Getting School Ready (sp)

Faber Castell Single Hole Pencil Sharpener: keep them en pointe this year!
Document Wallet Printed (A4): perfect for notes and readers
Staedtler Norris Club Coloured Pencils: get them colouring within the lines (or outside!)
Studymate MegaMonster Premium Scrapbook: make lunches more exciting by keeping a scrapbook

I can barely believe the school holidays are almost over. Gasp! I love school holidays, it's relaxed. There's no school lunches, no morning rush, no fossicking through the laundry searching for clean uniforms. It's living the dream. Ha! Particularly when I am on holidays from work too. 

But these holidays I've decided to use the time to get a bit organised. When the kids got sent home last week of term with a list of stationery requirements for the year ahead - I sighed. It felt like forever away. But fast-forward and we're just a few weeks off being back in the grind, so together with Officeworks, I'm sharing my top tips on how to get your child school-ready. 

1. Talk about it: Don't go into the cone of silence, talk about school. Talk about what it's going to be like (particularly if they haven't started school), talk about teachers, about friends, maybe even talk about playground politics (because heck, we have SO been there). We talk about the year that has been - and what a big year it was - recognise this, and then talk about all the opportunities that lie ahead. Communicating allays fears and helps their growing minds. 

2. Involve them: When you're getting prepped for school - you might just want to knock it all over by yourself (we all know that's quicker), but by involving your child, you can make them feel like the captain of their school-ship. I let my kids have input into things like lunch boxes, school shoes (but they have to be fitted properly), and a couple of key rings on a school bag helps them feel like they're personalising their kit!

3. Sleep isn't for the weak: While I could sleep for the week, my kids love to stay up late in the holidays, and they love to get up early too. Sigh. A couple of weeks before school goes back, start that nice routine again so that they are getting enough rest. I also wind down activities in this period too so they're not so tired from running about everywhere. We stay home and have quiet days, playing board games and soaking up the together-ness. Children love routine, and love to know what's happening next, so if you can set this up early, it should help to make things easier.

4. Cut corners: I'm not usually one for cutting corners, but if you can outsource something. Outsource it. Officeworks has a free School List Service that allows you to submit your list at your local store - and their team members will pick and pack on your behalf for free. They'll even call or SMS you when it's ready to collect. 

5. Start a scrapbook: School lunches get so. darn. boring. Start a scrapbook with lunch ideas so you're never stuck for fresh, nutritious ideas. (I love this Studymate MegaMonster scrapbook for just 88cents!)

Officeworks has also just launched a new app for growing minds - suitable for both primary and secondary students, that's fun and educational. Check it out! 

It would be remiss not to mention Officeworks support for The Smith Family's Back to School Appeal - aimed at helping 638,000 disadvantaged Australian children succeed at school. You can buy a donation stationery card in store, or go online and help provide a child with their school needs. 

Are you ready to get back to school? 

Big Dreams Launches New Online Magazine - And It's Dreamy

this is a sponsored post

When we visited Melbourne at Christmas time, I gathered up some recommendations from friends on great kids shops. I still had some gift shopping to conquer. 

In all of those recommendations Big Dreams kept coming up. Obviously this was a gorgeous store - my friends have impeccable taste. So I swept in there, my jaw dropped (because if you haven't been there, it is beautifully styled and there's so much awesome-ness to drink in) distracted the kids with all the beautiful merchandising, and set to secretly squirrelling bits and pieces away at the counter - those little people of mine were oblivious. 

It was such a great, and memorable shopping experience - the store is filled to the brim with goodness, it was difficult to not go completely crazy (except for the fact my husband was staying within a 3 metre radius of me). 

Happily Big Dreams have launched their brand spanking new magazine for Winter. It's a beautiful edit of pieces available in store (and in their online store). It's the mix of seeing the clothes on real kids, and also the way it's styled - Big Dreams understands kids, and lets them be kids - it's playful, real and big on colour. Just the way I like things. 

Follow Big Dreams on Facebook
Check out the action on Instagram
Shop online here
And download the beautiful magazine here 


* Very occasionally I write sponsored posts. They're only ever about brands/stores I really, really love, and I know you'll love them too. And I am a massive supporter of Australian retailers. Shop local! This is my honest opinion which is why I can blog openly about it. It's rad. I wanted to share. 

Kid Snacks. It's A Smoothie. We Love Smoothies.

I've been messing about with smoothie recipes over the last couple of months to find what my smalls like, and what works best. I wouldn't call it a science, I'd call it - what's in the fridge, and what appeals to kids. I can recommend it for getting rid of some slightly overripe fruits, and sneaking a bit of extra nutrition into your kids day.

Take this one for example. Not groundbreaking, but really delicious - and the smalls woofed it down. Or is it wolfed it? Either way, they were into it. 

PMM's Raspberry & Banana Ripple

1 cup of frozen raspberries
1 ripe banana (go for frozen, it makes smoothies creamier)
1 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds (any colour)
1 tablespoon honey (not pictured)

Toss all ingredients into your blender, pulse for 1 minute or until smoothie is at a consistency that makes you happy, pour into two glasses. Straws. Smiles. BOOM! 

Another alternative to this? I love this one. It's fresh, and delicious.

PMM's Minty Raspberry Slushie

1 cup of frozen berries (choose whatever you like)
around 7-8 frozen cubes of natural apple juice*
a handful of mint leaves
1 tablespoon of chia
1 slurp of water 

I throw everything into the blender, the water helps loosen up the mixture so it's not so thick. Blitz for 1 minute and serve in two glasses, with a straw and a spoon. 

This is a good alternative to a normal smoothie, as my kids really like that it's more a slushie than a smoothie.

* by freezing apple juice (I put them into ice cube trays) means the smoothies take on a slushie consistency, which my kids are mad for. 



KitchenAid lent me some attachments to try out, and I've loved using them. This is not a sponsored post. The blender is so great, easy to use, and I wanted to share.  

Actual Conversations With My Two Year Old (Not MY Two Year Old - I Don't Have One)

This is probably the funniest thing you're going to see today.

Two grown men reenact a conversation one of the grown men had with a two year old. 

I do hope they make a few more of these.

We're A Black School Shoe Down

We are back in the throes of school life. Back, arms flailing, struggling for breath, amidst the white sea ponies, the flurry of water, gasping for breath, we're back. Dramatic? Moi? Of course I am.

But that's how it feels. Out of my control, a disconnect because I'm at work - and yet -  we're cast back to the frenzy and almost Draconian routine that school life entails. 

It makes me sad to my stomach just thinking about it.

So the Doctor started Year Two today, and Tiny, well she's beside herself excited - next week she starts Kindergarten and she can barely contain her excitement. It's beyond cute, and so *almost* contagious. That girl is thrilled to be amidst all the learning. She was a little disappointed not to be starting today. 

But it's good news that she's not starting today. Why? Well not just to drag out my sadness and guilt, but because we're a black shoe down. 

Last week she got her shoes fitted. This week we can only find one shoe. This is going to be interesting.

Matt and I have both turned her room completely upside down searching for that lone, lurking Mary-Jane - to no avail. 

It's no surprise we can't find it. Her room is an overwhelming mess. Piles and piles of clothes, Lego for me to tread on at midnight, and dolls clothes. Not to mention the leaning tower of books. And the pencils tipped out on her bed. 

I overheard Tiny proclaim to her cousin during the holidays - when asked why her room was such a mess: "Because I like it that way!"

Let's hope that lone shoe turns up in the next few days. Otherwise she's going to be Hopalong Cassidy meets Tiny the Pegleg. 

image  - Walk to School 1954 by Willy Ronis

Road Tripping: 9 Ideas To Keep Your Kids Entertained

It's high time holiday season, and if you're getting ready for roadtripping with your smalls, I've got some ideas to keep them occupied.

I've had my fair share of roadtripping with smalls - with or without Matt - it can be tricky. But over the years I've figured out what works and what doesn't - and what's absolutely imperative.

1. Remember when Toyota generously took us to Thredbo for the weekend? We were lucky enough to drive the Toyota Prado down - which, had it been our car, we never would have made it into the snow - it was falling so heavily when we arrived. But what I really, really loved about that car was: the DVD player, the built-in fridge, and the sunroof (so we could watch the snow falling). But you're not going to see snow this Summer. But the novelty of that roof - well hellz yes! I loved it. And the DVD player? Well we don't have one, and we travel quite modestly, but this was a nice touch to while away the six hour drive. The fridge was pretty darn awesome to keep our drinks cool - but that's a no-brainer.

2. So Santa's not bringing you a brand new Prado. Go directly to Daiso (or any other Hot Dollar style shop), and jump start your roadtrip with some cheap and cheerful stickers, colouring books, and textas (actually - the textas from Daiso are crummy, so don't get them there). I like to have - ready for when the smalls get in the car - a new colouring book, or doodling book ready for them. They dig it too, and it buys us a little bit of quiet time in the car. Leave the scissors, glitter and glue stick at home. I am speaking from experience.

3. Pack Justine Clarke. Or any kids CD that your kids love. Our favourite is Justine, but we're also getting into audio books - and Roald Dahl is a goodie. We also like to bust out a bit of Gaga for a sing-a-long. Sure to induce eye-rolling from your partner.

4. There are only so many games of eye-spy I can come to, so set up some kind of simple points system for spotting yellow cars. Or green cars. Or whatever it is your kids want to spot. We can get kind of competitive. And this game can go on for hours.

5. Take a break. Not only is it imperative for the driver - but everyone is rewarded by a quick pit stop. Stretch your legs, stop somewhere with a park, let the smalls run around for a little while and enjoy the trip rather than rushing hither and thither.

6. Sleepy. I pack small blankets and cuddle toys - and tell the kids that the trip will go muuuuch faster if they have a little nap. Silence is so, so sweet.

7. Charge your batteries. The Doctor has a Nintendo DSi and I encourage him to charge the batteries - and bring some games for Tiny.

8. Snacks. Well it's not a roadtrip until someone cracks open the snacks. I'm into packing lollies (of course I am), water, fruit (I cut up some apples), rice crackers, and some nuts. Mix things up - pack a snack pack for each of your kids - and take some spare containers. I like to think it keeps the back of the car a little cleaner. Well. I like to think it.

9. Talk. We always have good conversations when we're driving long distances and the only distractions are the occasional cow or kangaroo. It's a good time to catch up on what everyone's up to, what everyone's excited about and what everyone wants to do when you reach your destination.

I'm an advocate of the roadtrip - if you're going on one this summer - please drive carefully.

This is not a sponsored post. 

image source EmSem

Things I Love and Making With The Smalls At The School

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Megan Morton's brand spanking new book 'Things I Love'. It's beautiful, and if you don't already own a copy - get your mitts on one, Christmas list it, buy it as a gift for yourself, whatever it takes - just get one. It's sheer brilliance.

Full of beautiful homes - and even more beautiful inspiration, and ideas-a-plenty Megan once again trumps it with her own brand of beautiful. There's a lot to love.

And on the night itself, she was glowing.

 Absolutely take it from me, and put it on your Christmas - or treat yourself. You can buy 'Things I Love' here.
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I took the smalls to make God's Eyes with Little Nicki at The School on Saturday. Megan met us at the door, and was doing her thing, charming the pants off anyone who came in.

The Doctor hears me talking about Megan quite frequently, so knew meeting her was kind of a big deal. He was SO cute and chuffed to be talking to her.

We spent such a lovely morning sitting together creating amidst a sea of coloured wool. It was such fun. 

If you've thought about doing one of Megan's classes - do. It's such a rare treat to sit and make. And for me, it was so good for me (and no doubt my smalls) to sit with them and not have any other distractions (other than the need to Instagram what they were doing every now and then) - and be.

Check out the timetable here for The School.

Parenting Fail

The other day Tiny lined up to pay for something, I stood behind her, because she was busting to do it herself. There were two kids in front, and another behind. And then the one behind pushed in front.

At first the mother said: "Oh hey, there's a line."

And then the kid inched forward, until she was standing right in front of Tiny and I.

The mother stood there and did nothing. Until I shot her a death stare.

Sure - if it's a toddler that just happens to get in front - no dramas - but if it's a five year old that, in my book, should know better, or have a parent to steer them in the right direction. I'm not asking for much, just some manners. 

So I shot the mother a death stare, and then she realised that I knew her kid had pushed in front. 

The mother feebly said: "Oh sorry she got in front."

And then proceeded to do nothing about it.  

So I pushed the kid over.

Ok. I didn't.

But it reminded me of a month or so ago, when I was at a toy shop with my smalls and they were rattling off everything they loved. Which was everything. And Tiny was besottedly staring up at the Barbies, in their neat shelving, standing side by side. Her eyes lit up, and she just couldn't decide which one was best. In a rare moment of equal interest, I stood beside her and we looked at them together. Until this small child came up, and as Tiny took one Barbie from the shelf, she dutifully snatched it from her hands. Not just sidling up and having a look - snatched them from Tiny.

This continued for about five minutes. And all the while, the father of this kid stood there, looking on. No doubt thinking what an awesome child he had.

But not me. I glared at him and forced him to actually - shock horror - parent.

He told his daughter that they were going - and then walked off down the aisle. Leaving the child behind. Standing there. Snatching Barbies off us.

So I pushed the kid over.

Ok. Ok. I didn't. But my goodness. I wanted to. Or at least push the parents over. And jelly wrestle them. Show them the mettle I am made of. Don't mess with me or my KIDS OK!?

I mean dudes, are you so oblivious to what your kids are doing - while you are gloating over them, that you're letting them get away with this pretty ordinary behaviour?

It reminds me a gentler version of The Slap. Except I did nothing except issue death stares.

What do you do when someone else's kid is being a dweeb?

image via Pinterest

Carly Rae Jepson VS Cookie Monster

Who doesn't love this mash up of Sesame Street's Cookie Monster singing Call Me Maybe? Raise your right hand if you dare. I'll raise you a cookie or two.

Horrid Henry School Holidays Giveaway

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.

I'm Famous! (Also Known As: What To Do In The School Holidays)

Tiny has a fascination with being famous at the moment. I'm not altogether convinced she quite grasps the idea of being famous, but when something good happens she'll jump up and down and shout: "I'm famous, I'm famous." And then she does a funny little jig and continues her chant.

It's cute rather than being precocious. Well I can say that, I am her mama.

Last weekend we got to tread the charcoal swirly carpet to view a preview of Brave. (Almost famous.) There was highland dancing, bagpipers, face painting, and then of course - the movie.The smalls were in utopia.

Brave is all about a teenage girl-princess, Merida, growing up in Scotland. It involves bows and arrows, haggis, bears, and a witchy woodworker. We found it pretty enchanting. Tiny got scared at one point and climbed onto my lap - and then continued to rave about Brave after we got home.

I loved listening to Billy Connelly and Emma Thompson breathing life into their characters. And the gags that went over the kid's heads.

The smalls loved the adventure, the story, the action and the excitement. For us, it's school holiday viewing recommended. And basically, since I need all the help I can get for school holidays - I'm going to continue this week with some more school holiday worthy ideas that you might like.

Or are you going away somewhere warm? And in that case - take. me. with. you.

Really Rather Super

How cool is this video for Pottery Barn?

The simplicity. The palette. The print and pattern. The small people. And the illustration.

I think I've gone to heaven.

Playschool Flashback: Who Was Your Favourite?

During the late hours, somehow I stumbled upon these Playschool outtakes. Some are very funny. Most in fact. Or maybe I was just delirious.


John was always my favourite on Playschool, with Benita a close second. 


Who was your favourite?

LEGO Celebrates 50 Years In Australia

Fifty years ago, a man named John Peddie landed in Sydney carrying a briefcase of LEGO. I don't know whether he brought any clothes to change into - Sydney can be humid, it's wise to travel with spare clothes. But nope - John arrived with a suitcase of LEGO to introduce us Aussies to the humble brick.


John, who is still a member on the Australian LEGO Board of Directors said: "The brand name LEGO comes from the Danish expression 'Leg Godt', which translates as 'play well'. When first arriving in the country, this was my mission, to encourage Australia to 'play well' and it remains the same today."


To celebrate the 50th anniversary, LEGO are hosting a series of events all inspired by the iconic LEGO bricks. There are loads of ways to become involved - which we will be doing our utmost to be part of! We live and breath LEGO. It's part of our daily routine - and that's about to ramp up! 


Did you know that every Australian owns an average of 70 LEGO bricks? We have much, much more. In fact we've probably got about 70 Australians worth of LEGO. That's a heck of a lotta LEGO.


Meanwhile, you should totes check out the website, because I just have the hunch something is brewing over there. Something good is brewing. 


This is not a sponsored post. I love LEGO. You love LEGO. We can all LEGO love together.

Dangerous Kids VS Bubble Wrapped Cloistered Kids

Do you let your kids do dangerous things? Me? Nope. Not really. Which is a shame really. It is. They live this cloistered life where they don't get to experience life's heady ups and it's way down downs. 


While my kids don't live a dangerous life, I do try and invest in them a sense of independence. I think independence in children is an absolutely positive thing. It's what you want. Well it's what I want anyhow. 


I lived a childhood where we tore up the streets riding our bikes 'round and 'round, through church yards, up and down gravel roads. We walked to the local BP station for mixed lollies. We walked bare foot through grass. We got sunburnt. I jumped into the pool. Mum had to fish me out. We lit fire crackers. We made bonfires. We made teepees out of sticks. I jumped into the pool. Mum had to fish a blue-faced me out. We drove through my grandparent's paddocks, me sitting on Gramps' knee steering. I got rose thorns in my fingers. I trod on bindis. I trod on prickles. I trod on bees. I trod on a nail. Yes. I trod on a lot. That's what happens when you have big feet like me. 


We had cats, dogs, rabbits, lambs, birds, fish and chickens for pets. Life was good. Life was full. And Mum and Dad cast out a net for us to catch our own experiences. 


And then I look at my children's experiences. They don't really play out on the street with the other kids. Society has in a way wrapped them up in bubble-wrap and cloistered our kids. We're raising a generation of kids that are bubble-wrapped. Heck, all the playgrounds these days are safety-conscious they've removed the fun from it. Where's the sense of adventure? 


One of my friends posted this TED Talk on their Facebook page (thanks to whoever that was) and I became inspired. 


I'm inspired to let my children experience more. I want them to play with fire - but with boundaries. I want them to pull things apart. I'm going to let my kids use knives. I'm going to give my kids tools to experience life to a fuller capacity. They can throw spears too - just not sure where we're going to do that. 


If for one thing alone, watching this has added a new dimension to my parenting. I want my kids to live a colourful and rich childhood. A pocket-knife is now on my shopping list for the Doctor's birthday.

When Small People Won't Go To Bed. And Steam Comes Out Your Ears.

I am like this hamster running on one of those wheels. Running. Running. Running. And getting nowhere fast. 


Tiny is totally punishing me lately. 


All week she's been a reluctant sleeper, there have been raised voices. There's been hollow threats. And a threat of punishment (and I struggle with this because I can't think of anyway to punish her - because her response is always so non-chalant).  Once she's finally wrestled down to sleep - I find myself in the middle of the night pushed to the edge of the bed - with no covers on me. Cold, uncomfortable, and with no pillow.


This week her bed linen had been changed after an accident, and had literally been replaced, when she came out to me and told me her bed was wet. 


She denied denied denied, then blamed it on the Doctor and said he wee'd on her bed. I told her that the Doctor didn't do it (because I know the Doctor better than she does), finally she admitted that no, the Doctor had nothing to do with it. Instead she had been playing with water on her bed, and now her doona was wet through. 


I was pretty cross. 


It was one of those nights when you're like a jack-in-a-box, up and down, up and down, putting the smalls back into bed. Then they come out again. And so on for around 15 minutes. Then the steam starts to pour out your ears, and you walk them back and tell them once more - don't come out again. It's late. It's bed time. 


So this is where we were. I stripped the bed again when there was an almighty crash. I peer into the Doctor's bedroom and he's inadvertently smashed his bedside lamp. Glass everywhere.


If someone was checking my blood pressure, I think that cuff thing they put on would have been torn to shreds as I turned into the Incredible Hulk. 


Seriously. The bed humdrum is killing me. And not softly. 
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Images - despite being totally unrelated were something that made the smalls and I laugh today. We went to visit my sister, Sarah at Calico + Ivy today, and en route to get some smoothies, we spotted a plane vapour trailing his way through the sky. 'Marry Me'. We stood with our mouths agape looking skyward, causing other pedestrians to do the same. By the time the pilot got to me the marry had blown away and looked like a mangled version of the word. Whoever commissioned that - I hope they got in quickly. 

Censoring Music

More and more I'm finding that I am needing to censor music from my children's young ears.

It's not like I'm listening to NWA or any heavy-handed lyrics. I'm talking everyday music that I once took for granted. Lily Allen. Gotye. Black Eyed Peas. I could go on, but I can't think of anyone else right now.

Apparently everyone's dropping the f-bomb in their lyrical miracles, and it's become au fait.

You're talking to PottyMouthMama here. I tried to delete swearing from my vocab the moment I birthed my first babe.

I'm not just playing Justine Clarke CDs over and over again, but help a girl out - what's your tactic when artists are getting their swear on? I'm not some little prude sitting in the corner. Surely I am not alone.

I want my kids to remain kids for as long as possible. To preserve that innocence for as many years as possible.

I remember vividly playing records on my Uncle Silas' record player, discovering the Beatles, Tiny Tim and many others as I worked my way through my parent's collection.

I remember puzzling over lyrics and wondering what they meant - and imagining my own innocent meaning - but I don't remember them cussing on the mike. Ever.

Now piles of CDs are relegated to times when I am alone, in the car, or if the smalls have gone out. Clearly, my music collection is somewhat refined when in their company - but their innocence is worth more to me than listening to a song. Can you dig?

Naked? In Front Of Your Kids? *GASP*

A couple of years ago I heard of a couple who never got naked in front of their kids. This isn't an urban legend. The children had never seen their dad naked, and according to the parents - they weren't ever going to either.

I was a little shocked  because - well nudity is a feature in our house. We're not nude all of the time, but we're not not nude all of the time.

But what I found most shocking was the organisation that this would entail.

I re-enacted it in my head. I would have to take all my clothes to the bathroom when I showered. I would have to close doors. I don't usually close doors. But above all, I wouldn't be able to stand at my wardrobe, in a definite state of undress, deciding what to wear for the day. This startled me. I usually walk around the house in the morning in various states of dress before finally getting my stuff together and getting it on. I thought about how small our house (smaller than a shoebox) and how difficult life would be if they never saw me naked.

I think it's good to be nude in front of my kids!

And this is part of the naked upside down breastfeeder talk. People, generally men, didn't like the idea that she was nude! And she was breastfeeding.

But for me, being nude is good. It's a positive! Being nude shows children real bodies. Bumps, lumps, hips and dips. Everything. I have thought about all those perfect images of women and men being presented perfectly in the media - airbrushed, over-styled, and after sitting in a make-up chair for a couple of hours. 

While my body isn't perfect it is pretty awesome. It's grown babies. It's birthed babies. It's fed babies. It can run up and down stairs. It does so much cool stuff. And my brain drives it. Pretty rad when you think about it.


image of Chilli Peppers via

Kids Night Out

This post is sponsored by Nuffnang.

If you’re looking for activities for the kids these holidays, check out the free outdoor cinema at Sydney Olympic Park.   We went on Saturday night, and it’s fun – we can vouch for that. We kicked back with other picnicking families and enjoyed each other’s company, on a clean, green patch of grass, under a perfect blue sky, and waited until it darkened enough to watch Cars 2.


The smalls loved the laid-back vibe, hanging out with other smalls, and the novelty of lying under the star-strewn sky and watching a movie. It was pretty special curling up with those little wiggly bodies and enjoying this first with them.

The Doctor finished the night with his: “This was my best night ever.”


Running until January 29th Kids in the Park has a whole menu of activities (more than 50!) to choose from an ace school holiday program catering to all ages (and all free or under $20). If you’re into movies, there’s lots to choose from (The Smurfs, Harry Potter etc) – you can check out the flicks here .

Kids in the Park runs every school holiday at Sydney Olympic Park.

Christmas Gift Guide: Kids!

I love compiling gift guides. Use them as you will, over the coming weeks I'm going to be putting together some more ideas to share with one and all and to trouble shoot tricky Christmas gifts for you, me and everyone else. So today, the smalls. They can be tricky. I often think the simpler the gift, the better. Get those imaginations a-cranking.

Acrylic prisms with coloured optical filters - Third Drawer Down - $27

For the coolest, funniest t-shirts that are Australian-made - check out Well Spotted $35

A beautiful book of craft activities by Todd Oldham - Ecobabe $34.95

Hand made doll with proceeds to benefit Royal Children's Hospital - Big by Fiona Scanlan $39.95

MMMG Drawing Book - Ver. 05 - Flying - Notemaker $19.95

A beautiful butterfly kite - Leading Edge Kites $35

LEGO. LEGO. LEGO. You just can't go wrong. Alien Conquest is hot in our house LEGO $7.99

Too cute toy kitchen made from sturdy cardboard - Lark $39.95

Super cool limited edition burger melamine plate - Dawn Tan (genius) $25

Be the coolest cat at kindy with the Minti Sneaky Eyes backpack - Little Pinwheel $49.95

Ten cool ideas for those kidlets in your life!