Here are my picks from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. Happy Shopping!
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by: Nusrat
by: Nusrat
Since we are in that weird limbo between Thanksgiving and Christmas where no one’s really working anymore and everyone’s got way too many things going on….why not throw in a school field trip?
I chaperoned my first field trip. It was the first for my second grader too, thanks to this pandemic. So I took the day off work (I’ve postponed all meetings to next year – mentally anyway) and checked in as a parent chaperone by 8am.
I. Was. Not. Prepared.
I forgot that the maximum number of kids I can handle at any given time is two. That’s why I’m not a teacher. That’s why I’m not a PTA mom. That’s why I have two kids.
I love kids. They are adorable and inquisitive and charming little cuddle puffs. But the max is two…thank you. When they start to outnumber the hands I have to grab them out of harms way, I panic.
Thankfully, the group of kids that were assigned to me were the quietest, sweetest little second graders I have ever had the pleasure of shepherding. It was the location of the shepherding that I was not prepared for. Our destination was Kidzania – a very appropriate name for a very big place that is built to resemble a little city. Here, kids can learn to be firefighters, and dentists and earn fake city cash while doing so. They can then spend their hard earned fake city cash on other fun activities.
As a child I was thrilled by the ball pit at IKEA so little kid me would have absolutely loved this place. Under normal non-pandy circumstances, grown up me would have loved this place too. However, there were NINE OTHER SCHOOLS there. I was not prepared for high schoolers taller than me, trampling over my cutie pie troop of second graders and in turn, the high schoolers were not prepared for my mom death glares.
It was like taking a group of seven year olds to a night club. I’m also pretty sure I’m partially deaf in both ears because it was loud all the time and everywhere – not a medical diagnosis but yea, pretty sure.
Obviously, I made it out alive. Exhausted and dehydrated but alive. As did my little ducklings who had the ‘best day ever!” So I’m considering this a raging success and one I never need to repeat.
I’m done.
by: Nusrat
Sifting through all of the amazing deals on Amazon Prime day can be daunting task. Here is a your shopping guide to help you grab the best deals and not get overwhelmed! This post contains affiliate links.
Amazon Prime day started in 2015 to celebrate Amazon’s 20 year anniversary. Since then it’s become an annual celebration with extraordinary deals and product launches – available only for Amazon Prime members.
Historically Amazon Prime Day is held in July. However, this year’s Global Pandemic has pushed it forward to Oct 13th – 14th. That’s right, two days beginning Tuesday October 13th at exactly 12:00 am PST for the next 48 hours. The timing is perfect to take advantage of massive sales just ahead of Black Friday to get you ready for all of your Holiday shopping.
Yes! In order to take advantage of the best deals you need a Prime Membership.
If you aren’t already an Amazon Prime member you can sign up for your free 30 day trial here. You can take advantage of Prime day deals and then cancel before your trial is up. Your other options are to continue your membership for $12.99/mo. Or you can pay an annual fee of $119.
If you are a student you can get a free 6 month trial to Prime Student and pay only $6.49/mo if you choose to continue with the membership.
If you qualify for select U.S Government Assistance programs (such as holders of the EBT card) you can sign up for a free 30 day trial here and pay just $5.99/mo.
Typically we find out what is on sale or how deeply it is discounted when the sale goes live. However, sales usually follow trends.
Amazon devices like Kindle, Echo, Fire TV & Fire Tablets are expected to have the best deals.
Amazon Services have great offers. All of these offers you can cancel online anytime.
Audible – free 30 day trial + 2 free audio books. $7.99/mo after trial.
Annual Audible membership – 12 credits up front for $99.50 (usually $149.50/yr)
Amazon Music Unlimited – 4 months for 99c.
Amazon Music 6 months free – when you buy an Echo
Kindle Unlimited – 30 day free trial
Amazon Freetime Unlimited – 30 day free trial (access to over 16,000 kid friendly books, videos and apps)
Amazon Essentials – up to 40% off
Echo 5 – $89.99 –> $44.99 – Perfect for the kitchen counter or your nightstand.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera – $69.95 –> $59.95 a favorite gift to receive by kids of all ages. Comes in 5 different colors.
Fire HD 10 Tablet – $149.99 –> $79.99 – great for streaming movies, watching videos, read books. Download your favorite apps and enjoy.
55-inch Smart 4K UHD – Fire TV – $429.99 –> $289.99
Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus with Echo Show 5 – $319.98 –> $169.99
Echo Dot (3rd Gen) – Smart speaker with Alexa – $59.98 –>$18.99
Prime Early Access Deals – more early access deals here!
by: Nusrat
How to prevent eye strain in kids is an emerging concern, with school districts now offering virtual learning options that add several hours of screen time.
Children learning in front of computer screens adding to the screen time already spent on phones and tablets on their own, increases the potential for serious eye strain.
Some children fail to notice any eye discomfort from staring at a screen, perhaps being so caught up in a game’s actions.
“Spending too much time in front of screens on computers, phones and tablets can lead to headaches, blurry vision, dry eyes and more,” explains Dr. Jeff Kegarise, an optometrist, and co-author of One Patient at a Time: The K2 Way Playbook for Healthcare & Business Success (www.theK2Way.com).
Dr. Kegarise says parents can help their children alleviate and prevent eye strain by making sure they do the following:
With most virtual schedules being set by teachers, children will not have the option to take breaks anytime they want. A good reminder is the 20/20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look away from the screen at a distant object for at least 20 seconds.
The right type of lighting illuminating a work space can make a big difference. Incandescent lighting gives off less glare than fluorescent lighting. Also, lighting over the shoulder is preferred to lighting directly down on the screen as it causes fewer reflections.
The computer monitor and keyboard placement should be adjusted to fit your child’s size. Check that the monitor isn’t too high for your child’s field of view. A chair with an adjustable height will also help.
This seems like a silly reminder, but children can become so engrossed in watching something entertaining that they can go for long periods without blinking. Reminding your kids to blink will ensure their eyes stay lubricated and thus prevent dry eyes.
Prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from our devices contributes to digital eye strain. Wearing protective glasses that filter blue light when using digital devices for extended periods of time, reduces this exposure. Filters for your smart phones and computer screens can also help.
Following these simple tips coupled with an annual eye exam will protect the eye health of your tech-savvy children for many years to come.
Amazon has some great blue light blocking glasses for children (and adults!) Links below are affiliate links.
by: Nusrat
Listen up Mama’s. This is a crazy year and we can’t tell if things are getting better or worse. There’s one thing I CAN tell you … you’re on your own for Mother’s Day.
Your kids aren’t bringing home a cute little heart shaped fridge magnet or a card with their hand prints on it. That’s right, in the chaos of homeschooling you forgot about that Mother’s Day craft and you ain’t getting shit this year. Hubby doesn’t know what day or month it is, you really think he’s getting you a gift? You better bring those pre-pandemic expectations down.
This year Mother’s Day also happens to fall on my birthday. Do you think I’m going to receive two gifts from each resident in this house? No Ma’am. I’m a realist. I’d be lucky if I get a hug and a kiss.
So this is what I propose – we celebrate Mother’s Day 2020 by buying our own damn gifts. I’m talking about loungewear, fuzzy slippers and fancy skin care. We’re staying in and not allowing these forever hungry gremlins to age us. Mother’s Day is going to feel like Groundhog Day, but at least you’ll know that the gift you chose is on its way.
I put together a wish list for myself. If you click through and make a purchase this blog will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
I hope you can find yourself something nice too because You. Are. Doing. Great.