NORTHSIDE
mamaMAG Jun/Jul 2018
WIN A money can’t buy dIsney on Ice VIP experIence Party People Surviving snow Can you hack it? The perfect party Ditch or donate?
free Local fun for the Northside mum 1
WERRIBEE PARK & MANSION CUP WEEKEND 3-4 NOV 2018
A FESTIVAL FOR FAMILIES & FRIENDS
TIM FINN THE JUNGLE GIANTS YOU AM I KATE MILLER-HEIDKE BOO SEEKA CLARE BOWDITCH ALL OUR EXES LIVE IN TEXAS BAKER BOY DIDIRRI ALICE IVY AINSLIE WILLS dirtgirl JAZZ PARTY LANKS WOODES + ART, CIRCUS, COMEDY & MUCH MORE!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.thelostlands.com.au
THU 5, FRI 6 & SAT 7 JULY Melbourne Recital Centre Go to mistermakertour.com.au Mister Maker TM & Š 2018 ZKSUK. Licensed by Banijay Rights Limited trading as Zodiak Kids
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
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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!
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A mum’s advice on getting it right
Parklife 8 Golden Square Centennial Park, Burnley
It’s my party
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Local party venues and ideas
School holiday success
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Tips for holiday fun
Get the party started
18 ©Disney. All Rights Reserved.
Creating successful kid’s parties
Lovely locals
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Upper Heidelberg Road Ivanhoe
Turn the page
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Party books from Story Mama
Mama can cook
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Check out the fun at www.DisneyOnIce.com.au
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MamaMag is published bi-monthly for the mums of Melbourne’s North by Grizzle Design Pty Ltd
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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
Sarah Reid from Twisters Gymnastics
Mother’s group How to create a successful one
Shaping him up We chat with Mister Maker
Style by the stars
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Mothering styles by Astro Tash
Ditch or donate
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St Kilda Mums do’s and don’ts
Can you hack it?
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8 time saving hacks
Colour to WIN
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Win Mister Maker tickets
Take a walk on the wild side Hosting an animal party
MamaMag June/July 2018
or www.facebook.com/localmamamag
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You CAN do it with toddlers!
We love a mother
Enter at https://woobox.com/xnfm7b 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.
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!
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10,000 copies per issue across Melbourne’s North inc. Moonee Valley, Darebin, Moreland, Yarra and Banyule. 40,000 copies across all four areas: Bayside • Eastside • Northside • Westside. Editor in Chief/Creative Director: Sarah Cavalier: sarah@mamamag.com.au Local Northside advertising: Kylie Banks: kylie@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. 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.
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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, mama to 5-yo Lacey dudeanddanaparties.com.au
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Parklife Golden Square Bicentennial Park Bring your little fairy spotters to this park for a play and some imaginary fun. Knock on the tiny red door that’s carved into a large old tree to see if the resident gnomes or elves want to come out, or even pop a letter for the fairies into their letterbox. Children have been busy building a secret hut beside the tree out of branches, so your kids can hide away and continue their make-believe play. The playground consists of a large wooden structure that’s set into a hill. What kid doesn’t love to run up and down a hill! They’ll enjoy the bridge, the slides, noughts and crosses, and megaphone. The bigger ones might prefer the monkey bars, and scaling the chain ladder
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up to a longer slide. Pack some chalk so they can leave some of their best artwork on the blackboard beneath it. You’ll also find swings, musical pipes to bang on, a spring-loaded motorbike, and bucket spinners. The park is large enough for ball games, and a picnic or BBQ, with a gazebo for shelter. There are a couple of great climbing trees, and as it’s an off-lead park you can bring the fur kids as well. No toilets, but there’s a lovely café across the road, where you can grab a latte and some healthy treats. Cnr Madden Grove and Gibdon St, Burnley
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It's My Party!
Mama has got local birthday party fun covered!
Up Unlimited
114 Murphy Street, Richmond www.upunlimited.com.au Up Unlimited (formerly Clip N Climb) Richmond was the first of its kind in Australia and brings indoor climbing to a new level. There’s colourful challenges and climbs that look like nothing you’ve seen before. Parties include a 15 minute safety briefing, 1 hour climbing session, harnesses, free Vertical Drop Slide and Leap of Faith for the party child, private party room overlooking the climbing and food.
Craftercise
52A Hawker Street, Airport West www.craftercise.com.au The creators of Craftercise, Aleisha and Amanda are both mums and qualified primary and secondary health and physical education teachers with a passion for all things art and craft. Their parties include 1 hour activity of art & craft and messy play time, 45 mins party room time and a take home art & craft piece. Mixed age groups within a party can be tailored for accordingly.
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.
Inflatable World Bundoora Bundoora. www.inflatableworldoz.com.au
Parties at Action Indoor Sports & Inflatable World Bundoora combine fun, sport and physical activity all in the one safe environment. Kids can run, jump and play around with their friends on the Inflatables and play against their friends on the brand new courts in a variety of sports. Packages include catered and self-catered options with café and bar facilities available. 10
Twisters Gymnastics
5/177 Beavers Rd, Northcote twistersgym.com.au Twisters Gymnastics offers birthday parties for kids aged 4–14 years. Parties run just under 2hrs and are spent having fun in the gym under qualified coaches, with the final 40mins spent in the party room for cake, presents and your byo party food. Sole access to the venue with your own private coaching staff plus a kitchen with everything you need make parties here a breeze.
Bounce
Hangar 4, 236 Wirraway Road, Essendon Fields www.bounceinc.com.au An action-packed trampoline adventure. Dodgeball, slam dunks, wall-jumping, taking a leap into the big bag for a cushy landing. All party packages include 60 minutes of free jumping mayhem 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 official BOUNCE grip socks for everyone.
Collingwood Children’s Farm
Abbotsford www.farm.org.au
Organise your own basic farm party, where normal entry prices will apply for your group. Otherwise hosted parties are a more organised option and very popular, so you need to book well ahead – dates open up a year in advance. The hosted parties will see kids have a pony or tractor hay ride and milk the cow hosted by one of the friendly farmers.
The Amazing Ashley www.amazingashley.info
Ashley makes the birthday child the star magician having them start the show making a beautiful dove appear from a handkerchief; the first of many animals that they will make appear, disappear and transform. Your child will feel like an amazing magician, performing incredible and memorable magic tricks for his or her friends and family. At the end the children can pat the rabbits and hold the doves, and Ashley can make balloon animals for them to take home!
Carnival for Kids
Brunswick Street Fitzroy Pop-Up Venue www.carnivalforkids.com.au Cat knows how to throw a party and has been doing so from her permanent Ashwood venue for years. Northsiders can party in the Fitzroy Social every Sunday from 10am whilst Cat sources their next permanent venue. With the most amazing interiors the Fitzroy Social is a perfect back drop for your’s child’s next party. 11
Crocs Reservoir
Unit 5/87 Newlands Rd, Reservoir www.crocsplaycentre.com.au Most kids will instantly recognise the Crocs mascot as representing all things fun and entertaining! Kids will be entertained by the ocean themed play area, multi-level ball battle zone, slam dunk basketball room, bike lanes with ride-ons, giant speed slide and toddler play area. Kids parties will include a dedicated party host in a themed party room.
Crafternoon
718 Sydney Road, Brunswick www.crafternoon.cafe Crafternoon’s parties run for 1.5 hours with a dedicated party host. Theme options in their special party area include, of course a crafty party, plus a painting party with canvases and plaster pets, a super hero party to make masks and cuffs, as well as fairy, pirate and flower themed parties. You can even add on decorate-a-cupcake for $6 each! Homemade beef sausage rolls are included in the party menu, along with fairy bread, fresh popcorn and Summer Snow apple juice.
Latitude
590 Waterdale Road, Heidelberg www.latitudeair.com Bounce, climb and fly! Latitude’s has everything! Rock climbing, trampolines and obstacle course high in the sky. They offer General Parties for children 5 years and older, or the Kids Zone Party for children aged 18 months - 5 years with a three storey adventure playground and mini tramps. Choose either the obstacle course and 2 tramp activities, rock climbing and 2 tramp activities or 3 tramp activities.
Lollypops Bundoora
Bundoora www.bundoora.lollipopsplayland.com.au Children will enjoy unlimited play and be lost in a world of fun in the 4-story play frame, with three giant slides, rock climbing and of course the famous pirate ship ride. Toddlers have their own safe, fun area designed for children under 3 with soft floor mats, ball pits, mini slides, soft building blocks, musical wall, mounted toys and exciting tunnels and puzzles to discover.
Bulla Hill Railway
15 Green Street, Bulla www.bullahillrailway.org.au Ride the miniature trains around the scenic 1.5km track (10 min trip) and pass over bridges, through cuttings with scenic views of Mt Macedon and you might even see a dinosaur or two! Private picnic area with coin operated barbecues and picnic shelters. Toilet facilities and a kiosk are at the station and a great children’s playground right outside the gates in the public parkland area. 12
THE ZOO CAN COME TO YOU! WHY NOT HAVE THE WILDEST PARTY IN TOWN FOR YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY?
You’ve watched Chris on TV Now you can work with him at his very own private Zoo!
For all bookings and enquiries please contact the WILD ACTION team
Call: 0419 385 245 Email: wild@wildaction.com.au follow us on facebook! wildaction www.wildaction.com.au
Get more from mama - www.mamamag.com.au | Get social with mama - @localmamamag
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Transport and Care For The Busy Parent The Hug App is a transaction based social platform for parents and their trusted network of family and friends to simplify transport and care requests. It is ideal for anyone responsible for the transport and care of dependants.
Your own Trusted Network
Multi Layer Security
Leveraging your own trusted network The Hug App provides a more time and cost efficient way of facilitating assistance with your current friends and family.
Inviting others to your network is subject to meeting certain criteria. Facebook friends, a contact on your smartphone or your dependants must share a common address ie. school.
Identify Tasks by Need
Complete Automation
The Hug App facilitates and automates all requests for Care and Transport.
Pre-defined profiles, custom addresses, activity based groups and Google places integration ensure complete automation without the need for free form text.
GPS Tracking Users Users may share their location with another dependant’s parent, giving them peace of mind in the knowledge they know where their child is at all times.
Unique User Experience The Hug App allows users to show their appreciation through a collection of animated bears.
Free to download, Free to use For more details visit www.thehugapp.com.au
The Great Hug Giveaway! WIN a luxury Maldives escape for Two including 7 nights at the Fairmont Maldives and return flights. worth $28k
Simply download and register to use the Hug App then receive one entry for every Transport or Care transaction you make that is accepted by someone in your Hug App trusted network.
PLUS 10 lucky runners up will WIN: 2 x Village Gold Class vouchers for mum and dad valued at $84 PLUS a Bounce Multi Pass for 10 kids valued at $200 and a $250 Grill’d voucher to feed the hungry kids after!
1 x Minor prize will be drawn on the 15th June, 29th June, 13th July, 27th July and 1 x Major prize and 6 Minor prizes will be drawn 3rd August!
Download the App for free via iTunes or Google Play to enter! Competition starts June 1st 12.01am and closes July 31st 2018 at 11.59pm. Entry is only open to Australian residents. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Refer to the The Hug App facebook page or www.thehugapp.com.au for eligible dates of travel. Flights awarded as a $3000 voucher. Accomodation valued at $25,000. Winners will be published on The Hug Apps Facebook page and notified by email. Visit www.thehugapp.com.au for full terms and conditions and permit details.
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.
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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 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
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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
lovely locals 1.
UPPER HEIDELBERG ROAD IVANHOE 1. Read all about it - Andrew’s Bookshop One of the best bookshops around, since 1983, Andrew’s Books has been dedicated to providing a wide range of books as well as excellent and innovative service to customers. Andrew’s Books is built on the premise that reading is valuable, capable of stirring emotions and firing the imagination. From humble beginnings, with just two boxes at Wantirna Market, they now boast an extensive range of books and if you want isn’t in stock they are always happy to order it for you. 183 Upper Heidelberg Road www.andrewsbooks.com
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2. Caffeine and lunch - Pinkie Words simply cannot espresso how excited we are. I love Pinkie’s tagline and with a promise of good food, good coffee and good moods, you’re going to love it too. From the people behind No.19 and St Rose and amazing interiors by Biasol, who knew pink glass bricks could look so good? Pinkie is just off the main drag and serves up amazing açaí bowls, super food salads or try the miso charred corn on toast with bacon, herbs and a poached egg, all made fresh with love and attention. 1 Westley Avenue. www.pinkieivanhoe.com.au
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3. Paper Occasions A beautiful shop full of beautiful things. What more could a girl want? And very realistically priced. The owner has great taste and provides marvellous advice. Nothing is too much trouble and she will go out of her way to help you find what you want. The Nana Huchy dolls are super cute! 202 Upper Heidelberg Road 4. One stop health - Ivanhoe Health Store
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Your one stop shop to achieve optimal health through diet, lifestyle and specific nutrition, this is a health store and naturopath with over ten years experience all in one! They can assist with arthritis, weight loss, detox, PMS, menopause, anti-ageing, back problems, chemotherapy nutritional support, colds and flu, stress and fatigue, They treat babies, children and adults. Pop in to chat with their qualified staff. 96 Upper Heidelberg Road 5. Bend and stretch - Light Space Yoga Beautiful, modern yoga with studios in Ivanhoe, Balwyn and Mitcham, Light Space was created by mother-daughter team, Susan and Clare, and is inspired by a fresh and contemporary approach to yoga. The studio is beautiful and unique with tree top views, bespoke plywood furniture, handcrafted bolsters and blankets, and stunning wallpaper murals that help to calm and relax the senses. 174 Upper Heidelberg Road. lightspaceyoga.com.au 20
5.
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Imagine it and We will create it Visit a Lombard Party Store near you lombard.com.au
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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
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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
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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.
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.
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
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.
It’s always handy to have a few trusted vegan recipes up your sleeve for friends.
3-holes vegan chocolate cake Serves: 8 Cooking time: 20 minutes Prep time: 15 minutes
Preheat the oven to 150°C. Line a 22 cm round cake tin with baking paper. In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together well to combine.
Ingredients:
Make 3 holes in the mixture: 1 large, 1 medium and 1 small hole. Into the large hole, add the melted margarine. Into the medium hole, add the vinegar. Into the small hole, add the vanilla. Pour the soy milk all over the top, then mix the whole lot together until there are no lumps.
200g self-raising flour 100g soft brown sugar 100g sugar 50g Dutch (unsweetened) cocoa powder, sifted 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 120g dairy-free margarine, melted 2 tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 150ml soy milk or other non-dairy milk Blueberries to serve (optional) Icing: 300g icing (confectioner’s) sugar 150g dairy-free margarine 2 tablespoons glucose syrup 1 teaspoon boiling water Photographer: © Chris Chen 26
Pour the batter out into the cake tin and bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely in the tin. (Trying to take it out earlier will result in the cake breaking!) Make the icing by mixing everything together in an electric mixer until smooth. Spread over the top of the cooled cake and decorate with berries, if desired. TIPS: The brand of dairy-free margarine you use here will have a strong influence on the flavour of the icing. I use Nuttelex ‘Buttery’ and it is brilliant. Glucose syrup is not essential for the icing but it does really help give it a glossy finish that can sometimes prove elusive when using vegan margarines.
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• Program for 6 months – 5 years • School Holiday Program • Professional Learning • Primary School Program • Birthday Parties
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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.
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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!
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we love a mother Meet Sarah Reid. Sarah built and runs the very successful Twisters Gymnastics Centre in Northcote and more recently her new Showgrounds location which opened in April! With a long history of recreational and competitive gymnastics Sarah is also mum to two energetic boys Wally and Toby. When she’s not busy entertaining the boys she spends most of her time running her business with husband Dan, in the office or on the floor coaching.
You have been involved in the gymnastics world since you were very young, what was your involvement and how did this lead you to open up Twisters? What was your greatest motivation? I have been doing gymnastics since I was 2 years of age in Tasmania. I finished up my competing career at the age of 17 but I have been coaching since I was 15. I moved to Melbourne to study dance when I was 18; to pay my way I continued coaching at an amazing club Waverley Gymnastics Centre. Landing at this club changed my life. I worked under a wonderful mentor there who gave me an opportunity to work in administration as well as coach in the elite levels program. Whist working at Waverley I completed my Bachelor of Contemporary Arts (Dance) with the intention of becoming a dance teacher. I just loved the gym so much both out on the floor and in the office that under my mentor’s advice I completed my Masters of Business (Sport Management). After 10 years of working huge hours at Waverley I decided to have a break from the sport of gymnastics altogether and went to work as Operations Manager at Masters Swimming Australia. After only a year working outside of gymnastics I just missed it too much and made the decision to open up my own gym on the weekends. This is how Twisters began!! We went from only on a Saturday at a school gym whilst I maintained my existing full time job, into a full time commercial warehouse. It was then I quit my job and threw myself into Twisters full time.
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My greatest motivation for doing this was an epiphany that I have always loved gymnastics and teaching children; why not do this 24/7. What was your role before becoming a mum to the boys? We moved into our warehouse facility in April 2013 and I had my first son Wally in September of that year. Apart from the 2 years I worked at Masters Swimming I have always worked in gymnastics in some form or other. How has it been juggling your business and opening of a new centre with motherhood? It has been a hell of a lot of work. We expanded into the full time warehouse when Wally was born and our business growth was rapid from then on. Opening this new centre meant a highly organised home life. We purchased a Thermomix which has saved my life in planning and organising meals. We do not have any family help because both of our families live in Tasmania. I am lucky that both my mum and Dan’s mum visit often so we get the help when we can. The boys love the fact that we have two very fun and large playgrounds to go wild in whilst we try and get a few things done. What have been some of the biggest challenges with being a working parent? Trying to establish the work/life balance. Making sure that when I am at home I am there to play with the kids and enjoy my family. This is particularly hard when my business is running 7 days a week 9am – 8pm.
I never really had the opportunity to stop and enjoy just being a mum, there was always outside pressures pulling me away from the kids. There is also the challenge that Dan works in the business with me which means I see my husband all day and all night. We have found our groove working together and don’t have too many issues. Working with so many parents and children on a daily basis, what have you learnt that you can use at home? Let the kids be kids. A lot of parents are much more afraid in recent times to let their kids explore and push themselves physically with no safety net. I have found that letting them go, kids inherently know their own limitations. What’s been the biggest highlight in your career so far? The opening of the new facility is by far my biggest achievement. To do the planning financially, procedurally and workforce wise was a massive deal for myself and my team. This could not have happened without Dan, who was instrumental in getting the facility up and running. What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? Both at work and at home? I am a big believer of if you can dream it you can do it. I hope that my boys have as much ambition in work and life as I do. What’s next for you and your family? A holiday!!! We will be very happy if we can get the business to a stage where we have a General Manager overseeing both locations and allowing us to step back a bit and spend more time with the family. You can find Twisters Gymnastics at both Northcote and Showgrounds Ascot Vale locations. www.twistersgym.com.au
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Creating a successful mothers group Are you about to join a mothers group and want to ensure it works? Or are you already part of one that is starting to fizzle? A mothers group, like all relationships in life, takes effort for it to thrive. Whilst it will take time for your group to get to know each other there are a number of things you can proactively do to help put your mothers group on the path for success:
Communication is key: Make it easy for your group to keep in touch. Share each other’s contact details and create a private Facebook group so that you can easily communicate the details of your catch ups, ask each other questions, share photos etc.
Keep it simple: Given you’ll all have baby brain, keep it simple and aim to have a regular weekly meeting (same time, day and location) as this will reduce the administration burden, avoid confusion and allow you to schedule other appointments around it.
Sleeping like a baby: The sleeping habits of your child will change over time and make it difficult for you to meet during the same hour each week so organise for your group to have at least a two hour meeting ‘window’ so you can come and go as you like during this time.
Location, location, location: Will you rotate hosting at each other’s homes or find a central location to meet? Cafés are one option (if you can find one that fits multiple prams) but are difficult once your baby starts to move. Parks are another option, however are weather dependant and therefore not a reliable regular venue given Melbourne’s variable weather.
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If you don’t want to have to worry about cleaning your house and hosting a large group of mum’s and babies in your house/apartment then community halls and playhouses are the best option – they provide you with indoor and outdoor space that are suitable all year round and playhouses have the added benefit of providing you with all the toys, play equipment and utilities that you need so all you need to bring is your child and nappy bag!
Allow flexibility for working mums: One of the main reasons mothers groups fall apart these days is a result of the increasing trend for mums to return to part or full time work. To cater for this think about running two sessions a week (different days and times), mum’s night outs or weekend family activities to enable those who have returned to work to attend. If this still doesn’t work, then contact your local playhouses to see if you can join forces with another mothers group or join a new one. The effort you put in to establish a successful mothers group will be worth it – both you and your child will benefit from the social interaction and potentially lifelong friendships that are made.
To locate a playgroup near you visit www.playgroup.org.au.
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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 … 34
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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Talk to Noah's Ark about therapy and education for your child under the NDIS. Noah's Ark recognises the very important role that families play in their child's health and development. Our specialists with professional backgrounds in speech pathology, occupational therapy, education, physiotherapy, psychology and social work, are known as Key Workers and will come to you. For more information on our programs go to our website or call 1800 819 140
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At Sleep Sisters we provide personalised in home help.
Winter School Holiday Workshops at the Incinerator Gallery Tuesday, 3 July – Friday, 6 July $17.50 per ticket Ages 4–7 years and 7–14 years Book: incineratorgallery.com More information: 8325 1750
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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. Live Local - Shop Local - and don’t forget to mention MamaMag!
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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.
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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.
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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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Can you hack it? 8 time saving hacks for busy parents It’s no secret that parents are always busy, however the school-run scramble can make everyday life look like a walk in the park. There’s making lunches, checking homework, washing uniforms, packing library books, getting haircuts and that’s all before doing sports training, swimming lessons, cooking, cleaning... the list can go on. We are always looking for a little extra time to get everything ticked off the list! Luckily, there are a few time saving hacks to help you keep your cool during the school run.
Meal plan The scenario is always the same. Parents get busy and we can find ourselves either running to the shop 10 times a week or venturing into the dark corners of our cupboards to try and make dinner with canned peas and miscellaneous pasta packets. To avoid this, write a weekly meal plan, doubling up on meals where you can and do your grocery shopping once a week. This reduces cooking and shopping time, because let’s be honest, NO ONE likes grocery shopping.
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Take advantage of online Nowadays almost everything can be done online which helps to free up your time for other, more important things. You probably already pay bills online, so why not order stationery, textbooks, clothes and groceries online as well? Stationery suppliers such as Officeworks now deliver straight to your door and groceries and household goods can be delivered from online retailers such as catch. com.au or Hello Fresh for pre-measured recipes.
Prepare the night before Although it’s the last thing you want to do after a long day, a little bit of night time preparation can make the morning school run more like a stroll. Lay out your clothes the night before (including your own) and make sure all readers and bags are at the door, so you can grab them and go! Removable hooks at kid height can be a great way to teach kids to hang bags/jackets/ hats and scarves.
Keep track of the important items
Keep on top of school updates
We’ve all been there. You’re halfway out the door with the kids finally dressed and fed, only to find one of them is missing a bag, a reader, or you (God forbid) can’t find your keys! Luckily, there’s a range of Bluetooth trackers out there, such as Tile, to help you avoid wasting time looking for important belongings. Just attach the device, track with your smartphone and never waste precious time searching again!
Whether your kids are at kinder, primary or high school, it’s always difficult to keep on top of permission slips, activities and relevant information. Squashed notes at the bottom of the backpack sound familiar? Make sure you’re aware of your school’s communication tools, such as The Skool Loop App and Kinderloop, to stay updated on the fly.
Clean out your keys We all have an ever-expanding keyring that makes trying to get in the door a hassle. Now’s the time for a refresh! Start by removing keys that no longer have a use. Next, colour code your keys i.e. one for work, home and the back door, to avoid fumbling around and help you stay organised.
Accept imperfection Saving time is not just about trying to be a little more organised, it’s also about accepting that as parents, we can’t do everything! It’s important to decide what you can live with and what you can’t. Perhaps you need the bed made to start the day right, but you can live without doing the ironing. Prioritise the ‘must do’s’ and leave the rest!
Organise your laundry There’s nothing worse than trying to get the sheets changed quickly, only to find your linen closet looks like the Sheridan store after a sale. Try folding your sheets and putting them in the matching pillow case for a neat and tidy shelf.
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Explore Phillip Island these holidays with a
4 PARKS PASS
See the best Phillip Island has to offer with a great value 4 Parks Pass.
Book now at www.penguins.org.au INCLU
Pengu DES: i Antarc n Parade tic Jou at the rney N Churc obbies hill Isla Koala Conse nd Centrervation
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Present this voucher at any of the above attractions to redeem offer. *Free child 4 Parks Pass (aged 4-15years) with every adult 4 Parks Pass ticket purchased. Valid until 25 December 2018.
Not valid 44 with any other offer.
WIN
A Family Pass to see Mister Maker LIVE
Get ready mini-makers, your favourite arty party man is coming back to Australia in July in what promises to be the family show of the year thanks to Live Nation, NAB and Zodiak. He will be performing at Melbourne Recital Centre July 5-7. www.mistermakertour.com.au
See www.mamamag.com.au for terms and conditions. Parent’s email will be added to our monthly MamaMail. You can opt out at any time.
Colour to WIN a Family Pass for the July 7th 1.30pm show!
Post your entry by June 30 to: MamaMag, PO Box 8018, North Road LPO, Brighton East 3187.
Child’s name:
Age:
Parent’s name:
Mobile No:
Suburb:
Postcode:
Email: 45 45
take a walk on the wild side Why not take a walk on the WILD SIDE for your next Kids party? As a professional zoologist and a wildlife fanatic, I have been teaching kids about all things WILD for the past 21 years! The one thing that still puzzles me most from children when I teach them about animals is the outcry ”I’m not an animal!”, and I sigh… yes you are!” In my opinion, children these days are far removed from nature. I spent most of my youth jumping the back-fence of the family home in the search for blue-tongued lizards, tadpoles and even Sshhhh snakes! How can we possibly conserve the remaining wild places on our planet, and the animals and plants which inhabit them, if kids don’t have an intrinsic love and compassion for them? This is where zoo parties come into play! Why not celebrate your next child’s birthday, and at the same time give them a passion for nature and wildlife. Your children will have such a fun and adrenalin packed time…. they won’t realise that they are learning too! It’s overwhelming to discover how many reptile, farm and zoo party operators are out there in the market place. Like all industries, some animal parties are good and some absolutely ‘SHONKY!’ The purpose of this article is to give you a few tips on what to look for, and to help make your child’s birthday the WILDEST and most memorable of them all! The beauty of a reptile party or zoo party is that the animals are brought to your event or party. Kids can have the amazing opportunity to touch and interact with a wide variety of Australian animals. This interactive concept provides for a truly three- dimensional
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experience, unlike a large zoo in which the animals are kept behind glass or in an enclosure. Not only should a zoo party be fun and entertaining it must have an educational element. For me, there is nothing more gratifying than encouraging children to get in touch with their wild side. The first of my tips is to do your homework. Talk to your friends, colleagues and read testimonials about any wildlife company. The company must not only handle and control the animals, but also manage and engage 30 ’rowdy’ kids. Most zoo parties run for one hour. Does the company need to set-up outside, or can the party show be performed indoors. It’s probably a good idea to vacate your pets for the day, after all you’d hate for them to be on the menu for the visiting wildlife! Were the animals in good condition? Did the creatures look stressed? Did the presenter have a good knowledge of their wildlife? Did all of the kids get a chance to touch and hold the animals? Make sure that the company you are choosing is ethical and conservation minded. A zoo party shouldn’t just be a ‘free for all’ in handling animals. Don’t be scared to ask questions about where the animals are kept, what are the experience, qualifications and background of the operator, and how long have they been operating for? Compare web sites and ask exactly which animals will attend your party. Anyone who displays wildlife in the State of Victoria must be licensed with the Victorian State Government, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
C At present there are over 30 wildlife demonstration companies performing children’s parties with wildlife in Victoria. It’s also a good idea to ask to see a copy of a company’s Public Liability Insurance. If the individual is ‘coy’ about this, then it’s best to keep searching. It’s buyer beware I’m afraid! One thing that I can guarantee you is that your birthday child will remember a zoo party for the rest of their lives…..I mean who wouldn’t! Imagine having a koala, crocodile, behemoth python snake, kissable frog, endangered owls, fresh-water turtle, eye-licking leaf-tailed gecko, giant monitor lizard, laughing kookaburra (which actually laughs I might add), baby joey kangaroo…and so much more inhabit your lounge room! A zoo party should be fun, yet educational to empower young minds to make a difference to conserve. Oh and make sure your party guests 100% wash their hands. This is of paramount importance before the party food is served. It’s such a refreshing idea to move away from super hero parties, fairy themes and magic shows, and let your kids discover the gift of wonderment, beauty and life pulsating joy in Australian wildlife….or is that just me? Well…regardless of your position, the photos and memories will be priceless! I’m even sure that some of the photos taken will end up ‘show-cased’ at your child’s 21st! By Chris Humphrey Wild Action www.wildaction.com.au
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Live Nation
and
MEI
present
FIRST TIME EVER IN AUSTRALIA
A 90 minute theatrical and musical adventure with spectacular multi-media projections and stunning 3D effects
JuNE 27 to JULY 7 Arts Centre Melbourne Go to livenation.com.au