Want Your Kids to Become More Interested in Science? Try These Experiments!

Posted on August 31, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Some kids love science. Others not so much. Regardless of which category your child or children fall into its important to understand and appreciate science. In order to help you out we found this article with over 30 different science experiments to do with your kids. We hope that you and your children enjoy them!

———————
If you need South Louisiana dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
———————

From the article:

Science is so fun, and there are so many COOL experiments kids can do outside in the Summer. Here are over 30 must try Summer Science activities that will surely wow the kids, and all while keeping them engaged in learning.

Make a Bottle Rocket
Is It Hot Enough To Fry An Egg
Flower Experiment for Kids
Grow Beans in a Bag Teach Preschool
Ice Volcano Experiment

—————–
Kids begging for a playhouse? Checkout this article about playhouse ideas that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.growingajeweledrose.com/2013/05/science-fun-for-kids.html

Looking for Some Healthy Snacks for Your Kids That are Store Bought? Try These!

Posted on August 28, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Most parents think that it’s important to feed their kids healthy food. Not every parent has the time to prepare healthy food though. In order to help you out we found this article with 18 different healthy snack foods that are store bought. We hope they help and your kids love them!

———————
If you need Hammond dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
———————

From the article:

Snacks are awesome because they can help you hold you off your hunger until the next meal. Although light snacking is actually beneficial for you since it helps to keep your metabolism active, poor choices in snacks can hurt your diet. Homemade snacks are great, but sometimes there is just no time in the day to prepare them! Check out these healthy, kid-approved and store-bought snackies to pick up during your next grocery run!

CrunchPak:
Also known as America???s #1 sliced apple, these pre-packaged apple slices are tasty, convenient and adored by many. CrunchPak makes a variety of snack options, but you can never really go wrong with sliced apples and caramel. Yum!

Buddy Fruits:
Fun and cute little pouches, filled with a healthy and delicious treat that is definitely kid-approved! Buddy Fruits only use real fruit juice with no added sugar, no preservatives, no fat, no GMOs, and no added water and is naturally dairy- and gluten-free! This flexible and tasty snack is perfect for a wide range of eaters.

Mott???s?? Healthy Harvest Granny Smith Applesauce:
Applesauce is a snack that can be appreciated by people of all ages! At only 50 calories per cup with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, Mott???s?? is in the lead for one of the best store-bought snacks! Try sprinkling a little bit of cinnamon on top of this tasty treat, and enjoy!

Quaker?? Popped Caramel Corn:
This store-bought snack by Quaker Oats is gluten-free, has 10 grams of whole grain (per 30 gram serving), and is only 110 calories! This sweet treat is a must-have, so try ???em out!

Stretch Island Fruit Co:
These delicious fruit strips can satisfy any tiny palette for snack time. This company comes out with a huge variety of different flavors that all taste amazing. Each strip has a quarter serving of fruit at only 45 calories.

—————–
Looking for more healthy snack ideas for your kids? Checkout this article about healthy snack ideas for kids/a> that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: https://www.skinnymom.com/18-healthy-kid-approved-store-bought-snackies/

Toddlers Always Wanting to Help Around the House? Learn Ways They Can Help Out Here!

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Toddlers are curious creatures. They love to make our lives crazy and be incredibly loving and helpful. Sometimes it can be hard to come up with ideas on how best to have them help around the house. In order to help you out we found this article with 11 different chore ideas. We hope they help!

From the article:

It is sometimes easy to underestimate the abilities of our children, especially when they are toddlers. It is easy to just do everything for them. I get that. Letting them do stuff themselves is definitely the hard way but it is not the best way to raise responsible and independent people. Getting your toddler involved in chores can be an important step in developing responsible and independent behaviour. It???s also a good way to help your child build positive self-esteem knowing they have not only contributed to the family and household, but that you also trust them to do a good job. That???s why I???ve come with a few chores your toddler can do all by themselves.

Keep in mind that your toddler is not an adult. Do not expect perfection and remember to praise and encourage your child as they are working rather than waiting for them to finish.

Pick Up Toys
Your toddler is definitely capable of picking up their own toys each day. Because your toddler is the one making the mess, it???s important that they are also the ones to pick up those toys, making picking up toys a great chore to start your toddler with. This will help your toddler become more organized and you???ll love not stepping on Legos on your way to the bathroom.

Wash Produce
Sit your toddler at the sink and have them rinse off your produce as you prep your meals. This is a fun way to keep them occupied while you cook.

Wipe Door Handles
Your toddler is the perfect height for this fun chore! If this chore is on your toddler???s to-do list, then hand them a Clorox wipe and let them run around wiping all of the door knobs off. Not only will your child be responsible for a weekly chore, they???ll also be ridding your home of a lot of germs. It???s a win-win for any mom.

Make their Bed
Don???t forget to add your child???s bed to the chore list. This is a great daily chore that you can assign to your toddler. Simply have your toddler make their own bed before leaving the bedroom. To do this, your toddler will need to straighten the pillows and pull the blanket up over the pillows. Not only is this a good chore to teach your child responsibility, it???s also a great habit to learn.

Wash Dirty Dishes
Your toddler will love this job between the bubbles and the water. Get them to wash up and dry any non-breakable dishes such as plastic cups, spoons, pots etc..

—————–
Looking for a better way to store your kid’s toys? Checkout this article about toy storage that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.frugalmomeh.com/2015/04/5-chores-toddlers-can-do.html

Looking for Information on How to Maintain Your Home This Fall? Find Out Here!

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Maintaining your home is important all year long. Knowing what to do when though is hard. That’s why we’re here to help! We found this article on what to do this fall. We hope it helps extend the life of your home!

———————
If you need Lafayette vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
———————

From the article:

As the leaves change and the days get shorter, take the time this autumn to prepare for the oncoming cold weather. Ready the furnace for the months of work it will have ahead, and clean out the fireplace. Test them both to ensure they???ll be working when you need the heat. Don???t wait until it???s snowing to clear out your gutters. With upkeep in the fall, you???ll have peace of mind in the winter and more time to hibernate.

Outside The House
The Gutters
It???s best to inspect and clean the gutters a few times during the fall, especially if there are many leafy trees around your house. If gutters remain clogged, water will spill over them and onto the ground next to the foundation, which may cause damage to the foundation. Gutters and downspouts should be kept clean and should direct water away from the foundation, as well as from walkways and driveways, so that they do not become slippery or icy.

Yard Maintenance
The orange, yellow, and brown colors of the autumn leaves don???t look as nice on the ground as they do on the trees. Rake the leaves into piles and scoop them into yard waste bags. Most areas have ordinances about burning leaves, so check with your local area government first. When sweeping the leaves off your patio, don???t forget to clean, pack up, and store any patio furniture for the winter. Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the section of pipe just inside the house.

In The Garage
It is recommended that you empty out unused fuel from any gas-powered equipment stored in the garage, such as a lawnmower, because sediment can build up and clog the fuel lines. Store gasoline in tanks out of children???s reach and have it ready for use in your snowblower or emergency generator, if need be.

————
Forgot to maintain your home this summer? Then checkout this article about summer home maintenance that could be of interest to you.
————

Read the entire article here: http://learningcenter.statefarm.com/residence/maintenance/fall-maintenance-tips-for-your-home/

Looking to Have a Family Night at Home? Try One of These 40 Ideas!

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having time together is so important. Knowing what to do though to involve everyone in this digital age can be a big challenge though. In order to help you out we found this article with 40 different family activities. We hope it helps you plan many fun nights with your family!

From the article:

Game night: This is a fun one! seriously??? we hope to even bust out the old candy land when our kids are older. just for goofiness of it!

Cooking night: cooking with kids can be as easy or complicated as you want. pizza, grilled cheese, MACARONI and cheese, salads.. these are all great kid friendly meals that everyone can help with. As they get older, more complicated meals would be fun, and they will also be gaining some kitchen knowledge!

Minute to win it game night: This is something that my youth group goes nuts over! you can find so many ideas of games on pinterest, or even just make up your own relays.

Inside camping: You can make a tent, or put one of your own up. and enjoy a camping night, in the warmth of your family room! Have a camp food meal, tell spooky stories, etc.. My kids love this!!

Baking cookies: are you a family who realizes 2 days before christmas that you forgot to bake the cookies? Well, if you have one or two family baking nights, then you could freeze some cookies and never have that problem again! genius!

Time capsule: wouldn???t it be neat to start this family night in tradition by creating a time CAPSULE, hide it in the ATTIC.. and in 5 years or so, open it up! I???m sure you???ll get some laughs and ???momma sighs??? with this one. SENTIMENTAL goes a long way!

Sundae party: set up a buffet of different toppings and ice cream flavors! If everyone has a small dish, then they can create all sorts of different combinations. This is a great option to do combined with another event, like movie night or game night!

Karaoke night: ???Let it go!??? anyone? I???m sure we can all think of some family friendly songs to sing karaoke with??? Disney songs are rockin??? for this! And the best part is, even if you don???t have a karaoke machine, you can just look up the songs on YouTube, and it will play the music instrumentals And show the lyrics! What a fun night!

—————–
Looking for family fun ideas around the campfire? Checkout this article about family campfire fun that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.creativelyhomespun.com/2015/10/29/40-at-home-family-nights/

Ever Considered Doing a Home Inventory? Find Out How Here!

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Doing a home inventory is something that everyone should do. Why not do it when you’re already dealing with all of your stuff anyways, like when you’re moving? Checkout this article on how and why you should take a home inventory. We hope it helps you see everything you have!

—————
If you need Denham Springs vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
—————

From the article:

While you pack for that move, even if it???s just across town, take a home inventory of your possessions. We know what you???re thinking: Why make the moving process any more complicated? But a little more work now will save you time and effort should you ever have to file a home insurance claim.

Why do the inventory now? Because most people evaluate their possessions when they move ??? in hopes of pruning the amount of stuff that goes into the boxes. That makes it a great time to do inventory.

What is a home inventory?
A home inventory lists your home???s contents, descriptions of the items, dates of purchase, their cost at time of purchase, make, model and estimated current value. It serves as a guide to understanding and protecting what you own. An inventory works with your home insurance coverage to protect your possessions, whether they???re stored in or out of your home.

If you don???t already have a home inventory, you???re in the minority of American homeowners. According to a 2012 poll by the Insurance Information Institute, 61 percent of U.S. homeowners have a home inventory.

—————–
Looking for more information on doing a home inventory? Then checkout this article about doing a home inventory that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.zillow.com/blog/how-to-create-home-inventory-154987/

Curious What the Difference Between Market Price and Market Value in Real Estate? Learn Here!

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Selling a home is a big challenge. Knowing how to price a home is a big challenge but there’s more to it then that. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between market price and market value is then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found this article just for you. We hope it helps!

————
If you need Baton Rouge dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
————

From the article:

In real estate, many agents suggest that it all comes down to price. Is it true that a property sells just because of price? What about the value component?

Well, we all can agree that there needs to be an exchange of goods in order for a sale to occur. However, the buyer and seller might not rate value equally. When I market a client???s property, I determine a market price without viewing the property and the probability of that property being sold in 30, 60 or 90 days based on comparables and market data. Then I determine a market value once viewing and assessing all the benefits, the condition of the property and external market data.

Let???s examine the differences between market price and market value and how they can influence each other.

Market Price
Market price is what a willing, ready and bank-qualified buyer will pay for a property and what the seller will accept for it. The transaction that takes place determines the market price, which will then influence the market value of future sales. Price is determined by local supply and demand, the property???s condition and what other similar properties have sold for without adding in the value component.

Market Value
Market value is an opinion of what a property would sell for in a competitive market based on the features and benefits of that property (the value), the overall real estate market, supply and demand, and what other similar properties have sold for in the same condition.

The major difference between market value and market price is that the market value, in the eyes of the seller, might be much more than what a buyer will pay for the property or it???s true market price. Value can create demand, which can influence price. But, without the demand function, value alone cannot influence price. As supply increases and demand decreases, price goes down, and value is not influential. As supply decreases and demand increases, the price will rise, and value will influence price. Market value and market price can be equal in a balanced market.

However, buyers and sellers can view value differently. A seller might feel that their in-ground pool is a benefit, but the buyer could see it as a negative and place less value on the property. Or the seller could feel the new roof they put on the house has great value; however, the buyer places no value on this because they expect the property to have a roof in good condition. Or a builder might feel he has superior quality and demand a higher price, but the buyer places less value on quality and more value on the lot, neighborhood and floor plan of the property.

Value is not always about bricks and mortar. Some buyers might pay more for a property based on personal value-added items. For example, Buyer A, who does not drive, values a property higher than Buyer B because the property is next to a bus line. Or the property could be close to a school or close to a doctor???s office for someone who has children or a medical condition.

The question is, ???How much is that worth to a buyer???? as there is always a limit to what a buyer will pay and what the property will be appraised for by a bank. Value is truly in the eye of the beholder. Some buyers might see value in the property but might not pay more if there is no demand. In most cases market price will trump market value in a buyer???s market.

————–
Thinking of buying a home without a realtor? Then checkout this article about buying without a realtor that could be of interest to you.
————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.inman.com/2015/03/26/the-difference-between-market-price-and-market-value-in-real-estate/?utm_source=feedburner

Have a Problem Figuring Out a Good Layout for Your Living Room? Get Help Here!

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Living rooms come in all shapes and sizes. Furniture comes in all shapes and sizes. Knowing how best to layout furniture to fit your space can be challenging. We found this article with different layout ideas. We hope it helps!

———————
If you need Apartment complex dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
———————

From the article:

The hangout zone of your home can be hard to arrange. So Real Simple asked two designers to sketch out solutions for three of the trickiest scenarios. Pull up a chair and take some notes.

Problem: If Your Living Room is Super Long and Narrow
Divvy up the space to get the most out of the oddly shaped square footage. Opt for either two defined spots or a more fluid layout. Take a look at some ideas below.

Solution #1: Rectangle + Circle
Section off the room with dual, seating-heavy groupings???a linear one and a piecier one. Filling out the space actually makes a room feel less confined, says McGee.

Start With a Pair of Sofas: Set up the main seating area with two same-size couches and a coffee table in between. ???Some people like a sectional to squeeze in more seating,??? says McGee. ???But in a tight room like this, it makes traffic flow tricky. A pair of sofas opens up the space better.???

Create a Circle Seating: Turn the second half of the room into a loungey area with four accent chairs surrounding a cocktail table about 18 inches high. ???It gives you an intimate spot for conversations or playing cards or board games, and it balances the other side???s chunkier setup,??? says McGee.

Add a Flowing, Organic Element: Ground the accent chairs and cocktail table with a cowhide rug. ???The curvy shape helps a narrow room feel less boxy,??? she says.

Solution #2: All-Inclusive
Break up the rectangle into areas that function well on their own or in tandem: a big, communal spot and a smaller, cozy, nook, says Lewis.

Choose Double-Duty Pieces: Cap the main seating area with a bench that can be reached from either side. ???The bench adds extra seating, and because it???s low, the division it creates is very subtle,??? says Lewis. ???You???re utilizing the narrow space better if you keep an open flow in the room.???

Decorate on an Angle: Outfit the smaller spot with an ottoman and two plush armchairs tilted to face the center of the room. ???That way, you can use that nook on its own, or if you have guests over, it morphs with the larger grouping into one big seating area,??? says Lewis.

Keep the Nook???s Floor Bare: ???I love all kinds of rugs in all kinds of spaces. But in a narrow room, an area without one can open the space and help it feel airier,??? says Lewis. ???In this scenario, it???s often better to go with one attention-grabbing rug for the main area.???

—————–
Looking for ways to keep your living room organized? Checkout this article about organized living room that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/living-room-layout-tips

Curious How Others Update Their Kitchen and How Much They Spend? Find Out Here!

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

It’s only curious to know how other people do things before making a decision yourself. Especially if you can avoid huge financial disasters by learning from others. In order to help you out we found this article with information from other people who have updated their kitchen along with how much they spent. We hope it helps you update your kitchen more efficiently!

———————
If you need Lafayette homeowners associations dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
———————

From the article:

Here???s what our research team found out about how much people are spending on kitchen renovations ??? and on what

The kitchen is the most popular room of the home to renovate, according to Houzz research, and those who choose to remodel the heart of their home have some definite preferences. After all, the No. 1 reason they choose to renovate this area is no longer being able to stand the old kitchen ??? can anyone out there relate?

The 2017 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, from a research team led by Nino Sitchinava, Houzz???s principal economist, reveals that homeowners updating their kitchens prioritize changing out countertops, backsplashes and sinks. A majority of kitchen renovators are also choosing a more open feel for this room.

The study surveyed more than 2,700 Houzz users in the U.S. who own homes and are in the midst of a kitchen renovation, have recently completed one or are planning one in the next three months. Read on to learn what people are doing with these important rooms.

How much does it cost? The most common budget ??? as well as actual spend ??? on a kitchen renovation remains $25,001 to $50,000, according to the survey. Only 9 percent of kitchen renovators spend more than $100,000; just 4 percent spend less than $5,000. We hope the numbers help give your own project some dollars-and-cents context.

If I see that backsplash one more time ??? The top motivator for renovating a kitchen continues to be that owners can no longer stand the old kitchen. An increasingly popular reason is finally having the financial means, the triggering factor for 40 percent of renovators, compared with 37 percent the year before.

—————–
Looking for more decorating ideas? Checkout this article about decorating ideas that could be of interest to you.
—————–

Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/78923380/list/how-people-upgrade-their-kitchens-and-how-much-they-spend