Christmas: Handmade Ornaments

I love using the handmade Christmas ornaments, which my kids have made at school, on the tree at Christmas time.

To me, these ornaments are filled with love from my children, and tell their own little stories of their personality and development.

I have included below the ones we had on display last Christmas.

My daughter's hand print

A tiny Christmas hat

Santa - made from a cup

A pinecone reindeer

Wreath Ornament on a CD

Christmas Angel

Christmas Angel no.2

A glittery cone ornament

First Surf Board

Our family love water and given that we spend a lot of our holiday time at the beach, it was just a matter of time before the kids got a surfboard. Luckily, Santa was so good as to supply one each. Both kids were keen to try them as soon as they could.

Due to some great customer service, we were informed that rather than just buying any old surfboard, Redback  (http://redbacksurfaustralia.com/index.php/Steamers/View-all-products.html) make a great board for learners called the Club Trainer. It is a good size board with a foam top and hard back. There are handles strategically placed to assist with balance and carrying the board.
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You Should Be Rewarded! Have You Been Naughty Or Nice?

I am a real sweet tooth! Despite my need and want to eat healthy, there is no denying that sweet is definitely my weakness. I am the person who looks at the menu and secretly would like to skip entree and mains and go for three serves of dessert.

Being the festive season, and given that I have made a real effort to be so good through the year, I think it is only fair to reward myself with a little something from the sweet category. I have also been wondering how highly I have rated in Santa's mind, given my dedication to exercise and limiting the sugary stuff.... luckily, there is a survey to answer my questions and reward me at the same time! 

Everyone's favourite dessert shop, The Cheesecake Shop, have a cute little survey, based on Naughty or Nice.  

 Which list do you think you appear on this year? 

From November 18, Australians can take the ultimate test at www.facebook.com/thecheesecakeshop answering those tricky moral questions, like the last piece of cake, cooking the Christmas barbeque and the art of re-gifting. and find out what Santa will be stuffing their stocking with this year.

Being the festive season, The Cheesecake Shop would like to reward everyone who completes the survey, whether naughty or nice, with a $5 thank you voucher to spend at your local outlet.

So why not look at lining up your reward ....NOW by heading over to www.facebook.com/thecheesecakeshop?

But wait!!!!

With all of this festivity, I too am feeling generous and have 2 x $25 vouchers up for grabs for lucky people to spend at their local Cheesecake Shop.

I bet they will come in handy over the holidays!

If you are an Australian resident, simply enter via the handy, dandy Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still With A Twinkle In My Eye

I was just reminiscing. This time last year, according to my blog, I was exhausted. We all were!
I was so thankful that the children were finally going on holiday. I needed the break from the mundane morning hassle. Luckily, I am not feeling so zapped this year!

So what's the difference?

Well, I should be even more exhausted, with having two children to get ready for school, as opposed to just one last year. Two children, I might add, who often like to do anything accept what they are meant to in the morning.

So does my extra energy burst come from increase in exercise and healthier living?

Or

Could it be because I did the 30 Day Sugar-Free Challenge, to give my body a break before Christmas?

Either way, I have altered my lifestyle and habits, and the proof is in the pudding (sorry for the pun so close to Christmas), with more energy, better fitness and weight loss.

Finally, this year, I am ready to start the New Year from a really good point.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas
                            .... and if you don't hear from me again this year,
                                                          I wish you and your loved ones a Safe and Happy New Year.
                                                                                                                                                 xxxx

The Silly Season - The Things I Know

Things sure are moving with momentum now. Things are a little crazy - you can see it, feel it and hear it everywhere. Do you know what I mean? This crazy feeling is the reason for me taking a step back from blogging the last few weeks. I now know my limitations in pushing myself to do more and more, and listen to my needs.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, I should explain myself.

Christmas Spirit ... Where are you?

Christmas is my favourite time of year. The festive colours, the building excitement and the thousands of sale catalogues filling my mail box is just my thing.

This year, my Christmas Spirit has gone missing.
I'm not sure how this happened, as it has never happened before to this extent.

Some years,  it takes me a little to get wound up, but usually, once the tree is up, there is no stopping me flinging lights here and there and hanging baubles. The countdown with the children leading up to that big day excites me as much as them, as I remind them each day to open the door on the Advent Calendar.

I love getting the tree out and decorating on the 1st of December.
Hubby does not understand my passion in buying a few new decorations each year, or why our little family has now four boxes full of stuff for one month in the year.
I happily dangle from the ladder to hang Icicle Lights on the house, and positively get dizzy winding the lights around the little Pine Tree in the front yard.
Its a simple, but effective display each year, which gives me joy in knowing that it has made at least one child in the neighbourhood say "Ooooooh".

This year, I have nothing.
I feel nothing.
The passion for Christmas is just not there.

I have put the tree up with the kids, because it is my duty as a parent of young children.

That's all I had to give.

I missed the Advent Calendar sale.
There are no lights adorning our house or tree in the front yard.
There have even been many nights I haven't even bothered to turn our Christmas Tree Lights on, if the kids had already snuggled down in bed.

Christmas has come around too fast this year. I am not ready.

Are you in the spirit of this festive season, or are you a little lost too? 

2012 Christmas Present Alert: Play Cubes

Do you let your children have access to you iPad or Kindle Fire? There are so many great apps available, both educational and games. Can the kids be trusted not to drop the tablet, or spill something on it? Can you even see the screen after their sticky fingers have been on it?

I came across a brilliant find today and had to share with all the parents and those buying for children.
Nickelodeon branded Inflatable Play Cubes for the iPad have finally hit the market.

 While safety is the primary goal, these cubes also encourage learning, creativity, and interaction with an iPad or Kindle Fire. They are colourfully designed with two of Nickelodeon's™ most popular brands, and each features its own app; SpongeBob's Super Bouncy Fun Time HD game or Dora Dress-Up Adventures! HD.

The Inflatable Cubes are designed so that a protective case recessed on a padded side securely holds the tablet inside a clear plastic screen cover. This effectively guards the tablet screen from smudges, liquids and messy hands, while still allowing seamless multi-touch control and a clear view of the screen. It can then be safely bounced and turned over to use in either an upright tabletop position or flipped to its side for enjoying videos and episodes of your child's favourite cartoon adventure.

Currently available from Amazon for under $40. (as at November 2012) This cool accessory will give you that peace of mind that your iPad or Kindle Fire are safe, whilst still allowing your children the joy of playing and learning.

Inflatable Play Cube for Kindle Fire

Inflatable Play Cube for iPad

Please note that it is not One Size Fits All, as the protective case is made to fit either an iPad or a Kindle Fire, which are noticeably different in size. When ordering, make sure you pick the cube that is correct for your tablet.


Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post, nor were any products received. This is my personal opinion and recommendation.

Christmas Shopping Done? When This Is NOT A Good Thing

Unless you have been on Neptune for an extended break, you would be aware that the countdown to Christmas has began. Actually my kids and many others start the countdown the day after Christmas. For many, though, they at least wait until it is about 6 fortnights away to start counting down.

Being a planner, I have already sussed out my kids wants and needs.
How do I do this?
It's amazing the conversations you can have with kids, and the notes you can make each time a toy catalogue is retrieved from your letterbox.
My kids like nothing better than to sit around the catalogue  with a coloured texta each, circling their wanted items as they "oooh" and "aaahh".
Depending on the catalogue, it can get quite a workout - especially the thick ones around the mid-year sales.
I like to hand on to these ones, for future reference.
They are handy to refer to later when I am ready to shop.
I can compare the prices on offer with the prices from mid-year, which are supposedly the best sales.

Do I shop at the mid-year sales?
Yes - sometimes. I'm not manic about it though. I don't line-up, or wait up until midnight waiting for the Internet sales to come on line. I think more along on the lines of, if I get to the store at a time that suits me, and there is something on the shelf from my list, at what I believe is a good price, then it is in my basket. If the items I want are sold out, it was not meant to be mine at this time.

I have learned from past years not to go crazy with the mid-year sales.
I was doing a stellar job one year, when Miss 8 was about 4.
We had been through the catalogues and marked some items. I had taken said catalogues into the stores and purchased or put on lay-by these said items. With the majority of my shopping complete I was feeling quite smug.
Until, that is, it got to about October/November and my daughter informed my that her favourite characters were no longer the favourites. Her favourite colour was no longer pink, but purple. And did I know that so and so got a thing-a-mabob for their birthday and Santa would definitely bring her one for Christmas, because that is all she wants now.
Hmmm .... suddenly every bargain I had sitting in my stack or waiting to be picked up, were less of a bargain, considering the list to Santa had changed.

So I now scatter my shopping from the mid-year sales onwards.

As much as I would like to get it out of the way quickly and painlessly, I have found it wise not to rush it. This way, I can keep my head in the game, keep the strategy fresh, and hopefully come out a winner at the finish line.

What is your strategy for Christmas shopping? Have you learned from past years what works for you?

The "don't bother" Christmas List

I don't want to sound ungrateful, but there are certain items that I do not wish to receive for Christmas. Surely I'm not the only one that has a "crap/unwanted" list? Short and sweet, but here it is.  

Lottery ticket/scratchie If it's a winner then what a great gift. But, chances are it's not and then it's just money wasted on a little piece of paper. I would rather the money donated to charity to be quite honest.

Ornaments
My little house is cluttered enough without adding to it. Also, your taste is possible not my taste - no offence intended. Ornaments have a tendency to collect dust, and as this is one of most hated chores, it is one I do not want to add to.

Booze
Not a big drinker - so you are wasting your time. It will probably get re-gifted.

Item or Gift voucher for an Adult shop
Again, you are wasting your time. I can create my own games and fantasies thank you.

Underware
Seriously, just don't go there. Imagine getting dressed in the morning and being reminded or Aunt Sarah, as you don the lacy red g-string.

Wordless Wednesday - Merry Xmas to you

Linking up for Wordless Wednesday with My Little Drummer Boys

Wordless Wednesday - All sparkly

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys

Wordless Wednesday - Deck the Halls

Linking up with My Little Drummer Boys