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Archives for February 2016

Rock your way to fun with unique vintage toys

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I have always wanted my babies to have a gorgeously set up nursery and have pretty little delicate things around the room but it never happened. For some reason I just never got around to doing it. There was always something more important to do or like everyone else, bills to be paid.

It is unfortunate that the older three children missed out, not that they would have realised, appreciated or enjoyed it anyway. But bub #4, has moved into a smaller room that has forced us to get a little bit more creative with space and ways to make it feel comforting and homey.

I had been racking my brain trying to work out how I can add a bit of originality and flare to her room without going over the top and then it struck me. The gorgeous wooden rocking horse that I got from Childsmart. It is absolutely perfect!

The rocking horse is such a gorgeous piece that I cannot believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner. It is a solid wood construction so it is more than sturdy which makes it the perfect toy for children to develop their balance.

It is inspired by the first toy Brio ever made back in 1907. I love that all the old vintage toys are making a comeback because they are nostalgic and make you feel warm.

As I put together the Brio rocking horse, my toddler was telling me to hurry up so she could ride the horse. I should mention it took approx. 5 minutes to put together, she was just very excited and eager to have a go.

She got on the horses back and rocked back and forth. She was in love! I had not seen her love a toy so much since she got her tea set for her last birthday. We have a combination of tiles and carpet in our home and I confidently let her use it on both surfaces without any disasters occurring. No marking the floor, no thinning the fabric and no being bucked off. Even if she did happen to fall (which is highly unlikely) it is only 45cm tall so she wouldn’t fall far.

The details put into making and designing this delightful toy will make even the toughest person smile. It is unbelievably cute and is guaranteed to make your little one smile! I would without hesitation recommend this to my family and friends, perhaps even get my nephew one for his birthday if my sister doesn’t beat me to it!

For more information or to purchase this Brio rocking horse, visit Childsmart today or check out their Facebook and instagram! You will not regret it, they have tonnes of awesome toys, kid’s products, food and drink apparatus and nursery items.

See the review I did on their Brio red stove, my daughter loved it!!

Disclosure: I received the Brio rocking horse for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

How did you add a unique touch to your baby room?

Signs Your Child Needs To See An Orthodontist

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Parents worry about a number of things from the second their baby is born. Unfortunately the importance of teeth and orthodontic checks are not fully understood.

Parents know it is essential to ensure they brush their child’s teeth at least twice a day, drink milk for calcium and that flossing should be done but are sometimes confused by misconceptions. Today I am going to share with you how to clean your child’s teeth, tell-tale signs dental work may be required and the significance of orthodontic checks.

How to clean your child’s teeth

Children typically think they can clean their teeth by themselves from a young age (especially toddlers) and while it is great to let them practise, it is vital that you do the job properly.

• Face your child or have them looking towards a mirror with you standing behind them. This allows you to see inside their mouth while brushing their teeth in a circular motion.

• Let them hold the brush as you clean their teeth so they become familiar with the action. Supervise children under the age of 6 as they tend to swallow toothpaste.

• Start from a young age so it introduces good habits.

Signs your child could benefit seeing an orthodontist

Orthodontists do much more than putting braces on. They are experts in teeth straightening for kids, teens and adults which is why they can identify the best treatment options for each individual.

Knowing the signs of when and why you should take your child to see an orthodontist can save you many dramas and further problems later down the track. As children grow the straightness of their teeth and bite can become a concern. Early intervention is the key!

• Thumb sucking – thumb sucking beyond the age of 5 can cause the shape of a child’s mouth and palate to change shape. This can result in ‘buck teeth’.

• Irregular loss of baby teeth – if baby teeth are lost too early, it can cause crowding in the mouth as the new teeth are too large for the small space which may result in surrounding teeth to shift. If a child has not lost any teeth by the age of 8, they should be seen by an orthodontist just to make sure there is not an underlying problem.

• Crowded, crooked or misplaced teeth – there are several reasons your child could suffer from these. Drinking from a bottle from an extended period of time, small/large teeth, prolonged thumb and finger sucking, early loss of teeth and many more. This often results in chipped or broken teeth.

• Overbite or underbite – irregular bites can cause damage to teeth, gums and jaw.

• Speech, breathing or chewing difficulties – When teeth, bite or jaw are not in their proper place, it can cause speech, breathing and chewing difficulties. Improper jaw placement causes stress on facial muscles and jaw joints; without treatment this will only become worse.

Visit the ASO website and see the infographic below for more signs your child may require an orthodontic visit.

 

Did you know….

• A registered orthodontist must complete a general dental degree and an additional 3 year full time accredited university degree in orthodontics.

• You do not need a referral from your dentist to make an appointment with an orthodontist.

• The ASO (Australian Society of Orthodontists) support patients and potential patients in making the best decision for their situation. They help find local registered specialist orthodontists and assist patients in understanding what to expect before, during and after treatment.

The importance of teeth are often understated and are left as a second thought. Make the right decision for your children and be stringent with cleaning and dental checks!

When was your last dental or orthodontic check up?

Disclosure: This is an S1 POST.

My Shit Day As a Mum – We All Have Them Right?

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You know those days where by the end of it you are completely and utterly exhausted? Those days you can barely holding it together? Well this was me yesterday.

I am usually a very laid back person, it takes a lot to break me. But I can say with all honesty that I have never in my 9 years of being a parent ever had a day that shit! I was woken by fighting kids, breakfast everywhere, my kitchen resembled a holding cell for untamed animals.

I thought once I dropped the boys at school surely my day would improve. I was wrong. So unbelievably wrong! My 2 year old daughter seems to have embraced the terrible two’s with open arms. There was just no letting up. She is a very strong willed child which I’m hoping will be a benefit in her older years but for now, she is driving me to breaking point. I ask her to do something. No. Please do it. No.

I am not typically a parent who resorts to bribing my children to do things (toilet training excluded, they can have whatever they frigging want if it means they will crap in the toilet!) however yesterday I was at my wits end. I did not know what to do. I was stressed, time deprived with my husband and I cannot remember the last time I left the house to do something for myself or by myself.
I’m just tired of being tired.

As the afternoon went on it didn’t improve. Homework arguments, racing the clock for swimming lessons because their class times had changed. Rushing out the door with an extremely overtired 2 year old, 3 month old baby and the boys, only to get there and be told they changed our lesson time to the next half an hour slot which meant I had to entertain the devil child, I mean toddler, for an hour instead of 30 minutes in what can only be described as a sauna. *It is a heated indoor pool in a shed that is ONLY for lessons.

By this point I was barely holding it together. I made dinner and was counting down the hours until my husband came home. He walked inside and asked me how my day was – I couldn’t contain it any longer – “It was fucked!”. There was no other way to explain it. The tears started flooding my face and as my husband comforted me, I fell into a messy sobbing heap. He asked me what had happened to make it such an awful day and as I told him, the crying got worse. But as I talked and cried, I began to feel lighter, less stressed, less irritated (possibly less irrational).

My husband being the wonderful man he is reminded me that everyone has bad days. It is ok to not be on top of everything every single day. Not to bottle it up until breaking point and that tomorrow will be better! And like always….. He was right.

Have you experienced days like this too? How do you prevent it from happening?

How To Save Money On Bedroom Furniture

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How To Save Money On Bedroom Furniture

The bedroom should be the most relaxing room of your home. Your sanctuary in all the crazy.

Unfortunately because we tend to just close the door, the furniture within your refuge is often outdated and drab. Over time this can lead to it being the most avoided room of your house. Don’t let that happen to your haven.

Update your bedroom and not spend a fortune

Does your bedroom need a freshen up? An overhaul? Perhaps you think you don’t have the money to achieve the look you lust over but you can add charm without spending a large amount of money. Here is how:

• Research – Research is everything! Jump online and find out the average price of the bedroom furniture you are looking for, the delivery costs associated if this is required and then ring the local stockists and see what sort of deal they can do for you.

• Buy on sale – Sounds simple enough, right? This is part of your research. Find out when stores will be having sales, get online and check. Read your junk mail and wait until the sales start to make your purchase. Bedroom furniture is expensive so never pay full price!

• Haggle – This is crucial to getting a bargain! If you cannot haggle, take someone with you who can. Play the retailers against one another until you get a price you are happy with. You can even offer to take floor stock but ensure you get a further discounted price, particularly with beds and mattresses because every Joe Blow and his dog have been laying it!

• Upcycle / refurbish – Upcycling has become extremely popular for those who want new things but cannot afford it. It allows the purchaser to buy it cheap and add their own creativity to produce a one of a kind personalised item.
Tip: When searching for bedroom furniture to refurbish, look for sturdy pieces that will last longer than your chosen bedroom theme. This will then give you the option to upcycle again at a later date or sell it. Check out these great DIY room ideas for inspiration!

• Second hand – If you cannot afford to purchase items brand new; look on your local Buy, Swap and Sell pages on Facebook, visit nearby thrift stores and even check out weekend garage sales. You can often find bed frames, bedside tables, chest of drawers, etc. that are in near new condition for just a portion of the retail price. The only downside to this is that you don’t get the warranty that you would if you were to buy it from a store.

• Accessories – Accessories are your best friend. They can brighten up the room, add life to the area and just give it a fresher and more up to date overview without having to replace all your bedroom furniture.

 

Everyone wants to feel relaxed and inspired when they walk into their bedroom. They want that sense of calm and hominess to wash over them as they enter. Don’t let your old, dark furniture be the eye sore of your home.

Use these tips to create the bedroom you want while staying in your budget!

How do you save money on bedroom furniture?

Disclosure: This is an S1 POST.

Teletubbyland Is Back!! Teletubbies DVD Giveaway

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I remember back to when I was a kid and my younger sisters used to be Teletubbies crazy! My brother and I being older used to mock them and their crazy anecdotes but now watching my 2 year old be in awe just as my sisters were, I get it.

They are fun, adventurous and full of bright colours. To the joy of the next generation of children Teletubbyland is back with even more tales. Join Tinky-Winky, Dypsy, Laa-Laa and Po and be entertained by their energy!

Teletubbies DVD Review

Today I am reviewing two of the new Teletubbies DVD’s that my daughter has been enjoying.

Teletubbies Sing and Dance

We all know that the Teletubbies love to dance and encourage children to get creative. This DVD is full of fun and exploration while inspiring young kids to boost their confidence and try new things. Watch your little one get nurture and grow while dancing to the Boom Boom Dance and learning new ways to sing and dance by seeing how other children do it.

This DVD offers 8 episodes which converts to a whopping 3 hours of Teletubbies which is a lot but if you break it up over a period of time they will never be bored.

Rated: G * Released: 2/12/15 * Running time: 190 minutes

Teletubbies Animal Friends

Teletubbyland is full of animal friends and everywhere you look you will find them. Teletubbies introduce animals to children in a fun and encouraging way. As they watch this DVD they will discover penguins, kittens, dogs, ducks and more! This DVD also runs for 3 hours so ensure your little ones take a break every few episodes.

Rated: G * Released: 2/12/15 * Running time: 190 minutes

Prize Includes: 1x Teletubbies Sing and Dance DVD & 1x Teletubbies Animal Friends DVD.

**As the winners are chosen based on skill and not chance; you will be sharing for 0 extra entries however I’d love you to share the giveaway with friends and family. Sharing is caring and karma loves kind people. **

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Disclosure: I received the above DVD’s for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

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