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  • WIN: Handy Manny: Motorcycle Adventure DVD

    WIN: Handy Manny: Motorcycle Adventure DVD

    SUNDAY afternoons in our house are movie afternoons. They include the whole family, freshly popped popcorn and a movie-length DVD. While Princess Ella’s still only three, her attention span has improved enough that she can sit through a full movie now.

    This week we brought movie afternoon forward a few days to review Handy Manny: Motorcycle Adventure, due for release April 6. The tool-toting Hispanic, who has taught my daughter the odd bit of Spanish (see Our kids give us a sign to learn about her language learning skills), is now in his first full-length adventure.

    However, it wasn’t just Ella excited about this one, after discovering it celebrated what Sunday afternoon means to us: family. The story follows Manny and his talking tools as they head out on a road trip to Manny’s family reunion.

    Along the way they encounter the usual road trip obstacles – fixing motorbikes, running out of fuel, flat tyres, cows blocking roads and large ravines. However, it’s screwdriver Pat veering off in search of his own family which causes their plans to take the biggest turn of all.

    Favourite parts:

    • The strong message of family values and the definition of family being more than simply blood relatives.
    • As always with Handy Manny, the importance of working together as a team to achieve their goals.
    • A toe tapping soundtrack with fantastic melody and rhyme that wasn’t long picked up by our singing diva.
    • Getting out of neutral-coloured Sheetrock Hills and using some incredibly lush countryside settings.
    • Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Goofy’s Magical Mix-up as the bonus feature – Mickey is a favourite in this house.

    In all, this is another great edition to Disney’s full length releases. It will sustain the attention of little viewers, while warming the hearts of parents through its wondeful message. 

     

    To go in the draw to win a copy of Handy Manny: Motorcycle Adventure, simply:

    • Leave a comment telling us your child’s favourite Disney character
    • Make sure you like us on Facebook

    The giveaway ends April 8, 2011. Winner will be announced on this site. Open to Australian residents only.

    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

  • FEATURE: When life goes bottoms up

    FEATURE: When life goes bottoms up

    Ella's dancing feet

    WHEN preparing for three-year-old Ella’s dance lesson in the morning, I’ll be double, no triple, checking we have EVERYTHING. Why? Well first, let’s rewind to last Friday morning.

    Last Friday was particularly hectic – there was breastfeeding to be done, bags to pack, dishwashers to clear (well, only one dishwasher) and bottoms to be wiped. “No mum, I can wipe my own bottom’’. Here we go. “Of course you can, darling. Just make sure you put your underpants back on, OK?’’

    Let’s just say this conversation went on for a while (I won’t bore you with the script) and ended with “I’ll put them on later’’. Fine, put them on later. I’ve got other things to do. Ah, we spend so long pushing for the day our li’l people become independent, little realising the ramifications.

    You see, half way through her dance lesson, as I bounced Baby Holly on my lap, the dance teacher instructed her li’l subjects to lie back, feet in the air and pretend to be seals balancing a ball on their toes. It looked so gorgeous. Twenty sets of little feet cycling towards the sky.

    Then a thought crossed my mind, my body suddenly felt hot and I slightly choked. Had Ella put her pants on in the end? If not, there were quite a few people now getting an eye full. Yep, she was as naked as the day she was born.

    “Next, let’s all twinkle our fingers in the air, now bend over and touch the floor.’’ Nooooooooo. Please. She hasn’t got pants on. Too late. The other mums around me were in absolute hysterics. I had my hands full with Holly and could do nothing but watch it all unfold.

    A few minutes later Ella runs over to me. Little does she realise just how much of herself she’s revealed to her peers. I quickly do the hand-up-the-dress thing just to confirm what I already know and indeed, there are no underdaks covering the “front and back bum’’. I try to convince her that we need to get her spare pants out of her bag before the next dance begins, but she runs off laughing. Yeah, real funny.

    Finally, when dancing has finished, she complies and happily jumps into a pair of stripey pink and white knickers. Too late now, love. Everyone’s already seen what you had for breakfast. *sigh*

    So, my lesson to you is, fight for your little people’s independence, sure. But understand, as with everything, there are consequences.

    Do you have issues with keeping your child in underpants? Or is it just my child?

    Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with news from TLP.

    This post is part of FlogYoBlog Friday. Click on the links to read some incredible posts from around the mummy blogosphere!
    Click on the links to read some incredible posts from around the mummy blogosphere!



  • SHED: Like mother, like son

    SHED: Like mother, like son

    Julian's mum with Baby Holly

    AS A child, there were many things I thought I would turn into when I was “bigger”. For a while there I thought I would be the first fully professional BMX Bandit (Nicole Kidman beat me to it). Then I thought I’d make a good Prime Minister (I didn’t even make the school council).  I also thought I’d be the first white Michael Jordan (I ended up closer resembling the first white Steve Urkel).

    However, there’s definitely one thing I didn’t think I’d turn into when I grew up … and that was: MY MOTHER! Yes, you heard right. As time progresses as a parent, I fear – in fact, dread – I am turning into my mum.

    Don’t get me wrong, there are worse things in the world to turn into (a Carlton supporter for one), but it’s a little disconcerting for a bloke in his late 30s to suddenly find himself channeling a lady with a penchant for Tupperware, knitting and candied ginger.

    This phenomenon occurred to me the other day when I was scolding Princess Ella, whose three-year-old tantrums are making the “terrible twos’’ seem like a full body massage with a Pina Colada chaser. Tired of Ella’s rebellion, I launched into a lecture. “Ella, there are two words you have to stop saying – `no’ and ‘I don’t want to’,’’ I said. At the end of the sentence I realised the stupidity of what I’d just said and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Ella looked at me like I was weird.

    In hindsight though, something scared me. What I’d just said sounded completely like something my mum would have said. It was at THAT moment it occurred to me, as a parent, I was more like my mum than my dad.

    Already Kel has caught me several times calling Ella “Holly” and Holly “Ella” – something my mum is famous for. Mind you, she had seven kids and I have two. Also, my version of discipline is pathetic, much like my mums. My siblings reckoned I had my mother wrapped around my little finger and, if that’s the case, then karma is a bitch. Kellie is constantly onto me because I no sooner threaten Ella than I give her chocolate and a cuddle. Wrong, I know, but I can’t help it.

    Since this devastating revelation, I have come to terms with my path in life. I resolve that if indeed I am turning into my mum, I shall dedicate my future spare time to learning the difference between “knit” and “purl”. I am also now in the market for some mauve skivvies.

    Read more from The Shed and don’t forget to vote in the Top 25 Daddy Blogs.

    Then hop on over and visit Where’s My Glow?, where Kel is guest posting today.

    Lastly, if you want to read about more daddy blogs, check out Reservoir Dad, who is putting together a list of Aussie dad bloggers today (direct link will be put up as soon as available).

  • MEDIA: How to survive a media interview

    MEDIA: How to survive a media interview

     

    how to survive media interview
    IF YOU’VE sought out this post from our Media Room, then I’m guessing a “congratulations’’ is in order. Your press release was successful and now you’re planning for that interview. Apart from “breathe’’ and staying relaxed, there’s a few tips you can follow to make a media interview less daunting.

    1. Be prepared. Know what you want to say and then say exactly what you mean. If need be, take in notes, but don’t ever “read’’ them during an interview. Know your topic and be interesting. The better the interview, the better the story.
    2. Make sure your key message is catchy. If you can, have it within a “golden quote’’ – that is a line a reporter can’t help but want to include. Be witty, but best of all, be honest. If you are saying/doing something which is false, it will show.
    3. The best way to emphasise your key message is to repeat it. Stay on message. Say it 100 different ways, not the same way, but say it!
    4. Be clear and concise with your answers. The quickest way to get misquoted is to ramble, go off topic and start using jargon. Don’t try and use big words. It’s the old “KISS” principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).
    5. If you don’t understand the question, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
    6. Always answer. If you get thrown a difficult question, answer briefly and then put forward your key message. You should also be prepared for such questions beforehand. It’s best not to say “no comment’’ as it implies you’re hiding something. It is acceptable to say “I’m unable to speak about that because…’’.
    7. Use personal anecdotes and stories that illustrate your point and give examples. Be prepared to open up.
    8. Do your research and have facts and figures at hand to emphasise your point. For example, one in three women will seek help with breastfeeding; our business is the first to win this award in 20 years.
    9. Never mention something is “off the record’’ or provide information you don’t want included in the interview unless you have a personal relationship with the reporter or previous experience with them. Some reporters may not honour this.
    10. Always be presentable. This is obvious for television, but if for print, you may need to be photographed.

    Written by a journalist, who happens to be married to a deputy editor

    How do you think you’d cope in an interview? Have you been interviewed before? What tips would you give others?

  • Menu Plan Monday #1

    Menu Plan Monday #1

    Zucchini fritters

    OUR garden is mass producing zucchinis, to the point we just can’t keep up. And not just your average sized zucchinis – these look like they’ve been on steroids.

    Having eaten enough zucchini sliced onto pizza, chopped into soup and grated into Bolognese, slice and muffins, this week we’re returning to Julian’s Zucchini Fritters recipe. The beauty of these is they can be frozen, so you’re not eating them for the rest of the week.

    You’ll notice the menu also has an overdose of salad, due to the garden also spurting out an abundance of cos lettuces and cucumbers. Funny thing is, we’re not even very good gardeners.

    Monday: Gourmet beef pies with salad

    Tuesday:  Easy crumbed chicken strips (using fresh lemon and pepper) with zucchini fritters

    Wednesday: Smoked salmon and tomato pasta (recipe to come)

    Thursday: Leftovers (Julian not home)

    Friday: Scotch fillet steak with homemade chips and salad

    Saturday: Homemade vegetarian pizza

    Sunday: Roast pork and vegetables

    For the first time, I’m linking up with OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday and hope this will become a regular. You’ll find some more menu inspiration there.

    Here’s the recipe for:

    Zucchini Fritters

    • 1 1/2 cups self-raising flour
    • 1 cup milk
    • 2 eggs
    • 2 large corn cobs, kernels removed
    • 1 zucchini, grated
    • 1 Tb olive oil
    • 1 clove garlic, chopped
    • 150g bacon, diced
    • 1 tsp mixed dried herbs
    • 50g ricotta cheese

    Lightly fry garlic and bacon. Whisk milk and eggs together. Pour into bowl with flour and stir until smooth. Add zucchini, corn, garlic, mixed herbs, ricotta, garlic and bacon and combine.

    Add oil to large frying pan. Spoon mixture (about ¼ cups worth) into pan, being careful not to overload the pan. Cook for three to four minutes each. Serve.

    Do you plan your menu in advance? What’s for dinner at your house this week?

  • FEATURE: Love you to the moon and back

    FEATURE: Love you to the moon and back

    Letter to Ella

    AFTER reading quite a few posts this week on mum’s struggling with self worth, their identity and just sheer tiredness, I began to wonder if maybe that Super Moon had some sort of impact on us. The reason is, it’s been a particularly tough one here too. Although, I well realise there are women out there doing it far tougher than me.

    I won’t bore you with all the details, except to say part of it has been three-year-old Ella returning to her tantrum-throwing ways (why, I’m not sure) and five-month-old Holly either teething or just trying to test me. Whatever the case, I’m pretty exhausted this week.

    Thankfully, I had cause to open Ella’s keepsake box last night to store away tickets to a Wiggles concert we went to earlier this week. As I was doing so I stumbled across a letter written by her dad and I on her first birthday for her to read one day in the future.

    If the Super Moon put me off kilter, then it was the stars that aligned and led me to this, a letter I was meant to reread.

    “To our beautiful little girl,

    It’s hard to believe a year has passed since you entered our world. On this day 12 months ago our lives changed forever and Ella, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

    From the time you arrived you have filled our life with joy. Your wonderful smile, cute little giggle, your character and personality infects everyone you meet.

    Ella's keepsake box

    Already you are proving to be a clever, if not headstrong, and loving daughter. It makes the sleepless nights and stinky, pooey nappies all worth it.

    Hopefully, in future years, you can look back on this little note and understand that, to your parents, you are the centre of their universe and you can be happy in the knowledge there are two people who will love you unconditionally always.

    We can’t wait for the birthdays still to come.

    Love your mum and dad’’

    Enough said really.

    Please share …

    Today I’m taking part in FlogYoBlog Friday. Click on the links to read some incredible posts from around the mummy blogosphere!

     
    FYBF