Archives for September 2016

Tips For Choosing the Right School For Your Kids

You can’t mess around when it comes to your children’s education. It’s really vital that you pick a school that is going to give them the best capacity for learning over a long period.  Today, I’m sharing tips on selecting schools for your children.  These are some of the factors you need to consider when choosing the right schools for your children.  Also, be sure to check out my other parenting tips before you go.  

 

 

tips on choosing the right school for kds

 

 

 

 

The Location

Making a decision on schooling means you need to think hard about location. It’s important to choose the right school, but you also need to know what is in your area. Generally speaking you will only be able to apply to schools that fall within your area. The school needs to be reasonably accessible from where you live.  It’s important for your children to be able to make friends with kids who live locally. That’s why you need to consider the location before you choose the school.

 

tips on how to choose a school

 

 

 

Syllabus

Another thing you might like to consider is the syllabus that each school presents. These will probably end up being pretty much the same across the board. The government tends to set the syllabus, and the schools just teach them. However, they can choose the framework with which they present and teach the syllabus.  Some schools will have more exciting ideas than others. Think about the sort of syllabus your kid might enjoy. In fact, when you go to view some schools take your kids with you to give them a feel for what they might like.

 

 

how to choose the right school for your child

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Pass Rate

The point of children attending school is to learn, study, and get the best possible grades they can. That’s why it’s useful to look at a school’s pass rate when considering whether it’s right for your child. Of course, you’re going to want to choose a school that has an impressive pass rate. Though, some institutions will excel in certain areas, and not in others. So, it’s worth thinking about what matters to you, and what is important for your kids. The pass rate is a key factor, but you have to understand it’s not the be all and end all. It’s much more important to choose somewhere based on a combination of factors.

 

Facilities

Another one of our tips for selecting schools is the facilities.  It would be best to pick a modern school that has recently been built, or undergone a major face lift.  You have to look at how strong each department is within the school. What’s the layout like? Do they have a gymnasium and sports field? Are there plenty of toilets? Most importantly, is the school as safe as it can be? Studies have proven that facilities can greatly affect student outcomes and teaching methods. So, you need to be sure you’re choosing an institution with wonderful facilities.

 

how to choose a school for your child

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Reputation

Making a decision about where to send your kids will be based a lot on reputation.  Doing your homework is one of the most important tips for selecting schools for your children.  School is such a pivotal institution in the lives of children, and can help shape their future. That’s why reputation is so important, and you’ve got to make sure you choose the school with the best reputation imaginable. That means you have to do your homework and scrutinize a school’s reputation and performance. Does it seem like the right sort of fit for your child? If the answer is yes, then it’s a good place to enroll them. If the answer is no, then you will need to look into other schools instead.

 

Equipment

Assess the equipment the school has is another one of our tips for selecting schools. Attending open house should allow you to take a tour of the school and quiz them on the equipment they have there. It’s really important to choose an institute that’s equipped to serve the needs of your children, and helping them to learn. For instance, you’re not going to want to choose a school with a shortage of classroom chairs or desks. This is going to have a negative effect on the capacity for learning.  So it’s really important that the school be well stocked and professionally run, with a focus on the children.

 

 

tips on choosing a school for your child

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Who Else Goes There?

It’s also important to consider the company your children will be keeping.  This sort of links to the point about reputation, as well as a little about location. It’s important that you know the children your kids will be interacting with. Do you have any friends who are sending their kids to a specific school? Do your children get along well with some of the kids who may be going there? It’s essential that you consider who else goes to the school you want to send the kids to. This is an important decision to make, and will help you decide on the best school for the children.

 

 

Home Schooling?

You may even make a decision that you don’t want to send your kids to any school.  Instead, you may wish to home-school them. There are a variety of reasons why parents home-school their kids. Close to 2 million American children are home-schooled, so it’s certainly a popular choice for a lot of parents. Think about whether you’re the type of person to choose distance learning for the children. There are positives and negatives to either argument.  Remember if you’re home-schooling the kids, you’re going to need to take time out to actually teach them. They aren’t going to be able to do it themselves. It’s going to be hard work for you just as much as it will be for them.

 

tips on how to choose the right school for your child

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Choosing the right school or learning institution for your kids is really important. They need to get the best possible education they can so they have good opportunities. That’s why it’s important to think hard about this choice and make it as carefully as you can. There are so many factors to consider when it comes to choosing a school. Hopefully, you will find this list helpful when trying to choose the right school for your kids.

It’s vital that you pick a facility that is going to give them the best capacity for learning over a long period. These are some of the factors you need to consider when choosing the right school:

Raaya Garden Hose Nozzle Review #RY_GARDENER

raaya garden hose nozzle review


I received this Raaya Garden Hose Nozzle for free or at a discount in exchange for an honest review.  I needed an additional nozzle for a hose in the back of my house.  This particular hose is used to wash off the picnic table, deck, and outdoor furniture.  I hate taking the nozzle off one hose and moving it to another.  So, I was looking forward to receiving the set and putting it to the test.

The package finally arrives.  The nozzle is heavy and quality made.  It comes with 2 connectors, 4 washers and 2 O rings.  You won’t have to worry about leaks for quite some time.  It was easy to attach to the connector and to the hose.  It has a nice grip and the handle is easy to apply pressure to it.  I love that it has a little triangle on top that can be used to hold the handle in place.  You can set the handle and let the hose do the work.

 

garden hose nozzle review

 

The handle is ergonomically designed too.  This feature is important to me because of my carpal tunnel.  It’s heavy, but it doesn’t add a lot of weight to the hose.

The nozzle has several water streams.  First, the full stream is what I use to wash the car or clean off the deck and outdoor furniture.  It is powerful and does the job.  It’s perfect for cleaning off the driveway or the vinyl siding on the house.  This is a plus.

The one negative on this nozzle is that the streams are not marked.  I would not use the full stream in my garden or shrubbery bed.  It’s too powerful for tender plants and it would blast the mulch from the shrubbery beds.  Because the nozzle is not marked, you have to literally turn the knob on the hose to unmarked settings and just wait and see what stream you arrive at.  It’s not a show stopper, but it is an inconvenience. Other than that, I would recommend this nozzle.

 

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #90

 

image-sundays-best-scary-nights

 

Welcome to Week 90 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linkup. This is the first week of our Boo, Scary Nights theme.  Halloween is around the corner.  Everyone will be in search of the perfect costume for a night of spooky characters and delicious treats.  We’re looking for crafts, recipes, DIY, mantel makeovers, porch decorating tips and more.

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and share those on our linky too. They’re great for inspiration.

Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the festivities too. 

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on our linkup post the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best Featured Blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts pinned to Rhonda’s Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board and Kim M. pins the weekly featured bloggers to her Sunday’s Best Linkup Pinterest Board too!

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the Reader’s Choice and Host selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Sunday’s Best Hosts Are:

mother 2 mother sunday's best co-hosts

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother ~•~ Kim U. at Pinterested Parent ~•~ Kim M. at Life in a House of Testosterone
 

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Sundays Best Linkup Sundays Best Featured Blogger

Your readers may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. We appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now, let’s party!

Sunday’s Best Featured Posts Are:

Kim U. selected Witch Marshmallows from Embellish Mints

 

Halloween Witch Marshallow Treats

Rhonda selected She Shed Turned Play House  from Lolly Jane

Turn a shed into a play house

Kim M. selected The Changing Seasons from Agent 54

How seasons affect us

 

The Post with the Most Clicks

Fall Doily Leaf Napkin Ring from Oh My Creative

Fall decorating ideas

Our Favorite Theme Post(s): A Season of Colors:

20 Leaf Crafts from There’s Just One Mommy

crafts that use fall leaves

 

and

Fall Mantel and Painted Pumpkin Crate from Scrap Shoppe Blog  

how to paint a pumpkin design crate

 

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Finally, your hosts would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again … you could be selected next week! While you’re here, take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love and be sure to connect with others on social media!


14 Reasons You Need To Get An Outdoor Pool!

Swimming is something we all do as kids, and then as we get older a lot of us start to lose interest.  It’s not because it’s not fun, but as we get older we have other things to do.  We get hang-ups about our bodies in a way that few kids really do. That’s not to say it never happens to kids; regrettably it does.  But whatever age we are, we can all benefit from time spent in the pool.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on why families should purchase backyard pools.   

 

 

backyard pools

 

If you’ve already researched the pros of  backyard pools or just starting to get more use from the one you have, you’re on the right track.  There are so many reasons having a backyard pool is an excellent choice.  The reasons range from the obvious health benefits to many others.  Although it’s not cheap, the benefits will pay for itself.  Particularly if you have the climate to use it year round.

 

Swimming Is Some Of The Best Exercise You’ll Get

 

backyard pools

 

A lot of people talk about swimming as a low-impact form of exercise,  and in some ways it is.  It is an excellent way of getting aerobic and cardio exercise, which everyone needs.  It doesn’t put much pressure on muscles, and if you struggle with endurance time in the pool is a great way to build it.

 

Getting In The Pool Is A Great Way To Cool Off

It’s a fact that, globally, temperatures are on the rise, and are staying higher for longer periods of time.  It is also a fact that heatwaves are happening more often.  Heatwaves has its benefits for those who love the sun. However, anyone who says that it’s not occasionally uncomfortable is either untruthful or some sort of lizard. We’re not built to sustain heat indefinitely. Getting in the pool is heaven on hot, steamy days like these.

 

Swimming Is A Communal Form Of Exercise

 

backyard pools

Going to the gym has its place. We all benefit from running machines and exercise bikes, but it’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not “fun for all the family.” You don’t really get to have a fun chat as you’re pounding the treadmill. That’s not least because you fear being sling-shot into the weights machines if you pause for a moment.  Using backyard pools at your leisure makes it a family thing.

 

Helps In Recovering From An Injury 

As mentioned earlier, swimming in a pool is a low-impact form of exercise from a muscular point of view.  Doctors recommend backyard pools as a part of an injury recovery regime. To get back in shape you need to exercise.  With the support of the water, you can do it without over-exerting and aggravating the injury.  It will also strengthen muscle generally.

 

Perfect For Parties

Backyard pools can be an excellent venue. For grown-ups, they allow an outdoor space to enjoy good music, food, drinks and a place to cool off in summer. For kids’ parties where games are an absolute essential, they provide a great setting.  From the classics like Marco Polo, to Noodle Jousting and Octopus, all are a lot of fun and easy to monitor.

 

Enhances An Outdoor Space

When you move into a house, most of your time is spent thinking about the indoors. But the outdoor areas are in many ways just as important. A well-tended garden can make a house feel more like a home and increase its resale value. A pool and outdoor seating area can make it special too. When friends and family come to visit, you can be sure that they will appreciate the chance for a dip.

Each Pool Can Be Customized To Great Effect

It could never be said that when you’ve seen one pool, you’ve seen them all. What you do with your pool is up to you, but you can add a waterfalls,  put in a springboard or set up a hot tub and that’s just to start.  Even a waterslide is a possibility; however, unless you have a lot of disposable income you’re not going to challenge the theme parks.

 

Out Of The Pool Onto The Patio

Setting up a seated area on the patio is the perfect way to follow up a relaxing time in the pool. After you’ve had a bit of a workout and swum until you can swim no more – or if you feel like a change of scene – a few patio heaters will make a big difference. You’ve worked those muscles and now they deserve a rest. Get a towel wrapped around you and let the heat radiate and soothe any aches away.
As the temperatures drop and you’re still in your swimming costume, warming up by the pool is essential. Next to a heater on a comfortable patio chair, you can relax with a drink and carry on conversations begun in the pool. It’s worth checking sites like Hot Tub Advice to get a bit more information on what will suit you.

 

It’s An Incredible Way To De-stress

In the course of a day’s work, the stresses and strains can build up to the point where you feel like one big knot of frustration. Getting in a swimming pool and swimming or just floating for a bit can be a wonderful way of letting those stresses melt away. Think of it as being a big, gentle massage that encompasses your whole body. Can you think of anything more relaxing than that?

 

Strengthening Athletic Abilities 

 

summer activities, summer family activities

 

A child can demonstrate a talent for swimming or diving in the swimming pool. Maybe they’ll be great at water polo or synchronized swimming.  In any case, the chance to practice at home is something that could make things much easier for them.

 

Any Day Can Be A Holiday

Your familiar with the idea of a “staycation.” You do all the things that you would do on holiday (try driving a few towns over for some sight-seeing). The kicker is that you don’t have the travel costs to worry about. So if you like to spend a holiday by the pool, now you can do it at home. Weather permitting of course!

 

It’s A Great Convincer For Playdates

Let’s be honest, you’ll see your kids more.  Inviting their friends over to swim and play is a great way to get to know other parents too.  You can use the time for adult interaction. Having your own pool is a pretty useful card to have in the deck.  Kids like swimming and it’s good for them – and it could be good for your kid’s social life too.

 

A Pool Ups Your Resale Value

Having a pool in your garden compared to not having one can up the resale value on your property by 5% or more. If your house is currently valued at $500,000, you could add another $25,000 on to that.  The more you add around it – pool house, gas grill, diving boards – the more the value can rise. You’ll be sorry to leave it, but you’ll have the funds to do it again!

 

Do You Hate Bedtime? Not Anymore!

Having a backyard pool means that your kids are getting exercise all summer long.  You may not realize the full benefit that this gives you until a couple of weeks into the summer. At some point, you realize that you haven’t had to shout at your kids to go to bed.  They have tired themselves out swimming all day.  A sound night’s sleep is good for them and for you.

The initial outlay of a backyard pool may seem excessive; however, the fourteen reasons above is worth it.

When it comes down to it how would you like to spend the sunny days of the year?  With a meal and a drink, and relaxing swim, and than looking over the sparkling water of your backyard pool sounds like a winner to me. You’ll never regret making the choice to get a swimming pool.

Leave us a comment and let us know what your dream pool looks like.

6 Great Style and Beauty Tips for Busy Moms

beauty tips, skin care tips

Whether you’ve recently welcomed motherhood or are a parenting veteran, you know that time is a luxury. You can barely find the time to sleep, let alone put on makeup and look polished. Before you know it, your kids  and other responsibilities demand all your attention and you have no time for yourself. You’ve probably forgotten what it feels like to get a manicure or have a day at the spa.

But you don’t need to give up on looking good yet. Give yourself just 15 minutes every day and follow the tips mentioned below to look and feel great.

(Take a few minutes everyday to take care of yourself)

  1. Prioritize healthy skin

Taking care of your skin should be foremost on your list of priorities. No amount of makeup can cover up an unhealthy complexion. So find a skincare regime that works for you and follow this every day. Cleanse gently, tone and moisturize with a hydrating moisturizer. Always use a good sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

Additionally, remember that what you eat has an impact on the health of your skin. So consume a diet full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Vitamins are the building blocks of skin and hair, and a deficiency of these can cause many skin problems and infections. For more information on vitamin rich foods and their benefits, take a look at this infographic:

14 Potent Vitamins for Younger and Healthier Skin

This Infographic – 14 Potent Vitamins for Younger and Healthier Skin – Was Created By Fixyourskin.com

Also remember to drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. Motherhood may keep you up on most nights, so try to fit in naps throughout the day.

  1. Invest in Basics and staples

As a mom, you probably spend a lot of time in jeans, joggers and t-shirts. These are comfortable and perfect for running after kids or even doing the laundry. But you can stay comfortable and stylish at the same time. Invest in a great pair of jeans that flatter your shape or a classic shirt instead of spending money on cheaper clothes. These will get worn out in no time, and you’ll be back where you started. Investing in staples will save you time and money in the long run.

  1. Get a Straightening or Curling Treatment for your hair

With a hectic day ahead, you won’t have the time to put together an elaborate hairdo. You probably barely have the time to run a comb through your hair. A simple solution to this is to have a permanent hair treatment done. Getting your hair straightened or curled, will give you gorgeous hair every day with no effort.

  1. Pick the Right Accessories

The right accessories can make or break an outfit. A great bag or some stunning shoes will transform your look completely. Like clothing, the same rule applies when it comes to accessories. Always invest in quality, classic pieces, rather than blindly following trends. Take care of your accessories and store them in dust proof bags to ensure that they last you many years. Great accessories can elevate any basic outfit and take it up several notches.

  1. Look after your nails and toes

Your days of hitting the salon regularly may be far behind you.  You want your hands and feet to look gorgeous in sandals or flip flops during the summer months.  You can still have soft hands, feet and polished nails. All you need are a few basic items such as a nail file, buffing brush, and moisturizer.  A little care every day and can give your nails that salon look at home.

  1. Take the natural route

Your path to beautiful skin and hair can begin right in your kitchen. You’d be surprised at the common ingredients that can be incorporated into your skin care routine.  However, you don’t have to spend valuable time mixing skincare concoctions in the kitchen to fix your skin.  Easily available ingredients such as olive oil can do wonders for your complexion. It acts as an excellent moisturizer and soothes dry skin and lips.  Additionally, rubbing lemon juice on your elbows and knees can lighten pigmentation. Don’t need to head to the store the next time you run out of moisturizer, head toward your kitchen. Just use the natural ingredients in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Most importantly, being a mom isn’t easy. It requires patience, stamina and an endless amount of energy. You may feel overwhelmed at times, and wonder if you will get any time to yourself ever again. Just remember that it will all be worth it and make sure to set aside a few minutes every day for yourself.  Most Taking care of yourself will help you feel more centered, relaxed and ready to take on the day. Try some of the tips mentioned, to feel your best even on the busiest days.  What’s in your skin care routine?  Do you take time to get a manicure or pedicure?  Tell us about your style or beauty routine.

Author Bio:  Hello, Amelia, here from FixYourSkin.com!  FixYourSkin has a lot of tips, health advice and DIY recipes which can give you great looking skin without any side effects!

 

15 Morning Habits to Make Coming Home Even Better

If you’re a working mom, your home can become a pretty complex place. Home is where you make memories with your family, and where you keep them safe.  It’s also where you relax and build your life with your husband or significant other. We all know that busy schedules can disrupt domestic harmony.  So, today we’re sharing tips on chores that you can perform in the morning.  Getting organized can put you on the path to empowering yourself and making coming home a pleasure.

 

 

house cleaning tips, kids chores

 

 

 You may prefer to leave cleaning and other jobs for the weekend. However, there are a few simple steps you can take on a daily basis to tweak your home.  For example, opening the curtains in the living room will fill the room with light and air.  Plumping up sofa cushions will make the room far more enticing.   Also, add flowers and/or a fragrance diffuser in the entry way.  Beauty and a fresh scent when you enter your home.  It’s a great way to unwind and have a positive attitude when you’re greeted by the children and your husband.
Another step is to make your kid’s beds in the morning or encourage your child to make their bed if they are old enough.  It will make their rooms feel tidy, and more appealing when bedtime arrives.  Don’t neglect your own bed either.  There’s nothing more comforting than the sight of a made bed and a fresh pair of pajamas.  Get in the habit of fluffing the pillows and decluttering before going to bed, and making beds in the morning.  You will find that it only takes a few minutes to perform these tasks.
If this already feels achievable, be sure to check out this new infographic which explores a handful of other tips for reviving your love affair with your home – without the burden of extra work.

15 Morning Habits to Make Coming Back Home Even Better

 

 

5 Ingenious Ways to Encourage Kids to Play Outside

There are many parents who would like to see their kids spend more time playing outside.  Modern children love their gadgets, but they must also  learn that the great outdoors is waiting to be discovered.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on encouraging kids to play outside.

 

 

encouraging kids to play outside

 

 

Let Them Care for the Plants

Is there a chance that your little ones might be interested in caring for your plants?  Most children love to water plants, dig out weeds, and anything else to keep the plants healthy.

Many youngsters really enjoy looking after plants because it gives them a great feeling of responsibility. Why not try this out to see how much they enjoy doing it for a few days.

Eat Together Outside

Eating outside is something that most children enjoy doing when given a chance.  Put a lunch together, and eat at the picnic or patio table.  Can you imagine how much fun they would have.

By doing this you can introduce them to the pleasures of being outdoors. With a bit of luck they will then carry on playing out there once you have all finished eating.

Add Some Outdoor Toys

Possibly the simplest and most effective way of getting children to play outside is to add some outdoor toys in the garden for them. After all, they may simply not go outside because there is  nothing for them to do.

Some cool garden toys such as kids trampolines, balls, tennis nets and other exciting stuff will give them lots of new ways to have fun outside. You might even find  that some of the grownups in the family enjoy playing outside as well.

These toys will give them a terrific option when they have friends over or when you plan a birthday party for them at home.

Grow Vegetables

Another hobby that can get youngsters outside more often is growing vegetables. This is a wonderful activity that can bring the whole family benefits.  For example, healthier eating, lower shopping bills and the chance to live a more environmentally friendly way of life.

This is something that should be suggested rather than forcing them to do it. If they enjoy growing their vegetables then they will probably start to spend more time outside doing other things as well.

Get Some Pets

Some pets can also do a terrific job in getting the kids to stray outdoors more often. For example, a rabbit is the kind of pet that most youngster love to play with in the garden.

An alternative to getting your own pets could be to make your garden more bird or animal-friendly.   Encourage local wildlife to come and visit the property. The kids can then enjoy getting out to look for their little visitors.

There are many clever and practical ways of encouraging younger members of the family to put down their gadgets and head outside to play. Why not give a couple of these ideas a try and see how they work?

 

Katrina, is a proud mom of two gorgeous girls who loves writing about home improvement, decor and contributes regularly on various blogs and online publications like Mother2Motherblog.com

Sunday’s Best Linky – #89

fall, fall activities, autumn

 

Welcome to Week 89 of Mother 2 Mother’s Sunday’s Best Linky. This is the last week of our fall theme linky, A Season of Colors The days are getting a little cooler in my neck of the wood. The leaves haven’t turned yet, but I love the yellow, gold, burgundy, and brown colors.  Sweaters and boots come out the closet.  Marshmallows  and hot dog roasts are a favorite too.  We’re looking for crafts, recipes, makeovers, after school activities, homeschooling tips and more.

We also welcome other recipes, crafts, DIY, home makeover, gardening tips, SEO & blogging information, sewing projects, patio and deck makeovers, front porch makeover ideas, organization tips, ideas for backyard hot dog roasts, and more. Blow the dust off your old posts and share those on our linky too. They’re great for inspiration.

Don’t have posts that fit into the theme, link up whatever post you would like to share. We would love to have parenting tips, DIY projects, homesteading, homeschooling, makeovers, cocktails, and your posts on family and life. Your linkups and giveaways are welcome here too. Anything goes, as long as it’s family friendly and you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Be sure to tell your friends they will want to join the festivities too.  Next week we will be starting our Boo, Scary Nights linky. 

Each week your hosts will select their favorite post and it will be featured the following week. An image from your post will be used on our linkup post the following week with a link back to your blog. Be sure to check back to see if you’re a Sunday’s Best Featured Blogger. All Featured Bloggers will have their posts pinned to Rhonda’s Sunday’s Best Pinterest Board and Kim M. pins the weekly featured bloggers to her Sunday’s Best Linkup Pinterest Board too!

The Reader’s Choice post(s) will be determined by the post(s) with the most clicks. We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best will be promoted on Twitter.

In addition to the Reader’s Choice and Host selections, a post for our monthly themes will be selected and featured each week as well.

If you are interested in becoming a Sunday’s Best host, please contact me for details at rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts.

Your Sunday’s Best Hosts Are:

mother 2 mother sunday's best co-hosts

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother ~•~ Kim U. at Pinterested Parent ~•~ Kim M. at Life in a House of Testosterone
 

Here are the rules, please connect with us on social media before you leave or subscribe to/follow our blogs:

Mother 2 Mother: Please like Rhonda’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, BlogLovin, or subscribe/join her blog on the right sidebar before you leave.

The Pinterested Parent: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin before you leave.

Life In A House of Testosterone: Please like Kim’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Bloglovin, or Instagram before you leave.

Snag a Button!

Last, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. If you are selected as a Featured Blogger please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

Sundays Best Linkup Sundays Best Featured Blogger

Your readers may want to join the party too! For those who have a Link Party list/directory, please add us. We appreciate your help in promoting the linkup with Re-tweets and shares. Now, let’s party!

 

Sunday’s Best Featured Posts Are:

Kim U. selected International Bacon Day from Lazy Gastronome

 

 image-international-bacon-day

Rhonda selected Breakfast Potatoes from Anchored in Sweets

breakfast recipes, breakfast ideas, potato recipes

 

Kim M. selected 9 Fall Snack Ideas from Mother 2 Mother

 

snack ideas, kids snack ideas

The Post with the Most Clicks

The DIY Friendship Key Rings from Wesen Art

 

 DIY, friendship gifts,

Our Favorite Theme Post(s): A Season of Colors:

Welcome Fall Chalkboard from Across the Boulevard

 

chalkboard ideas, fall chalkboard ideas

and

Sunflower Screen Saver from Helen Fern Originals 

sunflower screen saver, screensavers, freebies

Congratulations to our featured bloggers! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you linking up. We have so many great posts that it gets difficult to choose a featured blogger. Finally, your hosts would like to invite all of you back to link up your post(s) again … you could be selected next week! While you’re here, take a minute to visit these great blogs. It’s a great way to meet and connect with new bloggers. Be sure to PIN or share any posts that you like, we all appreciate a little love and be sure to connect with others on social media!


4 Top Family Activities in Bali

Bringing kids along on an exotic vacation can be challenging.  Today, I’m sharing family activities in BaliBali is a province of Indonesia and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands.  Luckily, Bali isn’t just an exotic island.  I knew that it was the best choice for our first international family vacation because of its high standards for safety and adventure.  My 14-year old soccer-loving son (Aaron) and his 11-year-old sister (Olivia) would agree.  Check out my other travel tips before you leave.

 

 

 

Bali vacations, friendly vacations, vacations

 

 

Here are the top family activities in Bali:

Elephant Riding
First, Bali’s main asset lies in the island’s picturesque natural landscape. Gorgeous beaches are a plus too. We decided exploring nature by visiting one of the island’s top elephant safari parks. My kids love animals, so it wasn’t that hard of a choice.  We headed to a nearby rainforest where we took our sweet time admiring the endangered Sumatran elephants. The massive exhibit of a mammoth skeleton in the park’s museum is breathtaking. To top it all off, we had a tasty dinner at the nearby lakeside restaurant. Afterward, we returned home with several bags of souvenirs.

White Water Rafting

Next, White Water Rafting is a fun activity for the entire family.  However, I don’t recommend it for the squeamish. Olivia decided to stay on the sidelines on our first go-around. She relented after seeing Aaron having so much fun.  Consult experts before booking a ride, not every place is suited for children.   Kids 9 years old and above will love The Telaga Waja River. The Ayung River is slightly easier and is suitable for children as young as 5.

Waterparks

Bali has perfect spots for water fun.  Therefore, one of the most popular is Waterbom.  It’s a paradise of water slides that made me feel like a kid again.  Aaron and Oliva were screaming their heads off with joy the entire time.  Their water slides that made me feel like a kid again too.
I recommend paying a visit to Splash Waterpark if you have small children. It is smaller, which allows you to keep an eye on your kids across the whole park.  It also makes the children safer in the water park and the experience less dangerous.  Come fully equipped with swimsuits in tow.
Treetop adventures
So, after splashing around for some time we felt the need to cap off our vacation with a bang. We knew that Aaron was into sports and that Olivia would likely want to follow her brother’s lead.  As a result, we headed to Treetop Adventure Park.  It was filled with all sorts of circuits and courses, and old fashioned tree-climbing.  It was just what the kids needed.  Furthermore, your little ones will want to explore at length leaving you and your weary bones in the dust.  Also, the zip line we boarded at the end of our trips still makes my head spin.
Last, the island is remarkably kid-friendly.  My children were welcome in most places with open arms. Bali will always be at the top of my list for family vacation spots.  Finally, I encourage anyone to try it out and see for themselves what all the fuss about.

 

Image-Heather-GreenHeather is a accounting professional turned SAHM of two and a Midwest housewife.  Heather was born in England, but met the love of her life in Italy while studying abroad. In her free time she enjoys gardening, jeopardy, and planning family gatherings and vacations. 

 

Fun Halloween Crafts and Gifts for Children

halloween crafts, halloween

 

Now we are into the month of September; things are starting to look much more like fall. The kids are back at school, and the weather is starting to get a little cooler. The full season of fall will be here before we know it! There are so many fun things that you can do as a family during the season. It is a lovely time, where you can get snuggled with hot cocoa or bake lots of pumpkin spice treats. Of course, the exciting and fun time of Halloween will soon be upon us too. I don’t think that it is ever too early to start planning for Halloween. There are plenty of crafts that you can do with the kids, as well as give Halloween gifts. So if you are looking for some inspiration, you have come to the right spot.

halloween crafts, halloween gifts

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Halloween Gift Ideas for Your Kids

Let’s face it; they will get plenty of candy when they visit neighbors or go trick or treating. So it might be nice to give them some things that aren’t candy related. I’m sure their dentist will be thankful! You could get some craft things for them together and create some cute labels. You could get some play dough and remove the normal label. There are lots of printables online, or you could always make your own. It could be a label to say something like ‘Boo Dough’ or ‘Witches Putty.’ If you choose the Halloween style colors, then it would make it even better. So look for orange, black or green dough.

You could even create some slime or putty of your own for them. The options are quite endless with this. It could be orange and pumpkin spice scented slime, or green witch or monster slime. There are lots of different recipes that you can find online. They are all quite straightforward to make and don’t need any crazy ingredients. Just pop it in a mason jar and print out a cute little label. It is a perfect gift for any elementary schoolers that you have. Who wouldn’t like some Halloween slime?!

 

halloween party ideas, halloween drinks

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If you are a little short on time, then it might be easier to just get them a fall or Halloween themed gift from the store. How about a Halloween jigsaw puzzle from Stave, or a pumpkin scented candle or an actual pumpkin itself? Then they can spend time carving it or drawing funny faces on it. Instead of carving, you can also get some stickers or pins for pumpkins. Then they just stick things into and on the pumpkin. A bit safer for little ones, rather than having to get knives out to carve. Glow sticks are also a fun idea to put inside Jack o’lanterns, instead of candles. Much safer for our little ones.

Halloween Crafts for Your Kids

One fun little thing, which is still edible, though, could be making some sugar cookies. Get some leaf or Halloween shaped cookie cutters and then your kids can decorate them as they would like. It could be something that you give to friends or neighbors if you’d rather have someone else eat them!

I don’t know many children that don’t enjoy getting messy with paint. If you have got some green paint, then you can make some Frankenstein cards or decorations. Use the paint on feet and then print the feet onto cardstock. It is fun for everyone to get involved in. Then using some black finger paints, they can draw on some eyes, mouth, nose and of course, Frankenstein’s neck bolts. Then just cut them out to make some ‘bunting’ to display around the house.

Other crafts could be making some pasta skeletons. Glue dried pasta onto black paper or cardstock. They can make the skeleton bones with pasta, so get the penne style pasta or they could just use spaghetti. Quite a cheap but very fun activity. If your children are a little bit older, then making some pumpkin or ghost pompom could be a neat idea. You just get some cardboard in a circle, with a hole in the middle, to use as a frame. Then using the right color of wool, you can loop the wool through it. Keeping looping and pulling it tight. Then carefully cut around the middle of the loop, tie it up and you’ve got a pompom! Just stick on some eyes and it would make the perfect decoration this fall.

Have you got any favorite things to do with your little ones during fall?