threelilprincesses.com

Author: Kellie O’Brien

Alphabet Photography Challenge – R

R is for resting after much running. Can you spot the R?

By Krystyna

I’m a mum of two boys and one dog. When I’m not chasing after my kids (sometimes even without a camera), I’m teaching baby massage to new parents in Melbourne. You can find out more at Baby Harmony or connect via the Facebook page.

There are now only limited spots available to contribute a photo to the Alphabet Photography Challenge, a series of posts aimed at being a “look and find” activity for children learning the alphabet. If you are interested, please email.

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys’ Wordless Wednesday. Click on the link to check out more photo posts.

October 26, 2011
My Tasmanian Backyard: Wing’s Wildlife Park review

THE first in the My Tasmanian Backyard series has to be a local haunt, which is why we’ve chosen Wing’s Wildlife Park at Gunns Plains in the state’s North West. With an animal-obsessed preschooler and bub who is mastering the lion’s roar, bear’s growl and cow’s moo, a park that displays the largest collection of Tasmanian wildlife is a huge attraction.

Wing’s boasts everything from American bison to camels, wombats, quolls, albino rainbow trout and a family of monkeys.

Oh, and Tasmanian Devils, of course.

Ah, wrong Tasmanian Devil.

And a goat.

But not all of the animals were to Princess Ella’s liking, when a roaming rooster started chasing her after she decided to “feed the birds’’.

The experience didn’t quite live up to the Mary Poppins moment.

Then there was the turkey, which could obviously smell that we’d just devoured one of its mates for lunch. Not a happy camper.

Speaking of which, the serene park has clean self-contained cabins (with ensuites), backpacker units, camping along the Leven River and well maintained powered sites. There’s even a Swap’n’Go gas bottle exchange and a café and souvenir shop. The family business, which has three generations working together, also encourages a spot of fishing in the river, barbecues, bird watching and bush walking.

The hundreds of animals in the indoor and outdoor exhibits are too many to mention, but are listed on the site.

Conclusion: This family-friendly tourist attraction is ideal for those wanting to escape the rat race and connect with nature and all its beauty. With its stunning scenery and visitors able to be in such close proximity to some unique and familiar wildlife, the park is ideal for everyone from small children learning to associate animal noises with the real thing to “big kids’’ with an interest in the rehabilitation and care of injured and orphaned wildlife. It’s a great opportunity for children to learn about the importance of looking after our fauna and flora. The only challenges may be the steep hill to access the monkeys and a degree of walking to view the larger animals.

Highlight: Earlier this year the girls witnessed a kangaroo with a joey in her pouch. Ella, quite loudly, informed everyone how: “it’s got a baby hanging out of its bum, hasn’t it Mum?’’. Ah, not quite, darling.

What does it cost: Accommodation options range from $5 to $120 a night. Admission to the wildlife park is $18 adult; $9 children (3-14) and under 3 years free. Farm-only admission (large animals and picnic grounds only) $6 adults; $5 children (3-14) and under 3 years free.

Photo credit.

Attractions nearby: Along with general country life with cattle, potato and poppy crops, there is the Gunns Plains Cave in the Gunns Plains State Reserve and the Leven Canyon (offers a spectacular view and is free).

How to get there: 137 Winduss Rd, Gunns Plains. From Devonport, head west to Ulverstone, turning off the highway at the second bridge and then left onto Gawler Rd. Continue until you reach Gunns Plains Rd, turn right and head down the bottom of the hill. Turn right onto the South Riana Rd and soon after turn right into Winduss Rd.

View Larger Map
LEARN MORE: Visit www.wingswildlifepark.com.au or join them on Facebook.

DISCLOSURE: Not necessary for this post.

October 25, 2011
WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #21
AFTER mistaking her teacher for the woman with the umbrella who flies, we finally arrived at “big girl school’’ on Friday for Princess Ella’s first pre-kindy session. While I suffered heart palpitations in the corner, she strolled in, threw her drink bottle in my bag and headed straight for the pretend play area to hang the washing on the line. If only she’d do that at home.

This has been our big win of the week. To be honest, we kind of already knew there would be no tears involved. There were a few reasons for that:
- Ella knew the session would only go for just over an hour. Although, she did plead for “just five more minutes, Mum’’ at the end.
- Half her childcare friends were there. That’s cheating, I say.
- She has her father’s confidence. While I struggle to make small talk (yes, watch out at the Bloggers Brunch next month), Ella will happily tell you her name, her age, her sister’s name and both their toilet habits for the morning.
- Mums or dads (or in our case both, because The Bloke in The Shed hates missing out on things) have to stay with the child. And Baby Holly had a wow of a time eating the orange and green play dough.
- Two days a week at child care has helped develop her social and coping skills beyond what I ever had as a kid. I recall tears on the first day of high school because I was the last of the Grade 7s left standing outside after the big kids forgot to get me for home group. (Just the thought of that is making my eyes well up).
- She gets to do ABC Reading Eggs, which she is obsessed with. Except, after using my laptop’s touch pad, it was hilarious to watch her flicking her finger on top of the Apple Mac mouse and wondering why the cursor wasn’t moving. “Mum, this thing’s broken’’.
Ella is not yet four, so obviously young in the eyes of interstate mums whose children don’t start for another year. Although, in the end, a large part of it comes down to the type of person she is. Clingy Holly may be a whole other story…

Anyway, enough about school. Let’s rack up a few more wins for the week by clicking on the links below.

If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
1. Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
2. Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
3. Grab the button to add to your post.
4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly. NOTE: The linky will now be open until Fridays.
5. Start entering the giveaways!
Hosted by Three Lil Princesses

<center><a href="https://threelilprincesses.com/" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/i363/Tina_Gray/giveawaylinky.png" border="0" alt="Aussie Giveaway Linky"></a><BR>Hosted by <a href="https://threelilprincesses.com">Three Lil Princesses</a> </center>

How did your little one go starting kindy or pre-kindy? How did you feel about the experience as a mum?
October 23, 2011
Grateful for pigs breath
Ella's first day of pre-kindy photo. Hmmm...

THIS week I’m grateful for:
- Pigs Breath: After The Bloke in The Shed completed the Skilled Burnie Ten in 1 hour and 18 minutes last Sunday, we celebrated with a dinner at the local. We were wondering why Princess Ella was downing his calamari rings so fast, till we realised she thought they were curly fries from“pigs breath’’. I’m just grateful she got a good serving of seafood.
- First day of pre-kindy: I could write a whole post on why Ella’s first 1.5-hour pre-kindy session today was so enjoyable for her. Ella was more than excited to go to “big girl school’’ and it was made all that much better when three of her childcare friends were in her class. That is music to a nervous mum’s ears. It seems school holds just a little bit of magic for her too when, prior to arriving, she started talking about her teacher who she met during the interview process. “Miss X can fly sometimes, can’t she, Mum?’’. Ah no, I think you might have her mistaken for the lady with the umbrella and flower in her hat.
- Halloween help: Thanks to my Twitter friends (most of which I’ve never met but are always there when I need them), I have plenty of ideas for Ella’s Halloween costume for childcare on Monday.
  - @Neesayer: headband with paper ears & a stuffed stocking for a tail + a little creative makeup & voila! A black cat.
  - @Lemonrhodes: @mypoppetshop had a great tute on her blog http://mypoppet.blogspot.com/2011/10/how-to-easy-bat-wings-for-halloween-or.html
  - @kapernickn green pants with some kind orange shirt jack o lantern eyes and mouth drawn on face with eyeliner? Desperate times…
I’m joining with Maxabella Loves to share what I’m grateful for.
October 21, 2011
Launching My Tasmanian Backyard series
I KNOW that it’s about time I started promoting Tasmania a little more and what to do with your kids while in this beautiful state. Sure, we have big things – the Big Penguin at… Penguin, the Big Apple at Spreyton, the Big Coffee Pot at Deloraine, the Big Platypus at Latrobe, the Big Spud at Sassafras (more interesting than it sounds) and the Big Tasmanian Devil at Mole Creek (well, we are Tasmanian). There are, however, no Big Two-Headed People. Sorry to disappoint you.

However, there’s much more to this State. I’ve had an idea for about six months to do a tourism-related series targeted at families with small children. So, I finally decided I’d do something about it this week. I know I want to:
- Provide more review-based information for families looking for things to do and places to stay with their kids, written by a fellow mum;
- Give Tasmanian parents some inspiration on what to do with their children each week;
- Create a place for tourists to find family-orientated activities, accommodation, events and attractions when they’re planning their trip;
- Introduce those unfamiliar with this beautiful State to what’s on offer (hopefully we may just lure you here for a holiday. Let me know when you arrive and we’ll have coffee. Your shout.);
- A reference of events for this time next year.
So with the trademark Three Li’l Princesses humour, we will each week show you a little of what we have in all corners of this State, but especially the North-West, West and North. There’s also a downloadable Tasmanian family focused events calendar in the pipeline.

If you have a specific question or place you want to know about, feel free to drop us a line in the comment section or contact us. Likewise if you have an event you’d like promoted in the calendar or an activity, accommodation place, event or attraction you would like considered for the series. The My Tasmanian Backyard page has been created where all the reviews and the calendar will be kept for easy access.

The first post will appear on Tuesday. If you’re like me and you won’t remember that, make sure you subscribe in the top right hand corner of the homepage or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

I know I love looking in other people’s backyards. What about you? Do you have a favourite place in Tasmania?

Linking up Shae from Yay for Home’s Things I Know.
October 21, 2011
Fabulous gift ideas for a one-year-old girl’s birthday

The Birthday Girl.

AFTER finally figuring out what to buy a girl for her first birthday, I thought I would share a small sample of the gifts Holly ended up with. Thanks for all the suggestions. They meant I didn’t have to think – always a bonus. With Christmas coming, hopefully they’ll inspire you. In the meantime, I’ve now got to come up with another list of presents.

Bracelet

The bracelet. Still to be engraved.

A keepsake for her. We’ll engrave her name and date of birth. You know, just incase she forgets it. In all honesty, I still have the bracelet I received about the same age. In fact, I even have photos of me wearing it. This is one to treasure.

Guess How Much I Love You Pop-Up book

So in love with this book – as is someone else!

Keeping fingers away is the big challenge.

More fingers…

The last page in the book, where the whole page is part of the pop-up.

And then as you pull down the bottom flap, Big Nutbrown Hare bends down and kisses Little Nutbrown Hare.

This is seriously the most gorgeous book. And that last page is too cute. I got this one out of the library when Ella was small and she had no real interest in it. Which was a shame, because I loved it. However, add some pop ups and interactive elements and this is now among the girls’ favourites. As long as I can keep their little hands away.

Add it to your shopping cart.

Fisher Price zoo

Lots of noises with this one. Thankfully, not irritating.

There are lots of noises with this one. Open the gate and it plays a song or a lion roars. Let the monkey swing across the branch and when he hits the bananas a monkey noise is made. Holly can now roar like a lion, brrr like an elephant and moo like a cow. I know, there are no cows at the zoo. Just thought you’d like to know though.

Finger Puppet Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Annie Kubler

Nursery rhymes just got even more fun!

The Baa Baa Black Sheep puppet

Nursery rhymes have also been a big thing in this house. We sing. We sing a lot. Just call us the von Trapp family. In fact, I’m in the process of uploading some singing for your listening pleasure in the next month. I know, brace yourselves. We have more nursery rhyme books than I care to count. But we’ve never had one with finger puppets until now. Too much fun really. It also has a puzzle at the back. Bonus.

Does your family love to sing? What are your favourite songs?

NB: Please note, some links are affiliates. This means if you click the link and choose to become a customer of the business, I may receive a commission in the future. This doesn’t affect what you pay.

October 20, 2011