What kind of day will it be? - Lisa & Ryland Goines-Taylor - BOOK REVIEW

What kind of day will it be? - book cover (screen print)

Lisa Goines-Taylor, a mother to a beautiful girl called Ryland, has written the most uplifting book for little ones. What kind of day will it be? Her everyday experiences as a mother, watching her daughter grow and learn life lessons, have inspired her to write a book on life, growth, empowerment, and self-confidence for children:

This book resonates so much with me. I know of a specific person who tends to unravel with anything that is not right each day. And regularly proclaiming that this is her worst day ever! 😬

This book, What kind of day will it be? should be one of the most important things we can teach our kids. We can make a choice each day about what kind of day it will be! With a "can-do attitude", although life can throw you some curve balls, you can decide and make each day a great one!

This book can be used as a positive mantra each day. Buy for the little pessimists and glass-of-half-full persons, but also for everybody to learn how to have a better day each day.

I don't want to share too much of the beautiful illustrations by Rachel Rodrigues, but each page is a delight. 

The age group is from 4 - 7 years, but a smaller child, as well as older children will enjoy the uplifting message. This book is also a reminder to myself. What kind of day will it be? 

This is a great gift for all little ones.

Disclaimer: Lisa Goines-Taylor contacted me via email, and notified me when there was a free Kindle option available a little while back. Thank you!

The sketch that helped me understand my child

Wendy Bertagnole webinar about difficult sensory behaviour

I have to share this here. There are definitely other parents who also struggle with the same. I wish I had know about this much earlier. I have felt in my gut that there is more to the behaviour, and that it is not a lack of discipline or a lack of respect. The reason for the continuing melt-downs! The better we understand our child, the better she will be able to understand herself. The better we will also be able to work on the skills necessary to handle her world.

The social contract with your child - Think Ahead

Think Ahead is running great workshops with regards social media and your child. Teachers and parents will definitely benefit to attend. I listened to Having the Social Media Talk with your tech-savvy child, by Cayley Jorgensen.

Cayley Jorgensen - Think Ahead

We have been postponing getting a phone for our Miss Fine, although she is nearly eleven. "ALL HER FRIENDS" ("Yes, all my friends, Mom!") have phones already! She still has an iPad2 that she only gets to play on when homework is done, and she got a tablet sent from family overseas only this past weekend. She is also already very versatile on her parent's phones, and knows both our passwords. We have been having talks, and the school has been having talks. The school has forbidden the use of smartphones that can connect to the Internet. It helped to prolong the inevitable. But here we are!

The social contract by Cayley Jorgensen (shared below) is a great way to proceed.

Disney Cookabout Season 3 - perfect to get us all out of the winter slump

Hosts Kirsten Mohamed and Mthunzi Ntoyi

Disney Cookabout Season 3 is launching with premiere episodes on Saturday from 27 July 10:15 am on Disney Channel 303. 

We attended the launch at The Good Food Studio yesterday. 

We now have a budding wannabe Cookabout contestant within our midst, because Miss Fine got a chance to display her culinary skills. She thinks she can take part in the next Season of Cookabout, as well! (Please notify us when you see the call for auditions? *big smile*)

In this cookery game show, set in South Africa, teams of two young chefs head out each week to explore where the food on our tables come from and then head back to the amazing kitchen to rustle up some tasty dishes. The hosts are Kirsten Mohamed and Mthunzi Ntoyi.

Tell the kids!

KidsCon 2019 - mark your diaries for September

COMIC CON AFRICA WELCOMES FIRST KID-FOCUSED CONVENTION IN AFRICA –KIDSCON! 

For the first time in Africa there will be the most exciting family-friendly, kids-oriented convention! KidsCon promises ‘fun and games’ by empowering kids to be expressive and embrace their individuality.

KidsCon

KidsCon will be at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand between the 21st and 24th of September 2019.

The importance of playtime

Monopoly

"Save time for playtime."

This video from Hasbro made me shed a few tears. Play time is extremely important for children. We are so busy in our daily lives that we do not have time for the most important thing: Playing. We also forget that we should make time to play with our children as well. They crave the attention of their parents in fun interactive playing.

We CAN make some time each day to engage more meaningful with our kids.

Thanks for the reminder, Hasbro! This weekend we will take out the Monopoly again. (I had to scroll back quite a few months to find the photo shared above. That's scary!)

Visit Hasbro Gaming @MonopolySouthAfrica on Facebook for more information.


Disclaimer: We are not paid to post this, but we got a Hasbro Monopoly as gift a while ago, and we have not played in quite a while.

A donation to help young burn victims - perfect for Human Rights Day

Metropolitan Health donation to help reduce burn-related mortality amongst children

Happy Human Rights Day! South Africa has a Bill of Rights that we can be proud off. The implementation of those rights are not what we have hoped for, but it makes me so happy when I hear about initiatives which took care of the rights of our children. Giving them the best medical care there is. The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) Paediatric Burns Unit looks after young burn victims. Metropolitan Health has donated a cheque of R400 000 this week to help with sepsis related mortality, made possible by Surgeons for Little Lives.

McDonald's Happy Meal Readers makes us HAPPY!

McDonald's commitment to families and reading, one book at a time!

McD's and us. We have a long history with McD's. It's always been a go-to spot when the energy is low, and we wanted something quick. It's also easy on the budget. The Happy Meal toys have been a big draw-card, for the children and for the mom. That's why we are so excited about the newest launch: There is now a choice between a Happy Meal Toy OR a BOOK! How awesome is that?

Joburg has now The Kids Gym at Cedar Square

The Kids Gym

Who thought of a concept like this? The Kids Gym is now in Johannesburg as well, at Cedar Square in Fourways. It's a gym just for kids! My first reaction was to ask but why? Why would kids need their own gym? You have to go and see for yourself. The gym is fitted out with the latest high tech state-of-the art equipment for the young ones, while making sure that adult supervision is a constant while they are having fun. Miss Fine was immensely impressed, and I had to promise PROMISE to bring her again. The fee structure is very adaptable, and we can go for a once-off, or pay monthly and seasonal fees.

View from the parent's seating: The Kids Gym - on the treadmills

The Kids Gym is the answer for parents wanting to take their children to a non-competitive space that nurtures a love for physical activity, regardless of their ability. Replicating the model of a typical adults-only gym, The Kids Gym provides children from 18 months to 15 years with the opportunity to exercise and develop skills when it suits them in a fun, activity-oriented venue. The second branch (after Cape Town) of South Africa’s first dedicated children’s gym, seeks to encourage every child, no matter their physical or sporting ability, to be active and embrace exercise and fitness as a lifestyle option. Unlike the adult offering, The Kids Gym does not make use of weight training, instead focuses on the children learning to best utilize and control their own body weight through fun-filled, life-enhancing physical activities, all in a completely non-judgmental environment.

On-hand trainers at The Kids Gym

“Exercise and physical activity has the power to transform lives. As a national gymnastics coach and father of a daughter with a physical disability, I‘ve seen the transformation both emotionally and physically for children that exercise regularly,” says Glenn Joselowitz, co-owner of The Kids Gym and father to eight-year-old Emily, who serves as inspiration behind the idea.

There are different areas for different age groups, and Miss Fine had to test out the smaller kids area as well. 

The Kids Gym - cedar Square

Next time you will find me at The Ninja Bean Café which focuses on health-orientated drinks and organic and low-gi snacks. I can see many a weekend breakfast while Miss Fine gets rid of all her pent-up energies. Best of all, they are open 7 days a week.

Check out The Kids Gym for different classes as well as pricing options. Also, check out the party options!
Tel: 0106016444 email jhb@thekidsgym.co.za.

The Kids Gym - "Where Kids unmask their inner awesome"

Disclaimer: We were invited to the opening of The Kids Gym at Cedar Square last Tuesday. Thanks so much! 

Cheertone Kids Smart Camera Watch Review - CT-W8A

CT-W8A - CC Cheertone

We are pleasantly surprised with the Cheertone Kids Smart Camera Watch. It's got so many features. Considering the price of  USD15 it is a super awesome watch for kids! It is a great gift idea. We were sent the watch and a Mini Arcade Game from Cheertone to review. The package arrived here safely and on time from China. It was no issue putting in the order on the website as well.

CT-W8A

The features that we love about the CT-W8A.

Nestlé NESPRAY Fortigrow: Nutrition for school going children [WIN]

Nestlé NESPRAY Fortigrow

In an ideal world my child would eat all the healthy food we put on her plate, but unfortunately NOT. She’s a picky eater. She loves fruit, but only some... She needs a lot of “encouragement” to eat those vegetables, and then only some... She loves sweet things... I can go on. In the meantime we feel the #parentfail daily with regards her nutritional requirements. That’s why I love the fact that there is Nestlé NESPRAY Fortigrow that tastes great, but addresses the shortfalls in her nutritional requirements.

The statistics in South Africa are alarming: One in four children under the age of three in Gauteng‚ Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape suffer from malnutrition and, among many other disadvantages, will not be physically or mentally equipped to benefit from school. Nestlé has stepped in to address this serious need in our society:

“To nourish growing minds, we focus on providing our future leaders with brain support, immune support and growth builders,” said Adedoja Ekeruche, Business Executive Officer - Dairy at NESTLÉ. “To do this, we work with the farmers and nutritional scientists to not only standardise the milk that goes into the NESPRAY full milk powder, but the milk powder itself, so every sip of every glass has the same nutritional value. A large part of that lies in supporting our farmers deliver to world-class standards and practices.”

The Nestlé approach is multi-dimensional; from the farmer to the community, for the best quality product.

Child's Farm for the whole family

Child's Farm

Child's Farm is a range of skincare products for babies and children that tick all the boxes of being safe, natural and containing only essential oils. We wish we could share the fragrances of all the products here. Luckily it is now available in Clicks in South Africa. Next time, do yourself a favour and smell them when you see it on the shelve.

We got five of the products through a blog drop. The Child's Farm bubble bath, hair & body wash, moisturiser, shampoo and conditioner. We used the products for the whole family, and they are now on our shopping list. The hair products is so soft, and we do not struggle with combing the hair afterwards. The other day somebody asked me about Miss Fine and her scalp that she is always scratching. She struggles with eczema. We realised that the scratching has stopped. *Happy dance!* We are so glad we found this!

We uses the moisturiser as an all-rounder in the bathroom. I have to test more on Miss Fine's toes for the eczema, but it definitely helps to have it nearby when her toes flares up from the eczema.

The product is clinically tested, and has got the Leaping Bunny award. It is the most trusted cruelty free certification for non-animal tested cosmetics & personal care products. It is awarded by animal protection organisation Cruelty Free International. They definitely get extra points for this!!

Have you tried the products yet?

Updated: Child's Farm is also available at Baby City in South Africa.

Plans for the weekend in a cold Jozi

Coffee with a view

This is a short update post. Life is changing so fast, and I want to come back here to see how it was ... The Eldest is busy starting to move her things. She is still most of the times at home. The wedding is less than a month away. We are excited!

Last night we were following her on our phones via Live location while she came back from the airport at 11 pm. With an Uber, and we had the Uber guy's name stored as well. That's cool, but also seriously testing our nerves. If the Uber stands still for too long, or the signal picks her up in a random suburb next to the highway.... We begin to worry!!! (I'm sure we will never stop worrying.) Technology makes it easy, but also makes us worry about every little detail. Because, if there really happens something to her, how will we find her when we have to start driving? Screen print the last place on the map? Race to there? Just some of the thoughts that goes through my head at 11 to 11:30pm at night. Luckily she was safe, and her Uber driver delivered her safe and on time.

There's a Kitchen Tea and a Bachelorette's Party coming up this weekend. The Eldest knows about it, but no details. She's got great bridesmaids that sorted everything. Will be reporting back about the Kitchen Tea. We are looking forward to it. I am sure after this the wedding vibes will kick in seriously.

Miss Fine has been on holiday forever. She has been at work with me for three days, and then at Vacation School for two days this week. It has been challenging, but better than when she was younger. I love the fact that she can keep herself busy for longer. She used up my data in record time at the office, but she was reading as well, and enjoyed going to the library here at work. She exchanged a book that she was not feeling for another book the next day. She also helped me with my work, writing on DVD's and pulling up a roster of my daily work which I now have on my door. That was so sweet of her. (No sarcasm here.) Thanks, Miss Fine. I enjoyed our conversations while you kept me company. We don't always get so much time together.

Tonight we will be "chilling" (it's cold here in Johannesburg) at home, and hopefully the weekend will not go by in a blink.

What's your plans for the weekend?

How to survive exams - 3 things for Moms

I  am writing this post to qualm my own anxiety about the first exams of Grade 4. Exams are tough on moms, and the whole family, as well. Trying to help your kid to learn, but also ensuring they get enough sleep and nutrients, and the lunch-boxes are sorted. Our kid also has to stay at school, because she does not have the luxury of being fetched after the morning exam time. The children are allowed to go home, and they can stay at home on the days they are not writing. Miss Fine has to stay at school until Dad can go and fetch her a bit earlier in the afternoons... Shame, man. (Now we have  parent-guilt as well. *sigh*)

Bag of necessities - Letibalm, Natura Tissue Salts and Tissues

The following list makes me stay on top of this stressful time, and I keep reminding myself of this.

The lessons we have learnt from our daughter

Miss Fine 

Laura-Kim's post about the lessons she has learnt from her 4-year old inspires this post. It made me smile. We learn so much about life and ourselves by what our children bring to the table. You would think that they are carbon imprints of ourselves, but NOT at all! They are their own personalities, and they teach us more about life than we sometimes think we teach them about life!

Life lessons we have learnt from our daughter

• We learnt to have more patience. Patience towards ourselves, but also towards other people. (We are still busy learning this one.) 
• We can each think differently about life, and it is all okay. There is not only one recipe for life.
• We don't have to loose our shizz when somebody else loses theirs. (Still learning...)
• A melt-down as an adult is also not pretty. You can't tell somebody to stay calm when you yourself can't stay calm.
• Staying calm! 
• Being happy is not always inherent to our nature. We sometimes have to work on it.
• Trying to do something is already 99% done. Do not discourage the process.
• Doing things differently should also be commended, and not reprimanded. We all learn the most by failing and trying again. By saying you know that it won't work, won't help. Life is the best teacher of all.
• Appreciation of what we have, and how little we really need to make us happy.

This is a list I am going to come back to.

What life lessons have you learnt from your children?

Gadgets that make life easier - look no further than the MamaMagic Products Awards 2017

Congratulations to all the MamaMagic New products Awards winners

The MamaMagic New Products Awards are a great way to find those gadgets that makes life easier, for parents and for children! The Awards ceremony was the previous week. I get jealous excited when I see all the nice gadgets that parents get to use nowadays! We don't NEED it, but it makes life so MUCH EASIER! Luckily we have a cousin and they have just announced that they are going to be parents. The 2017 award winners are definitely some ESSENTIALS they would NEED to buy!

MamaMagic New Products Awards

Here's the gadgets to put on the list of parenting gadgets that make life easier.

WIN tickets to Alice in Wonderland at the People's Theatre

Disney's Alice in Wonderland - People's Theatre

We love the People's Theatre. The excitement and introduction to theatre for children are unsurpassed. We are so glad that they are going down the rabbit hole this upcoming holidays! Crazy, mad and wonderful Alice in Wonderland is always great escapism for the whole family.

In March and April, travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, on her madcap adventures. The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit.  Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar  is shrunk, stretched, scratched and stuffed into a teapot, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game!

Based on the Alice books by Lewis Carroll, the Peoples Theatre’s version of Disney’s Alice in Wonderland will bring all your favourite, wacky characters to life. And don’t forget the crazy ditties. Expect to hear all of them - from “In a World of My Own” to “I'm Late” to “The Unbirthday Song”.

How to improve Facebook engagement in 2018 - Jodene Shaer

MamaMagic New Product Awards at Emoyeni Estate

MamaMagic is not only known for the MamaMagic exhibitions throughout the country. It has become a powerful platform partnering with the best products and people - from pregnancy to parenting babies and children. It is a platform to kick start new products and to empower the skill set necessary to drive this innovative growing industry.

Milestones magazine by MamaMagic - New Products Awards event

The MamaMagic New Products Awards Ceremony for 2017 was held at the beautiful Emoyeni Estate last week. It is always exciting to see the products, and meet inspiring people. Last week did not disappoint. Jodene Shaer from Chat Factory was there to get the business owners up to speed with what's happening in the social media sphere. Of course everything has changed again this year, and you can't be doing social media the same as previously!  Jodene has most of the answers for most of the platforms, and we need to know what to do differently this year. Facebook has changed their algorithms considerably. I share some of her insights about FB here!

Disney Pixar's Coco - reminds of the importance of family, living and dead

Disney•Pixar’s Coco

Ever since I saw the trailer of Disney•Pixar’s Coco at the Disney Life & Style Exhibition, I wanted to take the whole family to see this movie! It is bright with colourful characters, who shows us the importance of family, not only for the living, but also reminding us of our loved ones who have passed on already.

The Beach at The Mall of Africa - put it on your Staycation list!

The Beach at Waterfall Park - The Mall of Africa

We have The Beach in Gauteng! We are sorted this year! We don't even have to have FOMO when we see beach pictures on our feeds. This year we can also write the YOLO. It is summer and it is hot in Gauteng, but luckily The Mall of Africa has us sorted!

We were invited to The Beach at Waterfall Park at The Mall of Africa on Saturday. Our Miss did not want to leave. But we will go back! At the price of R25 entrance it is well worth going for a day (or more)!

This is on my Staycation list!