas Eve approaches, he knows his new buddies will soon be going home until next year. (Well, except Amy- she gets to stay and help make “Welcome Back!” cookies when they arrive.)  While he will be sad to see them go, he can send them letters and get updates from them throughout the year, and we can’t wait to see them again when they return.

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Bob the Reindeer and his book that explains all about him and his travels.

If you haven’t gotten your Elf On The Shelf yet, there is still time!  If you have your elf, you can grab these fun “extras” as well, just head to Kohl’s – let your child help choose, it really thrills them.

Happy Holidays from me and mine to you and yours.

One of you can win a $100 Kohl’s Gift Card.  Feel free to enter by using the RC form below.  Good luck!  Ends Dec. 31, 2015.
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Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide 2015, holidays, kids, review Tagged With: , , , ,

Preparing for Your Newborn During Surrogacy

December 14, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Preparing for the birth of a baby is an extremely exciting time in a parent’s life. When your child is to be born with the help of a surrogate, the process is a bit more complex, so it’s wise to learn what to be well prepared ahead of time. In addition to finding the right surrogacy candidate to carry your son or daughter to term, you want to make sure you’re creating a space in your home and life for your newborn.

Find the Right Candidate

You can find the right surrogacy candidate by going through a reputable agency, such as Growing Generations. These professionals will screen each potential surrogate with:

  • Blood tests to rule out contagious diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C.
  • Physical examinations including gynecological exams.
  • Obstetrical history to learn about past childbirth experiences.
  • Psychological evaluations to learn about motivations, feelings, and emotional stability.
  • Personality profiles such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2.

The Treatment Process

Once you and a surrogate have been matched, you will start the treatment process, which will include multiple steps, such as:

  • Synchronized menstrual cycles of surrogate and intended mother or egg donor.
  • Fertility drugs will be given to intended mother or egg donor.
  • Hormones will be given to surrogate to prepare uterus for embryo implantation.
  • Eggs from intended mother or egg donor will be fertilized with sperm from intended father or sperm donor.
  • Embryo implantation will take place.
  • Pregnancy will be confirmed by day 17 to 19.
  • Heartbeat(s) will be heard by day 31 to 33.
  • Continued care including ultrasounds, blood work, and maternity checkups will take place throughout the pregnancy.

The Nursery

During the nine months leading up to your child’s birth, it’s important to get your child’s room ready so he or she has a place to come home to. Some steps to turning an ordinary room into a soothing nursery include:

  • Paint the walls a fresh, calming color.
  • Install light-blocking shades or curtains to create a peaceful environment during naptimes.
  • Put a dimmer switch on light fixtures so you can alter the ambiance with a flick of a switch.

Furnishings

You will also need to assemble the furniture that is essential to raising a baby. If you are having twins, you’ll need two of some of these items:

  • Crib
  • Dresser
  • Bassinette
  • Changing table
  • Nightstand
  • Lamps
  • Stroller

In addition to these furnishings, you’ll want to assemble sheets, blankets, outfits, diapers, and wipes.

When you’re expecting a baby through surrogacy, you need to get ready, and not just medically and legally. You need to assemble the ingredients to turn your house into the home of your newborn son or daughter.

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