Wednesday, May 4, 2022

NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores


We are a family of aquarium lovers! It’s no secret that dolphins are my favorite, and my kids have definitely inherited my love of the ocean and marine life. If there is an aquarium nearby wherever we are, chances are we’ll visit it.

Our favorite is Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Clearwater, FL, which I have highlighted before. But today I wanted to highlight a smaller but just as fun one: the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores in Pine Knoll Shores, NC.

Quick facts:

  • The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores is one of three public aquariums that are part of the “North Carolina Aquariums” system.
  • Features dive shows, live animal encounters, and animal feedings.
  • Features two hands-on exhibits: The Tidal Touch Pool & Skate and Ray Encounters.
  • Located at: 1 Roosevelt Blvd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512.
  • Parking is free.
  • There is a Dairy Queen on the grounds as you exit the aquarium.

We have visited this NC Aquarium multiple times and thoroughly enjoy it. Whether you love fish, turtles, crabs, or reptiles – there is something for everyone in the family. My daughter loves the otters, my son loves the turtles and alligators, and my personal favorite is the seahorses.

There are hands-on stingrays and crustaceans you can touch, daily demonstrations where you can see some of the animals up close (we’ve been able to pet a baby alligator and snakes), outside trails and a playground, a gift shop, and an indoor kids' playground with a Dory fish.


































Note:

Make sure to check the aquariuam’s website for ticket and reservation informaiton. It currently requires advance tickets/reservations for entry.

This aquarium is located right by the beach, so you can enjoy both on the same day or escape the heat during a vacation by making a stop at the aquarium. It’s definitely worth the trip! For more information on NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, check out their website here.

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Baby Names Inspired by Flowers


Choosing the perfect name for your baby can be tough. There are so many options out there. Do you love spring? I love the warmer weather, extra sunshine, and blooming flowers that spring brings! If you love flowers as much as I do, I have just the thing for you! I have compiled a list of about 23 names (for both genders) inspired by flowers for all my fellow spring lovers. You might find the perfect name for your little one.

Azalea

A type of flower.

Briar/Brier

A white-flowered shrub.

Clementine

A type of flower.

Clover

A green plant that also produces clover flowers.

Daisy

A type of flower.

Flora/Florian

A Roman name meaning blooming/flowering.

Fleur

A French word for flower. A Fleur-de-lis can be a stylized lily and/or a European iris.

Holly

A Holly plant can have little white flowers.

Iris

A type of flower.

Ivy

An ivy plant can flower when it is mature.

Jared

A Hebrew name that can mean descent, ruling, commanding, and also Rose.

Jasmine

A type of flower.

Leif

A Scandinavian name meaning heir; loved. It can be pronounced life, layf, or leef.

Lily

A type of flower.

Magnolia

A type of flower.

Meadow

A field where flowers grow.

Poppy

A type of flower.

Posy

A small bunch of flowers.

Ren

A Japanese name meaning water lily.

Rhodes

A Greek name meaning where roses grow. A great option for a boy.

Rose

A type of flower.

Suzanne/Suzannah

A French name meaning lily; rose.

Violet

A type of flower.

I hope these names give you some inspiration while picking out the perfect name for your baby. I love names with special meaning, and if you love springtime, these are great options to consider. If you are still looking for other options, check out these lists: Baby Names Inspired by the Sea, Baby Names Inspired by Christmas, Baby Names Inspired by Summer, and Baby Names Inspired by the Fall.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Spring Clean Your House in 1 Month (or less)


I don’t know about you, but now that spring is upon us, I have been in full spring-cleaning mode. There is just something about the warmer weather that makes me want to organize and clean the house. My biggest project this year is the garage. As a stay-at-home mom, it often feels overwhelming trying to get the whole house cleaned. Every time I turn around, there is another mess that needs to be cleaned.

So I have started taking my big list of spring cleaning the whole house and dividing it up into little parts. It isn’t as overwhelming, and I feel accomplished when I do complete my task instead of focusing on everything I still have to do. I wanted to share with you my two breakdown versions of home spring cleaning in the hopes that it helps another busy mom not feel so overwhelmed and actually tackle the task of spring cleaning too!

Spring Clean Your House in 1 Week

This option is perfect for you if you are looking for a light spring cleaning this year. If you just need some touch-ups but don’t need or want to dig through everything you own. You simply break down each room you want to clean and the tasks for each room and divide them into one week’s worth of time. Your schedule might vary depending on your house size. For example, my 1-week light cleaning schedule looks like this:

MONDAY – Kitchen – Take out the trash, clean sink, wipe down counters, sweep/mop floor.

TUESDAY – Living room & Dining room – Pick up misc items, sweep/mop floors, wipe down tables, vacuum couch.

WEDNESDAY – Bathrooms – Clean all mirrors, sinks, toilets, and floors, and take out the trash.

THURSDAY – Master bedroom – Wash all bedding, pick up misc items, vacuum floors, clean dresser surfaces, and clean diffuser.

FRIDAY – Kids’ bedrooms – Wash all bedding, pick up misc items, vacuum floors, clean dresser surfaces/bookshelves, and clean diffusers.

SATURDAY – Back yard – Vacuum back porch, clean up misc items, pick up sticks, mow, weed gardens.

SUNDAY – Front yard – Pick up sticks, clean up misc items, mow, weed garden.

Spring Clean Your House in 1 Month

This option is great if you want to really dig deep and deep clean our whole house for spring. If you want to downsize and get rid of items you no longer use. You simply break down each room you want to clean and the tasks for each room and divide them into one month’s worth of time. Your schedule might vary depending on your house size and how much work you want to do in each room. For example, my 1-month deep cleaning schedule typically looks like this:

WEEK 1 – Downstairs

DAY 1 – Kitchen – Declutter counters. Wipe down counters, stove & microwave. Clean sink. Wipe down cabinets.

DAY 2 – Kitchen – Clean out fridge & freezer, throw out expired/bad food, and wipe it clean. Empty trash.

DAY 3 – Kitchen – Go through all cabinets and downsize/get rid of items you no longer use.

DAY 4 – All Downstairs – Sweep/vacuum and mop floors.

DAY 5 – Dining Room – Clean up misc. items. Wipe down the table and chairs. Clean windows.

DAY 6 – Living Room – Clean up misc. items. Wipe down the coffee table. Declutter surfaces. Wipe down/dust mantle and shelves. Clean windows. Vacuum couch.

DAY 7 – Living Room – Wash pillows and blankets. Go through pillows and blankets to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Go through all bookshelves to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use.

WEEK 2 – Downstairs & Upstairs

DAY 1 – Hallway/Closets – Clean up misc items. Go through closets to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Reorganize items. Vacuum/clean flowers. Vacuum the stairs and hallways. I have three small closets, one downstairs and two upstairs, so it’s easiest for me to tackle all on the same day.

DAY 2 – Bathrooms – Clean all mirrors, sinks, toilets, and floors, and take out the trash. Go through closets/under sinks to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Reorganize items. I have one small half bath downstairs, one small full bath upstairs, and a full bath in the master. I find it’s easiest to tackle all bathrooms in one day.

DAY 3 – All Upstairs – Sweep/vacuum and mop floors.

DAY 4 – Master Bedroom – Clean up misc items. Declutter surfaces. Wipe down/dust dressers and shelves. Clean windows.

DAY 5 – Master Bedroom – Go through all dressers and drawers to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Reorganize. Wash curtains and bedding.

DAY 6 – Master Bedroom – Go through any nightstands/TV stands/bookshelves in the master to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Reorganize.

DAY 7 – Master Bedroom Closet – Go through all clothes/shoes/items inside closets to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Reorganize. Clean any windows/blinds. Wash curtains.

WEEK 3 – Upstairs

DAY 1 – Bedroom #2 – Clean up misc items. Declutter surfaces. Wipe down/dust dressers and shelves. Clean windows.

DAY 2 – Bedroom #2 – Go through all dressers and drawers to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Do the same with any closet space. Reorganize. Wash curtains and bedding.

DAY 3 – Bedroom #2 – Go through any nightstands/TV stands/bookshelves/toys in the bedroom to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Reorganize.

DAY 4 – Bedroom #3 – Clean up misc. items. Declutter surfaces. Wipe down/dust dressers and shelves. Clean windows.

DAY 5 – Bedroom #3 – Go through all dressers and drawers to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Do the same with any closet space. Reorganize. Wash curtains and bedding.

DAY 6 – Bedroom # 3 – Go through any nightstands/TV stands/bookshelves/toys in the bedroom to downsize/get rid of what you don’t use. Reorganize.

DAY 7 – Extra day for anything that is taking longer than you anticipated. Or you could simply rest and take a day off.

WEEK 4 – Garage & Outside

DAY 1 – Front Yard – Weed flower beds. Plant flowers. Mow the grass. Clean up the front porch. Work on any front yard projects you may have.

DAY 2 – Back Yard – Weed flower beds. Plant flowers. Mow the grass. Clean up the back porch. Work on any backyard projects you may have.

DAY 3 – Front & Back Yard – Extra day to finish any projects that are taking longer than you anticipated.

DAY 4 – Garage – Put away misc. items. Go through items to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Reorganize. Hang up shelves, hooks, etc. Sweep/clean floors. Any other garage projects.

DAY 5 – Garage – Put away misc. items. Go through items to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Reorganize. Hang up shelves, hooks, etc. Sweep/clean floors. Any other garage projects.

DAY 6 – Garage – Put away misc. items. Go through items to downsize/get rid of items you no longer use. Reorganize. Hang up shelves, hooks, etc. Sweep/clean floors. Any other garage projects.

DAY 7 – Garage – Extra day to finish any garage projects that are taking longer than anticipated. I gave 3/4 days for the garage because, in my case, it’s the worst room and takes the longest during my spring cleaning.

This is my sample spring cleaning checklist. Feel free to change it up and move days around where needed. You may have some rooms that require a longer time to work on than I do, and vice versa. All in all, I have found that when I divide up my tasks and rooms, it makes the whole spring cleaning process less stressful and makes me feel more accomplished. I hope this helps you come up with your own spring cleaning breakdown as well! Happy cleaning!