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.

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! 

Make every day World Children's Day!

Hope Statue - Nelson Mandela Square

As a Mom I find it very difficult to hear about the suffering of children. There is so much disruption, upheaval and natural disasters in the world, and the most vulnerable is our children who are impacted. I have to limit myself to not read so much each day! It is too upsetting!

I still think about the children denied the basic right of education because they don't have id books in South Africa... (To name but one!)

SAD! Human rights violated of children without ID's- not allowed to go to school! via @KarindOrville https://t.co/gnunrarq7S#SABC #Fokus

— Karen du Toit (@karentoittoit) August 21, 2017

UNICEF South Africa unveiled an art installation alongside the Nelson Mandela Statue in Sandton City Square yesterday on World Children's Day! (I wish I could be there, but it's still a school night!)

The Boomerang Generation

Millennials coming back home after their studies or doing it on their own. The Boomerang Generation is an apt description for older kids living with their parents! I have many friends who also have these Boomerangers back in the house! (Is that a word?)

The Eldest is still staying with us, working and doing her own thing! But living again with the family after she was a student for three years away from home. This was not the original plan, as we thought she would pack her bags and go off on adventures after her studies...

Strange how life works?!

As a mom I must say that I am grateful for this extra grace in time with my Eldest! I love that we get more time to spend with her! Of course she has grown up too fast! I love that we have this extra boomerang period!

The only drawback is that we worry more about her! (Maybe?) We know when she's out and about, and worry! We also still appreciate and ask for the messages each day of her arriving safe at work and back!

We don't know how long this will last!
But for now I will cherish this special time!

Winter does not work well with SPD

Getting out of the house in the mornings is already a battle. We are all night owls and early mornings does not work well in our family. Little Miss sleeps to 9 am when left to her own devices. But if we don't leave early in the mornings, we get stuck in traffic, and... (fill in the dots!)

But winter is just so much worse. Little Miss  struggles with everything! *SPD does not work well in winter!

- It's cold. She can't get up! Her dad helps her get into a gown and slippers.
- She sits in front of the heater, struggling to put on a next layer of clothing.
- The winter clothes are all uncomfortable. From the vests to the socks and the shoes! We know why it is a fight to get her to put on her shoes, but it makes it soo difficult! It takes ages for her to get all her clothes on that it feels somewhat comfortable. And we have to convince her about each layer of extra clothing.
- Saying it is going to be cold does not help!

We are late each morning!
Sorry, Little Miss! Winter does not work on you!

We try our utmost to be patient and to help you with the clothes. We are not always succeeding and sorry for not always being patient!

It helps to be aware of it!


How do you help your little one with SPD getting dressed with all the layers of clothing?

*Sensory processing disorder

Kindness - what I want my kids to be!

Kindness! We always aspire to be happy, and I want my kids to be happy! But how do we get happy? Because "Happiness is an inside job!" (My Eldest's most favourite expression!)

In most recent times I have read a number of thoughts around happiness and kindness! A most sure way to get to happiness is through kindness! It makes so much sense!

The prompt for Roxy Hutton's #cgscreative monthly Instagram last week was kindness. How do you show kindness! For sure it is in the little things! Trying to help others as far as possible. Giving that coin at the robot, or helping to collect for a worthy goal. Even kindness to everybody around you, and most of all, your own family!

Kindness is the one thing I can show and learn my youngest as well! It makes me extremely happy when she see people we can help! When she tells me that me must help the man at the robot who she has seen has children. They are sometimes at the robot with him...

To teach kindness is not a difficult thing! We need so much of it in our world!

How do you teach kindness to your children?

Bowling with the kids

I don't know why we haven't gone bowling before, but this is a great activity to do with the children! We went bowling three weeks back at Northcliff Bowling with the Voortrekkers. The kids had a ball! (Pun intended! Sorry! ;-) )

For only R30 a kid they kept themselves busy for more than an hour playing a game with a group of 4-5. The bowling alley put up barriers to keep the ball from going into the trenches, which makes it much easier for the children to get into the game!

We are going to be at home for most of the holidays, and  I am starting to think of all the fun and inexpensive ways to make the holidays fun! This is going to be one of the activities!

What suggestions do you have for activities with the children during the holidays that does not cost an arm and a leg?

How do we teach them to be water wise?

It's very dry here in South Africa, and there are more and more water restrictions being implemented.
I am always trying to teach Little Miss to be conscious about the water that she is using. To not let the water run when she is brushing her teeth, or washing her hands is but one idea.

Is there something more we can do to save this precious resource and that we can teach our kids?

There was a Bird Fair at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens the previous week. We came across Rand Water's Water Wise campaign.

Water Wise has a great website with lots of advice and great stuff for the kids to do!

The following are worth reading and doing with the kids:

- The Water Wise Quiz

- The Water Wise Pledge

- Sign up to the Water Wise Club to get information, newsletters and play some fun games.

- Water wise activities for the classroom. It would even be great to use it at home or homeschooling.

- Water wise games

- Water wise calculator

- Water wise songs


I am glad I found this resource on the web. There's probably lots more!

What are you teaching your kids about water?


*Not sponsored*

Inspiring: Lauren de Swardt of Kids Emporium

Lauren de Swardt of Kids Emporium

I always love hearing stories of success and entrepreneurial spirit. Of course it is even greater when it is a woman who started her nationwide Kids Emporium when she was only 22.  This was 13 years ago. Kids Emporium has also launched their online store this year, as well as opened up an international store in Surrey in the UK.

Emoyeni Estate

I was invited to a bloggers’ breakfast in the beginning of July at the lovely Emoyeni Estate, and was struck by this quote:

“Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers and the believers and thinkers but most of all surround yourself with those who see greatness within you” – Kids Emporium

This is exactly what Lauren de Swardt has has done with her business. She was looking for the best in products when she was pregnant, and to cater for the little ones when they got older. She has sourced the best products, brands and people through the years to make Kids Emporium the sought-after go-to place for pregnant women and parents.

Kids Emporium combines the practical for easier parenting, but also includes the “style” factor being pregnant and raising children.

Lauren de Swardt

The Kids Emporium website makes me wish for a do-over! (Not really! ;-) There is enough pregnant moms I can spoil, and one day in the distant future I will become a grandmother! (Not soon, though!)
In the meantime the maternity wear, the childrenswear, the travel systems, furniture, décor, toys and gifts are drool-worthy!

I love that Lauren has a reconstructed family of four which she manages to juggle with being a successful business woman as well!
Inspirational! She makes it look easy!

 

Thanks Lauren and Kids Emporium!
It was a treat!

Xander Apps in 6 South African mother tongue languages

Xander apps

We have been downloading Xander apps for a while now. It's the only apps I kept on my iPhone after we downloaded most of Little Miss' apps on an iPad. We love the fact that it's in Afrikaans, our mother-tongue language.

The apps are available in 6 South African languages: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana and Swahili.
Every now and again the apps go for free. On Mandela day this Monday they were again for free. They are available on iTunes as well as the Google Play Store, and most of the times for free or for a very reasonable price.

Xander apps have been created to meet the school curriculum requirements and to prepare children for school in their own language.
Learning themes include ABC, 123, Wardrobe, Shapes & Colours, Animals, Fruit & Vegetables and Symmetry; while also creating opportunities for children to practice skills including fine-motor skills, sorting, matching, rhyming, literacy, numeracy, pattern recognition and problem solving.

It is well worth downloading it!


Xander featured MomAgain@40 on their blog today: Xander Mom: Karen du Toit 


Have you downloaded any of the Xander apps yet, and what are your thoughts on it?

Ice Age: Collision Course - the Crazy the kids will love

Ice Age Collision Course is the fifth instalment in the series. Can they dream up any more crazy? Yes, they do! Luckily we love animated movies just as much as Little Miss.

The plot is crazy!

While trying to bury his acorn, Scrat accidentally activates an abandoned alien ship that takes him into deep space, where he unwillingly sends several asteroids en route of collision with Earth. Meanwhile, Manny is worried about the imminent marriage between Peaches and her fiancé, Julian, while Sid is dumped by his girlfriend, Francine, just as he is about to propose to her. During Manny and Ellie's wedding anniversary party, some of the asteroids strike the place and the Herd barely escape with their lives. Meanwhile at the underground, Buck fights a trio of Dromaeosaurs to return a dinosaur egg to its mother and later discovers an ancient stone monument, which he takes to the surface, where he meets Manny and the others...

Read more: Wikipedia: Ice Age: Collision Course

All the enjoyable characters are back from Ice Age Continental Drift (2012), including Sid, a ground sloth and his "Aunty Acid" granny!

There were some activations at Imax cinemas at a number of Ster Kinekor cinemas this past weekend. We only found the Ice sculpture, face painting and colouring stations after the movie at The Zone in Rosebank... (It was not on the same level.)

Little Miss had a ball!

Leopard face 

Ice sculpture 

Ice Age Collision Course is well worth the movies!


Disclaimer: We got tickets to attend the movie!

Dora's Pirate Adventure - an interactive magical musical stage show

Dora's Pirate Adventure at Emperor's Palace

Dora the Explorer Live! It's a great experience for all children who can't get enough from Dora on Nickelodeon. We thought that Little Miss would be bored with it, but not at all! She even declared that it was her "best day" after the show. She arrived in a foul mood because she fell asleep in the hectic afternoon traffic to the South, and it was not a good day at school!
But Dora changed it for her!

Dora’s Pirate Adventure has already been to Durban. It is now on at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg from 7-12 July, and they are opening up more shows on Monday! They are finally dropping anchor at the Grand Arena, Grand West Casino, in Cape Town from 15-17 July.

Dora and her pals Boots and Diego are on a voyage of discovery as they embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island in search of the ultimate pirate party. It's a very interactive show asking the children to help them to navigate over the Dancing Mountain and through the Silly Singing Bridge in pursuit of the Pirate Piggies. The kids enjoy waving their flags and singing and dancing along. My fun came from watching the children being mesmerised! Dora the Explorer fans use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to help Dora reach Treasure Island and avoid that pesky fox, Swiper!

We attended Thursday night's show at Emperor's Palace.

Miss Earth finalists

Nick Jr. cupcakes

The kids love a hug from Dora

Bubbles at the end of Dora's Pirate Adventure

It's a great outing for the family during the holidays!

For more information: Nickelodeon Africa 
Twitter @NickAfrica
Instagram @Nickelodeon_Africa
Facebook at Nickelodeon


Disclaimer: We got tickets to attend the show.

"How whoopsey-splunkers!" - The Big Friendly Giant is a delight to young and old

The Big Friendly Giant Movie started to show in movies on 1 July. It 's the perfect movie for families to enjoy together. It is the first ever Disney movie directed by Steven Spielberg.

I have been an avid reader and collector of Roald Dahl's books ever since I became aware of his wonderful humour and wit!

Who else can come up with conversations like this?

'Words,' he [The BFG] said, 'is oh such a twitch-tickling problem to me all my life. So you must simply try to be patient and stop squibbling. As I am telling you before, I know exactly what words I am wanting to say, but somehow or other they always getting squiff-squiddled around.'
'That happens to everyone,' Sophie said.
'Not like it happens to me,' the BFG said. 'I is speaking the most terrible wigglish.'
'I think you speak beautifully,' Sophie said.
'You do?' cried the BFG, suddenly brightening. 'You really do?'
'Simply beautifully,' Sophie repeated.
'Well, that is the nicest present anybody is ever giving me in my whole life!' cried the BFG.

The BFG movie catches all of the the quirkiness and fantasy of the book!

The BFG movie - photo op

We had the privilege to attend the premiere of The BFG. It was in support of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust. They are setting up the children’s play areas within the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital, by means of stocking a library and mobile library for the use of the young patients, and their families visiting children undergoing treatment. The new hospital is scheduled to open in December 2016.

As part of this drive for the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust they are requesting that you please bring a book or books (suitable for children, new or used, in good condition) to donate to this very worthy cause. You can place the book/s in the branded Book Bin at the cinema, and also at Mango Airlines check-in counters.

Book drop for The Nelson Mandela Hospital Trust

SA Musician Garth Taylor to fight for children fighting cancer

Garth Taylor #YouPledgeIFIGHT

Fridays are for caring! On this blog, at least!
There is so much wrong in this world, but fighting for a good cause and channeling your energy into giving or helping someone are what this world is all about! And what makes it worth the while!

That's why I get all excited when I see local musician Garth Taylor getting involved into a fundraising effort for the Little Fighters Cancer Trust. He was the South African Amateur Kickboxing Champion in 2014 in the Light Contact category. (I did not know that!!) The Childhood Cancer Charity, Little Fighters Cancer Trust, offers individualised and practical support to children fighting cancer, and their families, across South Africa. 

Little Fighters Cancer Trust

Garth says, “After having my sister, Joanne, taken away from me by cancer, I have even more of a soft spot toward people who are fighting cancer. Having watched what she went through as an adult fighting this disease, I can only imagine how much worse it is for children who are suffering from cancer, to fight this battle. So, I figured, how bad can it be? Me, stepping into the ring and getting punched around for kids who are fighting for their lives every single day. I might as well see what I can do, if not through my singing, then by getting into the ring and doing something more exciting, so that people and companies pledge money and hopefully we can raise enough funds to help these little kids. I see cancer as a big bully hurting these children, and that is what I will be fighting for.”

Pledges and donations to get Garth into the ring will be administered via Garth Taylor You Pledge I Fight
Once the target amount of R100 000.00, has been raised and/or pledged, Garth’s boxing match, which will be part of “White Collar Boxing 14” will be confirmed and his opponent will be announced.


Read more: Garth Taylor You Pledge I Fight
 

Wordless Wednesday #304 - The BFG Movie photo-op

LeapFrog LeapBand Review and Giveaway

LeapBand

We love this gadget! The LeapFrog LeapBand is a kid's activity tracker for kids aged 4 to 7.
Little Miss is already 7 years old, but I can see that she is going to use it for at least two more years.

She is enjoying the watch feature while at school, and because we have set the time features, the virtual pet only comes alive after school and over weekends!

Little Miss has been wearing it for over a week now.

This is what we love about the LeapBand

- It is both a watch and a wristband tracker!

- Kids run, jump and play to earn rewards and power a customizable pet pal that lives on the band. (The pet pal makes me think of a the Tamagotchi's of the 80's and 90's, although it looks much cuter!)

- For parents, the controls on LeapFrog Connect make it easy to set play times, challenges and more.

- This is a very cool birthday or Christmas present which won't break the bank!


How it works:

- The more kids run, jump and play, the more they earn rewards to power a pet pal that lives on the band.

-  Parents can pre-load 50 active challenges on the LeapBand to get kids moving, such as “pounce like a lion”, “march like an elephant” and “wriggle like a worm”.

- There are 8 virtual pets for children to choose from. The more they unlock joules, the more pet pals they can choose from.

- Parents can set up the LeapBand by connecting it to their computer, cellphone or laptop using a USB cable and downloading the LeapFrog Connect application.

 - Once the child has unlocked all the pets, the app allows parents to see their child’s activity level for an entire week.

- The LeapBand can be charged via the USB cable, either through a computer or a USB wall charger.


Smart Features:

- The onscreen pet changes colour to reflect your child’s activity level. The feature allows kids to instantly view their progress.

- Kids can also see how many joules (jewels) they've earned and this encourages them to complete activity challenges to unlock new pets.



Available at ToyZone, Pick n Pay, Toys r us and Reggies stores countrywide. RSP: R399.99

For more information go to Prima Toys

Disclaimer: Little Miss got a green LeapBand


GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader can win one of these.  
Unfortunately only open to South African readers of the blog.

The giveaway will close on 12 am 29 June 2016


  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to RIAZ!!

MamaMagic Baby Expo - a few Snaps

We were at the MamaMagic Baby Expo at the TicketPro Dome on the last day, on Sunday. It was packed! I'm sure that the expectant parents and mommies with small kids saw a lot of goodies that they NEEDED after the Expo. (And that they did not know of beforehand!)


We went in search of a bunk-bed contraption, with a bed on top and the desk below. We found a stall, and got the flyer! Little Miss would love to have it in her small bedroom! (Now we can start saving!)


We attended the Barney Show with Little Miss. It is probably our last time that we did something like this with her. She got a bit bored, but she still took a Barney ball along, and she was very impressed that Barney kicked her ball around at the meet-and-greet!


Here are a few of my Snaps (karentoittoit) from the Expo.

Waiting in line for the Barney Show at MamaMagic

A photo op with Barney!



Squeal! Barney's got her Barney ball



The SPCA sold dog balloons which was a big favourite

Little Miss got a gift pack with Snowflake's Barney cupcakes. She wanted to make it immediately when we got home.
Dad was a real STAR (he gets ALL my points!!!) and helped her making a batch!

Snowflake's Barney cupcakes

 

The cupcakes are flop proof and they are really Yummy!

My advice for attending one of these Expos: Decide before the time what you need to not get distracted by all the gadgets and goods!


What did you buy at MamaMagic?




Disclaimer: We got tickets to the Expo!




Related post:
- MamaMagic, The Baby Expo, is in Town - GiveAway