Bayside MamaMag June/July 2018 by MamaMag

BAYSIDE

mamaMAG Jun/Jul 2018

WIN A money canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy dIsney on Ice VIP experIence Party People Surviving snow Can you hack it? The perfect party Ditch or donate?

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more AT four And just like that my little magazine passed the terrible two’s, the terrific three’s and this month celebrates its 4th birthday! Of course they were all terrific years, some harder than others, but it is such a great time to sit back and really take in where I have taken this little publication and the opportunities it has brought me. What a perfect way to celebrate being a mother, by creating something that combines my passions of design, community and supporting mums and creating a living out of it. Publishing MamaMag has allowed me to support so many fabulous things and brings so much to both mine and my children’s lives. We’re excited about this year’s Little Rockers Red Nose Disco. This year Bayside mama Sarah Morrisey is hoping to raise $100k for Red Nose. So amazing. We’ve also been doing lots with St Kilda Mums lately and I organised our school mother’s day lunch around this cause raising much needed funds from our tickets sales for Jessie and the team. We had the ever-lovely Sam Wood come to speak to us about how ‘health starts at home’ and I spoke to the crowd of 150 mums about why I support St Kilda Mums and how others can get involved. You can check out my talk over on their Facebook page. There have been many other adventures lately in my life, a beach camping trip with my new little extended family (insert big smile and a love heart!!), the fabulous Disney On Ice media launch (make sure you enter our amazing giveaway to win tickets). We caught a preview of the upcoming Winter/Spring line-up at The Arts Centre. Keep and eye out for George’s Marvellous Medicine and the Very Hungry Caterpillar in coming months as well as the Teeny Tiny Stevies’ Tea Party in July! They look super fun. But right now it’s party time! We’ll be popping some bubbles and celebrating growing this little mag from 5,000 Bayside copies 4 years ago, to today being Melbourne’s leading free parenting print magazine with 40,000 copies for mums across our marvellous city! We hope you love this party edition as much as we love putting it together.

@localmamamag

Local fun for everyone • Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside

WIN

Contents The perfect party

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic VIP tickets PLUS a ‘money can’t buy’ cart ride on the ice for two kids!

A mum’s advice on getting it right

Parklife 8 Basterfield Park, Hampton East

It’s my party

Local party venues and ideas

School holiday success

Tips for holiday fun

Get the party started

Creating successful kid’s parties

Turn the page

Party books from Story Mama

Mama can cook

24 28

You CAN do it with toddlers!

Shaping him up

We chat with Mister Maker

We love a mother

Shanrah Randall from KidsUKnow

Style by the stars

Mothering styles by Astro Tash

Ditch or donate

St Kilda Mums do’s and don’ts

Colour to WIN Win Mister Maker tickets

Enter at https://woobox.com/xnfm7b or www.facebook.com/localmamamag

Yumi Stynes - The Zero F*cks cookbook

Surviving snow

One lucky winner will receive 4 VIP tickets and 2 children between 4-10 years get to ride in the cart during the show!

Tickets are valid to the Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic show on Tuesday 10th July 2018 - 11am performance at Hisense Arena, Melbourne only. Entries are open to Victorian residents only. Competition starts June 1st 12.01am and closes June 30th 2018 at 11.59pm. Entries and prizes are not transferrable or redeemable for cash. Visit www. mamamag.com.au for full terms and conditions. Tickets available through Ticketek.

Check out the fun at www.DisneyOnIce.com.au MamaMag® is published bi-monthly for the mums of the Bayside area by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd. ABN: 26 042 138 550. PO Box 8018 Brighton East 3187 Phone: 1300 771 446 Email: info@mamamag.com.au www.mamamag.com.au | www.grizzledesign.com.au

10,000 copies per issue across the Bayside area: Bayside, Glen Eira, Kingston and Port Phillip. 40,000 copies across all four areas/magazines: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief: Sarah Cavalier sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Bayside Advertising: Daniela Simonetta: daniela@mamamag.com.au Melbourne-wide Key Account Manager: Clare Betts: clare@mamamag.com.au Want to write for us or have an article idea? submissions@mamamag.com.au The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the publishing staff. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without permission of the publishers.

MamaMag June/July 2018

Health related articles are designed to be informative and educational. They are not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace one-on-one advice from your health practitioner.

The perfect party I think there’s a rite of passage that parents have to go through (endure, if you will) and that’s to host a kid’s birthday party. Be it small, or big… most parents will go through it, no doubt. Some will glide through with ease and finesse and others (ahem, me!) will have their moments of frazzledom (not a word, but it should be). I am going to put it out there, but Lacey’s 5th birthday party was my practice run… for all the parties to come. There won’t be one every year, but I have no doubt that I will probably host another before she moves out of home, and I will master that baby. It will be the party to beat all parties. Seriously though, I learned a lot from the party just hosted, and I am happy to be guinea pig and share my little lessons learned with you. You’re welcome.

The recipe for a perfect party I think they should hand this information out to all parents as they leave hospital. It should be in a book of practical things parents should know (with other such things like: Your kid is probably going to eat something pretty much non-edible (dirt, snails, poop) but they’ll be OK). Here’s a simple recipe for kids parties which I have sinced leart... When inviting kids, invite the number that the birthday girl/boy is turning, plus two. So Lacey should have had seven. Perfect. We had 15. Seven would have been much more manageable.

Always get balloons I’m always amazed at how entertaining helium balloons can be. The kids spent most of the party playing with the balloons. So GET THE BALLOONS! (We found our fab balloon lady through Gumtree).

Remember what’s important to your child I didn’t let Lacey make too many decisions with the party, because it would have led to disappointment. She’d want a REAL rainbow, and a REAL unicorn, and REAL magic. Instead I asked what she wanted to do at her party, and that was dance with her friends. I also asked what colour she wanted everything to be, and that was pink. So I made sure those two things happened, and then planned everything else to suit, keeping in mind things she loves as I did so.

Outsource when you can I know budgets vary, but you can outsource {with local business services, and/or help from family and friends} where possible to save stress, time and a mental breakdown. I was lucky enough to be given help with the budget, so while I knew I could make a cake, I knew once I’d bought ingredients and calculated the time it would take – it was better to outsource. At other parties I’ve asked my Aunt to make the cake and she thinks it’s such an honour. My priority was having someone entertain the kids for the whole party. I can be out there when I’m with people I know, but being new to the ‘hood I knew it would take away much of the stress if that part was outsourced too. You can find affordable services over on Gumtree. I was pleasantly surprised at how affordable they were (look under business services > party/ catering). I was also able to outsource the party food through a local caterer I found on Gumtree (I saved money by just having them drop off the food, so I didn’t have to pay for their time during the party etc). You can find great caterers that make platters, finger foods and lots more. Depending on what your budget is you could outsource everything and REALLY enjoy the party, or just choose important things to help you out a bit.

Don’t aim for perfection I had to remind myself of this a few times, that it didn’t need to be perfect. Lacey wouldn’t notice the details, and the most important thing was that she had fun. I have a theory with any event – that something will go wrong. It’s not a pessimistic view, but just a little bit realistic. So once that one thing breaks or goes awry I breathe a sigh of relief, work around it and move on. Preferably that thing is an easy fix, if not… drink wine.

Write lists. Lots of them Your brain is going to be filled with details, so give your brain a break and write lists of things you need to do. I printed out 5 printable daily planners and wrote down everything I needed to do, down to the most boring detail. It just meant it was all out of my head, onto paper… and then I could delegate too.

Have a back-up plan Unfortunately on the day our entertainer was delayed, so it meant that we were left without someone to keep the kids happy. A minor freakout later, I enlisted my sister (who just happens to be a big event planner for people like Lady Gaga) and we were on track. I had a pin the horn on the unicorn game in the cupboard that we pulled out, we put on some music and played statues, and then spent some time opening the presents until the fairy arrived.

Have fun My advice for anyone getting married is to steal some time away from everyone, grab your new husband and have a moment. It’s the same with a party, take a little time to watch your little person and all the fun they’re having. Talk to the parents, enjoy some cake, and try to relax. By Dana Meyer, Bayside mama to 5-yo Lacey dudeanddanaparties.com.au

Parklife Basterfield Park, Hampton East Basterfield Park was the very first park we reviewed when we started MamaMag 4 years ago, and it is still well worth the visit. The huge park has a beautiful ornamental lake, albeit slightly overgrown now with reeds, but it offers plenty of bird life to keep the littlies amused. Duck viewing is best done on the south side where a grassy edge spans a wide section of the lake. The playground on the South (there are two, one either side) has had a recent mini-upgrade thanks to Bayside Council’s playground upgrade roll out. The original wooden play equipment still stands with its slides, swings, tunnel and counting abacus but it now features a fantastic new double flying fox, some fun sand and water play, 3 sand diggers, ride-on bug springers,

and an ever-so-cute cubby house for some imaginative play. Over on the North side is a covered pergola with half a dozen barbecues, built in picnic tables and of course the essential toilet facilities (quite new I might add). Whilst the playground here is much larger than the south, it is quite old and is getting an upgrade. The council recently ran a ‘have you say’ drop in day at the playground to get local’s feedback on their proposed design. You can add your own input at www.yoursay.bayside.vic.gov.au/playgrounds. But what this means is we can expect this sweet park to get a fancy new playground in 2019. Yay!

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Party People! Teepee Dreams

Bayside www.teepeedreams.com.au A Teepee Dreams slumber party delivers the most magical and fun experience for your child and their guests. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the little touches that make our Teepee Dreams parties so special and unique. Gorgeous themes and event styling will transform your space. Simply choose from one of their themed packages and they take care of the rest! From delivery, to set up, styling and packing up on collection!

Inflatable World Oakleigh Oakleigh www.inflatableworldoz.com.au

Watch your kids gladiator battle it out, leap inflatable lilies like frogs and generally bounce all that boundless energy out in the ultimate jumping experience. Kids will love to have parties here, as will parents who will welcome a tuckered out kid from all that jumping and fun! Parties run for a duration of 90 minutes. You can choose to self-cater your party or choose a package with food included.

Kid Factory

Dingley Village www.kidfactoryplaycentre.com.au The party guests will have a ball in this massive space with five play areas - a large play structure with 3 lane slide, 14m- trampoline enclosure with basketball rings, toddler area, obstacle course, inflatable jumping castle and sports court. There are themed party rooms and the food includes some healthy options as well as some good coffee. Party hosts and food included in party packages.

Gecko Sports

Brighton, Cheltenham or Caulfield www.geckosports.com.au Gecko run non-stop, action packed games and sports activity parties with your own private coaches. Choose from Mini Olympics/FUN Bootcamp, Footy Fanatics, Soccer World Cup or Multi Sports. Mobile parties at your home, a nearby park or other locations are also available upon request! 10

Rokabye

Brighton and Highett www.rokabye.com.au Two of Bayside’s newest party venues, create your own stunning themed party in either their Brighton Tea Party Room or Highett’s enchanting Garden Party Room. 90min themed parties include a party host, music, stories, games and prizes for the children, themed invites, decorations, party bags and balloon on a stick.

Up Unlimited

Moorabbin www.upunlimited.com.au Now with their caving adventures running as well as their ever famous Clip n Climb climbing challenges, party goers can have a combo party with 60 or 90 minutes of climbing and caving fun. Parties include a 15 minute safety briefing, harnesses, free vertical drop slide and leap of faith for the party child, private party room and premium food packages to choose from.

Xtreme Air Trampoline Park Keyborough www.xtremeair.com.au

An action-packed trampoline adventure featuring 6 foam pit lanes, 3 dodgeball courts, 4 slam dunk lanes and a large free jump court. All party packages include 60 minutes jump time followed by 30 minutes access to your own party room, a dedicated party host to guide you through the action, delicious food options to feed the crew and Xtreme Air Grip Socks for everyone.

SuperZu Play Centre Dingley Village www.superzu.com.au

Choose between the Icicle room (for all things Frozen / Ice Princess) complete with ice crystal chandelier, the Dinosaur room, the Knights & Dragons room, the Jungle room or the Princess room. We love the fully renovated massive warehouse here that has created a fun, varied fully-themed “zoo” space packed with safari adventure.

Wild Action

Comes to you www.wildaction.com.au Another party that comes to you – and by that we mean snakes, a crocodile, gecko, lizard, frog, turtle, owl, kangaroo and a possum come to you. If you’re not keen on snakes just make sure you stay behind the camera! Zoologist Chris Humfrey runs a private zoo in the Macedon Ranges and really knows his stuff. 11

Crocs Moorabbin

Moorabbin www.crocsplaycentre.com.au Kids will be entertained by the jungle themed play area, multi-level ball battle zone, bike lane with ride-ons and a dedicated toddler play area. Kids parties will include a dedicated party host in a themed party room. There are different party packages and food options to suit your needs, including a new healthy food option, which gets the kids involved in the food preparation and is filled with fresh and delicious goodness.

Pop Toys Bricktastic Parties Brighton. pop.toys

Does your child love to invent, explore and construct using LEGO®? A Bricktastic 90min self catered party will keep kids engaged in and challenged by a variety of LEGO® games which will be tailored to suit the age of the group. Ideally suitable for children turning 4-9 years old and for all builders - from novices to experts, boys or girls. Smiling faces, challenged minds, and busy hands is what you should expect.

Sandy Mini Golf

Sandringham. www.sandyminigolf.com.au Sandy Mini Golf is a new mini-golf course (opened last August) which is ideal for parties for kids of all ages. Children under the age of 10 will however require an adult supervising each group of 4. They offer fabulous fun parties for all ages and abilities playing 18 holes of mini golf. Chose from a Self-Catered, Catered or Deluxe Mini Golf party package.

Dude & Dana

Servicing Bayside dudeanddanaparties.com.au Want a stress-free party without lifting a finger? Let us at Dude & Dana Parties help guide you with decorations, invites, party bags and more! They specialise in hosting top quality kids’ parties including themed decorations, balloon twisting, face painting, candy buffet, dessert tables, balloon arches and more! Have a party theme in mind? No problem, let Dana know and will will take care of the rest!

Artea Art School Port Melbourne www.artea.com.au

Artea offer exclusive hire ideal for low-key celebrations and can organise the party of your dreams whether it’s for a 1st or 50th! They offer simple to fully styled events with hand made decorations and the team love a challenge, so any theme is possible. 12

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School holIday success Why we love school holidays. Stresses – need no more! As we approach another set of school holidays, Winter ones by the way, you can see parent’s anxiety levels start to rise. If you are not one of those lucky families whom form the mass exodus up North, you are going to need a few tips, hints and ideas for things to do. School holidays = 2 ½ months, 10 weeks, 70 days, 1680 minutes, 6.1 million seconds. It’s true, there is nothing more nourishing, joyous and satisfying than spending time with your kids and this time in their lives won’t last forever. Whilst the idea of a good dose of ‘quality’ time with your little people may make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, the reality of school holidays (uninterrupted ‘quality time’ that lasts at least a fortnight) can leave parents feeling a mild case of anxiety. Physically, mentally and financially; it can be a beautifully traumatic time. We would all like to think that these school holidays will be a great opportunity to snuggle in, slow down, jump in puddles and just embrace the colder months, but they do become long days with cries of boredom very quickly. Before you pull your hair out thinking of new things to do, we might have some ideas for you. As Bayside mums of twins, we love getting out and about and we love school holidays. Why? Because we get amongst it, get in it and simply have tons of fun. Exploring, wandering, creating, bouncing, jumping, riding, swinging, building, laughing, climbing, bowling, playing, feeding, flying, running, swimming, we’ve found the fun for kids of all ages.

So rather than following the cyclical school holiday ritual of begging Guru Google for the answers to the riddle “how to entertain and survive school holidays without taking out a second mortgage”, we have created a Little Finders membership to up the fun levels, lower the stress levels and to ensure you explore our fabulous city and beyond. Our top picks for these school holidays are: • Hit the cinemas. There’s some great flicks coming up including the long awaited The Incredibles 2 out June 14 and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom out June 21 • Head to Sea Life and visit the beautiful penguins, huge sharks, mysterious stingrays, jellyfish, seahorses, thousands of tropical fish • Luna Park has ‘holly and jolly’ Christmas in July celebrations these holidays with magical snowfall every hour • Get the kids moving at Up Unlimited on their colourful climbing walls • Take in Melbourne’s sights from a different angle on a 30min flight with Melbourne Star A Little Finders membership puts all things fun in one place to make it easy, affordable and enjoyable for families to spend time together. It’s the go-to guide for ideas and fun things to do, finding hundreds and thousands of savings on tickets to the movies, theme parks, farms, museums, play centres, cafes and more. So let’s together make new memories and embrace these school holidays to the fullest. By Bayside mums of twin Naomi Capomolla and Sally-Ann Matthews. www.littlefinders.com.au

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Get the party Whether it’s a baby shower or a fun five-year-old festivity, there are great ways to ensure your child’s party is a roaring success! To help get the party started, leading party suppliers and experts Lombard have a host of new ideas and tips that are top of the invite list.

Get decorating! Think about a theme and have some fun. Balloons are an easy way to add colour and excitement- from simple helium filled balloons on the back of each chair to a bigger grouping, balloons are a must have party accessory.

Here are some hot party theme ideas to consider: Zoo, Pirate, Hawaiian Tropical Beach Party, Space, Alice In Wonderland, Wild West, Rainbow Disco, Glamping or Craft Party It’s easy to go to town with decorations, but there’s no reason to spend a fortune. Even the simplest of ideas such as balloons and coloured theming will help to create party success. Think about other ideas that are really easy to put together. A cardboard city is easily created just from collecting cardboard boxes, for example, and the best part is knocking it all down at the end!

Without a doubt, one of the hottest trends around now are balloon garlands. You can choose from a rainbow effect to a giant multicoloured organically shaped garland. These are some of the hottest kid’s party accessories and really don’t have to cost a fortune. Foil balloons spelling out a child’s name also make an impact, alongside simple fun accessories like a piñata or flag bunting, fans and fabulous hanging garlands. Think about making a wall of coloured fans and tassels for example; it’s simple and can create an instant wow effect!

You’re invited Whatever the theme, makes sure you get the invite out early and follow a few tips as below: • Are young kids coming? Have your party take place either before 1 p.m. or after 3 p.m. to avoid naptime conflict. • For the sake of your sanity, give the party a start and end time. It’s the first step in getting the “time to go!” hint across. • Personalise them by letting your child add their own touch, stickers or writing

started Home or away

Party bags

Having the party at your home is always less expensive, plus you can easily decide and set your own theme. As we’ve suggested, some simple decorations can transform even the simplest room into a fantasy filled party venue.

The smallest of gift bags can have the biggest effect- it’s a lucky last party accessory that finishes the day.

Hiring a venue can be fun and of course can make the organising easier. Think about a park or a local council run venue – they can be just as much fun, and you can create an easy theme or style at either.

Look for themed bags to fit with the party flavour, whether it’s a fun candy-striped bag, a princess, pirate or pink whale! It’s easy to link it all together from the invitation to the decorations and the goody bag. Party bags don’t need to be filled with sugar – think of some fun ideas like paper planes, party whistles or finger puppets, bags of sidewalk chalk or a bottle of bubbles for example. It’s easy to make the party a success without too much fuss. Just remember to have fun!

Let them eat cake! This is another area where it’s easy to create a sense of fun without blowing the budget.

If you’re looking for even more party inspiration, drop into your local Lombard store or go online to www.lombard.com.au for even more ideas and tips.

A Candy Buffet is always a great addition that every kid loves – it’s easy to add a range of coloured candy balls to a pretty coloured bowl and theme this around the table. Cupcakes are always a favourite and are easy to group together on a cake stand for super style, colour and fun. One of the latest trends in party food are ‘drip cakes’ where the icing and decorations literally drip over the side of a tiered cake. If you’re not a cake baker, don’t stress- there are plenty of great cake shops around that can help. 19

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turn the page Bring a Duck by Lesley Gibbes and Sue deGennaro Birthday party at my place! Bring your own duck. Bear has never been to a duck party before. Whatever happens it’s sure to be fantastic, fabulous, feather-tickling fun. This is a lovely read aloud about a birthday party with a difference. All the characters bring a different type of duck to Pig’s birthday party and the ducks antics are heaps of fun. They row, fly, dress up, play party games and even have a best duck parade. This book may inspire unusual birthday party requests. Guaranteed to make parents and children smile. Recommended for ages 4-7

Hattie Helps Out by Jane Godwin, Davina Bella & Freya Blackwood. It is a busy day at Hattie’s house. There’s a lot to do before Dad’s birthday party. Hattie is being very helpful, until it’s time for here afternoon nap. Hattie’s not even sleepy! But Mama looks tired…. When Hattie convinces Mama to lie down with her for a rest in the middle of party preparations, readers will smile. We love the way Mama falls asleep and Hattie has to get ready for the party on her own, sticking biscuits together, decorating the cake and looking after her baby sister. Parents are likely to be quite jealous of Mama’s lovely nap. This book may encourage helping…. We love it for ages 3-7. Freya Blackwood’s illustrations are beautiful and capture the chaos in a house with young children perfectly.

Fancy Nancy and the Butterfly Birthday by Jane O’connor & Robin Preiss Glasser Nancy thinks butterflies are simply exquisite. And that is why she can’t wait to go to her friend Bree’s Butterfly Birthday! But when Nancy finds out she can’t go because her grandparents’ fiftieth anniversary party is the same day, she is furious! In a glorious twist, everybody’s favourite fancy girl gets a sparkling lesson in fancy from her own grandparents. This cute story suitably deals with a child missing out on a party for an important family occasion. If you have a child into glitter, butterflies, sparkly things they will love Fancy Nancy. Great for ages 4-7

Wombat’s Birthday Surprise by Lachlan Creagh “Today is Wombat’s Birthday! Roo’s planning a treat: A surprise party full of games and lots of things to eat”. Who doesn’t love a party? But will his friends be able to wake up sleepy Wombat in time? Fairy Bread, party pies and Pavlova, this is a very Aussie party. Super cute birthday fun full of Australian animals. Perfect for any child having a birthday. Little kids will love calling out “Happy Birthday !” to wake the sleepy Wombat. This paperback even includes some cute birthday wrapping covered in balloons. We recommend for ages 3+

Debbie Hatswell is the Founder and Director of Story Mama. Story Mama is an online children’s bookstore featuring a huge range of carefully curated, parent recommended, high quality books for children ages 0-9. You can shop online by age, by interest, by award winners or even by milestone. Buy these titles online or find out more at www.storymama.com.au 22 22

Kids’ Program this winter school holidays! e th

G izm o BASED ON THE NOVEL BY PAUL JENNINGS

The whirling, twirling Gizmo keeps putting Stephen in extraordinary situations!

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mama can Cook! Tiny cheese pies Makes: 24 Cooking time: 20 minutes Prep time: 5 minutes

Preheat the oven to 150°C. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin lightly with olive oil spray. Place the ricotta, egg, herbs and parmesan in the food processor and process until smooth.

Ingredients:

Spoon 1½ tablespoons of the ricotta mixture into each muﬃn hole. Top each with a tomato quarter, a few herb leaves and a shake of salt and pepper. Bake for 15–17 minutes, or until set and golden. (If the pies are still pale on top, switch the grill on and place the tin under it for 3–4 minutes until nicely coloured.) Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly in the tin before serving.

Olive oil spray for greasing 500g ricotta 1 egg 1 generous handful of soft herbs of your choice, plus extra to decorate 1 cup finely grated parmesan 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered Salt and pepper

TIP: If you want to make these for your friends, have the mixture ready to go in the mini muffin tin and keep it in the fridge until they come over, then pop them in the oven with a timer set so that everyone gets to enjoy them hot out of the oven.

This is an edited extract from The Zero F*cks Cookbook by Yumi Stynes published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $39.99 and is available in stores nationally.

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Mum of Four Yumi Stynes loves food but says she has zero f*cks left to waste time with fancy cooking. So she’s written a fab cookbook with all her hassle free favourites.

Legit mug cake Makes: 6–8 mug cakes Cooking time: 1–2 minutes Prep time: 5 minutes Ingredients: 100g butter at room temperature 100g caster sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon vanilla paste 2 tablespoon sour cream 100g ground almonds 60ml milk 1/4 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon baking powder 100g self-raising flower 150g blueberries Cream or vanilla ice cream to serve.

Photographer: © Chris Chen

Chuck all the ingredients except the flour and berries into the food processor and whizz everything together to combine, then remove the blade, add the flour and mix through with a metal spoon to form a stiff batter. Spoon 100g of the batter mixture into a mug, then press 5 blueberries down into the batter. Repeat with as many mugs as you want to make, setting aside the leftover mixture for later use (see Tip). Transfer the mug cakes to the microwave and cook one at a time for 1½ minutes on high – you can tell when they’re cooked because they look firm on top and smell awesome. (If you overcook them, they go nasty and rock-like.) Serve hot with cream, vanilla ice cream or both. TIP: For the leftover mixture, spray a muffin tin with cooking oil. Spoon 100g of the batter into as many muffin holes as you have leftover mix and freeze until required. Once frozen, loosen and pop the batter discs out with a butter knife and store in a zip-lock bag in the freezer until required. Nuking the cakes from frozen works (it’s some sort of microwave magic) and does not require extra time. 25 25

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Plan & book your SNOW holiday TODAY! Visit mtbuller.com.au *In June and September, up to 2 kids (under the age of 15) can stay free of charge when accompanied by two sharing adults

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Surviving snow You have winter wonderland fantasies about frolicking in fresh snow with your family, singing “Let it go’, sipping hot chocolates and building snowmen, but you’ve got a nagging worry it might be cold and miserable... Katie Clark spends much of the winter in the snow at Mt Buller and has a lively toddler and a new baby. So we asked her – how DO you stay sane with a toddler in the snow.

Less is more Aim for short stints outside and set up so you can duck in and out easily. It’s tempting to stay in the snow for longer – let’s face it you’ve spent 20 minutes wrangling them into that jacket and boots! – but short is sweet and 5 minute bursts of playing is sometimes the best, then back in to warm up.

A day visit is fun but can be a bit much for most little people. Stay for a least a night if you can so you can settle in and enjoy the experience. A ‘home base’ makes it easier and many accommodation places do “Kids Stay Free” deals. Lodges are family friendly options with kitchens so you can bring your own food, games rooms for the kids and cosy communal lounges where everyone gathers for wine and cheese at the end of the day. If you do visit for the day, my tip is to plan at least one of the drive legs to fit around sleep times.

Ch-ch-changes Bring more changes of dry clothes than you think you’ll ever possibly need. Kids manage to get snow in places you never thought possible and a dry, warm toddler is a happy toddler! It’s tempting to think just an extra pair of trackie pants or some gumboots are going to cut it – but seriously, get proper ski gear. It’s worth every cent. There is a huge trade in hand-me-down winter gear if you go online. Those cute one-piece suits are brilliant! Look for waterproof outer layers, one-piece outfits where possible to keep snow out and then light underlayers in bamboo or merino for warmth and breathability. I remember as a kid having wet and cold feet in my old rubber boots and being miserable, so definitely get good boots – or rent in resort. I think my parents ended up feeding me hot chips in the car because my toes were so frozen I couldn’t play anymore.

No love with gloves If you’ve ever managed to get a small set of fingers into a pair of gloves, especially if those little fingers are wet… then you deserve a medal. Skip the screaming matches and get some velcro opening mittens. You can open the whole mitten and wrap up little hands easily. You are going to be taking them on a nd off, and on… and off… so simple is best. Trust me.

Check out the what’s on and event listings Ski resorts have lots of kid’s entertainment and it’s usually the simple things that your little one will love. Marshmallow toasting, free music shows and even riding the shuttle bus are a big hit with my little guy.

Woollen bonnets

I guess I’d say to any mum, just slow down and assume everything will take a little longer in the snow, but it’s all about taking time to appreciate and enjoy those moments.

Those cute little woollen bonnets with the ties that go under the chin. Get one of those, or a suit/top with a lined hood. Most little ones will pull a beanie off in seconds flat and drop it into a puddle.

My husband and I have shared so many special times in the snow before kids, and it’s a real treat to now see our boys experiencing it for the first time. I hope you and your kids love it as much as we do.

Backpack/stroller

Thinking of a winter snow holiday?

This should probably be up near the top of the list. A good stroller, or even better a baby sling or backpack is your friend in the snow. There are some great backpack set ups that protect your back and leave your hands free to balance and keep your little one warm and cosy and able to look around at your head height. A good buggy with the big tyres is also a great option for when there is fresh snow. Consider getting boot chains for when it’s icy. They slip easily over the soles of your boots and give you more grip which is really reassuring. I was nervous about slipping when I first had my baby in a carry pack and chains make you feel more stable.

www.mtbuller.com.au has all the latest information and you can book everything from accommodation, lift passes, rental gear and even resort entry and parking all online. By Katie Clark. Katie is a mum of two under twos from Melbourne and lives at Mt Buller during snow season. Pre-babies Katie hit the slopes most winter weekends with her husband David and is now embracing the experience of being a snow-mum and working on her snowman building skills. Photos Mt Buller | Andrew Railton.

Starting on skis At Mt Buller they will accept kids as young as 3 years old into ski school and it’s amazing how quickly some kids take to it. The Magic Forest is tucked away from the crowds and the instructors are specially trained in teaching young children at their own pace. The lessons are short and broken up with breaks, snacks and games. It gives you a chance to have a break or go for a ski yourself –because it’s your snow holiday too!

SHAPING HIM UP Lovable creative genius Mister Maker is heading to Melbourne this July in a brand new national show – Mister Maker Returns - which promises loads of crafts, fun and audience interaction. The national tour will visit numerous cities and towns around the country featuring all new makes, songs and adventures. Click on livenation.com.au for more details. In the meantime Mister Maker (Phil Gallagher) fills us in about the new show and tells us how he got the most fun job in TV. Mister Maker has taken you around the world, what has been your favourite country and experience? Well I’d have to say Australia! I’ve particularly enjoyed visiting Australia now five times. It’s just such a beautiful, friendly country and the audience reaction is so wonderful. The Aussie kids are so enthusiastic and always want to come up on stage. We’ve done huge UK tours, but sometimes the English kids aren’t as confident to come up on stage. In Australia we don’t have that problem! What can we expect of your Melbourne show in the July school holidays? I can’t give too much away about our new live show because it’s a surprise, but everything we do on stage – the crafts, music and songs has never been seen anywhere before in the world. It’s a really amazing and exciting show. I do tend to sing quite a bit in the live shows, which isn’t something I usually do on the TV shows. This tour we’re also going to get the audience even more involved in the show, including getting people up on stage to help do the crafts. I can also tell you that one lucky audience member will even be invited to become one of The Shapes! Other than that there is one new craft we’ll be making that might have you leaving the theatre feeling rather hungry … 30

Have you always been crafty and creative or has that developed with the spotty waistcoat? Yes I always loved being creative. One of my favourite TV shows was Art Attack – I was really inspired by the creations and I really looked up to the show’s presenter Neil Buchanan. I now work with some of the team from Art Attack on Mister Maker, so it’s a dream come true! How did you become Mister Maker? Were you up against lots of others? I’ve actually always wanted to be a TV presenter and loved putting on little shows when I was a boy for my family. I’d even make my own programs and tickets! That sparked my love of performing. After studying media at university I became a radio sports reporter and then worked in TV production. One day about 12 years ago I heard the BBC was looking for a presenter for a new arts and crafts show, so I auditioned. I had to do tests making all sorts of things under a time pressure. By the final audition it was me up against a few other guys. When they told me I had the job I was over the moon. If you weren’t Mister Maker, what would you be doing? I would probably still be working in TV production behind the scenes and involved in TV shows in some way. How much of your own personality is part of the Mister Maker character? I’d say quite a bit! Mister Maker is naturally enthusiastic and energetic like me. It is quite hard sometimes separating myself from Mister Maker because it’s been such a massive part of my life for so long. At home my place is covered with pens, papers, glue and material and my wardrobe is full of Mister Maker outfits, so it’s kind of all around me!

What’s your favourite part of the job? The hairstyle! Followed by the waistcoat. Also being able to travel to amazing places around the world and entertain so many kids. Do you get recognised on the street? It’s funny, unless I’ve spiked up my hair like Mister Maker, which I usually don’t, kids don’t really recognise me on the street. However a lot of adults do recognize me and come up. The thing they always say is, “Why on earth do you have so much glitter in the show? Now I’ve got glitter all over my house!” If it’s any consolation, my own house is covered in glitter too! After all that pressure in the Minute Make how do you like to relax and unwind? I love watching soccer. I like to watch my local team play with my dad and nephew. I also just really like spending time with my family doing simple things, like having a cup of tea with dad, or doing the food shopping mum. We have a real hoot, looking at things for ages. Dad always gets annoyed that we take so long!

together and we’re always coming up with great new ideas. Our team has now worked together on the series for over 10 years. It’s so great to tap into other people’s creativity and get inspired. What’s your biggest tip for the non-crafty mama? My tips for mums are the same tips I’d give to kids. Firstly, be really proud of whatever you create. There’s no right or wrong in creativity. Secondly, have the confidence to just give something a go. And lastly don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The best ideas often arise out of creative mistakes, so just go ahead and make something! And lastly, any ideas on what has been the alltime favourite Mister Maker make?

What goes on behind the scenes of the Mister Maker television show? Are you involved in the production aspect?

Given I’ve made up to 2,000 things on Mister Maker it’s tricky to name a favourite. However, the best thing I’ve ever made on the show is a pom pom bug. It was inspired by something I made with my granddad many years ago when I was a little boy. In fact, my most treasured creation is that original pom pom bug I made with him 35 years ago. I always think of my granddad being the original Mister Maker, he could make anything - he was incredible.

For the live shows I write and design everything myself. But in general, I work with a small team of amazing people who help me put everything

Catch Mister Maker at the Melbourne Recital Centre, July 5th, 6th & 7th 2018. For details visit mistermakertour.com.au

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Why not celebrate your birthday or group party at Sandy Mini Golf? We cater for all age groups and have 3 mini golf party packages to choose from: 1. Self-Catered Mini Golf Party Package 2. Catered Mini Golf Party Package 3. Deluxe Mini Golf Party Package

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we love a mother Meet Shanrah Randall, the clever mama who, once a corporate climber marketing for various pharmaceutical companies, is now the brains behind “KidsUKnow”. We’ve all forgotten a niece, nephews or friends kid’s birthday, and most of us don’t know what to buy them. Well KidsUKnow is a birthday reminder service that recommends an age appropriate gift for the child then sends it off on your behalf! Genious!!

Tell us a bit about your corporate career? You spent time in London as well. It was all really full on once I left Aus - but I loved that time in my life. I had a few years in Sydney after I graduated but always knew I had a calling to work and travel. I worked for a large Pharmaceutical company in London for 6 years, specialising in working with treatment for HIV. I covered various marketing and strategic rolls across Europe. I grew a lot both emotionally and professionally and I put a lot of that down to some great mentors I met on my path. When I returned to Aus I had a different perspective on life and had learnt so much about myself. You’re a mum to two year old Fearne, how has motherhood changed you? The phenomenon of looking after another human being, day in and day out is huge. You don’t really wake up one day and go, ‘I’m a Mum now’. It kind of creeps up on you along the way. I think one of the biggest learnings in my corporate career was the ability to negotiate, listen and find a way forward. I thought that might work in motherhood but I don’t care what any mum says, you can’t negotiate with a mini-me on any level. I’ve learnt to be a lot more chilled and take the highs with the lows. Did you try to go back into a marketing role after she was born? Yes I totally did. I wanted to go back to a partime role but it wasn’t possible with my company on a long term basis, so I decided to leave and start my own venture. There are so many qualified mums out there who want to work part time. I hope Australia starts to follow

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suit behind the Northern Hemisphere where it’s more normal to support mum’s across all capacities. We’re guessing KidsUKnow came about once you and your friends started having kids. Life gets busy post kids. I no longer had time to go to my boutique shop and purchase nice gifts. I was always a little disorganised with gifts but then I started forgetting completely! The trigger was when my nephew, who lives interstate, turned two and I totally missed his birthday. I had that ‘OMG this is so bad, worst Aunty in the world’ feeling. That’s when I started thinking… Wouldn’t it be great if there was somewhere I could go that actually recommended gifts for kids birthdays (as opposed to having to trawl through marketplace after marketplace where it can be exhausting trying to find the right present), somewhere that was cool and different but still local. Tell us a bit more about how the KidsUKnow website works. It’s pretty simple really - as we intended it to be! You save the birthdays of the kids you know, we send an SMS /email reminder 2 weeks prior along with age specific gift solutions. With a couple of clicks you purchase, add a personalised message, gift wrap and have it on its way in 3 hours. You work with boutique local gift suppliers only. Is this part of your marketing strategy? We work exclusively with unique and boutique stores and brands - stuff that’s not mass produced and stuff that’s one of a kind.

We love working with the in-between guys that don’t do mass online retailing so that we can still support our brilliant locals. We’re somewhere that’s not Amazon and not eBay. We recognise there’s so many sites and brands to trawl over all this cool stuff, so we want to bring that all together for a simple and easy to use gifting experience. Is KidsUKnow just for mums or does it work for other people? We hope that not only parents but also friends, aunties, uncles, grandparents and godparents all get use out of KidsUknow. I was recently at a trade show and an uncle came over to tell me how much we’ve saved him! He said it’s like your own personalised Grandma calling you up every time to remind you. Except the right gift turns up and you haven’t forgotten again. How has it been juggling your business with motherhood? It’s been difficult at times but I’m really lucky to have a super supportive husband. I solely work on KidsUKnow so when Fearne is at childcare and in bed, I’m plugging away. I also have an amazing mothers group who are a rock of a support network. F and I have a couple of days together that we jam around with friends, do swimming and down baby chinos. What has some of the biggest challenges been with being a working parent? I think just the guilt of not always being ‘present’ mentally. In such a digital world we’re so accessible, and a lot of us are guilty of it. So it’s something that I constantly have to remind myself of. To always live in the moment. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? Both at work and at home? It’s the journey that matters not the end point. Living each and every second on the journey, not trying to race to the finish. What’s next for you and your family? Continuing to grow KidsUKnow to become the #1 place to go to remember all of those kids birthdays. As for the fam, settling in for the rest of the terrible twos! You can find KidsUKnow at www.kidsuknow.com.au

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Style by stars Let’s face it, taking on the role motherhood can be one of life’s most daunting yet rewarding tasks. Can astrology help you gain a glimpse into your strengths and challenges as a mum? Um yes, it sure can! Find out about your unique mothering style, according to your Zodiac sign below. ARIES You’re the super sporty mum. Whether it’s netball, football or swimming, you love to cheer on your child’s team, kick a ball at the park or walk the dog together. Your exuberant energy allows you to keep the pace and challenge your youngster to be the best they can be.

TAURUS Being an Earth sign, you don’t mind getting your hands dirty. Digging in the garden, building a sandcastle or picking flowers with your little one creates lasting bonds and beautiful memories. Your greatest wish is to provide a stable home-life with an abundance of emotional security.

GEMINI The ultimate communicator, you love to tell bedtime stories and encourage your child to verbally express their inner thoughts and feelings. You teach your child to be an endearing chatterbox! Friendly and popular, your little social butterfly gets invited to many birthday parties.

CANCER You are a natural mother and shine in life’s most important role. Nurturing, maternal and loving, you give the best cuddles and cook yummy dinners. Calm and soothing in a crisis, your child knows you have their back in the event of playground politics in the school yard.

LEO With an eternal childlike quality, you understand a child’s needs and provide plenty of fun activities, games and laughter. Your home is a play-date hub where all the neighbourhood children are welcome. Your child adopts their flair for drama from you and is often highly creative and comfortable on the stage.

VIRGO You are the envy of other mums as you juggle the challenges of motherhood bet-ter than most. A great role model, you are most likely to be voted President of the PTA. Your expectations are high and your child rises to the challenge, making you proud of their outstanding achievements.

LIBRA Creating a harmonious, peaceful home is paramount and your child grows up to appreciate the importance of fairness and equality. Good taste and the art of charm is inherited from you. Often called upon to sort out sibling squabbles, you are the perfect mediator.

SCORPIO

AQUARIUS

You love your child with every fibre of your being and are extremely protective, stopping at nothing to make sure your family is well taken care of and safe. No means no and once you’ve made up your mind, no amount of clever negotiations or tantrums will persuade you to buy that extra lolly or toy.

“I Did It My Way” describes you as a mother because you aren’t afraid to do things in your own unique mothering style. Not caring what other mums think, you parent outside the box. You encourage kindness towards humanity and forge a true friendship with your child, once they reach adulthood.

SAGITTARIUS

PISCES

An optimistic attitude teaches your child that life is a wonderland, where they can achieve anything they put their mind to. Your zest for life takes you on many ad-ventures and travelling to experience different cultures or an out-of town visit to grand-parents is met with enthusiasm. The importance of honesty is prized in your home.

Gentle, compassionate and sensitive, who wouldn’t want you as a mum? Your vivid imagination creates a magical childhood that is 100% supportive of your child’s wildest dreams. Your home is filled with pets and your little one knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are loved to the Moon and back.

CAPRICORN Committed to being the best mum you can be, yours is the sign most likely to suffer from mother’s guilt. You set clear rules and boundaries so your child is never unsure of what is expected of them. Efficient and dutiful, you strive to walk your talk in order to set a good example. And that, you do!

By Natasha Weber. Natasha, a Brighton mum of two, is accredited with the Australian Academy of Astrology and Cosmobiology and is the resident astrologer for myBody+Soul, Australia’s number 1 health and wellness site. www.astrotash.com @astrotash

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DItch or donate? Nine years ago I started collecting, cleaning and repairing, safety checking and distributing all manner of nursery goods. Naive yet earnest beginnings. On my front porch. Over the years I have learnt a thing or two about product safety and I would like to share this with you. You may be considering purchasing a secondhand pram on Ebay or Gumtree. A friend might have offered you their pre-loved cot. You may have seen a fantastic looking car seat in the hard rubbish and wondered if it is safe to pick up and donate to St Kilda Mums.

How do you know if it is safe? When items are sold new, they come with loads of information about their safe use. Product manuals, assembly instructions, quick start guides, and a heap of infographical information or photographs that easily explain visually how to use the product safely. But this packaging, and the instructions it came with, are often disposed of or lost, and without these the risk of improper use and child injury increases. Some products come with instructions for safe use on the product itself. A sticker on the frame of your pram may have 5 bullet points about how to use the pram safely. A cot has a stamp on the base that advises what size mattress to buy. But these can be peeled off or painted over. Cot bolts, for example, are often misplaced when converting to a toddler bed. People donating their cots will often suggest that we could simply buy the missing bolt from Bunnings. If only it were so simple. We have discovered over the years that many distributors and manufacturers of nursery products have ceased trading. It is therefore impossible to source replacement parts or a copy of the instructions for safe use for one of these items.

And what are the consequences of trying to put together a cot with Bunnings bolts? There is a maximum $28,000 fine for the supply of an unsafe cot under consumer law in Victoria. This is why there are so few op shops selling cots these days. The risk to your child or someone else’s is just too great. This is why at St Kilda Mums, Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums, we only rehome cots from reputable distributors who offer after sales service and can supply replacement parts. We only rehome cots that are easy to assemble. The range of cots available for sale today is large. Our experience, has helped us to recognise that certain styles of cots are safe, practical and fit for rehoming. Everything we do is focused on the needs for the families we help and the social workers supporting them. That is why we recently updated our list of “what we can rehome” and removed wooden change tables, Moses baskets, cane baskets, rocking cradles and bassinets with lots of flounces.

Why we don’t take change tables: One main reason for not accepting these was that so few wooden change table actually meet the safety standard. They should have 3 sides at least 10 cm higher than the mat to prevent rolling over or wiggling upwards and falling from the top end. They should have a safety harness that secures over the child’s tummy. Regrettably this standard is Voluntary not Mandatory - so many change tables don’t meet this standard. People still donate them, and all we can do is dispose of them.

People donating their cots will often suggest that we could simply buy the missing bolt from Bunnings. If only it were so simple.

The second reason for not being able to rehome these change tables is that the families we help are sometimes living in refuges or transitional housing. In such accommodation a portable folding change table or a change mat that can be stored under the couch or bed is a more universal solution - and safer.

According to Red Nose, Moses baskets can lose shape and become splayed with use and age, creating a gap between the mattress and the sides. This presents a suffocation hazard. Cane or wicker becomes brittle with age, breaks and poses a laceration hazard. Rocking cradles can tip, and bassinets with flounces lack breathability.

We do however happily rehome all change mats and their covers.

The best bassinets - the ones favoured by the experts - are the square wooden ones ones that have breathable sides. We love this particular model as it is so easy to remove the fabric and wash it - something we like to do with every donated bassinet.

Why we don’t take bassinets You might find this very difficult to believe but there is actually NO SAFETY STANDARD for bassinets at all. Neither mandatory nor voluntary. What this means is that there is a large variety of products for sale and in use today, and we see them all - sometimes 30, 40 and 50 years old. We updated our list of “what we can rehome” and we do not rehome any of these following second hand items; Moses baskets, cane baskets, rocking cradles and bassinets with lots of flounces, based on the recommendations of our Every Baby Advisory Group. This advisory group is made up of experts - maternal and child health nurses, social workers, midwives, homelessness specialists, product safety experts from Red Nose and Kidsafe, representatives from PANDA and Headspace.

If you have any questions about product safety please email us donate@stkildamums.org and we will try and help you.

For more information Product Safety Australia (a division of the ACCC) - 1300 302 502 Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) Toy & Nursery Safety Line - 1300 364 894 Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids) in your state or territory - 1300 998 698 Check for product recalls at www.recalls.gov.au By Jessie Macpherson, CEO, St Kilda Mums www.stkildamums.org

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At Sleep Sisters we provide personalised in home help. Respite/night nanny for babies under 4 months. Routines & sleep settling techniques for 4 months - 4 years. We believe in a gentle approach, to suit the needs of your family. Our aim is to educate, empower and encourage you to help your baby develop great sleeping habits. Sleep Sisters Melbourne Email help@sleepsisters.com.au for information pack and price list, or call 0434 019 895 to make a booking. 46

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New baby? Feeling sad, anxious, overwhelmed, irritated, tearful or panicky? 1 in 5 new Mums struggle with perinatal anxiety and depression Don't wait to seek help, evidence-based treatment is available in Cheltenham Medicare rebates apply with a GP referral

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