Tomorrow is April Fools Day, here are some fun easy ideas to prank your kiddos.

Minty Oreos – Replace the cream from some Oreos with white toothpaste. Mine still talk about this 2 years later!

No Suds Here – Coat a bar of soap with some clear nail polish to keep any suds from forming. Watch the confusion set it when they wash their hands or when they take their bath.

Colorful Cereal – Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the bottom of your childs cereal bowl before putting the cereal in. Once they pour the milk, they’ll think their cereal is magic.

Outgrown – Stuff some tissue in the toes of their shoes. They’ll wonder why their shoes suddenly don’t fit.

Googly Eyes – Stick googly eyes on everything in your fridge.

Nap time Swticharoo – Wait for them to go to sleep, then switch them around in each others beds, swap their lovies or other things from their rooms.

Finding Money– Super glue a coin to the ground outside.

Repackaging. Re-wrap their favorite candy.. Wrap a roll of smarties with a tootsie roll wrapper, switch the bags of cereal into the wrong box…

What types of pranks do you have planned for your littles?

During these uncertain times, we understand that many people have questions about disinfecting and sanitizing their homes. Stanley Steemer teams are actively monitoring communications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), the World Health Organization (“WHO”), and federal agencies to ensure they are operating consistent with the latest guidance to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19.

According to the CDC, cleaning is the necessary first step of any disinfection process. Cleaning removes organic matter, salts, and visible soils, all of which interfere with microbial inactivation. The physical action of scrubbing with detergents and surfactants and rinsing with water removes substantial numbers of microorganisms. If a surface is not cleaned first, the success of the disinfection process can be compromised. Here are some tips from the CDC on protecting your home if someone is sick:

As part of your everyday prevention actions clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects. For example: tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles.

Clean

Clean surfaces using soap and water. Practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.

Disinfect

Use diluted household bleach solutions if appropriate for the surface. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.

Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.

To make a bleach solution, mix:

5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water

OR
4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
Alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
Household cleaners and disinfectants: Clean the area or item with soap and water or another detergent if it is dirty. Then, use a household disinfectant.

Follow the instructions on the label to ensure safe and effective use of the product.

Many products recommend:

Keeping the surface wet for several minutes to ensure germs are killed.
Precautions such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.

Soft Surfaces

For soft surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes

Clean the surface using soap and water or with cleaners appropriate for use on these surfaces.
Launder items (if possible) according to the manufacturer’s instructions.Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

Laundry

For clothing, towels, linens and other items

Wear disposable gloves.
Wash hands with soap and water as soon as you remove the gloves.
Do not shake dirty laundry.
Launder items according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.
Dirty laundry from an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
Clean and disinfect clothes hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.

Clean Hands Often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Always wash immediately after removing gloves and after contact with an ill person.

Hand sanitizer:
If soap and water are not readily available and hands are not visibly dirty, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. However, if hands are visibly dirty, always wash hands with soap and water.

Additional key times to clean hands include:
After blowing one’s nose, coughing, or sneezing
After using the restroom
Before eating or preparing food
After contact with animals or pets
Before and after providing routine care for another person who needs assistance (e.g. a child)

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Food

Stay separated:
The ill person should eat (or be fed) in their room if possible.

Wash dishes and utensils using gloves and hot water:
Handle any non-disposable used food service items with gloves and wash with hot water or in a dishwasher.

Clean hands after handling used food service items.

Trash

Dedicated, lined trash can:
If possible, dedicate a lined trash can for the ill person.Use gloves when removing garbage bags, and handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands afterwards.

Stanley Steemer is prepared and uniquely equipped to assist Customers with the cleaning of virtually all environmental surfaces for a cleaner and healthier home and have introduced a new cleaning product:

“Stanley Steemer® is introducing a new cleaning product into all of our standard cleaning processes. This product is an EPA Registered Antimicrobial Disinfectant that meets the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2 when used on Hard/Non-Porous Surfaces like Tile, Wood, Laminates, Vinyl, Linoleum and Stone. This product has also been demonstrated to be highly effective cleaner of Soft/Porous Surfaces—including Carpet, Rugs and Upholstery—when used in connection with our proprietary and industry-leading cleaning equipment.”

Now is a great time to put some of these tips into practice to not only protect from someone in your home who is already sick, but to help prevent more spread. For more information about the critical importance of cleaning, we encourage you to visit the CDC for more information on how to Protect Your Home.

Stanley Steemer of North Central Alabama services the greater Birmingham Metro Area and surrounding counties, spanning from Cullman to Clanton and from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia state line.

All Stanley Steemer water restoration specialists have Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the most widely recognized and accepted certification program in the industry. These individuals are highly trained and prepared for any emergency water removal task they encounter. In addition to certification, our technicians attend IICRC-accredited continuing education and training programs throughout the year. We provide the time and money to train our people, and we supply them with the best equipment available.
For more information on their 24/7 Emergency Water Resmoval visit their site

Stanley Steemer provides trained technicians and state-of-the-art equipment you can’t get anywhere else. When flooding occurs, why muddy the waters? Call Stanley Steemer.

Use Code: Mom30 for $30 off any service. (Minimum charges apply)

After helping many first time home buyers successfully buy their dream home, Scott and Sophia noticed something that they wanted to share with as many future first time home buyers as possible! What they noticed was that several of these buyers weren’t aware that they had the ability to use a buyer’s agent to represent them in one of the biggest purchases they will ever make!

They want to put this out there to help educate as many people as possible that you can and should have an agent who works for you when you are ready to buy a home because let’s be honest, buying a home involves a lot more steps than most people realize! So what does a buyer’s agent do? In a nutshell, they help you, the buyers; navigate the entire home buying process one step at a time. But let’s dive in and break this down! Make sure you read until the end because there is great news waiting for you there!

First things first, a buyer’s agent will start by meeting with you to go over the entire home buying process to get you fully equipped so you know exactly what to expect. They will help you identify your needs and wants in a home including your top priorities as well as your deal breakers. They will then set up a custom home search that will find listings that match your wants and needs only so that you don’t have to filter through hundreds of listings that don’t even fit what you’re looking for.

When you start looking at houses, you’ll notice that they will be listed by a real estate agent. What is great about a buyer’s agent that works for you is they work in your best interest, not the sellers. In addition to helping you find a house that meets your needs, they will also help you understand your options when it comes to writing an offer, advise you on the market, help you determine what price to offer the sellers and most importantly, negotiate on your behalf. If you find yourself in a multiple offer situation, they have strategies to help make your offer stand out while matching the seller’s priorities. Once you have an accepted offer, they maintain strong communication with both you and the listing agent so you will always be kept in the loop and never left wondering what’s next!

A buyer’s agent will remove as much doubt as possible. They will provide you with all the tools necessary to make an informed decision before you take on the investment of owning a home. Think of them as your go-to resource throughout the entire transaction. Not only will they educate you through each step, they will refer you to their trusted vendors. From lenders to home inspectors, title companies, and contractors, there can be so many moving parts in a transaction that you’ll be thankful to have the help of trusted professionals and save time trying to research them on your own. All of this will help you have peace of mind throughout the home buying process and prevent you from falling into the buyer’s remorse trap!

It’s time to fill you in on the best part about hiring a buyer’s agent. Here it is.. it costs you absolutely nothing! You might be thinking this all sounds great and I would love to have someone work on my behalf but how much is someone like this going to cost? Having a buyer’s agent won’t cost you anything because the sellers are responsible for paying the buyer agent’s commission. So if you’re already searching for homes online, googling questions you have about the process and you’re ready to dive in, what are you waiting for? It’s time to find yourself a buyer’s agent who will work for you and walk you through all of this – literally, one house at a time!

Look for a buyer’s agent who you feel is a good fit for helping you through the process of buying a home. When you’re interviewing different agents, you’ll want to make sure you choose someone who not only seems knowledgeable but someone who will be available, willing to educate you, able to communicate the way that you want and most of all, someone you feel comfortable working with!

Thank you to our new site sponsors, Sophia Leece and Scott Boudreaux with RealtySouth for these great tips. For more information on what’s happening in the Birmingham Housing Market, or to schedule a free home buyer/seller consultation, you can reach them:

Sophia Leece, 205.895.9120 | sleece@lahrealestate.com |
Scott Boudreaux, 205.835.9787 |sboudreaux@lahrealestate.com | Website

With the flowers in full bloom and the sun gloriously shining, spring is a season of new beginnings. And there’s no better way to get this sense of renewal by breathing some new life into your closet. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or drastic changes, as all you’ll need are these essentials for a truly fresh spring wardrobe.

A Statement Accessory

Now that you can put those thermal layers away, it’s finally time to show off your accessories. Of course, it’s best to keep things to a minimum, since wearing a heavy pile can be quite the inconvenience. On that note, a simple yet stylish way to accessorize is by wearing a statement piece like this collar necklace from Jessica Simpson Jewelry. From drop earrings to printed scarves, sporting a statement accessory is an easy way to elevate your spring style.

Shirt Dresses

With so many dress silhouettes to choose from, it’s easy to be confused about which one you should wear. However, the shirt dress is proving itself to be the style of the season, thanks to its effortless chic vibe. Pretty Me recommends pairing your favorite shirt dress with sneakers or sandals for a look you can easily put together when running errands or hanging out with your loved ones. If you’re petite, you should wear a baggier shirt dress that doesn’t fall below your knee. This fashion trick ensures that your dress doesn’t overpower your frame while still maintaining an elegant look.

A Cute Blouse

What better way to welcome the sweet season of spring than by investing in a charming blouse? Whether it’s pretty patterns, puffy sleeves, or peplum shapes, tops this season are all about incorporating delicate, feminine details. And while florals are ever-reliable, why not switch things up by sporting a striped print blouse, such as this number from Madewell? Plus, a cute blouse makes dressing up feeling like a breeze, since you can easily pair with your go-to jeans to create a sweet spring ensemble.

A Hooded Jacket

The weather during this season can be rather fickle, with rainy days coming every now and again. This is why it’s always helpful to have a jacket in hand. Try to veer away from boring and ill-fitting silhouettes, and go for more tailored pieces. Travel+Leisure recommends this hooded raincoat from Cole Haan, which is both practical and fashionable. That way, you’ll be kept warm, dry, and stylish even during the occasional spring shower.

Minimalist Sneakers

Don’t forget to complete your spring wardrobe with a fresh pair of comfy sneakers. It’s pretty evident that the fashion world is crazy about sneakers, as you’ll find tons of designs to choose from. Your best bet? Opt for a classic pair of white sneakers, since their versatility means you can wear them with any outfit. Just be sure to apply a sneaker protector spray before wearing them.

Your fresh start this spring doesn’t have to be a complete closet overhaul. Instead, give your style an upgrade by investing in these essentials that can easily work with what’s already in your wardrobe.

By Dan Marullo, Ph.D.

With COVID-19 being declared a pandemic, we are now tasked to change our personal and collective behavior. It is understandable that many will experience fear, anxiety and anger in the coming days and weeks. This is normal and certainly a typical reaction to a crisis. However, whether we respond with grace or with terror is in our individual and collective control.

It is normal to be afraid. It is OK to acknowledge that fear and to take steps to cope with anxiety. Please consider the following:

Fear of the unknown is normal. We are each subject to feeling a host of emotions such as anxiety, worry, irritability and sadness. We can also experience poor sleep or appetite, trouble with concentration, a tendency to withdraw from other people and perhaps even feeling hopeless. These can be normal reactions to the situation and it helps to recognize this in ourselves and in others. For example, recognizing that your spouse or child is uncharacteristically moody or snappish may mean that they are feeling overwhelmed and need support. Certainly, anyone feeling suicidal may need immediate attention.

Seek reliable information. There is much that we still do not know about COVID-19 and that alone increases fear and anxiety. Gaining reliable information is key to addressing this uncertainty. Reputable websites for updates and information include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization. Websites for good psychological information related to COVID-19 include the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association.

Practice self-care. Because we are all susceptible to emotional distress, it becomes more important to take care of ourselves physically and emotionally. This may be complicated by social distancing given that social activities are commonly used by people to cope. We may not be able to attend religious services, go to work or school, the gym, shopping and so on. However, we can adapt and remain connected. Many churches are hosting online services, you can exercise at home using YouTube classes, and so on. A few things to keep in mind:

• Maintain a typical routine as much as possible. Try having your kids do schoolwork at home at the times they would at school. Do the same if you are working from home.
• Take a media/social media break. Depending on what you read or watch, COVID-19 is either the world’s biggest hoax or the end of the world. Neither is true. Seek accurate information and take a break from all the chatter.
• Social distance does not mean social isolation. We may not be able to go out, have play dates or travel, but we can maintain contact with family and friends via Facetime and other platforms. This is especially critical for our most vulnerable family and friends, those that must be on isolation because of health concerns such as the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
• Consider volunteering in some way. The simple act of giving has been shown to reduce distress in the giver. It is gratifying to see people organizing food drives and other activities to support their communities.
• Find ways to maintain your spirits. A good sense of humor goes a long way. Our Italian brothers and sisters are singing from their balconies in defiance of their isolation. People are amazing. Find your path.

Be a role model. Our children are watching how we react to this crisis. What do you want them to see? Children and teens rely on the adults in their lives to model and teach behavior. A child’s coping often relies on how adults cope. Now is the time to teach resilience, compassion, self-sacrifice and healthy coping. These are lessons children will remember for the rest of their lives. We adults should manage our emotions and fears, and be the leaders our children need us to be.

Support our children. Our children are responding to this crisis as well and need support during this time. How children cope and what they need varies by their age and level of development. For example, small children respond to the distress around them and need comforting and security. School aged children, tweens and teens need information that is tailored to their age (Younger children need the basic facts, older kids can deal with more detail and abstraction). Recognize that a change in behavior may be a sign of distress and an opportunity to engage and support. Please consider:

• Maintaining a typical routine as much as possible. This includes schoolwork, bedtimes and mealtimes.
• Giving age-appropriate information and answering questions honestly.
• Monitoring use of TV and other media, particularly if your child is constantly looking at COVID-19-related content (Remember, bad information is scary).
• Providing opportunities for kids to give and contribute. Help them organize a food drive or a video chat with nursing home patients. This promotes a sense of engagement and teaches resilience.
• Managing your own emotions. Remember, our kids are watching. What do you want them to learn?

Acknowledge and recognize grief. Many of us are experiencing loss and uncertainty and it is OK to acknowledge that fact. As this process unfolds, we may lose people we love, jobs that we depend on, perhaps even that sense of safety that we once enjoyed. Coming to terms with loss is necessary and healthy. Now is the time for each of us to reach out as individuals and as a community to support one another, in small ways and in large.

Look for the lesson. I, like many of you, have experienced tragedy in my life. From that experience I have learned valuable lessons. I have learned much about myself and what I value and treasure. I do not know what lessons each of us may learn from this pandemic, but I do know there is something of value to learn if we leave ourselves open.

As I conclude this message, I feel a tremendous sense of community and hope. In some perverse way, this event has given all of us a “time out.” Perhaps this is our time to reflect, reconnect with others and remember what is truly of value in this life. I wish you all well.

Dan Marullo, Ph.D., is a pediatric psychologist and neuropsychologist at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.