threelilprincesses.com

Category: For kids

  • WIN: The Little Engine That Could Review and Giveaway

    WIN: The Little Engine That Could Review and Giveaway

    THE Little Engine That Could was one of those beautiful stories I grew up with and includes a message I continue to live by – I think I can, I think I can. In most cases, this motto has proven right. Especially during child birth!
    If you remember the book, or read it to your child now (note: must get the book for Ella), then you’ll be filled with fond memories. With the help of some talented voice actors in Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Lee Curtis and Corbin Bleu (you know, the kid from High School Musical) along with the minds behind The Lion King and Aladdin, they’ve made those pictures in my head into the most bright and colourful (and I mean colourful) animation.
    If you have no idea what I’m talking about, the Little Engine is a girl shunter train. A major bonus in our household. She leaves Dreamland to head over the mountain to the real world, all the while encountering many obstacles. She learns to put her fears aside and when the journey seems impossible, she remembers the words: “If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you can’t. Either way, you’re right.’’
    You’re probably wondering how they fill out a whole feature-length movie. Well, that’s the bit that didn’t go down so well with 3.5-year-old Ella. You see, there’s the introduction of an evil “Nightmare’’ engine, who was just a little too scary for this li’l princess.
    This part, unfortunately, we had to fast forward, so I can’t really tell you much more than that. However, children a year or two older with a love of trains would relish this tale. And, aside from this one moment, it really is a fun movie, with a classic storyline, sweet characters, one powerful and positive message and a rather cool pop soundtrack.
    It’s released by Universal Studios. Running time: 1 hour 22 minutes. Rated: G
    Here, take a look:
    Want to watch more than just the trailer?
    To go in the draw to win one of three copies of The Little Engine That Could on DVD, leave a comment telling us your favourite book from your childhood (or your child’s fave if you can’t remember!). The giveaway closes Friday, July 10 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.
    Want extra 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 (or it won’t count).
    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’’.
    **DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of The Little Engine That Could on DVD for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me
    AND THE WINNERS ARE:
    Cate, who said: “I shared this on Facebook”
    Sarah Asome, who said: “Flat Stanley. Just the best book. The twits almost got the win tho.”
    Jasmine, who said: “Who Sank The Boat?”
  • WIN: Cupcake City’s bake and decorate kit (review and giveaway)

    WIN: Cupcake City’s bake and decorate kit (review and giveaway)

    IT WAS hard to pick who was happiest when the delivery man arrived this week. Was it his joy in seeing me in my dressing gown, no hair or makeup and coke bottle-thick glasses (more on that another day… maybe)? Or me realising he was delivering this:

    from the wonderful Glenys of Cupcake City? Yes, definitely me. The other real joy in receiving our miniamo Cupcake Bake and Decorate Set is The Bloke in The Shed isn’t much of a sweet tooth. Poor us, hey!

    I opted to bake our cupcakes one day and ice them the next – I couldn’t bear the thought of Ella bouncing off the walls after eating a bowl of icing on top of cupcake mixture. The kit included 12 round cupcake moulds, heart-shaped stencils, easy squeeze icing tube, decorating nozzles and 16-recipe cupcake and biscuit book written specifically for your child. I’m indecisive at the best of times, so the choices (combined with our own baby cupcakes with sprinkles recipe) caused slight problems. Finally, we settled on a recipe which called for a swirl of strawberry jam just before popping them in the oven.  Too easy.

    Then the real challenge began. Of course, art is subjective. Right? Well, that’s what I’m telling myself, anyway. We got out the full colour palette,

    some candied decorations and Cupcake City also threw in some edible gold dust. You can find other fun cupcake decorations at Cupcake City too.

    The end result was Ella with fingers and a mouth laced with blue.

    She looked like she’d been playing in the toilet bowl. Unfortunately, my icing was far too runny, so when I was trying to achieve beautiful little flowers atop my cupcakes, I ended up achieving this:

    My other challenge was an impatient preschooler who just wanted to grab the piping bottle and have her way with each cupcake. I think, with a little more time (and minus a preschooler), this kit has the ability to create some really beautiful cupcakes. Alas, mine are far from beautiful. Now please, don’t laugh.

    Here’s the cupcake Ella decorated. Note, it wouldn’t stay on the bench long enough for me to photograph it.

    So, they’re not perfect, but we can promise we had an absolute ball. The kit works a treat (it’s just me, really), the piping set is really easy to use and the cookbook is actually a great bonus to this kit. Tomorrow we’re tackling some of the decorated biscuits.

    While the silicone moulds make cupcake making easier than ever (and help save the environment), the decorating side of the kit is probably suited to children with a little more patience than my three-year-old. Although, to be honest, she had fun despite her unusual looking creations.

    So, if you’re thinking of visiting us, beware: you may get a little cupcake with your icing! I’d suggest it would be safer to visit Cupcake City’s Facebook page and website instead – she comes across the most incredible cupcake finds.

    To go in the draw to win a miniamo Cupcake Bake and Decorate Set (RRP: $30) from Cupcake City (choose between “Pastel’’ or “Bright’’), leave a comment telling us what you love to cook in the kitchen with (or without) your kids.  The giveaway closes Sunday, June 26 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three 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 (or it won’t count).

    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’’.

    **DISCLAIMER: I received a miniamo Cupcake Bake and Decorate Set for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

    Aussie Giveaway Linky

    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me

    And, using my new “And the winner is…” plugin, the winner of the Bake and Decorate Kit is:

    BARB! Barb said.

    Yummy looking cupcakes! I personally am looking forward to a pic of the woman in her dressing gown that met the delivery guy!!! I have a few of these cupcake kids cooking sets packed away as presents for Ellie’s friends…..they’re always well recieved by 6-8 year olds!

    You’ll be waiting a while, Barb!! hehe!! Congratulations! I hope you and Ellie enjoy it.

  • WIN: Raggs DVD and CD (review and giveaway)

    WIN: Raggs DVD and CD (review and giveaway)

    GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. See the end of the post for the winner.

    IF YOU visited the blog yesterday, you would have seen the rock star that kindly offered up an interview.

    Yes, that’s Raggs, from the live action and animated TV show of the same name and rockin’ Kids Club Band. It’s fair to say, our surprise interview caused quite a few giggles.

    Raggs is a pretty familiar character in our household, thanks to previously being part of our afternoon TV schedule. It’s returning to TV on Boomerang and 7TWO, by the way. He’s also familiar to our car, maybe a little too familiar. Although, Tutti Fruity Baby is a rather fine song!

    Three-year-old Ella didn’t sit still too long when we popped in the new batch of Raggs episodes from the Move Your Tails! DVD, promptly standing up, putting hands on her hips and wiggling to the theme song.

    When there are so many movie-length DVDs out there, it’s nice to discover something for toddlers and preschoolers that has TV-length episodes. Even better when the episodes revolve around play and play ideas. We all need those!

    Ella had a giggling fit during one scene where one of the five dogs couldn’t stop saying the word “fleas’’. Small things, huh. Another scene, which had the five dogs playing doctors, meant I spent the rest of the afternoon operating on her to get rid of bees in her stomach.

    What appeals to me about the wonderfully bright Raggs, other than the Australian accents, is that it addresses preschool curriculum topics (yes, really), looks at emotions and there’s great variety within its format to keep little ones engaged.  The downside is that those songs are just way too catchy.

    Although, you can put up with that when you have characters like the wise-cracking cat Dumpster. He was definitely put in the show to entertain parents.

    For more information on the show or DVD, visit www.raggs.com.au. Now for the giveaway…

    To go in the draw to win a Move Your Tails! DVD and Have a Ball! Raggs 15 Hits Songs CD (with free 16-page activity book), leave a comment telling us your favourite game to play with your kids.  The giveaway closes Friday, June 24 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of three entries.

    Are you game to try for 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 (or it won’t count).

    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’’.

    **DISCLAIMER: I received a DVD for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

    Aussie Giveaway Linky
    Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me

    Winner of the DVD and CD was…..

    Deb! Deb said:

    My favourite game to play with my kids is hide and go seek, its so funny because when its their turn to hide they actually tell me where they are….

    Congratulations, Deb!

  • WIN: Babies Love CD Collection review and giveaway (valued $120)

    WIN: Babies Love CD Collection review and giveaway (valued $120)

    My two sick girls

    BABY Holly and Princess Ella have colds, which is making Holly miserable and Ella… challenging. Holly is presently waking every hour from midnight ‘til 6am. OK, so there’s nothing really new there. Except that she doesn’t want a feed or a dummy. She just wants me to hold her. Which sounds so utterly sweet, except for the fact it’s the middle of the night.

    During the day yesterday the heartbreaking tears and need for cuddles were constant. When 5pm hit, panic set in. How was I going to manage to cook dinner? Yes, as you can see, my world was going to end if I couldn’t get food heated.

    Amid my sleep stupor I conjured up the idea to prop Baby Holly in her high chair, give her some spoons to play with (we can’t afford real toys) and pop on one of the Babies Love CDs – international pop-rock songs turned into lullabies.

    Then panic set in. Which one would I chose?

    Michael Jackson

    The Police and Sting

    U2

    Rolling Stones

    Stevie Wonder

    Phil Collins

     Mariah Carey

    All, bar the latter, from the new collection.

    Again, my world could very well end if I didn’t make the right decision. I chose the Boy Wonder in the hope he’d be able to work some of his magic. If he can make parents happy enough to make babies, then surely he can make babies happy enough to please parents.

    And he did. Make Baby Holly happy, that is. Well, not him specifically, but a bunch of super talented musicians playing lullaby versions of Wonder’s classic tunes. The one that really stopped Holly in her tracks was Isn’t She Lovely. She smiled. Even laughed. Or maybe that was because I was singing at the top of my lungs.

    If I’d known all the words to My Cherie Amour it might have had the same effect. That goes for Ribbon in the Sky too. Then mid way through the final track – Signed, Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours – I realised I’d better get dinner on.

    Even if you don’t know all the words, the serene melodies will have you humming away. More importantly, they’ll help create a sense of peace and calm within the house. Well, for 40-odd minutes, at least.

    These would have been perfect when I was up the duff too. Sure, you should play music to your unborn child, but after nearly three years of nursery rhymes I couldn’t bare listening to them voluntarily. However, this would be ideal relaxation music for me and delicate sounds for bub’s cognitive and emotional development. Quick, lock me in a room now.

    The only real flaw I can see with these CDs is that some may buy them on the pretence they’re getting Wonder, or Jackson, or Sting. Sadly, you won’t even hear them breathe heavily in the background. But if you know what you’re getting, then these are sublime.

    To go in the draw to win ALL SIX CDS – Michael Jackson, The Police and Sting, U2, Rolling Stones, Phil Collins and Mariah Carey – valued about $120, simply tell us which CD you would have chose to play to your upset baby. The giveaway closes Tuesday, May 31 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only.

    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 (or it won’t count).

    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’’.

    **I received a complimentary CD courtesy of Universal Music / ABC Music. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

    AND THE WINNER IS:

    Candice!

    Congratulations Candice. Happy listening!

  • WIN: My Posh Baby Boutique review and giveaway

    WIN: My Posh Baby Boutique review and giveaway

    FROM Ella and Holly’s first breaths they have worn pink and white. Open their wardrobes and it hits you in the face. Ella even admits pink is her favourite colour. So when I stumbled across My Posh Baby Boutique I was, well, let’s just say “tickled pink’’.

    It is no surprise to me stock is constantly selling out, but owner Samantha Bellas kindly sent something through for me to view. My first impression was the WAHM (Work At Home Mum) business’ slogan “Putting Big Smiles on Little Faces” certainly fits. Everything is just so cute and dainty. Samantha even admits to searching the globe for “labels that are fashionable, unique and simply gorgeous’’.

    The two pieces I viewed were from the label Mud Pie. The fabric is incredibly soft and the thickness of the tights make them ideal for winter. Each piece feature sweet ruffles on the front of the bodice and a little bow, while one even has ruffles along the hemline. Often when I buy online I’m disappointed to find the shade of pink isn’t quite to my liking, but this is divine. It’s a soft baby pink that would look good on any skin colouring – Ella and Holly being extremely fair. The biggest challenge (other than trying to keep whites “white”) is trying to not buy the whole range. Dangerous!

    Here are the two designs. They’re certainly more suited to those special occasions.

    How can you resist this?

    Now sure, I’ve only shown girls designs here, but the boys’ outfits are just as cute. One of the boys’ ranges, Knuckleheads, is a fave of Kourtney Kardashian. You can check out the other labels on the www.myposhbabyboutique.com website and on Facebook.

    So, if you’re keen to see your little one dressed so cute you could just eat them (although, I wouldn’t advise that), then simply leave a comment below telling us which outfit you love (visit the site for more options). The winner will receive a $50 voucher to spend at My Posh Baby Boutique. The giveaway closes Sunday, May 22 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only.

    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 (or it won’t count).

    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 did not receive product or financial payment for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

  • FEATURE: I love my mummy because … (+ giveaway winner)

    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.