I think vacuuming would be the perfect dad and daughter bonding experience. What do you think?
If you want to be as lucky as my husband, then start clicking the links below. And might I just add that you REALLY should come back tomorrow, because I have one almighty big giveaway!
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
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:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly. NOTE: The linky will now be open until Fridays.
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.
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.
AFTER an “hour of Octonaut power’’ on ABC For Kids on Sunday and full viewing of The Octonauts: Meet the Octonauts DVD, I figured it was time I shared what it was about this show that has mesmerised nearly preschooler Princess Ella. And me, for that matter.
I don’t recall the last show that captured Ella’s imagination to this extent. Every game we play now starts with: “Octonauts, to your stations’’ and “Explore! Rescue! Protect!’’. I’m quite happy to stay in the safe surrounds of the Octopod, to be honest.
The show is based on the books by award-winning design team, Meomi. Captain Barnacles Bear, Lieutenant Kwazii Cat and Medic Peso Penguin dive into action (bad pun, I know) when there is trouble under the sea. Using some rather incredible looking vehicles, they rescue sea creatures and explore the underwater world.
What Ella has taken away from watching the show is:
Recognition of different sea creatures and an appreciation for the beauty of the underwater world. Although, let me know if you ever spot that turnip creature.
Understanding the need to protect and preserve our oceans.
Has fostered her imagination, which has spilled through to our playtime activities and her drawing. She can draw a rather impressive Peso.
The importance of team work in achieving goals. Milking this one during pack up time.
Teaches her about different emotions and how to deal with them.
The Octonauts is such a cute concept and thoroughly enjoyable for children AND parents (I always think this is hugely important. Don’t get me started!). The CGI characters are bright visually, but also in nature as they play out what are strong storylines.
Some may argue the storyline is simply regurgitated each episode – a sea creature finds itself in trouble and the Octonauts come to the rescue – but each plot is fresh and interesting. As all good fish should be. It is, for sure, ABC for Kids’ shining star at the moment, capturing the hearts and imaginations of children.
The Octonauts DVD (RRP: $19.95) has a run time of 77 minutes.
This month Roadshow and ABC are also releasing Giggle and Hoot: Present Hoot-tastic Dress Ups DVD (RRP: $19.99) taking from the popular TV show, and
Giggle and Hoot: Bedtime Stories and Songs CD (RRP $14.95). The CD includes guest appearances from characters from The Wiggles, Shaun the Sheep and Play School to sing 15 songs, including Birdcage Boogie to Hoot’s Lullaby.
Would you like to win a copy of all three titles? For a chance to win ONE OF TWO ABC FOR KIDS PACKS (including The Octonauts: Meet The Octonauts DVD, Giggle and Hoot: Present Hoot-tastic Dress Ups DVD and Giggle and Hoot: Bedtime Stories and Songs CD), simply leave a comment telling us your child’s favourite Octonauts character. The giveaway closes Tuesday, November 1 at 7pm and a winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this blog and via Facebook and Twitter. Australian residents only. Limit of four 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).
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’’.
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’’.
Follow me via the Google Friend Connect button over there in the sidebar and leave a comment telling me you’re now a follower.
THE Bloke in The Shed will today be tackling his first Skilled Burnie Ten – an event dubbed Australia’s premier 10km road race. Yes, it’s no easy feat. He wants we three princesses to be there in case something happens. I assume the “something’’ refers to needing an ambulance. We’ll also likely be doing some huffing and puffing from the sidelines to help create a bit of a tail wind for him. Whatever works.
The race (or walk, in his case) starts at 11.15am if you happen to be in Tasmania’s North West and are looking for something to do. There are also activities throughout Burnie, which I’m hoping will occupy the girls while they endure the long wait for their Dad to cross the finish line. In all seriousness, we do wish him all the best.
The race will also be a chance for him to work off yesterday’s birthday cake. Holly’s postponed birthday party finally happened after all the sickness we’ve endured. After running out of eggs on Friday, I had to bake the three cakes late Friday night and then spend yesterday madly assembling and decorating them to create a Princess Castle cake. Here’s the end result:
It's fair to say she was pretty impressed!
Especially when she got to eat it!
The full details of how on earth I created this (with a little help from hubby and his rolling pin) will come tomorrow.
By the way, if you’re wondering whether or not to start clicking on the links below in a bid to win something, here’s what I won from Crash Test Mummy last week and used at the party yesterday.
How cute are they? OK then, off you go. Start clicking.
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the NEW button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
Start entering the giveaways!
What’s been your favourite birthday cake creation thus far as a mum?
FOR all those wonderful people who have been asking about Baby Holly, she’s getting much better. Thank you. She even walked with the wooden trolley today totally unassisted. I know, you don’t really care.
However, in other news, Princess Ella is now battling Hand Foot and Mouth Disease. The ulcers at the back of her throat are so big they look like stalagmites. Or is that stalactites? They’re so painful they’re preventing her from eating all her favourite “sometimes’’ foods. Although, apparently cake would make it feel better. Yeah, right, just like the Cadbury Fruit and Nut chocolate block I’m devouring will make me skinny.
Anyway, now I’ve turned you all off your Sunday Eggs Benedict, you may as well get clicking on some of the links below.
If you’re a blogger or business wanting to take part in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup:
Only link directly to the giveaway post/s and include the prize and end date in the linky tool below. Link each giveaway separately.
Giveaways must be open to Australian residents.
Grab the NEW button to add to your post.
A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
Start entering the giveaways!
While we’re on the subject, what are you having for breakfast this morning? Do you have a Sunday breakfast tradition?
