Happy New Year

Hi everyone.

This is just a quick little post to say happy new year and welcome back to all of you who went on lovely summer holidays.

What types of holidays did you enjoy? Were they full of extended family visits or simple, small and quiet?

I think Christmas is the most magical time of the year for family. We spend A LOT of time with Grandparents and siblings and cousins and Aunties and Uncles and friends that may as well be family. I love sitting around the dinner table or BBQ table and watching all the kids play. Chatting about how much they have grown whilst we sip our sparkling wine. And then come all the stories and memories of us as children and all the cheeky things we would get up to.

But Christmas is once again finished and the new year has begun. I am now back to work (my other job that pays the bills) after 18 months off! My kids are now back in daycare and are prepping for weekly sleepovers at Gran and Pa's, and life is once again returning to routine and structure.

If any of you know me, then you absolutely know how much I LOVE my routines, and being organised. I have a list for everything and a schedule that sometimes runs by the minute. (people still laugh about my pink run sheet I made for my wedding almost 6 years on. But I stand by it and trust that my wedding was a perfect success because of it).

Anyway, moving on... How many of you love a hunt for a good diary or calendar at the end of the year. Is there one always on your Christmas list like me? I have made my own tradition to sit down on Boxing day evening and fill in my new shiny calendar and diary ready for my year to begin. I have certain coloured pens that mean different things and I even start in Pencil sometimes to ensure it looks appealing. (Mind you this is usually scribble by about March).

I ask this because I was unable to find a diary I loved this year and boy did I search. Just ask my husband. So in true Mandy fashion I decided to make my own. I will fill you on its details later as it could be it's own post.

Another one of my many new year things I do is to write an opportunities list. This is different to an everyday 'to do' list because I don't think of this one as a chore that I must complete in a set amount of time. It's more like a wish list of things I would like to achieve and get excited when I do. I have one for each month now and I have one for each part of my life - One for My Little Table, one for home and one for my other work. Feel free to print it off and have a go for yourself. Next time I will add a reward line at the bottom so I feel like I get a double treat when I achieve my opportunities.

Ok I think that's enough for one read. I had planned to only write a couple of lines... hehehehe

Happy new year everyone and may 2013 be our year to sparkle!

xxx

Amanda

Gifts for us Mummy's

Boys, Dads, partners and significant others,

Please take note.

Us mummy’s really do appreciate the effort you go to in choosing us lovely Christmas presents like the Pajamas, slippers, tea cups, electrical appliances or box of chocolates from Coles. We really do… BUT…

IF you really want to thank us this year think about something along these lines:

2 Words = DAY SPA

Give mum a little pamper session for her to have all by herself or with a girlfriend.

A DAY OFF!

Mums love their kids and will do absolutely anything for them but really, we can all do with a day to ourselves. Take the kids out for the day and leave mum alone to read a book or have a sleep.

A CLEANER

If you really want to help mum out, pre pay for a cleaner to come and clean the house. This will give mum some time out to spend with you guys and you get a lovely shiny clean house at the end. Win/Win

BABYSITTING

Organise a babysitter to come for a couple of hours one afternoon each week to help out with the kids. Don’t make mum arrange it. You do it for her. The fact that you will go to the effort to call and book a babysitter is worth 100000 boxes of chocolates. Trust me!!!

DATE NIGHTS

Make a little gift box with 12 envelopes. Put $20 in each one and write a suggestion on the front for a date. You will have one ready for each month of the year. Now this really is a gift that will keep giving all year long.

WEEKEND AWAY

If you are able to, organise a weekend away for just the 2 of you. Get the Grandparents to have the kids for the weekend, book a hotel or campsite (whatever your budget allows) and spends 2 full days together doing things you love or doing absolutely nothing. My favourite is ordering room service, snuggling up in bed and watching as many movies as I can in 24 hours… Bliss!

COOK A MEAL and clean up after

Make a deal with your wife that if possible one night a week or month it’s Daddy’s night to cook. You organise with the kids what you want to eat, buy all the ingredients and prepare a family meal. Make sure it doesn’t make more work for mummy though. And yes, make sure you and the kids clean the kitchen after so mummy has a whole night off.

These little steps to help really really really make a difference and mean the world to us mummy’s. We don’t need another pair of slippers and the cupboard is full of coffee mugs saying worlds best mum.

The gifts that keep on giving all year long and the ones that provide us with your time are truly the best Christmas gifts.

So Daddy’s I hope you have taken note.

I write this from experience. Trust me. You will be Husband of the year if you do only one of the above.

And always remember: Happy Wife = Happy Life

Merry Christmas

Xxx

Amanda

Presents for little boys

I'm back...

Ok so gifts for little boys:

1.  Water Activities

Paddle pools, sand buckets, containers and strainers. My son goes crazy for anything 'water' focused. Check out Kids Central for this great activity table. 

kidscentral.com.au

2. Cars, trucks, trains and planes

Wooden, plastic, metal or a mix. Boys aren't too fussy on the build as long as it's strong and will withstand the 2 year old pressure test. Have a variety of sizes and shapes - big, small, long... This will captivate them for longer!

kidscentral.com.au      kidstuff.com.au

3. LEGO/Duplo and Blocks

Isn't Lego just the best invention ever!!! Everyone loves Lego, regardless of age and gender. My hubby and daughter love building things together. And my son LOVES LOVES LOVES to knock it all down. There is something in a boys DNA that ensure 'destruction' is always first on their minds when it comes to Lego. 
Blocks are also great for building and knocking over. It can also be a great pack up game if your little one loves the sound of blocks crashing in the bucket.

kidstuff.com.au                                   playgroundprincess.com.au

4. Wrapping paper and cardboard boxes

Now I know this one seems a bit silly, but how many times have we heard our parents say it... Keep a few boxes aside this Chrissy and let the kids make cubby's with them. Hours of entertainment right there.

www.puggy.com.au

5. Keys, phones, TV remotes and computer keyboards

It's an oldie but a goodie. Most good toy shops will sell plastic key sets and TV remotes with sound effects and jingles. These are great stocking fillers. Old computer keyboards are great too. Just make sure you cut the cord off and all the keys are still secure to avoid a choking hazard. My Son goes berserk on 'his' keyboard at my feet when I am busy trying to work. It's a great distraction tool too.

6. Christmas Outfit, shoes and Christmas PJs

Boys always seem to miss out when it comes to clothes. Thank goodness for some lovely Aussie handmade Facebook businesses. Check out some gorgeous and handsome little outfits for boys. They are all just too cute.
My kids always get a new set of PJ's in their Santa Sack. It's a great tradition that began with my mum.

facebook.com/AlfieByKobi

7. Craft

It's never too early to introduce craft to your children. Just start off small. Play dough (home made or bought), crayons, whiteboard markers and a white board, and chalk are all great little things to get you going. If you want a bit more you can try finger paints and stamps, or even shaving cream and food colouring. 

theorganisedhousewife.com.au - Playdough recipe

This is a FANTASTIC website

8. Trike, bike, car...

Anything with wheels, that can be sat on, that has a steering wheel and moves will be a winner hands down. Here are a couple of my tried and tested picks.

playgroundprincess.com.au

Fisher Price

9. Little People Farm Yard

This activity is a favourite of mine. It's all about imaginative play for both boys and girls. The pieces aren't too small and it's very easy to set up and pack away.

10. Puzzles 

Start with wooden puzzles as they are the easiest to put together and the hardest to break. Simple puzzles like this one are great.

www.kidscentral.com.au

11. Whatever his brother or sister is getting...

This seems to be a trend in our house. And I'm still not sure how to avoid it. Any suggestions???

I hope this list inspires you this Christmas. If nothing else other then a laugh and a flash back to your own childhood at Christmas time.

xxx

Amanda

Rise & Shine. It's competition time!!!

Click Here To Enter!!!

MWWAH are running a HUGE Christmas competition and I am lucky enough to be involved!!!

Follow the link and enter via the rafflecopter form at the bottom. Simple as that. Check out the very long list of prizes on offer.

This is just a few of what you could win this Christmas!!!

What would you love to win this Christmas?

xx

Amanda

Little Princesses - Wish list for Santa

I feel that this gift guide could perhaps be the easiest of all for me.

My darling Isabella is many things... A prima ballerina, fairy princess, rock star, diva, stunt woman, gymnast, acrobat and everything in between.

With this in mind here are my top 10 picks for little Princesses this year.

Tahlia Fedora Hat

cassidyscollection.com.au

RRP $30.00

I bought this hat as a birthday present but now I just love it and want to keep it for me. Sooo pretty.

Milly Tier Dress Rose

www.kaftankids.com.au

RRP $29.00

I bought a Kaftan from this beautiful shop at the markets on the weekend. You must pop over to her website and check it out!

Tiger Tribe Vintage Tin Tea Set

www.littlebooteek.com.au

RRP $34.95

A must have for every little princess.

Little Puggle Craft Boxes

www.littlepuggle.com

From ₤12.95/month + delivery

Now this is a UK company but I had to include it because I just LOVE the concept.

Little Puggle make craft packs for children. BUT they offer a subscription so you can have one puggle box delivered in the post to your child every month. The kit is all inclusive ready to just create. No extra's to buy and no excuses. This company DOES deliver to Australia from ₤11for postage. 

I haven't found an Aussie company who does this but if you find one PLEASE let me know.

Pure Poppets Natural Facepaint and Makeup

purepoppet.com.au

$9.95

My mum won a competition with this company. Since trying this product on Bella, we just can't get enough. It's fun, pretty, cheap and safe!!!

Great stocking filler too!

Lil Fairy Door

www.littlefairydoor.com

$36.00

This year my two special little nieces are getting this for Christmas for their bedroom. So pretty and imaginative. Just think about all the sweet dreams they will have after saying goodnight to the fairies.

Rosebud Collection from Kids Central

www.kidscentral.com.au

$35.00

The Rosebud Collection is wonderful. There is a Playgroup, a cafe, a florist, a playground and a village shop. Hours and hours of imaginative play to be had here. Just warning you there are small pieces though, so keep clear of babies and cheeky younger siblings.

Seedling - Make your own designer tutu

www.goodthingsforkids.com

$47.31

This is one of my most favourite brands. How happy was I when they came up with this little activity.

Disney Movies

Your local Kmart/BigW will stock these titles. From $25 each

Christmas can be full on for little ones, so it's nice to have a quiet activity to put on to calm everyone and allow some R & R.

Cinderella is the latest movie out of the Disney Vault and Tinkerbell - The Secret of the Wings has just been released on DVD just in time for Christmas.

My Little Table Designs - Tablecloth of course

www.facebook.com/mylittletable

$35

I just thought I'd squeeze this one in on the end. Great for Tea Parties with friends or just with your mummy and dolly.

I hope you find this helpful. Please email me if you need more information on any of the above.

The next post with be for the boys.

xxx

Amanda

A Wish list for Santa

This week I will be creating a number of posts with one special theme:

A Wish List for Santa

This will be like a gift guide of all of my favourite things to buy this Christmas.

My Posts will look like this:

• 1st - Little Princesses. Girls aged 3 - 7ish
• 2nd - Mini Prince Charming's. Boys aged 1 - 5ish
• 3rd - Daddy's and Hubby's
• 4th - Lovely Mummy's (saving the best for last).

Happy reading everyone

xx

Amanda

And the winner is....

Ok I have held you out long enough...... 

Drum Roll................

The 2 winners of my very first 'thank you giveaway' are.........

!!! Kim Osborn and Jacky Barker !!!

Congratulations ladies. Very well deserved.

Check your inbox for a msg from me or you can email me direct and I will put your special prize in the mail this week.

amanda@mylittletable.com.au

Thank you to everyone for taking a trip down memory lane with me. 

My Little Table Designs is all about bringing children's play to life and rediscovering the inner child in all of us.

Keep watch as I am running another competition starting Nov 30th with www.mwwah.com.au

Nighty night everyone.

Don't let the bed bugs bite!

xx

Amanda