Santa’s Photo Booth

How much fun is this for an idea?

(You can find the original post here, together with a link to the props used)

You can also get these downloads from Etsy

Definitely a fun morning for the school holidays!

Puppies and Children

Not sure which is cuter… puppies or children – I’m also not sure which is more work – we don’t have a puppy (yet), but I’m convinced the puppies are harder work (which is probably why we don’t have one yet, even though we’ve been threatening for literally years now). I think what would convince me for sure is if I could get my hands on one of these Labradoodle pups. (Yup, they’re a cross between Labs and Poodles and flip aren’t they cute… (if anyone in SA knows where we can find one to add to our family do let me know)

This pic comes from Pinterest

How much of cuteness are these two… (Image from Patagonia Gifts)

Growing up we had Boxers, and I just love them. I would so love to get a Boxer, but don’t trust the height of the fence that surrounds our property…

(Image from Better Photo.com)

Doesn’t this image just make your heart jump for joy…

(Image also from WeHeartIt)

(Image from WeHeartIt)

And while we’re on the topic of cute little puppies… remember that your local SPCA will have so many animals that are desperate for a family that will love them. If you’re thinking of getting a dog for your family, think about rescuing a dog…

You make me happy when skies are grey

I just love love love these words….. this song… My little monkey really is my Sunshine and I try and tell her every single day…

Print available from Etsy

How amazing is this birthday cake for a ‘You are my sunshine birthday party!’ from The Party Wagon

These amazing biscuits are from the same party from The Party Wagon

How cute is this “you are my sunshine” dress up costume from Parenting

(Image from Tumblr)

Memo to the Mommy

I came across this pin on Pinterest, it looks like it’s a scanned in page from a magazine ‘Parents’ from Sept 2008. I did like the ‘memo’ and so thought I’d use the words for my post today.

“You have a lot of lessons to teach your little one, but she has a few words of wisdom for you too.”

1.) Stop freaking out about the mess. There’s always time to clean, but how often to we get to make mud pies?

(Image from Rhythm of the Home)

2.) Love me, even when I’m naughty. I’ll only be this age once.

(Photo from Under the Sycamore)

3.) Be patient, I do everything for a reason, but I don’t know enough words yet to give you an explanation.

(Photo from Under the Sycamore)

4.) Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher.

5.) Don’t expect too much of me. I want to do all that you ask and make you happy, but I’m still little.

6.) Keep your promises. It’s all about trust. When I’m a teenager, you’ll understand why it’s so important.

7.) Don’t try to reason with me when I’m having a tantrum. Trust me – I can’t hear you over my own screaming.

8.) Don’t let me think that you’re perfect. I’ll feel a lot better knowing I’m not the only one making mistakes sometimes.

(Image from Flickr)

9) Set limits, I can’t actually eat a whole box of cookies – I just want to see if I’d get away with it.

This week… I’m going to be a princess

(Image from Pinterest)

All princesses would need a wand – tutorial is from Zakka Life

And of course a crown… This one from Etsy would be perfect… Might just need to add an extra number onto it though

I wonder if I’ll pass the test by the end of the week and feel the pea under my bed

(Image and crochet crown from here)

Anyone planning a princess party, should pop over to the Amy Atlas blog for some stunning party inspiration, like this place setting…

Oh I just love this baby announcement from Tiny Prints…

 

(Image from here)

Cute cake for a princess..

(Image from Pinterest)

(From Tumblr)

 

Santa’s Shoebox

Not my normal post today, but definitely one that is very close to my heart. I’m not going to start posting about Christmas just yet I promise, but the deadline for this amazing project / charity (Santa Shoebox Project) to support is the end of October…

“Santa Shoebox Project is an inspiring community initiative that co-ordinates the donation, collection and distribution of personalized gifts at Christmas time to underprivileged children; while at the same time helping parents teach their own children about the joys of giving.

Participating is a profoundly valuable and personal experience as the donor knows the name, age and gender of the child that he/she chooses to donate to and the name of the organization that cares for the child.”

I really do want to instill the value of compassion with our monkey. I think it’s so important for her to understand from an early age that our beautiful country is unfortunately full of people and family’s that are under priviledged. Families that don’t have an income, children who don’t own a pair of shoes, who don’t know the joy of owning a toy, let alone opening a stocking full on Christmas morning, and Mother’s who don’t know where the next meal is coming from for their families. I want Layla to understand this and my wish is really that as she grows up she has only respect and compassion for people that are less fortunate than us. For me, this project is just the most amazing gift we can give – not just a gift we can give to these special kids, but a gift we can give to our own family.

I ask you to please pledge a shoebox for a child this Christmas…

(All images are from the Santa Shoebox Website)

 

Work spaces for moms

So I’m in the process of revamping my office space -  I decided it was well over due that I made my space where I spend most of my days inspire me and not be a place that consists of walls,  a desk (two actually – one for me and one where the unfinished filing sits), some way too much filing and not enough ribbon, glue, pretty paper etc..

Here’s some inspiration that I’ve found recently….

Both these images come from here

And then there’s this ‘old beverage cart’ that’s been revamped… There really are some talented people in this world don’t you think! Image from “Tiny Craft Areas to Inspire” from Everything Etsy.

Seriously…. one day I’m going to have a sewing machine in my office space… That’s a promise… watch this space!

(Image from Tumblr)

I need a craft cupboard like this! (Image source)

oh well… let’s see how this project goes… so far the painting that started on the weekend is on hold until next weekend, my desk is facing the wrong way, files everywhere. In other words, it’s looking NO where close to any of the pics above.. I’ll post some photos, hopefully soon, of how it turns out…

A post for Dad’s of Daughters

I WISH I could take credit for this post, but there’s no way I could come close… I found this post on From Dates to Diapers  and the original post is from here.  I just loved the full list of ’50 Rules for Dad’s of Daughters’.

I’ve ‘copied’ a lot of the list, but tried to personalize it for the Dad in our family… All credit to the original writer though and please do visit both these websites for  the full list and more great posts.

• Love her mom…. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Make sure she finds her own prince charming!

• You’ve already got the job of Super Hero in her life…. Don’t let her down here… this job is one you want to keep for life… Work hard at it, cape and tights are optional.

• Spend quality time with her – just you and her, no matter what life throws at you, don’t forget about that special time together – whether it’s blowing bubbles in the bath with her, playing ball, going shopping together … I know lots of dads who take their daughters on dates when they get a little older. I like this idea…  but this is your time with her, I’ll leave this to you to work out together

• Take note of what she’s doing today! You know how our parents keep saying “I remember you at this age just like it was the other day” – that’ll be us one day… cherish each minute you have with her.

• Pray for her

 

• Teach her the off sides rule in rugby, you know her mom’s never going to get that right!

• Do crazy stupid things with her… I don’t have to tell you that though, you’re both crazy already.

• Teach her about money, about sharing, about compassion, about respect.

• Don’t just teach her, show her and be her living example

• Dance with her…. From the moment she can walk. You don’t have to wait for her wedding day for this. And I mean dance… that ripping around the dance floor type of dance when she can… you’re a wonderful dancer, she’s lucky to be able to learn from standing on her feet.

• Take her fishing (you might need to take me along to show you how it’s done properly) And don’t forget –you’re going to HAVE to put the bait on for her and take the fish off for her… that goes without standard. (ps – My dad used to say “Right in the fish’s mouth’ every time he used to cast for me… it’s optional, but perhaps you can include that in your fishing time together)

• Tell her she’s beautiful…. In  a real beautiful kind of way – not because she’s got a pretty dress on, or she’s wearing nail polish – but when she’s playing in the mud and her smile is as big as her face. She needs to know she’s beautiful – not photoshop beautiful, but real beautiful.

• Teach her how to change a flat tyre. (And make sure she’s got the right numbers to call when it happens – you know you’ll be the first one she calls, but in case you’re not available.)

• Take her camping (hmmm, please remember the tent and not just the tent poles and ground sheet though – she might not be as forgiving as her mom has been in the past).

• Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

• She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that. Let her know that apart from peeing standing up there won’t me many things she can’t do that a boy can do.. but let’s also remember she is a little girl and might choose not to do things that boys would want to do!

• Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

• It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

• She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late. I wish you could see her excitement when she hears your car coming up the driveway… her whole face and body lights up.

• Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

• Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

• Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

• Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this. (I’m 33 and a hug from my Dad can still solve many of the worlds problems… )

• Push her on the swings. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

• Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together – I know you’ll be great at this…. And it’s something you’ll teach her for life.

• Let her know she can always come home. No matter what. – We were talking about this just the other day weren’t we!

• Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years. (And know you’ve done a good job when she does have the confidence to spread her wings)

• Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most. (Wow… that would be really special)

• Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

• Today she’s toddling down the driveway to explore the garden. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Rainbow crafts

Going to do this immediately… well as soon as I’ve got the balloons! Love this idea of filling balloons with play dough for an awesome sensory soft and squishy sensation. (originally seen on Play Create Explore)

And while we’re on the rainbow scene… how cool is this rainbow mobile from Etsy

I’m thinking that I don’t need to wait for a party to make these rainbow origami cubes, first seen on Hip Hip Hooray, but originally from Annily Green

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Some photography inspiration

So I saw this photo on Facebook over the weekend that a lovely friend (who happens to be a lovely photographer) of ours took of another lovely friend’s sweet toddler. The ‘model’ in the shoot also happens to be the cutest ‘almost 2 year old’ in our lives – either way though, whether you know them or not, I’m sure you’ll agree that this shoot is just too gorgeous. Just loving the colour combination. (ps – the newborn on Megan’s maternity and newborn page just happens to actually be the cutest baby in the whole wide world, no doubt about it… being her mother I can 100% confirm this. Gosh, I forgot how tiny our little monkey was at 4 days old!!!)

Ok, then this photo is from one of my lovely Twitter friend who often makes me jealous talking about the gorgeous kiddie birthday party she takes photos at… Anyway, perusing through her website I came across this photo which I just love!

.

And lastly….(who knew I had so many photographer friends!)

The lovely husband and wife team from PeppermintPix do amazing outside shoots (they do a whole bunch of different shoots, but for me their outside family / kiddie ones are just the best!)

So if you’re looking for a photographer…

If you’re in Durban….. Megan Hancock Photography

Durban & Joburg…… PeppermintPix

Cape Town…… Cazpix Photography

And then just for some Thursday kicks and tricks, I though I’d add a few more photos that I’ve pinned on Pinterest that I love..

(Image source: Pinterest)

This has to be another favourite of mine – I keep threatening to try this at home!

Image Source: Andrea Burns Photography