Tag Archives: family

Sep16

5 Top Learning Apps For Kindergarten & Pre-School

Posted on by
Standard
5 Top Learning Apps For Kindergarten & Pre-School

As a parent, you’ll want to help your kids with their education as much as you can. When you’re teaching them at home, it can be hard to know which resources are the best. There are many educational apps which can be used as learning aids at home. To get you started with a few of the best, try these five:

1. Teach Your Monster To Read

This fun-filled app is the perfect tool to teach your kids to read. It’s both simple to use and engaging. Teach Your Monster To Read was created based on the early phonics curriculum, so you can be sure that they are learning everything they need. It’s an award-winning game which takes your children on an exciting journey (with plenty of monster friends)! Kids get to match letters and sounds, blend, segment, master tricky words, and work towards making full sentences. The app is the perfect after school activity for a little extra learning!

2. Moose Math:

With the Moose Math app, your kids can learn all about geometry, sorting, subtraction, addition, and counting to 100. The activities make sure that learning about math is super fun! Your kids get to run their own juice shop, search the lost and found box, and meet plenty of cute and kooky characters. Your kids will just love the ‘pet bingo’ game and ‘paint pet’. Here they’ll learn plenty of skills, including:

  • Using algebraic thinking to solve word puzzles
  • Practice their pattern recognition skills
  • Recognize and identify shapes
  • Compare different lengths

3. Busy Shapes & Colors:

With the Busy Shapes & Colors app, learning colors and shapes has never been more fun. Here you’ll find plenty of cute penguin characters to entertain your children through the process! It’s a simple app to help little ones improve their fine motor skills. Each level brings a new challenge so your kids will never get bored! Further features of the app include four different play modes; the choice of fifteen languages; color and shape ‘makers’; multi-touch play and more!

4. Hungry Caterpillar Pre-School:

Based on the famous book by Eric Carle, this app is the perfect tool for preschoolers. The activities guide kids through math concepts, language, and literature too. Here your kids will learn about phonics and build their confidence over time. There are science topics, puzzles and reasoning, and plenty of fun songs!

5. ABCmouse:

ABCmouse is a fantastic learning program which covers music, art, reading and more. The app was designed for 2-8-year-olds, and is based on the pre-school and school curriculum. With so many fun activities your kids will have tons of options! Using the app, you’ll boost your child’s development across all their subjects, giving them a great head start.

All of these apps follow a pre-school and kindergarten curriculum. Choosing the right kindergarten is an important part of your child’s learning journey. If you’re looking for a top-quality kindergarten, be sure to check out jennys kindergarten and early learning. Ready, get set, and learn!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep11

Early Christmas Shopping

Posted on by
Standard
Early Christmas Shopping

Hello!! I know a ton of you are reading this title with a slight eye roll because Christmas is far away but yes… I did start shopping already. I promise it’s for good reason too because I have a ton of people to shop for. Not only do I have all of my family but I also have Johnny, his parents, my clients, and a new niece and nephew to share in the holiday spirit with.

I decided that I would like to knock out at least a couple of people on my list per month so that I am not stuck with a giant bill come December. I also feel a huge sense of relief when I am that much closer to purchasing all of the gifts I plan to put under the tree.

This past month, I decided to spoil my little niece rotten and I am so stoked about one of the items I ordered. Those with small children to shop for might be interested in this ultra fun and creative gift too:

Several months ago, I saw this inflatable, washable easel for finger painting advertised on Facebook and I thought it was such a fabulous idea. I could picture my sister and brother in law setting it up for my niece in their backyard on a nice summer day and having a ball with it. My niece will be older than two by the time it gets warm enough to use it and I can’t wait to see the masterpieces that she comes up with.

I figured that my niece is pretty well stocked for activities that she can use now – you should see her playroom! So, I wanted to purchase gifts that would be fun for her to use as she gets older. Her inflatable easel is what I am particularly excited for but I know Johnny is most looking forward to the tiny guitar he plans on getting her. It’s never too early to start lessons with her uncle! ❤

When do you normally start holiday shopping? Do you have a lot of people to shop for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep4

Tattoo You: Family Portraits Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Tattoo You: Family Portraits Edition

Hello!! This past month, I treated myself to a tap out tattoo session AKA nine hours straight of getting work done. I prefer this method, as I can get a lot done at one time and my tattoo artist, Emily, completed nine tattoos and some touch ups during our time together. I love everything I got but I am particularly enamored with these family portraits I got on the side of my lower leg. Check it out:

tattootat1tat3tat2tat4

A lot of my tattoos are from comic books that I love but I also find inspiration when I’m scrolling through social media and see something cool. At some point, someone on my Facebook timeline posted the example picture that my tattoos are based on and I fell in love. I decided that I would like to do something similar with my own family and my tattoo artist made the perfect depictions with just lines and patterns.

My tattoos are in the following order:

  • Grandma, Grandpa (Dad’s side)
  • Grandma, Grandpa (Mom’s side)
  • Mom, Dad

Emily told me that the hardest part of sketching out these tattoos was making each silhouette look like the person despite not having a face. I say that she knocked it out of the park and I can see the likeness of all of my loved ones perfectly. In my parent’s house, all three of these pictures have been on the shelves in the living room for as long as I can remember and they have always been some of my favorites. I am proud to have something so beautiful to commemorate each family member and I have not been able to stop looking at my legs since I got the tattoos!! (PS: If you are considering getting tattooed, here is some useful information on: Which places hurt the most when getting tattooed).

Do you have any tattoos? Which one is your favorite? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep2

Feeling Presidential

Posted on by
Standard
Feeling Presidential

Hi everyone!! For those of you who don’t know, my “big girl job” is as an Independent Provider for people with special needs. Most of my clients are not too interested in politics and that is totally fine. However, one of my clients decided he wants to become president this past week. With nothing to do cause COVID, we turned our time together into running his campaign and nurturing his dreams.

My client and I made posters, campaign speeches, and discussed all of his platforms and strategies. It proved to be educational for both of us because he learned more about what it takes to become president and I got to learn about all of the things that are really important to him. It was also just plain fun and something different.

If you work in the field like me or if you have children, this could be a great idea to get them Feeling Presidential too. Spend some time talking about what it means to be president and how your future candidate would go about their victory. Then, you can craft to your heart’s content and even work on some grammar as you write your speeches.

The crafting and talking about future goals is inspiring and it could open up a whole new world that your child or client might not know existed before. So put your president pants on and get to work!

How do you create fun and unique activities for your children? What would your platform be if you were president? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: Press & Journal

Sep1

Staying In Your Own Home As You Age

Posted on by
Standard
Staying In Your Own Home As You Age

If you’re planning to stay in place and remain at home as you age, then the key is to plan ahead. Many things change as we get older and new challenges that we need to overcome start to present themselves. Here are some things that you may want to consider if you want to age in your own home rather than entering a care facility:

Make your wishes known:

If you have decided that you want to age in place, then the first thing that you should do is to make your wishes known to your friends and family. By letting those close to you know your intentions, they can start to think of ways in which they can best support you. If you fail to let your relatives know your wishes, then you risk them fighting you when it comes down to making the decision.

Start looking at the support you have available:

It is never too early to start familiarizing yourself with the home health care services and aged support available to you in your area. How about getting started by checking out www.careforfamily.com.au/ ? You can get virtually any kind of help you need at home, though you should be aware that most of these come at a cost. If you know the cost of aging in-state early, then you can begin saving for these expenses to help you afford them. Don’t forget to research the benefit schemes that may also be available to you and to look into other funding sources such as equity release.

Identify areas in which you may need help:

If you already have an existing medical condition, then plan ahead to try and identify areas that could potentially prevent you from aging at home. Are you worried about your mobility? Do you struggle to keep up with the housework? Do you forget things? By identifying these potential issues early, you can put safeguarding measures in place that will allow you to stay safe in your own home.

Start socializing with other local seniors:

One of the biggest issues with choosing to age at home is the isolation that it can cause. People who choose to move into a care facility often have access to group activities, other residents, and the company of staff, but if you choose to age at home, then these may not be available to you. To prevent loneliness and boredom, try to get involved with social clubs and to make friends in your local area that are around the same age as you.

Boost your security:

Last but not least, although no one wants to think about people preying on the elderly, you need to ensure that your home security is robust enough to keep you safe. You may want to consider installing CCTV, a monitored alarm, or additional outside lighting to deter intruders and to notify the authorities if someone tries to break into your property.

Most people would like to stay in their own homes for as long as possible while they age but are let down by a lack of funding and pre-planning. By thinking ahead and budgeting for the cost, you can ensure that your wishes become a reality!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Sep1

Sweet Surprises: Sister Edition

Posted on by
Standard
Sweet Surprises: Sister Edition

Hello all and welcome to the first post of September 2020 here on lifewithlilred! Today, we are going to discuss a sweet surprise from my big sister, Kristen. My sis is my ultimate BFF and I am proud to be the permanent fourth wheel to her, her boyfriend, and daughter. If I could I would be with them all of the time!

This past week, Kristen told me she had a gift waiting for me at my mom and dad’s and I could hardly wait to get over there for work to see what it was. I had no idea what it could have been and no hints were given to me so I went into the surprise blind… And discovered the following:

6E623D73-B1DA-4CCE-BDBA-F78910A35A9660D007A5-0390-42B5-815A-74B65B29EB9F

As a “just because” prezzie, Kristen surprised me with this super cool skull and butterfly art by Marmont Hill that she found at TJMaxx. Kristen told me she thought it looked “very me” when she saw it and couldn’t pass it up… She was right! It is very me and if I weren’t almost out of blank space on my body I’d get it tattooed, lol.

Unfortunately, I see Kristen and her family nowhere near as much as I would like and we both want to make an effort to change that. However, we text each other pretty much every day. I am so excited to hang my new art up in my apartment and I am going to get the warm fuzzies every time I see it.

After returning home with my treasured new decor, I was in such a giving spirit that I decided to start my Christmas shopping way early. I have a ton of people to shop for, sue me for it! I just had to spoil my sister’s daughter rotten this year and I can’t wait to do the same for Kristen and her partner. Both are such hard working, loving, dedicated parents and friends and if anyone deserves gifts galore, it is most definitely them. ❤

How do you surprise your loved ones? When do you like to start your holiday shopping? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug28

Preparations To Make Moving Day A Breeze

Posted on by
Standard
Preparations To Make Moving Day A Breeze

Moving day should be an exciting one where you step right into your next adventure. However, there’s a lot to remember and the idea of moving can be pretty overwhelming. To help you, the ideas below should make the day a breeze. Take a look and see what you can do to make this a much easier task:

Don’t Panic About Doing The Hard Stuff Yourself – Hire Somebody:

Stop panicking about doing the hard stuff yourself. You shouldn’t have to do it alone. Contacting a service like Burnett’s Moving Services will take a literal weight off of your shoulders and give you the help you need. You may also want to ask family members and friends for help. Moving, of course, is an expensive adventure and one of the best ways to save money is to move all the light stuff on your own. Then, you can leave the heavy lifting for furniture to the professionals from a mover interstate company like Austate.

Donate Items That You No Longer Use Or Want:

Don’t take absolutely everything with you on moving day. There are likely some items that you can donate as you no longer use them. If you haven’t used something for six months or more, chances are, you won’t use them again.

Organize Your Boxes:

Remember, don’t make one box too heavy or an innocent helper or removal expert could end up dropping all of your things when the bottom opens up. Make sure your boxes are a fair weight and that you have organized them well. For instance, you should label each box, not just with the room but what’s inside of it. This will help you if you need to grab something quickly.

Create A To-do List In Advance:

Your moving preparations should start months, or at least weeks ahead to ensure that you don’t forget anything. Make to-do lists so that you can stay on top of everything. You’ll need to make sure you do the following things:

  • Inform your utility suppliers of your move.
  • Redirect mail to your new address.
  • Inform neighbors that you’re moving.
  • Look for a new school if you have kids.
  • Prepare your pets for the move.
  • Use up all of the food in the house.
  • Hire the necessary services and ensure they are available on the day.

Try Not To Have Kids and Pets There On Moving Day:

Kids and pets can slow you down on moving day, especially if they are feeling stressed about the whole thing. See if you can find a sitter if you’re not moving too far away and let the adults handle the rest.

Get Smart As You Pack:

You can get smart as you pack, for example, wrapping up your dishes and other breakable items with clothing, socks, towels, and t-shirts to cushion any impact. You can also leave your drawers intact and simply wrap them up with plastic to keep the contents safe. Try filling up things like hampers, laundry baskets, and storage bins with clothes and other items to double their use up. If the packing process is what you dread the most, fear not! A majority of moving companies offer packing services as well. Simply enter a search for “Bayville movers” (or your local area) to find a well reviewed company to take this task off of your hands. Moving can be very stressful and extra help with packing will be a huge relief.

Pack An Emergency Box For Each Family Member:

Pack an emergency box for each member of the family, including things like a drink, snack, charger, book, toy, and anything else they may need when they are making their way to or have arrived at the new place. You’ll minimize tantrums and keep everybody happy!

Good luck on your move!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug23

Improving Your Home The Right Way

Posted on by
Standard
Improving Your Home The Right Way

Building is one of the most commonly sought-after trades, and builders can specialize in several types of residential projects. From conversions to minor refurbishment works, some do it all, yet it is important to ensure that the builders you employ are adequately skilled and experienced.

Finding a reliable builder who is committed to delivering exceptional customer service is absolutely essential to running a successful project without any problems. From kitchens to bathrooms and garage conversions to loft conversions, there are certainly plenty of projects to keep builders busy throughout the year. Like the following:

People Prefer To Improve Their Current Home:

House price rises mean that people are now having to stay in the property where they currently live and to extend either into the garage or up into the loft area. This is often seen as a much cheaper way of adding extra space to the property than moving house. The kitchen and bathroom are also popular room refurbishments, particularly if you have bought a house which is in need of some maintenance. Perhaps you are a buy-to-let investor and need a trusted builder to carry out refurbishment work for you – you need a good quality builder who you can count on. All building work takes skill and many years to master properly through training and experience. You should always make sure that your builder has the right level of knowledge and expertise to carry out your projects.

Making improvements piece by piece is an amazing way to keeping your house looking fresh and updated. From adding a patio space to upgrading to Solicon® Conservatory Roofs, these renovations provide a boost in curb appeal and property value.

Finding Quality Builders:

Securing the services of quality builders can be difficult if you don’t take the necessary steps to find the most suitable one. Whatever work you need, from an extension through to a full renovation project, you must ensure that your property and the project will be in safe hands. Finding a good builder will also reassure you that they will be using the right quality materials for the work they are undertaking. Before you start searching for builders, friends and family are always a good port of call, to see if they can recommend any reputable builders they have used previously. If you can’t find suitable recommendations in person, simply enter a search for “construction company in Fort Worth, TX” (or your local area) to see what companies people in your community would recommend. It is so important to find someone trustworthy and highly skilled. You may need to bring some other professionals into the mix as well, such as a plumber, so follow the same careful process and ensure they are happy to work within your existing schedule.

If you are ever unsure of anything, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. If you’re considering a new roof and need a Conservatory Roof Conversions Company, Projects4Roofing is an excellent way to go!

Refurbishment Projects and Bathroom Fitters:

Plumbing is a job that should always be left to the pros and it will only benefit you to do your research beforehand. Ask for recommendations from friends and family and verify what they say through the company’s online reviews. Simply enter a search for “plumber Sydney” or your local area to reference check. Once you have found a plumber for all of your pipework, you need to fit your bathroom. Within any type of bathroom refurbishment, there is certainly a lot to think about and fitting fixtures is perhaps the last thing on your mind. However, choosing decent bathroom fitters is important as they will understand how each unit fits together and will ensure that your new bathroom is installed with few or no problems. They use their knowledge and expertise to professionally install new showers, toilet facilities, baths, and sinks as well as completing tiling and decorating work. It is always recommended that you use a qualified and experienced fitter.

Efficient Building:

Once you have chosen suitable builders like the team at Element Construction Group Ltd or a similar company in your local area, it pays to carry out several steps to ensure that both parties are safeguarded. It is always recommended that you draw up some form of a written contract so you understand what work will be carried out and the builder knows what is expected of them. A contract provided by builders should detail the work to be completed, when it will begin, how long it will last, how much it will cost, and when payment is required. During the build, make sure that all furniture and household items are tidied away and the builder has enough space to work.

Use the tips above and improve on your home in the best way possible!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Aug17

Fun Family Fiesta

Posted on by
Standard
Fun Family Fiesta

Hello! Sometimes my schedule can change at the drop of a hat. Clients might cancel and I am left with a huge chunk of free time. For example, a few Wednesdays ago I only had to work with my morning client and not my afternoon one so I decided to go to my mom and dad’s place afterwards. Johnny would be at work and then band practice and I didn’t particularly want to spend all evening playing Animal Crossing… Again!

After I was done at work, I headed to chez parents. During the drive over, I gave my sister a call and she happened to be free too, which meant her and her daughter could join all of us for some family fun and a Taco Bell dinner party, as per my request. We spent time outside in my dad’s gardens but, mostly, we all just hung around and enjoyed each other’s company.

It is always such a treat when several members of my family can get together at one time and I know everyone had just as great of a time as I did. Since COVID, I still see my friends through Skype and social distance hang outs but that doesn’t happen often. However, I see my family numerous times throughout the week and that definitely helps. Even the shortest visits lift my spirits and, afterwards, I never fail to have an extra pep in my step.

A family Taco Bell night seems like such a simple pleasure but I am still looking back at it fondly a few weeks later. It was just so fun and the impromptu Hump Day dinner party kept me in a happy place as I finished up my work week. While going out frequently is not an option for me with such high risk clients, I have learned how to still have a good time with nights in. And you know what? Those nights in are awesome!

If these crazy times have you in a slump, you might need some quality family time to get yourself back in gear. Schedule a take out dinner “party” of your own and enjoy!

What is your favorite restaurant? How often do you get take out? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug11

How To Protect Your Home From Storm Damage

Posted on by
Standard
How To Protect Your Home From Storm Damage

The impact of severe storms and natural disasters are hard to predict. If caught off guard and not prepared, you could end up dishing out several thousand dollars for repairs. Whether you just moved into an area that experiences frequent storms or you are looking to up your preparedness, these tips will help you better protect your home:

Get Home Insurance Or Update Your Policy:

Having home insurance is crucial to protecting your home. It ensures that if something awful happens, you may not have to pay for the expense solely out of your pocket. When shopping for home insurance or updating your policy, make sure the policy covers the basics of what you need. If your home is surrounded by trees, it would be a good idea to make sure that your policy covers for that type of damage. Keep in mind it is up to you to find that out before a big storm comes. Read through your policy. Even though it may cover some storm-related damages, it may not cover all. For instance, damage from flooding, hurricanes, and earthquakes requires a special policy. It is always a good idea to shop around until you find the best plan for your home. To get started, simply enter a search for “home insurance jacksonville fl” (or your local area) to get the coverage that your family needs.

Seal Your Doors And Windows:

This is imperative to protecting your home. You do not want to be caught in a storm and your windows are not sealed or boarded up. Make sure that you seal your windows tightly without any breaks. The littlest break can cause a myriad of problems. If you are facing a tornado or hurricane the strong winds can get in, allowing for those storms to travel through while taking your home with it.

Maintenance To The Stormwater Drain: 

If your property has a stormwater drain, it is imperative that you have it serviced routinely by a Stormwater Waste Removal company. Neglecting to do so can cause flooding as well as environmental damage and this can be further exasperated by a heavy storm. Significant rainfall can cause blockages of debris in your drain and can do more damage than you might have thought if it isn’t regularly maintained.

Repair The Roof:

You have been putting it off long enough! Check your roof to make sure there are not any loose or missing shingles. If you find some, replace or fix them as soon as possible. You do not want a strong wind to catch onto a shingle coming loose. Your roof will suffer and so will you when you have to pay storm damage repair. It is also recommended that you seal your chimneys or vents if they are located on the roof. If they are not sealed up properly, you leave your home vulnerable to the elements, putting you in danger.

Repair Loose Siding:

Keep an eye out for loose pieces of siding that may catch a gust of wind. You also want to look for unattached edges. If the siding catches a powerful wind, it can fly off and leave your home exposed to the elements. Flying siding also causes a lot of damage. Attach it back to the frame of the house and check that they are secure often or consider new Siding Installations to avoid further problems in the future.

Repair Your Fences:

Your fences can cause a lot of damage to your home if they are not secured or repaired before a storm. Look for places where the fence is loose and ensure that the gates are tightly secured. It is also a good idea to survey your property, making sure to put away things that could fly around and cause more damage. Any outdoor furniture on your patio, deck, or lawn should be put inside the house. If your fence is in need of repairs, simply enter a search for “Fence contractor in Rockwall, TX” or your local area to prevent future damage.

Once the outside of your home is secure, settle in with a good book and enjoy the thunderstorm!

Featured Image By: Pexels