Give Your Children the Right Toys - and Watch Them Create Lasting Memories

/image:commons.wikimedia.org/

 

You know how there are some events in our childhood that we remember like they were yesterday? Well, there’s one memory that has stuck with me through my more than 35 years of existence. It was a snowy evening, and my mum, dad, and younger brother were all relaxing in front of the fire. My dad was watching a show on the television, and my mum was knitting a humongous scarf. My brother, meanwhile, was seated on the carpet, same as me, and we were both playing with my Lego set.

I remember clearly how we were fighting over which direction the stationmaster (I had a tiny railway set, complete with a stationmaster and a railroad crossing) would face. Of course, being older, I won. But what I distinctly recall is how pleasant the evening was – everyone together, sitting cozily in front of the fire, while my brother and I played to our heart’s content.

It pays to be selective with your child’s toys

I have a lot of other memories with different toys – but to me, nothing could compare to my Lego sets. My mum still has a box of them hidden in the attic, by the way. What can I say – those toys, in my opinion, will never grow old.

Having a four-year old toddler, I also strive, in my own way, to give my daughter the most educational toys. As a parent, it’s hard to say no to her when we walk into a toy shop and she asks for a doll, or a little stuffed toy – but when it comes to toys that will last her a long time, I’m quite selective. There are various criteria that would make me buy a toy for the long term, not only when it comes to durability and affordability, but also when it comes to the long-term development of my child.

The right toy has a big effect on your child’s overall development

Some questions I ask myself when I’m planning to buy a toy are, number 1: is it valuable? With this, I don’t mean the monetary value – I assess the value of the toy to my child’s overall development. Does the toy allow her to be creative and imaginative? What about her physical development? Some toys are great for developing a child’s hand-eye coordination. When it comes to other mental skills, I try to look for a toy that encourages my child to focus and enhance her concentration.

In all these factors, I’ve found that building blocks are a sure winner. My Lego set, for one, lasted me for many years. And, come to think of it, I may just drop by my parents’ attic and hunt for that box from my own childhood – and pass it on to my precious little one. 

Author’s Bio-

Tom Veasy is a freelance writer and parent of two with an interest in smart toys for children. Tom regularly writes for retail blogs on the latest smart toys, such as Lego sets.

Read more...

Payday Loans: Short Time Loans for People with Bad Credit History

Are you in quest for loans that available for people with bad credit scores? Let’s say that you need instant cash right now but you can’t apply a traditional loan as you have bad credit history. For many reasons, there are many other people who also face financial problem and bad credit scores; you’re really not alone! If you’re still searching for a kind of loan that allows people with bad credit histories, you can consider payday loans as a right answer to get fast cash!

 

The approval process of payday loans doesn’t consider credit issues. Collateral and financial documents are also not required in applying this type of short time loan. The loan lenders will look upon your employment and paycheck amount as the collateral of your loan.

 

Nowadays -though it has higher interest rates- getting payday loans online has become preferred option to solve one’s financial trouble. Everyone with bad credit history can benefit this online service without hassles. You can use the required money to handle your emergency needs before your next payroll check.

 

The lenders may offer various terms and different procedures to the borrowers. To get beneficial financial help, you should choose a trustworthy loan provider that provides the lowest fee and interest rate. Since you must pay back the loan in time, it would be wise if you consider getting payday loan at only emergency conditions.

Read more...

Recognizing the Characteristics of Valuable and Rare Books

The rarity and value of a book are determined by certain criteria, which often times has nothing to do with the actual literary merit of the work. Some books may be prized because only a limited number of copies were printed, or because they were printed with hand-set type on hand-made paper, or perhaps costly reproduction processes and binding materials were used. Or, maybe only one copy has survived through the ages and is in immaculate condition. Factors like these can lead to a situation where supply is greater than demand, thus increasing the collectability and rarity of any item. There are typically five categories of rare books sought after by collectors.

First Editions

In many cases, first editions are the most desirable of rare books. For a first edition to be of collector’s value it must be written by a well-known author. Especially sought after are the books published between the mid fifteenth to the late seventeenth century. This time period marks the earlier phases of the printing industry in which copies were produced in relatively small quantities. With so many years past and so little copies to begin with it is easy to see why many first editions are such rare books.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Illuminated manuscripts are extremely rare books, and in many cases, extremely valuable. This category of books consists of works that were hand-written and bound before the invention of printing. Hundreds of hours of meticulous craftsmanship were put into the creation of just one copy. These elaborate manuscripts were considered works of art, and usually richly embellished with brilliant illustrations and decorative first letters. These rare books are of both artistic and historical value thus making them prized show-case pieces for many collectors.

Books with Defects

In some instances, publishers mistakenly issue a small edition of a book with defects in the printing or binding, such as a defective cover, a missing title page, or a significant typing error. The more unfortunate, or even humorous, an error it is, the better. Typically, for a rare book with defects to be of real value, it must also possess some other special quality such as being a well-known book or a first edition.

Association Copies

In this category of books, commonplace works can gain a status of value and rarity simply because someone of stature wrote in them. It could the authors autograph in the beginning of the book, or notes scribbled in the margins by a famous owner. The degree of rarity depends on how many similar copies are in existence. If thousands of the books were signed by the author as a part of mass publicity, then it is probably not a very valuable book.

Now that you know what it takes to spot a rare book, how about going out and seeing what special treasures are waiting for you.

C.J Williams is a free-lance blog writer and literature enthusiast, with a passion for collecting antique, ornamental, and rare books.

Reading books is always a good thing as we can learn from inspirational books. For example, the great book below could be your guidance; it might teach you how to face and survive during hard times in your life.

The Boy Airman - An Absolute Stranger to Fear is an account of life during the First World War. The first hand photographs and annotations of Hugh Mortimer Petty, a teenage boy who volunteered to fly in the Royal Naval Air Service – one of only three of the boys from his training establishment to survive.

 

Read more...

A Cubic Zirconia Ring is a Smart Jewellery Item to Invest In

The popular saying that diamonds are a girl’s best friend could actually be proved partially wrong if you take into consideration the quietly impressive cubic zirconia ring. When compared to a diamond it obviously stands nowhere, but there is no reason why it can’t look great on a person’s finger. There are a number of people who opt for a CZ ring because of a number of reasons. If you are thinking about it as well, then you will find that a number of people have made the same decision and have come away satisfied with the results.

• Affordable: When you are getting married, the wedding ring is an important responsibility that you have to deal with. However, everybody doesn’t have an unlimited budget to pick up a diamond ring for his/her partner. That doesn’t mean that you have to settle for something that doesn’t look as great as one. A CZ ring, if crafted by a master jeweller, will look gorgeous as you slip it on to your partner’s finger. It also makes a great engagement ring especially when the couple coming together is young and need to save money for the future.
•  Aesthetic appeal: Who said only diamonds look great on a girl’s hand? A CZ stone set in gold or silver can have the same effect without burning a hole in your pocket. There are a number of jewellery stores who stock pretty little CZ rings for those couples who want to try something different. Quality workmanship can really make a CZ stone stand out and even look better than a diamond ring, sometimes.

If you’re hunting for a cubic zirconia ring don’t be surprised to find a large number of couples following suit. There are a number of celebrities who have also invested in a CZ ring. Contrary to popular belief, a CZ ring doesn’t look cheap at all. A lot of hard work and precision is put in so that the final result will be something that is straight out of a fairy tale. The best part is you don’t have to pay through your nose for such an item.

Read more...

First Love

You could fall in love several times during your life, but the first love always holds a special place in your heart. The new feeling, like the first dew drop on a young leaf, makes it unforgettable.

First love is a little foolish and a lot of curiosity~ George Bernard Shaw

A candid shot -at the front of our home.

 When your teenager falls in love for the first time, you may feel her/his changing behavior. Your teen may -all of a sudden- misbehave or hide secrets from you. I think you should act as a friend and continue offer affection while still enforcing the rules. Your teen still needs structured surroundings, no matter how much she/he disagrees with limits you set.

Don’t let first love harm your teen. Talk to your teenage child about the beauty of safe love and friendship. Ensure that your teen comprehends what abuse is. No one has the right to abuse her/him. Encourage her/him to come to you for guidance and support every time your teen in confusion (rewrite source:ehow.com).

BlueMonday

Read more...