Toddlers

Justine Clarke – In Concert

Justine Clarke – In Concert
What an exciting day!  For the kids, I mean.  Not only did we get brilliant seats at Justine Clarke’s Great Big World concert, but we got to go backstage before the show to meet Justine!! (Just one of the perks of being an Aussie mummy blogger, and it probably helped that I have reviewed and given away copies of the Great Big World CD and DVD as well as interviewing Justine online.) Justine is an absolute delight in person.  After meeting her pint sized fans, posing for countless photographs and signing autographs from the first concert, she had barely a moment to change before the second...
Self Talk

Self Talk

Mr Almost-Two is enjoying putting pairs of words together at the moment, often featuring the word ME. Every time he falls over, which is quite often given that he is an almost two year old boy, he says “Alright me?“  Then he picks himself up and carries on with whatever he was doing. It never fails to make me smile. As a mum, I fall down sometimes too.  It wouldn’t hurt to take a moment and ask “Alright...
Big Boy Bed

Big Boy Bed

As I write this post I have two sleeping kids – in their BEDS.  We dismantled the cot today, and my not-so-baby-boy is fast asleep in his big boy bed.  So far so good.  The only sound I’ve heard is snoring! We talked a lot about the transition, so he was very well prepared for the move and very excited about it all.  He loves his new jungle quilt and striped sheets, he loves climbing up and down himself,...
Do You See What I See?

Do You See What I See?

What do you see?  A mess of snipped junk mail, or something more? It’s a pond, silly! Here, I’ll help you: Frog, rocks, lily pads, fish, dragonfly, reeds. See? A whole ecosystem! (With night time stars reflected in the water…) When I stop looking with grownup eyes and start looking with toddler eyes this beautiful creation comes to life.  It ceases to be a box full of junk mail and becomes the play...
Mum's Stuff

Mum's Stuff

I’m not precious about stuff.  Stuff gets old, stuff gets broken, stuff gets lost.  It’s all just stuff.  I’m usually quick to say, “Never mind.  No big deal…” to the kids when accidents happen.  Usually.  Not this time.  I could have cried. There are very few things in our home which are solely mine, and my laptop is one of them.  It got a special mention in my 100th post,...
Hi-Tech Play School

Hi-Tech Play School

If you visit my blog regularly, follow my tweets or read my facebook updates you’ll know I’m a Play School fan.  A big one.  Partly because after more than 40 years on Australian television screens it remains the #1 program in the hearts of Aussie mum and kids – and partly because I secretly wonder if I’ve missed my calling in life by not being a presenter. Yesterday the show opened with regular...
My Little Postman

My Little Postman

There once was a boy who loved to post. He could post anything, anywhere. He posted things in the bin and the toilet and the dishwasher and the laundry basket and the sink. He posted through the verandah slats and out of windows. The boy’s mother made him a postbox so that he could post sensibly, but the boy was not interested in sensible. He was interested in interesting. It’s interesting to post necklaces...
Handbag Of Tricks

Handbag Of Tricks

If you have to take your children out to a place where they need to sit still and be quiet, a bag of tricks is a prerequisite!  I’ve often been amazed at the small items mums have tucked into the pockets of their handbags and nappy bags to entertain their littlies.  I have seen some mums with mini crayon packets and notebooks, and others with a stash of small cars.  One creative mum I know has a transparent scarf...
The Perfect First Cut

The Perfect First Cut

1.  Invite the hairdresser to your house 2.  Let big sis go first so you can see it’s totally safe 3.  Pick the coolest cape 4.  Have your best buddy on hand for moral support 5.  Soak up the attention when Mummy says you’re handsome!
Three Easy Wreaths

Three Easy Wreaths

Nothing acknowledges that you are embracing Christmas quite like a wreath on the front door.  It says, “We’re happy it’s Christmas and we’re happy you’re here too!”  Have you got one on your door yet?  If not, here are three super easy wreaths you can make with your toddler, all using paper plates as an inexpensive base. For each of the wreaths, start with a plain paper plate. ...