Looking to Travel This Year? Checkout These Destinations!

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Traveling can be so much fun. Knowing where to go though can be hard. We found this article from the New York Times that has 52 places to visit this year. We hope it helps you plan your next vacation!

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From the article:

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
A world-class World Cup getaway.
The street parties, samba sessions and festive chaos surrounding the World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil this summer are bound to be exhausting for everyone. When the action???s over, escape to Fernando de Noronha, a 21-island archipelago about 330 miles off the coast of one of the host cities, Recife. Here you???ll find 250-foot-high black cliffs muscling against peach-sand beaches, Portuguese hilltop forts and blue coves where humpbacks and spinner dolphins linger. Only one of the islands, Noronha, is inhabited, and the entire chain is protected as a park with just 246 visitors allowed per day. Regulations have kept Noronha relaxed, with only small hotels and roads rough enough to make dune buggies the rental cars of choice. Hike along cliffs to gorgeous beaches like Sancho, dive with sea turtles or climb Morro do Pico, a 1,059-foot-high volcanic pinnacle.

Nashville, Tenn.
Leather jackets and skinny jeans join cowboy boots.
Country music lovers have long made the pilgrimage to Nashville, but now the city has fast gained cachet among rock fans and foodies. The city???s vibrant scene is home to the Black Keys, Kings of Leon, Jeff the Brotherhood and Diarrhea Planet, who all play in town occasionally. And a youthquake is transforming scruffy neighborhoods like 12South and East Nashville into hipster hubs. New hangouts include Pinewood Social, a bar, restaurant, bowling alley and karaoke joint, and the 404, a restaurant and boutique hotel in a former auto garage. Add to that a thriving culinary scene, exemplified by the Music City Eats Festival, back for a second year in September. And Nashville???s old standbys ??? like the honky-tonk Tootsie???s Orchid Lounge and the venerable Ryman ??? are as fun as ever.

Belize
More flights and lodges in Central America???s eco-frontier.
Twenty years ago, when Francis Ford Coppola opened Blancaneaux Lodge in western Belize, relatively few travelers had ventured into this small Central American country. Slowly they arrived, many of them curious to witness the scenery that had captivated the film director, which he described in an email as ???completely remote, with a beautiful pristine river you could drink the water out of and the most star-studded night sky I had ever seen.??? Since then, upscale rustic hotels have cropped up all over Belize ??? there???s the one-year-old El Secreto in Ambergris Caye, for example, and Belcampo, an eco-lodge and sustainable farm in the south that???s about to unveil a sophisticated redesign ??? adding to the lure of rain forests, Mayan ruins and coral reefs. It helps that Belize is easier to reach: Delta recently announced nonstop flights from Los Angeles to Belize City, and regional carriers like Tropic Air have expanded their routes, connecting Belize to resorts like Canc??n and making remote towns like San Ignacio more accessible.

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For all the places click here: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html?src=mv&_r=0

Want to be the Best Parent That You Can Be? Checkout These Parenting Pitfalls to Avoid!

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Every parent wants to be the best that they can be. As parents we are always bombarded by “advice” that we may or may not ask for but other than trial and error learning from people who have gone through it before is the best advice we can get. We found this article that describes the top ten parenting pitfalls. We hope it helps you become the best parent that you can be!

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From the article:

Parenting is no walk in the park, especially on the days when your little angel, whether he’s 6 or 16, decides to act like a demon.

If it’s the temper tantrum in the toy store over the latest video game, or the daily fight over math homework, or the food fight in a restaurant on Friday night, parents have a choice: To react in a way that will only make matters worse when the bell rings for round two, or respond like the calm, cool, and collected parents we see on TV shows like Nanny 911 — after weeks of live-in, televised therapy.

Experts offer advice on the top 10 parenting pitfalls that will help you raise a well-behaved child — instead of a brat.

The Screaming in the Store
We’ve all seen it: The screaming child in the toy store. He wants the latest video game, and he’s not shutting up until he has it.

Brat-building response: “If you give in, you teach your child that when he acts like a brat he can get what he wants,” says Dan Kindlon, author of Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age. “You’re reinforcing his bratty behavior.”

Angel-building response: “There are two ways to approach it,” says Kindlon, who teaches child psychology at Harvard University.

First, plan ahead, and second, plan a response.

“Make a deal with them beforehand — you are going to buy them something and it’s only going to cost $5,” says Kindlon. “Or tell them, ‘I’m going shopping for your cousin and this is not for you.’ Give them structure beforehand so they’re not caught off guard. Then, if they still explode in the store, ignore them, say you are not going to listen anymore. Then you leave the store and take them with you.”

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Looking for age appropriate chore ideas for your kids? Checkout this article on age appropriate chore ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/top-10-parenting-pitfalls

Looking for Fun Family Game Night Ideas? Try These!

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Family game nights can be so fun if you’ve got the right game choices. If you’re family is tired of your current games why not learn a new one? We found this article with 15 different card and board game ideas sure to put a little twist into your normal game night. We hope it helps to create many family memories!

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From the article:

Restaurants are great places to gather with all your friends and family, but they can get really expensive rather quickly!
That???s why I love hosting a good old-fashioned game night. It???s so much fun to get together with family or friends and laugh the night away ??? without spending a dime. Sure there are board games that cost $30 or more, but you don???t have to buy a new game every time you have people over. There are plenty of ways to keep the cost of game night low while keeping the laughs abundant.

Here are 15 free or cheap ideas for your next game night.

Egyptian War
This is probably my all-time favorite card game, and I don???t think that I have ever won even once. It is similar to regular war in that the object of the game is to take possession of all the cards in the deck. This game could last 5 minutes or 5 hours depending on the course of the game and the aggressiveness of the players. Read the rules for the game, also known as Egyptian Ratscrew.

Spoons
This game is played by sitting in a circle with one less spoon in the middle than there are participants (kind of like musical chairs). Each player starts with 4 cards in their hands. The goal is to get 4 of the same rank. As a deck of cards is passed around the circle one card at a time, your goal is to find a desired card and then discreetly exchange it for one you want to discard from your hand. Once you get 4 cards of the same rank, discreetly get a spoon from the middle. When other players notice that a spoon is missing from the the middle, they all must attempt to grab a spoon as quickly as possible in order to not be the only one left without one.

Dominoes
Like a deck of cards, dominoes are versatile and can be played many ways. I enjoy Mexican Train and Chickenfoot. You can buy a set of dominoes for as little as $15.

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Looking for some cheap family fun this winter? Checkout this article on cheap family fun that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ideas click here: http://www.moneycrashers.com/family-game-night-ideas-board-games/

Looking to Prepare Your Child for Kindergarten? Checkout These Ways!

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

As a parent we want to do everything we can in order to help our children succeed. Making the transition into kindergarten might be one of the hardest things that a child does. Knowing ways to prepare them is very helpful and that’s why we wanted to share this article with you. We hope it will help you and your child better prepare for kindergarten.

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From the article:

Let???s face it: Kindergarten isn???t what it used to be. Right or wrong, it is the world we live in. The following list is intended to help prepare your child in a variety of developmental areas to make the transition into kindergarten as smooth as possible. Believe it or not, just 15-20 minutes of playing and learning with your child can make a world of difference!

Social/Emotional Development

Encourage your child to persist in tasks when encountering a problem by giving him tasks slightly above his current ability level. When your child cannot find a??solution on his own, encourage him to calmly ask for help.

Play board games to practice taking turns.

Set up several play dates with friends of various ages

Physical Development (Gross & Fine Motor)

Give your child plenty of opportunities for outdoor play: running, jumping, and climbing.

Play catch on a regular basis.

Practice skipping.

Stack blocks together

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Looking for chore ideas for your kids? Checkout this article on chore ideas for kids that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ways click here: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2012/06/33-ways-to-prepare-your-child-for-kindergarten/

Do Your Kids Have a Hard Time With Patience? Learn How to Teach it to Them Here!

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

In a society that is filled with “I want it and I want it now” it can be difficult to teach the practice of patience. It’s hard for adults sometimes so it’s no wonder that it’s difficult for kids to master. If you’re kids have a hard time with patience then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve found an article about teaching kids patience that we hope will help your child learn this virtue that seems to be fading.

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From the article:

Little ones are impatient by nature. They have short attention spans. This is natural. One way to teach patience to kids is by distracting them for short periods of time, if they are demanding attention. Be sure to come back when you say you will. Your return to attending to them will reinforce the patient behavior.

When my daughter was young she was impatient at bedtime and wanted me to sit with her. Because of my own responsibilities I could not do this. To help increase her ability to be patient, I would come back to check on her every 10 minutes or so until she fell asleep. Often she would be asleep on the first check in.

Stories can help little ones be patient. You can use their dolls or stuffed animals, or toy soldiers to make up storylines about patience. This type of teaching by example can be very effective.

Some parents use the television to keep a child quiet. This may be effective to get the child to leave you alone, but does not instill the true quality of patience. This virtue comes from inside out and not from outside in.

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Looking to teach your kids fire safety? Then checkout this article about teaching kids fire safety that could be of interest to you.
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Click here to read all the tips: http://www.education.com/reference/article/teaching-kids-patience/

Looking for Ways to Make Your Child Better Problem Solvers? Try These Ideas!

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Problem solving is something that everyone has to do everyday of their lives. Some people love it, some people hate, some people are really good at it, and some people are terrible at it. How do you help your kids become good problem solvers though? We found this article that will help answer that question for you and help you help your child. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Children are natural problem solvers, and early childhood settings – where children interact with one another and participate in decision making – offer countless opportunities for children to grow in their problem-solving abilities. These important experiences help children learn to value different kinds of thinking, think logically and creatively, and take an active role in their world.

YOUR ROLE
You help foster problem solving not so much by providing special materials or specific activities but by having a responsive, accepting attitude. Here are other key ways to facilitate children’s growth:

Provide plenty of time every day for children to choose activities based on their interests and developmental levels. Free-play situations create endless opportunities for children to identify and solve problems.

Follow children’s leads. By observing children’s interactions and dilemmas, you can support their problem-solving efforts and help them accomplish their goals.

Reinforce children’s solutions. Let children know that their ideas and efforts are valued.

Extend creative thinking and problem solving. Ask open-ended questions about activities to help children see the problem they are trying to solve in new and different ways.

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Looking for chore ideas for your kids? Checkout this article on chore ideas for kids that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/how-you-can-help-children-solve-problems

Looking for Interior Design and Remodeling Trends of 2014? Look No Further!

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

If you’re going to be remodeling or redesigning your home in the next you might be interested in learning what the trends are and then you can decide if you want to incorporate those elements in your design. We found this article with the top 10 interior design and remodeling trends of 2014. We hope it helps you designing your home with things that will help you live a better life today and improve resell value in the future!

From the article:

Kicking the Shower to the Curb:
Showers are becoming more popular than tubs. ???Homeowners are looking to embellish the ???shower experience??? rather than the tub experience,??? says Neil Kelly Design Consultant Kathleen Donohue. An increasingly popular feature is the curb-less shower.

From Modern to Modest:
The industrial modern d??cor of 2013 will morph into a more relaxed, more classic and modest look in 2014. While stone, metal, and wood will still be popular, expect a more relaxed feel and rounded designs with earth shades and raw metal finishes.

Multigenerational Living:
Neil Kelly Design Consultant Barbara Murphy is helping clients design bathrooms outfitted with multigenerational features that can accommodate aging parents or boomerang kids. Wall mounted sinks for wheelchairs, walk-in bathtubs, and motion sensing faucets can make the bath a better experience for everyone,??? she says.

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Want to fix things around your home but don’t have much money? Checkout this article on cheap home repairs that could be of interest to you.
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For all the ideas click here: http://www.neilkelly.com/about-us/news-and-reviews/press-releases/top-ten-home-remodeling-trends-2014/

Is Your Child’s Playroom a Disaster? Checkout These Organization Ideas!

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Jeremy Leake

Playrooms are very hard to keep clean. Kids have a lot of fun in there but they are filled with so much stuff that it can be hard to make it not look like a war zone. We found this article with 41 different organization ideas specifically for playrooms. We hope you’ll find some that will help keep your playroom clean and tidy!

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From the article:

Save space by placing puzzles in zippered pouches

You can get rid of those bulky boxes. Just remember to cut off the image from the front of the box and tape it to the front of each pouch.

This wooden zoo pen is an adorable idea for storing stuffed animals.

A wall-mounted desk is easy to put away

Slanted shoe racks are great for displaying collections

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Want to raise and optimistic child? Then checkout this article about raising an optimistic child that could be of interest to you.
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Checkout all of the ideas here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/clever-organizational-ideas-for-your-childs-playroom

Looking to Increase the Brain Power of Your Child? Feed Them These Foods!

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Every parent wants their child to succeed in everything they do. Having more brain power certainly wouldn’t hurt. We found this article from WebMD with 10 different foods that will help your child’s brain. We hope it helps to increase your child’s brain function!

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From the article:

As fast as children whiz from classroom to activity to home and back again, their brains are just as actively and dramatically growing and changing.

“These years are critical for brain development, and what they eat affects focus and cognitive skills,” psychiatrist Drew Ramsey, MD, coauthor of The Happiness Diet, says.

Food is one of many factors that affect a child’s brain development.

The following 10 foods can help kids stay sharp all day long, and affect brain development well into the future.

Eggs
Eating a high-nutrient protein like eggs (which have nutrients including choline, omega-3s, zinc, and lutein) will help kids concentrate, Beth Saltz, RD, says.

How to Serve It: Fold scrambled eggs into a whole-grain tortilla for a filling breakfast or late-afternoon snack. “The protein-carb combo tides kids over until the next meal with no sugar-induced energy crash,” Saltz says.

Nuts and Seeds
Packed with protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins and minerals, nuts and seeds may boost mood and keep your nervous system happy.

How to Serve It: Spread sunflower seed butter — rich in folate, vitamin E, and selenium — on a whole-grain cracker or bread. Or make pesto: Nuts combined with olive oil and dark leafy greens make a healthful sauce for whole-grain pasta.

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Looking for information on after school snacks? Checkout this article about after school snacks for busy homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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For all the food options click here: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/brain-foods-kids

Looking for a New Clothes Dryer? Checkout These Reviews First!

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Buying a new clothes dryer is an important decision. No one wants to waste money or have buyer’s regret. In order to avoid both of those scenarios it’s important to make an informed decision. We found this article in Good Housekeeping with product reviews. We hope that it will help you make an informed decision on the best dryer for you and your family!

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From the article:

They do more than just dry clothes ??? some models can kill germs on often-unwashable items like stuffed animals, and can pinch-hit for an iron to de-wrinkle a crumpled outfit; even entry-level ones sense moisture to tumble items just until dry, saving energy. Here are our top picks. Make your entire laundry day better: Don’t miss our reviews of top washers.

Samsung DV520AEP/XAA

The Samsung DV520AEP/XAA ($1,500) excelled in steam de-wrinkling, smoothing a rumpled acrylic-blend sweater, a washable silk blouse, and cotton khaki pants. It dried our standard loads well, and is very user-friendly ??? the folding lint filter traps and empties neatly.

LG DLEX5101V

For a top-loader mate that has steam, consider the LG DLEX5101V ($1,159). It smoothed wrinkles well, and has a cycle that sanitizes unwashables. The GE Profile PTDS650EM0WT (not shown; $749) offers steam for less, and de-creased our cotton dress shirt best. It doesn’t have a control lock.

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Looking for more information on dryers? Checkout this article about clothes dryers for busy homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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For all the reviews click here: http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/appliances/dryer-reviews/clothes-dryer-reviews#slide-1