Gift Guide:: For Little Boys

Traditionally, boys are difficult to buy for. Well men are. Girls and women? So easy. If you're having trouble with some gift buying, maybe you can glean some inspiration here? 


1. Aqua Jet from Kidstuff $19.99 - Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a water fight, would it. Well unless you live on the flip side of the world, and in which case - this Christmas gift guide is not for you.

2. Luke & Leia t-shirt from Well Spotted $35 - These are - without doubt - THE best t-shirts my children have ever worn. They are completely locally made, with the wittiest words, they fit beautifully, and they wear amazingly well. You can pass these on for a few kids and still have an awesome t-shirt. Promise.

3. Areaware Cubebot Medium from Kido Store $39.95 - I love these. My kids love these. They're super cute.

4. Snurk Astronaut Quilt cover set from Talo Interiors $159 - Um hello? Dreams made. And it will make my kids make their bed. Problem solved. 

5. Classic Whoopee Cushion from Lark $9.95 - PFFT! I love a good whoopee cushion gag. 
6. Skylanders Swap Force Starter Pack from JB Hi-Fi $79 - In case you've been living under a rock for the past few months (lucky you) these are the toy de jour. Gift one of these and you're in the good books. Yes, your kids know if you've been naughty or nice.

7. Minti Mexi Triangles Bondi Boardies from Little Pinwheel $59.95 - Bright, graphic and awesome - no boy can get through summer without a cool pair of boardies.

8. Hand Art Tattoo Pens from Third Drawer Down $10 - Remember being small and getting in trouble for drawing on your hand? Hey! Lighten up mum! These are made for drawing on little hands. It is the holiday season, after all. 

9. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien from Berkelouw Books $34.95 - The Doctor really wanted to read The Hobbit, got a little way in, but I think was turned off by a) the sheer size and b) lack of pictures. I found this hardcover version and can't wait to give it to him on Christmas day so we can read it together.

10. Speedo Sea Squad Spinning Dive Toys from Rebel Sport $18.75 - Encourage the active this summer. These are fun and get your small swimming with play at the heart of it! 

Uber Good Gift Guide:: For Little Boys

Looking for ideas for a small boy? I've got a few. I live with one so I've got it pretty sussed when it comes to seven year olds. 

You gotta keep it fun - right? You don't want any sad faces on the day, so you amp up the fun - and sneak a few utilitarian pieces in there. Here we go!

1. Embroidered Anchor Short from Seed $49.95:: Ships ahoy! What land lover (or sea dog) couldn't love these super cute shorts?

2. LEGO The Hobbit - The Goblin King Battle:: Anyone who knows the Doctor knows what a LEGO lover he is. This new Hobbit themed collection is high on his hit list. He'd be the happiest of all Christmas elves if Santa delivered this.

3. Best. Day. Ever! tee from Well Spotted $35:: I have never met a Well Spotted tee I didn't love. These do as they say - they make your kids even funnier. Plus the t-shirts themselves are exceptionally good quality (hand-made and screen printed by hand locally). Plus Tony (the maker) is a super cool guy.

4. Areaware Jnr Pico Owl cushion from Kido Store $49.95:: We can't have a pet - so this cushion could serve as a temporary stand in. And it's a little bit Harry Potter-ish. Mail anyone?

5. The Hobbit - graphic novel from Booktopia $22.75:: My boy is a book worm and is hungry for new books to satiate him. He might have to read it before seeing the film.

6. Birdhouse Titanium Skateboard from Rebel Sport $119.95:: What little dude wouldn't want to get rad on one of these decks? That's some seriously cool gear - and created by Tony Hawk. Hello people. Did someone say TONY HAWK?? 

7. Battleship game from Games Paradise $29.95:: My little guy is pretty enamoured with this game. A fun game of strategy, perfect for the school holidays to beat the boredom.  

8. Wahu Dive Rings from Kidstuff $17.99:: Being in the pool is already fun - add these dive rings and I'm a happy lady. Oh wait. They're for the kids. Well. We can share. Can't we?

9. 50 50 Savings Bank from Third Drawer Down $28:: Who doesn't need help with saving? Oh I see no one raised their hand. Right then - this little money box is just the ticket to get the smalls into saving and saving. See what I did there? 

10. True or False Game from Lark $14.95:: Oh man - never have I seen anything more appropriate for the Doctor than this very game. He loves asking me random trivia questions. And don't I just love it when I'm trying to reverse park into an incredibly tight space?! Moving along - this looks good. Very good. And if you're not into that - then how gorgeous is this? And pragmatic. 

Gareth Malone: Art of Teaching

Did you watch Gareth Malone's Extraodinary School for Boys on ABC1 last night? If not, you totes missed out. He is amazing. Catch it on iView if you can - it's a brilliant prgram. Particularly if you have boys.

How To Spend Special Days

Matt took yesterday off to spend the day with me. Swoon.

We had lunch with my sisters and just each of our little girls (all the boy cousins were off at school, pre-school or with their papas). Matt was clearly the odd one out (not that Matt's a cousin. I mean, I'm from the country - but we're not from that high up in the hills - can you hear the Bluegrass playing?).

I spent the day in my very favourite boots. Oldies but goodies.

It was my birthday. But oddly, it felt like any other day.

We're having a take-two later in the week. I'll try and jump out of my own birthday cake. Think it's possible?