Your backyard should be a place where your kids can play freely and create lasting memories, but making this space safe can be tricky. That’s why we’ve put together these practical tips for making your backyard safe for kids. Taking these steps will give you peace of mind as your children enjoy the outdoors.
One of our absolute favourite things to do as a family is head to the beach — and lucky for us, we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world: the Okanagan! From lazy afternoons soaking up the sun to spontaneous swims and sandy toes, nothing beats beach life with the kids. 💦
🌊 Best Beaches in the Okanagan:
🏝️ Gyro Beach (Kelowna) – Family-friendly, playground, and warm shallow waters
🏖️ Skaha Lake Beach (Penticton) – Great for swimming, with tons of space and a nearby waterpark
🌴 Sun-Oka Beach (Summerland) – Quiet, clean, and shady with picnic tables
⛱️ Hot Sands Beach (Kelowna) – Located in City Park, perfect for walking and downtown vibes
🌞 Kal Beach (Coldstream/Vernon) – Known for its vibrant blue-green water
💦 Kaloya Regional Park is a gorgeous beach as well. This one is on the opposite side of Coldstream.
🛶 Pritchard Beach (West Kelowna) – A bit more tucked away, ideal for a quieter visit
🏄♀️ Penticton’s Okanagan Beach – Popular for families, ice cream shops and a lakeside promenade
🧭 Hidden Gems & Unique Spots to Explore:
🍑 Visit the local fruit stands and u-pick orchards in Naramata or Lake Country
🍷 Sip your way through the many wineries with stunning views (some family-friendly!)
🏔️ Explore Myra Canyon Trestles by bike for amazing scenery
🎨 Stroll through quaint towns like Peachland, Summerland, or Oliver for artisan shops
💧 Discover the natural beauty of Christie Falls or Hardy Falls for a light hike
🛍️ Hunt for treasures at roadside farm markets and local antique shops
🛶 Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the lakes at your own pace
There’s just something about the Okanagan that makes it unique and special. We’re so grateful to raise our kids in such a stunning place where adventure, connection, and serenity meet. Here’s to long sunny days, lakeside laughter, and creating memories that last forever. 💕🌊🏖️
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| Green Kyanite Earrings |
There are seasons of life while recuperation isn’t approximately rest—it’s about movement. Approximately strolling thru the wooded area in place of hiding within the cave. About sporting your softness out into the arena barring worry. green kyanite jewelry doesn’t ask you to live nonetheless. It walks with you, retaining you rooted at the same time as you reach.
This isn’t crystal earrings made for the shelf. It’s made for the soul that’s still becoming—for the woman growing again into her own skin, for the seeker remembering her method domestic. When green kyanite touches your frame, it doesn’t simply sit there. It starts offevolved to concentrate. After which, it starts to talk.
Green kyanite is not just a coronary heart stone—it's miles a manual. Its energy actions like water through moss-blanketed stone: quiet, fluid, unshakably clean. Its crystalline blades are certainly aligned, which displays its non secular work—it aligns except resistance.
As opposed to soaking up power (as many crystals do), green kyanite stays energetically impartial. It doesn’t carry the noise of your past or the heaviness of your surroundings. It just holds its frequency—and invitations you again into yours.
Related most strongly to the heart chakra, this stone teaches that actual stability doesn’t mean the absence of emotion. It skill letting emotions pass thru you in place of turning into stuck inside you. Green kyanite doesn’t near you off—it opens you up lightly, lovingly, and absolutely.
Carrying green kyanite earrings is like putting little gateways beside your thoughts. Now not gates that block, however gates that filter—permitting solely what nourishes you to skip thru. When worn on the ears, green kyanite affects each the throat and 1/3-eye chakras, deepening instinct and assisting honest, mild conversation.
If you are regularly in areas wherein you’re preserving space for others—emotionally, spiritually, or creatively—these earrings becomes your allies. They help you stay grounded for your own truth, even when you're absorbing the emotional language of the sector around you.
Stylistically, green kyanite earrings variety from delicate drops to wild, uncooked blades that sway like talismans of clarity. Anything their shape, they remind you that listening is sacred. And every now and then, hearing yourself without a doubt is the most recovery sound of all.
The palms are where movement begins. A green kyanite ring for your finger becomes a loop of goal—a visual, tactile reminder that you may circulate via the world with grace and truth. It grounds your gestures. It softens your reach.
This ring doesn’t try to be flawless. In reality, maximum are set with uncooked or evidently cut stones—jagged, layered, slightly unpredictable. Similar to you. And that’s the magic. You put on it not as it's ideal, but as it reminds you which you don’t need to be.
Vicinity it to your index finger to guide with calm. Put on it on your ring finger as a dedication in your own inner alignment. Anywhere it rests, the green kyanite ring works quietly and powerfully—like a root underneath the floor, maintaining everything regular.
The wrist is domestic for your body’s rhythm—your pulse, your motion, your emotional pace. Wrapping a green kyanite bracelet around this area is like adding a heartbeat on your restoration practice.
This bracelet is right for regular put on. It walks with you from dawn meditations to midnight journaling, from moments of overwhelm to moments of perception. It doesn’t flash or perform. It really stays—with you, via it all.
You can pick smooth beads on silk thread or uncooked stone fragments wrapped in copper or silver. Both way, your green kyanite bracelet will become your lively associate. Contact it when you want to slow down. Trust it whilst you’re uncertain. Allow or not it's your day by day rhythm keeper, syncing your frame to your soul.
There’s no method for styling green kyanite jewelry. There’s solely feeling. Permit your mood, your intuition, and your breath guide the way. Put on your green kyanite earrings with windswept scarves, smooth knits, or open linen shirts. Allow them to pass as you pass. Allow them to catch daylight, shadow, and memory.
Your green kyanite ring belongs with different uncooked portions—agate, citrine, moonstone—or with nothing at all. Permit it stand alone like a green flame. Put on it whilst you're writing, crafting, retaining a person you like.
The green kyanite bracelet pairs superbly with other earthy tones and tactile textures—think macrame, wood, woven cloth. But even on its very own, it brings ample intensity to anchor you. This isn’t about accessorizing. It’s approximately decorating your healing. And that’s usually an internal-out system.
Although green kyanite holds no negativity, its bodily body is tender. Its layered blade structure is certainly fragile, so treat each piece with care.
Remove your green kyanite rings when bathing, drowsing, or working with strain or warmth. Store it one at a time from harder stones and metals. A cloth pouch or cotton-covered container is good.
To energetically refresh your earrings, without a doubt place it under moonlight or relaxation it near herbs like mugwort, rose, or sage. Hold it in your hand and breathe. That’s often all it desires. It does not want a ritual—it desires your presence. And while you take care of it like a friend rather than a element, you’ll discover it holds greater than power—it holds faith.
Restoration doesn’t constantly appear like stillness. On occasion it looks like motion wrapped in goal. Like walking barefoot inside the grass. Like talking fact gently. Like sporting green kyanite jewelry not as it’s contemporary, but because it reminds you of who you in reality are.
Let your green kyanite jewelry open the door to deep listening. Permit your green kyanite ring hold your fact in each gesture. Let your green kyanite bracelet emerge as a beat underneath your breath. You don’t need to force recuperation. You simply want to go back to what’s already right here. And with green kyanite by way of your facet, that return is not simply feasible—it’s stunning.
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| Larimar Necklace |
If you've by no means heard of a Larimar Necklace before, you’re in for a treat. Consider a piece of jewelry that looks like the ocean captured in stone—cool blues, swirling whites, and a vibe that just appears like calm sunshine. That’s Larimar for you. It’s now not simply jewelry; it’s an enjoy. This semi-precious gem isn’t simply lovely—it’s were given persona, history, and a whole lot of exact strength. So, if you're curious about why everyone seems to be speakme about this dreamy blue stone, buckle up. We’re diving deep into the arena of Larimar and why it is quick becoming a must-have in each rings lover's series.
First matters first, let’s talk about what Larimar sincerely is. It’s a rare blue sort of pectolite located only in the Dominican Republic. It is right—solely one location inside the complete international has this oceanic splendor. That on my own makes it experience like you are wearing some thing truly different. And while it’s crafted right into a necklace, it turns into greater than simply an accent. It becomes a verbal exchange starter, a image of serenity, and a statement piece all at once.
There’s a positive magic approximately carrying Larimar close to your coronary heart. The cool, tender colours of blue and white mimic sea foam and tropical skies, giving off peaceful, island vibes. And it’s not pretty much appears. Many trust that Larimar holds calming and restoration houses, making it the appropriate gem for those who need to bring a piece extra zen into their every day life.
It’s no secret that particular, meaningful jewelry is having a prime moment. Humans aren’t simply shopping for sparkle—they want story, intention, and authenticity. That’s exactly what a Larimar Necklace grants. It’s no longer mass-produced. It’s no longer not unusual. It’s uncommon, handcrafted, and complete of soul.
Fashion influencers, holistic healers, and seashore-loving loose spirits have all fallen in love with this Caribbean gem. A part of the enchantment lies in the foundation of the stone—it’s mined near the coastlines of the Dominican Republic, which offers it that herbal oceanic power. Sporting it feels like sporting a piece of paradise with you, irrespective of wherein you're.
Plus, with speedy fashion losing its appeal, people are leaning towards sustainable, ethical pieces that are final. Larimar suits right into this movement. Maximum pieces are home made by means of local artisans, and that authenticity shines via every swirl and color of the stone.
The splendor of Larimar is that it’s versatile. Whether you are going for a boho seaside vibe or a graceful minimalist appearance, this stone works. Pair it with an easy white sundress, and all at once you look like you walked off a tour mag cowl. Wear it with denim and an informal tee, and boom—you’ve added just the proper touch of shade and specialty.
You don’t have to overthink it. The stone speaks for itself. Its natural swirls and styles mean no two pieces are alike, which adds to the charm. And if you're feeling a touch bold? Layer it with different pieces in silver or gold. Larimar performs nicely with others, especially whilst paired with herbal substances like leather, shells, or beads.
And if you're the kind of character who believes in the electricity of gems, wearing Larimar around your neck is like surrounding your coronary heart with tranquility. Many people wear it for the duration of meditation or as a part of their every day affirmation ritual because it's stated to lessen stress, stabilize emotions, and sell clear verbal exchange.
At the same time as necklaces might be the famous person of the show, the Larimar Bracelet is speedy making its personal call. It’s the ideal partner for your necklace and offers the identical calming aesthetic, however with a piece of wrist flair.
People love stacking them or sporting them solo for a more minimalist look. Larimar bracelets are specially famous amongst folks who need to feel connected to nature, the sea, or simply want to put on something that offers off a peaceful, laid-again vibe. It’s like a mini-holiday for your arm. And just like with necklaces, no 2 bracelets are ever the same—because of this your jewelry will constantly feel personal.
Allow’s be honest—in relation to jewelry, we all want something that sticks out barring trying too tough. That’s the sweet spot wherein Larimar lives. A Larimar Necklace doesn’t scream for attention, but it clearly receives it. It’s non violent yet hanging, rare but wearable, and natural but delicate.
Whether you’re a gemstone enthusiast, a fashion-forward thinker, or just a person who appreciates particular beauty, Larimar has something for you. Add inside the truth that it’s tied to effective energy, calming vibes, and one-of-a-type craftsmanship, and also you’ve been given yourself more than only a necklace—you’ve been given a chunk of the Caribbean sky wrapped around your neck.
So subsequent time you are trying to treat yourself or discover a significant gift, don’t accept the same antique sparkle. Move for something that simply capacity. Pick Larimar. You received’t just put on it—you’ll feel it.
Here are the top bathroom drain cleaning tips to stop blockages before they start:
A quick bathroom plumbing inspection can catch trouble before it spirals. We always poke around the pipes for clues like slow drains or odd gurgling. Check under sinks for drips, which might point to loose fittings or rusting pipes. Test the flush mechanism for toilets—worn parts can weaken flushes and invite clogs. In older homes, roots or crumbling pipes can cause repeated issues. A plumber with a drain camera can spot these problems. We recommend a checkup every 18 months to nip issues in the bud and avoid costly fixes.
Keeping drains in check requires consistent bathroom plumbing maintenance. Here's what you should do to stay ahead of clogs:
The right gear makes clog prevention a breeze. They're cheap and catch most debris. A sturdy plunger and a drain snake are go-to for quick fixes. Use a biodegradable drain cleaner for homes with lots of hair. A water softener can cut down on mineral buildup in hard water areas. Not sure about your water? A plumber can test it and suggest fixes. Steer clear of chemical cleaners—they're harsh on pipes. Natural solutions or a pro's help are safer bets.
DIY fixes are great for small clogs, but some problems need a professional touch. If plunging doesn't work or clogs keep returning, you might have roots or damaged pipes. Pros use tools like high-pressure water jets to blast through tough blockages. Homeowners regret waiting too long, turning minor issues into major repairs. Call a plumber early to save time and money if you're stumped. A quick service visit can keep your pipes in top shape.
Keeping your bathroom drains clear is about steady effort and good choices. Use strainers, flush only what's meant for toilets, and stick to plumbing maintenance tips to avoid backups. Regular inspections and the right tools are your allies. If clogs persist, don't wait—get a professional to check for deeper issues. From years fixing pipes, we can say a little work now keeps your plumbing smooth and saves you from the chaos of a clogged drain.
The answer surprised me: I needed to let go. Not in a careless way, but in a way that allowed me to step back from the hyper-vigilant mindset I had adopted as a parent. I needed something that helped me stop living so much in my head—constantly anticipating, planning, and overthinking—and start being more present.
That’s when I made the conscious decision to explore CBD and THC products.
Why I Chose Cannabis Products
It wasn’t a snap decision. I’ve spent most of my adult life making sure I was sharp, sober, and fully available. But now, I’m choosing to shift my focus toward balance—not control. The kids are growing up, and my job as a parent is evolving. I still want to be there for them, but I also want to enjoy this new phase without the stress and mental overload that’s become second nature. I am 35 with a 17 year old, 15 year old, and 12 year old, I have been parenting since I was a teen myself. So it’s time for mom to get a bit of a break.
THC and CBD offered something I hadn’t had in a long time: relief without guilt.
What I’ve Been Trying
I’ve started experimenting with various CBD and THC products—edibles, oils, vapes, and even topicals. Some are great for winding down after a long day, while others give me a gentle lift when I need clarity or to just feel okay.
I’m not using them to escape—I’m using them to reconnect with the version of me that isn’t consumed by worry or overcommitment. I’m figuring out what works best: what helps me relax, what helps with physical tension, and what just helps me be a better, more present version of myself.
Benefits of CBD and THC for Wellness & Recreation
Here are some of the top ways cannabis has helped people like me—and why I’m glad I took the plunge:
🧠
Mental Wellness
🌿
Physical Relief
☀️
Everyday Functioning
🎉
Recreational Enjoyment
A New Chapter, With a New Mindset
This isn’t about becoming a different person—it’s about giving myself permission to relax, breathe, and be. The version of me that shows up when I’m calm, rested, and grounded is a better parent, partner, and human overall.
If you’re someone who’s lived in a state of “constant alert,” I see you. It’s not easy to let your guard down. But sometimes, the most healing thing you can do is give yourself the tools to feel free again—whatever that looks like for you.
For me, it’s this journey with THC and CBD. And I’m not looking back. I can’t wait to stop at new dispensaries on our road trips, experiment with new flower, roll some joints, nibble some edibles, and finally relax knowing I have earned that privilege.
It’s no coincidence that the best nights of sleep you ever get are in hotel rooms. There’s something about the way hotels design their rooms that ensures you always feel restful in the morning. It’s a combination of the bed itself and the ambience, so here are some great bedroom design tips to help you sleep like you’re in a hotel every single night.
Buy a genuine hotel bed & mattress
What better way to get a hotel night’s sleep than by purchasing a proper hotel bed and mattress? You can find places that sell custom hotel furniture and then either order it straight from them or look at the bedframe and mattress to know which ones to go out and buy. Hotel beds are designed to stay comfortable after lots of use, so you’re getting something that genuinely feels nice to sleep on and helps you doze through the night.
Work on soundproofing the bedroom
Another advantage that hotels have over normal homes is their soundproofing capabilities. Hotel rooms are designed to be quiet so guests can sleep peacefully without distractions. You can apply the same approach to your bedroom by improving the soundproofing.
Here are two ideas to consider:
It’s probably the biggest job in your bedroom renovation, yet arguably one of the most impactful for a good night’s sleep.
Install blackout blinds or curtains
All hotel rooms come with blackout blinds or curtains to immerse the guests in darkness. This is essential for telling your central nervous system that it’s time to sleep. It’s all to do with your circadian rhythm and the way your CNS perceives light - don’t worry too much about the science, just know that darkness makes your body feel ready for bed.
Get a set of blackout blinds or curtains to use in your bedroom and you’ll find it easier to fall asleep - and stay asleep during the night.
Give yourself different types of pillows
Have you noticed that hotel rooms tend to give you at least two different pillow options? You get firm ones and then softer ones - and this is something you should apply to your bedroom. Giving yourself a couple of pillow options means you can select whichever pillow feels right on any given day. Perhaps you feel more comfortable with a firm one today, then a soft one another day. Having these choices can help you sleep better and longer.
Improve the climate control functions
Finally, make sure your bedroom has excellent climate control features. You could install an air conditioning unit in there like a hotel, but even something like a fan will do. Hotels need to maintain the optimal climate so guests don’t feel too hot or too cold. Apply the same thinking to your bedroom and you’ll sleep like royalty.
Use these tips to get that hotel feeling whenever you lie down to sleep every night. You’ll wake up feeling completely refreshed and won’t spend another night staring at the ceiling wishing you could drift off.
Understanding the Foundation: Positive Reinforcement
The cornerstone of ABA therapy is positive reinforcement – immediately following a desired behavior with something your child finds rewarding. This increases the likelihood that the behavior will happen again. At home, this might mean offering praise, a favorite snack, or extra playtime when your child follows instructions, uses appropriate communication, or demonstrates a new skill.
The key is timing and consistency. Reinforcement should happen immediately after the desired behavior, not minutes later. Keep a mental note of what truly motivates your child – it might be verbal praise, physical affection, access to preferred activities, or tangible items. What works as reinforcement can change over time, so stay observant and flexible.
Creating Structure Through Visual Supports
Visual supports are powerful tools that help children understand expectations and navigate daily routines independently. Create simple visual schedules using pictures or symbols that show the sequence of daily activities. For morning routines, this might include pictures representing getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, and gathering school materials.
Place these visual schedules at your child's eye level in relevant locations throughout your home. A bathroom visual might show the steps for handwashing, while a kitchen schedule could outline mealtime expectations. These supports reduce anxiety by making abstract concepts concrete and help children develop independence in daily tasks.
Implementing Choice-Making Opportunities
Offering choices throughout the day builds communication skills while giving children a sense of control. Start with simple either/or choices that are meaningful to your child. During breakfast, ask "Do you want cereal or toast?" rather than the overwhelming "What do you want for breakfast?"
Expand choice-making into various activities: which shirt to wear, which book to read, which activity to do next. Use visual choice boards if your child responds better to pictures than words. This strategy not only builds communication skills but also reduces challenging behaviors that often stem from feeling powerless or misunderstood.
Embedding Learning in Daily Activities
Transform routine activities into learning opportunities without making them feel like formal lessons. During grocery shopping, practice counting items, identifying colors, or following directions. While cooking together, work on following sequences, measuring, and vocabulary development.
Bathroom routines offer perfect opportunities to practice self-care skills, following multi-step directions, and communication. Getting dressed can become a chance to work on fine motor skills, sequencing, and independence. The key is to identify skills your child is working on in therapy and find natural ways to practice them throughout the day.
Using Natural Environment Teaching
Natural Environment Teaching (NET) involves creating learning opportunities during naturally occurring activities rather than at a formal table or designated therapy space. If your child is working on requesting in therapy, create opportunities throughout the day where they need to ask for things they want.
Place preferred items slightly out of reach, pause during favorite activities to create communication opportunities, or "forget" to give them their usual snack until they request it. These natural teaching moments are often more motivating than formal instruction because they involve things your child genuinely wants.
Implementing Consistent Expectations
Consistency across all environments is crucial for skill generalization. If your child is learning to say "please" and "thank you" in therapy, ensure these expectations are maintained at home, school, and in the community. Work with your therapy team to understand exactly how skills are being taught so you can reinforce them identically.
Create family rules that align with therapy goals. If your child is working on sitting appropriately during activities, maintain these expectations during family meals, homework time, and other structured activities. Consistency helps children understand that skills learned in therapy apply everywhere, not just during formal sessions.
Managing Challenging Behaviors Proactively
Prevention is always more effective than reaction when dealing with challenging behaviors. Learn to recognize your child's early warning signs of frustration, overstimulation, or fatigue. Common antecedents include hunger, tiredness, changes in routine, or sensory overload.
Develop strategies to address these triggers before behaviors escalate. This might mean offering snacks before grocery shopping, providing sensory breaks during overwhelming activities, or using visual schedules to prepare for transitions. When challenging behaviors do occur, stay calm and consistent with your response, focusing on teaching appropriate alternatives.
Building Communication Throughout the Day
Create multiple opportunities for communication by environmental arrangement and strategic pausing. If your child typically communicates through gestures, acknowledge these attempts while modeling appropriate verbal responses. Expand on their communication by adding one or two words to what they've expressed.
During preferred activities, pause and wait for your child to request continuation. If they enjoy being tickled, stop after a few seconds and wait for them to request "more" or "again." These natural communication opportunities are often more motivating than formal communication practice.
Collaborating with Your Therapy Team
Maintain regular communication with your child's ABA team about what's happening at home. Share successes, challenges, and questions about implementation. Your therapists can provide specific guidance on how to address unique situations that arise in your home environment.
Ask for homework or specific strategies to practice between sessions. Many therapy teams provide written instructions or video models to help parents implement techniques correctly. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification or additional support when needed.
Celebrating Progress and Staying Motivated
Remember that progress in ABA therapy often comes in small increments. Celebrate minor victories and recognize that skill development takes time and practice. Keep a simple log of positive moments, new skills, or successful days to remind yourself of your child's progress during challenging times.
Stay connected with other families going through similar experiences. Parent support groups, either in-person or online, can provide encouragement, practical tips, and emotional support throughout your journey.
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Your home environment should feel supportive and structured while remaining comfortable and natural. This doesn't mean turning your house into a clinical setting, but rather thoughtfully arranging spaces to support your child's learning and success.
By implementing these strategies consistently, you become an active partner in your child's therapy team. Your daily interactions and reinforcement of skills create the foundation for lasting progress and meaningful development that extends far beyond formal therapy sessions.
