Bug Hunt

My kids are energetic.  Very energetic.  I think most happy, healthy kids are – but it’s good to slow them down sometimes and help them to notice life’s little things.  One way we like to do this outside is to go on a bug hunt.  There are interesting insects and other small creatures all around, but often we don’t notice them because we are too busy.  Open your child’s eyes to the wonder...

Water Play

Did you grow up with sprinklers in the back yard?  I have fond memories of spending hot summer days running and jumping through the spray with my sister.  I remember those long green tube-like sprinklers, and the groovy ones that could spin around. I even remember being allowed to run through the sprinklers on the school oval when temperatures reached over 35 deg C.  And then of course there was slip’n'slide…

You Don’t Need Me

The last month has been challenging journey for our little family through some ups and downs. One of us came down with the flu, just as the other recovered. One of us flew away from Brisbane, just as the other returned. One family said hello to us, just as we say goodbye to another. One friend welcomed a new baby, while heartbreakingly another will bury hers this week.

Author-Illustrator Peter Carnavas

Peter Carnavas is one New Frontier‘s most celebrated author/illustrators – and rightly so.  His quirky illustrations and touching story lines warm the hearts of children and parents alike.  Four of his much-loved picture books have been re-released as Little Treasures.  These mini books come complete with an envelope ready for posting, and you can purchase them for $9.95 each, or all four for only $29.95!...

Sport vs Play

This week I was invited by Cricket Queensland to meet legendary cricketer Allan Border and hear about the in2CRICKET program for kids. The program aims to involve primary school aged kids in a shorter version of the game (which doesn’t take up a whole Saturday…)

Diamond Mums

A friend of ours was recently discussing diamonds with us, after proposing to his girlfriend  It’s been over ten years since we went engagement-ring-shopping but I still remember learning about the 4 Cs – cut, clarity, colour and carat!  Our friend laughed about the fact that synthetic diamonds are often of equal beauty to natural diamonds… the only problem is that they are too perfect!

Nature Numbers

“Mummy! Mum! Look what I found. It’s a number six leaf! Cooooool!” Such excitement over a simple leaf. She then dropped it, of course, and so we set off on a search for another 6-shaped-leaf.  I suggested we look for other numeral shapes as well.

How Do You Feel Today?

How do you feel today? How do you feel today? If you’re feeling happy then clap your hands Feeling happy then clap your hands Feeling happy then clap your hands Clap your hands like this. How do you feel today? How do you feel today? If you’re feeling grumpy then stomp around Feeling grumpy then stomp around Feeling grumpy then stomp around Stomp around like this.

8 Reasons Octonauts are Awesome (Win!)

To say the Octonauts have captured my kids’ imaginations is an understatement, and I don’t think my children are alone!  I’ve overheard mums talking about the program, and kids role playing their favourite characters.  The Octonauts follows a team of adventure heroes who dive into action whenever there is trouble under the sea.  In a fleet of aquatic vehicles they rescue amazing sea creatures, explore...