threelilprincesses.com

Author: Kellie O’Brien

I’m grateful for sometimes food
This week I’m grateful for:
- Three-year-old Ella reminding me that after toast, an apple, mandarin and rice cake, it was really time for some “sometimes’’ food. Apparently, cake or a biscuit would do. Yes, thanks Sesame Street. (Note; we ended up going a choc chip cookie).
- Two-plus hours in a hairdresser’s chair to get rid of the “grey highlights’’, get a head massage and not be asked for food, nappy changes or to blow someone’s snotils (aka, nostrils). OK, so it hasn’t happened just yet, but I’ll be grateful for that moment in the morning.
- Baby Holly now full-on crawling. She sets her sights on something she wants (usually food or Dad’s beer), crawls flat out to get it, then ends up nose diving into the carpet because her arms can’t keep up with her legs. Too cute!
I’m joining with Maxabella Loves to share what I’m grateful for.
July 15, 2011
Are our kids outsmarting us?
I KNOW that you now know that I have a pretty clever li’l princess. And I don’t mean the part about her knowing how to whistle to attract my attention. Although, that is pretty darn clever.

Princess Ella, at the tender age of 3.5 years, has taught me to sign. Surprisingly, we’re still talking to each other – and not just in Auslan.

If you didn’t visit yesterday and have no idea what I’m talking about, let me recap. Ella’s child carer has taught her to do sign language, including: “how are you?’’ and “good, thank you’’; along with “mummy/daddy/brother/sister, I love you’’. Plus, there’s the little addition of me teaching her to sign “stinky breath’’. You never know when you might need that one.

She’s also managed to learn the majority of the nursery rhyme The Owl and the Pussy Cat, which is no mean feat considering I can barely get past the first two lines in the spoken form.

It leads me to the things I know this week:
- If you want to learn a bit of Auslan, my daughter is the person to teach you.
- Our kids are beginning to outsmart us in so many areas and that scares me.
- Every time I turn the video on, loud and boisterous Ella suddenly turns shy.
I’m linking up with Shae from Yay For Home as part of Things I Know. Click on the button to read some other great things you should know.
July 15, 2011
Give me a little sign girl (minus Peter Andre)

IF YOU think teaching a three-year-old can be frustrating, just wait ‘til that three-year-old tries to teach you sign language. Some of you would have already seen the video of Ella teaching me Auslan. And I’ve mentioned her patronising response of: “Good girl, Mum. That’s really wonderful. You’re doing a great job’’.

Her latest lesson came while she was sitting on the toilet doing her business one night. Out of the blue, she came out with “Daddy, I love you’’ and “Mummy, I love you’’. If she hadn’t been sitting on the dunny, that moment might well have melted hearts.

Rather enthusiastic with my newfound signs, we jumped on the laptop the next day to learn more via the Auslan signbank. Ella pointed at a few words, saying “Mum, let’s do that one’’. Let’s just say every word she seemed to pick was far from kid-friendly. Try booze, boobs and a devise for smoking illegal drugs. However, there was one I just couldn’t resist teaching her. You’ll have to see the video to find out.

Yes, I’m sure her child carer will thank me for that one. Tomorrow I’ll have a video of her signing and singing to The Owl and the Pussy Cat.

Does your child know another language – even if it’s Dora’s Spanish?

Linking up with Where’s My Glow’s FlogYoBlog Friday.

July 14, 2011
PHOTO: The world’s greatest mystery
THIS has to be the world’s greatest mystery and one of my biggest frustrations. Who can tell me where on earth their mates are? It’s not like they could grow legs and walk (ah, hop) out on us. Could they?

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

Don’t forget to enter our giveaways. You could win:
- Zhu Zhu pet and Adventure Ball accessory
- Some real “me time” (WITH chocolate)
July 13, 2011
No social media day… could you do it?

TODAY is a social media-free day. Well, for me, at least. I’m asking in the headline: could you do it? But let’s be honest here, it’s probably more accurate to ask: can I do it? Umm, maybe.
If you got here via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or my new Google+ account (yes, I was lucky enough to break past Google’s security guards) just know it was all prescheduled last night. I’m not cheating already, I promise. And you won’t find me lurking on Twitter to find out what you’re feeding your toddler for lunch today. That won’t be me. Promise.
If you tweet or Facebook me today, expect to receive a:

“Hi, you’ve reached the home of Kel, please leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible (aka in 24 hours). Alternatively, you can try me via the blog on www.threelilprincesses.com.’’

If you’re stil stuck back at the point about Google+ and wondering what the heck I’m talking about, here’s a snapshot of Google’s new social media site, Google+.

See, looks just like Facebook. In fact, it is just like Facebook, minus the games and with the addition of “circles’’. Although, can’t you create circles in Facebook too? The up-shot is, it’s easy to use. Unless I’m using it wrong and then chances are it’s very confusing.
Anyway, if you want me today, you’ll find me either via my bigpond, hotmail, threelilprincess or mumpr email accounts. Or in the comments section here. And if my typing looks a little off, it’s because I’ve likely got social media withdrawal shakes. Oh, and apparently there’s a thing called a telephone. I think they used to use it in the olden days. You can try that too.
Do you have social media free days? If not, how would you cope?

July 12, 2011
How to make a ballerina card for a *ahem* dad’s birthday

AS I sit here eating a piece of pink dragon chocolate cake, it seems timely to share what little gems The Bloke in The Shed received for his birthday. And what little gems they were. So, of course, first there was the pink dragon cake.

Now what man doesn’t want one of those for his birthday? It was either this or a butterfly cake. Both suggested by this person…

Then there was the utterly delightful pop-up card.

Yes, complete with ballerina. The ballerina is apparently Ella. Although she’s more like an elephant than a ballerina when she dances.

I know, you’re all just dying to learn how to make it. Right? Well, here’s the step by step instructions.
1. We used an old birthday card addressed to me.
2. We glued paper on the inside to hide the original message (which was lovely. So thanks to the person who gave it to me).
3. Then we drew a picture of Ella in a leotard. Then stuck it inside the card.
4. Next was to make the tutu out of coloured paper, by folding the paper like a fan. First fold 1cm, then turn and fold back onto itself. Rinse and repeat. Glue one end together, leaving the other end to glue into the card.
5. Stick in the tutu and whar-la (hmm, not sure that’s how you spell that) – a beautiful pop-up ballerina birthday card. Complete with some letter stickers!

Here are the steps in picture form for those who are “visual people”.

What special homemade gems do you make for birthdays?

July 11, 2011