The Doctor is a mad keen word fantatic. He's seven, and has just finished reading Harry Potter, the first and second books. Yikes I haven't even read one. He loves curling up with a good book on the weekend, and reminds me of a younger me - lying in the sun devouring books in a day. Nothing beats the thrill of a page turner. It is a joy to see him enjoying the written word. There's so much to be gleaned from a love of words. Well in my book (pun intended) there is. I was sent the game Bananagrams. I've seen it around the traps but never played it before. But my goodness, it is a really good game. We've been playing it after dinner. In fact the Doctor likes it so much he'd play it at every opportunity. Before school, after school. He even tried to bring it with him when we went to Cockatoo Island the other day.
No scoring (which is great in my book), just playing all the letters to make adjoining words. Good old-fashioned word nerd fun.
I foresee long rounds of Bananagrams during the school holidays.
Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Bananagrams was sent to PMM to try. Honesty is the best policy. It's a great game. I like it. The Doctor likes it. Matt likes it. Tiny likes joining random letters. I think you might like it. I wanted to share.
Last week the Doctor and I went on a date. To Tetsuya's.
I know. Right?!
Electrolux invited us to enjoy a Kids in the Kitchen Masterclass with Tets. Who was I to decline?
We enjoyed such a wonderful night learning from the master - two easy recipes - scrambled eggs with ricotta, creamed corn and truffles, and twice cooked chicken with bread sauce. So easy and accessible you can get the kidlets involved cooking dinner. Plus - those eggs, oh em gee peeps. Make them for Father's Day. I am telling you, they are a winner.
As well as enjoying the gentle company of Tetsuya, we learnt about the Electrolux Induction Cooktop. If you are in the market for a new kitchen - check it out. You will thank me. Yes. Yes you will.
There's no use crying over spilt milk, because if you're boiling milk on your Electrolux cooktop it won't bake it on to the stove. The heat is only retained where the saucepan has a magnetic field. Pretty cool if you ask me. Plus it distributes heat evenly which means perfectly cooked pancakes and scrambled eggs. This is clearly a big deal for me because we are a family that loves pancakes and scrambled eggs.
The Doctor got a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant with Rich (see bottom two pics by the Doctor). Rich is beyond genius and his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge just blows you out of the water. Not to mention his supersonic hearing abilities. Big thanks to Electrolux for hosting such a wonderful evening. This was a date night to remember with my little man.
PS - Do not tell Tets that the Doctor's highlight was riding in the hire car. It filled him with such glee. Boys and cars baby, boys and cars.
Please note: This is not a sponsored post. Electrolux invited me for dinner. I loved it. I went. I wanted to share.
What better way to celebrate the school holidays than with one of our favourite, most enduring toys of all time, LEGO!
These holidays have seen the Doctor madly reading Harry Potter, and falling in love with the characters and the magic. Next stop he wants to read Lord of the Rings. He's already started saving his pocket money for the biggest set of LEGO Lord of the Rings imaginable.
I've never been much for mystical fantasy - however with a seven year old who is crazy for it, I can't help but go along for the ride. I am hooked!
So if you have a like-minded small child who would be keen for some sweet Lord of the Rings LEGO action, this is for you!
You could win 1 of 5 LEGO Lord of the Rings Prize Packs including:
Shelob Attacks RRP $39.99
Gandalf Arrives RRP $22.99
To enter, all you have to do is tell me in 25 words or less if you were the Lord or Lady of something - what would it be? And why?
---------------------------- Open only to Australian residents. Must be 25 words or less to be eligible to enter. Please ensure you leave your email address. Total prize pool is valued at $314.90. Each prize pack is valued at $63.98. Competition runs from Tuesday 10th July 2012 - Monday 16th July 2012. Winners will be announced on PMM on Sunday July, 2012 and notified by email.
Have you ever read Francesa Simon's Horrid Henry books? Well. Maybe not you, but your kids?
They are very, very good. The Doctor adores them. They are funny, and clever - and just what little people like. Humour that's totally read-able, a little bit of mischief and a few illustrations tossed in.
But did you know they made a film of Horrid Henry? Just like the books, it is super good - and stars the ever-beautiful Angelica Huston, the cerebral and stylish Richard E. Grant. It's a great film - and Tiny loves it (she's four), just as the Doctor does (he's seven) just as Matt and I both do (we're in our 30s).
The good news is I have a Horrid Henry giveaway. One that's perfect for the Winter school holidays.
There will be two winners. One winner will receive the Horrid Henry DVD and a hard cover activity book. The runner up will receive one copy of the HH DVD. All you have to do to enter is tell me in 25 words or less (and I am strict so I don't get into trouble with the law):
What was so horrid about you when you were small?
--------------------------------- Open to Australian residents only Entries are open from Saturday 30th June 2012 - winners will be announced on the PottyMouthMama Facebook page on Wednesday 4th July 2012. You must be easily contactable. There will be no disputes, no arguing and strictly no haggling over the winners. PottyMouthMama is the judge of all entries. PS - I love you.
We woke up early - but not too early. The Doctor is an early riser (usually 6am, if not earlier) - but today gave us a sleep-in 'til 7ish. Maybe it's a new seven for 7am thing.
We opened presents in bed, then he requested breakfast. In bed. He wanted pikelets, so I set to work whipping them up to be devoured amidst a mess of flannel sheets, wrapping paper, and presents.
A lazy day at home was enjoyed. We watched Diary of a Wimpy Kid (gosh that is SUCH a funny film - highly recommend), hung out together, I mustered some energy to bake (I've got a cold. Poor me) a birthday cake. Cuddled. Reminisced. Cuddled some more. And altogether had a lovely day at home.
I tried to get the Doctor to go ten pin bowling but he wanted to stay home. So what's a mama to do?
We did as he wished, then went out for Chinese (as his heart desired) at our local. Because that's the way we roll. I estimate the Doctor ate about a bowl full of fried rice before declaring that he was ready for cake. READY FOR CAKE! We hurried up with the eating - and then brought out his dream cake... A Freddo ice-cream cake. I know I've talked about this cake before - and I struggle with this cake!
So above is the cake we're having after dinner tomorrow. To celebrate both boy's birthdays and to continue the birthday festivities. Because that's the way I roll.
I so vividly remember everything from before his birth right up to to his birth. Everything. - vomiting spaghetti bolognaise, to telling Matt quite tersely that he'd better hurry up and anticipate my needs. And stop turning the damn lights on. I am an animal. I am in labour. I want to labour in the dark. In the nude. And PS - do not mess with me.
I remember walking over 2 kms the afternoon before the birth - hiring Sex and the City and laughing when the guy shrilled "see you soon". I remember in my head thinking - "you will NOT see me soon sucker, I'm in labour!" I walked all the way home, having to rest every hundred metres or so while I rode out a contraction.
I remember when Matt got home that evening. He worked as a framer (as he does now) and hugging him and bursting into tears.
I remember my sister driving like the clappers to get us to the birth centre. The labour aid exploded all over my foot. And her car. Oops.
I remember arriving at the birth centre and quite literally tearing my clothes off.
And I remember coming home with that newborn in my arms. Terrified - the revelation that: "I am responsible for this baby surviving and thriving."
Happy 7th Birthday to my beautiful little man. I am so, so happy and proud that you chose me to be your mama. Ever since we first found out about you, you've brought us great joy. Thank you. x
