How to get your family ready for vacation

February 1, 2018 By Marijean

Going on family vacation is a brilliant opportunity for you and your loved ones to escape the demands of daily life. It should be the perfect chance for you to reconnect as a family and to create memories that will last a lifetime. However, failing to have a clear plan in place will make it extremely difficult for you to relax. Instead, you will be forced to deal with everything at the last minute. It will send your stress levels skyrocketing and could undermine your entire experience. If you want to prevent this from happening, you will need to work through the following steps.

Plan your family outfits

When you are deciding what to pack for your family getaway, you should make the most of the opportunity to purchase some treats. Why not splash out on a couple of new outfits for you to enjoy on a night out? You could also purchase some new and exciting clothes for your family members. It will provide them with an incentive to get packing and to take pride in their appearance. You could plan a family outing to your local mall or save time by visiting Nicki’s online store to find quality items.

Prepare for the climate that you are visiting

Another important step is to prepare for the climate that you are visiting. If you are traveling to a cold location, you will need to invest in thermal pajamas, purchase hand warmers, and bring along plenty of layers. Alternatively, if you are exploring a warm climate, you will need to take bug spray, sunscreen, linen clothing, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Think up activities to enjoy in your hotel room

During your vacation, it is vital that you get out and about as much as possible. You need to interact with the local community and keep your eyes peeled for any sites of natural beauty or cultural significance. However, it won’t be possible for you to spend all your time outdoors. That is why you should think up plenty of activities to enjoy in your hotel room. It will prevent your family from becoming bored and arguments from breaking out. If you are struggling for ideas, why not talk to your hotel reception? Perhaps they have an indoor games room that you could enjoy. Or maybe they have a selection of second-hand books that have been left behind by previous guests.

Purchase a scrapbook or photo album

Finally, you should think about how you are going to document your travels. Before you set off, why not purchase a scrapbook or photo album? If you decide on the former option, you should also invest in craft materials that will come in handy when it is time to decorate your pages. It would also be an excellent time for you to evaluate your family camera and consider an upgrade. If you are enjoying a once in a lifetime experience, it is vital that you can document them effectively.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

NANO METALFIGS Collectible Figures Review

January 29, 2018 By Marijean

Do you have a Harry Potter, Disney, DC Comics and/or WWE fan at home? If so, you must check out the new NANO METALFIGS! They are small collectible figures made out of 100% die-cast metal.

About NANO METALFIGS:

From Jada Toys, the company who created a new category of collectible figures with their Metals Die Cast line, comes an all-new line of collectible die-cast figures called Nano Metalfigs!

Each posed Nano figure is made of 100% die-cast metal and stands about 1.65″ tall and weighs about 30g or roughly 5 quarters. Although they might be small, each is finely sculpted and has premium metallic paints to achieve a high-quality appearance and durability, all at a Nano price.

These collectible figures come in single packs and also packs of 5, 10 and 20. I was able to review some of the Harry Potter Metalfigs single packs and also a Disney 5-pack. The figures are so character lifelike and make a great addition to any collection! There are also Nano Scenes which right now are available in Harry Potter Gryffindor Tower and DC Comics Batcave. You can create your own scene and show it off, how fun! I am so excited to purchase more of these for my 9 year old who absolutely loves Harry Potter.

There are also Nano Scenes which right now are available in Harry Potter Gryffindor Tower and DC Comics Batcave.

These would also make great birthday and holiday gifts for kids/adults of all ages! These are available for purchase at Target, Toys R Us and Walmart.

*I received the mentioned items in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Achieving a Better Work/Study/Family Balance

January 26, 2018 By Marijean

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As you are already probably well-aware, being a parent on its own is challenging enough without fitting in other things! Perhaps you are running your own home business at the same time or you have decided to go back to studying again. When you are trying to juggle different responsibilities at the same time, there is no doubt that things can get very challenging, very quickly. But it is possible, and this blog post is here to give you five tips that will hopefully show you how.

Organisation is Vital

First and foremost, you need to be very organised to make sure you are devoting enough time to all your different priorities. Keep a timetable of what your different family members will be doing during each day of the week. Next, find a block of time that you can devote to working or studying. Perhaps there is a time when your kids can be looked after by your partner, they are at school or a club. When you have the time available, you need to make sure that you are making full use of it.

Study Online

Online studying helps to give you a lot more freedom when you can fit in the time to learn. Rather than having fixed class times, you get much more of a sense of balance. And there are so many different options from language courses to a masters imc that there is bound to be something for you. Of course, there are still likely to be deadlines, so you need to ensure that you are organised enough to hit them.

Make a Work/Study Spot

Ideally, you will be able to find a spot in your house where you can close yourself off and devote some time to working or studying. This way, you can signal to your family that when you are here, you are to be disturbed as little as possible. Your mind will also come to naturally associate this place with work. If you can’t get a whole room, a corner of an existing space will work as well.

Recruit a Study Buddy/Business Partner

If you are struggling to get the motivation that you need, a study buddy or business partner can help to keep your mind on track. You can find people online if you don’t know anyone in person. Take the time to coordinate your schedules so that you can spend time working on your goals together.

Remember to Give Yourself a Break

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Don’t be too hard on yourself if there are times when you don’t get as much done as you wanted during your study time. There are also likely to be occasions when something crops up and throws your schedule out of whack. Remember, it is all about the big picture. Keep your goals n mind and you can get things back on track again in the future.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

SeaWorld Offers Free Admission for Florida Preschoolers

January 16, 2018 By Marijean

SeaWorld Offers Free Admission for Florida Preschoolers

Popular Preschool Card returns for year-round fun in 2018

Now through December 31, 2018, Florida kids ages five and younger can enjoy all the excitement of SeaWorld Orlando for free by registering for the SeaWorld Orlando Preschool Card.

SeaWorld offers an ocean of experiences that are perfect for pint-sized guests, from up-close animal encounters to breathtaking live shows. The Preschool Card also includes popular SeaWorld events such as the Seven Seas Food Festival, Electric Ocean, Halloween Spooktacular, and the fan-favorite Christmas Celebration.

This spring, preschoolers and their families can dive into Just For Kids, an event crafted especially with young guests in mind. From April 21 to May 13, families can spend their weekends dancing to the beat and learning together along with everybody’s favorite furry, finned and flippered friends during this special event.

Parents can add Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, to their child’s Preschool Card for only $59.99 to enjoy two parks all year. From Walkabout Waters to Kata’s Kookabura Cove, young guests can explore endlessly on interactive play structures, splash zones, and miniature slides designed just for them. With the upcoming opening of Ray Rush, a new family raft ride, the Preschool Card presents a great value for families with young children in 2018.

The 2018 Preschool Card is now available for registration exclusively for Florida residents. Advance registration must be completed online and is only valid for children ages five or younger at the time of redemption at the park. Please note registration is required by May 13, 2018.

To learn more and to register for the Preschool Card, Florida residents can visit SeaWorldOrlando.com/PreschoolCard.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Four Ways to Have a Family Fun Blast in Miami

January 15, 2018 By Anne

Four Ways to Have a Family Fun Blast in Miami

There isn’t any question that Miami would be a family-friendly vacation as it gets 3,200 hours of sunshine every year. It is a southern state, and the winters are also pretty mild. All you have to do is rent an RV, park by the beach and have a sandy blast. If you’re looking for other family-friendly fun ideas in Miami, continue reading to learn more.

Picnic at the beach

With your RV, you have your home with you wherever you go–even at the beach. Yet, it’s nice to get outside and soak in the rays. Plus, it’s always fun to splash around in the water. Well, you can do just that. Pack up a family picnic, and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll get miles of shoreline with plenty of activities; you won’t know where to start. Several popular beaches include Sunny Isles Beach and Surfside. If your family is feeling adventurous, consider Crandon Park Beach, Matheson Hammock Beach or even Oleta River State Park Beach.

Fun activities include kiteboarding, kayaking and canoeing. If you have teens in tow, take them to the hustle and bustle of South Beach and the Art Deco District for fabulous architecture, people watching and mouth-watering food.

Head indoors

If you’re on a budget, and most families are, then you’ll be happy to know that there are many free places to visit that will provide a lifetime of memories. For an interactive experience, check out the Miami Children’s Museum.

While at the museum, you can even walk into a cruise ship that includes a 32-foot wall. Kids can get a detailed overview of the inner workings of a cruise ship and learn some interesting tidbits about the sea. Other experiences in the museum include a Veterinary Clinic where your children can experience what it’s like to own and care for a pet. If they want an adrenaline rush, they can climb Mt. Michimu.

Gold Coast Railroad Museum

Another inexpensive place to visit is the Gold Coast Railroad Museum. And, this place is a joy for locomotive lovers of all ages. You can take a self-walking tour to view vintage collections of locomotives. You can even take rides on various model trains.

And, you can get into the real operating cab of a train with an engineer. You’ll also learn of the significance of trains in Florida. The best part is admission is free the first Saturday of every month from 11am-4pm.

Jungle Island

This attraction is a must-see for families as you get first-hand experience of jungle life. It is located between downtown Miami and South Beach. This zoological park was also first opened in 1936. It offers free animal encounters and fantastic photo ops.

Children will also enjoy the interactive exhibits such as “Kangaroo Konnection,” the Tortoise Exhibit and the Petting Barn. For an additional fee you can also get a close-up experience with sloths or lemurs. What’s not to love?

In conclusion

Miami is more than just beaches and beautiful people—the city is a true family-friendly powerhouse. Don’t forget to rent your RV, and you are set for the time of your lives.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!