20 Toys for Tots (+10% off)...

I was a fan of The Toy Bug before I got to meet Jo Debnam in real life.  I love the wide range of good quality toys, high percentage of wooden items and lack of cartoony characters.  Now that I have a three year old and one year old I’m finding Christmas present shopping a little harder to manage in the stores, especially without my daughter seeing what I’m purchasing!  Online shopping is the way to go. ...

Little Boys, Girly Toys...

I know, I know.  I shouldn’t worry about this one iota.  I shouldn’t need to blog about this.  I’m totally cool with my 12mth old son playing with his big sister’s toys, but I was surprised that I had to remind myself it was ok.  And if I have to remind myself, maybe others need reminding too. When little girls play with “typically” boys’ toys we smile.  Of course it’s ok for girls to play with trains...

Fresh Air High Chair...

With spring in full swing, now is the perfect time to enjoy being with your kids outdoors.  Here in Queensland winter is already a fading memory and summer will be bearing down on us before we know it.  Lately I have been taking my son’s highchair outside quite often.  Admittedly ours is a fairly simple highchair (small, wooden, and without wheels and whistles) so it’s easy to take upstairs and out into the back...

A Little Ray of Sunshine...

We’ve all done a pretty good job in recent years of being sun smart when it comes to our kids.  New research is showing that perhaps we’ve gone too far the other way though as increasing numbers of babies are being diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency due to lack of exposure to the sun! You can read more about the importance of vitamin D in this article on the Raising Children Network.  The bottom line...

On This Day, One Year Ago...

On this day, one year ago, I woke up early even though the house was unusually quiet.  I knew my two year old daughter would be wide awake at her Nan and Pa’s place.  I imagined her pulling on my Dad’s arm saying, “Feed the birds, Pa?  Feed the birds?”  I missed her a little already, and wondered when I’d see her next.  One day?  Two…? On this day, one year ago, my husband and...

Beach Babes...

What could be more fun than a day at the beach?!  With Queensland having unseasonably warm weather, we took the kids to the Sunshine Coast for some quality family time.  We all had a wonderful time, but for different reasons.  Here’s what we did to prepare for our mini-stay and get the most out of our beach trip. In the week leading up to our beach holiday the kids and I went to the library and borrowed some...

To Eat or Not To Eat?...

When it comes to books and babies, there is one tricky question other mums often ask me.  Should we, or shouldn’t we let babies put books into their mouths?  There really are two schools of thought on this one. To Eat – putting things into their mouths is one of the ways babies explore the world around them.  They especially enjoy “mouthing” toys and items they love.  Some people feel that...

Playpen Perfect...

I’m a big fan of the playpen.  I know some parents feel that limiting a child’s physical environment is harsh, or even cruel, but I disagree.  I think that planned, independent play in a small, safe area is really important for healthy development.  I also think that playpens are incredibly helpful when you’ve got a busy little crawler or new walker on your hands.  (Of course, it goes without saying...

Milestones...

*sigh*  We’re still waiting.  Almost ten months, and still no sign of the first tooth. My daughter was the same.  I think she got teeth before she walked, but it wouldn’t have been by much!  In all honesty, it really doesn’t matter when teeth come through.  My little man eats solids well, and I know that his gums are strong enough to chomp most foods. As mums we can get ourselves so worked up and...

Tagged! My Fave Photo...

There’s a game of tag going on and I’m currently IT!  The lovely Brenda from MummyTime has “tagged” me, and now I get to share a favourite photo and pass it on.  Since I’m always showing current photos of the kids here on my blog, I thought I’d go back to an older one.  This is my favourite shot of my daughter and I when she was a baby. I remember this moment.  She looked at me...