3 Simple Ways to Protect Your Home’s Exterior from Harsh Weather

 

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When it comes to perfecting your house, it goes beyond just the interior like the dining room, actually, your interior is nothing more than the tip of the iceberg. Instead, you need to think outside the box, well, house. Seriously, there’s nothing like a sudden storm to remind you just how vulnerable your home’s exterior can be. Just think about it; one minute it’s blue skies, the next it’s hailstones, flying debris, and rain trying to sneak into every little gap. 

But the truth is, bad weather doesn’t care about your weekend plans or your wallet. But in all honesty, it just takes some upgrades here and there. So, with all of that said, here’s exactly what you need to know!

Make Your Roof a Fortress

Your roof is one of the most important aspects when it comes to weather protection. It keeps the rain out, deflects hail, and stands strong against howling winds. But even the best roofs have their limits, and a loose shingle or sneaky leak can quickly turn into a waterlogged disaster. It’s scary how these things can happen and you basically won’t know until it's just too late, right?

But overall, regular checks are essential, and while you’re at it, think about adding roof accessories like snow guards or wind deflectors too. Not, obviously it’s going to depend on where you live, but your roof is quite literally the first line of defense so it needs to be able to handle the toughest weather conditions. Besides, with a solid, well-maintained roof, you can sleep soundly even when the weather’s throwing a tantrum.

Stop Hail from Dinging Your Siding

While sure, siding might not get much attention, it’s what keeps your home looking sharp while taking all the hits from the elements. For example, flimsy siding, like basic vinyl, can crumple under the pressure of hail or high winds, leaving your walls exposed to water damage and more. Obviously, this is something you want to avoid, so yeah, this all goes far beyond just aesthetics.

If your siding looks like it’s seen better days, then you might want to consider upgrading to something tougher, like fibre cement or engineered wood. Yes, they’re a bit more pricey, but these materials are designed to handle whatever nature throws at them, from hailstones to flying branches. Not only do they hold up better, but they also add a polished, sturdy finish to your home’s exterior.

Windows That Can Handle a Beating

Now you have to understand that windows are the weak spot in any storm. Seriously, all it takes is one rogue branch or a bit of flying debris, and you’re left sweeping up shattered glass. Actually, impact-resistant windows are a smart upgrade, they can take a hit without cracking, keeping your home safe and secure. But yes, this is super expensive and not every homeowner can afford to spend thousands on something like this.

So, if a full window replacement isn’t in your plans, storm shutters or temporary covers can give you extra peace of mind when bad weather rolls in. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping your home intact and your to-do list short.

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How To Create A Family-Friendly Dining Space

Creating a family-friendly dining space could mean different things to different people, and it can be a hard idea to put into practice when you get down to it - after all, how many families actually use their dining room on a daily basis to make changing things around worthwhile? 

Well, it’s true that you might not currently use your dining room every day, but perhaps that could be something that changes - studies show that eating together as a family is good for everyone and can even make your bond stronger, so it’s a lovely thing to get right, and creating a family-friendly dining space is the best way to start (and if you don’t end up eating in it every day, at least you’ll know you’ve got a lovely room to go to when you do eat together). With that in mind, keep reading to find out more. 

Photo by Lina Kivak

Durable And Comfortable Furniture 

Family meals can get pretty messy, especially when younger children are involved (although some adults are messy eaters, so it’s potentially not an issue that’s going to go away!), and that’s why choosing furniture that’s both durable and easy to clean is an absolute must. You’ll want a sturdy dining table that can handle everything you want it to do as well, which might not just be eating - the dining room is a good space for homework or board games and so on, so you can see how you could use the space more often. 

When it comes to seating, upholstered dining chairs are a fantastic option. Not only do they add a lovely touch of elegance, but they’re also very comfortable, so everyone can stay seated for longer. Look for fabrics that are stain resistant as well, or at least easy to wipe down because they’ll stay looking good for longer that way. 

Make It Practical For Everyone 

A family-friendly dining room needs to work for everyone, from the tiniest members of the family to the oldest ones. If you’ve got younger children, think about adding some booster seats to the chairs you’ve chosen to ensure everyone can be comfortable and see what’s going on (plus that’s going to reduce mess if they can reach their plates more easily). And you’ll want to opt for rounded table edges to avoid any accidents whether you’ve got little ones just starting to walk, toddlers rushing around, or perhaps older family members who are unsteady on their feet. 

Storage is also crucial here - a sideboard of shelves can be where you keep all your essentials like cutlery and napkins so you don’t have to keep running to the kitchen through the meal or to set things up nicely. In other words, think about how to create a space that makes mealtimes easier for everyone in a variety of little ways. 

Make It Inviting 

The best dining spaces are the ones people want to spend time in, and if you’re intending to have more family meals together, that’s something you’ll want to bear in mind - it’ll help persuade the family to give it a try. 

Some of the things you can include could be a soft rug, fresh flowers, and perhaps some soft lighting (or lighting that can be adapted for the situation, so it can be brighter for doing homework and warmer for eating and so on. And don’t forget about noise either - dining rooms can echo quite a lot as they tend to have less furniture in them than other rooms, so why not add some thicker curtains or some cushions to absorb a bit more of the sound? 

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7 Activities for Kids after Kindergarten Ends for the Day

 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.

Your kids are growing up — They’re in Kindergarten now! It’s an exciting time as they develop and learn new skills at school. When it comes to after-school time, what amuses them is constantly changing, so you may need new ideas to keep them happy. For parents who want inspiration, here are seven activities to keep them smiling, learning, and having fun.

1. Draw a Life-Size Self-Portrait

Get out a big roll of paper and crayons. Have them ready for when your child gets home! Ask them to lay down on the paper while you outline their shape. After that’s done, get them to draw in their features, clothes, and shoes. Have a mirror nearby for them to make it easier.

2. Make a Tent Indoors

This activity is one that has long been a favorite with young children. Create a tent from blankets and sheets with your little one in the living room. Toss a few pillows inside with a blanket to make it cozy for them to hang out inside. Pretend they’re camping without you having to go through the stress of planning the trip away.

3. Chalk It Up Outside 

On a warm afternoon, get out the chalks and introduce them to drawing on the driveaway. It’s a classic activity that never gets tiring. The child may develop a love of art through this time outside. Creating art could be their new favorite hobby! As for what they draw, it’s up to them, although you can suggest ideas if needed, such as a sun or a house.

4. Dress-Up Time

Come up with a theme, such as princess or pirate, and then put together a fun outfit with your young child that fits this concept, based on what is in their closet and items around the house that you make together, such as a cardboard wand. Maybe you’ll even dress up with them! Then, once in costume, encourage them to use their imaginations to play the day in the life of the person they’re pretending to be.

5. Fairy Tale Telling

Start the first line of a fairy tale and ask them to tell you the next line. Go back and forth line by line as you go through the story you two create in real-time. Who knows where it will take you or what the ending will be? That’s the fun of it! Act out the story as you both tell it, and there will surely be giggles along the way, from both of you.

6. Create a Park Scavenger Hunt

Head to the local park together on a sunny day. Next, hide a few things for the little one to find fairly easily based on the clues you tell them. Of course, do not hide the toys too far away, as you want to make sure your eyes are on them the whole time. There are printable scavenger hunt kids available online if you need some help or want to create a more complex game. If there’s no park close, try doing this one in your backyard to entertain the little one for an hour or two after school.

7. Read a Book Aloud Together

Grab their latest favorite book and read it together. Create different voices for the different characters as a way to get your little one laughing. Encourage them to read the kindergarten words that they know while you read the ones they haven’t learned yet. Soon your child will learn more sight words and be able to read this book without your help!

Conclusion: Keeping Kids Busy After School

They have lots of energy, so finding ways to amuse them after Kindergarten ends can be challenging. Thankfully, these ideas often excite young minds so they can be all smiles and not bored. 

Some of the ideas suggested are at home, while others are outside. You may also go to a museum, a playground, a local fair, or another outing to create memories that give them opportunities to learn and have fun. Which items on the above list they like the most will depend on the child, of course, as each one has different interests.

The time together is special too. Make the most of the bond you’re building as a parent with them while doing some or all of the above-mentioned activities. What you choose to do is up to you, or perhaps your little one comes up with a new idea, and you help put it into motion. Have fun and enjoy the family time!

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