Your kid would want to have some fun and frolic during the winter months. However, when you go to the closet and find last years boots, alas, you find that the boot is falling apart from wear and tear, and your child has outgrown them anyway. That’s what can happen if you don’t do a little research before buying a pair of winter boots for your kids.
Winter boots are excellent for preventing frostbite. They should keep snow and water from getting inside the shoe and keep your child’s feet warm and dry. Getting the right pair of winter boots is also important for the structure and development of your kids’ feet. Here are four things to take into consideration when shopping for a good pair of winter boots for your kids.

Get The Right Size
Make sure you measure their feet and the height you want. Ankle boots allow your child to run freely and they are easy to put on. Since keeping snow and water away is the primary function of kid’s boots, the recommended height for snow boots for children is up to the mid-calves. Ensuring the proper boot height will let your kid walk through deep snow without it dropping into their boots.

Waterproof vs. Water Resistant
Water resistant gives a certain degree of resistance against dampness, such as a light drizzle or shallow puddles. But water resistant boots don’t give them full protection. If your child likes splashing in puddles or is liable to be outside for hours, get waterproof boots. Waterproofed boots have proper lining and reinforced seams to ensure they don’t get their feet wet.

Ensure Proper Insulation
Taking note of the material the boots are made up of can help you decide on the degree of insulation. Proper insulation ensures their feet don’t get frost bites during periods of heavy snow and cold temperatures. Insulation such as wool is ideal. Wool is light, warm, dries quickly, and is comfortable too. Some modern man-made insulation can also be good but make sure it’s not a heavy cotton, which will take a long time to dry.

Get Breathable Boots
Good insulation and proper waterproofing won’t let moisture get in. But warmth inside the boots can lead to sweat and moisture accumulation inside the boots. To prevent this, get breathable boots since they let the moisture go out and not in. They prevent sweaty feet, keeping them dry and warm inside the boots, and also helping to minimize bad shoe smells.

Heavy Soles With Good Traction
Also, make sure their boots come with a heavy outer sole. You want better traction with the ground and ensure the sole doesn’t lose grip on the snow and ice. A good grip on the ground is essential to comfort and better mobility.

The start of summer vacation is something you look forward to throughout the year. However, as the days pass by, you tend to realize the vacation will soon be over and another year of school or college awaits you. The energy and enthusiasm at the start of summer go down as the holiday comes to an end.

Here is a list of things you must do before going back to school to cap off your vacation on a high and make the most of your relaxing summer.

Go for a hike
Go for a hike someplace nearby and explore nature. There is nothing better than finding the time to do things with your family and friends. A hike will give you plenty of time to communicate and reconnect with your loved ones. While you’re at it, have a bonfire in the woods and roast some delicious marshmallows.

Have a picnic
Beach, surf, sun, and sand! There’s nothing like the sound of waves crashing on white sands while you relax and enjoy a nice family lunch. Go and take a dip in the sea or get a tan. Make a sand fort while you are out there. And when all is said and done, sip on some refreshing lemonade to cool off and just laze on the beach. Don’t forget to take pictures for your summer activities scrapbook.

Hang out with friends
Sleepovers and pillow fights sound interesting, don’t they? Invite your friends over and play a game of monopoly or UNO. You can also watch a movie together while sipping some hot cocoa. Make the most of the sunny days by playing outdoors but don’t forget the sunscreen! Spend quality time with your friends before going back to school.

Volunteer for charity
It is a good idea to take time off and do some volunteer work during the vacation. It can be difficult to get time for this later when you go back to school or college at the start of the semester. Plan volunteer activities during the vacation, and spend your time and effort to accomplish a good deed for society.

Go shopping for supplies
Preparing for your first day of school is as important as planning different activities for the rest of your vacation. One of the most important activities includes going back to school shopping for essential supplies that you’ll need at the start of the first semester. Everyone will shop for the latest supplies from the back to school 2018 collection. You have to beat others in line to ensure that your favorite supplies don’t run out before you can get your hands on them.

If you are looking to go fishing, Texas is probably the best place for you to go try out your luck. It becomes the best state for fishing as it has almost all varieties of fish. If you are looking for a saltwater fish or a freshwater fish, you can go to Texas for fishing. The state has all types of fish for everyone’s needs. Some of the hotspots in the state are outstanding in terms of quantity, quality, and in some cases both. The ideal way to go about fishing in any part of the country is to keep an eye out for the peak times. Read along to find out what to find in spring and summer according to the fishing reports of Texas.

Spring (March, April, May)
Spring is fairly the best time for you to go fishing for largemouth fish, according to the fishing reports of Texas. Out of the 50 biggest largemouth fish that are available in Texas, 34 can be found in Lake Fork. The record for the biggest largemouth fish is 18.18 pounds, which was also found in Lake Fork in March. If you go to the mid-term of Spring, you would have to move to Lake Buchanan and get your hands on the blue catfish. Lake Buchanan also has a good number of channel cats and flatheads. Lake Texoma if where you would want to be towards the end of the season. The Stripers that have migrated during Feb and March start to show up in the open water areas.

Summer (June, July, August)
Red snapper is the primary fish to be found during the initial stages of summer in the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is an issue among the fishery officials due to the quotas and season dates. The fishing reports of Texas also state the fish to be the most wanted fish as well as one of the tastiest fish in Texas. Lake Tawakoni is the home for Channel Catfish that are found in abundance during the mid-term of the summer. West Tawakoni is also deemed as the “Catfish Capital of Texas.” The annual catfish haul takes place during the summer and it is an event you must not miss out on. August would bring in the end of the summer and Laguna Madre is the place to be so that you can get your hands on some fresh Speckled Trout. Fishing reports of Texas have shown that the “Mother Lagoon” is one of the best places for you to go fishing during this period.

As tempting as a nap sounds on a lazy weekend afternoon, you can make the most of it by organizing Do It Yourself activities with your kids. DIY children’s activities are a great way to utilize your child’s energies in a productive manner. DIY Children’s activities can teach your kids the importance of being unique as well as being self-reliant. And don’t assume that its advantages are just limited to children, you can learn a lot from your child during the process of educating them about arts and crafts. It will also improve researching skills on your part, as you want to expose and provide them with the best of resources and information. Here are some DIY ideas you can incorporate while you’re spending some quality time with them.

Designing on a T-shirt
Designing on a plain T-Shirt can be an amazing creative project for kids to start with, as they don’t just get to be imaginative but also get an opportunity to flaunt it by wearing it. They can paint, use stickers and markers, beads, style it the way they want to.

Collages
Making a collage is a natural process where yours kids can constantly change their creative effort and direction. It doesn’t have any particular rules, your kids just need to go with the flow and be absolutely spontaneous. They can use papers, magazine and newspaper cuttings, photographs, incorporate craft that they have made.

Making accessories
Yours kids will love the idea of making neck pieces, bracelets, or even badges. Making accessories can hone their co-ordination and dexterity as they can be a little complex because of distinctive shapes and sizes. They can use their favorite fictional/ cartoon characters, or make traditional ones which will also enlighten them about the history and the culture of the world.

Dream catchers
Dream catchers are an interesting piece of art work, which also have a legend behind. They are said to be created by the Native American group, and are hung on a bed’s headboard to trap nightmares while the person is asleep. They are quite easy to make, your kids can make use of vibrant colors to make it breezy.

A weekly journal
You can encourage your kid to maintain a creative weekly journal, in which they can draw and write about what they learned at school or in general. It can enhance their fine motor skills as well as creative mental abilities to express, and it will help you understand their thoughts as well.

Greeting cards
If a birthday is coming up in the family a handmade birthday greeting from a kid will be the most precious as well as adorable keepsake for the recipient. You can also get them to make a Christmas card, which you can scan and make copies of, to send out to friends and family.

It’s time to go back to school again! This wonderful time of the year triggers a range of emotions among kids as well as parents. Students can find this period overwhelming because of the high levels of excitement for the new semester as well as the difficulty of getting back into a routine after a restful summer break. It is imperative to prepare back-to-school essentials to ensure a smooth transition into the classroom. One of the best ways to ease the students out of their summer break and into school is through the right books. Back-to-school books need not be read exclusively on the first day or the first week of school. They can be treasurable reads to return to throughout the academic year.

Back-to-school books that revolve around the school setting are a great spot to begin. These books will aid in portraying schools as inviting places, thereby preparing your little one emotionally and academically. Here are three books that will strike a chord with your children.

Rain School: Written by James Rumford, Rain School is a picture book that most children adore. This story is set in Chad, Africa and revolves around the concept of younger siblings being led to school by older kids. The narrative also follows the passion of a boy named Thomas who loves to learn. It beautifully sheds light on the difficulties faced by kids as they must build their mud school building that will be taken away by the rainy season. Your little one is bound to be amazed by the determination of these kids.

Back to Front and Upside Down: An excellent work by Claire Alexander, Back to Front and Upside Down portrays the different challenges that students face within the walls of a classroom. This back-to-school book focuses on the ability of Stan who has trouble during an activity conducted in a classroom. He struggles with the formation of letters and is left feeling discouraged. Not only is the book great for kids, but it also helps parents understand the importance of helping kids through their troubles and minimizing the pressure to accomplish tasks.

School’s First Day of School: A lovely narration by Adam Rex, School’s First Day of School is a beautiful back-to-school book as it addresses the nervousness that kids may feel before their big day. The book has intriguing illustrations too. This clever back-to-school book traces the journey of students on the first day of school.

A baby is a wonderful addition to any family and it brings on much laughter and so many challenges for the new parents. Starting from taking care of an infant to rearing a feisty little toddler who is forever testing the waters (and your patience), there are a number of things that go into becoming a parent to a wonderful child who blossoms well.

Communication is one of the key traits that all parents need to have. There are many new parents who are mistaken when they think that communication starts only at the toddler phase. In reality, the way you begin to communicate with your infant is what will set the tone for the bond between you and the child when the child starts to grow up. So follow these steps for setting the right tone and forging a good communication pattern with your infant and toddler.

The Needs of an Infant: The infant has many needs which cannot be well articulated. You will have to learn to listen and decipher the cries of this little one because that is all he or she has when it comes to asking for attention. Mostly, an infant cries when it needs feeding, diaper changing, or is colicky which is also gas that most infants go through at a particular time of the day. This can make them cranky.

Communicate to soothe: At this phase, it is important for the parent and the baby to feel comfortable with each other. If you panic and get hassled, the infant will only get more cranky as this is the cue that he or she will get from your mood. Instead, you must seek to soothe. When the baby cries, you may want to lift him or her in your arms and talk in a soft soothing voice with encouraging words, or even sing to the baby. You must also develop a night time routine at this phase so that the child knows that it is time to sleep. A massage, a bath or some singing will generally help lull the child into peaceful slumber.

The Toddler: As your toddler begins to come of age, you will that he or she will try and assert his or her personality in a certain way. This can turn out to be a pretty trying time for most parents, who will find themselves at the receiving end of many tantrums and also, they will find that they are constantly saying no.

Setting Boundaries with Love: Here, communication is all about body language too. You will need to stoop and meet the young one’s eyes to carefully explain why he or she cannot do a certain thing. Also, develop a bond with play where the child gets to lead you, and read plenty of stories at bed time. Also, start doing activities which the child shows interest in. Take the child on various outings and teach him or her many different kinds of words which can build the vocabulary.

Schools and fashion might look like strangers but choosing the right back-to-school outfit is a must. One of the reasons teen girls are looking forward to about going back-to-school is the on-trend looks they can flaunt and stay comfortable the entire time at school. So here are four super cool and fashionable back-to-school outfit ideas for teen girls. Read on!

Keep it comfortable and chic
Comfort should be on top of the chart when it comes to back-to-school outfits. A pair of embellished jeans is a great addition to a teenager’s wardrobe for staying comfy and chic. If a dash of flashiness is what you are looking for, then an embellished tee is a must-have. Complete the look with a pair of sparkly gold sneakers. To add to the look, don’t forget to get a backpack to carry all your essentials.

Classic outfits are always a hit
So, you are shopping for classic back-to-school clothes and polka dot dresses aren’t on the list? That’s a major fashion blunder. If you’re fond of bright colors, then go for hot pinks and reds for your classic polka dot dresses. On the other hand, if you’re someone who likes pastel shades, then from greens to blues, choose from classic back-to-school clothes. Moreover, a plaid shirt with a pair of blue denim can always be a knockout! Keep your look simple and subtle with comfy shoes and you are good to go.

Cardigans and Converse make a great pair
An incredible and fun back-to-school outfit idea is to team up cardigans and Converse with a pair of jeans. You can also try styling this outfit by wearing a plaid shirt inside the cardigan. Want to try opting for affordable back-to-school clothes shopping? Wait for season end sale or keep an eye on online shopping sites for better deals on these daily wear back-to-school clothes.

Keeping it casual is always on trend
Have you tried on a hooded sweater with ankle-length jeans or even a pair of comfortable pants? If not, then this is the right time to go for this trendy yet cozy look. Usually, teenager girls might find casual style clothing too lazy, but one can create her own style statement by carrying such a laid-back fashion style. Pair your loose pants and hoodie with a leather backpack, and you are ready to roll your back-to-school outfit. Don’t forget to wear classic white sneakers to add a personalized style to your look; moreover, sneakers are best for running around on the playground too!

There is no denying that summer is a blissful time when all that you want to do is relax and laze around as you try to recover from the previous stressful school year. However, you cannot escape from the fact that summer is the perfect time that you have in your hand to prep for the coming school year.

Don’t know what to do this summer? Here are six ways in which you can enjoy your summer while preparing your mind and body for the challenging school year that is just around the corner.

Go on an adventure
As they say, there is no classroom out there that is better than traveling. So, pack your bags and follow the call of adventure. The best part about traveling during your summer vacations is that you need not worry about missing work or any other family obligation. Try to plan at least one trip every summer, in which you can see a new place, get a glimpse of a different culture and learn about the life of the locals there, in turn, getting a lifelong learning.

Pursue a new hobby
For those who complain that they don’t get enough time to pursue their hobbies during the school months, they can pursue their passion and join hobby classes.

Enroll for a summer class
Those who feel that the upcoming academic year will be hectic for them because of the advanced classes they are planning to take can consider enrolling themselves for extra summer classes that will help them learn the subject or additional skills in order to perform better in their academics.

Pick a sport
Though you will be very tempted to be lazy in the summer and not work out at all, it is vital that you at least play one sport or go for regular walks that will keep your body healthy and let you not succumb to the sedentary lifestyle.

Join a cause
It is rightly said that the more you give, the more you get. Volunteering is not just a great way to pass your time, but it also enhances your people skill and many times helps you find new interests that who knows might someday turn into a career?

Earn some extra bucks
Summer is also the perfect time to work hard and earn some extra income that you can utilize for shopping for your new year school outfit or simply to manage your other expenses. Apply for part time jobs in advance so that you can find the perfect job before the summer even begins.

Preparing for the school year ahead need not necessarily be finishing all the books that you are meant to read in the course to ace your classes, sometimes it simply means making the most of your summer doing interesting things, so that when you are back to school, you are proactive and ready for the academic year.