A Mother’s View from the Pool

When you take your young child to a public pool do you: A.) Kick back in a chair and dig into a pile of PEOPLE magazines B.) Watch your child like a hawk especially since he doesn’t know how to swim C.) Turn over babysitting duties to older siblings so you can return calls on your cellphone? If you frequent community pools in my city you would find that the majority of parents would choose A or C (if they were answering honestly). For the past 12 weeks my 4-year-old daughter and I have made near daily trips to our … Continue reading

Saving Money at the Shore

Heading down to the shore can be a great family vacation. But like any attractive summer vacation spot, things can be pricey. We are vacationing down at the shore this week, and we are having an amazing time. The weather is wonderful, and the water is warm. Having never been to the beach together as a complete family, we are so incredibly lucky that we have the opportunity to build sand castles and play in the waves. Of course, we are trying to do everything as frugally as possible. Here are some of the things I’ve learned this week. Hopefully, … Continue reading

Home Week in Review: August 4th Through August 10th

From summer adventures to falling hail in August, it has certainly been a busy week for us at home. Did you miss anything? Catch up on all of this past week’s Home Blog articles right here! August 4th Home Week in Review: July 28th Through August 3rd What makes a house a home? Is it the little decorating touches, the noises of little feet stomping down the stairs in the morning or the feeling that when you enter your home you’ve left the world behind? However you define your home, you’ll find lots of ways in the Home Blog to … Continue reading

A Guide to Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can keep you cool in winter and warm in summer. They can work alone or in conjunction with your regular cooling and heating systems, depending on the temperature and your needs. But choosing a ceiling fan isn’t just a matter of picking a style that you like and then installing it. There are some different things to consider. Keep reading to find out what you should know before you choose a ceiling fan. Installation for most ceiling fans is pretty easy, so you probably can do it yourself. The fans should come with their own installation hardware. When … Continue reading

Prepared for Summer Adventures

It was a beautiful day yesterday, just right for some sort of outdoor adventure with the kids. We decided to head over to the park for a spontaneous playdate. But how many times do we just run out the door without something that we know we’ll need later, such as a change of clothes, or sunscreen or a snack? Kids come with requirements for stuff, no matter if you are taking a trip down the shore or just to the local park. Most of the time, we do realize that we need to take some supplies, but choose not to, … Continue reading

Sleeping in the Heat

I have a hard time falling asleep when it’s too hot in the room. I just can’t get comfortable! If you have the same problem, here are some tips to help you sleep easy in the heat. Heat rises. You might be cooler on a lower story than an upper one. Help prevent heat build-up inside. Use blinds to keep the sun out. Open windows at night if the temperature is cooler. Cool off with a shower before bed. Keep in mind that hot showers can increase the humidity, which can make the heat seem worse. Cool off with a … Continue reading

Home Projects in the Heat

Warm weather doesn’t mean that you have to put an end to home improvement projects, but the heat can certainly affect anything you are doing yourself, from quality to safety. Here are some guidelines to working in the summer. While it may not be the most pleasant job in the heat, summer is the perfect time for resealing a driveway. In the Fall or spring you might have to contend with pollen or leaf debris, and the winter is too cold for this project. Painting can be iffy in the summer. Hight humidity will increase the time that your paint … Continue reading

Post-Sun Remedies for Skin and Hair

A day in the sun doesn’t have to end in sunburn… but sometimes it does. Even if you don’t come home as red as a lobster, you may still feel sticky, grimy, hot, and tired. Some of these post-sun remedies can help refresh your skin and hair after a day at the beach, pool, or park. Aloe vera — my favorite post-sun remedy. It feels cool going on and relieves some of the heat. Aloe has a long history of being a healing plant — you’ll find lots of products that contain aloe on the shelves these days. Personally, I … Continue reading

Saving Money on Household Beverages

With summer here, your family is probably downing more beverages than ever to keep hydrated. And with an increase of beverages can come an increase in your budget. Here are some ways that you can curb the expense without curbing the drinks. If your kids love chocolate milk, choose the less expensive way to give it to them. Instead of buying chocolate milk prepared in a carton, flavor your own milk using inexpensive chocolate syrup. You can control the amount that is added. Also try a drop of vanilla or almond extra, or stir in a little bit of strawberry … Continue reading

Bringing Baby to the Library

You might be surprised to know that libraries generally welcome babies. A visit to the library with your baby can be a fun and rewarding experience. It can introduce the importance of books to your little one, provide an opportunity for socialization, and let’s face it, if you stay home with your baby, the opportunity to get out of the house. Here are some highlights of a visit to the library with a baby, as well as some special tips. I started bringing my babies to the library at a very young ages, but with a busy life, I have … Continue reading