Tag: presents

Categories
Family

Celebrate Life with Experiences: Get Your Ticketek Tickets Today!

I’ve come to realise that my house is overflowing with stuff I don’t even use!

Instead of adding to this chaos, I’m on a mission to pare back and invest in experiences that create lasting memories with my family. Who needs more things when you can have more fun?

This year has already been a whirlwind of excitement! We’ve got tickets to THE KID LAROI coming up in just a few weeks, and I can hardly wait!

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Here’s what’s lined up for our concert calendar: Billie Eilish is next year’s girls’ night out, followed by Katy Perry because fun with my girls is always a blast!

If you’re looking for fun ways to keep the smiles coming, look no further! There’s an amazing selection of family-friendly shows that everyone will love, including:

Plus, with a variety of theatre and arts events available, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and inspire creativity. These shows are perfect for creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

With Christmas and the holidays fast approaching, I’ve realised it’s time to think differently about gifts. Instead of more clutter, why not surprise your loved ones with tickets to unforgettable experiences? 🎁 There’s something so special about sharing a moment together that will be cherished for years to come.

Here’s a quick list of shows and events for you to explore:

So, let’s fill our calendars with laughter and unforgettable moments instead of clutter! What experiences are you planning to treat your family to this holiday season?

Please note: I am an affiliate for Ticketek and love having fun experiences with the family. Make sure to check out if there is anyone you love coming to your home city and book the tickets!

Categories
Family

Download The Mother’s Day Code

I created “The Mother’s Day Code” to help you with pressie ideas and treats for mum/mom. Feel free to download the images below.

I have one British/Australian version and the other is the US version.

As a mother, you don’t expect to have expensive gifts, although I would love to go on a trip around the world and be whisked away to a day spa for a holiday by myself, I know this is not going to happen. Well, it could if I magically have heaps of money. (I can live in hope, can’t I??)

In reality, some nice flowers and lunch with hubby and the kids are fine. Or even better is a gift the kids made themselves.

So if you are like me and just wish to be given some nice gifts from your loved ones this downloadable code might come in handy.

Download both versions of the Mother’s Day Code here:

Have you got your mum something special for Sunday? Are you organising breakfast in bed? A nice plant to cheer up the house or the garden? Or taking Mum out for a long and relaxing lunch? Whatever you have planned I hope you have an amazing day.

I hope the Mother’s Day Code helps you out.

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Categories
Creative

Make Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt Dough Ornaments are a perfect craft project to do with the kids.

They are fun and you can make whatever your heart desires. Your imagination can run wild.

My kids wanted to create different animals and I made them do handprints as well. You can do feet prints if you wish.

The kids will love to see their creations hanging from the tree, or on the doorknobs of cupboards and doors.

You can make these decorations for any celebration. Easter, Birthdays and more!

Make Salt Dough Ornaments today with the kids
Make Salt Dough Ornaments today with the kids

 

Ingredients

  • 4 cups of plain flour
  • 1 cup of salt
  • 1 and a half cups of water
  • Food dye (whatever colour you wish to create)
  • Paint if you wish to paint the ornaments rather than colour with food dye.
  • Glue
  • Glitter or Glitter Glue
  • Ribbon or string to thread through the ornament.
  • Chopstick or another item to make the hole to hang the decoration on the tree.
All my ingredients aside from the food dye to colour the dough.
All my ingredients aside from the food dye to colour the dough.

Method

  • Mix all the ingredients together.
  • Add the food dye and mix some more to make sure that it is the right colour.
  • I separated the dough into three different batches. I made different colours for each child. This is a good way to ensure you know who’s decorations are whos.
    Julia mixing the blue dough.
    Mixing the blue dough.
    All three coloured salt dough.
    All three coloured salt dough.
  • Roll out the dough so it is not too thick and not too thin. (I made some of ours too thick and it has taken a while to dry)
  • Cut out the shapes with the cookie cutters and then press handprints or footprints on the decorations.
    Adding the hole so you can hang your ornament. Make sure to do this before you bake the ornaments.
    Adding the hole so you can hang your ornament. Make sure to do this before you bake the ornaments.
  • Make sure to add a hole to put the string or ribbon into the decoration.  Don’t forget to do this. Once dry it will be next to impossible to add the hole for the ribbon to tie onto the tree. We used the end of a chopstick.
  • Put the decorations on a tray with baking paper and then bake in the oven.
  • Bake in the oven for 1-2 hours at 100°C. or 200 °F. Time might vary depending on how thick the dough is for your decorations.
  • If the ornaments are still doughy you can put them back into the oven, or maybe leave them out to firm up before you decorate them.
  • Once the ornaments are dry you can decorate them.
    The salt dough creature is ready to bake now. You can clearly see the hole that will allow you to put string/ribbon to allow you to hang up your decoration.
    The saltdough creature is ready to bake now. You can clearly see the hole that will allow you to put string/ribbon to allow you to hang up your decoration.

     

  • Add glue to the areas you wish to add glitter then sprinkle the glitter. Make your decoration sparkle! (I ended up buying glitter glue instead of just glitter. This saved me from adding the glue and then the glitter.)
  • Add ribbon or string to thread through the hole that you have added to the ornament to allow you to hang on the Christmas Tree or elsewhere.
Decorating the Salt Dough Ornaments with Glitter Glue.
Decorating the Salt Dough Ornaments with Glitter Glue.
The finished Salt Dough Ornaments. Some are harder than others as they were not as thick as the others. The thicker ones need more time. If I was to do it again I would make them a bit thinner.
The finished Salt Dough Ornaments. Some were harder than others as they were not as thick as the others. The thicker ones need more time. If I was to do it again I would make them a bit thinner.

I hope this helps you create your own wonderful salt dough masterpieces.

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Originally published 3 December 2017

Categories
Family

Six More Mondays Till Xmas!

This time last year I was super organised. I had presents all sorted, some purchased and even some wrapped up ready for Christmas Day. I was a planning and organising machine.  I was all over it and made sure no one got forgotten. (One other mum asked me in September last year if I had sorted the kids Christmas presents. I gasped with shock at this comment. Why would I get their Christmas gifts sorted when they just had their birthday? She said that she had kids in December and since I was due to have Alexander in January and we had no idea if he would come in Dec/Jan it might be best to get things sorted just in case I ended up in hospital. Geez I had not thought about this. At first I thought I had plenty of time and how silly to be doing it in September. Although I looked at the calendar and due to being very pregnant thought I best get organised.)

Now the same time this year I am not in a super organised state. I have a few gifts purchased and none for immediate family only a gift here and there for my husbands family so far.

Nothing has been purchased for the kids so far.

I hear you gasp in the disbelief of this comment. However it is very true

So why am I not on the ball this year? Well I have not been motivated due to the kids being very naughty and horrible. Every time I do something lovely for them they act like terrors straight after and make me wish I shouldn’t have bothered. Does this happen to you?

Today is the 11th of November and that means that there is only 6 more Mondays to go before it is Christmas! Yes you read that right! Not long to go now.

I have even added the friendly text “DON’T PANIC” so it might calm you down. Yes very Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

DON'T PANIC - There are only 6 more Mondays until Christmas Day! Yes you read that right. Not long to go at all!
DON’T PANIC – There are only 6 more Mondays until Christmas Day! Yes you read that right. Not long to go at all!

 

Are you the type of person who purchases Christmas presents all year?

I sometimes do this. I see something that is perfect for someone and buy it and squirrel it away. One issue with this technique is that you need to remember where you have hidden the presents. You don’t want to be in a panic and have to race out and get a few new gifts due to not being able to find your clever organised gifts that you of course cannot find.

Or do you do all the shopping in the few weeks before Christmas Day?

Maybe you like to race around the shops on Christmas Eve and get the last minute specials. I for one would hate fighting the traffic and the people if shopping on Christmas Eve, that would be annoying.

I have seen some items for the kids but they are so expensive and of course we would need to get two of them so I dismiss them, then of course they turn evil and then my nice thoughts of going Christmas gift shopping has been sidelined to annoyance and why was I bothering at all.

This has been uttered more than twice from me to the kids, “If you don’t start listening and behaving Christmas is going to be cancelled!” Yes bad mother alert here. Have you threatened to cancel Christmas? Let me know if you did and how that worked out?

Don’t get me wrong I am not a scrooge. I love this time of year, the holidays and giving to others. The one thing that is driving me mental is that I race around doing for everyone and don’t seem to get much in return. Yes I have my cranky pants on today, maybe the cranky pants have been cleaned and worn again due to the constant drama in our house at the moment. Don’t think that I never clean my pants due to being cranky a lot! (I just had to put that in here)

Kermit helping decorate the tree for Christmas. He has done a great job don't you think?
Kermit helping decorate the tree for Christmas. He has done a great job don’t you think?

Is it the age that the kids just ignore you? Don’t listen? Race off and never come back when they are called? Hurt each other and more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see I am not a happy camper with the idea of rushing off to reward little peoples bad behaviour. I do think that it is the fact that they are so tired due to it being the end of the year, they are super excited about holidays, being in a new grade next year and of course Christmas. Do you find that your kids go a bit silly at the end of the year?

There is still time to get a few gifts for the kids before the actual day. I am just wondering what to give my darling girls this year. I don’t want little toys that will get lost and also cost a fortune. I don’t want more stuffed teddies as they have so many already, they don’t need more dolls although they have asked for some. I could get them more LEGO but they might get annoyed it is not something different. I do like to get them a set of LEGO to add to their collection (due to the fact they both love to create LEGO I like to make sure they have enough to share, hence adding to the collection).

I have been asked to get horse or a kitten, we will not be getting a horse due to space and costs but the kitten will have to wait until we are in our new house.

Are you organised for this Christmas?

Have you had to deal with kids being naughty and not behaving? Do you tell them to act nicer or else they might not get pressies on Christmas Day?

Let us know what you do to make things easier this time of year.

Categories
Pregnant

Excitement and Frustration

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I will be 38 weeks pregnant. I have never been this pregnant and as you might imagine I am getting annoyed. Annoyed at everything and everyone. Yes sad but true. I did think that the baby would have arrived by now and due to having twins early I am so over it and trying things to evict this little person from my body. However anything I do has not been met with labor starting or even waters breaking so back to waiting and getting bigger and more annoyed as the days progress.

C'mon Baby..... you have been told your days are numbered. You need to vacate my belly!
C’mon Baby….. you have been told your days are numbered. You need to vacate my belly!

I have also had strangers put their hands on my belly and tell me what I am having due to the shape of how I’m carrying. This did not happen last time and it has taken me by surprise. I don’t like it and was not sure what to say. I know they all mean well but I just don’t understand why my belly is suddenly everyone’s property? Did that happen to you? Many have told me that I’m having a boy due to the way I’m carrying so should be interesting when we find out.

I saw that Michelle Bridges had her baby on the weekend. I thought we were due around the same time. Maybe she was a week or so ahead. I have no idea. Now I’m thinking that maybe I should have been doing more squats to make this baby come. Since hearing of the birth of Michelle Bridges little boy, I have added more squats into my day just in case. Well you never know right?

Another frustration at the moment is that I have a sore throat that I got from one of the kids. Yes I don’t feel very well on top of being pregnant. It is not that bad, just feeling generally unwell and a head cold, but it does not help as all I want to do is sleep. Annoying really especially in summer. Oh well. I have been taking vitamins, and sucking on lozenges to ease the symptoms and make myself feel better. Teas and juices as well.

All Christmas presents are wrapped and many are under the tree (I wanted to make sure it was all done just in case I was in the hospital and having the baby). The kids ones will go under the tree tomorrow due to sticky little fingers and curious minds that might spoil surprises before the day. Do you put the kids presents under the tree before Christmas Eve? Or are you like me you make sure that no one can mess with the presents?

Christmas Presents all done and wrapped. Phew!
Christmas Presents all done and wrapped. Phew!

On the excitement end we had a family friend do the ring test to see if the baby is a boy/girl. As you know we have not found out the sex. Some people think we know and are just not saying, but we really have no idea and birth will be the only clue as to if the baby is a boy or girl. This test was done at a BBQ with family and friends. The room was quiet and everyone was very curious about the test and the results. From this test it looks like we are having a girl. Not sure but thought that I was having a girl as I felt the same with the twins this pregnancy, however I did think I was having a boy last time and was very wrong, I ended up with two lovely girls.

I have done the Chinese Gender Prediction and they say that we are having a girl also….but you never know it could be a boy. We are not fussed and just hope that the baby is healthy and happy.

I put some clothes in suction bags to keep them in case, and then I could not find them. Very annoying. However I finally found the clothes.  I still need to go through the draws as I need to put things in sizes so that it is easier to find. I’m glad the clothes were found as I did not buy much for the baby due to already having clothes that I could not find. So happiness all round with this win!

We are all curious about what the new little baby will be like and when it will decide to be here. My hospital bag has been packed for a while and we are all ready if it happens now. Maybe I should take my hospital bag with me on my travels for Christmas Day? Not sure, but it might be a wise idea. At least I will have it if I need it.

I have also been drinking some Raspberry Leaf Tea to make things easier for birth. I have been doing this for a while now. I suppose it can’t hurt right? The night before my waters broke with the twins I had two cups of this tea and then the next morning at 4am my waters broke (33 weeks pregnant with twins), I was hoping that it might have the same affect with this pregnancy but it has not been the case. Maybe it was just the right time for the other pregnancy and plus having more than one child would have made it happen earlier.

The kids are super excited about Christmas and the baby in their view is taking a back seat. I think due to the baby not being here it is not a reality for the kids yet. Once born I’m sure there will be much more interest. I do understand that for kids Christmas is super exciting and much more interesting at the moment.

The decorated Christmas Tree - Not mine but it looks pretty doesn't it.
The decorated Christmas Tree – Not mine but it looks pretty doesn’t it.

I cannot wait to see their faces when they get their presents. I do love Christmas as much as the kids. I love getting surprises, and getting up early on Christmas Day seems to happen to me as well as the kids.

Were you pregnant over Christmas? Were you concerned that you would have the baby on Christmas Day? If you were pregnant were you super annoyed and frustrated that the baby had not come yet?

 

Categories
5 years and beyond

Birthday Eve Thoughts

Wising myself a very happy birthday
Wising myself a very happy birthday

Tomorrow is my birthday and yes I will officially be another year older. Since today is birthday eve it has been a time of reflection. I am a bit sad about some things that I hoped to have done or completed and other things I am very happy with. So what are they?

Things I am pleased with:

  • The twins are very happy with school and doing very well.
  • Due to the kids being at school it gives me more time to get things done. Very nice indeed, and makes for a much calmer and happier mummy.
  • Happy that family are well and happy.

Things that I am not too pleased with:

  • I wanted to be fitter, slimmer and more slinky.
  • Have our house plans finalized.
  • Get the new looking blog launched.
  • Wanted to spend more time on the blog and develop more sections. It will happen, just taking longer than expected.
  • Work on my eBook.
  • Make more money… yes that is the constant want isn’t it.  I’m sure that is on everyone’s list!
    (be nice to help more to the household and maybe use the cash for a much needed holiday)

The things on my not pleased list can be fixed and I am working to improve them. I feel energized to create a to do list of things I wish to achieve and cross off each one when complete. I now feel more of a fire in my belly to get more done and to have a very productive rest of 2014.  Do you take stock mid year? I am due to my birthday, but maybe a half yearly stock take for your goals is a good idea? What are your thoughts? (You heard it here first!)

Do you weigh up things around your birthday? I do. I compare what I was hoping to achieve to what actually happened and get a bit upset. However life does happen so you have to excuse yourself a bit for stopping to enjoy things as well. You cannot work till you drop, some do it but it is not sustainable.

On the whole I have it very good and I hope it gets better and grander in the future. I can hope can’t I! Dreams fuel my passions, and they can only make things better. Well I think so!

I have a big box to unwrap tomorrow for my birthday and I am keen to find out what is in it! The twins went out with hubby yesterday and they have been very tight lipped so they have finally learnt and understood how to keep a secret.

One thing that they have said in unison is….

“We don’t know anything about what is inside the box!” “We have no idea mummy!” Then they giggle with faces in their hands and run away! Little funny kids they are.

 

My birthday presents. Waiting for me to open them! I cannot wait. Wonder what they are?
My birthday presents. Waiting for me to open them! I cannot wait. Wonder what they are?

I will let you know what is inside the big box tomorrow. However I have to unwrap it in the evening due to hubby working and kids at school. It is going to kill me to wait. Staring at it on the dining room table all day! Just painful and horrible torture!

Birthday time is also a reminder for me to get my checkup at the doctor, skin cancer specialist and any other tests, oh a pap test and so on! I like to make sure that I get it done when I remember it. I know not a very good thing to do at your birthday, but you remember the date. It does not have to be on your birthday just close to it. Book in for a check up. Make sure all is tip top with you!

Categories
4 years and beyond

My Babies Are 4

Today my twin girls are four. I cannot believe it has been four years but it has. They are such little adults at times, and of course still little girls who are still learning things and finding out about the world. They were born so small and are still compared to other children their age, but this is probably down to genetics and the fact that they are twins so they are small compared to having a singleton. Below is a picture of me with the girls soon after they were born. Look how small they both were! Lillian had a bit of jaundice so she was a little darker than Julia.

Mummy and the girls on the 27th of Sept, 2008. Julia on left, Lillian on right.
Mummy and the girls on the 27th of Sept, 2008. Julia on left, Lillian on right.

We celebrated with the opening of presents, and then got organised to go and see Madagascar 3 (the girls call this film the animals) at the movies. The movie was a hit as well as the birthday presents, after the film we came home to cupcakes and the girls wanted daddy to put their dolls house together

The girls were lucky to receive:

  • A Doll’s House and the furniture that went with it
  • Wooden food, cake, eggs, milk bottles and the like
  • Card games with some windup toys

Both girls were asking for a dolls house and little did they know that mummy and daddy had organised one for their birthday, thanks to Aldi. Aldi is the place we purchased the wooden cake and other food toys, plus all the other furniture to go with the doll’s house. Aldi is such an amazing shop to purchase toys from. They are wooden, well made and just such a reasonable price. The girls were daddy’s assistants to help build the dolls house, however sometimes the screws got dropped and the child responsible would not know were to look for it, so not great at assisting but was trying to help.

Doll house assembly
Doll house assembly

Nearly there
Nearly there

Finished Dolls House - Now the twins can play!
Finished Dolls House – Now the twins can play!

We have organised a party for the girls at a local park so they can celebrate their birthday with friends. This is to happen Saturday but the kids have been a bit sick but on medicine and getting better, so by Saturday they should be much better than they were. Currently it is raining the weather is not ideal for park outings, however the report for the weekend claims it will be sunny so crossing fingers and toes that is correct as we don’t have an alternative. It should be a fun party, it is to be a teddy bears picnic so fun for the kids, just need to finalise games to be played and sort out the cake.

The journey with the twins has been an amazing one and I must say it was not as bad as I thought it would be with twins as my first children, but there have been times that are very testing to say the least.  Currently the girls are testing my patience and now being four I am sure will present us with new learning curves. Other than the standard issues I am very proud of the girls and what they have grown into. Both girls are very smart, happy, healthy, energetic, got a great sense of humour, and just very nice and good spirited.Below is a picture that shows them currently so you can see the difference from when born to now.

Fun at Playgroup
Fun at Playgroup. Picture was taken a couple of weeks ago and wanted to have a nice one for today that they are 4 but it has been a trial to get one. Maybe tonight I might have better luck.

I have tried to get a nice picuture of the girls together today but have gotten angry faces, both girls put their hands over their faces and so on. Not wanting pictures today.  It did not make me feel good as I try and take a picture every month on the 13th to have a record of how they are growing and changing.  Have you had your kids be silly and not want photos taken? If so is it just a phase? Or is it a sign that I am taking too many photos? Happy Birthday to all people that are celebrating a birthday today and if you are twins happy day also!

No Pictures Please - Angry Face!
No Pictures Please – Angry Face!