Penguin Park, Praying at Home (Priest Practice?) and Pronto Pasta #KansasCity

Last Sunday Aron was out of town :-( and I took my kids plus Julia and Little Eva to Penguin Park in North Kansas City. This is a place we had not been in many years and I regret not going every year. We have gotten too busy these last few years and a half hour trip just seemed like so much, or the weather was never just right, or the kids wanted to take friends who go to school.

My mom and stepdad took the kids once and I think that was when we only had three kids! Otherwise I remember going a couple of times and chasing chasing chasing kids around and worrying about where they had gone in the park. Last Sunday the place seemed very small to all of us and only the two youngest of my kids really still enjoy a good playground, which is kind of sad.

It was a little hot last Sunday, but I knew it was time to go. We packed some snacks and drinks and headed up north. I don't want this to be the last time we go! We discovered a lake behind the park (thanks to Google Maps) and we love nature hikes and situations so off we went after realizing there were too many bees at the actual park!

the mascot

teens hanging out

the little ones having fun

my big 15-yo baby

the entire crew heading down the trail to find the lake

so much cooler in the woods!

me with my 8 yo daughter Eva

me, my Eva and her friend Eva

yes, i know you don't feed ducks but we did it anyway

the other side of the lake... they found a hook and some fishing line and Joel helped Sam fish

I am a horrible judge of time these days and we were going to be late for Mass at Holy Trinity. We would have gone anyway BUT THERE IS NO PARKING! So we went home and Joel led us in a rosary. Sam was very devout.

Joel getting priest practice?

super lazy dinner. i had an Ibotta rebate (see my post on this) for Pronto pasta so here you go ... I made mac and cheese out of it

I am absolutely in love with days like this when we get to just explore and not have to worry (too much) about time or where we have to be next. We had more lazy days when the kids were younger and those are disappearing so I treasure these days even more now.

Different Types Of Family Issues & How To Deal With Them

All families find themselves undergoing different kinds of problems throughout the years. The fact is, there is no such thing as a perfectly happy family. Of course, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work towards trying to be as happy as possible. But it is always a good idea to bear in mind that problems are likely to always arise. However, one of the main things is to try and deal with those problems as fully as you can. It can often help to know what to expect. If you are still in the early days of having a family, then you probably haven’t run into many issues yet. In this post, we are going to go through some of the major issues you can expect to come up. Of course, you might get lucky and avoid the majority of these. Either way, it is helpful to be prepared for as much as possible. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the major issues facing most families today.

Pic Credit

Arguments & Breakups

All families and couples have arguments from time to time. This is just a part of the natural flow of things. However, there is a difference between these normal, everyday arguments and more important ones. Knowing the difference is often enough to be able to save a relationship on the rocks. However, you need to be aware that arguments are a natural part of being in a relationship with someone. As long as you know this, it is likely that you will deal with them a lot better. Breakups, on the other hand, can be hugely devastating, especially for a family. Often, the most important thing in these situations is to try to cater to everyone’s needs. Quality divorce lawyers really can make all the difference here.

Pic Credit

Bad Habits

Something that often gets in the way of family relationships is poor habits. This can happen to anyone that lives with someone else, and it is just to be expected. However, the important thing is to bear in mind that everyone has them sometimes. The best thing to do here is to try and remember to be mindful of other people’s needs and be willing to adapt to them. Some people find that this is difficult, but it is also often essential in order to have a happy home life. If you find that someone you live with has bad habits, don’t be afraid to bring it up as delicately as possible.

Misunderstandings

One of the most common issues in any human relationship is that of misunderstandings. Often, people fail to properly understand each other. This can happen even in the closest of relationships. The secret to avoiding misunderstandings happening is communication. We all know that communication is hugely important to relationships. Yet, we also often forget. If you are keen to minimize this kind of trouble, you should try to be more open and honest in your communication with the other person. This alone can make a huge difference to the relationship itself.

The Dos And Don'ts Of Planning Child-Friendly City Breaks

When you think of city breaks, you may imagine trendy bars and restaurants and designer boutiques. But city breaks aren’t just for adults. This is a fantastic type of holiday for families. If you’re looking for a change from the usual sunshine break by the sea, why not start planning an urban escape? Here are some dos and don’ts to help you eliminate any stress and design a perfect itinerary.

Image by https://www.flickr.com/photos/132084522@N05/16800139540

Do

Research where to go

It’s all well and good being spontaneous. But when it comes to traveling with kids, it’s often best to plan ahead. Don’t just book flights on a whim because you like the sound of an exotic city, or you’ve seen photos on Instagram. Look into possible locations for your vacation and do some homework. What is there to do? Is it an affordable option? Is there enough going on to keep the kids entertained?

Create an itinerary

You don’t have to plan a minute by minute timetable, but a rough itinerary will help to make sure you don’t miss anything. If you’re going to Rome or Paris, for example, there are so many things to see. If you’re wasting time wandering around, you may miss out on some of the main attractions. Once you’ve chosen your destination, read some guidebooks and blogs to help you decide what you want to do. It’s also worth getting a map out so that you can see where attractions are in relation to each other.

Find out the best ways to get around

There’s nothing worse than getting lost in an unfamiliar place. Before you go, make sure you know how to get from A to B. Use the Internet to research the metro or underground lines you need. Find out about local buses or trains. It’s also wise to look into potential savings you can make while you’re traveling. You could get an Oyster Card if you’re traveling in London, for example, or make use of discount codes like an Uber first ride offer.

Image credit https://pixabay.com/en/photos/london%20landmarks/

Don’ts

Stick to the tourist zones

Of course, you want to see the sights. But don’t spend all your time in the tourist zones. Try to avoid visiting bars and restaurants next to attractions as they tend to be very expensive. It’s also worthwhile living like a local. Your experience of a city is likely to be very different as a tourist, so take time to get off the beaten track. Ask friends to show you around, or look for recommendations online.

Assume that hotels are your only option

Your first thought when you’re looking for accommodation in a city may be a hotel, but don’t rule out other options. Hiring an apartment, for example, may be cheaper and more practical. You can come and go as you wish, and cook your own meals. Home swaps may also be an idea.

Image via https://www.flickr.com/photos/aigle_dore/6672156239

If you’re interested in taking the kids on a city break, some people may think you’re mad. But visiting large cities offers an incredible experience for youngsters. There’s so much to see and do, and no risk of getting bored. Bear these tips in mind, and hopefully, you’ll have a wonderful time.

The Household Cleaning Items You Didn't Know You Needed

In years gone by, it was considered the role of the women to stay at home and clean. Obviously, times have changed drastically since then. Many women these days have high-powered, busy careers while also raising children and maintaining some kind of social life. Unfortunately, though, cleaning your home is something that still needs to be done. Finding the time to do a full house clean can be difficult, and doing the clean itself can be exhausting. After all, cleaning is hard manual labor! That's why new technology is being designed with the busy parent in mind, to help you keep your house spotless even when you can't remember what day it is. Here are some of the handy pieces of tech you may have never considered getting, but won't be able to do without.

Image source

Floor mopping robot

You may have seen these handy little things in videos on social media - usually being ridden by a cat or another pet! In reality however, there is much more to these robots than simply being good entertainment/a car for your cat. Most are designed with a rough pad underneath which loosens dirt and grime. Then, the robot will deposit a stream of water as it starts to 'mop' the floor. Simply set it on a certain program, press start and your floor will be freshly mopped in minutes. There are varying robots for different room sizes and for different types of floor, so do some research before jumping in and buying one.

Pressure washer.

When you think of pressure washers, you may conjure up images of the neighborhood dads out pressure washing their driveways. But, there are actually multiple uses for a pressure washer - ones you might not even be aware of. Providing it is sturdy enough, try washing your fence with a pressure washer to remove any excess grime or the growth of things like moss. Pressure washers are also ideal for washing the sides of your home, garage doors and any outdoor furniture. It is also a great piece of equipment for dealing with pests, as you can use a pressure washer to knock down spider webs or wasp nests. Take a look at reviews like this Karcher K2 Home & Car Pressure Washer Review before buying so you know exactly what you are looking for.

Image source

Self-cleaning litter tray

We are a nation that loves our pets. After dogs, cats are the most popular domestic animal in the world. But unfortunately, they do come at a cost. Cat litter trays smell, and your guests may notice the odor when they come to your home. Investing in a self-cleaning litter tray for your kitty can be the perfect solution for this. It uses motion sensors to know when you cat has entered the litter tray to use it, and to know when it leaves. Once your cat has left the tray, the advanced mechanism removes the waste and puts it into a sealed container. You will still need to empty this every few days, but it's better than your cat's mess being laid out for all the household to see.

Caring Is Sharing: Why A Care Home Job Could Be The Making Of You

Nurses are, by and large, the most wonderful people. They sacrifice and strive to make their patients feel more like themselves again. It could even be argued that, although it is the doctors who cure the patients, it is the nurses who make them better. And yet nurses are often neglected and forgotten about – which seems a crying shame.

Some nurses choose to leave the hospital environment and instead look for care home jobs. This choice surprises many people as it is often seen that the hospital is where nurses have the best chance of success. However, working a care home could be the most ideal job choice for many people – here are our reasons why.

Image source

There Are Plenty Of Jobs

Within the care home sector there are always jobs. It is the ‘forgotten’ relative of the hospital, so when most nurses apply for hospital or clinic jobs, positions are care homes stay vacant. Therefore, if you think that a care home could be the making of you in your career, you should apply straight away. An interview could be yours before you know it. Add to this the fact that not as many nurses are qualifying today as in the past due to funding cuts, and you can – with the right qualifications – find employment quickly and relatively easily within the nursing home sector.

It’s Rewarding

Even the long-term ill will eventually leave a hospital, and it is unlikely that the nurses who cared for them will ever hear from them again. That’s not the case with care homes. The people who live in these homes are long-term residents who will stay in their home for many years. Nurses are therefore able to get to know their charges well. It makes going to work more enjoyable, and more rewarding. If you know you are truly helping someone get the most out of their life then it is all worth it.

Image source

Think For Yourself

As a nurse in a care home, you will need additional skills to get through every day in a happy, healthy manner. One of those skills is the ability to use your own initiative. There may not be many people around to help you, and fast thinking could be the difference between life and death. This is why nursing in a care home can be so much more exhilarating than anyone might imagine. It is a lot of responsibility, but that’s surely one of the reasons for applying?

It’s Not Just Nursing

Nursing is a major component of the day to day activities within a care home, but it is different to the working ways of a hospital. In a hospital everyone is unwell and needs treating. In a care home the residents may be perfectly healthy, and it could be age rather than illness that affects their everyday lives. Nursing in this case can mean a number of different things from sitting and having a chat to helping your patients clean up their own rooms. No matter what, it should be about ensuring that their quality of life is enhanced.

Working in a care home can be the best decision you’ve ever made – and it could indeed be the making of you.