3 Kids and Us

5 Gift Ideas That Your Niece Is Going To Love For Sure

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Looking back through your childhood days, your aunt might not have been the most favorite person in your life. Your aunt is the dope person you will find. Aunts might be super fun at times and they let you enjoy life to the fullest. You also get adorable gifts from your aunts during birthdays or any special occasions.

Buying gifts for babies is easy but when it comes to buying presents for young kids, the task is quite difficult. But when you have Packed Party right beside you, you will be spoilt for choices!

Here are some of the coolest gift options for your niece that will make you the coolest aunt ever!

1. A hello Kitty keychain

A donut-shaped keychain might be the perfect gift for your niece. Squishes and soft toys in unique figures are like the trending gifts now. Hello Kitty is loved by girls and the donut-shaped keychain simply can add more colors to the occasions. It is simple and can be carried around. If your niece is a fan of Hello Kitty, then it will turn out to be a plus point for you.

2. A purse like grownups

Purses can turn out to be great gifts for nieces but if she is growing up, then she would love her sense of independence and freedom. In this case, you can get her a training purse which looks exactly like the real purses grownups use. These purses are not too big and they come in a variety of colors. It adds a fun pop of excitement in your niece’s life.

3. Letterboard

Little girls always love to decorate their rooms. Customizable letter boards add a sense of sophistication and glamor to a room. Gift your niece with a letter board that just defines her personality. Give her some quotes or simply help her put a declaration that she is in her room. She will fall in love with your gift. Put some great colors as the frame boundary and let her decorate her room just the way she likes it.

4. Matching T-Shirts

Matching shirts and T-Shirts are always so cute and they are loved by everyone. This time when you present your niece with gifts, gift her a twinning T-Shirt so that she can look like you. Take her size and you can gift one size, toddler and small girls. When you both will put on similar T-shirts, you will rock the streets.

5. A small and gorgeous necklace

For those grown-up nieces, a gorgeous necklace piece will turn out to be a wonderful gift for her. The box can be customized and you can choose any gem that would suit your niece the most. The customized boxes come with sweet messages that your niece will keep for many years to come.

You can pick from any of these cool and trendy gift options for your dearest niece and see how it instantly lights up her face and eyes, at the very sight of it!

Flying with Kids? Read This Now and Thank Us Later

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Source: Unsplash | Julian Larcher

Ah, yes: who doesn’t enjoy those delightful vacation company commercials to glorious places like Sicily, featuring blissful families frolicking on the beach, exploring the great outdoors — and so on? Everyone is having the time of their life.

But there’s something these vacation companies don’t put in their commercials: they don’t show what flying with kids is really like. And why would they expose this cruel truth? If they did, nobody would want to go on a family vacation. They’d want to go to family therapy.

The bad news is that we aren’t yet living in a Star Trek-like world, in which going from point A to point B is a simple matter of telling the computer to “beam us” over.  But the good news is that families with young kids don’t have to turn their non-stop flight into a non-stop fight. Here are 7 tips to keep in mind:

  1. Check your seats before boarding. And then check them again. If there’s a mistake, you definitely want to sort it out in the airport — not in the plane.
  2. Speaking of seats: try and sit as close as possible to the front of the plane, where the ride is usually less bumpy.
  3. Booking early morning flights may seem like the worst suggestion imaginable, but it’s actually a wise idea. Why? Because early morning flights tend to take off on time vs. those later in the day. Less time the air (or on the runway) is a good thing.
  4. Bring activities such as coloring books that will keep your little ones busy, but won’t make noise to disturb the other passengers. And speaking of books: don’t forget to bring some yourself to make the time go faster. If you’re tired of the standard Stephen King and John Grisham fare, consider picking up a book that features full-color classic car restoration photos so that you and kids can enjoy it together.
  5. Bring healthy snacks, especially since airlines are notorious for running out of kid-friendly foods early and often. Trail mix, granola, cereal, and fruit are all good ideas.
  6. If you need to take connecting flights, then consider longer vs shorter layovers. Yes, this means the journey will take more time than it could. But it also means that your kids will have the opportunity to stretch their legs, get rid of some energy, and have fun looking around the airport (yes, as adults airports are a drag, but kids still find them pretty fascinating). As a bonus, your willingness to tolerate longer layovers might result in a lower ticket price.
  7. Pack plenty of patience. True, this is much easier said than done! And one day when your kids have kids of their own, they will understand — and be very, very apologetic for what they did to you. But until then, you need to stay calm, stay focused, and recruit as many allies on the flight as possible (you’ve struck gold if there are other kids flying and they all become instant friends).

6 Tips for Taking Your Child to Their First Concert

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Everyone remembers their first concert. The excitement, the noise, the sights, the sounds, the smells –– it’s a big moment for many adolescents. As a parent, it’s important that you do everything possible to ensure that your kid has a fantastic time without experiencing any of the pitfalls associated with a live music act. With that in mind, here are six tips you can use to guarantee that your child’s first concert is memorable for all the right reasons. Check them out here:

Buy Good Seats

Unless your child is especially tall for their age, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to see over grown-adults standing up in a crowd. Therefore, it’s a smart play to shell out a little extra to get good seats so they’ll be able to see the show without interruption. No one wants to spend two hours staring at the back of some stranger’s head.

Listen to the Artist

If you haven’t listened to the band that your child is going to see, take some time to check out their latest album. Not only is this an easy way to connect with your child, but it will let you determine if the concert is appropriate for their age.

Bring Ear Plugs

Suffice it to say that rock concerts can be extremely loud affairs. So don’t forget to bring ear plugs for yourself and your child. Note, young children in particular have sensitive ears!

Give them Some Space

If your child is in their teens and wants to go to a concert with their friends, then it’s a good idea to give them some space. It’s okay to keep an eye on them from a distance, but there’s no need to cramp their style while they’re enjoying their favorite band.

Have Cash on Hand

Think concert tickets are expensive? Then just wait until you get to the actual venue. Refreshments are sure to set you back a good amount, and artist merchandise can range from $40-$80 for t-shirts and jackets. Yet, it’s highly likely that many kids will want a souvenir from their first concert –– so be prepared for this eventuality. Now is not the time to teach them a lesson about saving money.

Be Safe 

At the end of the day, a kid’s first concert should be a fun, positive experience. However, parents should also be aware of any potentially harmful situations that may occur at a concert venue. Don’t let your kids out of your sight, and teach them to respect boundaries. (Crowd control barriers are in place for a reason!) Going to a concert for the first time will be a blast for your child, but always remember that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

4 Health Tips for New Parents

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Becoming a parent is a life-changing experience. And while it is extremely rewarding, it can also be quite stressful, time-consuming, and frustrating. As such, it’s not surprising that many new parents struggle to balance their new responsibilities with a healthy lifestyle. After all, it’s not easy taking care of a newborn 24/7, 365. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to ensure that you maintain healthy habits without neglecting any of your new parental obligations. Check out our top four health tips for new parents here:

Make Time to Exercise

Time management is a theme that we’ll revisit throughout this piece. As one can imagine, caring for an infant requires lots of time and attention. Given that fact, it’s important for new parents to make the most of the free time they do have available. Scheduling out a few times a week to get in a solid workout can be very beneficial. Plus, not only is exercising good for your physical well-being, but a vigorous workout can also help relieve stress. Lastly, don’t think twice about taking a walk with your little one in their stroller. Just getting up and moving around can provide a big boost to your energy and morale!

Meal Prep

Again, it’s unlikely that new moms and dads will have lots of time on their hands to cook healthy and delicious meals every single day. That’s why it’s so important to prepare meals at the beginning of the week so that you can grab and go as you need to. The good news is that it’s possible to find plenty of easy, healthy recipes that also taste great.

Speak with Your Doctor

New parents, understandably, place a priority on the health of their children. However, while you may feel like you’re constantly running back and forth between your home and the pediatrician’s for months at a time, it’s imperative not to forget about your own well-being. Don’t neglect treatment plans or doctor’s appointments! Medical professionals offer a huge variety of beneficial services –– from stem cell back injections to regular check-ups. So call up your doctor if it’s been a few months since your last appointment.

Remember to Breathe

Being a parent is hectic. It’s worth keeping in mind that while life moves fast, you can’t ever go back. Therefore, do your best to enjoy the experience of parenthood as it unfolds. Otherwise, you could end up missing out on a special moment! To conclude, don’t feel bad about asking others for help from time to time. Getting a family member or close friend to babysit for you will give you an opportunity to unwind and relax.

This is Sicily: Beaches and Bays With Crystal Clear Water

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Sicily has a lot to offer: beautiful beaches, nature, stunning views, cozy cities, and delicious food. All the ingredients for a great holiday are here, and the best way to live it is to rent a villa in Sicily with pool for all your guests, you can check the best here:

What are the main highlights of the island? Keep reading and find out!

1. Hiking in the Zingaro Nature Reserve

Riserva dello Zingaro is the absolute highlight during a road trip through Sicily! The Zingaro nature reserve is 45 minutes drive from Trapani and 1 hour and 20 minutes from Palermo. It is a must to visit this natural park, especially if you like hiking. The most beautiful beaches of all Sicily can be found here! Our tip is to visit this natural park early. Start hiking at 8.00 in the morning, and then you still have plenty of time to lie on one of the beautiful beaches. The beaches can only be reached on foot.

2. Sail to the Egadi Islands

Cala Rossa: Favignana

Everyones love beautiful beaches and bays with crystal clear water. Visiting the Egadi Islands is therefore high on many’s wish list! This group of islands consists of the three islands Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Favignana is the largest and most popular island. You can visit the island of Favignana from Trapani harbor. You can also spend the night on this island, or make it a day trip of it.

The most beautiful beaches of Favignana are:

Spiaggia di Cala Rossa

Cala Azzurra Beach

Lido Burrone

Cala Rotonda

Cala Azzurra Beach

On Favignana, you can rent a scooter. Upon arrival in the port of the islands, you will immediately find all rental companies (noleggios). There are many on Favignana.

3. Be surprised in Noto

Noto

A village that certainly surprises is Noto. This beautiful village is a 30-minute drive from Syracuse, one of Sicily’s biggest city. The cozy streets, but especially the beautiful buildings, are top attractions. Noto lies on a hill and after a severe earthquake in 1693 completely rebuilt in Baroque style. Today Noto is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. That says it all, doesn’t it? If you have enough time, be sure to visit the old town of Noto.

3. Climb La Rocca in Cefalù

No mountain is too high… If you love views (and although the trip to the summit is not always easy), you will be rewarded with a beautiful view. In Cefalu, you can climb La Rocca. This hill lies behind Cefalu and is about 270 meters high. From Cefalu, you climb in about 45 minutes to 1 hour to the top. To enter La Rocca, you have to pay €4 per person. You can reach the entrance on foot from the city. On the top, you’ll find a ruin of a castle and a temple.

4. Eating in Syracuse

Syracuse & Ortigia

Well, food is a highlight for many every day, especially in Italy. You need to be ready to eat everywhere in Sicily, but in Syracuse, it is a unique experience. Every day there is a market on the Ortigia peninsula. Ortigia is a small (peninsula) in the old center of Syracuse. It is connected to the modern city by a bridge. Ortigia is very lovely to visit

In case of rain and sunshine, it is worth visiting the chalk cliffs near Agrigento. Also called the Sicilian steps by the sea. Scala Dei Turchi is free to attend, and in good weather, you can lie on the beach. Be sure to put on proper shoes, otherwise, you’ll slip out quickly. In good weather, these cliffs are magnificent, and you can stay there for a whole day. Take a look at these pictures!

6. Cheering in the Amphitheater of Taormina

Scattered over Sicily, you will find several amphitheaters. Taormina is among the most beautiful, and it is actually because of the location. From the amphitheater you have – when the weather is good – a view on the Etna volcano. Next to that, it is a bit higher, on a hill, and from here you have a beautiful view of the sea and Taormina. The Greek theatre was built in the third century B.C. and is still in use today for performances.

7. Climbing the Etna volcano

Last but not least, an amazing and sublime experience is to climb an active Volcano. From Taormina and Catania, it is about an hour’s drive to the volcano. You then drive to the place where you can take the cable car up to the volcano. The cable car will not take you to the top. In the last part, you have to travel on foot, or you need to go with a guide that you can book in advance.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!