Allenbelle Essential Oils Review

I was given the opportunity to purchase Allenbelle  Essential Oils at a discount in exchange for a review.  If you make a purchase I may be compensated; however, there will no charge to you.  Profits from any sales from my blog are used to maintain Mother 2 Mother blog.

Lets get to the review.  So, I’m starting to really enjoy using essential oils, especially in my diffuser.  I’m not into one particular brand at this time.  As a result, I’m at the experimenting stage so I like trying different brands and scents.  Today, I’m sharing my product review on the Allenbelle Essential Oils review.

 

essential oil review

First, I want to discuss for this essential oils review is the packaging.  These oils are packaged nicely in dark bottles.  So, there are 8 essential oils in the box.  Furthermore, the scents include Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree, Rose, Frankincense, Lemon, Orange.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love curling up with a magazine or snack and enjoy the scents in my diffuser.  I reached for the Peppermint and Orange scents without hesitation.

 

essential oils review

 

Also, I love essential oil bottles that make it easy to add the oils to recipes and to your diffuser.   Allenbelle does just that.  This concept allows you to easily control the number of drops that you add.  They are also easy to open and close too.

 

essential oils reviews

 


 

So, I added about 6 – 8 drops of the Peppermint to my diffuser, and it provided a nice scent.  Once that had been used, I diffused the orange.  A bedtime favorite is the lavender.  I added a few more drops to provide the scent that I wanted.  Maybe it was just me, but it didn’t seem to have the same power as the Peppermint or Orange.  However, you may not like it as strong as I do.

Also, I have my grandchildren into essential oils.  Simply for the relaxation effects of the scents and the changing lights on the diffuser.  It truly helps them relax and fall asleep.  Mesmerize your children or yourself with these LED Light Diffusers.  They are perfect for diffusing these Allenbelle essential oils.

 

Ellenbelle Essential Oils

 

I decided to do something different with the oils for this essential oils reviews.  I have a ton of pine cones sitting around.  Furthermore, I collect pine cones my daughter’s yard and my backyard.

 

essential oils review

 

I used a medium spray bottle filled with 1/2 the bottle of water and 10 -12 drops of the Eucalyptus essential oil.  I also sprayed another set with the orange essential oil.   Both smelled heavenly, but the orange was my favorite.  I place them in baskets or tins and place them throughout the house.  Stayed tuned to my post where I will share step by step instructions on how to make these scented pine cones and fire starters.

 

essential oils review

 

 

In conclusion, I highly recommend Allenbelle Essential Oils.   Amazon highly recommends them too.  They have them listed as an Amazon’s Choice product.

Backyard Birds That Eat Apples

So, today I’m sharing birding tips on backyard birds that eat apples  It’s apple season!  You can buy a few or you can buy them by the bushel.  You can make pies, jelly or jam, cobblers or just snack on them.  But, whatever you do pick up a few apples for your backyard birds.  They love them too.

Apples are an excellent source of sugar.  Sugar provides energy, which is essential during fall migration and winter months.  Furthermore,  apples help our backyard birds to maintain body heat during chilly weather.  So, help our feather friends by providing some of those delicious apples.

 

birds that eat apples

 

 

Here’s a list of backyard birds that eat apples:

  • Mockingbirds
  • American Robin
  • Blue Jay
  • Northern Bobwhite
  • Northern Cardinal
  • Cedar Waxwing
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Eastern bluebird
  • Eastern Towhee
  • Grosbeaks
  • Gray catbird
  • Hairy woodpecker
  • House Finch
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • Orioles,
  • Purple Finch
  • Red-bellied woodpecker
  • Red-headed woodpecker
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Crows

 

birds that eat apples

 

Place chucks or chopped apples in a small dish for backyard birds.  You can also use a platform or hopper feeder too.  Furthermore, you can cut the apples in half, remove the seeds, and just place the apples on the ground. If you can find a way to place an apple on a dead branch on a tree, that’s a great way to attract backyards to it.  Additionally, I have chopped apples in my kitchen chopper and mixed it in with the birdseed during the winter months too.

 


 


 

birds that eat apples

 

 

So, check your area to see what birds from the list can be lured to your backyard.  Please note, my list is not all inclusive.  There may be birds in your zone that are not on my list, so do your research on your backyard birds.  You may also like:  How to Attract Backyard Birds to Your Bird Bath.

 

 

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #244

Welcome to Week 244 of Sunday’s Best Linkup – #244.  This will be the last week of our  Hello Fall theme. So, we’re looking for all things relating to fall. This includes recipes, crafts, DIY, makeovers, S’mores treats and more. Blow the dust off those old posts and share them. Also, we’re looking for parenting, SEO, cocktails, DIY, makeovers and more are welcome too. Additionally, we’ve added a new category, Mom Needs a Cocktail. So, we will be featuring cocktails and/or mocktails of the week. If you have cocktail or mocktail recipes you would like to share, we welcome them!


Sunday's Best Linkup

  Additionally, 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. Anything goes on Sunday’s Best Linkup – #244, as long as it’s family friendly. And, you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Furthermore, be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the Sunday’s Best Linkup too.

So, each week your hosts will select their favorite post. The posts will be featured the following week. Also, an image from your post will be used on our linkup the following week along with a link back to your blog. As a result, 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 Pinterest Board too!

Also, the post with the most clicks will be the Reader’s Choice post(s). We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best Linkup featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best Linkup – #244 will be promoted on Twitter. The Post With the Most Clicks will be selected. Monthly Themes will feature a post each week as well.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

 

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Kim at Life in a House Brittany at A Mama Tale

 

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.

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

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave. Snag a Button!

Most importantly, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. So, please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

 
 
 
Also, your readers may want to join the Sunday’s Best Linkup 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!
 
 
 
Rhonda selected Laundry Room Reveal from Hand Made Weekly   
 
 
 
DIY laundry room makeovers
 
 
 
Kim selected Happy Fall Yall from Whispers of the Heart 
 
 
fall decor
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brittany selected Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Manicotti  from Janine Huldie
 

 

manicotti recipe

 

Our Post Extraordinaires

 

Peanut Butter Brownie Pizza from 3 Boys and a Dog   

 
 
 
brownie recipe
 
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
back to school decor
 
 
 
 
 
 
Orange Creamsicle Poke Cake from Loulou Girls  
 
 
 
 
dessert recipes
 
 
 
 
 

Favorite Theme Post(s) – Hello Fall!

 

Book Page Pumpkins from The Scrap Shoppe BlogFresh Vintage By Lisa

 
 
 
fall decor
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
DIY Fall Cooper Wreath from Clean and Scentsible
 
 
 
 
fall decor
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
Candy Corn Sugar Cookies from Mommy Evolution 
 
 
 
cookie recipes
 
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
Velvety Pumpkin Crumb Cake from Delightful E Made  
 
 
 
 
fall dessert recipes
 
 

Mom Needs a Cocktail

 

Tequila Mule from Craft Beering

 
 
cocktail recipes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Last, congratulations to the featured bloggers on Sunday’s Best Linkup – #244! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you participating on Sunday’s Best Linkup. 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. We could select your post next week!
 
Finally, 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.

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

10 Baby Shower Game Ideas

Planning a baby shower? So, I’m sharing tips on baby shower game ideas that I have used when hosting baby showers.  We know how stressful and time consuming it can be to put a baby shower together.   You want it to be perfect, but time is not always on your side. The baby showers were all successful, and the guests had a blast playing the games.

 

baby shower game ideas

Here’s a few baby shower game ideas:

For the Ice Breaker –  First, have each guest tell everyone how they know the Mommy To Be. This loosens everyone up so you can start the festivities.

My Water Broke –  Second, place a miniature baby, party favor, in each section of the ice tray and fill with water. The cube will contain the party favor when it freezes. Place an ice cube in a paper cup and give to each guest.  Each guest must watch the ice cube and when it’s fully melts yell “My Water Broke.”  Be sure to give each guest their ice cube at the same time.  During the ice breaker above would be a good time.

 What Mom Needs – Give each guest a note pad and pencil.  Have each guest write down  a list of baby items Mom and Dad will need.  Give guests 5 minutes to complete.  The guest with the most items listed wins a door prize.

 

 


 

 

Place 5 – 10 Baby Items in a Gift Bag –   Additionally, allow each guest to look into the bag for 5 – 10 seconds.  Have each guest write down the items that were in the bag.  The guest who has the most correct items wins. (Gift bag goes to Mommy To Be).


TIC-TAC-TOE
– Have each guest make a grid for tic-tac-toe and list baby items on the grid.  The host will call out a list of baby items prepared in advance.  The guests who has 3 in a row must call out “Baby Tic-Tac-Toe” to win a door  prize.

 

 

baby shower game ideas

 

 

 

The Paper Bag –  Place several baby item in a sealed brown paper bag. Pass the bag to each guest and allow them to feel the bag for a 5 seconds. Ask guests to write down what’s in the bag.  The guest with the correct number of items wins.  (Goodies go to Mom To Be).

Drink Up – Place punch in several baby bottles.  (Purchase nursers from the dollar store for this game).  Gave a bottle to participating guests.  The winner is the guest who finishes drinking the punch first.  Not as easy as it looks!  Fun game


 

Baby Shower Bingo – Next, I purchased this game for my daughter’s baby shower. It is a fun game. Check on-line for printable Bingo cards and make your own game or purchase these ready made Baby Shower Bingo cards.  Use pennies for the markers.

 

Taste Test – Purchase 3 jars of baby food and remove the labels.  Give each jar a distinctive mark so you will know what they are.  I marked my on the bottom with a permanent marker.  Have each guest taste the baby food. The guest who has the most correct answers wins.

Scratch Offs –  Also, I purchased baby shower scratch offs for my daughter’s baby shower, and the guests really enjoyed them. You can order these on-line. The guest with the word “Winner” gets the 63

.

 

Place Q-tips In A Jar – Last, the guest who is closest to the number or who comes up with the number wins.

 

 

15 Baby Shower Door Prize Ideas

Planning a baby shower and the date is quickly approaching?  The invitations are out, theme has been selected and the menu planned, but you completely forgotten about door prizes and the games.  Been there done that.   However, I have successfully hosted several baby showers for family and friends.  So, today I’m sharing parenting tips for baby shower door prize ideas.

 

baby shower door prizes

 

Great gifts to thank guests who are helping to make your baby shower the best ever is important.  After all,  your guests are the key to a successful shower and they’ve taken the time to honor the Mother To Be.  You don’t want them to leave empty handed.

 

 Baby Shower Door Prize Ideas:

  1. Candles – First, everyone loves candles.  You can find them in yummy scents or no scent.
  2. Set of Ice Cream Bowls or Sundae Cups – Great for family time.
  3. Coffee or Latte Mugs – Great for sipping coffee or tea.
  4. Kitchen towel set – So, who couldn’t use new kitchen towels.
  5. Loofah and Body Wash – Make someone’s day with a scented body wash and loofah.
  6. Stationary – Writing a personal note or thank you card never goes out of style.
  7. Coffee or Tea – Nice for week-ends when you can catch a moment to relax.
  8. Homemade Jam or Salsa – Bring out those jars of goodies that you’ve stored and share them.
  9. Gift Certificate – Everybody loves a free treat to Annie’s Pretzels, Dairy Queen, Rita’s Sweet Frog etc.
  10. Homemade Craft – Also, people love home made crafts.  Personally, I would rather have a homemade gift than a store brought one
  11. Pictures Frames – Look for frames that have family, friends Girls Night Out etc.  on them.
  12. Manicure or Pedicure Gift Card – This would be a great for someone who deserves to be or needs to be pampered.
  13. Premade Scrapbook Album –   I gave one of these to my daughter and she loved it.
  14. Matinee Movie Tickets – Great for date with hubby or significant other or a girlfriend.
  15. Consolation Gifts – Last, bake a batch of cookies or brownies and tie the bag with a pretty ribbon.

 

baby shower door prizes

 

Finally, check stores like Target, Big Lots, Dollar General, TJ Maxx, Michael’s etc for clearance items or the bargain bin.   I’ve scored baby shower door prize ideas there.  Use your imagination.  If you’re crafty, make a few of the gifts.

You may also like Baby Shower Game Ideas

Inspirational Bob Marley Quotes

Bob Marley was one of the greatest bi-racial Jamaican Reggae musicians in music history.  Not only was he a great musician, he was a husband, father and survivor of an assassination attempt.  Before he passed from cancer, he left us with great quotes.  We always focus on his music, which we should, but he was also witty and gave us food for thought.  Today, I’m going to empower you with my best of Bob Marley Quotes.
bob marley quotes

 

 

“Don’t gain the world and lose your soul. Wisdom is better than silver and gold.”

“Don’t trust people whose feelings change with time. Trust people whose feelings remain the same, even when the time changes.”

“Love the life you live, live the life you love.”

“Road of life is rocky and you may stumble too, so while you talk about me, someone else is judging you.”

“When the root is strong, the fruit is sweet.”

“You not supposed to feel down over whatever happen to you. I mean, you’re supposed to use whatever happen to you as some type of upper, not a downer.”

 

Bob Marley Quotes

 

“I have a BMW. But only because BMW stands for and The Wailers, and not because I need an expensive car.”

“If something can corrupt you, you’re corrupted already.”

“So before you point your fingers make sure your hands are clean.”

“Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.”

“Tell the children the truth.”

“You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

 

 

 

Last, I hope that you found these Bob Marley quotes inspirational.  I hope that they empower and motivate you to live your best life.  Be sure to put on a few of Bob Marley’s songs like, Stir It Up, One Love and Jammin.  Nothing better than meditating on quotes while enjoying a little reggae.

 

 

Tips on Landscaping Small Yards

Flower gardening can be therapeutic.   Today, I’m sharing tips on landscaping small yards.  The idea of hiring a professional designer for your garden can be daunting for the typical household.  Especially, if you only have a small front yard.  We assume that gardening talents are best suited for large areas.  Furthermore, if you don’t live in a Beverly Hills mansion you probably don’t need a professional gardener.  It is a common belief that garden designs need spacious areas.  Not true!

 

 

landscaping small yards

 

 

We are probably influenced by the pictures of parks, castles and celebrities’ homes.  They include garden designs with luxurious water features.  There are live fish, creative hedge cuttings, and magnificent flower displays.  However, there is more to gardening and outdoor scenes than meets the eye.  Small yards could benefit from the know-how and style of a professional too. Here’s a few tips on landscaping small yards:

 

Eliminate Landscaping Mistakes 

When you work with a small space  you need to be creative.  It’s important to maximize what you have.   It’s precisely what landscaping a small yard is about.  For small yards, landscapers ensure that they maximize the space without compromising on style, diversity, and vegetation. Too many home gardeners are worried about creating an outdoor garden that is inviting and relaxing.  Professionals can help you understand what your soil needs in terms of nutrients.  Furthermore, they understand what plants will thrive in your tiny space.  Adding unnecessary features or plants that won’t survive is not beneficial.  Everything needs to have its place.

 

 

landscaping small yards

 

Learn to Preserve Wildlife 

Your yard may be small, but it can still play a significant role in the conservation of wildlife.  With the help of a professional, you can create a bee-friendly path.  For example, using flowers that naturally attract these active pollinators should be incorporated.  A lavender bush would be the perfect addition to a small garden.  It injects both color and scent.  Additionally, lavender is also ideal for small gardens as it grows in the roughest conditions.  As a result, you don’t have to worry about prepping your soil.  Furthermore, your garden contractor can be a precious ally when it comes to developing eco-friendly maintenance habits.  They will utilize natural repellents rather than pesticides and insecticides.

Maximize Your Money  

Last but not least, your small yard could save you a ton of money.  As a result, you can work on a vegetable bed.  A specialist will advise you on the most suitable vegetables for your soil, your climate, and your lifestyle.  Many veggies come in dwarf sizes, which makes space less of a worry. Ideally, you should opt for vertical growers, such as beans, beets, or cucumbers.  In a small area, you need to rely on crops that grow quickly.  Growing vegetables can soon reduce your need for grocery shopping.  Additionally, you can follow the tips of a professional to create a compost bin that will nourish your vegetable bed while repurposing all your kitchen and yard waste and paper.

 

Every garden can benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a certified landscaper.  Homeowners who are struggling to bring their small yard to life could create a wildlife paradise with the help of professionals who can ensure a cost  and space saving design.

 

Home Buying Tips for Families

Searching for a new home can be something of a stressful thing to do. But, when you have a family it is even more troubling and challenging to get it right.  So, today we’re sharing parenting information on home buying tips for families.  When you are purchasing a family home, you will need to know how.  You must have a good sense of the things you want in terms of quality,  price range or budget, and the location in which you want to live.

And, you’ll need to make sure that you are considering your entire family.  That’s something that you might find challenging.  However, you do need to work on it if you really want to find the ideal home for your family.  Here are a few other things to consider:

 

home buying tips

 

Size

Our home buying tips include considering the size of the home you are purchasing for your family.  In fact, it is going to be one of the most important things that you will need to consider.  If you don’t have a large enough home it is unlikely that you and your family are going to really enjoy living in it.  So, if you plan to expand your family consider it when you look at homes.  Or, you can focus on finding a home with a decent amount of space for everyone now and purchase another home if your family grows.  Bear in mind, you will want to provide your family with enough room  to spread out.  But, you shouldn’t go over budget massively just to ensure that your children have huge rooms.  In some cases you might find that just an apartment is going to be ideal.  And, in others you may need to think about something considerably larger.

 

 

home buying tips

 

Location

Another one of our home buying tips includes considering the location of the home.   So, when you are searching for a new family home think about it.  Consider schools, safety of the neighborhood, distance from the kid’s activities and shopping.  It’s important to pay attention to the crime statistics in the area you are considering.  Use your common sense and keep your wits about you when you are exploring the area in question.

In addition to safety, you’ll also want to think about good schools.  Hopefully schools which are not too overcrowded.  It’s definitely worth researching the schools in the local area just to make sure that you know what your options are.  Otherwise, you might be in for a surprise in regards to your children’s education.

 

Safety In The Home

Although all homes on the market should be safe enough to sell, you might find that some lend themselves better to childproofing than others.  So, consider childproofing options when you are looking.  Obviously, you will want to keep your family safe.  Especially, if you have small children.   Ask yourself how much childproofing needs to be done and is possible to do it. You might be surprised at just how simple a process will be to install safety measures.  But if you overlook it, it can be troubling down the road.

 

 

 

Sunday’s Best Linkup – #243

Welcome to Week 243 of Sunday’s Best Linkup – #243. We’re continuing our Hello Fall theme. So, we’re looking for all things relating to fall. This includes recipes, crafts, DIY, makeovers, S’mores treats and more. Blow the dust off those old posts and share them. Also, we’re looking for parenting, SEO, cocktails, DIY, makeovers and more are welcome too. Additionally, we’ve added a new category, Mom Needs a Cocktail. So, we will be featuring cocktails of the week. If your have cocktail or Mocktail recipes you would like to share, we welcome them!




Sunday's Best Linkup



Additionally, 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. Anything goes on Sunday’s Best Linkup – #243, as long as it’s family friendly. And, you may linkup as many posts as you would like. Furthermore, be sure to tell your friends, they will want to join the Sunday’s Best Linkup too.

So, each week your hosts will select their favorite post. The posts will be featured the following week. Also, an image from your post will be used on our linkup the following week along with a link back to your blog. As a result, 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 Pinterest Board too!

Also, the post with the most clicks will be the Reader’s Choice post(s). We will be adding the winner to our Sunday’s Best Linkup featured bloggers.

All posts linking to Sunday’s Best Linkup – #243 will be promoted on Twitter. The Post With the Most Clicks will be selected. Monthly Themes will feature a post each week as well.

Contact rhonda@mother2motherblog.com or email one of our other hosts if you are interested in co-hosting.

 

Your Sunday’s Best Linkup Hosts Are:

Rhonda at Mother 2 Mother Kim at Life in a House Brittany at A Mama Tale

 

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.

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

Brittany from A Mama’s Tale: Please like Brittany’s Facebook Page, follow her on Twitter, or Pinterest before you leave. Snag a Button!

Most importantly, please help us grow by placing our button on your sidebar. So, please let your readers and followers know by placing the Featured Blogger banner on your site.

 
 
 
Also, your readers may want to join the Sunday’s Best Linkup 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!
 
 
 
Rhonda selected DIY Paint on Canvass  Abbotts At Home 
 
 
art ideas
 
 
 
 
 
Kim selected Keto Mixed Berry Recipe Chasing a Better Life
 
 
 
Keto Recipes
 
 
 
 
 
Brittany selected DIY Pumpkin Soap from Clean and Scentsible  
 

 

homemade soap

 

 

Our Post Extraordinaires

 

School Night Slow Cooker Dinners from Crystal and Comp  

 
slow cooker meals
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
 
Halloween Witch Wreath  from Deebees Buzz  
 
 
halloween wreaths
 
 
 
 
 
 

Favorite Theme Post(s) – Hello Fall!

 

Pumpkin Patch Trivet  from Fresh Vintage By Lisa  

 
 
fall decor ideas
 
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
Pumpkin Patch Fall Mantel from Penny’s Treasures  
 
 
 
fall decorating ideas
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
Fall Craft Ideas for Kids  from Mama of Many Blessings
 
 
 
kids fall craft ideas
 
and
 
 
 
DIY Painted Pumpkin Jars  from The Scrapp Shoppe 
 
 
fall crafts
 
 
 
 
 

Mom Needs a Cocktail

 

Tequila Mule from Craft Beering

 
 
cocktail recipes
 
 
 
 
 
and
 
 
 
Markers Mark Bourbon Cider from Life In a House
 
 
 
cocktail recipes
 
 
Last, congratulations to the featured bloggers on Sunday’s Best Linkup – #243! All of the posts were great, and we deeply appreciate each of you participating on Sunday’s Best Linkup. 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. We could select your post next week!
 
Finally, 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.

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

5 Back to School Tips for Mom

It comes around once a year, every year.  We’re talking about the kids going back to school and all of the chores, responsibilities, and preparations that go along with it.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on back to school tips.  Our tips will reduce the frustration that usually accompanies the hustle and bustle of back to school.  We’re offering a few helpful suggestions to assist in organizing and getting you started early might be of service:

 

back to school

 

Get School Supplies

Getting school supplies should be at the top of most people’s list.  But, you would be surprised at how many folks wait until the last minute to get even the basic essentials.  This includes writing tools, paper, folders, and backpacks.  By waiting so late a lot of supply stores are barren.  And, you really aren’t getting quality products for your child. That may not be the way that we want to start off their school year.

 

Set Aside Time to Work on Assignments

One good way to get your child back into the swing of doing homework is by giving them small assignments before school starts.  This will gradually increase a few minutes every week.  By the time they are back in class it’s not such a shock to their system.

Setting up a dedicated work station that they will use throughout the year is also a good idea too. Children have a way of falling out of the habit of learning and concentrating over the summer. The sooner they can get back into the routine, the easier the beginning of the school year becomes.

 

Establish a Routine and Set a Bedtime

So, we suggest starting it at least a week (and preferably two) before the first day of school. This includes everything from taking a bath to what point the TV or devices are turned off.  We suggest you start at least an hour before their designated bedtime.  Blue screens have been known to hinder melatonin production in the brain.  It becomes a robber of a much needed natural sleep aid.

Getting a good night’s rest is vital for a child.  For general reference: preschoolers need ten to thirteen hours of sleep, school age children need nine to eleven hours, and teenagers need eight to ten.

 

Create Positive Habits

When you get a routine going, positive habits can and should be instituted as well.  Getting up early, eating a healthy breakfast, taking care of a few chores, and any other beneficial activities and recreations can be introduced.

 

Take the Time to Address any Anxiety or Stress

Don’t let the urgency of the season create an unnecessary strain on the emotional well being of your child.  Sit down with him or her and talk about anything that may be bothering them.  Furthermore, ask them what’s on their minds. The start of a new year can be quite scary for many children.  And, it’s common for them to be concerned about meeting new people and making friends.

Keep the above back to school tips in mind, and your child will be sure to have a great, uneventful return to school.