Fun at Friends' Dairy Farm

We were invited to come and see a Dairyfarm yesterday by one of my daughter's classmate's parents. This is something we have never done before so we did not hesitate to say year when they invited us to come over.

 The kids  faces just lit up upon seeing each other and seeing the beautiful  surroundings.  This is the first time that my kids  see cows  up close.  We see them  from afar when we  go driving but now this close so it was a very good trip for us.

 We got to meet Abby's two dogs.  They are so sweet.

 The silly faces are magical lol.

They get to experience feeding the  cow.  My daughter was so tickled when the baby cow  suck on her fingers lol.

 Abby is so sweet to let  my daughter name one of the newly born calf.  She named  the  baby cow Ivy.

 This kind of activity is  rare so I want my kids to enjoy every opportunity they get.

 The kids had a blast climbing and hiding  on the bales of hay.

Thanks to the Windshiemer  family for letting us experience this moment. We definitely want to come back again if given a chance.  Maybe  in the summer time so the kids are off and we can stay a bit longer.  

Log Jammer at Kennywood

I had a blast during  our  summer visit at Kennywood this year.  Dad and I were  falling in line to  go ride at the Log Jammer and then suddenly we saw my friends from school with her parents and sister, I was  excited to see them!

It turned to be just Mrs. Velegol and the girls who   went.  Dad and my friend's Dad did not go hehehe.

Thank you to my Mom for all the  pictures she took!

Ha ha ha, my face is so intense on this photo .   There is also a camera that  snap pictures when the log is going down and it is so much fun to look at them in the booth  because they are bigger. You can buy them  afterwards.

This splash of the water is what gets you wet at the bottom.

I am so glad that I found my friends, the ride was extra exciting  because all of us  were screaming  at the top of our lungs ha ha ha!

Raging Rapids at Kennywood

I remember this kind of ride  when we  went to Disney World  in Florida some years ago and  to Sea World  in San Antonio last year.  I get the same luck every time, being soaked ha ha ha!  I don't mind though because I get to ride with my friends.  

I just wish we do not have to fall in line he he he.

But it is worth the wait.  Can you tell me and my friends are having so much fun?

I was very glad that  even though  me and my friends did not plan to see each othere in Kennywood, we found each other!

This is Mr. and Mrs. Velegol, my friend's parent who took us to the Raging Rapids ride.

Mommy  just want to take pictures all the time so she did not go.  I think part of it is because she did not  want to get wet and she hates  the speed of any rides.  She went with us in Disney World though and it was so much fun!

It's funny, Mrs. Velegol brought a raincoat.  She wants to ride but she did not want to get wet.  Maybe I should buy one of those for Mom next time  ha ha ha.

I love this photo that Mommy took from afar although you can not see  us but the smiles on  my friend's parents is beautiful!!

My brother is lucky because he did not get dumped on with water, I was.  Look how soaked I was in the last photo...

I will definitely love to go on this ride again next time but next time, I will be prepared, I will wear my swim suit so I can change after the ride.

4 Reasons An Inflatable Pool Is A Great Option For Harsh Winter Regions

Many people dislike inflatable pools because they are small and not as stable as aboveground or in-ground pools, but these can be great assets if you know how to use them. Harsh winter regions are much colder than other areas of the world, and properly winterizing a pool can be very tough. If you don’t want to go through the hassle, then an inflatable pool might be the right choice.

Easy to Move

Inflatable pools are very easy to move. First of all, they are much smaller than other pools. Even the biggest inflatable pools don’t compare to an average aboveground pool. This makes them very light and easy to move. If the temperature is getting too cold, then just deflate the pool and put it in your garage or shed. This opens up the backyard, and it keeps you from maintaining the pool.

They also don’t have much water. If you have a conventional pool, then you have to worry about hundreds to thousands of gallons of water. You have to winterize the water, constantly balance its pH and hope that the water doesn’t freeze and damage the pool’s body. Emptying an inflatable pool is easy. Just flip it over and wait a few seconds.

These pools also don’t have a foundation, which makes them easy to move when winter comes around. No one would call in-ground or aboveground pools mobile, which means that you have to prepare them for the cold weather. This won’t even be an issue with an inflatable pool. The lack of foundation means that the pool can move at any time, and you can place it wherever you want.

No Winterizing

Winterizing your pool can be difficult, even if you don’t have a harsh winter. You have to worry about the chemicals, the filter, the pool cover and everything else. If you don’t properly winterize the pool, then the water can freeze, the foundation can be destroyed, algae can grow throughout the winter and you’ll lose your investment.

You don’t have to do this with an inflatable pool. When you’re ready to close the pool, just remove the water and place it somewhere safe. It’s a lot easier than going through conventional winterization.

Less Expensive

Pools are not made for harsh winters. They are only enjoyed in the warmer months, and the water doesn’t do very well in the cold. This is why winterization is so intensive. You are doing your best to keep the pool from being damaged. At the same time, even the best preparations may not save your pool if your winters are very harsh.

This means that you might have to spend a lot of money on costly repairs, and your investment might be ruined. A conventional pool costs at least several thousand dollars, but in-ground pools can be tens of thousands of dollars when you consider the pool’s body and installation. Even the smallest problem can lead to a lot of lost money.

If the winter does affect or destroy your inflatable pool, then you won’t lose much money. Even the most expensive ones are just several hundred dollars, but most of them are about $100 to $200 depending on the size and durability.

No Filters

Pool filters are also in danger from the cold. Not only can the cold winds damage the filter, but they can lead to much worse problems with in-ground pools. Many in-ground pools have permanent filters that are installed via pipes. If there is any water in these pipes, then it might freeze and burst the pipes during winter. This costs a lot of money, and it can also cause your pool to completely drain.

The majority of inflatable pools don’t have filters, which ensures that you don’t have to worry about this problem. Bigger ones might come with a filter, but the filters are usually very small and easy to move.

Conclusion

It’s true that inflatable pools are much smaller than above ground or in-ground models, but this isn’t always a bad thing. If you live in a very cold environment, then these pools can be quite useful. Not only can you avoid winterization, but the likelihood of your pool being damaged is very low.

Bob Quigly is a landscaping and family fun enthusiast who contributes to many blogs on the greatest outdoor trends and great pools tips on behalf of intex pool filters at BackyardOcean.com. Quigly suggests visiting their websites to explore the most popular intex pool filters!

My First Bike: Pushing Off

So your child has caught the bug and now wants to learn how to ride a bike, or it is something you’ve always wanted to teach as a parent and have finally decided to take the first step. Whatever your reason for buying a bike, there are some important tips to making sure that you get the right type of bicycle for your child.

Size

Many parents might think in terms of the rule of thumb as it is with most children’s things; buy it a little big and your child will grow into it. This is not the case with bikes, as a bicycle that is too big or small can be dangerous to the child. Children’s bikes are measured by wheel diameter, ranging from 12 to 24 inches.

A good test for the size of the bike is that your child should be able to place the balls of both feet on the ground while sitting on the bike. They should also be able to grab the handlebars comfortably without lifting their bum off the seat.

Substance over Style

Flashy bicycles with rainbow streamers and multicoloured designs may look attractive to your young children, but they can be distracting, and prevent the child from concentrating on important things such as pedaling and balance when trying to teach your child how to ride.

Opt for a plainer bike that is colourful, but not flashy, and encourage your child to ride by telling them that they can kit it out with accessories as they get better at riding.

Solid, yet Adjustable

It can be easy to get caught up in providing the best, most expensive, seven geared bike for your child but it is important to remember that they have never done this before. Buying several features for your child could be a big waste of money, and it could also lead to your child injuring themselves.

Instead choose solid bikes that have adjustable seats for comfort and growing space and safety features such as coaster brakes, for added security. Younger children find squeezing the handlebars as a form of braking quite difficult to remember, so coaster brakes or ‘back braking’ are a lot more efficient in the early days of riding a bike.

Safety Accessories!

While the name sounds a bit tacky, it is important to make sure your child has all the right safety accessories before they begin to ride a bike for the first time. The most obvious choice is the bike helmet, make sure that it is not too big and that the chin strap fits comfortably under the child’s chin. Training wheels are helpful for first time riders as they give a bit of freedom and security to the child.

It might also be useful to invest in some Velcro trainers for your child, as the laces can get undone and can get tangled up in the spokes of the wheel.

If in doubt you can always speak to an expert on how to give your child the proper support when they eventually start riding. And there are plenty of how-to video guides on the internet!

About the Author

Kate Richards is a proud parent who has contributed this post on behalf of Summit Different, the online store for unusual and unique cycle jerseys

Outdoor Enjoyment

We visited  Dad last Tuesday after  Ms. Burrito's  dental appointment.  The kids played in the backyard using  the wagon that my SIL, Chris made for them years ago.  The Mister just want to ride, poor little Miss has to drag the wagon even on the steep hill lol.  She's pretty strong though.

After we visited  Dad, we  dropped by at the recycling  place downtown and  sold some aluminum cans.  While hubby is dealing with the  cans, I accompanied my Burritos to a nearby  river and they  throw rocks in it.  They love the splashing sound when the rock hits the water.  It's amazing how the simplest things can bring so much joy to children.  They were overjoyed that  even for a short period of time, they get to bond with nature.  This is just one of the many outdoor activities that they love.

On the other note, we were so happy to see the fourth  grading marks of our kids.  They both have  great remarks from the teachers and outstanding grades.

Child's Happiness

I showed these  photos of my kids to a colleague and  she said in disbelief "You let your kids play in the leaves?  Do you know how much dust is in it?"  I told her that  my kids enjoy it and that a little dust  won't hurt them.  What matters to me is the fact that they  can enjoy what mother nature has to offer.  I personally think that this is better than letting your kids just sit in front of the TV or playing  games.  This is a good exercise for them both physically and emotionally.

As long as you clean  them up after they play and  let them eat healthy foods, they are okay.  Child's happiness comes in many forms and this is one of them.

Top of the World

The photos below were taken at Janoski's Farm  last weekend.  We  spent  almost three hours in the  farm, the kids had so much fun  doing  a lot of stuff.

Jumping over the baby bear or cub.

Mr. Burrito  kept saying "I am the King of the World" but Ms. Burrito  was just  so happy to be on top of the world.  It's very satisfying to see your children overjoyed  with what  they do, just to see their smiles melts every worries that every parents has.