Why it’s Okay Not to Love Valentine’s Day

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Valentine’s Day often comes with heightened expectations and pressure to show your love for someone, but not loving Valentine’s Day doesn’t make you a bad person. It is totally okay not to LOVE the holiday. You don’t have to feel guilty or ashamed if you don’t find yourself filled with romance at the thought of February 14th.

Whether it’s because of past experiences or simply not feeling the “lovey-dovey” vibe on this special day everyone should be allowed to not like Valentine’s Day without any judgment. Just because you’re not in a relationship does not mean that you cannot enjoy the day as well. There are plenty of ways to celebrate self-love and spend quality time with friends and family.

It’s not uncommon to not enjoy Valentine’s Day, and it is important to not let societal standards of romance define your day—or life. There’s no pressure to follow the traditional holiday customs if you don’t want to. Instead, take this opportunity for self-care or do something that really lights up your heart, like spending time with loved ones, taking care of yourself, or even attending an event in honor of single people.

When it comes to not loving Valentine’s Day, remember that there is nothing wrong with being single or not wanting a romantic relationship at this particular moment in time. So don’t feel guilty about not enjoying the day—embrace the feelings and make it your own.

Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic love, but all kinds of love—including self-love. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day without feeling overwhelmed or burned out by excessive expectations. Even if you don’t love this particular holiday, use it as an opportunity to remind yourself that you have a lot of people in your life who care deeply for you and will always be there for you no matter what.

And remember: not loving Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean not loving yourself or not enjoying life! Take the time to appreciate all the other wonderful things happening in your life instead and show yourself some much deserved love and kindness. Don’t let one day of the year define how you feel about life—you matter and are loved more than any holiday can ever convey.

By not following the traditional Valentine’s Day customs, you can make it your own and enjoy it in a way that works best for you. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate this day, so don’t be afraid to find something that resonates with you personally. You may not love Valentine’s Day, but finding peace within yourself will always be worth the effort.

How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Your Kids

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Valentine’s Day is a special time of year that kids love to celebrate with their family and friends. There are plenty of fun activities you can do with your kids on this day. Whether you’re looking for something simple or something more elaborate, there are endless options available. Here are some great ideas to get you started:

[As always If you click on the links and make a purchase we may get a commission as an affiliate, this helps us keep the blog going – thank you!]

1. Bake Valentine’s Day treats together – Kids love getting creative in the kitchen! Have your kids help make heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting, cupcakes topped off with candy hearts, or festive chocolate bark. Don’t feel like baking? These cookies come pre-baked and have everything you need to decorate them.

2. Go to an local park – If you are lucky enough to live where the weather allows…What better way to celebrate this day of love than by going to the park with your kiddos? A picnic will help to make it even more memorable. Get sparkling grapejuice, maybe some “fancy” foods and make it a special occasion.

3. Have a movie night – Pop some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch with your little ones and watch their favorite love story. This is a great way to bond as a family and get into the spirit of Valentine’s Day.

4. Have a Valentines day scavenger hunt – Hide clues around your house or neighborhood that lead to special treasures or treats. Your kids will have so much fun searching for them! Again – this is the perfect dollar store run, but if you can’t make it, why not order some Valentine’s day books for your kids to find.

5. Create homemade valentines – Gather up some arts supplies and let your kids unleash their creative side by making unique homemade valentines for their friends, family members, and even themselves! While dollar tree is the perfect place to get crafting supplies, this kit on Amazon will have almost everything you need to make valentines and decor.

These are just a few of the many fun things to do with your kids on Valentine’s Day.

No matter what you choose, it will surely be an unforgettable and special experience for both of you! Let us know what your favorite Valentine’s traditions are!

Happy Valentine’s Day! 🙂

How to Celebrate Lunar New Year With Your Kids

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If you’re looking for ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with your kids, we’ve got you covered. From crafts to food to fun activities, here are some great ideas to get you started.

Talk to your kids about what Lunar New Year is and why it’s important

Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate Lunar New Year, a festival steeped in centuries of tradition, to welcome in the new year. One of the best ways to introduce your kids to this celebration is by talking to them about its history and importance. You can explain that it’s a time when families come together to enjoy tasty food, beautiful decorations, and performances meant to bring luck and prosperity.

Most importantly, you can remind them that Lunar New Year is a time for reflection on how far we’ve come as well as our goals for the next year – values that are timeless across traditions and cultures.

Help them make traditional red envelopes to give out to friends and family

The lunar new year is coming up soon and it’s the perfect time to have the kids make some traditional red envelopes to hand out. Not only will they get to show off their crafting skills, but they’ll also get to practice their writing skills once they fill out the associated cards inside. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love money? Especially when it comes in a colorful package like a red envelope. So grab some construction paper and some coins and spend quality time together helping them make decorative lunar new year envelopes that are ready for gifting!

Bake or buy a special treat like mooncakes or dumplings

Lunar New Year is a great time to celebrate with special treats, whether baking at home or visiting your favorite bakery. Mooncakes and dumplings are some of the classic Lunar New Year traditions that have been celebrated for centuries in many countries. Making them yourself can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience, but if you don’t have much time, there are dozens of delicious pre-made options to choose from. No matter which route you take, there is no better way to bring Lunar New Year cheer into your home than with homemade pastries and sweets!

Make sure they have new clothes to wear for the holiday

Lunar New Year is a time to celebrate with family, and this year and dressing up can be a great way to celebrate lunar new year with your kids. You might want to choose traditional Lunar New Year colors such as red and gold or a bright and modern palette. With the perfect Lunar New Year outfit, your children will certainly stand out from the crowd and have the best Lunar New Year yet! Here is a link to some ideas on Amazon. [If you purchase something I may get a small bit of commission that helps keep this blog going – thank you!)

Hang up decorations around the house together

It’s Lunar New Year, the perfect time for decorating the house with festive paper trimmings and other decorations. How about hanging up some decorations together with your children? It’s a fun way to mark the occasion, engage your kids in a creative activity, and get into the celebratory spirit. When it comes to deciding how to create a festive display at home, you can give your kids free reign or simply agree on a basic arrangement of decorations. The moment they hang something up they’ll take pride in their creation, so it’s guaranteed to be an enjoyable activity that’ll bring your family closer together this Lunar New Year! Check out these decorations with Prime Shipping from Amazon. [affiliate link]

Go on a Lion Dance parade or watch one online

Are you thinking of ways to celebrate Lunar New Year with your kids? How about going on a lion dance parade or watching one online? It’s the perfect activity to bring the culture and history of Lion Dance into your home. Watching a dragon dance can be both exciting and mesmerizing, as the drums are beaten and the colors burst off the dancers’ vibrant costumes.

It is often said that when it comes to celebrating special occasions like this, nothing beats being at an actual live performance – but if that is not an option right now, watch one together over video! It’ll still feel special and your kids will love it! Especially with one of these traditional lion dance drums. [Amazon affiliate link]

Lunar New Year is a special time to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones. It’s a chance to reflect on the past year and start fresh for the new one. If you’re not sure how to celebrate Lunar New Year with your kids, here are some tips. Talk to them about what the holiday is and why it’s important. Help them make traditional red envelopes to give out to friends and family. Bake or buy a special treat like mooncakes or dumplings. Make sure they have new clothes to wear for the holiday. Hang up decorations around the house together. Go on a Lion Dance parade or watch one online. Whatever you do, remember that celebrating Lunar New Year is a cherished tradition that can be enjoyed by all.

What ways do you celebrate Lunar New Year with your kids?

How to Keep Active Kids Busy When you Can’t Go Outside

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Baby it’s cold outside.

But you are jumping off the walls and that is not cool.

When you little ones are [literally] climbing the walls, what’s a mom to do? Here’s some ideas for how to keep active kids busy when you can’t go outside, without them using your furniture to recreate an episode of American Ninja Warrior.

Luckily there are some handy solutions. Some of these require a little bit of installation – some not. But if you have had it with your couch being the launching pad for yet another arial leap, then it might be time to give one of these a try.

PSA – This article does contain some affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may get a small percentage. So thanks, this mom is saving for one of the mommy-goes-by-herself and you stay here with Nana, who doesn’t care if you jump on the couch, vacations. Or more likely, it’s to help cover next month’s dance tuition. *sigh*

Okay – let’s get to it.

First up: This “Your tongue won’t stick to the -3 degrees metal if the swing is inside” option.

This idea probably has disaster written all over it if you have older kids too. But if your are just a big enough to enjoy this without being old enough to attempt using it to propel the cat across the room into a clothes hamper, then they are probably a great age and this will be lots of fun, without having to spend 20 minutes bundling up just to go outside and swing for 2 minutes.

Spending time actually playing instead of screaming for them to put their tiny thumb in the thumb part of the mitten? Priceless.

The best part – it comes with a couple options. You can order the swing only…or there are 6 or 4 piece indoor playground set.

Next up: Hippity Hoppity goes the excess energy!

My kids got these for Christmas and despite getting toys of greater monetary value, these were their favorite things.

Heck, I am sad that they don’t make ’em for adults! (Oh snap… they do!)

They are pretty hard to destroy so yea for something that might finally last a week around here!

You will need some open space for them to bounce, for kids who have enough strength and balance – even a garage would work. But for the smaller ones a hard surface might make for a quick set of stitches at the ER…

Eh… you’re the parent so you do your parenting thing and make that call.

But I can say that my 3 year-old and almost 10 year old get some serious funergery out with these. (fun energy- yeah I made that up).

Let me see you Jump Jump!

I cannot tell you how much we love having a small indoor trampoline. Three kids and a decade later ours is still going, but only for my littlest. This trampoline features fun games while your child jumps. I like the grips and design a little better than the regular trampolines you see indoors. There’s a sensor on the bottom that does the counting of jumps for your kids too! Unfortunately, I couldn’t find it on Amazon any longer, but there are many options available depending on your space, price and number of kids that would use it.

Finally, even if your little one hasn’t ever had gymnastic lessons – a basic mat and bar is fun for anyone. My kids love to create tumbling rountines using the mat. The bar does take up some space – so that might be more for the serious aspiring gymnast.

No matter what your space or budget, there is something that should help keep the kids active and off the couch, whether jumping or sitting.

Have you every tried any of these? Share your own ideas (and yes, going outside IS the BEST – but it’s not always possible, so keep those solutions focused on what to do when outside isn’t an option:)

How To Preserve Fall Leaves in 3 Easy Steps

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Ever wish you could bottle up the colors of fall?  Well, you can!

Preserving fall leaves into art is perfect family activity for this weekend! Choosing the perfect fall leaves to use will be the hardest part of this project.  It takes about 15 minutes total and except for using some extra wax paper – it shouldn’t cost you a dime!  

This method is what I call the “standard method” which is pressing them between wax paper, but keep reading to see some of the other methods that you could try as well.  I have also included some fun ideas to display you fall artwork!

To get started preserving your fall leaves you will need:

  • Some Beautiful Fall Leaves
  • Wax Paper
  • Iron/Ironing Board

Gather up the most beautiful leaves that you can find…I know that there are a lot of metro parks with great trails in my area – so if you can, make this into more than just a trip to the backyard and enjoy a fall hike! Gathering leaves along the way will make the journey even more fun!

Bonus points: When you get back from your hike, have the kids look up what type of tree each of their leaves came from.

Pressing the Leaves

  1. Once the leaves are gathered you can press them right away – or if you prefer – you can leave them in newspaper overnight pressed under a book.
  2. Put the iron on a medium heat setting and warm up (do not use the steam function)  While the iron is warming, arrange leaves between two sheets of wax paper
  3. Carefully place the iron on the wax paper and slowly and gently glide across until the two sheets of was paper are joined together.

Here are a couple ideas on using pressed leaves as art decor for your home:

pressed fall leaves
Frame them separately or in one larger frame!
how to press fall leaves
Cute way to display their artwork!

 

Press in a book:

Instead of pressing them between wax paper, try placing the leaves between the pages of a book, generally one with some weight to “hold” them down.

 

Modge Podge:

Okay – I am literally making this up and plan to try it in a couple of weeks, but got to thinking, “could modge podge have the same sealing effect as wax paper?”  If you have already tried this method let me know!  I will update this post once I do!

 
Happy leaf hunting and have a beautiful fall weekend!
 
 
 
*Hey Kids – If you are reading this article- make sure an adult is the one using the iron when pressing the wax paper 😉
 

Pin this for later:

Love the colors of fall? Here is how to preserve fall leaves all year long.

How to Watch TV in Your Vehicle with a Roku Streaming Stick

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Looking for how to stream live TV in your vehicle with a Roku Streaming Stick?

Please note: This post contains affiliate links so if you click on a link and make a purchase I will receive a portion of the sales from Amazon if you choose to buy the items needed to watch live TV in your vehicle… if your significant other is a tech junkie…you may even have some of this stuff on hand already.

This has been one of the most sought after articles on our website and since we originally wrote the how-to with the Amazon Firestick, we wanted to make sure we included a how-to article on the Roku Streaming Stick as well.

This who concept came from a 10 hour drive to the beach and anticipating a the kids would start to get squirmy on the journey, my tech-junkie husband connected streaming device to the video inputs for our DVD player in our van.

While we did create some vacation binders and have other in car activities to keep them busy, the TV, was definitely a help.

We have lots of DVD’s but over the many trips to grandma’s and grandpa’s over the years they have seen them…alot, so they don’t hold quite the stay power that they used to.  Plus, some of my son’s favorite shows now that he is almost 8 are not necessarily DVD’s that we own.

So, how did we modify the van for live TV?  It’s actually pretty easy once you get the right equipment.  Here’s how to add live TV to your car, van or SUV, that already has an entertainment system, using the Roku Streaming Stick.

Here’s what you need in order to use the Roku Stick to get TV in your Van or Car:

    1.  Roku Streaming Stick
    2.  HDMI to RCA Converter Adapter
    3.  Fast USB Car Charger Adapter
    4.  Composite Video Audio Cable

Once you have these four items then it’s time to get to work.  If you have a tech-savvy hubby like I do… he may have some of this already.

All of this should run you about $60, about the price of 3 -4 new DVD’s but will have a lot longer entertainment value on your next trip.

A couple things to consider…

Before anything else, you vehicle will already need to have an entertainment system built-in… I am sure they is someway to fanangle something if you don’t, but this tutorial is for those who already do.

You will also need a hotspot to connect to once everything is set up.  Streaming the show therefore will also run up your data plan so please make sure to account for this before deciding to create a set-up.  We watched the TV quite a bit on a 10 hour drive and back and used about 5 gig of data in the process.

Finally,  make sure to review the Roku manual to set up so you kids are spending money on on demand content while you are driving… hard lesson learned for us after our son chose 4 episodes of Star Wars Rebels to buy when we had this set up with the Firestick.

Luckily, he unknowingly only spent about 12 dollars, but still, didn’t make my husband or I really happy. So hopefully we can save you from the same fate. Roku allows you to set up a passcode and you usually have to sign into a sub-account (Disney+, Prime Video, etc) so it’s not as easy for their to be accidental purchases, that’s not saying that they can’t do that within the apps the run on Roku, but I am pretty sure a passcode prevents unauthorized purchases, do a test run before you set off on your journey and hand the remote over (comment on this article if you are able to confirm or share if you have had a similar experience).

Now that you have all that, let’s get started with the set-up.

Step 1:

First, you will need a power source.  To do this, plug the Dual USB Plug into a cigarette outlet.

Step 2:

Connect both the Roku Stick and the Convertor to the dual USB plug.

Step 3:

Plug-in the Roku Stick into the HDMI port in your vehicle.

Step 4:

Connect the Composite Cable to the vehicles entertainment system, making sure to match the colors on the cord to the colors in the entertainment system

Step 5:

Plug the other end of the composite cable into the converter, again, making sure to match up colors.

Step 6:

Turn on the entertainment system and then connect to your own personal hotspot.

Step:7

Connect to the personal hotspot, sign into your providers and your backseat passengers can enjoy live TV on the road!

Read more: How to Use Tech to Get Kids to Do Their Chores

This post is not promoted by Amazon.  Opinions are my own and if you click on a link to make a purchase I will receive a portion of the sale as am Amazon Affiliate.

The Child Echo Dot stand – for the Mandalorian Fan in your life…

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Have a Manadalorian fan in your life? Just when you think that they could not find one more way to show their love for the show… boom.

Enter “The Child” stand for the 3rd Gen Echo Dot.

This adorable accessory brings a whole new look to your Echo Dot and features the ears and cloak design of baby Yoda.

We anticipate based on how the “The Child” dolls sold out, that fans will soon snag these up as well. These are a great gift idea for Mandalorian fans in your life as well as useful.

When connected to your TV you can simply tell Alexa to “play The Mandalorian” on command… hands free TV binging. Make sure to get yours before they sell out!

How to Light up Your Patio for Under $50

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This article contains affiliate links – which means a small amount of commission is paid if you choose to make a purchase.

Want to know how to light up your patio for under $50? We cannot tell you how much we love how these lights have transformed our patio. It feels is completely different just because of this set of lights that we purchased for under $50.

Even though there has always been “no place like home,” 2020 has taken that phrase to a whole new level. Our homes have become much more than just a homebase in between a myraid of errands and social events, it is the place where most of us are spending almost every part of our lives.

If you are like me, you crave being outside as much as possible during the warmer months and with the days getting shorter you might want to maximize your time outside.

That’s why I started researching outdoor lights.

I have seen some amazing pin on pinterest, but since I am now working, being the daycare and the homeschool coach, I do not have time to add a complex home project to the mix.

I needed something that would be simple. We had a partition fence that would be easy to drap lights around and an outlet near the back part of the patio to plug lights in.

Great, but which lights? There are alot.

Most outdoor string lights have shatterproof bulbs, which is a must since they are outside and broken glass on a patio is a no go.

Some are LED although they come in different variations (warm, cool, etc).

Some are multi-colored and allow you to change the colors feature – which is an easy way to go from summer/fall evens to decorated for Christmas or other holidays with a push of a button!

The length though and the number of bulbs may vary…

Yes, there’s a little math involved….I ordered this set which is 48 feet and has 15 bulbs. You might be inclined to say – well I want the max bulbs for the length, but that’s not always true. You may end up buying two strands because while you have the same amount of bulbs you may not have the length you need to get the bulbs to their destination in the patio or yard. So you have to weigh out. I could have purchased a 36, which would have been a few feet short of what I needed and I would have had way more length to figure out what to do with, plus I would have doubled my budget. So while the bulb to length ratio was less, it actually saved me money and worked out perfectly with the space I needed to cover.

You can purchase a remote accessory which allows you to dim and turn the lights on or off. The reviews are mixed, but if it worked well a remote would be great as plugging and unplugging the lights isn’t hard, but sometimes I look out after I am all settled in for the night and realize I need to go back outside to unplug them otherwise they will keep burning all night, shortening the lifespan of the bulbs. With the long life of LED’s you wouldn’t have that issue so that’s a big plus for paying a little more for an LED set like this one.

So, there you have it. I hope you have some info to start your patio light shopping and in a few days you can sit back and admire your ambient patio lighting while enjoying an evening with your favorite beverage and music.

Let us know how your project turns out. We can’t wait to hear!

National Dog Day Gift Ideas for Your Dog

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Here are our favorite gift ideas to spoil your dog or favorite dog-person on national dog day. This article does contain affiliate links which means we get a small portion of the sale price to help buy more dog treats for our pampered pooches.

Personalized Minky Blanket for a New Puppy

If the only being on earth that loves a soft blanket as much as you do is your dog, then don’t they deserve their own minky blanket? Even better these blankets can be embroidered with their name and are made in the US. This also the perfect gift for anyone who just got a new puppy!

Keep your Keys and Leash Organized

This key / leash holder is a must have for any household with a proud dog mom and dad. Plus it’s handmade in the US.

2 Words: Dog Macarons

French Bulldogs aren’t the only one who have an exquisite taste for special dog treats. Teach your dog to say “Merci!” when you give them these made in the US delectable dog treats with a European flair.

Portable Dog Bath

If you face the dilemma of choosing between your tub or the car wash or are just missing the regular trips to the groomer, why not splurge for this portable Dog Bath from the people who pride themselves in pet fur management management- Bissell!

For the ultimate game of fetch (meaning that you sit back with a beverage of choice and your dog gets to play) try this Automatic Ball Launcher….

This ball launcher may just be the way for you to relax while your dog gets to run all that energy he bundled up while you were gone for the day. However, use with caution as your spouse may also find it fun to turn into a game of dodge ball …

Your dog knows all the answers to the Jeopardy questions..

Got a dog who’s IQ is just going to waste, or sits around bored because he knows all the answers to Dog Jeopardy? Give the super intelligent pup a treat challenge with this Interactive Puzzle from Outward Hound.

Want more ideas to spoil your pet? Click Here

Get a Free Amazon Echo Dot

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This contains affiliate links which means I would get a small portion of a purchase and helps me keep on writing more ways to help you save money. It’s like the circle of life… well, except in this case, sort of the “circle of Amazon”. Now here’s more about how to get that Free Echo Dot.

Get this Amazon Echo Free when you grab this deal for on a Ring Peephole Cam (Right now $100 off retail). Make sure you never miss that Amazon delivery and socially distance yourself from front porch visitors. Unless that visitor is your mom, then you better open that darn door. This is a great deal for an Echo/Ring combo and probably won’t last long.