Month: January 2022

1000 Hours Challenge

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 16 Comments

Happy New Year, friends! I hope your holidays were filled with love. We had the BEST holiday season. I loved just spending time with our daughters and my husband. We made so many memories!

I wanted to share with our community a challenge my family agreed to do this year. You may have heard of it… 1000 hours OUTSIDE challenge!

It can be REALLY hard to WANT to go outside in the winter, when it’s 7°F outside, and actually do things. I mean there are the usual outside activities like, sledding, snowman building, skating and snow ball fights, but what about those cold days, where there is just no snow.

I wanted to share some tips, ideas and some links that I have found super helpful! The team over at 1000 Hours Outside has a ton of great resources and that’s what I used to start finding fun activities. I will link their website here.

Make sure you have really good snow gear! That’s my top tip. Invest in a nice warm winter coat. We went with the Columbia Bugaboo II coat for both of my daughters. I like it because it’s a 3 in 1, so the can wear it all year long! My younger daughter always gets the hand me down snow pants from her older sister. Insulated boots are a must, too!

Another tip, make sure you prep the water for cocoa BEFORE you go out! That way it’s ready when you come in from the chilly outside.

Next year, my husband and I are going to try to make an ice rink. We thought about doing it this year (and we may still if I can convince him), but he’s afraid by the time we get it up to use, it’ll be time to take it down (LOL). There are so many great ideas on Pinterest and google on how to build. When we do ours, this year or next, I’ll be sure to share that tutorial!

Another fun thing I saw was building an igloo! A friend of mine, her husband and her two kids are actually working on one right now! I can not wait to see how it turns out! we have our fort (I will insert a picture below) and it is so fun. I love watching the girls use their imaginations when they’re in it!

How do you track each of the 1000 hours you spend in the great outdoors? A coloring sheet of course! They have so many options for trackers. They hold a contest on their social media each year to design the next years trackers. If you’re crafty, it’s a great opportunity to share your art.

I hope you use these tools and resources to help enjoy winter again! I’ll update you in the spring with how many hours we will have on the tracker!

Quilted Gifts: What Makes Patchwork Patterns a Highly Popular Gift Item?

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 10 Comments

Did you get an invitation for the marriage anniversary of your dearest friend? Then, you must present something special to that person. Isn’t it? If you are bored of the old fashion of presenting showpiece, jeweler, and all; then it is high time to switch on to something different. How the idea of quilts comprising patchwork patterns will be? Want to know the specialty? Here it is.

 

Few Words About Patchwork Patterns

 

Patchwork, as clear from the name, refers to a technique that includes sewing several small fabrics to create large geometric designs. It includesmixed patterns, textures, and colors that make up an exceptional piece. Traditionally, a wide number of needlework was required to developincomparable patchwork patterns for quilts. However, in today’s time, such quilting patterns have become a highly popular technique in theclothing industry.

 

When coming up with an exclusively stitched quilt, the patchwork is the topmost layer, and the batting and backing form the middle as well as bottom layers, respectively. Either a machine or hand is used for stitching the outline. Finally, an exclusively designed quilt serves to be the product ready to be sold and used. 

 

What Does The Pattern Of Patchwork Include?

 

Whenever it comes to patterns, you must be wondering about the specialty, isn’t it? Regarding the pattern of patchwork; it can be either of the two things:

• Decorative design

• Flat template

In the case of decorative design, the design repeats over a fabric multiple time. Conversely, the flat template refers to pattern pieces that are joined all together. At the time of calculating the fabric for patchwork patterns, the tailor traces the fabric as required and cuts pieces of cloth to come up with a final fabric. 

Benefits of Using Patchwork Pattern Quilts

 

Quits comprising exclusively designed patchwork patterns comprise a wide range of benefits. Firstly, they provide a high rate of warmness that serves the dire need, especially during winter. With a wide range of sizes available, you will be able to make a choice that offers highly relaxed sleep. The frills and laces help enhance the luxury statement of such exclusively manufactured quilts. 

 

Such exclusively stitched quilts are preferred in homes. Bing available for both single and double beds, you will be able to go with the most required choice. As the stitching takes place using fabrics comprising variable colors, they will undoubtedly enlighten the room. The unique pattern created reflects a blend of artistic and contemporary design.

Where Do You Buy Patchwork Patterns From?

 

Are you impressed by the specialty associated with a patchwork pattern? If yes, it is high time to browse through the variety of quilts comprising patchwork patterns with traditional touch. You may start by browsing the famous online shops for such exclusive quality quilts. Making the right choice will be no more difficult with a plethora of choices available. 

 

One of the greatest facilities associated with shopping from e-shops is that you will come across a detailed description of items. This will help in easy comparison followed by shortlisting of the items that fit your choice and budget. Also, you may carry on with your shopping any time of the day as these shops remain operative round the clock. 

 

Final Words

 

Quilts comprising exclusive quality patchwork patterns will undoubtedlybe among the greatest gift items. You may expect the receiver to appreciate the gift at its best. There will be pillow covers included that will make it a complete set for the bed in some cases. 

Thank you so much to Alyssa at My Aussie Hub for guest posting! Check out her blog or follow her on Twitter as well for more of her writing!

Create A Learning Nook for Your Toddler.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 20 Comments

With a busy bee of a toddler running around at all times, books and coloring are so important to have accessible when it’s time for some down time.

Redfin reached out to us and asked to write a short piece describing an at home learning area that would work well.

You can read the full article here but I thought it would make a fun post to show you the little nook my toddler has for all his fun activities.

When it comes to at home learning or activity areas it’s so important to have everything open and easily accessible because I feel like it makes less of a mess. That way your kids will see it automatically and be able to grab what they need.

I love using little bins for crayons, art stuff and activity books. I use this cute personalized basket for my toddler’s things.

Another great tip is storage cubes! I feel like they are so great for toy organizing, book organizing or even learning and school organizing.

Adding pops of colors with books and crayons are always great to keep your kids engaged.

I like to keep our seasonal or favorite books on this bench ottoman and a couple inside it as well for easy reading access since majority of our time is spent in our main living area.

Also it’s a great place to store toys away and still have your living space look nice!

So many fun ideas you can do for a little learning nook but these are some of my favorites!

What type of areas do you have for your children when it comes to their learning and activities?

Thanks for reading!

https://www.redfin.com/blog/how-to-enhance-learning-at-home-for-kids/

5 Ways to Prioritize Your Marriage.

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 15 Comments

The other night my husband and I went out to dinner for the first time since we’ve had our newborn baby girl.

I was so excited about it. Like butterflies in my stomach excited. I navigated doing my hair and makeup between taking care of our newborn and our toddler and even the tantrums and the cries couldn’t put a damper on my mood.

I was going on a date with my husband, I was getting out of the house, I was wearing actual jeans, a crisp glass of wine was calling my name.

It was a wonderful night. A fall in love all over again type of night we desperately needed since becoming parents once again.

Life just gets so busy and that’s when I realized, we need to prioritize our marriage.

Between our children, working, his hockey coaching, sometimes “us” as an actual couple gets put on the back burner.

Who else can relate?

I’ve been constantly thinking of all the ways to prioritize our marriage and below is what I’ve come up with.

Set time aside for each other each day.

This goes in with the busyness I was talking about. Don’t put too much pressure on it but just make sure each day you have a little time for each other, even if it’s cooking dinner together or watching a show or just simply asking each other how their day went.

Respect each other.

Respect the wants and needs you feel for each other. Respect in general is just an important thing to have in any type of relationship but especially marriage. We all have different wants, needs, wishes and taking the time to listen, respect and prioritize them in your relationship is a wonderful thing.

Communication is key.

Does it even need an explanation? Communication is just #1. I can’t imagine my marriage without my husband wanting to share his thoughts with me. I can’t imagine him not wanting to talk things out with me. It’s just the #1 thing any relationship needs.

Date nights when able to.

Date nights out are so fun and definitely important. Like in the beginning, we just had our first date night since having our baby girl. Dinner was fantastic but after putting the kids to bed we sat in the living room with some wine and listened to our favorite songs we haven’t heard in forever and talked and laughed for hours.

So date nights out are great but don’t put pressure on it, you can have just as much one on one time at home as well!

Try to be interested in what each other likes.

I thought maybe this could relate to others as well. My husband and I have tons of the same interests but we also have tons of different ones as well. For instance, my love for writing and reading. Yet, he cheers me on and tells me to keep going with my blogging journey or will ask about the books I’m reading. He coaches travel hockey and it’s one of his biggest passions, so I go to as many games as I can and events and I love when he gives me play by plays of the games.

It helps us stay connected even when we are each doing separate things. Plus it’s always nice when someone wants to talk about something you enjoy!

With two kids now, I am definitely still figuring out this prioritizing thing! It’s a work in progress but I already know how important it is to keep a healthy marriage.

I hope these tips helped you! If you have more tips, please let us all know below. Thanks for reading!

3am Wake Up Cries. (Exhausted Mom)

~ quirkymoms486 ~ 6 Comments

From the moment those two pink lines show up, you are being told how hard being a parent is.

Constant crying, feeding on demand, diaper overloads.

And of course those 3am wake up cries.

But they never tell you the pure emotional exhaustion you will truly feel from trying to be the perfect mom.

And I’m not talking about I’ve just worked a week of 12 hour midnight shifts in a row…I’m talking your whole body is tired, your shoulders and neck are sore and kinked from constantly looking over at your baby, chasing after your toddler. Your mind is on auto-pilot and you forever hear crying even when they aren’t.

It’s just exhausting being a mom.

Period.

There’s no explanation needed.

It’s. Just. Hard.

You put all your energy into these tiny little humans that you have been so blessed to have.

Every thought is about them now.

How do I make my baby happy today?

Is my toddler getting too much screen time?

What can I do better so we sleep better at night?

How do I split up my attention equally?

How do I keep them healthy and safe always?

How can I be better?

How can I be perfect for them?

How do I make time for my husband? For my home? For my career?

That’s the root of it all. We always want to be better, we want to do better for our babies.

We want to be the perfect mom.

The one who looks flawless without a hint of dark circles under her eyes.

The one with hair that looks like she is able to wash and exfoliate regularly.

The one who never has a spot of spit up on her clothes or the smell of it radiating from them.

The one who looks like she’s never changed a blow out diaper in the Target bathrooms in her life.

The one who’s kids look like they would never have a tantrum in aisle 5 at the grocery store.

It’s impossible.

There’s no such thing as a perfect mom.

Yes, some might hide it way better than others but we all have one thing in common.

We are all exhausted.

We are all at some point everyday dealing with diaper overloads and spit up and drool stained clothing.

Meltdowns during the day and waking up to those 3am cries at night.

So don’t ever think you aren’t a good enough mom, please.

Because we’ve all been there.

We are all exhausted.

We are all emotional.

We are all so blessed to have these babies.

But one thing I hope to never happen to any mama’s in this world? You will never be alone in your feelings, EVER. Please just know that.

And if you ever need a reminder? Well, we are here even during those 3am wake up cries.