Tag Archives: vacation

Educational Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer

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Educational Activities Your Kids Can Do This Summer

Summer vacation is in full force, so your kids are home from school. You’re probably enjoying the extra time with them, but you may also be wondering how to keep their brains sharp during the break! Here are some educational activities to help your kids keep learning and have fun during the summer vacation:

Read books:

Reading is a great way to pass the time and learn new things, you can discover this content on ABCmouse, whether it be about other cultures, places, history, or even languages. There are many stories for kids and adults alike, so if you want an activity you can do together, this is one for you.

Reading with your kids can benefit them in several ways: it helps them improve their reading skills; it allows them to connect with others through literature; it improves their vocabulary and comprehension; it provides an outlet for creativity through writing and illustration; and much more. You can make reading fun by adding games to their reading experience. For example, you can use a word family activity sheet as reading prompts, helping them to choose books based on a word, colors, and other items.

Get online:

Your kids probably already spend a silly amount of time in front of their screens. So why not use it for something good? Rather than playing Fortnite or some other game that sucks their pocket money dry, you can boost their understanding of core school subjects with apps and online resources from ABCmouse. This popular online platform offers engaging supplemental material for all school subjects, preparing your kids better for when they return after summer.

Journal:

Summer is the time for your child to have fun and relax. But it’s also important for them to go into the next school year with new experiences and knowledge. One way to help accomplish this goal is by journaling. An activity that requires minimal supplies (if any), journaling can be done anywhere, anytime even if you’re on vacation or stuck inside during bad weather. It’s easy enough for kids as young as five, but older kids will find it just as beneficial.

Journaling encourages creativity while helping children develop other skills such as organization, reflection, and increased vocabulary through writing on topics they find interesting (and learning how to spell those words). Plus, it is excellent practice for essay assignments.

Take a field trip:

If your child is interested in a particular subject, try taking them on an educational field trip to explore it further. Field trips provide the opportunity for learning about history and culture and practical skills like cooking and art.

If you are going on vacation, you can turn this experience into not just a relaxing holiday but an educational one. You don’t have to dedicate all of your vacation to learning, but you can take your children on a trip while on vacation to learn more about the place you are visiting, whether that is going to a museum, taking a tour, or just enjoying the culture while you are there.

Learn a new skill:

Learning a new skill can be challenging, but it’s also fun! When kids learn something they enjoy, they are more likely to want to do it again and again. This makes it easier for them to get better at whatever they are doing, making learning more enjoyable. It is even better if it is a skill that they have an interest in from the beginning, like art, cooking, or music.

It may also be beneficial for your child to learn about new concepts, ideas, and ways of learning during the summer to keep them busy. With the help of professionals like David Krakoff Lancaster, your child is sure to be more motivated than ever and working towards new discoveries of personal development.

Go on a scavenger hunt:

There’s nothing like a scavenger hunt to engage kids around the world. If you’re doing this with younger kids, make a list of items they can find and bring them back to you. For example, a leaf from a tree or a dandelion.

It’s also important that your activity isn’t too challenging or overwhelming for their age group. If you want something more educational, consider including objects such as shapes or numbers to teach them something new along the way. It’ll also keep them interested throughout the process since it’s always lovely when an activity feels rewarding for everyone involved!

Create a learning fort:

One of the best ways to excite your kids about learning is to create a fun space to learn in. Forts are cool and can be used in different ways. You can read a book while sitting under it, play a game like hide-and-seek inside it, and let your imagination soar in its construction. Whether it’s a classic pillow fort, made of cardboard boxes, or built in nature a fort will provide lots of entertainment and opportunities to learn.

You don’t have to break the bank or travel far to keep your kids’ brains busy and sharp over summer break. There are plenty of ways to incorporate learning into everyday life, even if you’re just hanging out in your backyard!

Featured Image By: Sharon McCutcheon

Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

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Working From Home With Kids? Follow These Tips!

One of the biggest challenges any parent has is trying to work at home with kids in tow. You may struggle to keep them occupied over the summer vacation, but when you are working at home with kids around, there is no one size fits all approach. But here are a few ideas that you may want to get inspiration from:

Don’t Work From Your Couch:

The most important takeaway from Work From Home 101 is that if you really have to sit down on the couch while your kids are running around, you are not going to get anything done! You need to have a space that is purely for work and work alone. When you go there, you need to almost instantly click into work mode.

If you have a spare room, that’s great, but if you need to set up a space in the kitchen or carve out a corner in your bedroom, it has to feel like a working environment. If there’s room for an adjustable desk, set it up with work related paraphernalia so, at the very least, you’ve got the opportunity to focus. When you’ve got a working space you need to communicate this to your children, and when you really have to get things done, they need to know not to bother you. This is not always easy, but this is where the next rule might be worthwhile.

Relaxing Screen Time Rules:

You may be very strict when it comes to screen time but if you have a chunk of time where you know you’ve got to be focused, giving your kids the tablet will help you out here. The great thing is that now there are plenty of apps out there that will help you to keep track of what your kids can and cannot watch, as well as the time limits.

Get Up a Little Earlier:

This is something that many parents swear by, but in order to do this effectively, you’ve got to understand what you need to achieve by the end of the working day. Rather than defining your day based on how many hours you work, look at the tasks you need to complete and which can be broken down into tasks where you need supreme focus or lesser focus. For example, emails may require you to focus in bursts of five minutes or so, but more time intensive tasks may require you to get up before the kids and get this done.

Keep Your Stress Levels Down:

It’s so easy to get frustrated when your children are vying for your attention. But as many people have had to figure out how to do this during the pandemic, they couldn’t wait for kids to go back to school. But the reality is that there are so many more people working from home now, so you need to get the balance right when the kids are home during summer vacation or spring break. You need to remember that it will pass. Because there’s no point in getting hugely frustrated by it as it’s only going to intensify the situation and make it worse.

Working from home with kids can be a huge challenge but it is doable. Follow the tips above to help you get started!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Travel Essentials To Secure Before Your Vacation

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Travel Essentials To Secure Before Your Vacation

When it comes to a big vacation, every detail is important. You want to relax while away, not stress about items forgotten or if you failed to turn the kitchen light off! Every travel detail will start with research before you leave for your trip. Your findings will reveal plenty of travel essentials, but some of them are optional. However, these items will be valuable and irreplaceable parts of your travel bag, making it necessary to focus on getting them:

Flight Details and Travel Requirements:

Every person will start their travel adventures with one task: getting to the destination. However, most national governments won’t let you inside their countries that easily. There will be plenty of travel requirements such as visas, passports, personal identification cards, and legal documents. For example, if you have an itinerary for your Jiufen day tour, you can print it or have it ready on your mobile phone.

You must identify all the legal travel requirements you need months before your target date if you plan to visit a country for vacation. Fortunately, the internet provides travel guides to boost tourism in many locations. Identifying those travel essentials allows you to secure them ahead of your target date. Without them, traveling will not be possible. Try to place them in your carry-on bag for easy access whenever you have to present them in international customs.

Once your documents are ready to go, the next order of business is arriving to your form of transportation, whether that be one of these cruises departing adelaide or a flight taking off from JFK, in a timely manner. Keep a close eye on your departure time online or in an app in case anything changes.

Lodging: 

Of course, you can’t plan a vacation without arranging lodging! Are you staying with friends or family at your destination? Do you plan on staying at hotels? This must be squared away before you depart so you have a place to stay upon your arrival. Make your reservations well ahead of time and confirm them a week or so before you leave. Should something fall through, you will have time to fix it. If you are considering a guided tour like West Africa Tours, you’re in luck. Lodging arrangements are set in stone so all you have to do is hop on your plane and relax before your big adventure.

Cash & Then Some:

There are two ways to approach your travel budget. The first option involves dedicating funds for travel, even if you don’t have a plan yet. This financial strategy will allow you to identify a closer travel date when you start planning. Even if it’s just fifty bucks per paycheck, adding to a travel fund for a year can give you an opportunity to visit Alcudia, go to a resort, or travel to different states for a nice vacation.

Your second option will require you to adjust your monthly budget for travel expenses, which means reducing other essentials like shopping, groceries, and food allocations. Your local bank account might carry huge fees when you withdraw funds in international locations. You wouldn’t want that unnecessary expense and don’t forget to notify your credit card company that you’re traveling.

Bear in mind that depending on where you travel, there may be a change in currency. This can be a bit of a hassle but there are ways around it, including currency cards. These are most handy to have on vacation and when you need holiday money use your currency card fee-free without worrying about extra charges.

Clothing and Toiletries:

Most people travel to another country to experience different things. Other cultures and tourist sites are on top of the list, but the weather might also be a factor in your decision. People living in tropical countries might want to experience winter, summer, spring, and autumn. It can also happen vice versa for people used to living in temperate climates. As a result, the clothing style might have to adjust. Travelers must never underestimate extreme cold or heat so do be sure to pack accordingly.

Toiletries also play a significant role in keeping the weather from becoming intolerable. Sunscreen, moisturizer, and lotion prevent harsh environments from ruining your skin. Don’t forget that travel sizes are required for boarding a plane. If these mini sizes won’t sustain you for your trip, hit up a store at your location to buy the products you need – this will also save you space in your travel bag.

Nothing ruins an amazing vacation faster than a bad sunburn so the importance of sunscreen cannot be understated. This is especially true if you are exploring luxury private yacht charter options in Antalya. A good rule of thumb if you are enjoying a day on the water and in the sun is to reapply your sunscreen hourly. Even if the sky is cloudy while you are boating, sunscreen is still going to be necessary.

There are countless more travel essentials, but it depends on every traveler’s needs or preferences. If you have allergies or medical issues, carrying your medicine with you will be necessary. Electronic devices can help you navigate through unfamiliar lands, as long as you are okay with purchasing roaming data. The keys are to plan, budget, and plan some more for your big trip!

If You Were To Visit Me…

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If You Were To Visit Me…

Hello! When I was younger, I used to consider where I lived in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio to be somewhat boring. However, my opinion has changed with age and, while it isn’t the best, it’s definitely not the worst, either! There are many staples in the greater Akron area that I just love and if you were to visit me, we would most certainly be hitting up the following:

Elysian Nails:

Elysian Nails has been my preferred salon for several years now and it would be a must to go get some pampering there if you came to my neck of the woods. The salon is absolutely beautiful and the work there speaks for itself. At Elysian, you will enjoy the best company with their wonderful staff, a huge selection of treatments, and a wide variety of polish and gel colors. It is the perfect place to unwind after a long day!

The Shear Shop:

The Shear Shop is the hair salon that I have been going to for forever because the only person who I trust with my hair works there. A pampering day isn’t complete without a fresh cut and color, after all. The staff at The Shear Shop are insanely talented and I love the boutique feel of the salon, making the time spent there even more luxurious. As soon as my appointment is over, I am always already counting down the days until I head back. However, fair warning that you will fall in love with this place too and will need to come to Ohio every time your hair needs done. 😀

TJMaxx:

Okay, so everywhere has a TJMaxx but my local TJs holds a very special place in my heart. My dream day would be visiting every single TJMaxx in my area but the one in Cuyahoga Falls will do just fine. It is where I find shelter from the storm and the only place where the world makes sense lol. And, of course, a brand new outfit is a must after new hair and nails!

Lemongrass Grill & The Saffron Patch:

My two favorite restaurants in my neck of the woods has to be the Lemongrass Grill and The Saffron Patch. I love ethnic cuisine and, as a vegetarian, you can’t beat the variety of choices that Thai and Indian food offers. It’s nice to be the majority shareholder on the menu for once! I actually just had Thai food at the Lemongrass Grill with my sister and her family a few days ago and it was divine, as always. My only regret is that I didn’t order an extra helping to eat at home. 😀

Taco Bell:

The piece de resistance of visiting Lil Red would, obviously, be fine dining at the local Taco Bell. I honestly could eat there every day of my life and still not grow tired of it. TBell would be the ideal way to end a day of tomfoolery in the 330 and, while each one in my area has its own unique qualities, the one in Cuyahoga Falls just hits different. 20/10 would recommend. ❤

Are these the most exciting places to go to if you visited me in Ohio? Not necessarily. But, they are a major reason of why I love my stomping grounds. Wish you were here!

Where would you take someone if they visited you? What do you love about where you live? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Oh Deer!

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Oh Deer!

Hi! During our family holiday weekend at Oglebay, we jam packed a ton of activities into a short period of time. The property was beautiful with fun events happening everywhere you looked as well as what seemed like a never ending amount of deer roaming about. One particular family of deer seemed to take a liking to hanging around our lodge and were so tame that we were able to feed them peanuts right out of the palm of our hands. It. Was. Awesome! Check it out:

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When my deer friends first started congregating in the front of our lodge, I thought it was lucky to be able to see them so closely. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that they would come right up to my sister and I for a snack but I have photographic proof of that! At first, we just threw some peanuts in their general direction to see what happened. They must have really liked them because, shortly after, they just started coming directly to the source for more. 😀

Throughout our stay, we must have seen close to fifty deer and many of them were enjoying treats from other families too. I would have been completely satisfied just feeding the deer our entire weekend stay and was so sad when my friends eventually had their fill and headed back into the woods. However, something tells me that they will have no problem finding another family to score some snacks with upon our return home!

What an amazing experience this was because hand feeding the deer in my neck of the woods would never happen. This was one of the many highlights of my holiday weekend at Oglebay! ❤

What kind of wildlife resides in your area? What is your favorite animal? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

3 Tips To Prepare For Your First Glamping Trip

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3 Tips To Prepare For Your First Glamping Trip

Some people detest the idea of camping. They worry about the work it will take to pitch a tent, the bug that will crawl into their sleeping bag, and having to sleep on the hard ground. It’s understandable to see why camping can have its downsides. Why would you sleep in a cold tent in the rain when you can be in a soft warm bed at home? Camping also tends to make people feel drained. It really is difficult to have a peaceful sleep in a tent.

Thankfully, glamping is around and it’s bringing new meaning to being in the great outdoors. So what exactly is “glamping”? It’s short for “Glamorous Camping”. This means that it’s a luxurious way to be within nature, but with all of the frills that a hotel offers. No pitching tents, mosquitos, or outdoor toilets, just simple luxury. These are some helpful tips for preparing for a glamping trip:

Look into your options:

Glamping is highly recognized today and many national parks offer glamping accommodations. Glamping comes in an array of forms such as trailers, cabins, tents, and tree houses. Many accommodation sites will even reuse vehicles such as train carts or old jets and flip them into a luxurious paradise for campers.

Just keep in mind what you’re wanting, your price range, and what activities you’re expecting to do. You’ll want to make sure that the place is going to be comfortable and that you can have a good night’s sleep. Not sleeping enough is going to affect your health and it’s also going to make you enjoy your trip far less.

Know what to pack:

Each glamping accommodation is going to offer different amenities. You can expect there to be a bed and pillows. You can most likely expect there to be running water and toilet paper, as well. Of course, glamping calls for all of the extras to make your experience even better and more relaxing. Look into Camping Stuff that will not be found at a traditional campground, are a must have, and will keep you comfortable. And be sure to read through your glamp-ground listing, reach out, and ask questions about it. If your glamping trip is going to entail that you do a lot of hiking and other activities within nature, then you’re far better off purchasing some gear from EcoGearFX to help you survive the trip.

Look into what activities you’d like to do:

Some glamping resorts will provide activities for their guests. This can include tours, rides, workshops, and crafting. More and more glamping accommodations are offering things such as hot tubs, spas, saunas, and playgrounds to ensure that guests enjoy their stay.

You should also look into what is offered around the area. This can include seeing if there are hiking trails close by or any nice towns that are close. Sometimes even a short drive away there could be something fun for you and your party to do. You just want to make sure that if you’re having to drive during your glamping trip, that you’re not going too far. Just ask around about what is offered.

If you like to enjoy Mother Nature from afar, then a glamping trip could be the perfect thing for your next getaway – no tent required!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Finding Bigfoot

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Finding Bigfoot

Hello! One of the souvenirs that Johnny and I brought home from the Poconos was a Grow Your Own Bigfoot. It was a goofy buy but Johnny apparently couldn’t pass it up lol. When we returned home, we began the process of growing our Bigfoot friend in a measuring cup full of water. It definitely took longer than the instructions said for Bigfoot to expand to its full size but it was worth the wait! Check it out:

For six days, Johnny and I checked in on our progress constantly to see how our Bigfoot was doing. And, trust and believe, we used the word “crowning” more than I would care to admit. We both wanted to see the end result ASAP so it was quite a painstaking process. So, I made the executive decision to remove Bigfoot from his stump once it was cracked completely because we couldn’t wait any longer.

After Bigfoot was freed from the stump, we left it in the water for another day or so. Now, I am pleased to say that we have a happy, healthy Bigfoot in our apartment! Although this was a silly purchase, it was a lot of fun and brought us back to our youth because we both used to enjoy the “Grow Your Own” products. Our Bigfoot will also make a fine addition to our Spooky Shelf! 😀

When in the Poconos, it is an obvious must to buy a Grow Your Own Bigfoot in Jim Thorpe. I guess it’s time to call in a documentary crew since the real deal is currently chilling in our apartment! 😉

Do you believe in Bigfoot? Where do you think he is located? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Vacation Souvenirs

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Vacation Souvenirs

Hello!! My family vacation in the Poconos was the absolute best and I am definitely ready for another one lol. It is so hard to go back to work after all of the fun, family time, amazing food, and relaxation! No vacation is complete without plenty of souvenirs and Johnny and I got several to enjoy in our kitchen and on our knick knack shelf. Check it out:

The favorite vacation purchase for me and Johnny is, easily, our Frankenstein and Skeleton Man plushies from the small store at Heckman Orchards. They are SO cute and we love snuggling up with them while we watch ten episodes of Criminal Minds in a row. 😀

The earrings (Which I’m obsessed with!) and the Grow Your Own Bigfoot were bought at a couple of shops in Jim Thorpe. The rest of our souvenirs came from Country Junction, which is the world’s largest general store. And, let me tell you, if you are ever in the area you just have to check it out.

Country Junction was a mishmash of a billion different things and it was like being in a carnival fun house. The actual general store was HUGE and it was the size of at least three Walmarts all put together. There was a section for everything from children’s toys to grilling supplies, pet care, and old fashioned candy. In almost every corner, there were gigantic statues that could move and talk including scenes from the Wizard Of Oz and a Jurassic Park-esque velociraptor. Oh, and did I mention that there was a full arcade with bumper cars too?! 😮

The madness wasn’t limited to the inside, no siree bob. Outdoors, there was a petting zoo, hay rides, playgrounds, and a small carnival complete with old school rides, fun houses, and food vendors. It was absolutely nuts lol. I so wish that I took pictures of this madness but the weather was rainy and Johnny and I were carrying all of our shopping bags by the time we caught up with the rest of the family.

Our purchases were pretty heavy because we bought a ton! I did some early Christmas shopping, got prezzies for my niece, nephew, and sister, as well as lots of treats for me and Johnny. I am particularly fond of the items that I bought by Our Own Candle Company. The Hot Chocolate candle smells delicious and I can’t wait to use the bar soap – the Peach scent is to die for!

If you have the time, definitely check out Country Junction online because you will be just as blown away/dumbfounded as I think everyone is that steps foot on the property!

Do you have anything like Country Junction in your area? What is your favorite one stop shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Old Jail Tour Pt. 2

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The Old Jail Tour Pt. 2

Hello everyone and welcome to the second part of my experience at a tour of The Old Jail in Jim Thorpe, PA! To kick things off, check out some pictures and then we will discuss more:

To start our tour of The Old Jail, we watched a fifteen or so minute video which taught us about the plight of the Irish people during the Potato Famine and how they got to America. Despite being out of the country, Irish people still had a rough time because no one wanted to hire them for work. Other than the coal mines, that is. And it was a dangerous job, indeed.

Cue, the Molly Maguires. The Molly Maguires were a secret society who basically tried to improve everything about the coal mining industry for its workers. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, The Old Jail was where four accused Molly Maguires were hung at the gallows after multiple violent conflicts. After learning this, the tour of the jail itself began.

The tour of The Old Jail was really cool because after our guide gave us some history, we were allowed to move about freely to explore more. We began on the first floor, which is where the gallows were as well as some other unique features. If you look at the ninth picture down, the pictures on the floor were from magazine cutouts that one of the prisoners stuck to the ground with sugar water.

Of course, the most famous feature of The Old Jail is the hand print of one of the Molly Maguires. Before his hanging, he dirtied his hand and placed it on the wall of his cell declaring that it was the hand print of an innocent man. His hand print was attempted to be removed via scrubbing, chiseling, and painting but it still remains, clear as day, to this day. (To preserve the print, we were not allowed to take pictures of it.)

Once we were done on the first floor, we descended down the stairs into the dungeons where people in solitary confinement were kept. Back in the day, those in solitary were in shackles and in the pitch black twenty-four hours a day with nothing but a bucket and a sleeping mat in their cell. All of this is crazy uncomfortable, but add the three coal burning stoves that are located in the dungeons and it was pure misery.

After we saw the dungeons, the tour was pretty much over and we were able to poke around for a bit more before exiting the building. I don’t think any of us could shake the creeped out feeling the entire drive back to our lodging. Speaking of creeped out…

Later that evening, I began the process of going through the pictures that I took and emailing them to myself. I got to the halfway point where I was sending pictures of the dungeons and, all of a sudden, my phone screen went completely frozen and white. I closed out of my email and tried again but it was the same thing every time.

Finally, I decided to restart my phone and it worked perfectly. Was it nothing? Maybe. Or was it the fact that I had just spent time in a haunted location and was working on pictures where people were kept in solitary confinement? Maybe. I know how I feel about it but I’ll let you make your own conclusions!

The tour of The Old Jail was one of the neatest outings both Johnny and I have ever been on. We can’t wait to explore more places like it! 😀

Are there any haunted locations in your area? What are you afraid of? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Old Jail Tour Pt. 1

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The Old Jail Tour Pt. 1

Hi! Hands down, mine and Johnny’s favorite part of the vacation in the Poconos was the tour we did of The Old Jail in Jim Thorpe. We had both never done anything like it and have always wanted to as we love all things horror and the macabre. Our time spent in the jail also inspired us to have a “Ghoul Tour” when we go on a trip to visit more jails, asylums, and other haunted locations.

I took so many pictures in The Old Jail that this post will be broken up into two parts. Today, we are going to look at some shots taken prior to our tour. Then, tune in tomorrow to explore the dungeon, jail cells, and much more! Let’s get to it:

Our tour of The Old Jail was absolutely wonderful and you could feel the haunted history of it before you even entered the building. The jail stuck out like an ominous sore thumb amongst the quaint town of Jim Thorpe and we couldn’t wait for our adventure to begin. We were eager to learn and check out everything that the jail had to offer, including the recreated gallows where four accused Molly Maguires were hung and, yes, the hand print. 😮

Tomorrow, we are going to delve deeper into the history of The Old Jail, the story of the hand print, lots more pictures, and my own weird experience when trying to email the pics I took to myself. You don’t want to miss it!

Have you ever visited a haunted location? Which jails or asylums have you visited before? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah