While public schools were closed today due to President's Day, St. Joseph the Worker was open which I love because that would be one day in advance that we will be getting off for the summer. We used the holiday to make up for the snow days that we have had this Winter. When the kids came home today, they decided to try one of the Snoball BattlePack that we received from Zimpli Kids. They did the Slime Baff the other day and had a blast with it.
It's always great to have something to do for the kids when they arrive home so they could have fun before they do their homework. My son and I did a lot of studying for his test today so he was so anxious this morning. When he came home, he told me "I was stressing out for nothing, the test was really easy!" I told him, it was easy because he studied for it. It would have been a different story if he didn't review.
But anyway, there's four packs of this snowball battlepack but they only used one. It was still cold outside so they just played with it on top of the table. I didn't let them pass this around the house because the dogs might eat it while they are playing.
This snoball battlepack also smells good but they like the slime's scent better.
My daughter tried to make a snowman but it collapses everytime lol.
They saved three packs of this for the summer when they can hit each other with it outside when the weather is warm.
This was easier to clean up than the slime and the best thing is that, the snoball disintegrates eventually.
Of course they wanted me to try it so I stuck my fingers in there and it did feels good on your skin. Unlike the slime, this one uses cold water.
Here's the video I recorded of them playing with it.
There is nothing quite
like a train journey. No other means of transportation offers you the same
ability to sit back, relax, and watch the world go by. In the United States,
travel by rail is more complicated than in Europe. The network that operates
across the US is patchy, services are spotty outside of big cities and urban
areas. Europe, on the other hand, is well served by rail, in fact, you can take
a train around the entire continent!
Coming from a country
where rail travel is less common, the train is the perfect way to experience
everything that Europe has to offer. The service is dependable and comfortable,
European countries often invest in their public services in a way that makes
many Americans jealous.
Arrive Right Where the Action is
Train stations
throughout Europe are located in the hearts of the towns and cities that they
serve. This means that when you step off a train, you will already be in the
town center, you don’t need to spend any more time or money traveling on to
your destination; you are already there!
No Long Check-In Lines
Flying is the fastest
way of covering long distances, but the whole experience of flying is often
much more stressful than other transportation methods. The train is one of the
most relaxing ways of traveling and is well suited for those who would like to
take in the sights around them as they travel from point to point. One of the
key differences between air and rail travel is the extra security measures at
an airport. This increased security creates long check-in and arrivals lines,
which add time and stress to your journey.
No Luggage Charges
When traveling by rail,
you can bring as much luggage as you can carry without having to pay any extra
charges. For those who are traveling light, this can make using rail services a
much more straightforward and desirable experience than trying to navigate the
various rules and restrictions that airlines place on luggage.
A Vast Network
The European rail
network is vast, connecting every single country on the continent via one huge
rail network. You can travel between the biggest cities to the most rural towns
with ease. Not only are there a huge number of potential destinations which are
easily reached by train, but there are also nearly always multiple trains
running throughout the day to take you wherever you want to go. Check out tourist2traveler.com for some recommendations for destinations to
visit around Europe.
Be Spontaneous
Perhaps the greatest
attraction of traveling by rail is how easy it is to do spontaneously. You can
book your tickets in advance (in many cases you will save money by doing so),
but you don’t have to book ahead. You can just as easily hop on the next
available train, whenever that may be. For travelers who like to plan their time as they go, the rail network offers the most
freedom.
The rail network is
perhaps the best way to experience Europe. It is a convenient and affordable
method of transportation that can get you wherever you want to go.
If you are considering where you want to take your family on your next annual vacation, you may not initially consider Oklahoma. After all, you may tell yourself that there are far better places with more history, larger nature preserves and more bustling metropolitan areas than this state has. However, if you have not actively explored this state before, you may not know what you are missing out on seeing. In fact, Oklahoma is a great place to explore no matter where your interests lie or what time of the year you visit. Consider these fun options for exploring Oklahoma despite the size of your budget. Head to the City
Oklahoma City is the largest metropolitan area in the state, and it boasts plenty of great hotels, fine dining and great shopping. It is also home to some of the most highly rated attractions in the state, including the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the Science Museum and the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. If you are traveling with children, you may also want to check out Frontier City and White Water Bay, which are both amusement parks for all ages.
Enjoy Nature
Oklahoma also boasts plenty of natural resources and a diverse landscape. From rolling green hills along the eastern side of the state to the waving grass of the western plains, Oklahoma has it all. If you love hiking, biking, hunting and rock climbing, this is where you should be. You can even enjoy boating and fishing on some of the lakes in the east. Consider staying in a secluded natural area, such as Beavers Bend Lodging, where you can relax, get away from the daily grind and enjoy as many outdoor activities as you like.
A portion of the famed Route 66 runs through Oklahoma and gives you a great way to get a taste for the state along with a lesson in history. Route 66 will take you through Tulsa and Oklahoma City but will also have you driving past fun roadside attractions, such as historical filling stations, the Route 66 Museum and the Golden Driller.
Remember History
Oklahoma has a rich history and heritage, particularly in Western themes. You can enjoy this at many of the history museums located throughout the state, such as the Cherokee Heritage Center and the Oklahoma History Center. Specialty museums also abound for certain interests, such as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, the JM Davis Arms and Historical Museum and the Banjo Museum. Engage in Fine Culture
If nature and history are not your favorites, you can indulge in great cultural activities at some of the state’s fine museums. Check out the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, which houses international artistry in a Renaissance-style home and garden. You may also want to visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art or the Gilcrease Museum.
Oklahoma has a little bit of everything that you could want. From the metropolitan center of Oklahoma City to the rolling plains in the western part of the state, Oklahoma boasts cultural experiences, natural wonders and an amazing history. When you travel through the state, you will enjoy gorgeous vistas, small-town charm and fine museums, and you will surely want to return once again.
Ice Skating is the first activity that my kids doesn't want to quit on even though they aren't good at it. Usually, when they try a sport or something and they don't feel like they are not going to do well with it, they don't want to do it anymore. The ice skating is something different, they are not good at it but they find it fun and challenging for some reason. We have gone to Wheeling Park's Skating Rink this winter and they are improving their skills. I wish we could attend to the scheduled lessons but it is not possible with our schedules so they are just trying to learn it by themselves.
Wheeling Park is 45 minutes away from home but it's worth driving there seeing the kids excitement when they are inside the rink trying their best not to fall as they maneuver with their feet. I tried it once and I stayed by the wall the whole time, I was afraid to fall and embarrass myself lol.
Anyway, here are photos I took on our way to Wheeling. We usually took the Ohio route because it is faster than going to the West Virginia side. Ohio and West Virginia is divided by a river so you can be in Ohio in minutes by crossing the bridge.
Winter times is my least favorite season. It makes me feel so down sometimes looking at the outdoors.
This is the bridge we regularly cross to get to the Ohio side.
I often wondered if the river will ever get frozen, I wonder if people would dare cross on it by walking. It would be dangerous I think but I am curious about that.
The photos above were taken when we first drove to the ice skating rink in Wheeling.
The first time we came here, the snow was thick that you can't see the pond but on our third time, it was still freezing but the snow have melted.
While the
focus of your travels should always be the location and whatever it has to
offer, what you wear while traveling is definitely important. That doesn’t mean
you should dress to impress, but rather as functionally as possible.
In the case
of summer, clothes that will wick sweat, keep you cool and not make you look
like a tourist because the last thing you
want to look like when traveling is a tourist. All it does is make you a bigger
target for scammers and thieves.
That said,
consider how functional your clothes are and whether you’d be willing to get
them wet or accidentally lose them. Will they be easy to wash? How fast will
they dry? Can you match one piece with another? These are important aspects of
your clothing setup that should definitely be considered before you leave.
Whether
you’re going to the tropical islands featured on Caribbeans Best
or the sultry wildlands of Africa, here are six essential items of clothing
that you should take with.
Linen Tee
Unlike
cotton or polyester, linen works well with heat and manages your
sweat. It also doesn’t smell afterward or
become damaged the same way cheaper materials do. Take enough shirts to last
you a few days and focus on ones that feature a lightweight and breathable
construction.
Calf Length Oval Skirt
The right
skirt here is one that’s conservative, breathable, and preferably has a pocket
or two as you’ll naturally be taking a lot with you. Focus on neutral colors
that will work with any tops.
Joggers
When it
comes to comfort and versatility, nothing beats a great pair of joggers. Dark
gray or black would be the color of choice here as dirt won’t be as visible.
Joggers tend to have deep pockets with zips as well, making them great for
storage. Consider cropped joggers that don’t taper at the ends for increased breathability.
While cargo
shorts are a bit too far from flattering, cargo pants, like joggers, provide a great
balance between form and function while being a little tougher than their cozy
counterparts. They usually feature more pockets than any other types of pants,
each with a velcro strap or zip for added security.
Versatile Jeans
For nights
out or cool evening walks, a good pair of jeans is perfect. Black jeans are
preferred for being more versatile but dark blue washes work as well. Lighter
color jeans tend to pick up visible dirt easily and that’s the last thing you
want as jeans tend to survive quite long without needing to be washed.
For the
sake of versatility, a long sleeve one would be preferred as you can easily
roll the sleeves up, especially if they’re made of a soft silk material. These
are about as comfortable as it gets and looks super stylish with almost
anything.
Conclusion
With a few
extra accessories and a clean pair of shoes, these clothes are all you need to
have a great summer vacation. Don’t forget to include more underwear and socks
than you’ll ever need, along with some backup clothes. Rather be over prepared
than naked and afraid.
Time ... time.. time.. How is time flying so fast? The first week of February is over, oh my! As much as I would love to post everything that we have done in the past months, I can't keep up! Our turned 11 last month and he couldn't be any happier when we took him to the place that he has been wanting to visit ever since his sister went with her friends.
If you want a place where your children can release their energy and have fun, take them to Flight Trampoline Park. Get ready to bounce and burn a lot of calories because they have some fun activities waiting for you. They have a new Ultimate Laser Race, Ninja Warrior Course and Kiddie Courts. They have over 30 trampoline connected to each other so everybody has a space. I even want to jump in there and have fun but our daughter said parent's are not allowed hahaha. I think she's just embarrassed if we jump in it lol.
They even offer FLIGHT FIT BOOTCAMP, now that would be so much fun for adults like me. You can mix up your exercise routine with an intense trampoline workout like no other. I don't know if it's proven true but it said that vertical motion workouts such as Flight Fit Boot Camps are more efficient than horizontal motion workouts like jogging or running.
At Flight, you can jump, climb and have fun in over 13,000 square feet of connected trampolines. My daughter had a great time bouncing around. I have never seen her so free and having fun without worrying about what other people think. So glad that we took them to this place.
My first baby is almost a teen but she's so little. Sometimes, she is insecure about her size but I told her that little people are cute. She's the smallest among her class so I understand her sentiment. I was the same way when I was growing up, I was so tiny but it never really bothered me. I thought being little has its advantages. But then again, my environment was different, the people around me were all Asian so I pretty much blend in.
Another feature that they love is the Dodgeball. We have watched the movie Dodge Ball so they have always wanted to try doing it. The Dodgeball at Flight is an added element of fun. Flying around the dodgeball arena makes it even more challenging and fun, for you and your opponent!
Overall, the trip was a blast, they both had fun and it was a great birthday celebration in the books.
Aside from seeing my children's happiness, I also love the fact that I got to see other part of PA that I haven't seen specially during winter.
It can be difficult to
know when to start talking to your kids about their future. In fact, its even
more of a scary task for you as a parent, than it is for them, as they have
their entire future ahead of them. However, there’s no need to get too anxious
or stressed about what is an enjoyable task for the both of you. While you
might have clear ideas about your kids’ future career choices, prepare to be
surprised and shocked as your little ones may have other ideas. So snuggle up
on the couch and get ready to have an interesting, grown-up conversation.
Accept their points of view
Remember that even
though your kids grow up under your roof, they might not share the same points
of view or opinions as you do. It’s important that you accept your kids as
individuals rightfrom the very beginning of any conversations that you have in relation to their future. Try to keep your
own opinions to one side, and be prepared to listen to your children as they
explain their thoughts and dreams. Just because you are a doctor or a nurse, it
doesn’t mean that your children will want to, there’s no one size fits all when
it comes to talking to your kids about their future career interests.
It’s important that you
let your kids explore their future career interests. While you might worry
about keeping them safe and protected from the wider world, it’s essential that
you let your kids explore both creative and practical outlets to find the best fit. Encourage
your children to attend open days or invite them to spend a day with you at
your workplace if they want to follow in your footsteps. Be sure to support and
nourish their talents.
Ok, so you need money to
pay the bills and keep your household afloat, but make sure that you explain
the value of money to your kids while talking to them about their future career
paths. It's important that you explain
that money isn’t everything when it comes to leading a happy and fulfilled
life. Money can’t buy good health or ensure that they live longer either and
younger kids need to understand this.
If you are talking to
teens, then you can begin to have more adult conversations about salaries and
saving, especially if they already have a weekend job. Online resources
including healthcaresalariesguide.com
provide up to date information about
salaries, ideal if your kids are deliberating between two career paths. Be
honest about your own salary too. Your
kids will respect you for it.
It can be daunting
deciding when to start talking to your kids about the future but worry not. Make sure that you accept their points of
view and don’t be afraid if they want to explore. Be sure to explain the value
of money too.
Apart from (maybe) the first time your kid walks or you realize you’ve hit your weight loss target, nothing is more exciting than when your phone pings and there is a message on your girly Whatsapp group that says, “We’re doing a weekend away, who’s in?”
It doesn’t matter whether it is a flight to Vegas, a trip to wine country or just two days getting absolutely pampered, getting away with the girls is one of the best. Of course, there is one little niggling feeling that always creeps into the back of your head, and that’s knowing what to pack.
Sure, where you are going and when will mean you have to make some minor modifications but, all in all, this is a pretty solid list of things to pack for a weekend getaway. Now, all that’s left to do is have a good time. Woohoo.
Cramming In Your Clothes
The toughest decision is always going to be what clothes to pack in your medium-sized holdall suitcase. Luckily, we’ve got you covered:
A little black dress for that upmarket night and two women's sundresses that can be worn for any occasion with the right accessorizing.
A not-too-thick sweater you can throw over anything.
A tee shirt or tank top.
Two comfortable but stylish bras.
One dressy top that can be worn day or night; the kind that works well with dark jeans.
Your favorite pair of jeans. Of course.
Some more casual pants.
Pajamas.
A pair of cute socks.
And three pairs of underwear.
Choosing Your Yours
This is the tricky one, and not just because of the style options either, but choosing a color that will work with everything. Now, you are probably thinking, “black shoes are the obvious choice here,” and once upon a time you would have been right. However, we think nude is the new black. Nude can be worn with anything, anywhere, anytime. It could be your LBD for an evening on the town or a sundress on the beach. Anyway, as for style, go with one pair of heels-slash-wedges, one pair of sandals and one pair of flats or sneakers. There, you’ve covered yourself completely.
Must-Have Accessories
This is another one of those areas where you can be staring at a pile of hundreds of tidbits and not know what’s essential and what isn’t. All you know is, you want to look effortless stylish from the moment you step onto the plane to when you get home afterwards. As such, stick with a pair of sunglasses, your favourite combination of jewelry, some bobby pins and, if you’re a hat girl, your favourite statement hat.
The Essential Toiletries
Now, where you are going and where you are staying may have a little influence on how much you need to pack. But, as a safe bet, our advice would be to pack the following:
Your toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
Your most-trusted face wash
Some moisturising cream - but one that has an SPF of 30+.
Chapstick - once again, with a high-ish SPF rating.
Your favorite shampoo, conditioner and body wash, just in a fun-size bottle.
Deodorant and perfume.
Brush and comb.
A packet of soft tissues.
Contact lense bits and bobs if you need them.
And, last but not least, your straighteners because, well, you never know what sort of mood you are going to be in and, let’s be honest, it’s better to have straighteners and not need them than vice versa.
