Mamma Musings

Homeowners take home security seriously, and it’s critical for them to review all aspects of home security. It isn’t just about the security surveillance system, but it is vital to have a system. The system must be compliant with relevant regulations as well as being functional and meeting your needs in terms of security. Of course, it can be hard to know where to start when securing your house, but you can click here for more information on CCTV cameras, which are always a good place to start.

There are other aspects that are just as important as the security system, and the property owner must evaluate them.

For example, the homeowner’s daily habits could present a would-be intruder with details about when to break into the property. Minor changes in their routine could prevent a break-in and leave criminals guessing. A review of 10 home security tips helps property owners keep their homes more secure.

1. Change the Locks Regularly

As a homeowner, it is important to prevent anyone from getting the keys to the home. Parents give their kids keys to their home, and if they lose the keys, there’s no telling who could find the keys. A great practice to keeping the home more secure is to have the locks changed at least every six months.

If anyone who lives with them losing a house key, the homeowner should get the locks changed and give everyone a new key. Homeowners can learn more about getting their locks changed by visiting Action Lock Doc right now.

2. Become More Aware of Your Entry Points

Whenever the person moves into a new home, the first thing they should do is to become aware of all their entry points. It is recommended that they count the total number of doors and windows. It is these entry points that the owner must secure.

For example, they will need to add sensors to windows and their doors whenever they set up a security system. However, if the homeowner lives alone, they could position furniture nearby these entry points that prevent outsiders from getting into the home without their knowledge. If you live in an apartment or another type of shared living arrangement you may wish to look at a system specifically designed for apartment access control.

3. Using a Security Surveillance System Appropriately

Security surveillance systems are a necessary part of keeping the home safer, but it is vital for the homeowner to set up the cameras correctly to avoid blind spots. A common problem with the designs is that they don’t have enough cameras for larger properties. The homeowner must review the display as the cameras are set up and adjust the cameras according to possible blindspots.

4. Replace Any Damaged Windows

By replacing damaged windows, the property owner restores home security and prevents a break-in. Compromised areas of the windows present an entry point for intruders and pests.

By replacing these windows, the property owner can choose safety glass that won’t shatter and give intruders an access point through the windows. Adding sensors to the new windows stops anyone from opening the windows without engaging the alarm.

5. Use Smart Home Features

Smart home features improve home security, too, and the homeowner can control their lights, electronic locks, and HVAC through a remote connection. If they forget to lock a door, the owner can check it through the smart home systems.

They can lock windows, too. The connection allows them to check in on their home or their family at any time via the security system. Some smart home features allow the homeowner to use an intercom to speak to people that come to their front door when they aren’t at home. This is a great way to deter an intruder.

6. Close Your Curtains and Blinds

When the homeowner doesn’t need natural light, it’s a great idea to shut their curtains and prevent outsiders from looking into their home. Curtain and binds increase the homeowner’s privacy, and limited visibility prevents a potential intruder from identifying the exact layout of the home. If the intruder cannot see inside the home, they won’t have a chance to plan a home invasion.

7. Get Security Doors for Main Entry Points

Security doors can reinforce the security of the property, and the doors prevent outsiders from getting to the entry doors. Security doors have a variety of designs, and some require a key to lock and unlock them. If the intruders cannot get past the security doors, this decreases the potential for them to get into the home.

To get the most out of the installation, the homeowner can install the security doors in front of all entry doors. It is a great way to decrease the potential for a home invasion, and the property owner may get discounts on their homeowner’s insurance premiums.

8. Use a Safe That Doesn’t Look Like a Safe and Use Decoys

A great strategy for protecting their valuables is to get a safe that doesn’t look like a safe, and they can use a decoy to draw the attention of an intruder away from their real safe. Today’s safes do not look like a traditional safe, and it is far easier to conceal them in the home. A great decay is a smaller jewelry box places on a dresser that is filled with costume jewelry.

9. Install Better Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is necessary to keep the home secure, and the position of the lighting determines how well the homeowner sees around their home at night. Motion lights are a great choice for areas that are not used often, and the homeowner will be alerted whenever someone is outside their home.

10. Install a Door Brace for Primary Entry Points

By installing a door brace for the primary entry points, the property owner can reinforce the security of their entry doors. They can slide the door brace into place before they go to sleep at night, and no one is getting the door open.

Homeowners must review home security strategies more thoroughly, and they will find aspects that they didn’t consider. By addressing overlooked aspects of home security, the property owner keeps themselves and their family safer. They must start with entry points, especially their entry doors.

By adding extra features such as smart home installations, the property owner designs their own security concept for their property and cuts down on risks. A complete risk assessment of the property is telling, and the property owner becomes more aware of all entry points and how to secure them properly.

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Christmas may be well and truly in the rear-view mirror, and we can all breathe a sigh of relief that it’s completely over for another full year. However, there are still holidays and birthday throughout the year that we need to prepare for.  For those of you in relationships, the time to relax and unwind on the gift-giving front doesn’t last that long. Because, before you know it, Valentine’s Day will spring right up on you.

That’s right, the one day of the year where you have to show your significant other just how much you love them is almost here, which is why it’s time to get prepared. Obviously, there’s a certain etiquette to have depending on how long you’ve been dating, but that doesn’t mean you should start looking at the latest possible time. This year especially in the current environment online sites such as Naturally Dating are helping more people find love during these tough times. 

Not only for dating but, buying Valentine’s gifts online is the ideal way to get ahead of the game this year, and this is why.

More Time to Prepare

Firstly it means you have more time to prepare as you’ll be able to shop around and see what’s out there. This means you’ll not only be able to find gift ideas you hadn’t thought of for example  good quality statement scarves, but find things you’ve been looking for at a much better price. Also, if you order your gifts earlier, you won’t have that panic of them not arriving in time.

Much More Personal

Another good thing about buying cards and gifts online is that you can personalise them. This eliminates the need to spend hours sifting through card shops for that perfect message as you can type up your own, add a few nice images, and there you go. This applies to gifts as well, as you can get pretty much everything personalised, from mugs and scarves to plates, teddy bears and everything in between.

Skip the Queues

One of the biggest advantages of shopping online is that you don’t have to queue. After all, there’s nothing worse than spending hours standing in line at the card shop or gift store on a weekend, or even your lunch break. You simply just have to load up the computer, or even your phone, and get searching and then it comes straight to your door – job done.

Obviously, there are many more reasons why shopping online will help you out when it comes to buying Valentine’s gifts. But these three are key, so make sure you’re not running around looking for gifts and standing in queues this year, and get it all done early and online.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Pic Credit: Pixabay

The old saying “you get what you pay for” is more often than not very true in the world of fashion. But as our kids grow at the speed of light, investing in designer clothes for children is something many of us mums don’t always have on our radars. Instead — in my case anyway — I prefer to go down the frugal road and buy cheaper options. I know the boys will outgrow their clothes before they even have chance to wear them, so what could be the point?

That being said, I can’t help but admire children’s designer clothes from time to time and think to myself that a thing or two would definitely be worth the splurge. Here’s why.

They Are Lasting Souvenirs

Let me ask you a question. How many of you have some leftover clothing from your grandmother or mother, either as a keepsake or as something that you are actually still wearing? An old dress perhaps? I bet a few of you do — I certainly do! Now fast forward a few generations. How many of our children’s clothes do you think are likely to be left as a legacy in the same way, for their kids and grandkids to use? None? That’s likely the answer. The reason for this is the shift towards “throw-away” fashion in recent years. These days, everything is made to be extremely cheap but also extremely disposable. Don’t you think it’s a bit sad?

Investing in a couple of designer items for your child means that you have pieces you can keep, use and reuse, and cherish for a long time, or pass along to a relative if you’re not one to hoard. Designer clothes are high quality, robust and will see you through the years.

They Are Often Ethically Made

Pic Credit: Netflix

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you watch the documentary The True Cost on Netflix. Of course, as mothers, we tend to budget tightly and prefer cheaper clothing options for our kids. But have you ever thought of the social and environmental impact of cheap clothes found in well-known international stores such as Zara and H&M? The True Cost highlights the relationship between low-cost aptly named “fast-fashion” brands and sweatshop workers’ conditions. The documentary follows a young Bangladeshi mother who has to part with her daughter to earn a living in one of those factories. It’s quite a slap in the face, but it’s also a great incentive to consider paying a little more for designer children’s clothes.

In comparison, many designer brands are known to be made locally with more adequate working conditions for their employees. And because these clothes are not made on the cheap on an assembly line, they are often much better quality and represent greater value for money — they will also last much longer than anything purchased from a fast-fashion brand. Definitely something to consider!

Better Design, Better Fit

If you’re a fan of good fit and originality for your kids’ wardrobe, there’s really nothing like a well-made, high-end designer piece for an occasional treat. It’s true that fast-fashion items are copies of what is seen on the runway, and there’s nothing wrong with that! However, the one thing you won’t find in these cheaper replicas is a fantastic fit, quality fabric and perfect aesthetic.

Fashion designers spend a lot of time making sure their designs perfectly fit the human body — something that cannot be said of cheaper alternatives. Designers research materials and cuts to deliver exquisite products that resemble pieces of art. Fabrics are often natural, more robust and vibrant, and contain far fewer chemicals.

So if you’re fond of art and beautiful design, and looking to be a bit more eco-conscious, go ahead and consider a designer item for your children. It’s a splurge that will turn into a lasting memory.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Pic Credit: Pixabay

A child’s education extends outside of the classroom. Yet, you might wonder how you can provide your children with learning opportunities if you’re on a tight budget. It might, however, be a relief to know there are many ways you can increase their knowledge without draining your bank balance.

If you want to make sure your son or daughter thrives academically, read the next few tips on how to affordably improve your child’s education.

Attend Free Museums

There are bound to be museums near you that are either free to enter every day of the week or provide free family days.  Exploring different exhibitions will allow your children to learn more about history, science or another subject, which could support their school studies and could potentially lead to them developing a passion or interest.

Set-up a Low-Cost Study Area

It’s vital your children have a quiet place to go to study or complete their homework each day.   If you want to ensure your child receives top marks on a test or paper, you should aim to set-up an affordable study area within their bedroom or a spare room. For example, you could buy second-hand furniture and wait for the January sales to purchase a laptop or PC.

Also, make an informed choice when purchasing office stationery to provide them with reliable products for a low price. For example, you can read this expert review of the Brother MFC-J5335DW compatible ink from Cartridge People.

Give Them Extra Homework

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Every parent has a duty to ensure their child excels in the classroom. Not only must you ensure they accurately complete their homework on schedule, but you also should provide them with extra learning materials within the home.

For example:

• Encourage them to read a book before bed
• Give them a pop quiz on a subject
• Provide them with informative online articles to learn about history, science, geography, etc.

It’s an affordable way to help your children expand their knowledge, so they will be more likely to secure top marks in school.

Visit Iconic Landmarks and Monuments

Almost every town and city feature iconic landmarks and monuments, which will allow your children to learn more about history. For example, if you live in Ireland, you can visit the Titanic Pier in Cobh, County Cork, which was the last port of call RMS Titanic made before it struck an iceberg. Do your homework to learn more about your city’s history and its iconic landmarks for a free, educational day out with the family.

Save for Your Child’s University Education

While Ireland provides many undergraduate students with a Free Fees Scheme on many courses, they will have to pay approximately 3000 EUR per academic year, which entitles them to examinations and various study services.   If you want your child to enter adulthood with zero debt, it might be beneficial to save for their university education while they are young. As a result, they’ll have no financial worries hanging over them and can focus on their studies.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Industrial cranes help to make work go faster. They can handle loads that would otherwise be challenging to move. However, by this nature, they can also be very dangerous if improperly handled. They should only ever be operated by qualified users. Additionally, the following tips will help you to ensure safety in your work area.

1) Ensure the Path Is Clear Before Use

Perhaps the most important safety tip is to make sure that the area is clear of any obstacles or risks. You don’t want to have any John Deere loader attachments lying around on the area or anything else that doesn’t need to be there.

Additionally, make sure that all people are out of the way. You should never move a crane load over any personnel. Similarly, there is no reason to make the lift more challenging than it needs to be with extra obstacles.

2) Maintain Equipment Carefully and Check Before Use

Pic Credit: Pixabay

Maintenance is also essential. Keep all parts in good working order and check them before you perform any lifts. A little bit of vigilance and care can go a long way. This includes any overhead crane attachments or similar parts.

Remember, you will be lifting potentially substantial weights with this equipment. Investing the resources to maintain that equipment properly is absolutely essential.

3) Alert All Personnel to Usage

If you are about to use the crane, make sure that everyone knows and is prepared. Some teams achieve this with a warning alarm whenever the crane is in use. Additionally, it is a good idea to announce the lift to anyone who is working in the area. As mentioned above, you should always make sure that people are out of the way. This starts with simply alerting them to the fact that the crane is in operation.

4) Never Swing the Load

Avoid swinging loads. Moving the crane overly quickly can cause the load to swing on the cables. Unsurprisingly, this can put a lot of unnecessary stress on the equipment. It is a good idea to move slowly and confidently whenever you have the crane in use. Similarly, avoid suddenly stopping a movement. Much like moving quickly, sudden stops will cause swinging.

5) Know the Limits

It is always a good idea to be fully versed in the limits of your equipment. Additionally, it is often a good idea to have a little extra capacity than you need. If you are looking at jib cranes for sale and need to move loads of 5,000 pounds, don’t get a crane that can handle exactly 5,000 pounds. Plan a little extra capacity to ensure that you will never exceed the limits of your equipment. Before handling a crane you need to ensure that you have read and understood the crane lift plan and know the weight restrictions and limits of the crane.

Always Be Safe at Work

The above tips will help you to operate cranes safely at work. However, you should never use any heavy equipment without being trained in its operation. These tips will help, but they are no replacement for in-depth training and qualification. Safe operation should also be a major consideration when you are planning the equipment that you will use on your site.

Note: This is a collaborative post

Winter is the perfect setting for cozying up in a warm blanket to watch movies and drink hot chocolate. Snow gives a magical tinge to the freezing cold weather and provides the backdrop for beautiful Instagram-worthy pictures. However, this comes at a price, and as the snow gets more intense, severe side effects start to appear.  From frostbite to slippery roads, heavy snow can escalate into dangerous situations very quickly.  Your landscape also bears the brunt of heavy snow on trees. If the snow is sparse, it will melt away harmlessly from your trees, but as you might have observed, heavy snow often comes with the tell-tale cracking sound indicative of the damage it is inflicting on your plants.

Effects of Heavy Snow on Trees:

Wet snow causes more injury to trees than dry snow as the former is heavier. These are the common risks associated with heavy snow on trees, depending on the quantity snow and the shape of the tree:

• Bending: Accumulation of heavy snow on trees causes the delicate branches to bend. In some cases, the excess weight can make the entire tree bend. Young or small plants are most susceptible to this type of damage. As trees become brittle in winter, bending puts the tree in a bad position.

• Breaking: Breaking occurs when either the branches or the stem of a tree shatter due to the weight of snow. Hanging branches or half-broken trees can create unsafe conditions for people and property.  Besides potentially derailing the entire top structure of trees, which can take months to recover from, these breaks expose the tree to various pathogens that can affect the overall health of the tree.

• Splitting: If a tree is placed directly under a roof or any structure which can cause a large quantity of snow to fall in one concentrated portion, the tree can split from the shock and pressure of the sudden weight. This, again, causes infection risks for the tree.
  
• Falling or Uprooting: This is the most extreme case of winter damage that can occur in trees. When a tree stays inflexible against the huge barrage of snow that winter brings, it will eventually either fall or get uprooted. If a large, weak tree, it might be best to have it removed by an experienced professional before the harsh winter weather hits.

Snow Damage by Tree Type:

The amount of damage that a tree can bear depends on the type of tree. Like everything in nature, trees have adapted to defend against this kind of extreme weather.  Most deciduous trees typically have broad leaves, making them susceptible to collect large quantities of snow. Losing their leaves in anticipation of winter is a kind of defense mechanism that protects them from severe snow damage. 

Coniferous evergreens, like spruce or pine, collect more snow than deciduous trees due to the presence of leaves, but the flexible structure enables them to simply bend with the weight of snow and shrug it all off. If not for their flexibility, the snow collected on the leaves would cause the tree significant damage. Yet, when faced with severe winds and snow, many conifers with narrow canopies tend to lose their crowns. It is imperative that these trees get pruned correctly to encourage proper recovery.  Apart from tree type, the tree’s structure also affects the amount of damage it can bear. For instance, trees with branches angled at 90-degrees from the stem function better than those with steeper branches.

Protecting Against Heavy Snow Damage on Trees:

Although heavy snow has the potential to cause significant damage to your trees, there are a few things you can do to defend against it.  Freshly fallen heavy snow can simply be brushed away with a hand, a soft broom, or by very gently shaking the branches. Avoid the urge to aggressively shake the tree as winter makes branches brittle and your action could make the situation worse.   If the snow has transformed into ice on your tree, it should be left alone to melt naturally. De-icing salts can introduce harmful toxins into the plant affecting its overall health, so this should be avoided. Also, no heat source should be brought near your plant in an to attempt to speed up the melting process – it will do more harm than good. 

Try to avoid planting trees that are not compatible with the weather of your region. Some trees like the Arborvitae are notoriously bad at withstanding winter damage; if you must plant these, protect them from damage by placing them away from a sloping roof or any structure that could abruptly deposit a large amount of snow on them.  If any part of your tree does break and doesn’t pose any danger to its environment or to its own health, you can wait until the end of winter to prune it. At that point, the tree is still dormant, but the weather will get warm enough to avoid further damage. Otherwise, it should be pruned immediately.

While caring for your trees, always make sure you are safe as well and not doing any dangerous stunts like climbing an icy tree or sawing above your head. And, if your unsure of what steps to take or needs assistance, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced arborist to assist you.   Although heavy snow can have many adverse effects on trees, it also has certain benefits. One of the factors affecting a tree’s health in winter is the sudden fluctuation in temperatures accompanied by this weather. This causes the entire structure of the tree, from top to root. to become weak and brittle. When snowfall occurs, it creates a protective layer of snow around the tree.

And, as snow is a bad conductor of heat, this layer insulates the tree and its roots from these temperature fluctuations and helps regulate its temperature. And, after it melts, it gives the tree moisture needed for nourishment. So, snow is not always bad for trees.   Reach out to professional arborists to keep your trees prepared for the harsh winters. Be prepared for winter damage with Mr. Tree!

Note: This is a collaborative post

In today’s society, it seems as if we are constantly being given warnings about the dangers of ill health, obesity and a lack of exercise. There are countless schemes and often conflicting health guidance out there, designed to help every member of the family stay healthier – from grandparents right down to the family pet!

While this can understandably be a bit overwhelming, the importance of keeping fit and healthy should not be overlooked. Here are some top tips and advice to help you and your family lead a healthier lifestyle all year round!

Lead by Example

Many young children like to copy others, which is why you are one of the most important role models in your child’s life. Lead by example and do your best to instil healthy habits from a young age – this way, your children are more likely to continue them as they grow older. Make healthy food choices and regular exercise just a usual part of family life; a norm rather than an exception.

Mix Up Mealtimes

Of course, healthy eating is not a new concept. However, fad diets or extremes should be avoided as they can lead to unhealthy habits and a negative relationship with food – not to mention the fact that more often than not, they don’t even work! Instead, you should look to encourage a healthy, balanced diet for each member of your family. Start the day right with a healthy breakfast before work or school, swap out unhealthy snacks for fruit and healthier options, and maybe even let the kids help choose what you will eat as a family! You might end up with some strange food combinations or unusual recipes to start with, but it’s a great way to get everyone involved with cooking and you may even discover something new.

Make Time for Yourself

If you are a busy working parent or are simply struggling to find time to set aside for yourself after childcare, chores and everything else that needs to be done, this could be a sign that you are setting yourself up for burnout. Stress can be caused by a wide variety of different factors, and if you don’t allow yourself downtime where you can relax, the chances are that it will only get worse. Allow yourself the opportunity to do what you want to do – whether it is visiting friends, going to see a film or literally just collapsing on the sofa with some snacks, a drink, and the TV remote!

Make Exercise Fun

If your children would rather sit inside playing their favourite video game than engaging in active play, perhaps it’s time to bring the fun back to outdoor play! Exciting playground structures and designs can stimulate your child’s imagination and encourage their social skills and creativity. Lately my kids school have started a campaign to encourage kids to either take scooters or bikes to school. A really worthwhile initiative in my view to get the kids more active.   

Whether you invest in a climbing frame for your back garden, take your children to the local play park or encourage them to use the play equipment at school, this can be a great way to keep exercise fun!

Keeping Pets Healthy

Last but certainly not least, your pets are important members of the family too and their health should definitely not be overlooked! Regular exercise is essential for all pets – whether it is giving your hamster the run of a room in their hamster ball or provide them with a wheel or heading out for a long, relaxing walk in the countryside with your dog. Similarly, you need to ensure that you are feeding your pet the correct type and amount of food to keep those tails wagging!

Sleep

Never underestimate the benefit of a good nights sleep however I can fully appreciate in today’s hectic technology driven world that it can be harder to switch off therefore using essentials oils to aid you can reap huge benefits. Smart Nora has produced a really useful guide which explains about the best 15 essential oils to help aid sleep.  I have used lavender myself in the past to help with sleep and have found it wonderful.

Are you ready to lead your family towards a healthier lifestyle? Get started today and you’ll be reaping the benefits in next to no time at all!

Note: This is a collaborative post

Summer children have it easy, the warmer days and brighter evenings provide plenty of opportunities to get outside and run around, letting off the pent-up energy that only seems to increase in capacity when children gather together. Children born in the winter face a couple more restrictions when it comes to organising a party, especially considering the cost of hall and venue hire when trying to entertain a larger number of classmates. While it can be frustrating, it just means winter children get to be more creative with their party ideas and can offer something different to just going to the nearest park or open field to play outside games.

Festive Treat Decorating

A party idea that has the kids creating their own snacks, buy or make a collection of gingerbread men, or if you are feeling really motivated, a couple of gingerbread house kits, that the children can build and decorate together with sweets, icing, chocolate shapes, sprinkles, etc. There are plenty of edible decorations available in the cake aisle of your local big-name supermarkets and around the festive period, you can find plenty of pretty patterns and shapes including snowflakes, snowmen and holly leafs to name a few.

Prepare the room by investing in a cost-effective large plastic sheet or tarpaulin that can be placed on the floor to protect against dropped treats and squished sweets, especially necessary if you have carpet!

Indoor Winter Sports

Got room to spare? Host your own winter games indoors, away from the cold. You can set up several “courses” including an area for measuring the furthest hop, skip and jump, somewhere to hold a short footrace or if speed is a concern, the slow footrace! Who can go the slowest without stopping? Further winter games could include an obstacle course, balloon race and best animal impression.

Creativity and imagination are your only restriction when hosting your own indoor winter games and there isn’t much investment needed, although you can always grab some medals as a “prize” for the party guests. Get your child involved in coming up with the games together and if you get stuck, there is plenty of inspiration available online.

Cops and Robbers Party

Depending on the age of your child, a themed party is sure to go down a treat and cops and robbers can be particularly fun for kids. Have the kids come in costume, police or robber or simply hand out some masks and a sheriff’s badge which all can be handmade relatively cheaply and quickly.

Party games can include a “laser course” made using string hung horizontally across a corridor that the kids must get through without touching the string and “setting off the alarms”. You can also set up a target practice zone using soft nerf guns or cheap “sucker” guns which fire soft ended sucker darts and often include a plastic target. Don’t forget to get the kid’s mug shots before they go home!

Costume Party 

Costume themes are a no-brainer when it comes to children’s parties. Children can dress up as characters from their favorite movies or TV shows. To make it more relevant to the season, kids can dress up snugly with thick medieval capes and robes. They don’t only look fashionable and in character, but they also keep their little bodies cozy and warm.

These make great costumes for historical fiction characters like Robin Hood or King Arthur. They can also work for modern characters like a Jedi from Star Wars or a wizard from Harry Potter.

Lego Party

Lego is always going to be a popular pastime and toy for growing children as it encourages their creativity and imagination and helps them create entire make-believe worlds around them. As such, a Lego party will always go down a treat for boys and girls and even the party food can be made Lego themed, with brick-shaped cupcakes and pizza squares.

Lego sets can be picked up inexpensively via online stores and you can introduce party games such as hide the brick, fastest to build a specific design, highest tower, guess the number of bricks in a jar and build the best Lego vehicle to launch down a homemade ramp.

Winter doesn’t always bring rain and if you have an all-weather garden with artificial grass or a covered trellis, you can put together some activities that the children can take part in outdoors to give them more room to enjoy themselves. Just remember to request outdoor suitable clothing on the invitation to stop them getting cold!

Note: This is a collaborative post 

What a week……

Well drum roll please, my little blog, my one person operation, my crazy random rambling has only gone and won Bronze at the Irish Blog Awards. I actually cannot believe it.  I was a finalist the last two years but this year I was up there with the top 3, the best in the business.  Indulge me!! I’m absolutely over the moon.

I’ve always said its not about winning and it really isn’t but there is a small part of me that is just so excited that somebody somewhere thinks what I do is good. There is no fancy marketing, no staff and to be honest im quite bad at social media. Its about the writing, its my creative outlet so to be recognised is so exciting.

Happy, so so happy.

Other news

In other news….second drum roll!! I need a caveat at the start of this one. ***If you know my kids please don’t say anything to them about what im about to say next.***

In three weeks time we are off to Lapland. No matter how excited the kids are, they will never be as excited as me!! I know they are going to go wild when they hear it. I wont be telling them until a day or two before hand for my own sanity.

Pom Pom Socks: Credit: https://www.condorbarcelona.uk/en/with-pompoms-warm

The last few days have been spent pouring over Facebook Groups and discussion boards to digest all of the information about dressing for the cold weather for us and the kids.  Don’t laugh but one of the items that is discussed at length re Lapland is having good socks.  So if you looked at my search history all you will see is searches for different types of socks! While searching I stumbled across the fabulous  Condor UK online shop.

If their  knee socks were good enough for Prince George, the are good enough for my crazy pair.  I could spend hours browsing, there is so much choice.  I don’t have girls myself but my little nieces will be getting a pair of the pom pom sock as part of their Christmas present. So so cute.

Another must have item over the base layers are fleeces or cardigan. Just look at the toddler boys cardigans online here. I want them all! There is something so adorable about cardigans on toddlers. My own mother always said that to me about them for my own boys and I really do agree with her.

You will see lots of posts over the next while on our trip and the preparations. For us it really is the trip of a lifetime.

Note: This is a collaborative post however I retain full editorial control.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth – Kahlil Gibran

Probably around this time last year I joined Donna from What the Redhead Said linkie – known as Living Arrows where each week you share a photo from the week which celebrates childhood. I don’t know exactly why but this link up speaks to me! I love what it stands for and love the quote above that gave Donna the inspiration to start this.

I am aiming to link up each week but life sometimes get in the way. I missed last week but im back this week.  My photo this week is of my dad and my youngest son. Im not sure what it is about this photo but something in it touches a nerve and makes my heart swell with pride.

This pair have an unbreakable bond. Its such a beautiful relationship and I feel both are luck to have each other in their lives.  We spent a morning exploring the Botanic Gardens in Dublin.  No devices, no playground, nothing snazzy just simple fun exploring the gardens.  Sometimes we get consumed but having to do “something” visits to playgrounds, play centres, shows etc.

Sometimes paring it all back it just as effective and just as enjoyable. I had the most beautiful relationship with my granda and I love seeing the bond between this pair growing every day.