Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Most People Overlook These Important Things When Moving House!

Moving house is so exciting, a chance to start fresh and a new place to dress and decorate exactly how you want. But the actual moving part isn’t so much fun, and in fact is one of the most stressful things you’ll probably ever do in your life. Physically moving your possessions and your life from A to B is fraught with challenges, so you’ll need to put as much effort into the planning and organizing stages as possible. Here are some of the things people can overlook when moving house; make sure you don’t forget these things to keep your move running as smoothly as possible!


Care For Children and Pets on Moving Day
You're moving company in and out of the house, doors will be left open, and boxes will be piled everywhere. So ideally you will have children and pets looked after elsewhere on the day that you move. That way you know no-one is going to run out of the front door, get in the way or potentially hurt by hazards. Plus moving is stressful, not just for adults but for children and animals too. Having them cared for in a safe and calming place, and bringing them to the new home once you’re setup is your best bet. You could ask friends and family members for help, or in the case of pets book them into a kennel or cattery for a couple of days if no-one is able to watch them for you. It means you can get on with moving things and doing what you need to do without the worry of making sure your children and pets are kept safe. Sites including http://www.parents.com have more information.


pexels-photo-117488.jpeg


A Storage Unit
Some house moves are smoother than others. In some cases, you will get your keys for your new property a couple of days before you have to hand your old ones over, giving you extra time to get your old property empty and cleaned. Other situations, however, might mean you have to hand in your keys on the day that you move, meaning there’s a huge rush and time restraint. Or worse still, you might need to empty your current home days, weeks or months before you can move into the new one. Some buyers can find themselves in a position where they have to temporarily rent or move in with family, as their old house has sold, but they are waiting on the new one. In this case, a storage unit is essential. If you’re renting or staying with loved ones short term, chances are you’re not going to have the space to move a whole house of possessions. Companies like http://canningvalestorageunits.com.au/, for example, offer both long as short term storage. Have a look at what’s local to you, in case your move leads to you needing to hire a storage container.


An Emergency Kit
When you first move into a property, there are a few important items that you’ll need to have on hand. Some plates, cups and cutlery so you can eat. Some toilet paper, bin bags, tea towels and cleaning products. Some bath towels and basic toiletries. Your phone charger, and any important paperwork. Don’t make the mistake of packing up your entire home and thinking ‘I’ll sort it when I get there.’ Unpacking properly can take days; it could be a while before the necessary items you need turn up. Pack yourself an emergency suitcase of things you’re going to need to get you through the initial move. Sites like https://www.reallymoving.com have more information about what to include.


pexels-photo-230484.jpeg


There is also moving home technology you can benefit from if you're moving home. If you're in the UK for instance, when moving home you need to sort all of your utilities (broadband, energy, council tax, water etc...). There are services such as SlothMove that can set that up - here's a link to their utility checklist.

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Sky Zone Kansas City Review (Shawnee) #SkyZone

Now that I find myself on Christmas vacation from homeschooling, it's time for another episode of ...

Reviews That Were Due a Million Years Ago

Today's episode focuses on Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline mecca kids would give up candy for. Back here I wrote about being excited to get to review Sky Zone here in Kansas City (Shawnee, to be more specific), so please check that out for more details about this insanely awesome place to take your kids. I wrote that at the end of 2014 and we did our party in January of 2015, which was almost 2 years ago, so the kids sure look different here!

So here is what I loved about our birthday party package we got to review:

You can sign the liability waiver online and not have to mess with it there, which is nice when you have a whole bunch of kids hanging around waiting to jump.

We had an entire TEAM of young ladies helping us out and checking in on us.
Prepping the kids

Jumping. Period. Just jumping. Exercise rocks.















Did I mention the massage chairs?



PARTY TIME!



 

 The Sky Socks were included. They have some grip on the bottom so they are perfect for jumping and probably also keep the trampolines less icky from feet juice.

Lots of different things to do ... jump up and down here. Play basketball while jumping there. Jump into a huge foam pit over there. Play basketball with wee tots over there in the smaller kid area. It was varied so it kept kids entertained.

Parents could also jump if they wanted, and we did. And I have never been so worn out, so it's an amazing workout.

Pizza and soda in the party room after jumping was nice that I could relax for a change instead of playing waitress like I do at home.

They are smart to do the pizza and soda AFTER the jumping because ... can you imagine the other way around? I wouldn't want to clean up those messes.

Honestly, we have not been back to Sky Zone, but it's not because my kids don't want to go. It's because it's pricey for my big family, even on the homeschool discount day. If they could make that homeschool discount just a little bit bigger, Mrs. McLoughlin would be spreading the news and getting together big groups and they would make big bank! All I have to do it mention it at the Open Play at Emerald City and there are a ton of homeschooling moms sitting on the bleachers there ready to head over to Sky Zone another day of the week with their young ones.

That said, Sam and I worked really hard selling his Scout popcorn this fall so he could get 2 free Sky Zone tickets for Sam and a friend, which means I get to pay for another 4 admissions, but they love it so much I will sneak it into the budget.

Here's how to find out about birthday parties.

They even have dodgeball leagues!

Friday nights they turn on the cool music and the black lights and you can GLOW while you jump!

Homeschoolers can come the 2nd Friday of every month from 2-4 p.m. (they really should offer this more often since Friday is usually a homeschoolers busiest day of the week for field trips and activities and also when other places such as Coco Key offer homeschool discounts every other month). The cost is $9.99 per hour so you could jump 2-3 p.m., 2:30-3:30 p.m. or 3-4 p.m. Seriously, knock that price in half and I'll buy a punchcard, baby!

Check out this link (there is more than one page to it as well) for their activities and programs.

Heading there this month with our 2 free passes, so I'll do another post about our experience!

Happy jumping!




Friday, December 30, 2016

Keep Your Car Running Smoothly With These Top Maintenance Tips

Owning a car is one of the best things for your family. A car makes things easier for school runs and practical purposes. Doing the weekly shop will be a lot easier when you don’t have to worry about getting it all home! Even with all these benefits, owning a car can be expensive. On top of insurance and tax, there are the unexpected costs that creep up when things go wrong. Keeping on top of car repair can save you from having to face extortionate costs later down the line. Here are some things every car owner should be aware of.




TIRES


Your tires need checking regularly. You depend on them for getting anywhere, so don’t let your tests slide! You will need to test the air pressure in your tires at least every few weeks. If you notice the pressure has dropped, fill your tires at one of the many available air pumps. If the problem persists, look at the condition of the tires to see if there is any wear. Driving on bumpy roads and pebble drives can lead to tire damage. Keep on top of the problem to avoid the situation getting serious. Tires aren’t cheap. Replacing them as and when they need it will save you having to pay out a lump sum to get them all done. Keep your spare tire in top condition, too, so that it’s always there as a backup!




ENGINE TROUBLE


All drivers dread that moment where something goes wrong with the engine. If you notice a strange sound when you start the car, it might be that something has gone wrong. Do a little research to familiarize yourself with car engines. That way, you should be able to determine what the problem is. Sometimes, it’ll be something small. Knowing the basics will ensure you can solve minor issues on your own. If it’s something more serious, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic.


ACCIDENTS


Even the best drivers are at risk of an accident. It’s not just your driving you have to depend on. Other drivers being careless is just as likely to make you crash. Staying aware when driving will help you avoid accidents. You’ll be able to react to the drivers around you. Avoid drinking anything before you drive, too. You may think you’re okay to have one drink, but it’s often not worth the risk. Don’t find yourself seeking representation for your DUI case. Avoid the risk altogether!


BRAKE PROBLEMS

Brake problems are one of the most serious thing that can happen to any car. If brakes malfunction, it could lead to an accident and serious injury. Taking proper care of your brakes is the best way to avoid issues arising. Test your brakes to ensure they’re working. Flush your brake fluid at least every two years to ensure it’s effective. Check, too, that your brake lights are in working order. Neglecting your brakes could lead to a major accident. Don’t take the risk with your family!

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Anavita Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizing Cream Review

So I am about TWO YEARS late on this review. Wow. I apologize for that, to the company that provided the product for me and to my readers of this blog ...

Here is the original post about how I was going to get this great anti-wrinkle cream to try out. I encourage you to check it out because it lists all the benefits of this great product.

I love that it doesn't take much at all and it really covers well. It's thick and goes on smoothly. It smells amazing! It's not greasy at all, which is wonderful since other products cause my mascara to smudge when I use them around my eyes. Speaking of my eyes, I think my eyes look pretty great for someone who just turned 45 over the summer!*

*I have to admit I only use it around my eyes and still have the original container of it, although it's almost time to purchase another!

Here is how to buy it and, at $29.95 for an anti-wrinkle cream that will last a while, that's a great deal.

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Merry Christmas Eve 2016 from the McLoughlins!

My sweet girls waiting for Santa before Mass

My handsome boys waiting for Santa before Mass

Checking out the nativity scene

My precious family! It was really cool because my boys were altar servers and the rest of us were asked to take up the gifts so it was a really special night. I love Christmas Mass!

Don't you love the dresses on the girls?! Those are from my mom, their Tutu!

This is the tree BEFORE Santa comes ... presents to my kids from each other, to and from my husband for each other, for my kids from my aunts and grandma and a huge box of something for the dog!

Tracking Santa at www.noradsanta.org