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.

This is 51

What I wanted!

At the age of 51 we can poke fun at ourselves. I am constantly amazed at the number, because I don't feel it at all! I am supposed to be wise and have all the answers... Most of the times I think I do have all the answers! But I know for a fact that the more I think I do know all the answers, is that I don't! Life shows it to me in so many ways! Ha! Life! You are so funny!

Most of the times I ignore my own wisdom in any case. For example: Who wants to drink water, when you can drink wine? Or: Who wants to hike at Kloofendal, when you can stay in pajamas until 10 on a Saturday? Me, of course! Life is short! Ha!

I wanted to be in Mauritius last year on my 50th birthday, and this year we are doing the wedding! The engagement has come and now it is the preparations. It is also exciting, and we are looking forward to it.

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.

Summer Coughs and Prospan - Giveaway

Prospan Cough Syrup

Is a summer cough normal? 

Apparently, summer comes with it's own challenges. That's why we are still struggling with runny noses and coughing at night. There's nothing more exasperating than those coughs that keeps a Little Miss awake! You would think that the heat and bright summer days would chase away all the bugs and that we would get a breather from the winter. But, no! We are struggling to put her to bed at night...
(Which means we do not get a wind-down time at night before going to bed ourselves! Which means we, the parents, are also more tired that usual!)

Prospan sent me a goody package, as well as the same giveaway package to give to one reader!

Some tips on how to treat a summer cough...

Disney Cinderella Kids is a must-see at the Peoples Theatre

"So this is love – Cinderella dances her way to the People’s Theatre this holiday season!"

Disney Cinderella Kids, the most magical, theatrical show for the little ones (and the Big Ones)! We got an invite to opening night of Disney Cinderella Kids on Friday night.

This is definitely a show for the whole family! The story and characters are a delight!

Disney Cinderella Kids - Cinderella with her stepmom and stepsisters
Cinderella Kaylan Sabbadin with her ugly stepsisters - Genevieve Olivier and Tanja Sranszen and her step mother Alida Senekal

We saw a production of Disney Cinderella Kids - also at the Peoples Theatre - three years back when Little Miss celebrated her fifth birthday! It was a blast then, but I think this show is even better! There's a different spin on the classic tale and I can't decide between who makes us laugh the most; the two mean sisters or the little mice?

Luckily Cinderella still lands the Prince!

Kaylan Sabbadin as Cinderella and Thokozani Jiyane as Prince Charming  

“The timeless fairy tale is set to become a new audience favourite in Disney’s Cinderella Kids, an adaptation of the treasured animated film that will charm its way into your heart and remind audiences that A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes and really can come true,” said Jill Girard & Keith Smith, who add this production of Cinderella Kids to their 25-year repertoire.

There is nothing as exciting as waiting for the curtains to rise...

Ready with the right SnapChat filter: "Princess"

Photo-op with Cinderella

The cutest actors/mouses ever!

Cinderella Kids will run at the People’s Theatre from 5 June - 30 July.
There are two shows daily at 09:00 and 11:00 during school times, and 10:30 and 14:30 on Saturdays and public holidays, certain government school holidays and certain Sundays.
Tickets are R130 per person and bookings can be made through WebTickets, or by calling Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/2340 or emailing them at info@peoplestheatre.co.za

Peoples Theatre
Twitter: Peoples Teatre #CinderellaKids

Vegetarian in a meat-eating household

Lentil Curry Wrap at Craft Beer Library

I have now been a vegetarian for nearly a year and a half. I don't want to eat meat, and I know I won't enjoy it any more! Being a vegetarian is not difficult at all!

My family has been very supportive of this lifestyle choice, and there always something on a menu at a restaurant, or at home to replace a piece of meat! My husband usually makes the meat portions, as he has done before I made the change!

I usually sort myself with a mushroom or a brinjal slice. I can now also make a mean bean curry or spicy beans. Google makes it easy! As long as we have a few options of vegetables, I do not feel that I am missing anything! I also buy a bag of mixed raw nuts at the beginning of the month which helps when I start feeling depleted!

I need to watch myself with the carbs, though! As a vegetarian you can easily start to carbo-load to fill up!

My secret was to take each meal on its own. Taking it step by step!
Each meal is a choice not to eat a living being!

If I can stop eating meat, I must be able to stop eating bread! That is my next mission! (Because the scale is going up, and not down!)
Watch this space!

Some of  the vegetarian options I found in my camera roll:

Mushrooms on the girl

Potato skins at Craft Beer Library - Super Yum!

Sometimes I get a craving for a sausage on the grill

What lifestyle changes have you made, and how did you keep to it?

Life is precious - RIP Stew

In loving memory of Stew Booysen

Life is precious!

A dear cousin died yesterday, and we got the sad news at 10 pm yesterday!

He was 28! So young! So bright! So vibrant!

RIP STEW! Stew Booysen!

We have no words!

It was so sudden, so unexpected!

Only this weekend he was doing the Magaliesberg Canopy Tours and he was raving about how much he enjoyed it (although he has vertigo)! He went in to hospital for pain and a pancreas infection on Monday, and they were still busy doing tests... They found him in hospital where he has died, from a blood clot or heart attack?

I haven't seen him in months, and we missed him at the previous family gathering in December.
(We should make time for family more!)

You are missed!
(All we have left is the memories, and the photos we frantically page through on social media after we heard of the tragedy!)

So sorry for your loss, Jan and Solet! He is a son to be proud of!

Family braai day a while back, just found this photo. #southafrica #igers #portrait #photography #outside #me

A photo posted by Stew Booysen (@stewbooysen) on Feb 1, 2017 at 12:56am PST

Holiday blues after a week at the beach

We had the most wonderful week at the beach the previous week! We are lucky to have been able to go. I do love a beach holiday the most!

My brother joined us at the Kwazulu-Natal South Coast from Seattle. He is chasing a bit of sun as it is winter on that side and very cold now! It was lovely to have him there as well!

Little Miss had a great time! I asked her about her highlights. She only regrets that she did not get enough time in the waves, because it was windy at first! Swimming in the sea is the best! She also loved doing flips in the swimming pool with her dad and on her own. Also getting a tracing pad to do her sketches from her uncle.
(It's the little things that count!)

I know I should not be complaining, but it does not feel right to be back at the grind and working just before Christmas. Most people are only going on holiday now or over the Christmas/New Year period!

The only way I know now of how to cope with holiday blues is to page through our photos! I will be beach-spamming my Instagram account until the blues go away! (Sorry! Not sorry!)

Are you going on holiday, and where are you going?
What kind of holiday do you love the most?
Do you prefer to stay home during the holidays?

Fantasy of Light - mark it for a family outing that's worth it!

The family attended the Fantasy of Light last night, a "magnificent extravaganza of lights, music and exceptional local- and international talent at The Waterfall Park, located at the Mall of Africa."

Fantasy of Light 2016

The spiel:

A majestic, nine-meter-high set by Juan Boshoff, 104 colourful costumes, 22km of twinkling fairy lights, a giant stage, an acre of captivating festive ornaments with cheerful lighting, a unique 160m waterfall of cascading lights.  Add to this world-class concert and you have a dazzling experience like never before.
The ambience set by the original festive music composed by the internationally acclaimed composer, Brendan Jury and music producer Bernadette Vercellino, creates the perfect backdrop to a humoristic fantasy with a gripping story line and characters that will conquer your heart straight away. Outstanding choreography by Weslee Lauder and cheerful outfits by Delene Holt, Heidi du Toit from Hollywood Costumes and Mercedes de Bruyn, gives life to this pantomime-brainchild of one of our most famous actresses and directors Lizz Meiring, along with renowned designer Juan Boshoff and producer Rudi Kesting from Production Projects.  A very talented cast complements this high-quality production, which will leave audiences wanting for more.
This festive spectacular offers a fun-filled, once in a lifetime experience for young and old. Shows will guests will be amazed by a 70 minute show, transporting them to a gripping wonderland full of holiday cheer. Tickets can be booked through Computicket at R120 per adult entry, while kids under eighteen years of age and seniors will only pay R80.

We were early, but enjoyed hanging around and looking at the lights. There's food and sweets and loads of photo opportunities, even with Santa! The lights were even better when it got really dark, and I should have gotten more photos later on... (*kicking myself*)

Huts with sweets and goodies at the venue

Princesses!

Three Elves looking on

My vegetarian sliders that was available at the venue 

We watched the sunset from here, which was awesome

A word of caution. There are many light toys for sale, and the kids will nag you! We said "No" to Little Miss! But guess what? Dad's resolve did not stay strong...!

Little Miss with her light sword

The show was awesome, and the little ones love it. It is a bit late, because the Show only starts at 8 pm! But Little Miss did not want to move until the very last note! The kids enjoy the larger-than-life characters, and the adults enjoy the humour especially! Our favourite was the Snow-person!
(We wanted to go earlier, to miss some of the traffic going out of the parkade! But luckily the traffic was not too bad!)

The Fantasy of Lights continues until 24 December.
It is a great family outing!


Facebook Fantasy of Light
Twitter Waterfall Park
Instagram:@fantasyoflight2016


Disclaimer: We got tickets to attend the VIP evening last night!

Can't wait for this little gem: Moana the Movie at Ster-Kinekor - GIVEAWAY

Disney's Moana

Ever since I've seen the first trailer of Moana the Movie at The Disney Showcase I knew we would definitely be making a plan to see it! (Luckily we love animation just as much even more as Little Miss!). We are going to see it on Thursday evening!

Moana is an animation about a young girl from the Hawaiian island, who has set her sights on a fabled island and makes her journey towards that place. She uses her navigational talents to set sail for a fabled island. Joining her on the adventure is her hero, the legendary demi-god Maui.

The Moana official trailer on YouTube: Moana 

Ster-Kinekor has given me one set of 4 tickets for a giveaway to go see the movie on 3 December at a Ster-Kinekor cinema nearest to you, anywhere within South Africa.

Ster-Kinekor is having an awesome day of activities planned on 3 December to complement the arrival of the movie at the cinema.

•        Movie date: Saturday, 3rd December 2016.
•        Genre: Animation.
•        Cinema: Nation-wide.

Please tell me in the comments below your favourite childhood fable that inspired you when growing up. Or: What facourite fable are you telling your children now?

Rules of the competition:

- Only one set of tickets (X4 tickets) can be given to one winner.
- The winner must reside in South Africa, and be able to get to Ster-Kinekor cinemas with their own transport on Saturday.
- The competition closes at 12 pm Thursday afternoon
…But remember, the tickets can only go to one winner, so they must be a family of X4 or X4 people who want to go see the movie on the 3rd December 2016.

Our first Parkrun

Delta Parkrun

We finally did our first Parkrun. I have been listening for weeks to a very passionate runner who sometimes runs the Parkrun twice in one go!

The Parkruns are a great way to get exercise in the fresh country, while being safe and getting feedback each week about the progress of your own exercise.
I did not realise that it's a worldwide event happening each Saturday, but it's definitely worth checking out when going to another part of the country or world!

Even Little Miss enjoyed it, and wanted to run for most of it!
We will be doing it more regularly from now on! (And I won't dress like the Michelin Man! ;-) It gets hot very quickly!)

Pic Nic in New Town

Pic Nic at Workshop New Town 

We had such a great time doing an urban Picnic at The Workshop in Newtown on Saturday!
We are always searching for something different to do on a weekend, and this is is definitely ticking all the boxes!

The whole family are able to sit on grass, in-between train tracks, beneath shades and having lunch from The Potato Shed or Town at The Workshop. With live music for the whole afternoon!

There's jumping castles, swings and a colouring station for the children.

And there's craft beer!

We will be back!
It's on every Saturday from 11-4pm.

(There's safe underground parking at Newtown Junction)


Disclaimer: I received an email about the launch on Saturday, but we paid for ourselves!
                   We really had a great time!

Zuka Zama with Disney Junior's The Lion Guard

The Lion Guard

As always, Disney does not disappoint and the whole family will enjoy the adventures of The Lion Guard as Kion, the young lion cub,  assembles The Guard to maintain the balance within the "Circle of Life"! The mission is to protect the Pridelands!

We were invited to the premiere "The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar" on Sunday. It will be aired on Sunday 26 March at 10:00 am on Disney Junior, DStv Channel 309. It is the premiere to the television series of The Lion Guard on DStv 309.

Keep a look-out and mark your diaries!

Photo op at Premiere - we got a faint smile...

Little Miss making a pledge to look after nature
at Disney's The Lion Guard
activity zone in Cresta 

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta:

Premiere at Ster-Kinekor, Cresta

Waiting for the movie to start...

We remember Disney's The Lion King, and this story-line is just as captivating as the original. Kion is the son of Simba and Nala.
It is not only about "Hakuna Matata" ("No worries"), but the new catch phrase is "Zuka Zama". In Swahili it means "Pop up, Dive in". Although life is not always plain sailing, take it head-on! Although you (and others) do not always believe in your abilities, you are able when you take on your responsibilities!

Bunga is a honey badger, Kion's friend and the "bravest" of them all.
He has the following life motto and catchy tune in The Lion Guard:

"Zuka Zama":

Now you know my little motto for life
(Zuka zama zom zom zom!)
Enjoy the chaos, ignore the strife
But life throws you a crazy curve
Go Zuka Zama! Don't lose your nerve!

We can't wait to see more of the adventures of the newly appointed Lion Guard!


Check out Heather's (One Step at a Time) review as well: Why “Zuka Zama” is the new “Hakuna Matata”

Easter fun for the kids at Silverstar

We had a fantastic time at Silverstar on Saturday. They have a great line-up for families during Easter, from 19 March to 3 April.

There are the kid's fun on the Square, with jumping castles, a kiddies' train, a Maze and the interactive water fountains. The Easter Bunny are going to make an appearance each day, with movies on the Square, and an Easter Market.

The best of all! The entertainment on the Square is FREE! 

It is wise to also take an extra set of clothing and a towel. No kid can resist the water fountains, as well as the jumping castle with the slide into water!

So much fun!

Little Miss got me to go along into the Wind Castle-thing (see below)! It is very safe, and even the littlest enjoy going up... and DOWN! And up and DOWN again!
Hoots of fun! (Five times for Little Miss!)

The things you do for your child!
(Totally worth the screams! From me!)

There's also The Magic Company with arcade games, Laser Tag and Ten Pin Bowling that keeps them entertained. And movies! (Not for free!)

The Magic Company fun

This is a great way to spend the day with the family!
We will be going back!

Disclaimer: The family got an invite for a breakfast at Vigour & Verve at Silverstar on Saturday, 
30 tokens at The Magic Company, Easter eggs and hot dogs at the food stand on the Square!

The rest (and best fun!) was of course for free on the Square!