3 Kids and Us

Planning Your Summer Orlando Trip Starts Right Now

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If you have decided to take the family away to Orlando this summer then I can tell you from experience that right now, just after the holiday season is over, is when you need to start making your plans. So far we have done 3 ‘tours’ of Orlando and I can completely understand why so many families flock there each and every year, it truly is a special place which you are going to fall in love with. That first year we left things pretty late in terms of planning and we really paid for it by missing out on some of things that we’d really had our hearts set on. I made sure that this didn’t happen again, and here is why you need to get your planning hat on right now.

Finances

As I mentioned, Orlando makes for a truly perfect holiday destination, but perfection really does come at a cost. From your flights to the hotels, attractions to the food and shopping that your are going to be spending money on, this is a family trip that runs well into the thousands. There is little point in having this amazing adventure with your family if you spend the next 4 months with a tight purse trying to pay off your credit card. Get saving now and you can ensure that the outgoings don’t cause you anxiety whilst you are on vacation.

Big Discounts

There are very often some outstanding discounts on theme park tickets in Orlando to the likes of Disney and Universal, but you have to be on top of things if you wish to get your hands on them. If you start keeping an eye discount sites now, as well as the official park sites, you are going to be in prime position to get those discounts when they roll around. The cost savings which you can make when you do this are huge, so make sure that you have an eagle eye ready, starting from now.

Availability

For some vacations you can leave booking the hotel until the very last minute, safe in the knowledge that you may be able to bag yourself a great deal at short notice. Things don’t work like this in Orlando, especially not during summertime. If you want the best hotels and the most availability, now is the time that you should be booking up, don’t leave it too late.

Itinerary

There is just so many things to do, see and experience in Orlando and the surrounding areas that you are going to have to seriously invest some time in planning the holiday if you want to get the most from it. Logistics alone can be a nightmare, working out where to stay and when, which days to do one activity and which days to do another. The stress of planning a vacation like this should not be overlooked, especially if you don’t get started until much further down the line. Speak with the family about what they’d like to do, research each activity and plot out how you will be spending each day of your trip. There is little time for spontaneity in Orlando, as there is more than enough to do during your break, and you aren’t going to want to veer away from that.

5 Ways Moms Can Make the Most of their Free Time

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For moms, free time is as precious as gold. After all, between raising a child, maintaining a career, and keeping up with social obligations, mothers tend not to have a lot of time to themselves. Yet, it’s important for hard-working moms to give themselves a break every once in a while. Everyone needs time to relax and unwind, and if you don’t look after yourself, no one will. With that in mind, today we’ll look at five ways moms can make the most of their free time so they can come back refreshed and energized:

Find a Trustworthy Sitter

Sometimes moms are lucky to have a support group of friends and family members who are more than happy to step in and babysit when they need a night off. However, other parents aren’t so fortunate. Regardless, it’s imperative to find a certified care centre through platforms like Toddle, or enlist a babysitter who you can trust to handle any situation. The last thing you want to do with your precious time off is to spend it worrying or constantly checking in on your little one.

Catch up With Old Friends

One unfortunate reality of parenthood is that moms may not get to spend as much time with their friends as they used to. This is particularly true for friends and acquaintances who don’t have kids. As such, one of the best ways moms can enjoy their time off is to catch up with old friends. Head to a bar, see an R-rated movie, and indulge in the company of other adults.

Turn Down the Volume

Motherhood is plagued by noise pollution. Tantrums, blaring TVs, mind-numbing children’s songs –– they all can work to get on the nerves of stressed-out parents. What better way to unwind, then, than by taking in some much-deserved quiet time. Spending a few hours in your local library, for instance, will let you take it easy in peaceful silence.

Prepare for the Future

Have a big family trip on the horizon? Or are you thinking about making a career change? If you’ve got a pressing event coming up soon, taking a day to yourself to weigh your options and prepare for the future can be hugely beneficial.

Chill Out!

Life in general –– and motherhood specifically –– is often tumultuous and frustrating. So do your best to chill out and relax how you see fit when you manage to wrangle some free time. Hit your local skin care clinic, get a massage, visit a spa, or just kick back on the couch. Remember, this day is all about you and what you want.

12 Animal-Themed Holidays in 2020 

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We’ve all heard of the major national holidays, such as Christmas and Thanksgiving, but did you know there are animal-themed holidays that celebrate our animal friends? These celebrated holidays slip quietly through the year without a lot of people even noticing. However, there are plenty of reasons why we should be spreading the word about these animal-themed holidays. With the number of extinct animals increasing daily, the importance of spreading the love of these animals has never been more important. So, here are 12 animal-themed holidays to mark on your calendar in 2020.

National Bird Day – January 5

National Bird Day celebrates the beauty, song, and flight of birds as well as their importance as indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

Nearly 12% of birds are endangered or threatened species. Parrots and songbirds are especially at risk, mostly due to loss of habitat and a reduction in food resources due to development within their natural habitats.

Nearly half a million people celebrate this holiday, annually by bird watching.

If you’re looking for a way to do more than watch and would like to interact with birds in a natural environment, free-flight aviaries are an excellent way to achieve this.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo, a zoo in Florida, has a large free-flight aviary where visitors can appreciate the wonderful species of birds up close. Visitors can feed the Australian budgerigars treat sticks and observe hundreds of birds soaring above naturally.

National Hippo Day – February 15 

Held annually, National Hippo Day will be held on February 15 this year. Unfortunately, these animals are hunted for their skin, meat, and bones, and are considered by some as more valuable than elephants. With more and more farmers taking over their land, too, hippos are seeing a decline in numbers, causing them to land on the vulnerable species list. However, with this national holiday, people can be reminded just how special these animals are and why we should protect them at all costs.

Learn about Butterflies Day – March 14 

Butterflies are one of the most fascinating creatures on Earth, so encourage your children to celebrate this national holiday. This will not only widen their education about why it’s crucial to save the butterflies, but it will also show them just what amazing creatures they are. This year, Learn about Butterflies Day lands on March 14 and there are several ways that you can celebrate butterfly day:

  • Create a butterfly garden
  • Get crafty and make a butterfly out of paper
  • Make a butterfly treat for them
  • And, of course, you can learn about butterflies. For example, did you know that a butterfly can travel up to 3,000 miles?

Save the Elephant Day – April 16 

It is a sad fact, but elephants are one of the most endangered species of animals to walk the earth. The gentle and intelligent creatures are hunted down for their tusks and as a result, have seen a decline in their numbers. Save The Elephant Day was put in place to try and stop the statistic from getting any worse. The more awareness about elephants, the more likely we have a chance of saving this incredible animal.

World Bee Day – May 20 

Bees are the reason why our trees are green and why our plants are full of life. The international holiday was created to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work that bees do for us, even if we don’t always notice it.

Hug your cat day – June 4 

Celebrate your love for your furry feline friend on June 4 by hugging your cat. While you may provide your cat with love every day of the year, show them that extra bit of love next year and cuddle up with them on the couch.

World Snake Day – July 16

Despite the bad rep that snakes get, there is so much to celebrate about them. With only 3,458 species left in the world, the importance of celebrating this holiday needs to be made aware.

National Homeless Animals Day – August 17 

First established by the International Society for animal rights, this day is about raising awareness of the growing problem of homeless animals. More than 2.7 million cats and dogs die every year because there aren’t enough adoptive homes for them. Therefore, the national holiday is trying to put a stop to this.

To help minimize the number of animals killed every year, you can do several things:

  • Adopt
  • Have your current pet spayed or neutered

Save the Koala Day – September 27

Just like many animals are experiencing, as human life expands, a koala’s home becomes smaller. We are slowly taking over the land that koalas call home, and it is starting to affect the population. To spread awareness about the adorable animal when September 27 rolls around, why not plant a tree, change your social media picture to a koala or pin a leaf to your outfit?

International Sloth day – October 20

Be sure not to miss out on International Sloth Day on October 20 next year. The adorable animals that are famous for being slow-moving and tree-dwelling have plenty to be celebrated about.

Jellyfish Day – November 3

While Jellyfish are not always favored by many, there are many reasons why you should celebrate Jellyfish Day on November 3. For example, did you know that despite the name, Jellyfish are not actually fish? As November 3 comes around, be sure to celebrate these animals and learn more about them.

Wildlife Conservation Day – December 4

Every December, Wildlife Conservation Day serves as a reminder that we need to preserve and protect wild animals and their habitats. The day seeks to raise awareness about the dangers that wild animals face, as well as shine a light on the efforts being made to lower human impacts on wildlife.

Making the Most Out of Your Trash: Re-purposing Old Junk

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We will inevitably produce waste living our everyday lives. But we can do something that will help us reduce the waste that we put in landfills. One of the ways that we can reduce our waste is by recycling. It is a process where waste materials such as wood, metal, plastic, and fabric become new items that are new and useful. Let’s say you are renovating your house and there are several items that you no longer need, so you call Evergreen Junk Removal to pick them up from your house. Before you do that, take another look through your junk, and see what else you can salvage and take to a recycling center.

We get to conserve our natural resources

There is a reduced need for natural resources to produce things because the recycled materials become the raw ingredients. This leaves the natural resources for future generations to enjoy. Humans are not the only ones benefiting from these resources, but animals and plants as well. Some of the natural resources are homes to many animals and plants, so preserving them means that these living creatures enjoy their homes for a long time.

We conserve energy

Manufacturing products using raw materials requires a lot of energy. Using recycled materials requires considerably less energy. Energy is another resource that we must conserve for future generations, as it uses mainly fossil fuels. If fossil fuels run out, there will be a significant impact on how we use energy.

We help protect the environment

Recycled materials will not end up in landfills, but rather in recycling centers and eventually in factories, where they will become new useful items. A lot of garbage doesn’t even end up in landfills; it ends up in oceans and other places where it does not belong, polluting the environment. If we can take a few plastic bottles to a recycling center, we are reducing the possibility of them ending up in oceans.

We help reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Garbage in landfills emits methane, a very powerful and harmful greenhouse gas. If there is less waste that ends up in landfills, there will also be less methane emitted into the atmosphere.

It leads to job creation

If more and more people make recycling a habit, there will be a need for more recycling centers. Creating more recycling centers will mean more jobs for the community.

The future will be more sustainable

The earth does not have unlimited resources. Everything will eventually run out if we are reckless. Recycling will ensure that the future generations will have what they need from the planet.

Teaching children the importance of recycling and upcycling is a crucial part of their growing up. They must know that it is imperative that they reduce the waste that they put out into the environment. Training them while young to care for the environment will undoubtedly make them grow up appreciating the planet they live on, and they will do things that will reduce their carbon footprint.

4 Things Most Expecting Mothers Don’t Know –– But Should

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Motherhood is many things. It’s a blessing, a burden, a challenge, a joy, and a monumentally life-changing experience. However, because pregnancy, childbirth, and child care are such nuanced and complicated subjects, it’s fairly easy for expecting mothers to miss out on some crucial information along the way. Indeed, there are a number of issues that moms might not be aware of –– but really ought to know about. Thankfully, today we’ll list four of those items so that you can be better prepared for the rigors of motherhood. Check them out here:

You May not Get Pregnancy Cravings

We’ll come back to this theme a lot here, so it’s important to note that no two pregnancies are the same. To wit, one surprising factoid about pregnancy relates to the wacky food cravings that accompany it. Except, not all women have pregnancy cravings. Similarly, not all women experience morning sickness. And those that do, don’t necessarily experience it in the “morning.”

Gestation Periods are Not Exact

Everyone knows that pregnancy lasts nine months. However, that number is really quite unscientific. Sure, nine months is a decent guideline, but the reality is that the “typical” pregnancy length falls within a span of 37 days. That’s over a month of variance. The takeaway here is not to get too nervous or stressed about your delivery date if it’s a little earlier –– or later –– than what you might’ve anticipated.

Exercise During Pregnancy is Beneficial

It’s easy to see why expecting mothers might feel hesitant about exercising during pregnancy. Yet, the reality is that most women can and should exercise during their pregnancy. Light workouts, yoga, swimming, and other forms of exercise can ease joint pain and improve mood. It is worth noting though, that some forms of exercise –– like heavy lifting or particularly strenuous activity –– are not recommended for pregnant women. Lastly, doctors may advise some women to refrain from most or all forms of exercise due to increased risk of complications.

You Need to Get Tested –– Early & Often

Pregnant women need to visit with their doctor a lot. It’s not unreasonable for a pregnant woman to visit her M.D. 6-10 times during her term. Plus, there are a number of tests that doctors may need to perform to ensure that pregnant women and their children are healthy. Medical professionals may use tools like blood collection sets to conduct tests for potentially infectious diseases, for example.

Conclusion

As we’ve mentioned above, it’s very difficult to predict what a “normal” pregnancy will look like. Thankfully, educating yourself now can help you roll with the punches and prepare yourself for the birth of your baby. So keep this page handy moving forward.