Product review - Fruut sacks

By Bec,

My 5 year old son is obsessed, and I mean obsessed with lego. Those tiny little pieces are always under my feet. So when I saw these fruut sacks I just knew I had to give them a go. I was a little hesitant with the price to start with (they are $38.50 for small, $44.55 for medium and $47.85), I thought they were expensive for what they were - but boy was I wrong!  They are so worth their weight in gold!

They come in 4 awesome colours - green, red, pink and blue - and 3 sizes.  We got a red medium and a small blue. The medium is good for most of his building - the large would be even better but they were out of stock so we went with the medium - and it works fine. The small one is good for when he just wants to build little things.

Once he has finished building, it's just a matter of pulling the strings together and voila - all packed up. My feet have been saved!

Here is Hunter playing with the lego on the mat.

Then once finished we could hang it behind Hunter's door for storage.

An additional bonus I found was we could take the lego on his sleep-over to Grandma and Grandpa's. So easy to pack into the sack and take with him!

I think the fruut sacks could be used for many things. They would be great for my daughter's barbies with all those barbie clothes, along with tea sets and really anything with lots of parts!

I would definitely recommend fruut sacks. Check them out at Little Yoyo Styles.

Committees

By Bec,

Given my son started school late last year, I recently attended my first school Annual General Meeting (AGM).  As our kids spend so much time at school, childcare, kindy, I find it important to be involved. I was secretary on the kindy (preschool) governing council and I sent my husband to the childcare governing council- where he is a member.  I like to know what's going on behind the scenes, have a say on issues that affect my children and get well known by the Principal, Director, teachers, carers and so on. And I thought it would be a great chance to meet some other parents at the school.

I found the AGM really interesting. Being the nerdy person I am (I work in research/statistics) I really enjoyed hearing all the stats about how the kids are performing and what strategies the school has in place to help those who are not up to their expectations. I think my husband would have been bored out of his brains!

So at the end of the meeting I found myself not only a member of the school governing council, but I'm now the newest school governing council Secretary! I'm not sure how I got that job again, I was determined to sit on my hands, but the notion of giving back to the school got to me!  I work 4 days per week so I can see it's going to be a busy year, but I'm looking forward to it!  We have our first meeting in a couple of weeks, and I'm excited.

Do you like to get involved in committees?  Or stay clear?

The Big Rocking Horse

By Bec,

In the Adelaide Hills we have The Big Rocking Horse. You can climb the horse (for a minimal cost of $2), and see the animals (bags of food also $2). There are picnic areas so you can bring your own food, or purchase from the cafe!  Such a wonderful family outing!

Getting rid of the dummy

By Bec,

Savannah is 2 years and 10months and loves her dummy. We had it to the stage where she was just having it for sleeps and she was happy with that!  I always knew we would have to get rid of it eventually, but wasn't quite ready. I just had a week of leave from work, and Savannah was on leave from childcare so I thought now would be a good time as if she went to bed late at least she didn't have to be up early in the mornings.

My son gave his dummies to the Easter Bunny.  He must have been 3 1/2 years old.  We talked about it and how the baby bunnies need it and that the Easter Bunny would leave him HEAPS of chocolate!  So he happily left the dummies out in a basket the night Easter Bunny comes and went to bed well without it.  He was so excited the next morning when he had heaps of chocolate - and went to bed really well without it that night too. The next night however wasn't so great. He was very distressed and asked hubby to ring the Easter Bunny to bring them back.  We rode it out and that night was the last he ever asked of them!

Savannah on the other hand isn't going so well. The first night (Monday) she cried and cried and cried, and eventually went to sleep in my bed with hubby at around 10.30pm.  She never once asked for her dummy, but wanted either Mum or Dad to lay with her.  The second night she was so so tired from going to bed late the night before and fell asleep watching TV around 5.30pm. She slept for about 1.5hours and then woke up hungry and inconsolable.  I let her get up and have some dinner and she layed on the couch with me and we watched Young Talent Time and some of my shows.  Around 9pm I took her to bed and I layed next to her and read whilst she whinged a bit and eventually went to sleep.  I really didn't know what to do. She doesn't know how to get to sleep without her dummy. And part of me thought, just give her the dummy and she will be straight to sleep. But the other part said the longer we leave it the harder it will get...and we have already had 2 really really bad nights, may as well continue it!

The third night she cried from around 8-8.30pm.  Then fell asleep.  She then woke up around 9.30pm and cried and cried and cried and was quite unresponsive to us.  The fourth night she cried for about 5 minutes, then went to sleep - oh yay we are getting somewhere we thougt.  But then about an hour later she woke up again unresponsive and inconsolable.  The week continued along much the same way - she would cry herself to sleep and may or may not wake up -and maybe inconsolable and unresponsive.  We didn't know, is it dummy related?  Is she unwell?  But then it finally dawned on us - we think it's night terrors.  All the signs fit! So not really sure if it's related to her dummy or not! Possibly overtired - as she is also cutting out her day sleeps!

But we are now 7 days down the track - she is on her 8th night with no dummy!  She has never asked for it and is so proud to tell everyone (Grandma, Grandpa, childcare staff and friends) "I'm a big girl, I don't need dummies, dummies are only for babies".

I took her to the shops and bought her a "big girl present" - her choice!

I'm pleased not to have to buy dummies anymore, and Savannah's teeth will be thanking her!!

WillowBlu bags - product review

By Bec,

I needed a new handbag and kept eyeing off the WillowBlu bags. They cost more than I usually spend (the last handbag I got was on sale for $50 from Harbour Town!) so I was a bit aprehensive to spend that  much on a bag but boy am I glad I did!

Once I had decided I was going to purchase one of these bags for myself, I then had the agonizing decision of what bag to get.  I really wanted a black bag to replace my black one which broke so I ummed and arred for ages and then made a decision. Turned out the one I wanted wasn't available in black after all- so I got it in distressed brown!!  I love the distressed brown!  I'm so glad the black wasn't available.  It's different to what I'm used to and a change is great. I've had so many comments from friends on this bag! It's comfy, it fits a lot in and it's stylish!

The leather is so so soft.  The one I got has heaps of pockets, which is great for storing different things. Pockets on either end which I use for my mobile phone and Savannah's dummy! And a zip to do it all up so I don't lose all the stuff I manage to keep in there!

The bags are under the nappy bag section of the Little Yoyo Styles website - but I found this one is too small for a nappy bag (I was after a handbag not a nappy bag so it suits me to a tee), so make sure you check out the measurements if you want a nappy bag.  But otherwise I suggest you treat yourself! I didn't have a nice handbag as I was always taking my nappy bag, and on the odd occassion I was going out on my own I didn't have a bag to use!  Well now it's used daily!

Check out the range of WillowBlu bags stocked at Little Yoyo Styles!

Summer

By Bec,
What does summer mean to you?  To us it's jumping on the (new) trampoline (it's early here hence no hat or clothes - but he does have sunscreen on!!), swimming in Grandma and Grandpa's pool, BBQs, late nights, family movie nights, and enjoying spending time together. It's great that summer coincides with Christmas and my work holidays, so we can sleep in and have fun in the sun!

First hair cut

By Bec,

Amongst all the Christmas cheer and holiday bustle I decided to get Savannah's hair cut.  She is 2 years and 9 months and I have been in denial that she needs a hair cut!  But decided it was time to get it done - the ends definitely needed it!

We headed to the shops (possibly the busiest ones in Adelaide) on the 2nd day of the post Christmas sales - myself and the 2  kids - not sure what I was thinking!!  Savannah was so so excited to be getting her hair cut! Here she is excitedly waiting for her turn.

Then her name got called out, and all of a sudden she wasn't so keen.  Here she is getting her hair cut!

And once it was over, she was so proud of herself - saying over and over, I got my hair cut, same as Hunter (meaning Hunter also gets his hair cut). I got to keep a little clipping of her hair!

Here she is all finished and happy again!

Do you have any first hair cut stories?

Photo with Santa

By Bec,

Well it's that time of the year when everything is starting to look sparkly and people are in a last minute rush to attend Christmas parties and find the perfect present!!

Every year I take my kids to see Santa and get a photo.  This year Hunter wasn't having a bar of it "I'm not having my photo with Santa".  Savannah on the other hand was so keen "I want to see Santa, photo with Santa".  We decided to go to Harvey Norman as they have free photos (check out the website to see if the store near you - they are still on this weekend 11am -2pm). Hunter, who was still not going asked us to drop him off at Grandma and Grandpa's first.  But given Grandma and Grandpa lived in the opposite direction we made him come with us!  We lined up....got to the front of the line when Savannah decided, nope I ain't going near him, and Hunter decided ahh he ain't so bad I might go see him!  In the end Hunter, Savannah and Mummy had their photo taken with Santa!  I don't have that one to show you today, but it was a lovely photo.

Fast forward 3 days and we had a childcare party in the park.  Santa came and who decided it would be great to sit with Santa?  None other than Savannah (Hunter really wasn't having a bar of it it this time).  So she sat on his lap and waved so I could take a lovely photo (she has her face painted as Rudolph!).

Do you take your kids to see Santa?

First day of school

Hunter started school at the beginning of this term. We are in South Australia, where currently they have 4 intakes of reception per year.  That means the child can start the next term after they turn 5! Hunter was 5 in September, so was able to start school at the beginning of term 4.

He has seperation anxiety issues (just the drop off bit - he is fine once I'm gone)...so I thought starting him this term will do him the world of good, just to get him used to it.  Then next year he will do a full year of reception - so 5 terms all up!

Hunter had been to the transition visits and had met some new friends so he was excited to be starting school - he packed his lunch box 3 days before he actually had lunch at school. But as the day drew near he got more and more nervous.  On his first day he decided he didn't want to go. I dropped him off, and he didn't want me to leave so his teacher suggested I stayed for roll call.  I stayed for roll and then left him crying his little eyes out. It's hard for a parent to leave a child like that, however I'm used to it as he was the same at childcare and kindy.  I picked him up at lunchtime (they only did half a day for the first day) and he had had a good day.

Then in his second week he had his first afternoon of after school hours care - this again caused some grief - but once he was there he had a good time. He will go to after school care two days per week.

He has now been 8 days and is getting used to the routines.  He is enjoying getting a new reader everyday and playing in the playground at lunch!  He has even been invited to a birthday party.  Drop-offs are still hard - but from all accounts he is enjoying himself and I trust we will get there.

Do you have any first day of school stories?

Me Time!

By Bec,

Being a parent changes your priorities.  There is no doubt about it.  Your children now seem to come first.  But what about “me time”?  Parenting is a full-time job, and we can’t expect to be at our best if we don’t get a break.  I’ve been reading lots of parenting books lately, mainly to try and find a way to deal with Hunter’s behaviour.  But one which I really aligned with was Thriving! by Michael Gose.  He has a wealth of information on his Parenting Ideas website.  But one of his key principles is that as a parent we need to put ourselves first, our partners second and our children third. The idea being we need to look after ourselves before we can look after others. 

If you don't think you can go as far as putting yourself first (which we must admit, for a Mum this is hard), it's important to schedule in some regular "me time".  What do you like doing for yourself? 
My "me time" consists of going to the gym, reading and scrapbooking!  I try to get to the gym at least once a week - not fantastic but a start.  I work 4 days per week so can really only go evenings and weekends, and I do feel bad about leaving hubby with the kids on his own too often - he has worked a full day too!!  But I've been once this week - did a nice Body Pump class - and yep I felt so much better for it.

Like Victoria I have recently (in May) acquired a kindle.  I love love love my kindle for reading.  It's fantastic for reading in bed without too much light (I bought the cover with light) and fantastic for to and from work on the train (can stand, hold on with one hand and read and turn pages on my kindle with the other).  Because of the kindle my reading has doubled.  I've always been a big reader, loved doing the MS Read-a-thon as a kid.  But with the kindle I find I'm reading a page here and there when I have some spare time (like when waiting to cross the road in the city), and it goes everywhere with me so I'm always with a book!  I've read some great books lately, my favourites being The Girl with the Dragon tattoo, The Hunger Games, Learn me good and Sing you Home (my current one on the go).  Reading for me is a time to escape into another world!

And finally I enjoy scrapbooking. Each child has a "my first 12 months" album.  And now I'm onto the family 2010 album (so I'm a year behind...not too bad). I go once a month on a Friday night (tonight is the night!!!!) to a workshop.  It's usually the same group of people so it's a great social time and I get to be creative and put the photos in a recordable format.  I'm not the most creative person, but I'm recording our memories, enjoying doing it and the kids love looking at the albums.

What do you do for "me time"?

My 5 minutes of peace

By Bec,

It's my day off paid employment. I'm taking 5 minutes to enjoy a coffee. The kids are playing happily in the toy room.  Then Hunter comes to see me and I'm a little concerned about what I'm going to see in the toy room.  I bravely head in there and am encountered with this:

Now how did they get paint????  Ahh that's right, it was in the craft caddy I gave to Hunter (note to self - check contents before handing over to a 4 year old).  WOW, did they have fun!!!

My 5 minutes of peace turned into 1/2 hour of cleaning up!  I chucked them in the shower whilst I cleaned up...but hey, I got 5 minutes to have a coffee, and the kids had a ball!!!

Invisible friends

By Bec,

Hunter and Bak (if you can't see Bak you don't have special powers - I'm told he is on the slide)

We have gained a new house guest. He isn’t always here, but visits quite frequently. His name is Bak. Nigel (hubby), Savannah and I can’t see him.  We don’t have special powers. Hunter on the other hand can see him, talk to him and play with him. Aparently Hunter has special powers that enable him to see things we can’t see. They also enable him to not be hungry. Wouldn’t that be awesome at lunch time – think of all the money we could save on our grocery bill if we all had that particular power.

But back to Bak, initially he was 15 years old. But more recently I was told, “Mum I was just kidding, Bak is only 5. But when I turn 5 he will turn 6”.  Bak ensures Hunter is never alone, always has someone to talk to and always has someone to play with.  And of course Bak is the one who comes up with ideas to do silly things that Mum and Dad wouldn't like.  That Bak is a cheeky little boy!

It's always Bak's fault......

Hubby – Hunter please stop making that noise
Hunter – I’m not here
Hubby – well who is making that noise
Hunter – it’s Bak
Hubby – well can you please ask Bak to stop making that noise.

Bak often comes to the playground with us, we have to strap him into the middle car seat. And of course he sleeps in bed with Hunter.  I haven't had to cook for him (perhaps he has the special powers like Hunter that make him not hungry).  Bak has recently gained a new friend - Velmba.  Yep, Velmba is invisible too.  Velmba is 10, oh actually Hunter said he just turned 11.  WOW, 2 invisible friends.  Our house is getting full!  It's nice to have these friends visit, even if I can't see them.

Do you ever have visitors you can't see?

Books books and more books!

By Bec,

A favourite activity in our household is reading together.

We have LOTS of books.

Along with the bookcase full, my son has a small bookcase in his room full of books and my daughter has about 20 or so books always in her room.  On top of what we own, we are regular library visitors.  At our latest library visit (last Saturday) we borrowed 21, yes that's right 21 books.

You have got to love the library.  It's a great outing.  We have a routine, choose our DVDs, choose our toys, then our books.  Once we have chosen our books we sit down and read them on the comfy couches before borrowing (we didn't read all 21 on our latest visit!!).

Of course they have their favourites - my daughter's (2 year old) favourites at the moment are:

• Tiger in a Pink Hat
• Best Friend for Fofa
• Koala Lou
• Boo to a Goose, and
• The Wheels on the Bus

My son's (nearly 5) favourites are:

• Engelbert Sneem and his Dream Vaccuum Cleaner
• Dr Seuses books
• Aussie Bites and Aussie Nibbles

He has just started getting into the shorter chapter books.

Reading out loud to kids has so many benefits.  One of the major ones for me is the bonding time we get.  Every day we are home I will get asked a few times by each child to "read me this book".  We sit together and have some cuddles whilst reading.  Savannah gets around 5-6 books before bed each night, Hunter would get a few less as his are longer! 

Mem Fox (a well known Australian Children's author) has given some tips to reading aloud.

Mem Fox’s Ten Read Aloud Commandments

1. Spend at least ten wildly happy minutes every single day reading aloud.

2. Read at least three stories a day: it may be the same story three times. Children need to hear a thousand stories before they can begin to learn to read.

3. Read aloud with animation. Listen to your own voice and don’t be dull, or flat, or boring. Hang loose and be loud, have fun and laugh a lot.

4. Read with joy and enjoyment: real enjoyment for yourself and great joy for the listeners.

5. Read the stories that the kids love, over and over and over again, and always read in the same ‘tune’ for each book: i.e. with the same intonations on each page, each time.

6. Let children hear lots of language by talking to them constantly about the pictures, or anything else connected to the book; or sing any old song that you can remember; or say nursery rhymes in a bouncy way; or be noisy together doing clapping games.

7. Look for rhyme, rhythm or repetition in books for young children, and make sure the books are really short.

8. Play games with the things that you and the child can see on the page, such as letting kids finish rhymes, and finding the letters that start the child’s name and yours, remembering that it’s never work, it’s always a fabulous game.

9. Never ever teach reading, or get tense around books.

10. Please read aloud every day, mums and dads, because you just love being with your child, not because it’s the right thing to do.
(source http://www.memfox.com.au/)

How often do you read to your kids?

Meal Planning

By Bec,

My variation of a Meals by Mel recipe - I made tuna burrito pie

In today's society we are all busy, and it seems we all need to save a few bucks here and there.  It's no secret menu planning is a great way to save both time (no more, what are we going to cook for dinner tonight) and money (you only buy the food you need so no waste).  

Meals by Mel makes menu planning a breeze!  I've been using Meals by Mel for 18 months now, and don't know how I would live without her!!!  For an annual subscription of $29.95 Mel provides recipes for 5 main meals per week, including nutritional information.  And here is the best bit - it includes the shopping list.  How awesome is that!  Not only do you have tasty, nutritious meals, but the shopping list for the 5 meals.  I just add on my regular bits and pieces, milk, bread, fruit and the food we need for daily lunches and I'm all set to order (I shop through coles online - another time and cost saving tip!).  There are 4 weeks worth of meals on the website at any one time.  And you can get an email each Thursday to tell you when the new week's meal plan is up, and where to access it.   

I've found that having 5 meals per week great, as it gives you a couple of nights to do your own thing - go out, make your family favourites or have left-overs.

The recipes use healthy, fresh ingredients.  And one of the advantages is you have different meals each week.  I found we were in a food rut, having the same meals week after week.

Before you sign up you can check out a sample menu and there are also sample recipes.  Membership also includes access to Mel's entire recipe collection.

The best creamy chicken and corn soup!!

Tonight we made the tuna burrito pie pictured at the top.  I improvised and made it into a pie.  The recipe was to wrap the buritos,but that's fiddly so I just layed it like a lasagne/pie.  And last night we made the best creamy chicken and corn soup.  The kids gobbled down a big bowl each, and hubby and I went back for seconds.

For recipes, check out Meals by Mel

Childcare - decisions

By Bec,

As a working parent I have to make some tough decisions regarding childcare.  I don't want to get into a working parent, stay at home parent debate.  As far as I'm concerned there are positives and negatives for both, and we all do what we feel supports our family best.  Being the main income earner I couldn't be a stay at home Mum, hubby could be a stay at home Dad if we choose that path - however I'm selfish and am not willing to give up my day with the kids (I currently work 4 days per week - if he stayed home I would have to go back full-time).  Some people might add it would be better for a parent to be with them 5 days, rather than the 1 that I get with them...but I digress.  As I said, positives and negatives for both!

My son currently goes to childcare 2 days per week and kindy (in SA, this is pre-school, the year before their first year at school) 2 days per week.  My daughter goes to childcare 4 days per week.  My son starts school in term 4.  I have mixed emotions, my baby is growing up...he will be 5 in September and starting school in October - WOW!!  It seems like he was only just born. 

My daughter, who is 2, has really developed at childcare.  I can see improvements in her confidence, language skills, understanding of the world around her, socialisationI' skills, reading (or browsing books) and memory.  She has formed a strong relationship with her friends and carers.  I'm now known as "Savannah's Mum" when spotted out at the shops (where as it always used to be "Hunter's Mum"). 

She goes to one centre, but there is another located right next door to Hunter's school.  I'm thinking of moving her to this one.  I'm torn.  She loves her childcare centre.  She gets excited when we drive into the car park!  But the new one would be so convenient, and would allow her to meet some kids who will be going to that school.  If it was my son, the decision would be easy - a big NO.  He doesn't cope with change well (that will be another story when he starts school next term - watch this space for a blog about it as term 4 draws nearer) and the anxiety for him is just not worth it.  Savannah on the other hand is different.  But I'm still anxious.  The centres aren't far away - one is about 3 minutes from us, the other is about 5 minutes - but in the opposite direction.  So I could keep her at her current one and have Hunter at school - but there seem to be some advantages to move her.
They are actually the same centre - but different locations, so run the same, same (crazily expensive) fees, same governing council etc.  I'm going to check out the new centre tomorrow to see what I think.

What would you do? 

Style Camouflage truck pant (with bag) - Product review

By Bec

I bought these pants for my son as he loves "Army Man" pants and these have been a winner!  I would say these are my 4 year old's favourite pants (he is wearing them as I type)!  They are really comfortable for him - he is normally a tracky pants kinda boy - doesn't like jeans as they are too stiff.  The camoflauge pants are just as comfortable as tracky pants, but nice enough to wear out!

His favourite part of the pants is his "Army mission pouch" (the bag).  It is supposed to go at the back - but Hunter can't see it there - so he clips his onto the front!  He loves collecting treasures so in the "Army Mission Pouch" they go!

I thought the sizing was on the small size.  I bought Hunter (4 years old) size 120 - which is for 5-6 year olds, thinking he would get this year and next year out if it, however he would have out-grown them in the legs by next year. 

They are currently on sale for $21.60 - at that price I'm thinking of getting another pair for Hunter in the next size up!  Check out the Camouflage pants.

Cupcake decorating

By Bec

So you have seen us making cakes, now its time to see our cupcake decorating!  We had some friends around and decided to make a sweet mess!  I made up 6 different colours of icing and we got lots of lollies and made lots of exciting cupcakes!  I'm going to leave you with a series of pictures to see how much fun it was!

Just a note - if you don't like mess - then this activity is NOT for you!!

What was I thinking?

By Bec,

Have you ever had a "What was I thinking moment?"

This was mine!!

In hindsight it was a truly - what was I thinking, I'm the worst Mum in the world!

It was a treadmill accident.  We had just got the treadmill and Hunter decided it would be fun to have a go.  That's my first "what was I thinking?"  Why would I think it's okay for a 4 year old to go on a treadmill?
Next - I left the room as I was tidying up - again "what was I thinking?"  Why on earth would I leave a 4 year old unsupervised on a treadmill?

I heard the screams and I don't think I've run as quickly in my life.  He had put it onto 4 - 4km her hour is too fast for a 4 year old on a treadmill.  He couldn't keep up, slipped to the back of the treadmill and got caught on the rubber, between the treadmill and the wall.  He got burns all over his leg, back and arms. 

I said at one stage after the accident, treadmills aren't for kids.  Which led to - well why did you let me go on it Mummy?  (In that sad voice) - again, "what was I thinking?"

He had daily visits to the nurse for a week and a half to re-dress his burns.  And then daily vitamin E cream!  He is fine now, but boy do I feel like a bad Mummy!

Have you ever had a "what was I thinking?" moment?

Extra curricular activities

By Bec

Savannah practising her ballet!

It’s a commonly asked question – how many planned/extra curricular activities should our kids do? These days there are so many choices for our kids, music, sport, craft, languages. And once you can decide on a type, there are then so many choices and companies within – piano, guitar, singing, dancing, karate, AFL, kindergym, soccer, swimming, French and the list goes on.

We all want the best for our children, and often feel they get the most out of life by having more experiences. I think sometimes we can go too far. Kids need to be kids, and they learn just as much by being with us (their parents), playing and exploring.

I realised one Friday morning, when I was trying to rush my children to get ready so we could go out for yet another planned activity (can’t remember what this actual activity was), that the kids just want some time to chill and play with their toys. My son was being un-cooperative and was just playing with his toys. My kids are in childcare/kindy 4 days per week, so doesn’t leave much time for just chilling!! I’ve avoided after childcare/kindy activities so far, but I’m sure there will be a few more sneak in when my son starts school.

My children now have 1 extra curricular activity each. I feel it’s important they do something they really enjoy, so we stopped swimming. My son wasn’t enjoying it. My son currently participates in Get Active Sports and my daughter does Bebe Ballet.

Get Active Sports is fantastic as it’s a 6 week program – plenty long enough for my son – and they do a different sport each term. 6 weeks is long enough to work out if you like a sport, but not too long that if you don’t like it you are doing it forever. This year he has done tennis (not his thing), AFL (he enjoyed this) and next term starts soccer. He gets a free racquet/ball at the first class of each term.

I started my daughter in ballet as a replacement activity for KinderGym. She was really enjoying KinderGym, but my work schedules meant I wasn’t available on KinderGym days. Bebe Ballet was one which took girls as young as 18 months. We started when she was around 21 months in term 1 this year. The progression she has made in these 2 terms is amazing. I was ready to take her out after the first term as she didn’t pay much attention – I’m glad I didn’t, as now, just a term later she is doing great. She loves walking on her tippy toes (they are practicing tight rope walking for the concert) and practices at home.

How many extra curricular activities do your children do a week and what are they?

Toys and Giveaway!!

By Bec

You may be aware the big mid-year toy sales started Thursday at Kmart and Big W, and the Target one is a month or so away.  It's a frenzy.....I've been reading on parenting forums the extent some people go to to stock up on toys (shopping at midnight, going the day before to stalk where the toys they want will be, going in pairs so one can shop whilst one waits in the layby line).  It seems crazy! And personally layby is not my thing....you have to then go back into the store fortnightly to pay it off - too hard!!

So I think it's a great time to do some online toy shopping through Little Yoyo Styles!  I decided to see what would be on my toy wish list and have found the following:

For my 4 year old son
Kidkraft fun explorers pirate play set

This would be awesome for imaginative play for my son. He loves pirates and treasure!!

Zoobie pets lencho the lion

Is it a toy?  Is it a pillow?  Is it a blanked?  No, it's ALL 3!!  How awesome!  This would be particulary good for travelling in the car or plane!

Aromaplay

We have used this, smells great and is easy to use!! I would love to get a few more!!

Robot measuring tape

My son loves measuring, and this will make it so much fun!!  Not only that he is learning maths at the same time!!

For my 2 year old daughter
Mother garden wild strawberry flower kitchen

Just look at it!!  Need I say more!!!  It even comes with accessories!

Mother garden wild strawberry lunch sandwich

This would go great with the kitchen.  Fantastic for imaginative play!!

Pinwheels and pearls ribbon wands

She loves twirling these at ballet!!  She would love one to play with at home!

Sunglasses

All stylish girls need a pair of cute sunglasses!!

I could add plenty more to my wish list, there are real gems to be found on the site if you have a little search!!

Now the exciting part - Little Yoyo Styles is giving away a $50 voucher for one lucky reader to spend on toys.  All you have to do is tell me what is your favourite toy from the Little Yoyo Styles store in the comments section below.  Make sure you include your contact details so we can contact you if you are a winner.
Competition is open until midnight AEST 16th July.  I will draw a winner using random org.