Don’t these look like pieces or art… well, the good news is that if you pop over to How about Orange where you can get the template. Word over at the instructions says you don’t need anything put paper to make these! Impressive huh
And while we’re on the subject of making pretty cool things with paper…how about these um, paper things from Mini Eco..
I used, I mean, still love the Mr Men and Little Miss books… Growing up Mr Bump was my favourite… My keyring at the moment says Little Miss Late, if I could choose a character for my monkey I’d choose Little Miss Sunshine of course… I’d choose Mr Cheerful for my man, and probably Little Miss Busy for me… I’m striving for Little Miss Star, Little Miss Tidy and Little Miss Fun of course
Set of 1 inch button magnets available from Etsy…
I just love the following ideas / photos from Kara’s Party Ideas
Cute Little Miss Sunshine Cake huh?
Cute knitted Mr Bump from Etsy
Cupcakes from Cupcakes take the Cake
To showcase my blogging expertise I have to admit that it took me a few days to work out how to actually display this badge on the sidebare of my blog… Anyhoo, it’s up and if you click on it to vote for Colour Giggles you’ll make my day… that’s all… please and thanks…
With all this talk of Movember I loved this post on Kids Spot on Mumvember….
1. Plan a picnic dinner. Whether on the lounge-room floor or a park nearby. Pack a picnic and eat dinner the fun way.
2. Scream-free zone. Go a whole day without yelling or raising your voice at your kids.
3. Give yourself a time-out. Sneak ten minutes of me-time. Read a magazine. Paint your nails. Drink a cup of tea child-free.
4. Bake something. Make a deliciously naughty chocolate cake, and you have permission to lick the beaters.
5. Kiss your sleeping babies. Sneak a kiss while your kids are sleeping. Soak up the precious moment.
6. Tell a mum you care. Write a note or email to a mum you admire. Share the love around.
7. Make an effort Monday. Put on a lick of lipstick or do something special with your hair. You’ll feel and look beautiful.
8. Leave your kids a love note. Pop a picture or some words in their lunchbox, or beside their bed.
9. Make a date with yourself. Find a day this month and put it in your diary to do something special for you.
10. Take a photo of the kids and make sure you’re in it! Set the timer, or ask a friend to take a pic.
11. Rock on! Set the timer and play your most motivating music for 30 minutes while you give the house a quick clean!
12. Listen to your kids. Today when the kids talk, really listen. Stop what you’re doing, give them eye contact and really pay attention.
13. Have a bubble bath. When the kids are tucked in to bed, run a big bath with loads of bubbles. Stay in ’til your toes go wrinkly.
14. Break your own rules. Jump on the bed. Spend the day in your PJs. Have fun by breaking your own rules with the kids.
15. Read your favourite childhood book. Grab a copy of your favourite kid’s book and read it to your little ones.
16. Play! Forget the laundry for a moment and get down on the floor to play. Swing on the swings. Jump on the trampoline. Play!
17. Make a date with your partner. Organise a babysitter and set aside a date for a romantic dinner (even if it’s just a cheap meal!)
18. French fry Friday. We know they’re naughty but once a while won’t hurt. Buy them or make them!
19. Be an active mum. Take half an hour out with the kids. Walk around the block, get on your bike or play around at the park.
20. Be spontaneous. Don’t tell your kids what the day holds, instead surprise them with fun adventures along the way.
21. Have a reverse meal. Eat dessert first and then have dinner.
22. Call your mum. Let her know you love her. Treat your mum as you hope your kids will treat you when they grow up.
23. Decorate your fridge door. Give your kid’s artwork pride of place on the fridge door, and update the photos while you’re at it!
24. Turn it off! Switch off the TV, turn off the radio, switch your phone to silent and turn off your computer. Give your kids your undivided attention.
25. Wear something different. Take off your mum uniform and wear something different, a dress, a colourful top or something else that makes you smile.
26. Plan a play-date. Organise a play-date with another mum that you like and want to get to know better.
27. Write a letter and post it. Kids love getting mail. Write your kids a letter and post it in the mail. Watch their surprise as they receive a letter!
28. Use your secret talent. Can you juggle, balance on your head, sing, dance, sew or craft? Share your talent with your kids!
29. Let the kids play mum. Swap roles with the kids for half a day and let them play mum and you play kids.
30. Treat yourself. Buy your favourite magazine, a cup of coffee or a something sweet and take half an hour to celebrate being a fun mum.
So who’s joining me? There’s a hashtag on Twitter #mumvember and you can also let Kids Spot know how you’re going on the 30 day challenge… go go go…
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
I saw these light balls on a post over at Modern Parents Messy Kids (originally from Oh Happy Day) and could almost plan a trip over to Montmartre where this shop is.. (Forgive me, I have to admit I have no idea where that is, well except that it’s in France – the French was a good clue on their website!)
And the good news is…….
Here’s a tutorial from Red Ted Art’s Blog on how to make yarn ball lights
Cute lunch box idea from Super Mom Moments, who also have some sweet lunch box tips!
Some more tips from A Thrifty Mom on how to make your lunchboxes fun.
How to make an old winter sweater into cozy toddler pants – you can find the tutorial to make these cute pants over at Prudent Baby
And while you’re at it, why not give these hats, from Chez Beeper Bebe a try as well!
I received this via email the other day, so can’t credit the author, but it just rung so true to me… Being a mother is truly a blessing from God.
Being a mother
We are sitting at lunch when my daughter
casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of ‘starting a family.’
‘We’re taking a survey,’ she says, half-joking. ‘Do you think we should have a baby?’
‘It will change your life,’ I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
‘I know,’ she says, ‘no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations….’
But that is not what I meant at all.
I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.. I want her to know what
she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical
wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will
leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper
without asking ‘What if that had been MY child?’
That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees
pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse
than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is,
becoming a mother will reduce her to primitive level of a bear protecting her cub.
That an urgent call of ‘Mom!’ will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best
crystal without a moment’s hesitation. I feel I should warn her that
no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will
be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for child care but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will
Think of her baby’s sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her
Discipline to keep her from running home, just to make sure her baby is
all right.
I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be
routine. That a five year old boy’s desire to go to the men’s room rather
than the women’s at McDonald’s will become a major dilemma.
That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children,
issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against
the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that rest-room.
However she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself
constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to
assure
her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child.
That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years -
not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a Cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor.
My daughter’s relationship with her husband will change,
but not in the way she thinks..
I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to
powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child.
I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she
would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel
with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and
drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally
about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the
threat of nuclear war to my children’s future.
I want to describe to my daughter the
exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike.
I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is
touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter’s quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
‘ You’ll never regret it,’ I finally say.
Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter’s hand and offer a silent
prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way
into this most wonderful of callings.
This blessed gift from God!
Being a Mother.
