If you ever find yourself in or near Battle Creek, you should make it a point to spend some time there. There are so many fun things to do in Battle Creek, Michigan. Most people think that the only thing to do there is going to the casino, but that is just the tip of the ice burg.
My husband and I often stop at the Casino in Battle Creek when we are traveling without the kids since we pass right through it when we head toward Lake Michigan. This last time, we spent a day exploring the city and we had so much fun doing it. It was the perfect day date for us, and we truly had a blast.
Things to do in Battle Creek, Michigan
1. Handmap Brewing
We stopped at Handmap Brewing on a whim, and it quickly became one of my favorite breweries. They play great music and have different music themes each day. We went on a Saturday and reggae music was playing to give a vacation vibe.
The brewery is beautifully decorated and had a relaxing vibe. I could have spent the entire day there with a good book and yummy beer. Oh, and the beer was amazing because it was different than most places. They had choices for everyone, but I was especially impressed by the Black IPA they had called Black Squirrel.
I was lucky enough to meet the owner while we were there, and she was so nice! She took the time to talk with my husband and me, and the staff was just as friendly.
Handmap Brewing
2. Griffin Grill and Pub
The thing I like most about Griffin Grill and Pub is that they have an extensive menu for both food and beer. Our food was delicious, and they played fun Irish music, which I loved. The service was great, too, with our waiter coming by often and returning quickly when we needed something.
3. 32 Social Cafe
Coffee in Battle Creek: 32 Social
32 Social Cafe
If you’re looking for a coffee shop, 32 Social is the perfect place. Their coffee is delicious and the environment is perfect. It’s sunny inside and so chill, it just left me feeling positive and optimistic. They also have yummy treats like cupcakes, cookies, and other snacks.
32 Social Cafe
4. FireKeepers Casino & Hotel
The casino is fun, of course, but you have to remember to limit yourself. My husband and I decide on an amount we want to spend ahead of time and then only take that amount with us. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and we move on. Hence the reason we decided to explore the rest of Battle Creek.
If you decide to stay overnight, the FireKeepers hotel is really nice. They also have many restaurants to choose from, but our favorite is Dacey’s Taphouse.
Things to do in Battle Creek, Michigan
I hadn’t realized it before, but there are so many fun things to do in Battle Creek, Michigan. There are only a handful of things discussed here, but there is still so much more for you to see. Make a day trip to check it out!
Have you ever been to Battle Creek? What did you do there? Leave a comment and let me know!
Life can sometimes get busy and stressful, and you may end up feeling a little disconnected from your husband. He sometimes feels the same way when life becomes overwhelming. In times like these, it’s important to a few special things to do for your husband.
This isn’t to say you should interfere with your wellbeing to try and please him. Instead, it means looking for ways to draw the two of you closer so you both feel connected. It can strengthen your relationship and help you get through the stressful times together while also ensuring your marriage lasts.
Men can be quite an annoying puzzle to unlock, though. They’re very straightforward, but a little confusing at the same time. As easy-going as the majority are, it can be quite difficult to unlock them and get them to smile sometimes! The good thing, however, is that it’s not exactly the most challenging thing to do in the world.
Let’s say that you’ve got your man locked in and he’s all yours. That’s still not enough, though, right? You can be head-over-heels in love, but you still need to work on things and continually improve your lives individually and collectively.
If you’re standing still in this world, then you might as well be going backwards. You should always be looking to keep that spark alive and that fire burning. If you’re wondering how you can keep him obsessed with you and keep him comfortable with being around you, then here are a few things you can do:
Allow Him To Open Up
Men notoriously do not talk about their problems. They also don’t really talk about things they like either – they’re an odd bunch who prefer to stay quiet and stoic.
Obviously, they’re not all this way, but the majority like to stick to their guns and be stubborn with their feelings. More and more are opening up, but a lot still want to keep quiet. If you allow him to fully trust you with his words and let him open up, then there will be a lot more value and love between the two of you going forward.
Laugh Together And Share a Good Sense Of Humor
A couple that can laugh together is a couple that is destined to last. By no means is it set in stone that every marriage will contain jokes and laughter, of course, but it certainly helps. Laughter is said to be the best medicine because it can change your mood and the way you view someone. If you can make each other laugh, you’ll stay in love with each other.
Get Him A Gift Every Now And Again
Doing absolutely everything for them will not increase the levels of attraction and love for one another. It might work for the first couple of months, but that kind of behavior wears thin. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it every now and again, however.
You could get him a video game, a new outfit, or a new electronic he’s been eyeballing. A sentimental gift is a good option, too, or maybe he’s talked about wanting to grow a beard with a beard growth kit.
Whatever you can think of that would make him happy and excited, go with it. The gift itself isn’t the main aspect here – it’s that you listened to them and chose a thoughtful gift.
Even when your relationship is going well, it’s important to devote time and effort to keeping it that way.
Don’t let your marriage lose it’s spark by becoming complacent. Try out these ideas of things to do for your husband to draw him closer. You’ll see how well they work, and your husband will truly appreciate the gestures.
Art is one of the oldest types of human communication and is a popular way to unwind. Wine and painting parties offer a great chance to learn how to express yourself artistically while enjoying a glass or two of wine.
Many noted experts have talked about the many benefits of art therapy to help with stress, depression, and anxiety. Paining classes provide you a safe and non-judgemental place where you can put your energy into your artwork and release tensions. Many people also find that they can effectively express their emotions through painting, which is highly therapeutic.
Makes People Appreciate Art More
People who have wine and painting classes or parties can make enjoying art and its history a lot of fun. If you are at an event with a knowledgeable person, they may talk about the type of artwork they are doing, as well as the artists that inspire their work. You can be encouraged to take part in more art-related activities. This provides a lot of personal enrichment.
Increases Self-Confidence
Many people may feel self-conscious about their artistic ability and may feel they do not have the ability to create something memorable. Wine and painting disprove this idea by being for everyone and intended to be enjoyed by people with many levels of skill in art. You will feel a sense of self-confidence and pride as you finish your piece.
Improves Your Fine Motor Skills
Learning to hold and use a paintbrush properly helps to regulate wrist and hand movements. It also helps with the connection between your brain and muscles. This is helpful for older adults as well as people who have health problems that affect fine motor skills.
Helps Socialization
Painting as you enjoy wine helps you to relax and talk to other people at the event. Those who go to these parties or classes alone often find it a breeze to make new friends. Those who go with friends find doing wine and painting classes and parties as a way to improve their current friendships.
Improves Your Mood
Creating art has many benefits, including on your happiness. Painting has been shown to make people live happier lives. Those who get involved in art are more likely to feel good about themselves. Also, think about the sense of pride that will flow through you when you finish an artwork!
In our face-paced world where there never seems to be enough time to get everything done, it is helpful to have a fun activity that gives you the chance to finish something memorable.
Helps with Concentration and Healing
People who work on paintings tend to enter a purer space where, in a strong state of concentration, they can make time pass without being aware of it. Physical pain often fades; many say it is almost like entering another dimension without leaving the body.
This is a concentration state that is called Alpha. One part of your brain is conscious while the other part is bringing the unconscious out. There is a higher level of creating because energy is being put into what is created. It is possible to spend hours on a piece and not get tired. Drinking wine while you paint can make you even more creative.
There are many benefits to wine and painting parties and classes that millions of people have come to enjoy in the last few years. Give it a try and you will see just how fun and beneficial wine and painting can be!
So, life has changed drastically for most of us in the last month. At our house, this means we have five kids at home while I’m also trying to work from home. I hate to admit it, but that leads to way too much screen time for the kids.
My mom guilt has been eating at me every time I see the kids with a tablet or a video game controller in their hand. Even worse, when I’ve witnessed them sitting on the couch for 2 hours straight staring at the TV.
I know that their life could definitely be worse. I just can’t help thinking of all the memories they are missing out on when they’re constantly getting screen time.
The Struggle
When you’re working from home, there is no super simple solution for keeping your kids occupied. They constantly interrupt, need something, or just begin fighting in the other room. I ignore it as much as I can, but it’s not always possible.
This is when I find myself saying, “do you want to watch YouTube?” or “here, play Talking Tom”. Otherwise, I just simply pass the tablet over without a second thought.
While this struggle is hard to overcome, it’s isn’t impossible. Plus, once you get it figured out, it’s even easier than passing the tablet over.
Pros and Cons of Screen Time For Kids
Don’t get me wrong, there are MANY good things about electronics for children. There are even more bad things, however, if we don’t play our cards right.
Benefits of Screen Time For Kids
Encourages engaging writing (it’s easier for them to get the words out when typing)
Can be used as a tool for communication or school work
It can be educational
Children can learn responsibility if they have set tasks they have to do BEFORE getting their screen time
What We Can Do When Our Kids Have Too Much Screen Time
1. Set an example.
Kids aren’t the only ones who spend so much time staring at screens. As parents, we do it, too. Of course, if you’re working from home it may be unavoidable at times.
If you’re not working, though, try to be more aware of your screen usage. Children learn from example, and they watch us way more than we think.
2. Give them a screen time limit.
Make sure your kids know they’ll still get to watch their favorite videos and play their favorite games. The only change is that they have a time limit. This will help with the transition.
Give them a 10 and 5-minute warning. This helps them prepare for the end of their screen time. They can finish up what they’re doing or watching.
Plus, it reduces the chances of a melt-down. These melt-downs can be pretty tragic. Especially if the child feels they had no warning before having the device ripped from their hands.
3. Be upfront about the dangers of too much screen time.
Kids do hear what we tell them. Depending on their age, they may be able to understand why screen time rules have to change.
4. Don’t allow screens at certain times or in certain areas.
At our house, there is no screen time at dinnertime. The littles aren’t allowed to have screen in their bedrooms, either.
I’d have that same bedroom rule for the big kids, but they already had TV’s in their rooms when I moved in. My husband knew from the beginning that I wasn’t at a fan of that, but I wasn’t moving in to change their life-long rules so the TV’s stayed.
The big kids aren’t allowed to have their phones at bedtime on school nights, either. We actually have a cell phone contract that they have to follow.
You can make whatever rules are appropriate for your home. Everyone’s rules will be different.
5. Let your children know about the change ahead of time.
You shouldn’t just wake up one day and enforce new rules that yours kids have never heard of. They need time to get used to this idea. So, maybe tell them that after the weekend, the rules for screen-time will be changing.
6. Put it away where they can’t see it.
We’ve all heard the saying “out of sight, out of mind”, right? Well, think of that when screen time isn’t allowed. If your kids can see their device, they’re going to ask for it.
Asking for it and being told ‘no’ will cause a melt down. I promise it’ll be better to hide it until it’s time.
7. Play with them.
Ok, so I know you’re busy. But, when your kids will not stop interrupting you, something has to be done.
Don’t cave on the tablet unless it’s 100% necessary. Instead, take a 10-minute break to do a quick activity with your kiddo. Get them started on something fun, then get back to your work.
That little bit of time will make both of you happier. You can play Barbie’s, Lego’s, or anything else that you know your child will continue doing after you stop.
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Screen-Free Activities For Kids
These activities can mostly be done on their own. You may have to do prep work for some of these independent activities for kids, but that’s about it.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons… probably my most favorite if I’m being honest with myself. While I love all things summer, fall has a sweet place in my heart. It’s the first sign that the holidays are coming, there are so many fun things to do in the fall, and you’re not as likely to sweat your butt off doing outdoor activities. This fall bucket list will ensure you complete all of the wonderful fall activities you desire.
Cute clothes, warm drinks, family time, pretty leaves, football, getting cozy watching movies, pumpkin everything, apple everything else…. I could go on and on. I made a list of all the things I want to do this fall, and I decided to share my fall bucket list and printable with you!
This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.
25 Things to do This Fall: Fall Bucket List
1. Apple picking
Find a local apple orchard and make a day trip out of it! Bring home all the apples you need to make apple pie, apple crisp, apple strudel, apple bars, apple sauce… be prepared to share with your friends and family!
2. Pumpkin patch
This is another day trip you can do with your entire family. Not only can you pick out your own pumpkins, some pumpkin patches offer tractor rides and corn mazes.
3. Corn maze
There is nothing that says fall quite like a corn maze. I let my kids take turns picking which way to go, and it doesn’t always turn out well. It sure is fun, though, no matter how long it takes!
4. Tractor ride
Our favorite pumpkin patch offers a tractor ride that takes you to the corn maze. Convenient, right?!
5. Jump in leaves
This is one of the most simple and easiest fall activities you can do. You’ll feel like a kid again.
6. Fall photo shoot
Get your kids cute one day (or make yourself cute… no one said it has to be a kid photo shoot), and take pictures in the leaves. Get beautifully colored trees in the background, put some pumpkins in there… get creative! Fall offers all the free backdrops.
7. Haunted house
It’s not Halloween time without a haunted house. You can’t skip out on this one.
8. Halloween craft
My kids and I love to do crafts. I like to decorate my kitchen with crafts that they’ve made. It might look cluttered, but they love to see their artwork on display, and it really gives a festive feeling to the house.
9. Thanksgiving craft
Think turkeys and thankfulness… you can’t go wrong there. Use Thanksgiving craft time to talk to your kids about the meaning of Thanksgiving and how it originated.
10. Carve a jack-o-lantern
You didn’t go to the pumpkin patch just to look around, did you? Use those pumpkins for something scary!
11. Watch a scary movie
Better yet, make it a marathon with all your favorite snacks. I like to make this a date night for the hubby and I after our kids go to bed.
12. Go for a scenic walk & look at leaves
We love to take quick walks around our neighborhood in the evenings to look at the leaves changing and falling. Sometimes we head downtown and explore, as all of the businesses look so pretty when the leaves start to change in front of them.
13. Make home made soup
Nothing says fall like a bowl of hot soup. Find a new soup recipe, throw it in the crock pot, and have yourself a delicious fall meal.
14. Paint nails a fall color
Fall colors are so much fun and can really set the tone.
15. Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
This is a favorite to do with my kids!! We eat our favorite fall treats and cuddle up to watch together.
16. Bake pumpkin bread
Share some with your neighbors, friends, or family.
17. Make apple pie
Don’t share this. Keep it all to yourself. Just kidding, kind of.
18. Drink cider & eat donuts
You can’t have cider without donuts. Well, I guess you can, but it’s not the same.
19. Chili & football night
I choose a day when my husband’s favorite NFL team (even though the Raider’s suck) is playing for chili and football night. I also make a few yummy finger foods and get a variety of drinks so that everyone enjoys it… even my hubby when his team is losing.
20. Caramel apples
I’m really excited to do this. I’ve never done it with my kids before, and I plan on slicing the apples into wedges, putting them on skewers, dipping them in caramel and offering a couple candy options.
21. Read “October” by Robert Frost
This made the list because of my love for Robert Frost. I read it aloud to my kids, hoping to instill a love for his work in them, too.
22. Have a bon fire
Fall is bon fire season. Not too cold, but cold enough to enjoy sitting next to a hot fire. S’mores anyone?
23. Create a craft using materials from nature
Our favorite thing is to gather leaves from our yard to use for fall wreaths, sensory bottles, and just gluing onto paper.
24. Go for a nature walk
We like to find nearby trails that we can explore. If your kids are joining, do a nature scavenger hunt with them. You can make a list of items and challenge your kids to collect these while walking.
Your list can include small insects, flowers, and even stones. Add an exciting twist to the activity by allowing the kids to examine what they have gathered, and discover what these are made of through an easy-to-use kids microscope.
This activity is a great way to enjoy the outdoors while learning and having fun at the same time. Also, using a kids microscope would guarantee a 100% wow-factor for the whole family.
25. Donate to a food bank
Fall is the time to really show how thankful and appreciative you are of all you have and to give back to those who are less fortunate.
Free Fall Bucket List Printable
Final Thoughts On Fall Bucket List: Things to do This Fall
Printing this fall bucket list and displaying it on my refrigerator has gotten me so excited about fall. Next up, pulling out all of my fall decorations!
What is your favorite thing about fall? Tell me about it in the comments!
Do you want to know my favorite thing about summer? It’s how easy it is to throw together a fun, last minute summer activity. Chances are if there’s water involved, then the kids are having a blast. This is why easy sensory play ideas are so awesome.
Every single day when we go outside, we are filling the water table up and grabbing the dinosaurs to play. When they get bored with the dinos (which takes a while but does happen), they start splashing each other and fighting. Since I love their easy outside sensory play so much and didn’t want it to be spoiled, I had to get creative and come up with some fun and easy sensory table ideas. One of our favorite easy sensory table ideas is the shark sensory play.
Lots of times, my 2-year-old uses sharks with dinosaurs, which is pretty exciting for him. I love watching him use the two together and make the dinosaurs and sharks interact. He really gets to use his imagination.
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Our Water Table
Our water table (I also refer to it as a sensory table, so please forgive me if I switch back and forth) has two sides; one is intended for sand and the other for water. I have to replace the sand about once a week, and if they run out too soon they just get water. I’m a mean mom, I know, but they really don’t mind.
I love our sensory table because of the two separate sides and a lid to keep sand clean and dry. Another perk is that it fits my 3 littles without a problem and they have plenty of space to play. It also comes with some dinosaurs, a cup with a handle, and a cup with holes in the bottom. Oh, and it comes with a shovel and a rake, too.
Now I know this is a dinosaur table, but there are so many fun sensory ideas out there that we sometimes have to just ignore the dino effects. 😉 It works out great, and I’m so happy this is the one we chose.
It’s lightweight and easy to clean, which is always a plus for me because I hate when their toys start getting yucky and are a hassle to clean. My toddlers help me with the cleaning, if that says anything.
Other Material For Easy Sensory Play With Sharks
Using sharks in the water table is so easy, as you can simply hand over some sharks and let them get to it, or you can make it a little more exciting by using color changing tablets to make blue water for the sharks to swim around in. I like to use the Crayola bath fizzies, which makes the water fizzy at first but eventually just changes the color of the water.
This time, however, I used blue bath paint. It’s actually soap but it’s all I had at the moment, so we went with it. My littles LOVED it. Plus, their toys got a little scrub down, too. 😉
We went to dollar tree to buy sharks for the kids, but Liam chose a whale instead. See what I mean when I say easy sensory idea? It’s no big deal if your kid wants to change it up a bit, just go with it. Whales, Sharks, whatever little man wants. 😉
Putting It All Together – Sharks in the Sensory Table
So, once I have all of my material ready, I put it all together. I filled the sensory table with water and then let the kids add the stuff to change the color of the water. They really enjoy that part, so I always let them do it.
That’s it! Give your kids the sharks (and whale in my case), and let them play with their sharks in the sensory table. Sometimes I sit with them and we talk about sharks (shark facts, stories, etc.). Other times I just read a book nearby and let them play together. I’m telling you, easy sensory play can be a blast.
What easy sensory activities do your kids love? I’d love to get some more ideas!
Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays, and in my eyes, it’s the highlight of summer. On the 4th of July, my family normally celebrates by going to a barbeque, playing in the water, spending time relaxing outside and watching fireworks. I also try to do something fun to teach my kids about the meaning of the day.
This year, we will be celebrating at home and I want to make sure we have a good time. I also want to have a simple and relaxing day, so I had to come up with a plan to make the 4th of July simple and exciting.
Fun fact: I love learning new facts, so it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t research things we don’t know about the 4th of July. Another fun fact, I also like to share my random information, so:
4 Things You Didn’t Know About the 4th of July (but now you do)
Although I teach my kids about the reason for celebrating Independence Day there is still quite a bit we didn’t know, and I wanted to change that this year. I mean, are we really even American if we don’t know a few fun facts about Independence Day?!
1. While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted by Congress on July 4th, it was actually voted for on July 2nd. Because of this, John Adams celebrated the 2nd of July as Independence day and reportedly turned down celebration invitations on the 4th of July.
2. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826. They are also the only two who signed the Declaration of Independence who then went on to become President of the United States.
3. The tradition of lighting off fireworks began on the one year anniversary of America’s independence.
4. Americans consume around 150 million hotdogs on the 4th of July.
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Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
1. Have a barbecue.
It isn’t July 4th if there is no 4th of July barbeque. The traditional meal of hamburgers and hotdogs with delicious side dishes is a popular way to go, or you can spice it up and offer steak instead. We’ll probably be doing the hotdog/hamburger method since my kids don’t tend to appreciate a good steak.
For 4th of July barbeque ideas click on the image:
2. Wear 4th of July themed clothing.
It’s more fun to dress up for special days, and it’s easy to dress up for the 4th of July! Your kids will always remember that part of the tradition, and you’ll get some great pictures out of it!
You can do crafts, sensory activities, games, or even go on a scavenger hunt. Whatever fun activities you plan, your kids will love it, especially if it’s Independence Day themed. For some ideas, check out my post 6 4th of July Crafts and Activities.
If you want to create an easy sensory bottle to celebrate, check out this post:
No matter where you celebrate from or what you plan to do, you have to watch fireworks! If you or your kids don’t like loud noises, try sparklers instead. Fireworks (or something similar) are a must when it comes to simple ways to celebrate the 4th of July at Home. They are actually on our Summer Bucket List, and I can’t wait to cross that one off!
Final Thoughts On Simple Ways to Celebrate the 4th of July at Home
The 4th of July doesn’t have to be crazy, expensive, or stressful in order to have a good time. A low key and relaxing event can make the day more special to you and your family.
What are some of the ways you plan to celebrate July 4th this year? Tell me about it in the comments!
Whether it is for a kid/parent date, a special day for your birthday boy, or a day that’s just all about [name of child here], there are plenty of reasons to give your child a perfect day. With 5 kids in our house, it is SO hard to give the kids the undivided attention they desperately crave, which is why I decided to come up with the “perfect day” idea for my kids.
It all started when I began implementing scheduled dates where each child would get one on one time with one parent. Chris (my husband) and I take turns taking the kids on dates, one at a time.
I got tired of having to spend a ton of money each time, however, and had to start brainstorming more child/parent date ideas that were relatively inexpensive. That is when I decided to start having some of the dates be all day adventures, full of things that my kids love to do but I don’t always get the time to participate in.
How to Give Your Child a Perfect Day
1. Make their favorite breakfast.
There is no better way to give your child a perfect day than to start it out with their favorite breakfast. If they want to help cook or prepare it, definitely let them do it, but, if not, you can put on their favorite cartoon and let them relax until it is time to eat. My kids always choose pancakes, waffles, bacon, or all of the above LOL.
2. Go to the park and actually play with them on the playground.
I’m guilty of taking my kids to the park and then finding a comfortable place to sit and read a book, especially with my 5 year old. Now that he’s more independent it’s easy to let him play on his own, even though I know he loves it when I actually play WITH him. When I’m giving him a perfect day, however, we do things like play tag, hide n seek, or the floor is lava on and around the play equipment.
3. Go on a nature hike, and spend time noticing the little things.
Some of the parks we go to have trails that go through the woods, but if we are playing at one that doesn’t, we have nature trails nearby. The Dahlem Center is our favorite place, and I like to let the kids choose which way we go. We’ve been hundreds of times and I still don’t think we’ve seen all there is to see there.
Walk with your child on a trail and look at every little thing they point out. If they want to walk slowly, you walk slowly, too. This day is just for them, after all, so let them set the pace no matter how much you want to hurry along.
4. Talk with them, but try to do more listening than talking.
Throughout the activities of their perfect day, spend time talking and listening to your child. There are so many things they want to tell you, but when you are surrounded by the rest of the family it may be hard to get it all in. Let your child express themselves and chat your ear off all day long.
5. Let them help you make a lunch of their choice.
Sometimes, instead of making lunch, we stop and have lunch at the place of their choice. If you do make the lunch at home, however, let your child help you. I find that one of the better bonding times spent with my kids is when we are cooking together.
6. Take a nap with them, or have quiet time with them.
Instead of putting them in their bedroom alone for nap or quiet time, go with them. Lay in their bed and just cuddle, talk quietly, or read books together. Just having you there with them will mean the world to your child.
7. Play their favorite outside game.
After quiet time, head outside for a while and play whatever your child wants to play. This is the perfect time for you to play those games that you normally don’t have time to participate in.
8. Build a fort with them.
All of my kids like to make forts. They are constantly asking me to build one with them, but, on a normal day, I’ll enlist when one of the other kids to help instead. On their perfect day, however, this changes and I build the biggest and best fort with them
9. Watch their favorite movie in the fort while eating their favorite snacks.
Since you have to make the most of your fort, you should gather all the best snacks and bring them into the fort. We also like to grab pillows and blankets so we can get extra comfortable. Then, you should let your child choose a movie to watch from inside of the fort while you enjoy those snacks.
10. Take them to the dollar store and let them pick out a few items.
My kids choose their weirdest stuff, and that is perfectly okay. Oftentimes, we buy a package of balloons, blow them all up, and play games with those for a long time at home.
Other times, we buy paint and make artwork. You can even find dress up items and snacks that your kids will love! It’s not about the quality here, it’s just about giving your kid an amazing day.
11. Participate in whatever play activity they ask of you.
Don’t tell your child no today (unless it’s a safety hazard or expensive). If your child asks you to play, then go play! This is their perfect day, and they will love nothing more than you playing with them with all of their favorite toys.
12. Let the child choose and help cook dinner.
Okay, let’s get real here… you may not be able to keep your entire family out of the house for the entire day, so dinner time may include the rest of the family. Even so, this is still one child’s perfect day, so let them choose dinner and help cook it if they want to.
13. If they like baths, let them play in the bath extra long.
My kids LOVE bath time, but, with 3 littles who needs baths, I tend to rush them along. During their perfect day, though, they get to spend as much time as they’d like playing in the bathtub.
14. Read an extra book or two at bedtime.
I’m not one to say no to extra books anyway, but there is a point where I’m thinking I just want to go and read my OWN book LOL. The perfect day means they should get extra, however, so sometimes that means I’m reading to them for an hour straight or until they fall asleep.
We don’t just read the words, we also look at and discuss the pictures and events that are occurring in the book. With my 5 year old, I ask if he recognizes any of the words on the page, too.
15. Lay with your child as they fall asleep.
Allow them to ask questions or talk while you lay together instead of shushing them for bedtime. They’ll get sleepy and quiet eventually, and then they’ll fall asleep.
Important Tips For Giving Your Child a Perfect Day
You must be present!
This is the first and most important tip. Your child craves your undivided attention, so make sure you’re giving it to them most of the day. This is their perfect day, after all, so put the phone, computer, laptop, tablet, etc. away and be present for your child.
Customize the day for your child.
Each child is different, so you may have to change things around a bit. With my daughter, we make time for DIY facials, mani’s, and pedi‘s. This is our “thing”, so we make sure to do it each time. It’s her favorite part!
Listen to your child – even the things they aren’t saying.
If your child doesn’t seem to be enjoying an activity on their perfect day, move on! Definitely don’t take it personally, instead take note for next time that they would rather do something else.
Final Thoughts On Ways to Give Your Child a Perfect Day
At the end of your child’s perfect day, your child will go to bed so happy and feeling so loved and noticed. There is nothing better than that, and it is something your child will remember for a very long time. If you make this kind of thing a regular tradition, your child will remember it for the rest of their lives and maybe even pass it along to their own kids someday.
You may also find that after you give your child a perfect day you’ll feel great, as well. While you may have skipped housework or other things you need to get done at home, seeing your child so happy and spending one on one time with them will make it all worth it.
What would you do to give your child a perfect day? Tell me about it in the comments! I may just add it to our own perfect day routine.
We get 18 delicious summers with our children. This is one of your 18. If that’s not perspective, I don’t know what is.”
-Jessica Scott
Believe it or not, summer will be here before we know it. My big kids only have one week of school left, and my preschooler has been done for almost two weeks now. Our summer shenanigans are so close to starting that I can already feel it, hence the need for a summer bucket list.
This is the first summer in 3 years that I haven’t been a stay at home mom, but that isn’t going to stop us from having all the same fun as usual. I just have to plan a little more strategically to get in all of the same activities. One bonus, though, is that since I’m working this year, we’ll have a little extra money to do stuff we’ve had to miss out on in the past.
Since my littles are getting older and are able to express what they want, I’m excited to get their input for our Summer Bucket List. If you have been following my blog already, you know that I love printables, so, of course, I have a printable for my kids to fill in their own bucket list.
I created these printables last year, and my littles were still too small to understand the concept of filling in their own. My big kids loved it, though, so we are just using the same one again this year. I’m hoping my littles (ages 5, 3, and 2, BTW) will love it just as much this time around.
Summer Bucket List Ideas
Go to the beach
Go to the zoo
Make lemonade
Have a water fight
Have a bonfire, roast hot dogs, and make s’ mores
See a dollar movie
Go to a splash pad
Have a cookout
Visit a nature center
Watch fireworks
Watch a parade
Catch fireflies
Visit a library
Go to a garage sale
Play soccer
Play mini-golf
Go camping
Make homemade pizza
Go on a trip
Summer Bucket List Printables
To start, I know these printables have more than 19 activities on them. I made them last year, and we loved them so much that I didn’t want to recreate a new one.
All 19 activities are on the list, so you can think of the rest of them as bonus activities. 😉 If you’d prefer to only do the 19, however, you can print a blank template and just write in the 19 activities to do this summer.
Since I have to plan a little more effectively this year, I created and printed some blank calendars for the summer months. I then looked at my summer bucket list and picked a date for each activity. I spread the activities out throughout the entire summer so that the fun can last the entire three months.
Final Thoughts On Things to Do This Summer – A Summer Bucket List
Summer may seem like it will go on forever, but it’ll be over before you know it. You only have three short months to make memories with your kids before they go back to school, start a new grade, and grow a year older. Make the most of it this year so that you can look back with no regrets. What activities do you make sure to do every summer with your kids?
Being a homeowner is so exciting. The sense of freedom that comes with owning your own home is pretty amazing, and you may feel like nothing could go wrong. Lots of things can go wrong in your home, however, unless you schedule home maintenance services.
The worst part of being a homeowner? The moment you realize that there’s more to it than you expected.
Home maintenance services protect your home from unwanted and expensive repairs, and they can just improve the look of your home. These services also improve the way certain parts of your home function. While some of the maintenance can be done by you (or your spouse), others will require a professional.
Home Maintenance Services To Schedule Now
1. HVAC Maintenance
Air Conditioner Maintenance
Each spring you should have an HVAC technician come to your home and inspect your air conditioner before using it for the year. They’ll likely clean it (if necessary), and they’ll make sure it’s all running efficiently.
Even if repairs aren’t necessary, an HVAC professional will do the routine maintenance that ensures your unit doesn’t require costly repairs in the near future. This maintenance can also keep your utility bill a little lower, since your unit will be running efficiently.
Furnace Maintenance
Likewise, in the fall, you should have an HVAC technician inspect your furnace before the first use. They’ll do the routine maintenance that has all the same perks as for the air conditioning maintenance, but it’ll also help prevent a house fire caused by a glitch in your furnace.
2. Hot Water Heater Maintenance
An HVAC company may be able to do your hot water heater maintenance, as well. Two birds, one stone if you hire a company that can do both your A/C and your hot water heater.
Hot water heater maintenance will ensure that your water won’t unexpectedly run cold at an inconvenient time.
3. Gutters Cleaned
Having your gutters cleaned isn’t just for appearance. There are quite a few reasons to make sure they are regularly cleaned out.
First, it helps get water away from your home so that it doesn’t all settle around your foundation. Next, it prevents trees and weeds from growing out of your gutters, which also protects your home. Another reason is to reduce the number of mosquitoes and other insects that breed in your space.
4. Power Washing
Your home can become stained and built up with grime and pollutants. Each spring, you should power wash your home to remove all of this. It can prevent your home from becoming permanently stained, reduce the number of allergens found around your home, and it will make your home look better.
This one can be done on your own but, if you don’t like doing this kind of stuff, you can always hire someone to do it.
5. Lawn Maintenance
BOOOOO lawn maintenance. Does anyone else hate mowing the lawn as much as I do? OK, I’ll be honest, I have NEVER mowed my own lawn.
Now, this isn’t out of laziness, I swear. My allergies get SO bad when grass is being cut that I can hardly breathe sometimes. So, when my husband mows the grass, I take a Zyrtec and settle myself inside.
So anyhow, you have to do lawn maintenance for a couple of reasons. Of course, maintaining your lawn just makes your house look pretty on the outside and everyone wants that.
Second, it eliminates pests. Insects and large pests alike love an unkempt yard. You’ll find that your outdoor events are swamped with mosquitoes if you don’t keep up on this maintenance.
This is another maintenance that you can easily do on your own but you can also hire a professional to take care of the job for you. Hiring professional maintenance services for your lawn care can save you time and make sure the job is done well each time.
It’s also worth noting that the property itself isn’t the only thing you can maintain and restore. You can do the same thing with your furniture and other belongings. By using contents restoration services, you can have your furniture looking as good as new. If you’re giving your home some TLC, why not look after the furniture?
Final Thoughts On Home Maintenance Services
A home is one of our biggest investments. It’s also the place where we spend a ton of our time and where we raise our families. You may not think there’s much that needs to be done to keep your home running smoothly and looking good, but there are certain home maintenance services you should schedule ASAP.
Many of these maintenances should only be done by a professional, the others you can likely do yourself, but you could save yourself some time and headache if you just hire a professional for all of it. So, get your home maintenance services scheduled so that you can sit back and relax, knowing your home is taken care of.
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