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Author: Kellie O’Brien

CRAFT: How to make a doll’s house
Ella, Dino and the doll's house

PRINCESS Ella and I made and painted a doll’s house yesterday… out of a beer carton! Hmm, not sure that’s sending a good message to Ella. Not unless you add a doll’s house dog kennel made from a cigarette packet. Note: Neither of us smoke. And I’m so much classier than beer… sometimes!

Ella and I took to the craft drawers again, because the budget didn’t quite stretch far enough to include a grand three-storey doll’s house for the now dreaded October to December Birthday-Christmas period that will forever overwhelm us. We are now accepting donations for the annual Help Save the O’Brien Family From End of Year Financial Ruin!

But anyway, back to the doll’s house. Apart from the second floor sagging, the paint scheme including a wonderful mix of a brown roof with pink walls (Ella’s choice) and it having no windows, it looks a treat.

Sort of. Actually, truth be told, I’ve refrained from photographing it up close because, well, it looks like something from UglyHomes.com. There’s a reason Rome wasn’t built in a day, because it would have looked like this otherwise. It’s certainly not up to Barbie’s usual standards.

Although, judging by this photo, Barbie clearly doesn’t have standards.

The main thing was we had a great time and it’s now her favourite “toy’’. Why do we bother spending a few hundred dollars on a grand whizz-bang kitchen when she can have a beer carton doll’s house?

Here’s how we made it:
1. Take a cardboard box (preferably not one that’s housed alcohol) and cut away any flaps.
2. Cut a piece of cardboard that’s the same depth as the box and 4cms wider at the sides. Fold 2cms down at each side and slide it into the middle of the box and glue or sticky tape it in to make a “second floor’’.
3. Cut a piece of card the same width as the box and with enough length so when it’s folded in half it makes a triangle roof. Glue or sticky tape this to the top of the box. Then cut out triangles for the ends of the roof and glue these on.
4. Paint the roof and walls of the exterior (preferably the same colour, unless you have a child who’s not afraid to experiment). Add “brick work” with a black texta.
5. Either paint the interior walls or create your own wall paper and glue in. We used old paintings and drawings Ella had done that were originally destined for the bin.
6. Use scraps of material or further art work for carpet and glue down.
7. Get out your child’s favourite dolls and teddies and start playing.
8. Now to make some furniture… That post’s to come.
What’s your child’s favourite toy?

NOTE: A much grander version of this doll’s house has since been made.
May 5, 2011
SHED: For the love of a mother

Kel and Holly

WHEN you grow up with a miracle mum as a role model, your expectations of what a “mum’’ is, is kinda high. You see, Betty O’Brien had seven kids and I was the last of them. I was a mistake in fact. Result of a housewives basketball celebration dinner apparently … still getting therapy for that revelation.

I was nine years after my next oldest sibling and my mum was well over 40. My birth nearly did us both in – I was so premature I spent months in hospital after being born.

Despite that, I still reflect at the amazing amount of time my mother devoted to me in my childhood, even to the point of having nightly post-school “foul shooting competitions” at the family basketball court while tea was bubbling away on the stove. My point? Bear with me …

I reflected on this influence privately recently. What I concluded was, in looking for my own partner I did, subconsciously, look for someone who would similarly take the same approach to motherhood.

Don’t be confused. Kellie and my mother are completely different people (it would be kinda weird if they weren’t). However, they both share an unfathomable love and devotion for their children.

Take our six-month-old Holly for example. Since conception, it has not been easy for Kel. A perfectionist with a great career and true professionalism, Kel’s sickness associated with the pregnancy meant she was largely bed-ridden for a large portion of the pregnancy and had to give up work way earlier than expected.

Since birth, she has had to battle a baby, which – while delightful in every way – has slept only three-hour stints at night on less occasions than you have fingers. All this while managing an independent and spirited three-year-old and a husband with a challenging, full-time job requiring long hours.

Kel does all this while remaining sane, (largely) happy and actively aiding the development of both children to the point they are a sheer delight to all those who meet them. Her kids adore her, as do I. She, like Betty before her, is the perfect mum.

Kel on our wedding day

Happy Mother’s Day to my dearly beloved. xx

What do you love most about your mum?

Taking part in Weekend Rewind @ Life in A Pink Fibro on June 10.

May 4, 2011
FEATURE: What’s wrong with Baby Holly?

Cuddles with Baby Holly

SOME parents face really terrible and tragic circumstances with their children. Luckily that hasn’t befallen us. But we have had some minor scares and it’s never easy. Nobody tells you it’s like this when you take on the role of mum. (Maybe they know we’d all chicken out if we did.)
On Saturday, while Baby Holly was trying her best to crawl, we realised one of her arms wasn’t straight. It appeared to turn downwards – so much so it looked as if it was dislocated.

Driving the “boat''

After an excruciating journey via Dr Google, the Parenting Helpline, the ER and then finally yesterday our wonderful GP, we’ve been told Baby Holly likely has a muscle imbalance. It’s linked to the extreme flexibility that allows our little bubbas to do things like touch their eyebrows with their toes. Oh, to still be able to do that!

Playing with her toes in the highchair

Of course, we have to monitor her over the next month in case her development halts, but for now I can finally sleep easy – when she actually allows me to sleep, of course. Now, that’s a whole other post.

Showing off how she can now sit by herself!

I’ll never stop worrying about my two girls. Well, it is my job. But let’s hope it’s a while before I have to go through this degree of panic again.

My baby girl

Subscribe to Three Li’l Princesses to keep up to date with Holly’s progress.

May 3, 2011
FEATURE: I love my mummy because … (+ giveaway winner)
THE winner of the “Over $250 in prizes in Mother’s Day giveaway’’ – which included SeneGence’s Lipsense Collection, Skirties Sleepwear Tracy lace top and shorts, BellyCo ECO Belly Wrap and Chai Station Value Pack 12 chai – was…..

First, let’s talk about Mother’s Day, shall we? Sorry, but you know how much I love suspense!

For Father’s Day last year I bought Julian, or should I say Ella bought Julian, a book called I Love My Daddy. In the spirit of that book, I asked Ella this week why she loved her mummy. These are the words straight from her mouth.

I love my mummy because…
- You’re funny (hilarious, I tell you. Especially that knock knock joke I taught you. Knock Knock. Who’s there? Syd. Syd who? Syd down you’re rocking the boat. Really tired of hearing that joke now).
- You play Snap with me. (Little do you realise I taught you Fish, called it Snap and now you refuse to let me call it Fish. So we play a rather confused game now).
- You sing me songs. (Below is the song I’m currently singing to her EVERY night as her bedtime song. It’s wearing rather thin. Please note, I am a Carlton supporter)
The fact I sing this song every night proves one thing: I love you too, darling. Both of you!

What do your children love most about you?

Oh, and the winner of the $250 worth of Mother’s Day gifts is:

Judith Perez Bejar. Congratulations Judith!

In her entry, Judirth said:

“My wishes for my mother day if have the money to pay a ticket to bring my mother here to Australia but now with all the expenses for the new baby that today is overdue,its impossible to afford it, but really i miss her she is the best mum in the world, always there for me, always willing ti listen and guide me throgh my whole life, trough ups and downs.”

If you’re still searching for that perfect gift for Mum, then please consider supporting one of these online mummy businesses. I can honestly say their products are divine. Read more about them here.
May 2, 2011
WIN: Tangled DVD review and giveaway
Disney release Tangled

IN MY younger days, I tried to grow my hair long enough to sit on. At one point, if I threw my head back far enough, it was actually possible. Yes, what an achievement! OK, so what does this all have to do with Tangled? Well, it’s a Disney animation based on the classic fairytale Rapunzel– the one with the super long hair.

In this modern twist on the classic fable, Princess Rapunzel is born with golden locks featuring magical abilities – eternal youth, beauty and healing. You may scoff at pop princess Mandy Moore as the lead, but she honestly provides real personality and a bit of spunk to long-haired lass, Rapunzel.

The evil Mother Gothel kidnaps her, hiding her in a tower for 18 years. She raises her as her daughter, all the while using the hair’s power to keep herself young and beautiful. Each year on Rapunzel’s birthday, she becomes mesmerised by the “floating lights’’ seen through the tower window. She longs to see them. And her wish is soon made possible when the kingdom’s handsome outlaw Flynn Rider (voiced by Zachary Levi) stumbles across the tower and Rapunzel.

And so begins the “hair’’-raising, and often hilarious, adventure. You can probably predict what happens in the end – yep, evil woman dies, couple fall in love, live happily ever after. It is a fairytale, after all. However, don’t disregard it. This one – a film with real heart – is certainly worth the ride.

I laughed out loud at the physical comedy and witty script and I sobbed uncontrollably (oh, that lantern scene). It’s a captivating storyline immersed with uplifting songs sung beautifully by Moore. And to think, such a successful formula, yet it’s not part of the Pixar line-up. Finally, Disney is back! Stellar.

There’s a host of great bonus features, including a 50^th animated feature countdown, which Ella watched on repeat. Tangled is Disney’s 50^th animated release and is out May 11 on 3D Blu-ray Pack ($54.95), Blu-ray Value Pack ($39.95) and DVD ($24.95).

So you want to win a copy? Well, to go in the draw, simply tell us what special power you would love. Me? I’d love to be invisible. Imagine the fun! The giveaway is open to Australian residents only and will be drawn randomly on Tuesday, May 10 at 9am

Want more entries? Then here’s how you can up your chances in the draw. Each task is worth one extra entry, but must be included as a separate comment.
1. Click the Facebook button below and share this giveaway with your Facebook friends. Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Facebook’’.
2. Click the Twitter button below and share this giveaway with your Twitter followers (Twitter handle is @ThreeLil). Then leave a separate comment saying something along the lines of “I’ve shared this on Twitter’’
Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of the DVD courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment via Aussie Mummy Bloggers. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
May 1, 2011
WIN: And the $250 ECCO shoe voucher winner is…

ECCO Shoes' Hobart boot

The winner of the $250 ECCO shoe voucher is…..

Well, first, there are some things we need to discuss. I know, I’m a tease!

As part of this giveaway, I asked you, my dear readers, to vote in my poll to find out what it was you wanted more of on Three Li’l Princesses. It was no surprise to either me or the Bloke in The Shed that you wanted more humour. And us going head-to-head in He Said She Said.

This is what we’ve built the site on – having a laugh. We know all too well that parenting can be challenging, but there are also those moments that make you laugh out loud.

I’m no Naomi from Seven Cherubs, who astounds me with the way she can rear seven children and keep it all together. She is one impressive mama with a wealth of mummy knowledge to boot.

I’m no Lori from Random Ramblings of a Stay at Home Mum, who is enduring the one thing we all fear – the loss of our child’s parent. On each visit to her site, I shed a tear and just wish I could reach out and give her a big hug. Her world has turned upside down, yet here she is helping others experiencing the same situation. Remarkable.

I’m no Veronica from Sleepless Nights, whose son has just been diagnosed with autism, while she battles Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. It’s not uncommon for her hips, her wrists or her ribs to dislocate. I’m in awe of her strength. Not only that, you’ll find her on Twitter constantly helping others figure out this whole blogging thing.

There are plenty more women like this floating around the blogosphere. I admire each of them for sharing their experiences and helping other mums in the same situation. They sure give me a reality check on those days when I complain about the little things in life.

So, all I can offer in our little palace is a laugh; a place to escape the pulling-out-your-hair moments for a little “time out’’. So thanks for letting me know I’m on the right track. Oh, and giveaways… of course!

Speaking of which, the winner of the shoe voucher is….. (drum roll)

Cate from Keepcatebusy. Congratulations Cate. Happy shoe shopping with ECCO shoes.

She had this to say in her entry:

Hi there! I just found your blog through Maxabella’s grateful linky and have already put in my entry over a seven cherubs and couldn’t resist jumping on the bandwagon over here too!!
I would choose maybe the golf street in purple? Or the casual cool in white??
Love these shoes!!
xxxCate

PS Feel free to join our Royal Wedding Pyjama Part-ay tonight from 7pm. Just follow this hyperlink and click the arrow once it’s live to join in.

What are your favourite blogs?

April 29, 2011