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I think it’s a factor of both her age and personality, but Big Sis asks lots of questions. Generally, these range from the biological to the metaphysical. Here is a sample from the last 24 hours: What do muscles look like? Where does the wind come from? What is skin for? Where were all the people when [...]

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Every time one of my kids has a birthday I visit one of the major toy retailers and go through the same process. I wander the endless aisles becoming more and more confused and dazed. My feelings move from bewilderment, to frustration and finally to rage! So much plastic, such high price tags! I [...]

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This book is a favorite. Maurice Sendak takes us back to a time when you could send your kids to bed without their supper! Imagine that! The little boy Max then travels to the place “where the wild things are” and tames them to become their king. They wear themselves out making a “wild [...]

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This months topic is “the things they say!”. My entry is below, click on the links at the bottom to read some great stories from contributors (updated during the day)! Big Sis - the problem solver When Little Bro came along I was nervous about managing the breastfeeding of a new baby around Big Sis who [...]

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Big Sis knows lots of stuff. She has the memory of a small elephant and tucks away fact and fiction at an alarming rate! She remembers everything she sees on tv, in the street, around the house and of course from her extensive library of preschool literature! However, information isn’t the same as experience, [...]

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For my last birthday DSO bought me one of my favorite presents ever - a pair of custom made cowgirl boots! As I’ve raised before I’m quite self conscious about being pegged an exhausted, harassed housewife with 2 small children - and another on the way! My cowgirl boots send exactly the [...]

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I’ve used this quote about the magic of childhood before, but it’s a favorite; “For a child, every day is like going to Paris and falling in love for the first time”. I was reminded of it over the weekend, when we took up Big Sis’ excellent suggestion and went for a ride on public [...]

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Welcome to the inaugural - Down with the kids - guest blog! Mrs July is Bel, a mother of 2, with her very own Big Bro (20 months) and Little Sis (5 months)! She also has a career stored away somewhere in the freezer next to all that breast milk! At the moment she [...]

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Years ago when I was studying for exams 2 evangelists were unlucky enough to come to my door. I’m not sure what flavour they were, either Mormons or Seventh Day Adventists, but bored beyond words I welcomed them in for a cup of tea! Their opening question was “Do you think the world is getting [...]

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I was recently interviewed by Lori over at Fun Play Dates as part of a series called Global Moms. It’s a great idea, interviewing mums from around the world about raising their kids. Check it out! While your there have a look around the site - its a great resource encouraging active and creative [...]

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I’m in Week 30 of my pregnancy, I awoke this morning and said to DSO - “I feel like I’m 100 years old!” In retrospect this was a bit of an exaggeration, I think 85 years old is more accurate! What do I mean? 1. I have trouble getting out of a chair [...]

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I’ve always been a good sleeper, and also a sneaky sleeper - prepared to turn anything into an opportunity for a nap! Check out number 3 in this post for a sneaky sleep example from my earlier days. If parenthood gets in the way of anything its a good nights sleep, and once there are [...]

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Today it suddenly struck me how expensive my kids are getting! As babies their needs were contained and inexpensive, as I chose not to be seduced by the “spend lots of money on baby stuff to show everyone what a great parent you are” industry. Or, my personal favorite, the “commercialised children’s play industry” [...]