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WIN: The complete Tommee Tippee discovera Cups collection (valued $90)
SOMETHING happens when we get new drink bottles in this house. Enough water is consumed to fill the Nile. I’m now questioning why I haven’t gotten in on this drink bottle action.

Princess Ella mainly drinks out of a glass at home, but drink bottles are the staple when we leave the forte. Something to do with not being able to put a lid on a glass and wanting to keep my bag dry. In fact, getting a bottle that doesn’t leak through my bag has been the highest priority.

Then there’s the other little issue, usually caused by newfound drink bottle fan, Baby Holly. She tends to leave a lot of these on the carpet throughout the house, which is always pleasant when you’re wearing socks:

Holly has been keen to skip the slow release baby-designed cups, due to being too difficult to get liquid from or just plain heavy. She instead picks up her big sister’s cups and merrily gurgles and splurts, due to the flow being way too fast for her. The result is her constantly sporting the drowned rat look.

So wanting to trial the new Tommee Tippee discovera Cups was more for Holly’s sake than Ella’s. The six cups in the collection start for bubs as young as four months through to two year olds-plus. Each has non-spill technology – even when held upside down. So what’s the first thing I did? I held them upside down. And? Nothing. Not a drip. Unless, of course, you count the one holding the bottle upside down.

The drip saver is due to a Samtech valve, which means children only have to put their mouth to the cup to release the liquid inside. As soon as the lip pressure is released, the cup is sealed again to avoid spills. Yep, this is real fancy pants drink bottle technology.

Holly has been using the Tommee Tippee discovera™ Active Drinking Active Straw Cup 12m+ (300ml) and all I know is the transition to a straw was instant. No teaching required. She’s also been wearing a dry t-shirt ALL week.

They're also good for chewing on!

Nearly four, Ella is using the Tommee Tippee discovera™ Active Drinker for 24m+ (300ml) without a qualm, despite this one aimed at the two-year-old market. It’s also pink. Enough said. Apparently it was also crutial we take it along to show Dora the Explorer.

While the 300ml capacity is certainly a bonus for us in not having to constantly refill them, the only challenge we’ve faced has been trying to fit them into the pockets of my nappy bag. They do fit, but would be a tight squeeze for those with bags featuring smaller pockets. Despite the size, the cups aren’t heavy for either of the girls to manage. Purely based on the drip technology, I’ll be continuing through the collection as Holly grows.

Strange close up shot of the product that I forgot to work into the editorial, but am using regardless.

The six cups in the discovera™ range are:
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ First Sips Cups 150ml 4m+
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ Natural Flow Cup 260ml 6m+
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ Natural Flow Beaker 330ml 9m+
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ Active Straw Cup 300ml 12m+
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ Active Sporty Cup 360ml 18m+
- Tommee Tippee discovera™ Active Drinker Cup 300ml 24m+
Each are BPA-free and retail for $14.95. For stockists, phone 1800 890 011. You can also learn more via the website at www.tommeetippee.com.au.

Would you like to win the entire collection? Well, Tommee Tippee is giving away one of each of the cups. For a chance to win, simply leave a comment telling us your favourite drink. The giveaway closes Thursday, October 20 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).
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’’.
3. Follow me on my new Google Friend Connect button over there in the sidebar and leave a comment telling me you’re now a follower.
**DISCLOSURE: I received two complimentary Tommee Tippee discovera Cups for review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

Check out more giveaways in the Aussie Giveaway Linkup.

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses
October 6, 2011
Alphabet Photography Challenge – M

With Christmas on the way and in the air it’s time to spread this Merry cheer. Can you find the letter M on Kirsty from Mummy To Five’s cute little elf Harry?

By Kirsty of Mummy To Five

Being a mother of five I’ve always had a love of photography, which has stemmed from when I was in high school and taking photography classes. My husband and I have a photography business, which keeps us busy. But I love taking photos of my children mostly. If I don’t have my camera in my hand, I’ll always have my iPhone to take photos with.

You can learn more about Kirsty, her family and her photography at Mummy To Five or connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

If you would like 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, please email. There are now only SIX letters remaining.

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

October 5, 2011
CBeebies favourite characters coming to a phone near you – for free (app review)

AFTER a hectic day riding her bike, picnicking and seeing how many ways she could throw herself down a slide (oh, it can be tough being a preschooler), Princess Ella needed something to settle her before dinner. Actually, she just needed something to settle her full stop.

It seemed the perfect opportunity to download the free CBeebies On The Go app via The Bloke in The Shed’s iPhone.

The look on his face was akin to a dog whose bone was taken away from it, never to be seen of again. He had every reason to worry.

I’d barely finished explaining to Ella what to do and she was confidently flicking and tapping the screen like a pro. Perfectly pitched to the (nearly) four-year-old princess, it features games and short video clips from its popular shows, including one of her favourites, Charlie and Lola. Among the games are Teletubbies matching pairs picture game and Kerwhizz jigsaw game.

Ella’s favourite was the 3^rd & Bird tap-the-fruit challenge, mainly because it inspired so much excitement as she tried to tap the fruit before it passed across the screen. The puzzles were quite challenging for her to begin with, until we realised the idea was to click on the two images you wanted to swap, instead of sliding them. Once she got a handle on this, the puzzles became much easier.

Her favourite video was by far Big Cook Little Cook – who can refuse decorating a chocolate train cake? She watched this five times!

I was particularly drawn to the Get Squiggling program. I love the idea of drawings coming alive, further fueling their imaginations when it comes to creating their own Van Goghs. As far as the games, Number Jacks was an opportunity for her to start recognising the difference between a 6 and a 9 by listening for the number and then matching it with one on the screen. I’ve already seen an improvement thanks to this game.

It’s this mix of being hugely entertaining, while still learning vital information for her age that makes this so appealing. There’s great variety, so little chance of becoming bored easily. It would have been particularly handy during our recent trip to Hobart, where a lot of patience on Ella’s part was required. And mine, I might add.

My only concern is the short videos could wear thin if on repeat. However, in all, this brightly coloured, easy-to-navigate app from BBC Worldwide is a wonderfully entertaining and educational app from a trusted brand.

The CBeebies On The Go app is now live at ITunes and FREE to download on an iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The CBeebies channel for kids is on Foxtel and Austar.

What’s your child’s favourite CBeebies program? Have they tried the CBeebies On The Go app? What other apps would you recommend for preschoolers?

Disclaimer: I am being paid by Kidspot to write this post in order to review the CBeebies On The Go app. However, all opinions are my own.

October 3, 2011
WIN: Aussie Giveaway Linkup #18
THE last few weeks I’ve shared some fan-tab-ulous wins in my life with you all. Well, today it’s all about the times when you DON’T win.

This week I decided I’d set Princess Ella up with some water paints and paper so I could chat with the lovely Louisa from Brand Meets Blog about work-related “stuff’’. Just before the call came through I hear an “ahhhhhh’’, followed by “Mum, Mum, look what I’ve done?’’. She then started a stream of uncontrollable tears. I peer around the corner and there, on the CREAM curtain, is black paint… splattered everywhere.

Want a closer look?

Sorry, had to divert my eyes. I couldn’t bear to look at it again.

You’re probably all thinking: what silly idiot buys a house with cream curtains? Actually, add cream lounge suites, cream carpet, cream cupboards and cream walls. Can I defend myself by saying we bought it PRE-kids. The other question you’re probably asking is: what silly idiot puts a child’s craft table near cream curtains? Ahh… I have no defence for this one.

After this little incident, I questioned why I ever wanted one of these:

That's a grape in her mouth, incase you were wondering.

OK, so she is pretty cute. Might I add, this photo was taken minutes after she’d calmed down from the whole ordeal. Yep, there’s a lot of “sorry’’ in that face. Not.

Apparently, the curtain couldn’t be drycleaned or spot cleaned. We were told we should wash it in the washing machine instead, after spraying it with a little Wonder Soap. The end result: the backing on the curtains melted and the stains didn’t come out. We have seven LARGE windows curtained in this material.

So, what’s the point of this story? Well if, like me, you’re feeling like you need to change your luck, then how about clicking on some of 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 NEW button to add to your post.
4. A new list is added each Sunday so bloggers need to add their links weekly.
5. Start entering the giveaways!
Do you have a good “win” or “loss” story this week?

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>
October 2, 2011
Grateful for having control over my own uterus
This week I’m grateful for:
- Having control over my own uterus: This is the conversation I had with Ella this week: Ella: “Mum, can we have a brother?’’. Me: “No, darling, you struggle to look after your sister, let alone having a brother.’’ Ella: “Pleeeeeease, I’ll look after Holly more. I promise.’’ Me: “No darling, unfortunately we can’t’’. Ella: “Ooooohhhh, but I waaaant a brother. I will be very sad.’’ She then starts crying. Real tears. As I said. I’m grateful I have control over my own uterus. We are not getting a brother. (PS. A long conversation ensued after this).
- Going to Melbourne: After deciding we wouldn’t have any more trips to the big island this year, a bloggy trip for me, cheap flights and constant pestering from Princess Ella to see her uncle somehow swayed us. Within 10 minutes of the idea. So… woohoo! Any suggestions on what to do are most welcome.
- Dora: Did I really just say Dora? Yes, I believe I did. She entertained Princess Ella for an hour and a half this afternoon, with all her over-sized friends, extremely daggy backdrops and irritatingly high-pitched singing voice. And I’m grateful for “who I know’’ not “what I know’’. Having booked tickets so late Ella and I weren’t even meant to be sitting in the same row, because of my past as a music journo we got the entire VIP row near the front of the theatre BY OURSELVES. Although, I might add, the downside of being up front is choking on the contents of the smoke machine.
I’m joining Maxabella Loves‘ I’m grateful for, hosted this week by Jody from Lemon Rhodes.
September 30, 2011
SHED: Boo you, Dad

“Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooo,’’ she said. I know you haven’t lived as a father until you have been booed relentlessly by your own three-year-old daughter.

She wasn’t mucking around either. “Boooooooooooooooooooo,’’ said Princess Ella in the back seat of the car. The boos were loud and continuous and in fact lasted from the time I picked her up from childcare till the time we went up the driveway at home. I’m not even exactly sure where she learned to boo.

Okay, explanation. Ella had been looking forward to her little sister, Baby Holly, spending some time with her at childcare. You see, as Holly’s nearly one, we’re slowly introducing her to childcare with an eventual view to her spending at least one day a week there.

Doing my bit, I dropped Ella off at childcare in the morning and travelled to my workplace in another city, while Princess Kel was to take Holly in later. Hours later I got a call from a frantic Kel, who’d been searching the house high and low for her car keys, only to then discover I’d taken both sets with me inadvertently.

A decision was made and due to my work commitments, Holly would not be going into childcare that day and was housebound. Needless to say, Ella was less than impressed when I explained to her what had happened on picking her up from childcare. “Booooooooooooooooooooooo,’’ she said. Yep, dad was in the poo with both mother and daughter.

Ella is immensely proud of her sister and loves to show her off to her friends at childcare and she was clearly upset dad had ruined her chance at gloating. Therefore, I know I deserved the “boooooooooooooooooo’’. Oh well, I know it probably won’t be the last time I deserve it.

Have you ever been booed by your children? Or worse?

Linking up Shae from Yay for Home’s Things I Know.

September 30, 2011