Search Results for: blog make your own backyard swing

How Often Do You Swing with Your Kids?

My kid’s been swinging since she was five-weeks-old. Now, at the ripe old age of four, she finds it more enjoyable to push me on a swing, then jump on the one next to mine and race me to “the moon.” I never win that game. Be that as it may, swings, or perhaps more specifically, parents swinging with their children, has been a hot topic this week following the delivery of a new pimped out swing set to the White House. Apparently, President and Mrs. Obama decided to treat their daughters, 7-year-old, Sasha, and 10-year-old, Malia, to a deluxe-edition … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Stuff and Save

If you want a great way to save money, try making your own items instead of purchasing them. From growing your own food and making your own mixes to creating your own laundry detergent and sanitizing wipes, there are so many ways to save. Plus, it is nice knowing that you don’t have to rely on expensive commercial products if you don’t want to do so. Check out this round up of “Make Your Own” articles. Try one recipe or instructions, or try them all! Frugal Food: Make Your Own Granola Bars? Make Your Own Yogurt Make Your Own Fabric … Continue reading →

Keeping Your Children from Feeling Deprived

A few weeks ago, we had some new neighbors come over for a visit with their children. The kids are all about the same ages and number as our own, and they had a great time playing together as the adults chatted about the neighborhood. As we showed the neighbors around our home, we passed through the family room on the way to our outdoor porch. One of the children told one of my children, “My TV is bigger than yours.” Now, I’m sure that the child meant no harm by that statement, but as a parent, I had to … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Backyard Swing

Forget those expensive play-sets that cost thousands of dollars. With a few simple instructions, you can build your own. My husband and I have been seriously thinking about saving up for one of those wooden play sets. You know the ones? They come with everything from towers and rock walls to traditional swings and slides. The kids have been spending more time outdoors since we moved to a house with a large backyard, so a play set made sense. Those sets are big investments to make, so our decision would not be made lightly. We do have a couple of … Continue reading →

Score Another One For Upper Body Exercises

The next time your upper body aches from working all day, consider skipping the massage and heading to the gym to lift weights. According to a new study, exercise may be able to ease a sore upper body more than some expensive ergonomic interventions or a professional massage. Ergonomic interventions are designed to make your workspace and equipment better suited for your activities. For example, some companies sell computer keyboards and chairs designed to encourage proper wrist and back placement. The study, which included more than 2,100 volunteers, examined the effect of exercise on those who suffered from work-related arm, … Continue reading →

Surviving the Summer with a Preschooler

I love my preschooler with an indescribable passion. However, as much as I cherish each and every second we are together, I also embrace the times when she is able to keep herself occupied long enough for me to get at least one task done without interruption. Those moments are relatively scarce, especially during the summer months when the weather is nice and we spend much of the day outside. Still, there are ways to secure a few moments of peace, provided you plan ahead. The following are some of my preschooler’s favorite outdoor activities that don’t require a ton … Continue reading →

Coming to Terms with Myself

I am going to go back in time a bit today. It was the day that I realized that I could not do everything. It was 1997 and I wanted to get my son one of those really great wooden swing sets for his birthday. I scraped together money that I did not have and that I should not be spending. It was one of those things, if you know what I mean. I did not care. I just wanted him to have it. I had to pick what features I wanted on it and design the layout. It took … Continue reading →

Family Fitness: Build on What You Know

I couldn’t be more proud of my daughter this year as she’s dived into the world of books with such bursting enthusiasm. She’s literally devouring the books faster than we can get them. Each book is a portal to another time, another place, and whether it’s an adventure or history or compassion, she’s learning a little bit more from each book. So it disturbed me when my husband commented that her reading was great, but he didn’t want her to get fat just sitting around and reading books. Active Kids This is an attitude that a parent shouldn’t have about … Continue reading →

Elements of Rustic Style

If you are looking for a decorating idea, why not consider the rustic style. It is warm, inviting and cozy. Think of sitting in a plush chair by a crackling fire. And although you can really go high end with rustic style, it also lends itself to budget decorating. Here are some of the guidelines of rustic style as well as some tips on creating this look in your own home. The rustic style should induce a sense of an inspiration from nature and a sense of nostalgia. This style is very timeless and can work the throughout the year, … Continue reading →

Woman of the Woods

What happens when you take a city girl and put her into the middle of the woods? This morning, after my eldest got on the bus for school, I decided to survey the property immediately around our home. There had been a fierce wind storm yesterday afternoon, and we spent the day indoors, listening to all of the thumping as limbs and branches came down outside. As you may already know, our home sits on a wooded lot. It sort of resembles a forest to be truthful. Through the summer and fall, we have been hard at work clearing some … Continue reading →