Tips to help your child cope with moving anxiety

 The last thing you want to hear while going through the tedious work of moving is your kid wailing- I don’t want to go!”. These times may make you clueless about how to respond to your kids. 

 

Moving is a confusing and discomforting time for every family member but it has a major impact on the kids and your furry animals. The lack of continuation can make them uneasy. Here are a few tips on how you can ease the process of moving for little ones. 

 

 

1. Making things Familiar for your Kids

 

So let’s tell you the best part of dealing with kids- you can shape their perception by regularly speaking about the new place in a positive way. Kids can forget about the previous cookie that has broken in the milk cup before consumption as soon as you replace it with something better, maybe a chocolate cookie. Though moving is not as simple as a chocolate cookie but it tells a lot about the psychology of kids. You can start by telling them about how lovely their bedroom can be, how they can arrange it in a new way, your birthday gift can be a bicycle that you can ride on the new house road. If you run out of ideas, go and visit a nearby library and check out the tip to get familiar with the ways to break down the ice. 

 

 

2. Don’t pack their stuff in a hurry

 

Don’t even step into your kid's room first. People usually perform this step first, which is a big mistake. You should try to keep things normal for them for as long as possible. They can make them feel baffled before you even start moving. It’s better to make transients as smoothly as possible for them. 

 

 

 

 

3. Pay a visit to your new neighborhood

 

If you can manage to take out time from your busy moving schedule then take your kid to the new location to explore the place before moving. Not just show the new house but also explore parks for them to create interest in them. Do take them for a walk on the street so they can be familiar with the new environment in advance rather than just shifting directly to the new location.

 

 

4. Book a Child Care in Advance

 

So nobody wants to see their favorite things getting packed, especially for kids. This experience can be very traumatic for them. So it’s always recommended to book child care for the day of your move. If not, then look for some alternative, maybe ask your relative or friends to look after the kid for the day. This will serve you two purposes. Firstly, the kids don’t have to go through the confusing experience of seeing their old home getting picked apart and secondly you can manage things in a better way rather than worrying about your young ones. So if you are planning to go with a removalist, this will help you keep track of the tasks. 

 

 

5. Unpack your kid’s belongings first

 

Even if we asked you to pack your kid's belongings in the end, they should be the ones for whom you need to set the room first. The old ones at home can manage with a new bed and with a spare towel but for kids, you need to remember to set up the room as fully as possible. If you don’t have the time to pack their entire room, you should take out time to at least put their favorite blanket and toys in the room. You should also take out time to read bedtime stories for them. Even though it would be quite evident for the kids that the house is new but familiarity will help them in adjusting to the new environment. 

 

6. Say no to other Changes

 

Be it a small or bigger, but don’t think of adding a new change to your move like a new table or bed for the kid. Remember, your focus should be to keep familiar things close to the young ones rather than otherwise. Introducing new things can make the transition period even worse for the kids. Not just that, keeping these old things in your new home will create a sense of belongingness in your kids. 

 

 

7. A “House Warming gift” will help you go a long way

 

And what can be a better thing than giving your kid a new present at the new place? This will keep them engaged with the new thing, maybe a piece of new furniture, toys, or a bicycle to ride. This way they will adjust to the new surrounding without even releasing the changes. 

 

 

 

8. Maintain our calm at bedtime

And do you know what is the hardest time for a kid? The first night at the new place. You have to hold your exhaustion and interact with your kids as much as possible- maybe give them some extra cookies than usual and cuddle. 

 

 

 

9. Make Moving a Happy Affair

 

Of Course, the adjectives associated with moving are the opposite of happy, there are chances that you are not moving because of a happy reason. But don’t let your little one know about anything negative associated with it. Failing to do that can create a sense of unhappiness and a sense of resistance toward the new place. 

 

 

10. Hire a Removalist

 

Yes, this will help you put half of your problems to rest. They can perform the time-consuming moving task when you can make your kid adjust to the surroundings. If you are pretty sure that you can handle the move with kids then you may go ahead but with a long-distance or interstate move, we recommend you hire an interstate removalists rather than taking the moving burden. 

 

 

We would like to assume that reading these tips may have given you an idea that even though moving with kids is not that easy, it can still be done with appropriate measures. Certainly, there will come a time when you may find it difficult to hold but stay assured that you will better handle the situation with these tips. And eventually, with no time your young ones will adapt to the new surroundings happily. 

 

5 Ways to Save Money When Buying a House

Many families dream of buying a house, but home buying is an expensive venture. There's a reason why a house is called an investment, after all. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can save during the home buying process so you don't need to use all of your family's savings to make that investment.

Here are a few ways you can save money during the home buying process and even after you've closed on a new family home.

Buy less house than you can afford

It's tempting when you're looking for a new house to buy more house than you need. This is because the size of your home is commonly attributed to success. But buying a large house is not only more expensive, but it's also more expensive after you've bought it. It takes energy to cool and heat all that square footage.

Be smart about your real estate agent

Your real estate agent isn't just your representative when buying your home. They're also your source of information about local neighborhoods and help you view options to choose from. Up to 78% of recent home buyers found their real estate agent to be a useful information source. Choose a real estate agent who has a lot of experience in the area in which you're looking to put down roots. They'll help you save a lot of time, money, and heartbreak.

Don't skip out on your inspection

Many homebuyers looking to save money during the home buying process will choose to opt-out of an inspection. But skipping an inspection to save a few hundred dollars could end up hurting you more in the end. The good news is that you may be within your rights to sue someone who knowingly sells you a house with serious issues.

According to Lance Luke, owner of Construction Management Inspection, LLC, most states have a home seller disclosure law requiring home sellers to disclose any defects in the home they're aware of. If you're injured because of one of these defects, you may be able to sue for personal injury. Just be aware that many states, including Texas, have a two-year statute of limitations to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Consult with multiple lenders

It might seem easier to get a mortgage quote from a single lender that you already know about from friends or family. But interest rates vary from lender to lender. It's in your family's best interest to seek out loan quotes from three to four different mortgage companies, not just one.

Make sure to analyze the loan estimate that each lender provides you. Every lender will have different fees for applications, mortgage processing, and more, and those fees will show up in the estimate. If other lenders offer you lower quotes, you can use these quotes to negotiate lower fees and rates with a mortgage lender you like.

Choose a house that needs some elbow grease

It can be tempting to avoid houses that need some work, especially when you have a young family. But with the current housing shortage, many families across the U.S. are looking for move-in ready homes just like you are.

You don't need to invest in a house that needs a serious renovation to save money. Consider choosing a house that other homeowners may avoid such as a house with a pastel-colored bathroom, wall-to-wall carpeting, or wall coatings. These features are merely considered unattractive and don't actually impact the home's integrity. In fact, coatings actually have two primary functions: protection and decoration.

These are smaller projects you can manage on a smaller renovation budget compared to a whole-house remodel. What's more, because the competition for the house is lower, you may be able to buy the house at a lower price.

It's no secret that buying a house is expensive. But by being strategic throughout the homebuying process, you can reduce how much you need to spend to get the house your family will love.

How Can You Choose The Best Company For Roofing?

The probable lifespan of a roof is around thirty to forty years only provided it was well-constructed with high quality material. Roofs are extremely prone to weather damages because they are the barest part of a house so it requires repairs in some parts more often. Taking proper care of the roofing is essential. Doing the necessary repairs to prevent leakages in rainy weather is important. The leakages lead to the development of moisture that can harm the structures of the house. You must ensure that you use the best quality of roofing materials so that you can securely enjoy years of protection.

One of the most important features of making a concrete house is the roofing. It controls the temperature of the interior of the house by preventing excess heat penetration from outside. It also adds to the architectural appeal and protects you from the surrounding elements. Depending on the type of roof structure which you choose for your house, you could make use of the roof tiles, roofing sheets, ridge caps, roof insulation and underpayment. There are different types of roof shingles, paneling and roof tiles which are used for decorative purposes as well as are functional to protect you.

In the regions which faces high frequency of wind or barely occupied places where a hurricane or cyclone may make landfall, the main consideration from the engineering and technological point of view which needs to be done is to hold the roofing during the severity of the storms. Each and every roof component with all its structure faces a tremendous force of wind as they withstand the uplift forces of high speeds of wind. This is again accomplished by the successful usage of metal tiles coming from a reputed company which are fastened to each truss or rafter. This is not marked as a major problem in areas which are not prone to extreme climatic conditions or high wind frequency.

Roofing Options:

There are different options available for roofing. They are as follows:

• You can go for the metal roofing systems whose incredible longevity makes it more appealing though a bit costly. You also could avail the options for aluminum and steel roofing which are comparatively less useful as it has the drawbacks of making a higher noise during high winds and rain. It also possesses the risk of getting dents which might hamper the overall look. You can go here to learn more about metal roofing.

• If you reside in a location where the temperature is usually high, then you could consider the use of polycarbonate roofing. It would be the best option for you if you desire for something which would be shatterproof as well as much lighter in weight to withstand extreme temperature conditions.

• The polycarbonate roofing is available in the market in two variants which are namely, translucent forms and opaque forms.

• The translucent roofing gives the best possible protection from the ultra violet rays of the sun. However, the opaque forms of poly-carbonate roofing are used for the industrial set ups.

• No matter whichever roofing pattern and style you choose for your place you must ensure that it is made up of the best quality. So, you must appoint an authentic and verified company before you settle down to have the roofing of your place done.

In recent times, the timber roofs are framed with pairs of common rafters or wooden fabricated trusses which are fastened together tightly with the connector plates made of truss. The historic buildings are timber framed and are made with principal rafters. The roofing is mainly done to protect the house from extreme climatic conditions. The design of roof making is done with regard to thermal building, ventilation and insulation. The steepness or the pitch of the sloped roof is primarily determined by the aesthetic designs and covering material of roof. The roofs which have a flattened structure slopes up to approximately ten degrees to shed water. The roofs which lie flat are primarily found in the arid regions.

How to include your kids in your workout routine

Mother and daughter doing exercise in bed



Having a family is bliss, but there are so many other things in the life of a parent that gets ignored after they have children. It is a fact that moms tend to put their needs last. They will move mountains for their little ones, but once it's time to do something for themselves, they might be too tired. Many dads feel the same way also. But, that's not the best way to treat their body and mind, so let's help by showing them that they can have it all. Today, let's talk about how you can include your kids in your workout routine.


Do your workouts at home with kids


Gym memberships can be really pricey, and some parents feel guilty for wasting money on expensive workouts. Trading your gym routine for home training sessions is one of the money-saving tips to get you through the pandemic too. Of course, nothing can really replace the professional equipment you have at your gym, but your home can be a suitable replacement for the time being. If your kids can count, they can be great helpers when you do squats, sit-ups, push-ups, or any other exercise. And, if they are just getting familiar with numbers, you can count along.






Cycling together can be a great way to include your kids in your workout routine



There are many ideas for shaping up at home. For instance, if you have stairs inside your house, you can be running up and down with your little ones. Indeed, they will love it. Some babies love being put to sleep in their parent's arms. Rocking the baby can be replaced by carrying him/her up and down the stairs. Just be careful not to hurt yourself or the baby while doing this.


It has to be a game


Most children love competing. If you are a WFH mom, you know that you need to keep your kids busy at all times so that you can have some time for your activities. Why not organize a race and see who deserves to win. If you have more than one child, they probably compete in various fields every day, but if you only have one kid, then you will have to be the one to set the rules and start the race.


Even walks can be a way to include your kids in your workout routine


Spending as much time as possible outside is beneficial both for you and your children. The good news is that you can turn your walks into a workout routine. If you have a baby, you can take him/her out in any type of carrier that you use regularly. Instead of strolling, try to speed up and turn this walk into cardio. Your body will appreciate it.

On the other hand, if you have a toddler, you are probably used to running after them when you go outside. With them, you can play "Catch me if you can." Don't forget to swap the roles.






Racing is one of their favorite activities anyway



Outdoor activities can be great for your physical and mental health. Parents are so busy nowadays, and many of them spend entire days at the office. Going out for a walk, run, or a bicycle ride with your children can be an excellent way for millennial moms to improve their health.


Play some music and encourage your kids to dance to it


Aerobic is fun, and kids might like it. Actually, this is one of the activities they might respond the best to. If you think your kids will not like the idea of dancing and doing whatever to your music, then you should try something new. How about you dance to their favorite songs? Your kids will be thrilled, and they will have no choice but to join you in this activity.


Some game ideas


Here are some of the activities that will keep your kids entertained and make you sweat at the same time.

• Touch the sky - you and your child should be sitting in a squat or frog position and then jump up with your arms reaching towards the sky.
• Long jumps - since kids love jumping, this can be a great way to include your kids in your workout routine. Long hikes can partially replace squats, just make sure that you do them on the soft surface so that neither of you gets hurt.
• High-fives combined with push-ups - This is an excellent exercise for you, and your kid will probably like it too. You should do push-ups and give your child high-fives in between reps.
• One leg balancing - this exercise can be rather exhausting even if it doesn't seem so. You should try to keep your balance standing on one leg only while your child is pushing you to lose it.
• Hot lava - for this activity, you will have to prepare some sort of an obstacle course. Your floor is lava and mustn't be touched. You can only move by jumping from one piece of furniture to another. Once your kids try this game, they will not be able to stop playing.

Use your children as weights during your work-outs


There are dozens of exercises you can do with your child as a weight in your improvised gym at home. The most important thing, though, is for your child to be safe at all times. So, whenever you are insecure about a specific move, don't do it. Here are some ideas we have learned about from personal trainers working for dubaipt.com:

• you can do push-ups with your toddler sitting on your back;
• try doing squats with an infant on your shoulders - hold their legs just in case;
• you can do lunges - the position your child is in is the same as in the previous exercise;
• Bear crawl - crawl around your house like a bear while holding your cub on your back - kids will love this one!

Don't forget to stretch once the workout is done.


Stretching after exercising is right for your muscles, and it is an excellent way to calm your kids after running around and working out with you.






Stretching can be fun



They will get the hang of it quickly, and they might find this activity rather interesting. Including your kids in your workout routine can be fun, try it out!

Restaurants with Fourth of July Specials and Deals

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List provided by: Sara Skirboll, Shopping and Trends Expert at The Real Deal Blog  

Cheesecake Factory
From June 29 through July 5, order seven items for $20 for delivery, pickup or curbside to-go via The Cheesecake Factory website or DoorDash. The 7-for-$20 deal includes two Happy Hour Burgers, two orders of fries, two soft drinks and one slice of Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake.

Founding Farmers
With locations in D.C., Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, this small farmer-owned restaurant chain is offering backyard BBQ kits and ready-to-eat lunch boxes available for preorder from now until Wednesday, July 1, at 5 p.m., for contact-free curbside pickup on July 3 or 4. See the menu options here.

Krispy Kreme
For a limited time, try a Patriotic Doughnut from Krispy Kreme’s Indoughpendence Day collection, or opt for the Strawberry Sparkler Doughnut, Original Freedom Ring Doughnut or the Firework Doughnut—topped with crackling, popping candy!

On the Border
In honor of Fourth of July, try the $5 Liberita—a red, white and blue frozen margarita—available from July 1 to 19.

The Fresh Market
For the first time, The Fresh Market is offering a Fourth of July BBQ meal. The spread serves eight people for $59.99, and comes with boneless Boston Butt, hamburger buns, baked beans, cole slaw, apple pie, watermelon and your choice of two bottle of 12 oz. BBQ sauce. Preorder online now through June 30 at 2 p.m. EST for pickup in-store from July 2 through July 5.

The Rustic
On July 4, head to the annual Drink the Flag hangout with free live music and donations to benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. The Rustic’s featured beers will be: Wild Acre Brewing Company Texas Blonde Ale, TUPPS Brewery National Standard Golden Ale and Community Beer Company Texas Lager.

Make Magic in the Kitchen w/ Doughcuts 4th of July Layered Cookie Cake!

It’s almost time to celebrate the 4th of July! Make something delicious to share with your family.

Celebrate 4th of July, and make magic in the kitchen using the hottest new baking trend, DoughCuts, with an Independence day layered cookie cake, made with their unique “print-at-home” cookie cake templates. The company helps people create precious family memories through their food. The molds help cut out large cookie shapes with ease and offer accessories to match like silicone baking mats and a cookie dough cutting tool. Cookie cakes are traditionally created as large chocolate chip cookies with a message in icing. 

Founder Lisa Moulden is taking this antiquated version and turning it on it’s head with a new and improved style-- a layered cookie topped with gorgeous decorations, with cream tarts, cookie cake or cream biscuits as the final product. This unique alternative offers a solution to the large tools taking up too much storage space in the cupboard (usually 11” plus sized), won’t break the bank and you won’t need a commercial kitchen! Templates are reusable and take up no more room than a piece of cardboard, which can easily be stored with cookbooks. 

Her 4th July inspired cookie cake is made with 2 large star shaped vanilla cookies, 11 inches tall, layered with a white chocolate cheesecake filling, and topped with small star-shaped cookies with fondant, chocolate strawberries, chocolate pretzels and sprinkles.  

EQUIPMENT

• Electric mixer

• Silicone Baking Mats or Parchment Paper

• Cookie Sheets or Large Baking Trays

• Rolling Pin

• Star Shaped Cookie Template - print at home star template is available here

• Small Star Cookie Cutters

• Round Icing Nozzle (I used 13mm / 1/2" but other sizes work just as well)

• Icing Bag

• Glass or plastic microwave safe bowl for melting chocolate

More ingredients:

• Sprinkles in the 4th July theme

• Blue sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional, you could use the 4th July blend instead)

• White Fondant

• Royal blue and red food colours

• Strawberries

• Pretzels

STEP 1: MAKE YOUR STAR TEMPLATE

STEP 2: VANILLA COOKIES

STEP 3: TOPPERS - SMALL STAR COOKIES

STEP 4: CHEESECAKE FILLING

STEP 5: CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRIES

STEP 6: CHOCOLATE PRETZELS

STEP 7: ASSEMBLING THE LARGE COOKIES!

STEP 8: TOP YOUR COOKIE CAKE

https://www.doughcuts.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-make-a-4th-july-cookie-cake

DoughCuts offer other hot-selling print-at-home templates for large letter and number shapes.

http://www.doughcuts.com.au

http://www.facebook.com/doughcuts

http://www.instagram.com/doughcuts

4th July

More about Lisa Moulden

Lisa is a home baker from a small country town in Australia and couldn’t find a product to help recreate the beautiful cream tarts and cookies cakes on Pinterest, which eventually led her to create her own brand of bakeware to fill this need. She is an accountant by trade, but loves baking and kitchenware, which led her to open her own kitchenware store. Lisa started her first online retail store specializing in sourcing quality cookie cutters from around the world.

3 Types of Damages You Can Claim If You Were Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

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Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling and freeing experience. There is nothing but road and wind between the rider and wherever they wish to be. Unfortunately, a motorcycle is also free of many of the protections provided by an automobile. When an accident occurs, it is a rare event when the motorcycle rider walks away unharmed. Most motorcycle accidents include injuries, often severe injuries. When the accident is caused by another driver's negligence or recklessness, they should pay for all damages caused. There are three main types of damages that can be claimed by a person involved in a motorcycle accident.

1.Economic Damages

The first type of damages is referred to as economic damages. These are specific damages that have exact monetary amounts tied to them. These include any costs of repairs for the motorcycle or other personal property that was damaged in the accident. It also includes all medical bills incurred due to the injury from the accident. Other economic damages that can be compensated by the at-fault driver or their insurance company can include lost wages, household expenses, and any continuous care or medical treatments needed due to the accident.

These economic damages can be easily calculated by the bills and paychecks the injured party receives. Unfortunately, there are a lot of biases against motorcycle riders. This can make it difficult for those injured in this type of accident to get fair compensation for all their losses and costs. This makes it important for those injured in a motorcycle accident to get legal assistance in pursuing a claim. Visiting https://www.psinjury.com/ can help provide information about the process of hiring an attorney and how they can help protect the rights of motorcycle riders.

2.Non-economic Damages

Other damages that can be claimed by a person injured in a motorcycle accident include non-economic damages. These damages do not come with an easy and verifiable bill or statement to be processed by the insurance company. According to wattelandyork.com/phoenix/motorcycle-accidents/ this provides the injured party with compensation for the general harm that was suffered. These damages include pain and suffering and mental anguish. They can also provide compensation for physical impairments that may alter a person's life permanently. Decreased quality of life and harm to spousal or family relationships are also damages that should be compensated.

Most injured accident victims are entitled to receive compensation for this harm. However, it can be difficult for the average person to calculate the proper compensation to cover this type of suffering since there are no specific bills with dollar values. An attorney can be beneficial in determining an amount to seek from the at-fault driver and their insurance company. However, there is no exact calculation and often the jury is instructed to use their good sense when determining an amount for things like pain and suffering.

3.Punitive Damages

Punitive damages in a motorcycle accident is a relatively rare type of compensation in most personal injury cases. These damages are usually only awarded when the negligent party knowingly commits a wrongful act that causes the accident. For example, a drunk driver knowingly drove their vehicle with a high risk of causing a serious accident. In these types of cases, punitive damages are awarded as a punishment towards the negligent driver in order to deter others from engaging in such dangerous behavior.

The major portion of motorcycle accident claims is settled outside of court. Insurance companies will often attempt to settle quickly to avoid a costly court proceeding. However, the insurance company will also attempt to keep the settlement amount as low as possible to maximize the profits of their company. If the settlement is accepted, there is no recourse for the injured party to file for more money, even if they find their injuries are worse than originally known or their losses end up being greater. This makes it important for individuals to get the help of an attorney to ensure their rights are protected and they receive fair compensation to cover their costs and losses, as well as other damages.

Things You Need to Know About Commercial Sliding Doors

Commercial sliding doors are becoming popular lately because of their numerous benefits. They are good looking, has a beautiful design and topped with fantastic functionality at the same time. The lack of hinges makes it perfect for offices with less space. The sliding doors will have glass from top to bottom, which is an excellent feature as it allows natural light to enter into your house.

Placing these kinds of doors and windows in the right place will enhance the interior of your house by making it lit up entirely without any other light sources at day time.

Best Place to Install Sliding Doors

The sliding doors can be installed in the indoors for office cabins and meeting halls. You can get them installed in the cafeteria too. They are perfect for the offices and will give an entirely new look. Commercial sliding doors comes in different shapes and sizes, making the entire office look amazing.

You can add these sliding doors to the balcony of the office too. They are the best fit for the storefronts as it makes it easy for the customers to enter and exit the store.

Types of Sliding Doors

There are various types of sliding doors available in the market, but the most popular ones come with curtain rods. These doors do not take up a lot of wall space, and one glass door will overlap on the other one. They are preferred for outdoors mainly.

Then comes the hanging slide doors which hang along with the wall. They usually slide over the wall, and you need to have free wall space for these types of sliding doors.

There are wall commercial sliding doors that you can use if your office or store space is small. If you don’t have much wall space, still want to achieve a great look for your store, then these types of sliding doors should be your go-to option.

Sizes of the Sliding Doors

These sliding doors come in various sizes and shapes. If you are installing an interior door, then you have to remember that it will require a good amount of wall space as the door goes into the wall when you open it. If you have enough space, then these sliding doors will be ideal for your office.

Materials of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are made of different types of materials. From glass to aluminium, you can select commercial sliding doors with a wide range of materials that will fit the aesthetics of your office.

Benefits of Commercial Sliding Doors

• Sliding doors are energy efficient as you don’t need to use electric light sources at daytime. They are perfect insulators that will ensure that your space stays warm in winters and cool in summer.

• Great views are always important for everyone, and sliding doors with glasses make it possible to enjoy the outside view from the inside. It is one of the best ways to get customers attention to your store as well since they will be able to see the inside of the store from outside.

• These sliding doors save up a lot of space and will make your commercial place look stunning and interesting to your esteemed clients. They are an intelligent investment if you own a small store and want to heighten its aesthetics within its limited space.

Conclusion

The commercial sliding doors are in a trend right now and given the benefits they offer; these are indeed a great addition to a shop, store, mall or other commercial premises, and add excellent value.

Craft Project from The Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids

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Did you know? Banks in the shape of a pig first appeared in Europe around the 1400s. Most of these banks were made out of ceramic or porcelain. The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 8 teaches how to make a piggy bank using regular household items. 

 

How to Make a Paper-Mâché Piggy Bank

 

YOU WILL NEED:

1 balloon

1 paper towel

Tape

Cardboard

Newspaper

Bowl

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups water

Paint and paintbrushes

Stickers (optional)

1. The balloon is your mold. Blow it up to your desired piggy bank size. 
2. Cut the paper towel roll into five pieces to serve as the feet and snout. Tape the feet and snout to the balloon.
3. Cut ears out of the cardboard. Tape them to your piggy bank’s head. 
4. Tear newspaper into strips 1 to 2 inches wide and in a variety of lengths.
5. In the bowl, combine the flour and water. Stir to make a smooth paste.
6. Dip one strip of newspaper into the paste, coating it thoroughly. Hold the strip between two fingers of one hand and, with the other hand, pull it through your fingers to remove the excess paste.
7. Lay the strip on the mold. Gently smooth in place. Repeat, overlapping the strips and laying them in different directions. When the balloon is covered, and each time you add layers, set it aside to dry thoroughly and put a cover on the paste. Repeat the process until you are satisfied. (We recommend at least four layers.)
8. When completely dry, cut a slot in the top of the pig. This will pop the balloon. Remove the balloon through the slot. Paint or decorate your piggy bank.

 

DID YOU KNOW?

The world’s largest piggy bank, created by a German savings bank in May 2015, was 18 feet 3.7 inches tall and 26 feet 4.3 inches long. It was painted red. 

 

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Editor’s note: This information comes from The Old Farmer’s Almanac for Kids, Volume 8. To request a complimentary media review copy or an interview with one of the Almanac’s editors, please contact Ginger Vaughan via email (ginger@quinnbrein.com).

Having A Hard Time Getting A Good Nights Sleep These Days

Whether you are stressed out about bills, the pandemic, your job, or simply life in general sometimes it can be a real challenge to get a good nights rest. Sleep is so important to your health and well being that it should be pretty high on your to do list. 

There are a number of things you can do to make getting to sleep and staying asleep much easier for yourself! Try some of these great tips to get some rest and feel better.

1. Wash your bedding. There’s nothing more comforting than a nice clean bed. Try using a couple drops of lavender essential oil in your dryer when it’s drying to give you that sleepy scent. 
2. Get some exercise before bed. Tiring yourself out before going down can be a great way to get a better sleep. Whether you go for a long walk, bike ride or have sex you will sleep a lot better.
3. Buy some new pillows. Pillows can get flat and hard over time and use. New pillows are cheap and make a world of difference in the comfort department.
4. Try listening to music or sounds. Some people fall asleep better with background noise. Get a small bluetooth speaker for your room and get to sleep with some tunes or sounds of the ocean or nature of that is better for you.
5. Try some melatonin. Melatonin is a natural hormone that your body produces. If your levels are off you won’t sleep very well. These gummies from Kindurth are the perfect product to get you resting right! 

Fathers Day Deals & Freebies

Father's Day Restaurant Specials and Freebies 

By Sara Skirboll, Shopping and Trends Expert at The Real Deal Blog 

Bahama Breeze
Preorder a Father’s Day Bundle (serves four), with entrées like Baby Back Ribs and Jerk Chicken Wings, available for curbside pickup.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
From now through Father’s Day, buy $50 in eGift Cards and get a $10 bonus card valid from June 22 through July 12.

Bonefish Grill
For those who want to take Dad out on the town, treat him to a Lobster Tail 3-Course Dinner ($19.90) that includes a choice of House or Caesar Salad, a Cold-Water Lobster Tail with two signature sides and a cheesecake—available for dine-in only. To celebrate at home, order the Bourbon Glazed Salmon Family Bundle ($43.90) that feeds up to five and includes a choice of House or Caesar Salad, family-style sides, fresh bread with pesto and freshly-baked cookies. From now through June 21, you’ll also get a $10 bonus e-gift card valid through the end of the year when you buy $50 in gift cards online.

Bubba Gump
Celebrate Dad on June 21 with Lt. Dan’s Surf & Turf that comes with Lt. Dan’s shrimp, ribs and fries.

The Capital Grill
Preorder a three-course family-style dinner for takeout this Father’s Day, featuring a whole roasted rack of ribeye served with grilled asparagus, mashed potatoes, cheesecake and a jar of steak sauce for two ($135) of four ($245).

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Choose from two specialty dishes, Short Rib Marsala or Rigatoni Al Forno, available for delivery, carryout and in select reopened dining rooms from June 18 to 21. And from now through June 21, buy $50 in gift cards online and you’ll get a $10 bonus e-gift card valid through the end of the year.

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Order a scratch-made Family Bundle to go (starting at $24.99) for same-day or a future curbside pickup. Choose from entrées like Chicken Tenders, House-Smoked Baby Back Ribs and Grilled Salmon, and get two family-sized sides and a half-dozen Honey Butter Croissants.

Chili’s
From June 19 to 21, treat Dad to a 6 oz. Sirloin or lunch portion of Chicken Fajitas on the 3 for $10 menu. Available for Father’s Day weekend only, the specials include a non-alcoholic drink and starter.

Corner Bakery Cafe
Treat dads to one adult entrée for full price and receive another for free, available for takeout and dine-in.

Cracker Barrel
From now through June 19, you can pre-order the new Breakfast Hashbrown Casserole Family Meal Basket To-Go. And from now through June 21, order a Family Meal Baskets To-Go and get Four-Layer Bacon Breakfast Bowls for free—available for carry-out, curbside pickup or contactless free delivery.

Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
Order a four-course Father’s Day dinner for takeout for $125 for two or $195 for four to six. Choose between Rye Whiskey Glazed Salmon or Oven-Roasted Tenderloin with truffle macaroni and cheese, grilled asparagus, potatoes au gratin and a bananas foster butter cake.

Einstein Bros. Bagels
Dads get a free “roadie” hash brown on Sunday, June 21 with any Order Ahead purchase through the app. Choose from breakfast favorites like the Bagelrito sandwich that comes with eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, cheese hash browns, salsa and green chiles in a flour tortilla wrapped in a fresh-baked Asiago Bagel, or the Hot & Ready Brunch Box ($29.99).

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse
Not only will Flemings open at noonon Father’s Day, but you can also treat Dad to a Prime Bone-In Ribeye & Lobster three-course meal ($100 per person) from June 19 to 21. Make a reservation or choose a 3-course Family Menu (for four or six people) available for curbside pickup or delivery only.

Fresh Market
From now through June 18 at 2 p.m. EST, order a Father’s Day meal ($49.99–$59.99) online to pick up in store from June 19 to 21. The meal serves four and includes a choice of—or mix between—NY strip steaks and Atlantic salmon fillets, veggie kabobs, broccoli cranberry slaw, twice-baked potatoes and a chocolate decadence bar cake.

Joe’s Crab Shack
From June 19 to 21, get a four-course Father’s Day meal for just $30 that comes with a snack, salad and your choice of entrée.

Maggiano’s
Available from June 19 to 21, get a Cold-Prepped Father’s Day Bundle for $99 that feeds four people and includes items like mini meatballs, Mom’s lasagna, fettucine alfredo, New York-style cheesecake and lemon cookies.

Metro Diner
Celebrate dads at home with Metro Diner’s Heat & Serve Meals, with choices of Meat Lovers or Vegetarian Breakfast Casserole ($39), Roasted Turkey ($44) or Iron City Meatloaf ($44). The meals serve four and come with a garden salad and freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies. Make sure to preorder before Friday, June 19, at 5 p.m.!

Morton’s Steakhouse
From June 19 to 21, order a three-course meal starting at $59 per person that includes a choice of soup or salad, entrée and dessert from a select Father’s Day menu. Make a reservation or choose a to-go or delivery option.

Olive Garden
Treat the guy in your life to a Giant Chicken Parmigiana served with Fettuccine Alfredo, available starting June 20 for a limited time while supplies last. Or preorder one of Olive Garden’s Family-Style Take & Bake Bundles (starting at $40) with either Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells (serves up to five) or Classic Lasagna (serves up to eight).

Omaha Steaks
Save up to 51% on steaks, sides, dessert and more! And stack the savings with 1% cash back for online purchases through RetailMeNot.

Outback Steakhouse
Treat Dad to the biggest, juiciest bone-in steak specials available for Father’s Day from June 17 to 23. Options include the new short rib, bone-in natural cut ribeye and pork porterhouse.

Papa John’s
Get 25% off regular menu-priced items for delivery or pickup through the end of June when you use code 25OFF at checkout.

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
On June 21, order the Perry’s Deluxe Cedar Plank Smorgasbord To-Go ($150) that includes an array of appetizers (like Wagyu meatballs), entrées (with options like grilled salmon and caramelized prime rib) and family-style sides.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Treat Dad to the Prime Ribeye Surf & Turf or another one of his favorites available for dine-in, takeout or delivery at select locations. Plus, select locations will open early at 11 a.m. on Father’s Day!

Seasons 52
Treat the guy in your life to a three-course Father’s Day dinner to go ($75 for two or $130 for the family). Choose a Rack of Dry Rubbed Pork Loin or Whole Side of Sriracha-Glazed Cedar-Plank Roasted Salmon, and get a salad, corn on the cob, and choice of an additional side and mini indulgences for dessert.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Celebrate Dad with a to-geaux/curbside bundle ($35) that includes an appetizer trio and either a gallon of frozen margarita mix or a six pack; dine-in bundle ($10) that comes with a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and option of a margarita or beer; or a retail bundle ($29.95) that comes with a rectangle patch hat, koozie and bottle opener. The to-geaux and dine-in bundles will be available only on Sunday, June 21, and the retail bundle is available online only June 1 to 21.

Yard House
Yard House is offering 64-ounce beer growlers to go in select locations, with options like House Honey Blonde, House Golden Pilsner, Yard House Cuvée and more.