My heart on a blanket

Thank you Celeste xxx

 Melinda

A photo shoot with Celeste that left me wordless...

 The Connor Clan

A few weeks back I mentioned that we had set up a family photo shoot with the gorgeous and very talented Celeste at Cilla Bloom Photography. Up until then we hadn't any family pics with our newest addition Ben, and Mark wanted some pics to frame and give to his dad as a 70th birthday pressie.

These are just a few of the moments snapped. Emma was in a foul mood but Celeste managed to get smiles outta her. Mark and I are both camera shy and very unphotogenic, but Celeste made us look half-human, and little Ben, well, as always he was just perfect!

Celeste is running an awesome special over the school holidays - 15 edited photos, 15 minute shoot for R500! FYI these moments were captured in under half an hour

 

Contact Celeste as soon as you can to avoid disappointment!


Melinda

Dear Foreigner, I'll tell you what love is...

For those of you too young to know, remember or recognise it, ''I Want To Know What Love Is" is a 1984 power ballad from the group Foreigner. it's a question that's remained unanswered...until now.

Let me tell you what love is Mr Foreigner...

Love is getting home from work and recognising straight away that my little girl isn't quite herself. Yes, she might be skipping and dancing and singing but she's not eating or drinking. Still chipper, her bright eyes and bushy tail are not as bright or as bushy.

Love is letting my baby girl lie in the bath with me because she doesn't want to bath on her own, doesn't want to be in the lounge, doesn't want to be in her room. Bath time, which usually includes a sopping wet floor, soaked pj's and bubbles EVERYWHERE is quiet and it's only once her fingers go 'winkly' that she says she wants to get out.

Love is cuddling on the couch with a blankie over us because my baby girl just isn't feeling good at all. Not even Dora or Tinkerbell can cheer her up and even the tempting offer of playing games on my cell phone is declined. The offer of gummy loops, juice, jelly tots and wriggly worms, her favourite treats, are turned down and all she wants to is 'rest'.

Love is sitting with her on the bed as she shivers and shakes from a fever. It's putting blankets on and taking them off. Love is scooping her up in my arms and putting her in our bed so she can snuggle. Love is dad changing the sports channel to The Wonderpets.

Love is Emma throwing up ALL over me and me not even noticing. It's cleaning up the mess, getting a new change of clothes, sheets and pillow cover because there's upchuck everywhere. It's telling Emma it's okay because she's crying and saying sorry for messing in the bed. Love is not noticing the big pile of barf on the front of my makeshift pyjamas.

Love is an all night vigil with my baby girl. Monitoring her temperature, dabbing her face with a cool facecloth and letting her fall asleep in my arms while I sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to her. Love is wishing I could make her feel better with a hug or a kiss. It's tickling her back, as she groans through the night, because I know she likes it. Love is, even though I'm absolutely exhausted from a long night, smiling at my little girl this morning because she's feeling a little bit better

So Mr (badly dressed 80's band) Foreigner, THAT is what love is xxx

Emma's pick of the week

I'm now proudly a Kiddlewinks agent and I am so excited to introduce Emma and Ben to a world where their imagination runs free...

One of the books I immediately got hold of was 'Vegetable Glue' by Sue Chandler. It's quirky and absurd with the most beautiful illustrations. According to the book, parts of your body will fall off if you don't eat your veggies! And as gruesome as it sounds, it really isn't.

"When my right arm fell off, I knew what to do, I stuck it back on ,with vegetable glue". Emma giggled and yelled and soon we were rhyming together. She loved the drawings (so did I) and Ben seemed to be enjoying watching his sister!

If you like this then you'll enjoy ONE LUCKY DUCK, SMELLY BILL, SMIDGE and DIRTY BERTIE, all available from Kiddlewinks

Happy reading xxx

Judge a book by its cover!

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go"

                                                                                                                    

~ Dr. Seuss

Kiddlewinks believes that reading is a right, not a luxury and that's why they offer the most awesome books at the most awesome prices.

Titles available include

Nurture a love for reading by buying books as birthday presents, rather than toys. Make reading fun by buying books on topics your child loves and don't make story time only at bed time..

Email me if you'd like to receive updates of new titles, specials or for price lists

Happy reading xxx

Things you can't learn in a classroom

Dearest Emma

Friday was end of term for you and in your bag, along with all your works of heart, was your report.

Over a cup of coffee I sat reading through it, looking for the 1's and 2's, hoping not to see too many 3's or 4's. Looking through it I had to keep reminding myself that you're one of the youngest in your class and that there are things you still need to grasp, understand and achieve, like numbers, social sciences and space and shape. It goes without saying that you're a little Miss Chatterbox sometimes and you have a tendency to distract your fellow classmates, but I know that with a little bit of 'maturity' and time, you'll soon understand classroom etiquette and settle down.

Where you do shine Emma, and I beamed with pride when I read it, is with your vocab, your sense of humour, your manners and your 'spiritual development'. You show tolerance and acceptance of those around you. You display kindness, compassion and empathy beyond your years. You are independent with a good self esteem and you love making other people feel special too. You take the 'newbies' under your wing and even though some of them are the same age as you, or older, you make sure they're okay. You encourage and praise and you make sure your friends know that their best is good enough. Even at home, if I'm putting one of your toys together or playing a game with you, you cheering "C'mon mommy you can do it! Try a little harder!" spurs me on. And once the task is completed your hearty and sincere "Well done mama! Well done!" makes me glad I didn't give up.

Though good marks are important I have to remind myself that in a few years, academics might not matter. You might not want to go to university and follow a traditional career path. You might want to be an entrepreneur or a philanthropist. You might choose to be on a stage or work in a remote little town far away from the hustle and bustle of the rat race. I need to, in some way, future proof you and make sure you can tackle any challenge that comes your way.

In a world where failure's inevitable you need to know that that's not what defines you. What will make you successful (whatever that is) is how you handle it. If you're able to recognise the lesson, get up and dust yourself off to try again, then you have succeeded. If you're not afraid to try different things, then you're a success.

Your report made daddy and I so proud. When people have asked me how I'm going to teach you your culture I've always answered that I won't be able to. But what I can do is a raise a little girl who is respectful of others, who is kind, caring and aware of those around her.

Emma, you have mastered things that no classroom or textbook can teach you and we are so proud. These are 'skills' that will enrich your life and the people in it. With them everything else will fall into place xxx

God Help Us All...it's school holidays again

Emma breaks up today. School is closed, yet again, until the middle of frikking July! Why on earth do kids need so many holidays? I work my outta shape butt off from 9am til 6pm, Monday to Friday, and I get 15 days off work...if my boss deems fit to approve it!

Thankfully Emma's school has a holiday club BUT it's only running from neeeeeeeeeeeeext week, which means a week of mayhem at home for all. I've been stressing and worrying, and worrying and wondering what I'm going to do to keep Emma busy while she's on holiday and while I'm not going to be able to necessarily get all the time off work to do it, here's an awesome list to SURVIVING THE WINTER HOLIDAYS thanks to Shelli NT and her awesome Joburg.co.za team...

I've picked a few of my favourites

Outdoor Ice Rink at Irene Village Mall: 22 June - 17 July
Head into a winter wonderland at Irene Village Mall! The piazza has been transformed into an
enchanting skate rink for kids who will be able to skate on ice while Mom and Dad enjoy a relaxing lunch or dinner. R30 to skate for 30 minutes – skates included.
(012) 662 4446

Gingerbread Man 2 at the Joburg Theatre: 23 June - 5 August
The Gingerbread Man 2 will delight little ones and adults with a mesmerising combo of song, dance and a magical story that plays out on top of a kitchen dresser. Meet lovable and colourful characters like Mrs Pepper and Mr Salt, the Old Tea Bag, Herr Von Cuckoo, Sleek the Mouse and of course the
inimitable Gingerbread Man himself, in this witty story written by internationally renowned and critically acclaimed children’s playwright Sir David Wood. Tickets from R 99.
(086) 167 0670

Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: Released 15 June
The third instalment of the beloved Madagascar franchise is finally here! This time around the tight-knit group of animals join a travelling circus in order to get back home. Alex the Lion (Ben Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Chris Rock), Melman the Giraffe (David Schwimmer), and Gloria the Hippopotamus (Jada Pinkett Smith) continue their efforts to get back to New York after escaping to Africa. However,
miscalculations find them stranded in Monte Carlo, where they manage to dodge animal controller
Captain DuBois (Frances McDormand) by joining up with a travelling circus.
Nu-Metro on (086) 124 6362 or Ster Kinekor on (082) 16 789

Go Green with Recycled Crafts:
Recycling has never been this fun! Teach your kids about the importance of recycling with these fun and creative crafts made from recycled materials found around the house - we love the cereal box
sandals!

Show-stopping Puppets:
On a stick or on your finger, these puppet crafts steal the show. Turn your home into a make-shift theatre with a clothesline theatre in your backyard or lounge. Get your little creative genius to help you write a script for the play and dream up the characters – they’ll love being the director of their very own theatre production.

Adventurers between the ages of 8 and 16 can become Rangers for a Day at the Lory Park Zoo! They get to learn all about animals and help out at this amazing sanctuary! Booking essential, running 26 June – 12 July, 7am - 4pm, Tuesday – Thursday.
(011) 315 7307

At only R18 for entry, the Planetarium at Wits is a fantastic place for kids to get lost in wonder and awe, instead of boredom and television.
(011) 717 1390

Spend a night camping or opt for a day trip – either way, the Frogs Trail near Cullinan is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts.
(086) 152 2262

Learn to ride horses at Aragon Stables, where riders from five upwards are taught in a fun, friendly and safe environment.
(082) 666 3728

Monaghan Farm near Lanseria is a must-visit for family picnics. Order a pizza that uses ingredients grown on the farm before taking a stroll along the river bank.
(082) 0707500

The Sci-Bono centre is a haven for exploration and wonderment. Children (big and small) will have so much fun that they won’t even notice how much they’re learning!
(011) 639 8400

Creative gardening lessons with Little Green Fingers reintroduces children to nature in a fun and
educational manner.
(082) 443 2538

The little ones will delight in the story-telling sessions that take place at Love Books each Saturday.
(011) 726 7408

Kids of all ages (and adults, in fact) just can’t get enough of the gourmet milkshakes at
Exquizitly Yours in Parkhurst!
(011) 447 0908

With this list (plus a whole lot more) you shouldn't hear "but I'm so bored!" these school holidays

F*** Murphy's Law

Murphy's Law   Baby's Law   The Commandments According to Kids  The Importance of Being Flexible For F***'s Sake!

Murphy's Law, Smurphy's Law! When it comes to kids there are those FFS moments! 




Here's a few of mine! What are yours?

1. They will cry as soon as you get in the bath or shower!

2. They will vomit on your Sunday best outfit

3. Nappy deep in toys, they will roar thunderously for THAT toy that another child has

4. The day you don't cook veggies guess what they'll want to eat? Yes, veggies!

5. They'll sleep through sirens, gun blasts and 'im'ageddinoutta here' but whisper to your partner 'are you in yet?' and as true as nuts (pun intended) they'll wake up

6. They will swallow the contents of the item that reads DO NOT SWALLOW

7. They will need an outfit change as you're rushing out the door already late for your appointment

8. They will be sick on the one day that you can't not be at work

9. They will scream and jump up and down and rant and rave for something AND they will lose
 interest in it two minutes later

10.They will fall asleep as you arrive at your destination

11. They will put their fingers in places they shouldn't - plug holes, butt holes, nose holes

12. They will eat play doh and poop out figurines...yet they won't eat what's on their plate

13. They will, as you've packed their luggage, need THAT toy right at the very bottom

14. They will choose the broken toy to play..and then throw a wobbly because it doesn't work

15. They will repeat what you said about THAT family member to THAT family member

16. They will be constipated for days UNTIL you forget their nappy at home

17. They will eat anything found on the floor that looks like a raisin but they won't eat an actual raisin

18. They will insist on being carried when you need them to walk. They will want to walk when you need to carry them. They will refuse to sit in their stroller...until there isn't a stroller around. Then they'll want the stroller

19. They will wake up sparrow fart early on weekends but battle to get up for school in the week

20. They will scream and shout to leave somewhere...until it's time to leave somewhere

What would you do with an extra 'Hour' in the day?

How many of us wish we had an extra hour in our day?  To read a chapter in our favourite book, watch the series we have heard so much about, spend some quality time with the family or get involved with community work.  Jungle is asking you to tell us what you would do with an extra hour every day, and to take part in the Jungle One Hour Project, to do something inspiring, something extraordinary.

Life has become so busy and most of us are set in our routines – we wake up, get the family ready for work and school, travel time, work, travel time again, home, and supper, all just to start the routine all over again.  We tend to make this our excuse for not making time to do what matters most to us.  If each South African aimed to make an extra hour in their day, we would have a potential 52 million extra hours in a single day.  Imagine the difference and positive change we could all make in our lives, the lives of others and our communities.

Jungle wants to know what you would do with your extra hour. What exactly is the Jungle One Hour Project?  Jungle is giving you the platform to commit to doing something with your extra hour and stand a chance to win R20 000 in cash.  Register using your Facebook account details on the Jungle One Hour website and click on “start your project.” You will be asked to give your project a name and assign it to a Jungle product and lifestyle category.  In addition you can assign a start and end date to your project as well as a brief description of what you want to achieve.  This will automatically be posted to your Facebook homepage for your friends to see how you are using your energy to get involved.  Earn points for updating your project status, and the higher you climb up the leader board, the more chance you stand of winning.

So what type of tasks can you sign up for the Jungle One Hour Project?  It depends on what is important to you.  If you want to get fit and stay healthy – add a one hour work-out at the gym as your project. Or maybe you want to learn to do something new – maybe a photography course.  Or you can spend your extra hour helping your child with homework.  And if community work is important to you – why not volunteer at your local children’s home?  The list is endless. You can have more than one project which allows you to spend more time doing what is important to you.

Sometimes it can be hard to keep motivated and keep on track with these types of activities.  This is why Jungle has implemented a reward system.  You get reward points for registering your projects and also for updating the status of your project with text, imagery or video on the Jungle One Hour website or mobi site every time you complete a task. Your friends can also like your project on your profile.  Once your project is completed you will need to get 3 friends to confirm that your project is finished for your project to be entered into the draw!  You can track your progress and see where you stand on the Jungle One Hour Project leader board.  If you register your project successfully you are automatically entered into the draw to win random prizes monthly.  And if your project is at the top of the leader board at the end of the campaign you will win R20 000 in cash. What more reason do you need to sign up for the One Hour Project?

Make an extra hour. Make something happen. Put your energy into your 1-hour project. Jungle. The Energy Champion.

I 'mustache' you a question...will you come to my birthday party?

It's so kitsch, it's cool! I'm loving the 'mustache' themed first birthday party. And it might just work perfectly for our little man...

ONEderful Birthday Party!

I'm going through withdrawal! No parties to plan. No crafts to make! So now I've started looking for ideas for Ben's ONEderful birthday bash, which is in January. JANUARY! That's only seven months away!

How gorgeous is this SOCK MONKEY BIRTHDAY BASH...