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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Oh Happy Day

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

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

 

20 ideas for colourful kids parties

Wish I could take credit for putting this montage of colourful ideas together, but all credit to the lovely people over at Babble who put this list together of 20 Colourful ideas for kids birthday parties.

And how’s this for a cute idea for party packs! Not sure I’d ever get it right.. but like the idea!

(Image from Flickr)

Bit of a lazy post for me today! Sorry, hope you enjoy anyway

Find their magic

So a friend of mine recently told me of a parenting talk she went to where the presenter encouraged the parents to celebrate their child’s magic on a daily basis. This ‘magic’ doesn’t have to be exceptional achievements – we’re not all going to be the top of the class, or the Victrix ludorum, but what we can do is to find our child’s magic and celebrate it. Whether it’s how they care for their friends at school, or have a special love for  animals. They may love drawing,  this could be their magic, or perhaps the way they sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in their tiny little voices, singing words that only half sound like the real words, flicking their hands to ‘Twinkle’! I reckon they’ll start becoming exceptional in many many areas when we started acknowledging it.

So my little monkey… Your magic that I see now is your smile and your friendly, open nature. It’s the way you smile at other children, grannies and grampa’s standing in the queue at the Supermarket, high fiving the ladies at the tills. It’s brave…. I know it is cause I can be the shyest mamma around sometime, and so I know it can be magic to be open and smiley to so many people out there.  Thank you for your magic, and thank you for letting us be a special part of it every single day!

(Image Source: Pinterest)

(Image from Tumblr)

Image from Ontobaby.com

(Image from Life’s a journal)