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By Little Mummy, December 31, 2006 5:46 pm

Happy New Year to all

I don’t usually share my ideas of what’s coming on littlemummy.com just in case I decide to scrap it later on… But what the hell, here is what may be coming during January.

Ugliest Toy 2007
Top Ten Quick Activities
Alternative Uses for a Sterilizer
A Book Review (if I finish…..highly unlikely)
Some Ideas from Liz Strauss’ List for January Blogging
Photos and Inspiration from the impending makeover of Erins’ Bedroom
More Toy Reviews from the Christmas Loot

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Photo by flickr user dmorris

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By Little Mummy, December 27, 2006 12:22 pm

Ahhh Vtech and leapfrog, my favourite toymakers of the minute.

The Vtech Sort and Soar Rocket was given to her by nana. Essentially its a shape sorter game but with many added extras. For example it moves up and down or ‘soars’ like a rocket. The button at the top enables the soaring and cleverly releases the shapes for the game to begin again. Each time a shape is correctly placed it triggers a song, number, shape word etc, this depends on what setting you have it on, of which there are five.

I like the fact it has the five settings, this lengthens its longevity. At the moment we have mainly had it on the music setting as Erin’s current party trick is to dance and clap when she triggers the music. As she gets older we’ll definitely utilise the numbers and shapes settings too.

Overall I thinks it’s a good value toy, which provides plenty of gameplay, and most importantly Erin loves it. 4/5

Buy Vtech Sort & Soar Rocket

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By Little Mummy, December 26, 2006 10:56 am

Before christmas I forecasted how my christmas day would look. I thought it would be a little bit of fun to do a ‘revised’ version (in bold).

7.30ish Erin will wake up looking for her milk

The Christmas Eve Party went off with such a bang Erin didn’t wake until 8am!

7.35 I will wake up and wonder if I can put her off for five minutes

I woke up and thought s**t why did I not a) eat more yesterday, and b) drink a pint of water before bed…..oh, and c) what the hell are those flashing lights in front of my eyes.

7.40 Erin’s noises will escalate from gurgling to full blown shouting

Check

7.45 I will ‘come too’and realise that it’s Christmas Day and get excited

Check (as well as “oh crap, I hope this isn’t a hangover”)

7.46 I will ’spring out’ of bed (after nudging Alex, to wake)

Ok, so I didn’t quite spring…

7.47 Nudge Alex again and threaten to remove duvet…

Alex was more sprightly than usual, and took great pleasure in laughing at my fragile state

7.48 Heat Erin’s milk, and go and say morning to her

Alex did the milk, whilst I got Erin up

7.50 Take her through to our room, Alex will probably feed her (I will try not to fall asleep)

Check

8.05 Move through to livingroom to see what Santa has left

We actually didn’t go through to livingroom until about 9am

8.10 Empty stocking first, move onto presents, get strong coffee

We opened a few presents and the stocking before Erin was ready for her weetabix and nap

9.30 Take a break, give Erin weetabix and put down for nap

Check

9.35 Alex will cook breakfast for us

Check

9.50 House will be smokey and kitchen will look like a 4-course meal has been prepared. Breakfast will taste nice

CHECK

10.15 Quickly clean kitchen before Erin wakes

Uh, no, we kinda abandoned the dishes…

10.30 Play with toys for a while before getting dressed

Check

12.00ish Drive over to Mother in laws’

We also picked up my sister in law and boyfriend en route

12.15 Be greeted (jumped on) by dog and family members

Check

12.16 Erin will be passed around and when the music stops (!) will chill out in her high seat for a while (I’m hoping)

Check

12.30 Give our presents to the family and open ours

Check

1.00 Be offered a cup of coffee, accept and slyly slip some Tia Maria in it

Offered coffee and requested some ice cold water instead…Tia Maria was NOT on the agenda

1.15 Be calm after sly shot of Tia Maria

Yes, well…

1.30 Shit! Remember that Erin should have had some lunch, act like good parent and tell Alex to prepare something

Check

2.00 Be tired after late night, early morning and drinking in the afternoon. Doze off for 5 minutes.

Check

2.05 Text friends to say Merry Christmas

Hmm, forgot to do this, should ring them now…

2.20 Help prepare dinner (I’m on the prawn cocktails)

I laid the table instead of preparing the prawn cocktails

3.05 Wish that Erin would have short nap to freshen up, accept she won’t and have another tia maria

Check (apart from Tia Maria bit!)

4.00 (or thereabouts) Sit down for dinner

Dinner was closer to 5.30pm

5.00 Help with clearing up

Check

5.30 Give Erin a bath and start settling her for bed

Skipped the bath as we had a bath in the morning with her new crayola bath tablets and squeezy toys.

6.30 Spend evening playing games and having a drink

Spent evening playing trivial pursuit and drinking irn bru.

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By Little Mummy, December 20, 2006 2:15 pm

This post about dads spending time with their kids during the holidays caught my eye whilst perusing this weeks’ carnival of family life.

The importance of ‘daddy time’ is very well documented and any father worth his salt will want to spend time with their kids, however, could it be that some dads lack the creative spark or imagination or even knowledge to know what their kids will enjoy and what activities are most age appropriate.

1. Swimming

Babies through to teens they all love swimming. Cheap and fun its always a good option especially in the winter.

2. Bake Cakes

This isn’t as complicated as it sounds if you buy a box which provides you with cake mix, icing, and decorations…in fact all you need is an egg and some water and you’re cooking (literally!)

3. Trip to the Park

Ideal for toddlers through to primary age kids, great for letting off some steam (and giving mum a break!)

4. Imaginitive Play

Horsee and aeroplanes for babies, cops ‘n’ robbers and cowboys ‘n’ indians for preschoolers. These games are imaginitive games. Experts say that in todays society of computers and tv imaginitive play needs to be especially encouraged.

5. Skittles

Skittles is suitable for toddler and primary age children.

6. Ice Skating

In most big cities there is a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice rink, a real treat for primary age right through to teens.

7. Make a Den

Dads are best at making dens so I’m not going to offer any so-called advice here

8. Make Gunge

Dads will enjoy this one just as much as the kids!

9. Baby Ball Pool

This one is great for babies.

10. Check Out Kids Websites

Surf the net for websites for kids. Here is a good place to start.

11. Make a Happy Sun

An easy craft project, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

12. Make Chocolate Fondue

Suitable for toddlers, preschool and primary age children. Yummy!

13. Ice Cream Collage

Another easy craft activity, suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

14. Exploring Textures

Babies can be difficult to entertain but this usually keeps them amused for a while.

15. Hand and Foot Printing

Messy but fun. Suitable for babies through to preschoolers and maybe a little bit beyond.

16. Play Doh

Easy to set up and easy to clear away. Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the most.

17. Christmas Shopping

18. Buy Tree/Decorations

19. Paper Flower Collage

Suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.

20. Baby Games

Easy games that babies really enjoy.

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By Little Mummy, December 19, 2006 3:40 am

Mummy: This photo looks just like one of me when I was a baby, ask me, and I’ll show you.

Mummy: The competitive streak is in you, even if it is only winning some bed space.

Mummy: You’re around 4 months old here, I chose this picture because the expression on your face is so grown up.

Mummy: A sneaky little smile lets me know that you were happy to be here.

Mummy: Daddy gets the biggest smiles when you’re playing your silly games.

Mummy: We did lots of activities, I don’t know if you enjoyed them, but we enjoyed doing them with you.

Mummy: You loved when I was taking photos of you, you’re around 6 or 7 months here.

Mummy: This outfit was pretty girly for you, we favoured combats usually. (I’m wondering what you will be wearing if and when you ever read this)

Mummy: Having fun on your belly, this was one of the first times you rolled over, but you didn’t really like being on your front much.

Mummy: I think you looked perfect in this photo

Mummy: We did a lot of colouring together but I used to get quite frustrated that all you wanted to do was eat the crayons rather than colour nice pictures!

Mummy: You’re growing up so fast, but at bedtime you still look like our little baby.

Mummy: Playing in the water, moments after this you tipped the whole tub over yourself!

So Erin, if blogging isn’t too historic (and I remembered to renew my domain name!) you are reading this, I’m not sure how old you are but I hoped you enjoyed reading a little bit about some of our thoughts and feelings during your first year. I don’t think I included anything embarassing and if I did – I’m sorry.

Why Tiny Dancer? In hospital, the night before having you, for some reason it was the only song that was keeping me (and you) calm (Tiny Dancer by Elton John)

With Love Mummy & Daddy (Daddy doesn’t ‘do’ blogging, but this was his idea!)

xxx

Entered into problogger’s group writing project ‘reviews and predictions’. *Erin: if we win a prize feel free to request your pocket money bonus

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By Little Mummy, December 19, 2006 1:35 am

Ready, Set….

Go…

Photo for Nana

Inspect

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By Little Mummy, December 18, 2006 12:09 pm

1. Childbirth will happen when the baby is ready, not when you are ready.

2. Patience (real patience!)

3. How to put someonelse before myself

4. Parental love

5. How to Blog

6. How to prepare formula milk

7. How to Podcast

8. I am quite entrepreneurial at heart

9. The colour green suits me

10. That next year I need to aim high, because when I aim high I’ll always achieve something even if it wasn’t the full ambition.

Part of Instigator Blog’s ‘What I learned…’

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By Little Mummy, December 16, 2006 8:19 am

Empty Cotton Reels

Small Plastic Bottles
Minus the lids!

A Small Tupperware Tub
We use one of Erin’s weaning tubs.

Scraps of Textured Fabric
Tin foil can be fun too, although beware of tin foil disappearing into the mouth, a tin foil ball is fun.

Spoons

Doll’s Cup and Saucer

Wooden Bricks

Egg Cartons

Ball

Photo by flickr user Potatojunkie

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By Little Mummy, December 15, 2006 11:56 am

When it comes to pregnancy, birth and therafter everyone has some piece of advice for you. Here are the pick of the (large!) bunch I was given.

1. Buy more vests and babygro’s than you think you’ll need.

2. Take baggy pyjamas and big knickers to hospital, especially if it’s a c-section.

3. If bottle-feeding, have at least 6 bottles, preferably nine.

4. Buy a microwave sterilizer, they can’t break.

5. The first few months will fly by, make the most of it.

6. Don’t be too proud to accept hand-me-downs.

and the stuff that nobody told me, but I wish they had…

1. Take more nappies and babygros and vests to hospital than you think you will need.

2. You never get time to scrapbook the pictures, so don’t start

Photo by flickr user o-mer

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By Little Mummy, December 11, 2006 7:11 am

Dried Apricots

Erin loves these as they are sweet and chewy, I need to keep an eye on her though as she trys to stuff them right into her mouth.

Scotch Pancake

Again with a thin spread of butter this make a great mid morning snack.

Toast Fingers

We usually have granary bed and top with butter or jam.

Organix Crunchy Stix

These are great for on the move, and seem to be the favourable option of ‘crisp’ type snack.

Cucumber Sticks

I like these as alternative teether toys, cooled they provide relief and the right amount of give, and if a bit drops off….a healthy snack!

Dried Pineapple Ring

I bought these at a farm shop but they are available at wholefood stores too. As Erin chews the pinepple rehydrates and becomes a naturally sweet chewy snack.

Chunk of Apple

Simply peeled and rinsed, a chunk of apple is healthy and keeps her busy for a while.

Biscuit

Erin likes ginger flavour ones, these are a rare treat due to the sugar content, needless to say they are well received

Melba Toast

This was a Granny one, melba toast with a thin spread of butter, apparently she loved it.

Cow & Gate Cheese Biscuits

On their own or with a cheese dip. Yum!

Photos by flickr users R@punseLL and bee-side(s)