Having accepted the challenge a couple of weeks ago to entertain a dear friend of mine’s three lovely daughters for the weekend, I was adamant there would have to be an activity that would keep all kids (mine, hers and our visiting neighbours) well entertained.

With ages ranging from 3 – 8, cookie making and decorating went down a treat! Actually, the pre-prepared dough was tortured somewhat by many over-enthusiastic little warm hands – but each child eventually created something close to a bunny, a chick and an egg.

The decorating with icing and lollies that followed though, was a huge success. What kid wouldn’t create well with such materials?

Here’s my little guy, icing his cookies, and some of the finished masterpieces before they were all eagerly devoured!

Share...

We dropped in on a good friend of mine last Friday for a quick cuppa and I was happily surprised to find her lovely mum was there also, on a visit from New Zealand.

My four and a half year old son was intrigued by some of the super cute things she’d been knitting for her 3 grand daughters during her stay – a dolly sweater, some sweet little teddy slippers and a work in progress of a teddy scarf.

Sent home with a length of beautiful ‘rainbow’ wool, he asked if I could make a scarf for his beloved toy Giraffe. I haven’t knitted for years and could not remember where my needles were so improvised with a pair of chopsticks from the kitchen draw, and here is the result… well the start…

It was such a great moment of the day, to sit and slow down for 20 minutes and show my kids something new. I couldn’t help but feel a bit special when my little guy commented “Wow mum, you’re really clever”.

Share...

I know we’re a little late to the party, but having just discovered the wonderful world of apps, the kids and I are hooked!

One of our first finds, and the one my 2.5yo daughter happily plays with repeatedly, is the very sweet interactive animated book ‘Little Bella’s I Close My Eyes’ (free for the lite version, and a wee $0.99 for extended).

Little Bella imagines all sorts of delightful things – being a very hungry monster, a furry little caterpillar, the fastest runner in the world.

And when she’s done imagining, Little Bella falls asleep, floating down from the clouds and into her cosy bed. You want to kiss her goodnight there and then. And in fact, that’s exactly what my daughter, without any prompting, likes to do…

Click here to find Little Bellas “I close my eyes”

Share...

If you are in NSW, ACT or Qld you can save up to 50% off the rrp of Osh Kosh clothing and this offer unlike many others is running for more than 48 hours.  From yesterday a MASSIVE range of Osh Kosh stock has hit the stores of Trade Secret with up to 50% off other store prices and includes clothing for newborns all the way through to 7 year olds.  You can even view a full catalogue on line before heading out, just click here to see.  There are plenty of pieces that will take the little ones and not so little ones through to the coming Autumn and Winter; leggings, long sleeve tees and some very cute tracksuits.  So don’t wait too long Trade Secret will make your shopping experience quick, easy  and affordable!

Share...

Inspired by our friend Kellie who apparently woke this morning and made Valentines Day cookies for ALL the men in her life (3 if counting the kids), we hope your V-Day is full of at least one sweet surprise. And as a friend reminded me recently – it’s just love, give it away

Nice one Kellie!

Share...

We’re loving the work of Melbourne artist Jeremy Kool. The Paper Fox Project is the working title of his interactive storybook for iPad and Android tablets featuring amazing creatures & landscapes digitally created to look like paper-craft and origami. He is selling fine-art prints from the book to fund the project – pick up yours here. Follow his progress on The Paper Fox Project blog.

via/ Behance Network

Share...

If you are looking for that last minute gift or even just for some super trouper fun you have to get the new Nintendo Wii game ABBA You Can Dance!  Master 8 and Miss 5 are very excited as we finally have a Wii game that Mum can and will play!  Up to 4 players can dance at once; you can sing Karaoke and there is even a mini musical.  ABBA is timeless and the fun to be had is priceless, we have already warned our family and friends that Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day entertainment has been decided!  Available at all leading gaming retailers.  Its’s sooooooo gooooooood!!!

Share...

Penciled in for the next trip to the big smoke, a trip to The Darling Quarter Kids Playground.

Formerly the old Sega World Centre, the revitalised precinct includes a community green with public deckchairs, restaurants, gelato bar & what has been described as Sydney’s coolest playground designed by the fun lovin’ folk at ASPECT Studios.

With balance ropes, 8m slippery slide, 21m flying fox, climbinf net, diggers, water jets, squirts & scoops & screws, there is no shortage of fun things to do on a warm day!

Getting there is half the fun, with trains, ferries, buses, lightrail or monorail all servicing Darling Harbour, and be sure to pack your paddle for the free ping-pong tables.

Share...

Released in 1977, the denim Lego Playmat with Drawstring featured heavily in my childhood & is still in use today by nieces and nephews. Looking at family albums, I suspect my mother may have been inspired by the packaging when it came to both my hair & wardrobe!

With such vivid memories of dragging the bag out & diving on the ‘best’ pieces before my sister could snag them, I was rather excited to see this most modern incarnation – the Swoop Bag – featured over at Babyccino Kids. We love the simple, sturdy design which is perfect for storing all those little Lego pieces in one place.

And for the crafty types amongst us, be sure take a look at Make It Perfect’s DIY tutorial!

Share...