BOOK WEEK 2018: Find Your Treasure

BOOK WEEK is here!! I just love this year's theme Find Your Treasure, don't you? Taking place across the country from the 18th - 24th August, teachers are preparing their engaging activities and parents have (most likely) organised their child's costume.

To me, books themselves are treasured items. Your child's favourite book is a treasure. The one you've read to them over and over again, so often that they can recite it by heart. But of course there are some more literal ways to interpret this year's theme... here are some of my favourite activities!

This is a sponsored post as part of my Brand Ambassadorship with Teach Starter. 

Image Credit - CBCA

62

LATEST Book Release from Zanni Louise!

*1st March launch

You may have heard of the Australian author Zanni Louise as I've reviewed two of her books before; Archie and the Bear and Too Busy Sleeping (which is still a favourite of Miss M's - she's actually bringing it in to school for show and tell as her favourite book). Well, today on her launch day, I'd like to introduce you to a new super fun and quirky character who has just started school.

Everyone, meet Tiggy.

"Tiggy's special magic paintbrush can help her solve any problem... except sometimes her magic paintbrush creates brand new problems for Tiggy and her imagination to fix!"

Kindly gifted for the purpose of this review. 

29

My Epic Fail {Growth Mindset Guest Post}

Growth mindset. There's a lot of talk about it amongst schools and workplaces at the moment. We are being encouraged to train our minds to embrace challenges, look on the positive side, find solutions and problem solve. The simplest example that comes to mind is to add the word "yet" at the end of the statement "I can't do it". 

Today's guest blogger is Bec from Square Peg Tutoring (you know that expression - square peg round role?). Well Bec is all about helping those square pegs to learn in their own way and at their own pace through her tutoring business. She's sharing a really personal story from her past experiences in the classroom - her "epic fail". Something I'm sure we have all found ourselves doing at one stage or another. I applaud her for so bravely sharing and for allowing me to publish her story here and share it with my community of teacher types. 

Welcome Bec.

8

What We Got Up to in the Holidays

When people ask how my school holidays were, I say "I feel like I can breathe again". It has been a really hectic term, and a big adjustment going back to work. The kids have still being going to Child Care (for a shorter day) and I've been able to catch up on everything that needed to be done, and just BREATHE. Enjoy time on my own, a quiet house to myself, and getting reacquainted with the blog. On my first day the floors were vacuumed and mops, every dish washed and put away (not just left sitting in the dish rack) and every item of clothing washed, dried, folded and put away (which never happens all at the same time).

I felt like I could breathe again. In my own home, I could breathe again.

You may have read this article I wrote a while back, explaining why I still sent Miss M to child care last year when I was home with Little Man, and a lot of the same reasons apply now during the school holidays. I completely understand that it wouldn't be the choice that everyone would make, but for me, it saved my sanity.

I felt like I could breathe again.

But, we have had awesome fun in the school holidays together as a family! There was so much fun stuff happening and so I wanted to do a quick wrap up to share what we did with you.

3

The Story of the Bare Footed Ring Bearer

You might have seen on my Instagram that we recently celebrated my brother's wedding! And Miss M had a special job of being the ring bearer.

So let me tell you the story of how the bare footed ring bearer came to be...

9

Tailor Made Tales {Personalised Books for Kids}

There are so many nifty little products for kids out there these days, you just need to know where to FIND THEM! That's where I (and lots of other bloggers) come in. We love to discover unique and personalised items for your kids that you won't find in shops, try them out, and share them with you. We also love helping out small biz mums to get their awesome products seen by more eyes!

So today's product review is a pretty special one. It's a personalised story book, made by Kim from Tailor Made Tales. It's not just an ordinary photo book though, Kim will actually write a unique story especially for your child based on the photos you send her. I just love this idea, and I was so happy with what she came up with for Miss M (kindly gifted for the purpose of this review).

"The Big Adventures of a Big Sister"

I even love the title!

7

Reading Aloud is More Than Just a Bedtime Routine {Guest Post}

I'm so thrilled to have a special guest here today - author Amelia Trompf who is launching her book Who is Fitzy Fox? this month with a blog hop, and we are her last stop! You probably saw my review yesterday, and today Amelia's talking all about the importance of reading to our kids. 

{Sponsored}

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A couple of unexpected things have happened to me since I had my son. One is that I get ridiculously excited when I go past a yellow digger and absolutely beside myself when I see a really big crane, even when it’s just me in the car. The second is I am overjoyed when the toilet roll is finished because I have yet another cardboard cylinder to add to the ‘making box’. Actually the toilet roll excitement is relatively new and has started since I decided to challenge myself to get more ‘crafty’.

18

Book Week Book Review #1 {The Day You Came Into The World}

It's Book Week! Hooray! I miss being in the classroom at this exciting time in Term 3, so I thought I'd share a couple of book reviews this week. This first one, The Day You Came Into The World by Frances Lalor is perfect for young children, toddlers, babies and new parents (it would also make the perfect baby shower or newborn baby arrival gift - I have a friend due in a few months and I'm planning to get her a copy).

8

Threenagers Say The Funniest Things

You all probably know that I hang out quite a bit in my Facebook mother's groups and they are a wealth of knowledge, inspiration and non judgemental advice (I think I got lucky with both my groups being so lovely). We also regularly share funny things are kids are saying and doing, what milestones they're reaching, what they're eating and just supporting each other in general.

My March 2013 group has helped me out with a few blog posts in the past - Funny stories from the mouths of fussy eaters, Becoming a Threenager, and over a year ago, Funny things our two year olds say. Today we've compiled a list of all the humorous, hilarious and crazy things our threenagers say.

6

Babies Be Like {Part 2}

Today I've got another installment of "Babies be like..." thank to my fabulous Jan 2016 FB mummies group... You can read (and giggle) at part 1 here which we compiled when our babies were only 2ish months old. But these days we are in a whole new world of eating, teething, runny noses, smiles, giggles, playtime and crossing our fingers every night for a decent sleep.

6

10 of The BEST Bedtime Stories

Aaaahhhh bedtime... A struggle for most parents at some stage in their parenting journey. We all know that a bedtime routine can really help little people know what comes next and what to expect in that wind down time to sleep. In our house it's dinner, bath, ABC kids until the goodnight song at 7pm - then off to bed for a book with dad, followed by cuddles and a chat with mum. But it's not as simple as it sounds - that whole procedure can take ages! No matter how much time, effort and patience I give her, she always wants "just one more hug" or "one more story".

So it really helps us when the bed time story we choose is one that encourages sleep - I always like the ones with a relaxing tone and where the main character falls asleep at the end. Here are 10 of my recommendations...

10

Funny Stories From the Mouths of Fussy Eaters

Hey All!
My latest post was all about fussy eaters, and I shared a whole bunch of links, recipes and ideas that will hopefully help me (and you!) to get our little ones eating better. Kids can come up with the funniest reasons as to why they wont, or can't eat certain foods as they try to bargain and reason their way out of eating anything green. So I once again called on my favourites mummy groups to share the hilarity!

17

An Interview with my three year old

Have you even written down a whole conversation with your child? If you're a quick typer, there'll be lots of errors as you go to try and keep up, but it's really quite hilarious! I tried it with Miss M this afternoon...we weren't doing much else! (her answers are in italics)

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M can I ask you some questions?
oooohhhh yes!

What's your favourite colour?
Purple

What's your favourite food?
Um I dont know. 
Have a think about it
Ravioli

What did we do today?
I don't know. Can you tell me?
*Rephrase the question* Where did we got today?
I don't know? Where? To the aquarium?
No it wasn't the aquarium.
I can't guess
It was called the Botanic Gardens.
I got confused.
And what did we do today?
We went to the Botanic Gardens.
What did we do else?
Um not much. We came home.
What did we do? What did I play? What did we play with when we got home?
I'm meant to be asking you the questions!!

What's your favourite TV show?
Ben and Holly and Peppa Pig

What's your favourite toy?
Lily and Teddy and play dough

Tell me about your brother?
I don't know what he does. Can you tell me?
Try to think of one thing you brother does.
Drinks mummy milk.

Tell me about Archer? *Our dog*
I don't know what he does.
He poos and wees and barks.
He he you're funny.
That's what he does.
"out the way" *she says to Archer*

Tell me about your dad?
I don't know what he does.
What's something daddy does with you?
Plays with me.

Tell me something mummy does with you.
Plays with me. 
What kind of things?
Plays with me. Mum plays with me.

Do you go to child care?
Yes. 
What do you do there?
I don't know. 
You're saying "I don't know" a lot.

Whats your favourite outfit?
Plain.

What's your favourite book?
I don't know.
Ah, Peter Rabbit.

Whats your favourite place to go to?
I don't know. Can you tell me?
*give examples - Play Cafe, Park, Playground, Shops
My park.

Anything else you'd like to say
*plays music on toy piano to the tune of the wheels on the bus.

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*Half an hour later
Mum I'm going to ask you some questions.
What did we do today?
We went to the Botanic Gardens.
*runs to me on the lap top
What are you going to ask me next?
*daddy interrupts wanting to discuss plans for the weekend. Doesn't realise I'm writing a blog post here.

Whats your favourite colour in the whole wide world?
Ah Green.

*daddy comes over - "I'll tell you something to ask her"
*whispers

Mum what kind of food did you eat... when you were a little girl?
Um, hot chips and plain pasta with cheese and cheese sandwiches.
Oh that might be yummy! What else?
Um, apples, bikkies
Oh. Bikkies that I don't like?
Um, I cant remember.

Dont you? I remember.
Do you?
Yes.
*goes off on a tangent trying to figure out a word she was trying to say... could have been thumb, a type of biscuit?!? Who knows!

Lets get back to the interview.
What else would you like to ask me?

What was your favourite colour when you was a little girl? Green or purple?
It was purple actually.
Oh hehe! And green? But you like green anyway.
You changed what you like.
That's true.

Any more questions?
Ah, what is your favourite clothes?
Favourite clothes?
Yes? Black?
Yes I like black, and jeans, and comfy pants.

We've got time for one more question.
What kind, what did you do when you were a baby?
I probably cried, and slept and drank milk and thats all.
*puts play dough on computer screen

Don't put play dough on the computer screen.

😂

Lauren & Miss M xox

21

Kindness Stories

I was inspired this week by my friend Say Hello Jo as she's on a mission to spread more kindness around the world. She'd experienced some not so kind people of late and decided to share various kindness quotes with colourful walls backgrounds on social media. You can 'say hello' and request your own quote and favourite colour and she'll do one just for you - like she did for me here! (Keep reading for the direct link)...

Image used with permission - Thank Jo!

Kindness is something we talk about all the time with Miss M, and children at school. "That was a very kind thing to do" or in some cases "That wasn't a very kind thing to do". This book is a great one to introduce the concept and language to young children.

So I've been keeping notes of kind things that happen day to day, and today I'd like to share them with you.

• When the lady at Woolies opened a check out for you while you're jiggling a crying baby, preschooler, pram, food...

• When someone opens the door/gate for you at the child care drop off because you usually have your hands full with baby/capsule
/Miss M/keys/backpack.
• When a family member brings you no reason flowers.
• When a friend shouts you a coffee
.
• When the lady at the coffee shop gives your preschooler a freckle.
• When you and another mummy exchange a smile at the shops/park/wherever
 because in that moment you both totally understand each other.
• When a blogger friend likes, comments, shares your post.

• When your child brings you something the baby needs
.
• When your hubby comes home with a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

• When you get something in the mail other than a bill
.
• When grandparents babysit (and send you photo updates!)
• When someone tells you that you are a good mum.
• 
When someone tells you you are doing a great job.





Visit Jo here (It's cool to be kind) to leave your own kindness quote for her to photograph on a colourful wall in Perth just for you and keep her kindness movement going.

You can also read more in my interview with Jo here if you'd like to get to know her a little better.

And just one more kindness quote to leave with you...

Just. Be. Kind.

Lauren x

8

Becoming a Threenager | Stories from REAL Mummies

I shared on Facebook recently about little things Miss M is doing that indicate she's now becoming a threenager...

• stamping of the foot
• impatience "but I can't wait that long"
• questions, questions and more questions to which our answers are never satisfactory and always result in follow up questions or repeated "why"'s
• constant "but muuuuuum"'s
• Fussy with clothing and food
• questions or statements repeated over and over if they are ignored or not immediately answered. There's no giving up
• tantrums of course over the most insignificant things
• and the stamina of a three year old during said tantrums! Oh MY!

So I asked my mummy friends (all of us have two year olds becoming threenagers this month) to finish this sentence...

You know you have a threenager when...

• You serve a healthy dinner full of veggies only to get asked "where's my meat mummy? Why don't I have meat? Have I been naughty"
• When your 3 year old says " I don't like you anymore" and stamps her foot and walks off.
• When they yell at you and point you go away and slams the bedroom door because you asked "what are you doing?
• When food preferences and the subsequent decision to ingest are solely determined by whether Thomas the Tank Engine would eat it or not.
• When "no" is followed by "well you're not my best friend"
• When you have to try and explain why you don't have to wipe the dogs bum after a poo but you have to wipe their bum
• You're told "go away mama, my (I'm) busy....My just putting my make up on" (oh and I should also add that once or twice that 'make up' involved using Texta on her face, as well as a surprisingly neat fingernail and toenail colouring in!!)
• "No mummy! 1...2....3... Go room now!" Hey, at least he finally learnt how to count
• And taking forever get him to take a shower, only to have him refuse to get out.
• When mummy won't let him do what he wants and comes running up to you and says "No Mummy, go away!" 
• You're told "mummy just wait, I'm busy"
• You're told "mummy, I just said..."
• When Vegemite becomes a core ingredient in menu planning.
• When you bring out the biscuit container after specifically being asked for "cookies".... The melt down lasted approximately 40 minutes.
• I told A this morning our activities for the day 1: play date 2: mummy has to go to the dentist. He walks out of his room a few minutes later and gives me 10 cents and says "here mummy that's to pay for the dentist, I took it from my piggy bank". Lol
• When no is followed by No, which is followed by NO and once more, for good luck, NO! (Which is usually followed by some naughty chair time)
• When you go to wipe her face and she says "you need to stop, that's is not acceptable behaviour"
• When we decided to get takeaway dinner the other night and M cracked it because "No! I want to sit at the tables and have dinner!" (We take her out to restaurants a fair bit and she loves it)
• When she says "No I am NOT finished in the bath/swimming because my fingers aren't wobbly yet" (she meant wrinkly)
• When Mummy says no to something, so we turn to daddy and ask the same question...
• Also every second sentence is "No I can do it myself!"
• When your told "I told you so mum"
• "Mum can you go away I need some privacy" while on the toilet
• When your child asks for something "sweet and crunchy" then melts down when you offer the wrong food.
• Or everything is "yucky" I've actually barred her from saying this!!
• When this happens…

image used with permission from one of my lovely online mummy friends

And finally one of the mummies had this to say...

Slowly but surely the terrible twos slide away and a little one emerges who is easier to reason with. I am seeing huge changes with L at the moment. Life is less of a battle and I'm loving the fact she seems less impulsive. Although, I think many of the challenges she faced was because she struggled greatly with her sister arriving and suffered massive separation anxiety when I was in hospital.

So mummies of two year olds - be prepared. Here are two of my previous posts from my mummy friends...

Funny things our two year olds say.

Ridiculous Reasons for Tantrums.

And mummies of already threenagers - have you heard of the "fournado"??

Lauren xx

11

Pros, Cons + Funny Stories of Toilet Training

The other day I shared on my Facebook page that we had mastered toilet training and promised I'd write about it on the blog. It's crucial milestone in the life of a little person, a big step and another thing to tick off before baby arrives soon! Here's my pros, cons, funny stories and helpful links :)

The Pros

• You spend 'quality' time one-on-one with your child and give them your full and undivided attention (well if it's your first and only child as in our case)
• You keep up to date with your washing
• You very quickly learn the locations of all public toilets wherever you go
• No more nappy changes!
• You knew it had to be done sooner or later

The Cons

• All. The. Washing.
• Cleaning the potty 10 times a day (if you use a potty that is)
• You can't just go out whenever and wherever you like - it all depends on your child's bladder/bowel movements
• You need to make emergency departures from activities or conversations
• When you're 6 months pregnant (like me) it's quite a struggle to hold your child over a toilet and constantly bend down to help with clothes on/off...

Some funny stories from friends around the www;

• First accident on day 1 of toilet training, and she weed on Danny Dog. Was very upset by this, must wash him immediately (this is my funny story)
• Funniest thing she did was insisting on standing and cocking her leg to do a wee, just like our dog does (friend from my online mother's group)
• I caught him carrying his poo filled undies to the toilet last week, to tip it in himself... very seriously he told me "Say bye poo mummy" After hands had been washed, it was high fives all round! (another friend from online mother's group)
• On my birthday this year, Master 2 styled his hair into a very fashionable mohawk...using the poo from his undies...I realised then that he wasn't necessarily ready for toilet training. (Kyie from Kidgredients)
• We used jellybeans as an incentive to sit on the toilet for my 3 year old. He knew that if he sat on the toilet he was rewarded with a jellybean afterwards. We were out one day at the shops and a sales assistant offered him a jellybean. He looked at her, worried, and said "I need to sit on the toilet?". Poor woman didn't quite know what to make of it! (Rebecca from Seeing the Lighter Side)
• My daughter got the potty seat stuck on her head. No I'm not kidding. (Kate from ...The Online Water Cooler
• Tried transitioning our daughter to the toilet seat insert instead of potty for the first time. She was protesting so in the struggle to get her on there, I dunked her feet in the toilet bowl instead, thinking her legs were hanging down (couldn't see past the 8 month pregnant belly). Hubby doesn't say anything until she's already in the toilet... Great help. Not a successful attempt in the slightest. (Holly from Simplify Create Inspire). 
• 'I'm having a wee, mummy!' she called out cheerfully, as I ran up to her. She was sitting on the toilet, completely naked, her clothes in a little pile on the floor next to the toilet....right beside the big puddle of wee. (Karina from The Laney Files)
• I promised her an ice cream if she did a poo in the toilet. Then, she smiled excitedly and said, ‘I’m finished!’ ‘But there’s no poo,’ I said. ‘Doesn't it want to come out?’ ‘No. I want an ice cream!’ And just like that, the poo urge mysteriously disappeared. (also Karina from The Laney Files)

What worked well for us;

• We tried toilet training in the last school holidays (July) and it didn't go very well, Miss M was deeply upset when she had an accident and didn't want to wear knickers anymore - so we didn't push it and decided to wait a bit longer (best, decision, ever!)
• We knew she was ready this time, her language was developed enough and we felt like we'd done all the ground work.
• I made no plans for the week - so she had 3 days home with me and then 2 and Child Care
• On the night before we started we got rid of all nappies except one for over night, so she knew she'd get to wear her comfy knickers the next day.
• As I said, potty worked for us, Miss M's choice
• Prize box was another good trick - with some edible treats and some stickers, bubbles, stamps etc. We're in the stage now of phasing this out for at the end of an accident free day.

Some other helpful blog posts

• Are you toilet training? - Anna Partridge
• How to toilet train in 5 days - School of Mum
• Stress Free Toilet Training - Two point five kids
• Oricom Intelligent Potty Review + Tips - Six Little Hearts
• Real Mums Talk About Toilet Training (this link will direct you to other posts in this series at Childhood 101)

Care to share your funny toilet training stories?

Lauren x

10

The Getting Dressed Everyday Tantrums... {Guest Post}

Today I'm a guest blogger over at My Tiny Wardrobe, a Sydney based online kids clothing store with such a great motto "For all the places you'll go and adventures you'll have". Founder Amy is passionate about supporting other mums working from home by giving them a platform to sell their designs. 

I'm sharing our story of Miss M's getting dressed tantrums that we endure almost every single day. 

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Oh how I miss the days when I could buy gorgeous little matching outfits and dress my baby girl in whatever I wanted...but that was back before she had an opinion and learnt that she could protest certain items of clothing if she didn't want to wear them.

I remember it all changing around about the time she turned two - we were looking for a cute little birthday party outfit for her, and came home with a blue T-shirt (sequins on the shoulders I might add) and fluro pink shorts (from good old Target). 

For quite a few months after that, Miss M insisted on only wearing clothes she had worn before, she liked her old daggy, comfy pants and tops. Anything new was off limits - so I quickly learnt not to waste my money on expensive items but stick to cheapy stuff that didn't matter if she refused to wear it. Oh and tags MUST be cut off!

Next I tried letting her choose items at the shop to see if that would make a difference - because as all us mums know, the time when they need new clothes rolls around rather quickly. They've either been washed too many times and turn a dull grey colour, don't fit any more or are for the wrong season. I was lulled into a false sense of security spending up at Big W - but did she wear any of the things she chose? No!

These days her issues seem to have evolved that it isn't the clothing she has an issue with, but getting dressed full stop. We've tried everything; letting her choose, daddy doing it before he goes to work, breakfast first/after, and many more strategies. She procrastinates, she has to sort out her dolly, or get a specific toy, she'll try every avoidance tactic in the book. Some warm days she'll insist on wearing long sleeves, wont wear a jacket on cold days, and the other day she insisted on wearing her favourite seahorse PJ top to go out with her Nanna... It can be very stressful on mornings when we have to be out the door for work and child care by 7:30!

So my little girl isn't a fashionista, nor does she love dresses and tutus but thats ok. She'll evolve and find her own style I'm sure. I really had to make a conscious effort to let things go - and pick my battles. What really matters? Being clothed? Yes. Coordinating tops & pants? Not so much. Socks & shoes on a hot day? Not ideal but she'll learn to tell me if she gets hot.

But in the mean time I'm having a baby boy in 3 months who I can start shopping for!! I've started collecting some cute bonds zippy's!

Can you relate to our story? And tactics that have worked for you?

Lauren

This post first appeared on My Tiny Wardrobe
Not sponsored.

9

Our "Ditching the Dummy" Story

We, like many other parents chose to use a dummy for Miss M and honestly, what a lifesaver. Like an off button for crying. Don't regret our choice for a second. Here's a bit of backstory to fill you in on what's brought us to our decision to say goodbye to the dummy on the weekend.

Up Until Now

For quite some time (since Miss M was 1), the dummy was only for sleep time and we kept them in her cot. At around 2 years, she started to drop her day naps, and would often still have 'quiet time' in her cot (and had her dummy of course even though she wasn't sleeping). Then when we took the sides off her cot we realised that this would mean she would have free access to the dummies anytime - so this definitely had to change and we started keeping them up high on a shelf.

We discussed and suggested the 'swap the dummy' for a toy at the shop idea, but she wasn't too keen on that one. After watching a Peppa Pig "Tooth Fairy" episode we talked about the 'dummy fairy' and Miss M was quite receptive to this idea. We were all set to give it a go a week ago, but then she got sick.

After a bout of sickness, and us just giving in to her dummy requests too often - we were having daily battles and tantrums because she wanted it all the time. So we decided enough is enough.

The Dummy Fairy

When Miss M was better and we talked about it some more (the day before and day of leading up to it). She knew Saturday night was her last night with the dummy. We wanted to watch the Peppa pig "tooth fairy" episode again and then she decided she would wash the dummy in her bath. Putting it in the little bag went well - she wanted to do it straight away after bath. This is it. No going back now.


Of course we anticipated a tantrum, it lasted about 1 hour. At one stage I started reading a story to myself, with a really animated voice - it distracted her a bit, and by the 2nd book she gave in and came to sit on my lap. Stories worked for a while, but as soon as she thought of her dummy she lost it again. In, out, dad, mum, milk, water... we tried everything.


Eventually she fell asleep in my arms and I attempted the awkward and delicate manoeuvre of getting her into her bed - with just a slight wake up, a few pats later, we had done it...



The night...

She woke up once at around 11pm and was quite distraught when she realised her dummy wasn't there, I eventually calmed her down and she fell asleep in my arms again.



The morning!!

Miss M went straight to the door to look for her present - all bleary eyed and half asleep. She loved the little bed time beanie kid with his own dummy that the dummy fairy bought her, and carried him around all Morning like a sleeping baby.

She mentioned her dummy a few times during the day - asking where it was, and even tried her luck with daddy "You get me my dummy daddy?", but our answer was the same - "It's gone with the dummy fairy, it's not in this house anymore. We said goodbye to the dummy."

Night Two

I couldn't believe it - and I really hope I'm not jinxing myself by writing this but - she went to sleep herself perfectly, just like normal but without a dummy. And slept the whole night through. I couldn't believe it.

Parenting win! 

My Rookie Mistake

A few days later, Miss M and I were at the shops, and I make the mistake of venturing down the baby aisle. "Anything we need from here?" I say, "Dummy for your new baby" Miss M replies (which we have been talking about for a while). I have a quick look and they don't have any newborn ones, to which Miss M figures out "Buy some more for me...". *Face palm. What was I thinking? Minor tantrum in trolley followed. 

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Maybe we just chose the right time, and Miss M was the right age to understand the whole dummy fairy concept. So if you think it's time your little one ditched the dummy - give the dummy fairy a try! It was easier that we thought...

Lauren x

12

Best Activities for 2 Year Olds | Stories from REAL Mummies

Well, this is my last post in my "Stories from Real Mummies" series. The wonderful March Mummies have assisted me to compile our ultimate list of activity ideas for two year olds. There were so many great suggestions, and a few recurring ones - clear winners in our children's eyes!

Art & Craft

Painting

Drawing

Pasting

Stickers

Sensory

Playdough

Sand pit

Kinetic sand (with dump trucks, diggers & duplo)

Physical Activity

Dancing

Ball play (all types of balls) - kicking, bouncing, ten pin bowling, down the slide at the local park.

Bikes & scooters

Rolling, jumping, running down hills

Yoga

Here's a great link to Yoga for kids from Childhood 101.

Toys

Duplo

Coloured blocks

Trucks

Animals

Dolls

Imaginative Play

Doctor play with medicine kit

Kitchen play

Helping mummy with jobs (cleaning, helping prepare dinner, wiping tables, dusting, unloading dishwasher, sorting cutlery)

Shop or cafe play

Tea parties

Random

Typing on an unplugged keyboard

Stacking cups

Cooking activities in the kitchen

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If you missed them, here are my previous three posts in this series.

• Ridiculous (and hilarious) reasons for tantrums
• Managing Toddler Tantrums
• Funny things our two year olds say

And just a final note to any of the March Mummies reading. We really are lucky to be part of such a wonderful online community. Everyone is caring, considerate, respectful, supportive, encouraging and just down right nice. More internet groups and communities should take a leaf out of our book (especially when it comes to raising children!). Thank you all for being part of my parenting journey with Miss M for the past two years. It's been lovely to make some virtual friends (and real life ones too - you know who you are). 

Big things behind the scenes at teacher types!

Eeep!

Lauren x

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Funny Things our Two Year Olds Say | Stories from REAL Mummies

This week I once again asked my March Mummies to help me out with a blog post and share the funny things their two year old says. I must say I giggled through this whole list when I read it on Facebook. Enjoy!

"Of course Mummy!"
"Good choice" (when mum has picked out an outfit)
"Thomas' boobies" (when putting on Mum's breastpads)
"No more poos!"
"Good job Mummy"
"You're welcome Mummy"
"No facebook!"
"Bob the bugger" (aka Bob the Builder)
Mummy: "Watch out for the dog poo" Two year old: "No dog shit!"
"Come on my love"
Regardless of what she did that day, Miss 2 will always say she "went to the park" when asked.
To her toys "Hello! How was your day? Good?"
Nana points to picture: "That's a guinea pig", Miss 2: "It's a hampster actually Nana"
Can you day D? "D!" Can you say O? "O!" Can you say G? "G!" Can you say dog? "Woof!"
"No Mila's not having a shower. Mila had a shower yesterday."
"Mummy go get it. Mummy's got legs."
"My (I've) got a black daddy" (daddy has dark hair)
Mummy: "I love you". Miss 2: "I knoooooow"
Dead bug in the toilet': "Bug doing wee wees in the big toilet! Good boy bug!"
"Thank you very much, it's delish" (when food is served)
"Mum I'm 3 silly"
"What happened?" Complete with shrugged shoulders.
"No bed now mummy, cuddles then nigh nights, I'll tell you"
"Daddy up plane sky work" (Daddy works FIFO)
(Saying goodbye to house, car, playground etc) "Bye, have a lovely day"
"Birdies stop fighting, play nice"
"Pick up please darlin", "go outside darlin"
"Sorry mummy... mummy pretty!"
"C'mon!" Lleyton Hewwit style when wanting cars/people/toys to follow him.
"Nice chopping" (when daddy doing gardening)
Lewis has two dogs; Nero and Luna. He calls her "Luney" and calls Nero "Doggy". Mum tells him his name is Nero. "Ok, bye Luney, bye Doggy". No it's Nero. "Ok doggy"
"Mummy, Daddy look, there's an elephnat" (in the pantry - his excuse to get tiny teddies) 
Mum told Emma to have a big sleep for her Grandma, now every time Grandma is mentioned Emma says "have a biiiiig biiiiig looooong sleep"
Mummy: "Who made this mess?". Miss 2: "Grandma - seriously"

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Seriously, some of these need to be written in baby books or recorded to come out at 18th and 21st birthday celebrations. 

Collecting these cute little quotes reminded me of a You Tube series that I love; Convos with my two year old. If you haven't seen them you must check them out - hilarious! And now there are four seasons. 

Convos with my two year old - Season 4

Convos with my two year old - Season 3

Convos with my two year old - Season 2

Convos with my two year old - Season 1

Thanks again to the wonderful March Mummies for helping out and sharing their stories. I have one more post in this series - so stay tuned.

Lauren x

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