Friday, November 27, 2020

Hobbies for Parents While Looking After the Kids at Home

As a parent, you are sometimes limited as to what you can do with your free time. When you need to be at home looking after the kids, you are restricted in terms of the hobbies that you can enjoy, but that is not to say that there aren’t fun and rewarding hobbies to enjoy in the home while looking after the kids. Everyone needs to have hobbies to enjoy in their free time for their own wellbeing, so if you are looking for fun new hobbies that you can do while also looking after the kids then here are a few ideas to get you started.


Cooking

Cooking is perhaps the best hobby because you will need to provide food for the family anyway, so you may as well turn this into an activity that you enjoy instead of making something quick and easy. Learning to cook can be an incredibly rewarding experience, plus you can also use it to improve the diet of your family and reduce your shopping bill. You could also encourage the kids to help as a fun family activity but also a highly practical skill to learn.

Yoga

Many parents get frustrated because they cannot fit exercise into their routine, which is understandable if you have to look after the kids and can’t go out to the gym or for a run. A great alternative is to try yoga at home because this can give you a good physical workout, plus it is good for your mental health too. You can find easy to follow guides online to get started or possibly even join an online class that can bring a social side to this hobby without the need to leave the home.

Casino Games

Casino games are a great hobby for busy parents because it is one that you can easily do on your phone while looking after the kids. There are all kinds of fun, colorful and engaging games to choose from, plus you can find a no deposit casino online that will allow you to get started without spending any money.

Gardening


Gardening is another excellent hobby for when you are looking after the kids because it allows you to make improvements to the home, you can be outside in the fresh air and it is a physically active hobby. It is also incredibly rewarding turning your backyard into a beautiful space full of color and life and there are ways that you can do this no matter how much space you have to work with.

These are just a few ideas that will hopefully give you some inspiration and help you to find a hobby that you enjoy and one which you can do while looking after the kids at home. It is a common grievance for parents that they do not have time for hobbies, but this is not strictly true as there are hobbies that you can enjoy while the kids are doing their homework or watching TV, which can benefit and improve your life in a few ways.

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Piano Lessons in the Middle of a Pandemic

Lessonface is launching Piano Pass, a new daily class series of live online piano classes for all ages and all playing levels. Classes for adults and kids. 


The Piano Pass gives you daily access to over 20 live interactive piano classes each week, 80+ classes monthly. All with a live, in-real-time piano teacher. Each designed to energize and inspire you as you progress in your piano playing.

With the Piano Pass, students can attend as many live classes as they want, and feel confident by booking with the Lessonface guarantee. Enroll today and save. Regularly $39/mo. Start today and your first month is $14.99 for the first 30-days. Great teachers, great classes, guaranteed. Kids Pass are just $4.99 to start for the first 30-days. Regularly $19/mo.

For more information visit - https://www.lessonface.com/pianoclasses #onlinepianoclasses



I do plan on giving this to Isaak. I feel bad because he was doing well with piano lessons, then they were ripped away from him, when COVID struck. I'd really like to get him back into playing. Even if it's virtual. 

What's something you've gotten as a gift this year?

Disclaimer: I'm getting lessonface piano lessons, in exchange for an honest review. 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie? Yes Please

Travis grew some pumpkin pie pumpkins. I've been making a lot of pumpkin things:
  • Soups
  • Pies
  • Crisps
  • Smoothies
Recently I got HydroPea protein to review. Usually I add dried and ground kale to all my protein powders. I didn't do that this time. The reason is because the powder is pretty packed in the container. Possibly I will when it's down 1/2 way.

I used the HydroPea Protein Powder in a smoothie. We have one almost every morning. 

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie, for 4: 
  • 2 scoops of HydroPea Protein Powder
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin
  • 4 frozen bananas 
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 1 cup ice
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 scoop of dried ground kale
  • Whipped cream + a sprinkle of nutmeg for the topping
You can make the recipe above, or substitute things. I could see adding dates, pumpkin pie seasoning, ginger, or regular milk. You could even leave the kale out.

Truth: I hardly make the same exact smoothie more than once.
Another Truth: I liked this smoothie a lot!
The protein powder didn't make it taste chalky or gritty at all. I've had that happen with protein powders in the past. Not this one. 

About HydroPea Protein Powder:
  • It has one ingredient - 100% pure raw yellow peas from Canada. 
  • It contains no artificial flavors, or coloring. 
  • It has no added sugar.
  • There are 27 grams of protein. 
  • There are 18 amino acids.
  • Vegan? No problem, so is HydroPea.
  • Gluten free? No problem, so is HydroPea.
  • Watching your intake on GMOs? No problem, so is HydroPea is NON-GMO.
Where to get HydroPea Protein Powder:

You can pick it up on Amazon for $24.95 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VFY9BTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. I have to say that it will last a long while. 
Do you enjoy smoothies? What would you put in one? 

Disclaimer: I got this product for free to help with this review. The company did not tell me what to write. All opinions are my own. 

Crawligator #giftlist #holidays



I'm pretty excited to share this baby item with you. It's called a Crawligator. What better way to spend having tummy time, then on a fun toy?

My niece Margaret is getting a Crawligator from me. It will be interesting to see how it works for a child that has special needs. My main concern is the G-button port she has for taking in additional breast milk. How will it fit into the Crawligator? Maybe it will work just fine. My sister does give her tummy time. She is able to nurse, but has to supplement. 

You can see her port here:


Little Miss Margaret is getting a pink Crawligator, for Christmas. I hope I'm able to see this kind of smile on Christmas day. Even if it's through a Zoom meeting.


About the Crawligator:


Crawligator Tummy Time rolling Toy provides mobility for infants 6 to 12 months old. Margaret will be about 4 months old. This is something she'll have to grow into. 

JPMA Innovation Award Winner 2019 builds strength, develops gross motor skills and supports independence. 

Pediatric physical therapist recommended. 

Designed to move on a hard floor surface. Lucky for my sister, she has hard wood floors. Sleek contoured surface allows the child to rest comfortably on their stomach. 

MADE IN USA. Free Shipping on The Kiddy Crawler - Order Now for Free Shipping! Cost is $39.99.

Where to get the Crawligator:


It comes in different colors: Green and Pink

Disclaimer: I will get this product, for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Burrito Blanket Review

Lately with the weather change I’ve been so tired, when it gets dark out. Sometimes I wish people could have a slight hibernation. It wouldn’t last all winter. Just let me cuddle and sleep some! Do you get tired, when the weather switches? 

I can now cuddle up burrito, or taco style. I used to wrap the kids up like burritos when they were little. It would have been more cool if I actually had a burrito blanket, like I do now.

This burrito blanket is reversible. 


It’s certainly light weight and soft to the touch. 

It looks realistic enough. About the only downhill aspect is that it shows all the fold lines. 



Cost:

It's $29.99 with a 25% off clip coupon. Get it, while that coupon is there. 

Where to Get it:  

You can pick it up on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08M3VFSS2,

Size:  

50"x60"

Big enough to cover an adult, fun enough for a child to an adult. 

Do you have a blanket that you love wrapping up in? I have to say that I like the one I got through Soft Surrounding the most, but it does get hot in the summer time.

Disclaimer: I got this product for free, or a discounted price to help with this review. All opinions are my own. The company did not tell me what to write. 

WW: Signs {Linky}

Right now I work at Williams Sonoma. It's in a high end shopping area. Soon I'll be bumping up my status, and will be working in the marketing department at a nonprofit that helps integrate technology into schools, and adults that need it. The signs at the high end shopping area have been cracking me up!

It started with the ParentSavvy sign. It was a site that had medical advice, in regards to children. How do I know? I used to write, for ParentSavvy. Why is is funny? Because their site has been gone, since 2017. They must have missed that memo. Possibly they never looked into getting advice. 


Yesterday I walked in there, and saw the the next sign elsewhere in the shopping area. I've seen it before, and had an internal giggle. When I think of blowouts, they are diaper blowouts. I can just picture classy women enjoying their "blowouts" together. 








6 Gifts Adults and Kids Can Enjoy Together

Have you ever had those moments when you enjoyed a child’s gift just as much as they did? Well, you’re not alone! There are some gifts in this world that are outrageously fun for both adults and kids alike. Whether it’s toys, gadgets, furniture, or puzzles, these kinds of gifts can provide hours of entertainment. If you’re looking for gifts that will tickle not just a child’s fancy, but yours as well, read on for a few ideas.


3D Pen

The world has started to go 3D, and so far, it has been most popular with puzzles and printers. A fun little gadget that has come onto the market, though, is a 3D pen. With this fun little device, doodles are no longer confined to a piece of paper. Instead, they become 3D shapes that you can even put on display. What kid or adult wouldn’t have fun with that?

Snowball Blaster

Everyone loves a good snowball fight. Why not ramp it up with a snowball blaster that propels your icy weapons 80 feet away? These devices provide plenty of entertainment in the winter and you and your kids can take turns using it.

Giant Beanbag

Ah, the beloved beanbag. These trendy items are everywhere these days and they can even be found in corporate offices. Beanbags come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be used as a piece of furniture or as a decorative item in the room. To make it enjoyable for both adults and kids, you could get cartoon-decorated ones for the younger generation, and then opt for plain, colored ones for the older folk.

Paint by Numbers Kit

Paint by numbers is another activity that both kids and adults can enjoy. Ranging in simplicity and design, paint by numbers provides hours of fun and these can be adjusted depending on your age and skill level. If you’re interested in buying a kit, justpaintbynumber.com has a wide variety options to choose from.

Air Shark

If you like remote controlled devices, the air shark might just be your thing. You’ll need a large room to enjoy this gigantic inflatable beast, but it gives you the chance to both wow and startle your guests (especially if you set it loose without any warning!). Kids will also love its lifelike movements as it swims across the room.

LED Fireworks

With the pandemic keeping everyone inside this winter, particularly for big public events, you may want to invest in some LED fireworks. These can be set up in your backyard or next to a blank wall and programmed for a variety of sequences and color schemes. Get your kids in on the action so that you can work together to put on the indoor show of a lifetime.

There are endless options when it comes to gifts that both kids and adults will love. With a bit of creativity and thinking outside the box, both you and the little ones can be entertained for hours and days on end. Have fun exploring these options above!

6 Tips for Shopping on Amazon

Amazon has fast become the number one online stop for any product you could imagine, which means, if you’re new to using Amazon or have never shopped on Amazon before, it can be very overwhelming to even know where to start. Having enough choice is always helpful, but what to do when there is too much choice or too many products to comfortably narrow down?


Here are six tips to help you shop more easily on Amazon and always get your money’s worth.


1. Be Sure to Check Reviews

Reviews are extremely helpful for when you’re considering a product, or perhaps deciding between two very similar ones. It’s always worth a browse of the best (and worst) reviews to better understand a product you’re considering.

It’s important to take some reviews with a pinch of salt, however, and be sure to look out for any reviews that might look less than authentic. Reviews from verified customers, coupled with customer photographs, can be the best ones to look out for.

2. Consider Amazon Prime Membership if You’ll Be Ordering Regularly

The delivery options for products on Amazon vary for each one, and so does the price. You can still find free standard delivery on certain products, but there will be a lot of delivery charges, too.

If you’re going to be making a lot of purchases with Amazon, especially small and regular ones, then Prime membership may be a good option for you. It allows unlimited next day delivery for free, and the price of the monthly membership may be significantly less than what you would spend on delivery costs.

3. Use Discount Codes to Save Money

There are always great deals to be found on Amazon, so make sure to use any Amazon promo code to save money, as well as browse during sales and Prime events (if you're a member).

4. Choose Items Sold Directly from Amazon.com

Amazon will display a lot of third-party sellers, but to find the most dependable product, try to look at those which are listed as sold directly from Amazon. This is because Amazon’s product and selling process can be more reliable than that of third-party sellers, through items sold from them rather than from Amazon itself.

5. Take Advantage of the Many Filter Options

With so many products to choose from on Amazon, whatever you can do to narrow down your search will be a great help. Amazon has a very detailed list of filter options on the page, including item information, delivery information, location, price range, and more.

6. Look at the Product Questions and Answers

Some products will display a detailed list of questions and answers from buyers, which may display key information that isn’t included in the official product description.

You also have the option of asking a question yourself regarding a product, which other buyers may be able to answer for you before you commit to buying a product.

Using these tips, you should be able to browse more safely and confidently using Amazon.

Monday, November 23, 2020

Tips to Help You Find a New Job During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many people are in a difficult situation because of COVID-19. It's because they lost their jobs as companies needed to reduce costs. Under those circumstances, many people started to try new things to afford their expenses.

I found this in my office from 2009, and found it helpful during this pandemic. I may not of had the job I love, but I had a job I could tolerate. 


Paying the bills and even buying food is becoming stressful for those whose savings are decreasing day by day. To avoid the virus from spreading, many governments have taken isolation measurements. However, being in isolation means that you can't go out to work or buy products. Given that, remote working has become the new standard.

Nowadays, tech workers are playing an important role while helping organizations move forward. They have allowed companies not only to fill customers' needs but also to change how they operate. As a result, they've been able to innovate the market, even during this challenging situation.

Given these points, here are some tips you should consider if you are unemployed. These tips will help you to find a new job as well as meet future employers' requirements.

Do Some Research

Many positions have been affected by isolation. As a result, several are vulnerable and are still struggling to move forward. However, other sectors, like the healthcare sector, remain strong. Under those circumstances, you should do some research to see which sectors are still making job offers.

While looking for a job, you'll need to assess your skills. In that case, you'll be able to summarize what skills best fit employers' needs. Try to be creative and look for job vacancies even outside your local area. Additionally, you have to be aware that it could be a short term job. For that reason, be ready to compromise, at least while other sectors start to recover.

Contact Your Networks

Being in touch with friends has always been important. However, nowadays, it can be crucial to get a job. While looking for a job, they can help you get an interview. In the same way, you can make some calls to workmates who have worked with you in previous positions. Remember that spreading your voice is essential.

Often in the tech sector, candidates land qualifying jobs because of referrals. For example, as data becomes more valuable, companies need more tech talent like cybersecurity specialists. It's because they can keep companies' information safe as well as protect companies' products from digital threats. Under those circumstances, employers prefer to hire referred candidates rather than look for them on websites like LinkedIn.

Upgrade and Update Your Current Professional Skills

Maybe you have what it takes to get a job, but your skills are outdated. If you have free time, don't hesitate to complete some courses that could help you find and get a job. In the same way, keep up to date to stay relevant. Remember that education is the new currency.

Upgrading skills is essential because it helps you implement better practices. In that case, it's vital to say that tech professionals like WordPress Developers have to upgrade their skills regularly. It's because it allows them to create more dynamic websites by using the most recent plugins as well as better coding methods.

Build a Portfolio

Showing your abilities can help you get a new job as employers can see what you are capable of. With this in mind, it's feasible to say that building a portfolio is essential these days. You can include personal projects you are currently working on as well as other projects like team projects.

For professionals like graphic designers and UX/UI designers, building a portfolio is vital as they can capture employers' attention. With the use of portfolios, employers can evaluate aspirants' expertise. For that reason, they will know if candidates can meet their current needs or not.

Learn Programming Skills

During pandemics, tech workers have allowed companies not only to survive but also to innovate their working methods. Given that, the demand for skilled professionals has increased. In the same way, as customers started to use more digital channels, the need for digital solutions that could meet their requirements increased as well.

With this in mind, tech professionals with programming skills like software engineers started to create solutions that could help companies fill their customers' expectations. Also, learning how to code will allow you to work from any place. In other words, you'll be able to work from home, and you won't need to go to an office.

Nowadays, programming languages like Python are in-demand. Learning python programming skills will help you to be a must-have for employers. It's because Python is very versatile and can be used to create sophisticated solutions.

Python is exceptional for analyzing and visualizing data. For that reason, data scientists use it to build programs that can help them analyze gathered information. As a result, they'll be able to create better insights that help companies make data-driven decisions.

Furthermore, Python can be used to implement machine learning algorithms in existing products. In that case, organizations will be able to provide more personalized experiences to customers.

Enroll in a Coding Bootcamp

Coding Bootcamps have become very popular lately. It's because they offer courses where aspirants can learn in-demand skills to get better job opportunities. Under those circumstances, it's feasible to say that enrolling in a coding bootcamp is a great idea to be prepared to find a new job.

App Academy is a coding school that offers some exceptional courses in web development. At App Academy, you can become a full stack developer who's ready to mark the difference. For that reason, during the program, you'll learn new skills while building web applications on projects. Also, you'll learn how to code using programming languages like JavaScript and SQL.

It's important to remember that full stack developers are responsible for developing client-side apps as well as server-side apps. Under those circumstances, after completion, you'll be a candidate every employer would like to hire.

Conclusion

Generally speaking, looking for a job would be easier if you consider these tips. Learning new skills and enrolling in coding bootcamps will provide you with better job opportunities. In that case, during pandemics, you'll not only be able to land a new job but also to change your way of life.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post. This post was written by: Artur Meyster

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com