My First Time!

Two weeks ago I did it. I made playdoh for the very first time and stoked to say it turned out fab. In fact the playdoh is still going strong!!!! Being homemade I thought we'd get maybe a week out of it but it's Awesome..

 We've kept the playdoh in margarine containers, and it is getting played with several times daily by my boys.

It's funny the types of things you do that make you feel like a ''real mum''. Making playdoh, baking cookies, cupcakes and slices, reading books, and snuggles on the couch are all things that sit really well with me. Like alot of mums I don't always feel like I'm the best mum, but these simple things, with or for the kids humble me.

I think I'll continue till my very last breathing moment attempt to work out what is a great mum, and do my darnedest to be that mum.

In the meantime however here's what I used to make my playdoh

Oh and I don't pretend to have created this recipe myself. In fact it's on the back of the Cream of Tartar pack :)

2 cups of Plain Flour

4 Tbsp Cream of Tartar

1 cup of Salt

2 Tbsp Cooking Oil

Food colouring of your choice

2 cups of water

I mixed all the dry ingredients together 

Add the oil & food colouring ( I separated my batch into two so the boys could have a colour each)

Boil the kettle, and add the water to mixture

Use a wooden spoon to mix it together first (to eliminate getting covered in food dye)

Then get your hands into it!

A no cook recipe. I added a little extra oil than the recipe called for. I felt it was a tad dry, but up to you!

A Great activity for them to help with, and keep them occupied during this busy Xmas season!

Now that I've done it once, playdoh will be a regular item in our house! I wish I'd made it sooner!

Elf On a Shelf Begins!

Oh so excited Firstly I have to tell you all as it has just happened!I entered a competition through Kochie's Business Builders to ""pimp my page'' By Kochie!!! To win $10,000 to have my website updated, marketing help etc. I was contacted this morning to say my entry has been shortlisted (yes I'm guessing there are quite a few others, but hey I'm one step closer) Woohoo!!!!!!!! Winner isn't announced till 22nd of December  which will feel like ages away but really isnt enough time to get so much stuff done)

Now, I wasn't going to blog about Elf on the shelf till next week, but already after two nights I am so excited at my son (Memphis) reaction. He has absolutely lost his head over Elf Rusty! He cannot believe how Rusty  can do the things he's done already. Oh he is at the perfect age to have introduced Elf. He has the understanding and belief to make it work.

 

 

 

First night shenanigans Rusty The Rustler

Rusty Plays cards with Toy Story Guys

What is Elf on a Shelf?

The Elf on the Shelf® is a special scout elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts an elf and gives it a name, the elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day's adventures. Each morning, the elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their elf each morning.

There are two simple rules that every child knows when it comes to having an elf. First, an elf cannot be touched; Christmas magic is very fragile and if an elf is touched it may lose that magic and be unable to fly back to the North Pole. Second, an elf cannot speak or move while anyone in the house is awake! An elf's job is to watch and listen.

Elves typically appear in their families’ homes at the beginning of the holiday season (December 1st for most ). On Christmas Eve, the elves return to the North Pole with Santa Claus--until next year!

Head to our Pinterest page to get some Inspiration for your Elf on A shelf!  And we would love to see what your Elf has been up to- Share your pictures on our Facebook page!

Hoping you all have a Fabulous week

Bec xo

Slowly Learning

Howdy!
It's not quite a habit yet- this consistency thing. I am trying so hard, and I don't want to let it wreck me. See I'm a go hard or go home kinda gal. Maintaining a full on approach to business & life has left me rundown and constantly sick. Unfortunately Business doesn't run well like that either so since having my coaching sessions with the Awesome Sal I've learned I need to slow down, and work at a constant pace, rather than fast, slow, stop, go, all over the shop.

My mission has been to do weekly blogs, weekly newsletters, stay up date with my accounts, and keep our Baby For Life Facebook page entertaining, informative & interactive. The stats tell me I'm doing pretty good so far. So after a pep talk from a wonderful woman yesterday I am back on track.

Its interesting that the things that are hardest in business (well for me anyways) is the most boring stuff. Being constant isn't wonderful or exciting, yet it's hard to do. Results are slower to see  (yet much more measurable in the long run) and because of this there's no instant gratification. So at times it's easy to get glum that things aren't progressing as fast as I'd like. But then I am a hard task master :)

This week my youngest son Fox turns two. This is Awesome in itself. I'm working the day of his actual birthday but I'm hoping to do something small on the sunday to mark his day. We're having a joint Birthday Party for the two boys in January as there's only just a month between their special days. (I'll blog about that party a bit closer to the day)

When I had my first son Memphis I wanted an Independent little boy so I could hold onto my own independence. And so life didn't have to change.Of course it did, but in wonderful ways. When I fell pregnant with Fox I was much more open to having a child more dependent on me, a little needier I guess.. However He's the most stubborn little boy I've met in a long time! He's self sufficient & knows exactly what he wants. Golly his cheeky smile melts my heart- it's crazy!

As the saying goes, you don't always get what you want but what you need.

It also marks two years since I shut the shop doors of Baby For Life. Golly, so much has happened and it seems like forever ago but it also feels like yesterday(which is much like how fast our children grow yet we can recall their births so easily) 

This online Business feels like a whole new journey and there is so much to learn! I'll keep at it, and with the support of my online helpers there's sure to be Great things coming from Baby For Life in the coming 12 months!

Boy oh Boy

I cleaned out my wardrobe the other day. I dont own alot of clothes to begin with, but I have a hard time of letting go of the old ones I do have. Amongst those I have donated to the salvo's all my maternity clothes. All in great condition. I'm at that stage where I dont know if there will be any more children. I figure if we get there one day I can buy some new stuff. The idea of holding onto all these clothes for 2 plus years is terrible. I haven't got that much closet space anyways.

12 months ago I was positive we would have a third. I remember crying when my best friend told me she wouldn't have any more after her two. I was hysterically upset about it. (she now has a third and is finally done :) I couldn't fathom being complete with my two at that stage.

I always imagined having three kids. And in there somewhere was the hope that maybe we may have a girl as well. And of course with most things once you have kids, there is no such thing as privacy, and I get the question constantly- will you try for a girl? will you have any more kids? I didn't mind that question when I was so sure we would try again, but now I feel invaded. I am not the most fertile woman in the world. Conceiving for me in the first place is a bloody miracle. Then to put pressure on and attempt to get a girl. Wow, just wow. Even if it were a sure deal to get a girl it wouldn't make the whole process any easier.

I grew up being the youngest of 4 kids. I have 3 older brothers. I get guys. I find boys easier. Less maintenance, easier to talk to- no nonsense. Of course I think about having a daughter and the possibilities, but nothing is guaranteed. Relationships dont always happen they way you would like. So having two boys right now is where were at.

Dont get me wrong, boys can be hard work, and of late mine have been really hard. But it comes and goes in stages.Right now I don't want to complicate life anymore. Time is so darn precious and I dont feel I'm giving enough of it to the two little people I do have. I feel guilty that I cant have all this one on one time that I had with my first son. Everything is now shared (not always a bad thing, but I feel for my eldest who has nothing of his own anymore, and for my youngest who will never know whats it like to have have our constant undivided attention)

So, aside from one snarly cat, our dog Izzy and a dozen chooks I am the only girl in our house. It may well stay this way forever. And you know what I'm ok with that. Our home is full of duplo lego, cars & trucks galore, dinosaurs & bikes. It's quite fitting really as I never really did like the colour pink ;)

Temper Tantrums & changes

As much as I love my boys growing up and learning new things it always brings with it anguish, pain and heartache and requires alot of patience.

During our Queensland holiday earlier this year in February Fox had not long started to walk. He was still wobbly, he was going through changes. At the same time he started these horrible tantrums. The kind you're left wondering if there is medically something wrong, or some thing behaviorally wrong. He would headbutt the glass doors, the floors, the walls. He would throw himslef into things scream and cry and was pretty much uncontrollable. Luckily that phase only lasted a couple short (but at the time very long) months. 

Fast forward to last week and the tantrums have started again. At the start of October we took away both his dummies and his night time bottle. We never intended to do both within one week but he went so well without the dummy we thought why not go for it all. It was alot easier than we hoped. Since then, as predicted he has started attempting using more words and communicating more with us. He has so much he wants to say but cant. So here we are at another developmental stage and he is losing his shit. Yep this kid is Psycho. If only temporarily (2 nights ago this tantrum lasted about 2 hours) we feared for his safety. If we put him in the cot he would keep headbutting the sides til we picked him up. Then if we picked him up he would pull hair, bite, scratch, punch and kick. We tried every bribe in the book, held him with as much love as we could muster and took turns restraining him. I wont lie, it was bloody hard, and hubby and I just didn't know what to do. It wasn't safe to let him cry it out, yet we were amazed with how much an almost 2 year old could hurt us.
We filmed him for a bit, so that later once we were all calm we could reflect and see if there was something we missed, or could pick up- but no such luck. I am hoping with all my might that this will pass as quickly as it started and that once he learns to talk better he will calm down. 

With all this going on my eldest boy Memphis is going through changes to. Certain body parts have developed a bit further and he is so excited he's growing up. For those of you with little boys you'll know what I'm referring to lol. Finally his clothes are getting too small (he's still wearing some clothes that are 12-18 months in size, and hasn't grown much in height in ages. Size 2 (3 at the biggest) right now and he's almost 5. So we make a big deal when he does grow!

We received confirmation of his 4 year old preschool acceptance last week. I am looking forward to it. I miss having one on one time with Fox, and to be honest I miss my time at home alone to work on Baby For Life, and get the housework done in peace and in one go.

We've spoken about moving the boys into their own rooms. Fox is Mr destructo (yes it's the age and stage he's at) but Memphis is now ready to look after things, and keep things special to him. He gets so upset when Fox ruins his latest lego creation or rips up his little robot and alien drawings. I don't blame him. That kind of stuff can be soul destroying even for adults. But before this can happen we have to build my new office outside and were a little way off that yet.

So in the mean time, all we can do is muster all the patience we can, be there for both the boys and hope they understand, and work it out all. We have to guide them, and let them know its ok, even if at times we don't believe it ourselves
Bec

Teaching the art of an old school game.

I wasn't lucky enough to attend a primary school where marbles were prevalent. My childhood friend did, and I remember countless days of her visiting after school and showing me the new shiny marbles she'd won in that days game. I recall she was really good at it too, that & athletics. I wasnt so coordinated anyways so it's probably lucky we never played them.
I didn't understand the game then, it didn't appeal to me at all, though now I can see how great it must have been for all those involved. 

Fast forward to now, and schools wont even allow kids to play taggy and all sorts of games we took for granted as kids as too many kids now a days cant cope with losing, or not winning, or not being great at everything. I blame parents for this, but even more so the school, and The Education Department for sub-missing to the whingy parents whims.

Kids learn so much more through play, and these seemingly innocent games taught us alot.

Why was the game of marbles so great?

They learn the obvious skill of rolling a marble, which requires co ordination,. it requires patience, concentration and determination. They learn the cause and affect ( if you dont hit the other marbles you lose yours- so try hard, but if you hit the other marbles you get rewarded by earning new marbles.)

Memphis, my almost 5 year old has had a bag of marbles for about 6 months. We've had to keep them mostly put up and out of sight and mind as Fox (Yikes he's 2 this month) could not be trusted with a single marble. But today I thought he's ready., We started out playing with an ice cube tray, a teaspoon and getting the boys to patiently pick up a marble one by one to put the marbles in the tray. This occupied them for about 25 minutes! and it was quiet play! 
Then I thought I'd teach Memphis how to ''play'' marbles. I think he needs a friend the same age to play with as Fox takes all the ones he's aiming for but he had a Great go and they both loved it!

  Fox throwing them where ever, & Memphis concentrating real hard :)

I wish schools would go back to this old school method of play, but sadly things will probably only get worse. I will however endeavor to teach these types of games to my children instead and hope they can learn the all important skills from me.

What other ''old school'' games have you taught your kids?

Contact Us

Contacting us should be easy.
 
But it hasn't been and so, I'm sorry.  I'm sorry I never read the terms and conditions. It's not normally that important (unless something goes wrong)I mean honestly, who here really does? But in this case I should have. Baby For Life's contact number( aka my work mobile) was disconnected 2 weeks ago. I only found out after an email from a customer.Thank you by the way Hayley for letting me know. So if your mobile phone isn't recharged within a certain period it gets disconnected, and no, no matter how nicely you ask you cannot have the same number back again. Even though you only just had another 150 business cards printed with that number on it ;(

But Hoorah, we have a new number. I've written the recharge expiry into my diary, and will endeavour to be better organised this time round. Why do I have a work mobile that's prepaid? Well I don't want to give out my personal mobile number to everyone, and I don't think there's any value in having a second land line, and a prepaid works best. The phone calls from customers are few and far between, luckily for me you're all happy contacting me via email.

So our new contact number is 0488 783 528. Yes now I really do have to get my business cards reprinted. 
I honestly do like to chat to you via phone, I'm also happy to answer emails and yes please do send us a message via our Facebook page if that's easier for you. Whatever works for you- I just want you to know I'm here to help 
Bec :)

Cluck cluck clucky

Yep so I'm going crazy over chickens. I think I am fast becoming the crazy chicken lady but I dont care. It took a bunch of photos on Instagram for me to realise that yes indeed I do have hobbies, even if I've never thought of them as such and chickens are one of them.

Our first silkie bantam chicken was 6 and half years ago. We got her off a friend who was breeding them. She had been rejected from her family & was being picked on by the other bigger chooks. I cuddled her into the bosom of my jacket and there she stayed until we got home. We named her Chips (as in chicken chips, yes highly inappropriate but kinda funny too) and she was raised as a loving family member. Our other furry family members (at the time consisted of 2 dogs and 2 cats) and none of them were brave enough to attempt going near her. She was confident and cuddly and would stand her ground. She would come running like death were chasing her when we called as she knew we had food for her. Sadly she passed around 3 years old. We'd gotten randam chooks here and there but none were ever again ''family members'' mererly pet chickens.

So we've now again got chickens (right now they're cross breeds- silkies crossed with I don't know what) They're all breeding and I am just fascinated watching them all day long. I mean I will go out there to feed them kitchen scraps, they all come running , eat their food then wander off. I stay and observe them .
Now that there's babies I am this doting grandparent who thinks about them all day long and check on them several times a day. There are four mums right now. We've lost one baby so far- it was squashed to death by all the other chickens. Weve since fixed that issue & separated them at night. The fourth mum ( the newest to become a a mum of one teeny tiny grey chick- the smallest below in the picture) isnt being the best mum. She's intent on sitting and hatching the other eggs that I highly doubt will even hatch. But it's interesting to see that the other mums have taken this baby into their wings- literally and looking after it as their own. In fact three mums are mothering 3 chicks now.

It gets me thinking about how us as mothers are so very different but how truly wonderful it would be if we were more like chooks. Un judging, just open with love and tenderness for all. They are protective of the chicks, patient, and great teachers. They themselves are now tamer, and welcome a pat here and there. Now that I am learning more about them, and know how to check the eggs for fertility, I am so much more weary when collecting eggs. An egg is no longer just an egg :)

To the left is Freckles, In the middle is Chips the second :) and to the right is Flossy. All three lovingly looking after all the chicks.

I am so keen now to breed some purebred silkie chickens, I bought myself an incubator, and next will be a brooding box, and I know the three gals will take the new babies in as they've done before.

I'm soon to set hubby to build them a proper coop too. But for now they're all happy, I'll keep watching them and being clucky as ever (note I'm happy to cluck over baby chickens, as for human babies I'm not ready for another just yet)

What do my boys think about all of this? Memphis is learning about life and death. He is excited by it and also saddened, but I think it's important for him to realise the importance of life. He has been the instigator of 3 funerals now- and each time has demanded that there be a special flower for the dead chook. He loves collecting the eggs (and really loves eating eggs now whereas before he wouldn't even touch them) 

I cant believe I just wrote a whole blog entry about chickens. What's even scarier is I really had to hold back and not go on and on and tell you about each and every chook we have :) I'm trying to enjoy the simplest of things in life- and what is more simple and basic and beautiful than the circle of life( yes even when were talking about chickens) 
Bec

Sleepover Fun

So my little guy Memphis had his first real sleepover at a friends place last night. He was oh so excited to go, his energy was bubbling over!

His best little friend jack whom he met at daycare. These two boys are two peas in a pod. If ever anyone asked where one of the boys were the other was sure to be close by. They are  both small in frame but mighty in enthusiasm. They love the same things, have the same level of energy, and adorable little qualities. They're both popular with kids, and love to play!

                                           Xmas 2012

It has been so so lovely him making this real friend. I remember reading somewhere that kids of Memphis's age don't make real friends. Id like to say he's proved them wrong. Memphis hasn't attended daycare since last year. He has since caught up for play dates with his best friend jack twice, and Jack attended his birthday party at the start of the year. But hasn't seen him like he used to. Yet constantly he talks about him, how great he his, how he misses him and how he wishes he could see him more often. I've arranged multitudes of catch ups for them- in my head, yet for one reason or another never actually gotten around to it. So when I woke 2 days ago after dreaming about them catching up I rang his mum straight away and it was on.

We arrived at his friends place , and I stayed to chat to the mum for an hour. I couldn't do the dump and run. I just needed to make sure he was going to be fine. They were off and running instantly. The happiness shone from them both, I cant put into words how amazing it is to see two little boys so connected.

We said our goodbyes and off to work I trundled. Thinking about him all night long, I had this small feeling of unease, almost an anxiety. I am not one of those clingy over bearing mums, and this year has surprised me with how I've felt in different circumstances. I knew Memphis would have no problems, I mean he was with his best friend, yet I was unsettled. It's strange leaving your child with an almost stranger (even one I trust)

When I picked him up he was loaded up on sugar & fun. I mean that's the best kind of sleepovers for kids right! He was buzzing, talking a million miles an hour and already arranging for their next  play date. The few cheeky talk back comments signaled to me that he'd had soo much fun but also that the exhaustion was soon to hit. After a few tasks in town we headed home and he was asleep before I pulled in the driveway.

I guess my little boy is growing up and that's scary. I am proud of him and how he handled himself. And if I'm fair I should be proud of myself and his dad for raising a boy who is confident and secure enough to be away from us for a night without needing us. 
I'm still not sure why the unease- I trusted jacks mum, and I know he was safe and would have a ball. Being out of control of your children is a scary thing, and I should get used to it because as he grows up it's going to happen more and more.

Coaching- Session One

So where do I start. I mentioned on facebook that I have just started working with a Business & life coach. Sally Anne from Nourish Coaching. That I was excited and nervous all at once. Why do I need a Business/Life coach? Because I've reached a fork in the road with my life & business, feel a little lost & need some direction. I"m happy to admit it- first step to fixing things is admitting a problem right? I don't have all the answers, and since baby for Life is a one woman show it was kind of inevitable that I would have a burn out.

Well as I sat down at my computer to start our session via skype (online video chat where you see the person and talk to them) I suddenly felt very vunerable. Not only was I bringing this person- Sal into my home but would also be revealing all my ''faults'' and problems and laying myself bare. I already trusted her, or else Id never have hired her. But it had me feeling way more vunerable and exposed than I ever imagined.

It's one thing to think all those thoughts in your head, tell some things to my hubby, others to my friends, but if I wanted this coaching to work I had to tell Sal everything. And she was so totally unbiased I wasnt sure how she would interpret it all and what she would think of me,. My inner voice kept screaming "I'm not normally a cry baby'' ,''I'm not a sook'', ''I am a strong confident woman'' and my favourite "I'm not really a looney''.

The first part of our session- at my request was life coaching. Sal needed to find out where I was at- where I had come from and what all that meant to lead me to where I am today in my business. Questions were asked - things Ive often thought about, but the answers all led to something that I hadn't yet connected the dots. I don't want to bore you all with the details, and I've got quite alot of homework to do, but it was eye opening.

One thing I will share with you all is my struggle with this online business. It wasnt what I originally set out to do. I love being face to face with people. I love chatting to your kids & fussing over your babies. I love interacting with you and being Real. I love being a part of something bigger than myself and as it turns out Community is really important to me. Now that I can see all this I realize why I am still grieving for my shop front. I miss all of that by sitting behind a computer. Please dont think I am not grateful for you all! Golly the computer is almost an attachment of my body now, but it still feels so impersonal to me so now I know where to start making some changes.

So needless to say Sal, this person whom I had spoken to twice only on the phone ever in my life, had me sitting in front of my webcam and crying.. Yep within the first hour, walls broken down. I dont know how she does it- she asks all the right questions..

My brain likes to skip ahead, and luckily Sal could see this. I couldn't quite work out how all this life coaching, and personal stuff we discussed would tie into finding answers for my business. So we had a quick jump into session 2- Then I got excited. And everything made sense..

I didn't want the session to end. I was excited and Sal is sooooo smart! At times it was uncomfortable, and I felt like a school kid. I've seen counselors through the years (actually I still see one every now and then to get some things off my chest so my nearest and dearest don't have to cop it all) but Sal is different And she's Amazing.

I can see the possibilities again and the future that can be. Sal is going to my temporary boss (temporary as long as I need her) and I love it.. Being Boss all the time can be isolating and lonely, and dammit my brain can only come up with so many idea's, so Sal to the rescue.

I cannot wait for session two. There are only 3 sessions in this lot. I am already planning keeping her longer. She told me this might happen.. That I wont want to let go of her hand now that I have her support. She was right. See she's one smart cookie :)

Business blues

Alright, I'm having a really flat couple of business weeks.. I've seen some wonderful businesses really succeeding, and whilst of course I'm happy for them ( as I know how much work a business like ours take), it sux a tad as they're in the same industry I'm competing in.. I'm feeling like''why should I bother''. Funds are a little tight, as orders have been a little slow coming in. I'm needing a Win- but of course you have to work for it and make it happen. One cannot expect things to just happen. 

As some of you may be aware I made the decision a few weeks back to take my son Memphis out of 4 year old preschool & drop him back to 3 year old. This has been the best decision: I haven't looked back and all my anxiety and stress over the matter has gone. He hasn't questioned the change, and now I know it was the right thing to do. Even with the frustratingly mad days I am happy to have my little guy at home with me for another year before he heads off to the big world of school.

Of course the downfall for me has been I've lost my 2 days a week that I spent working on my business. I cant do it at nights anymore as I'm working my bar job (still having fun and loving it by the way) and now  also don't have the quality alone time during the day. I'm one of those people who if I cant do things from start to finish, and do it properly I wont get into it properly. Yeah major bummer for me- but once I get on a roll it's sweet.

I did get a little perk me up this week ,I had lunch with the gorgeous Andrea from www.kawaiikids.com.au Gosh She's a breath of fresh air, and it's hard not to be happy & enthusiastic when your around her! I love her business. What I love most is her unique style, and her guts to get out there manufacture goods too! This girl has got it going on.It was so nice to chat business with someone who understands, and not feel threatened or intimidated. Yep we both have baby stuff- but that's where our similarities end. Kawaii kids is Korean inspired, funky, out there and fun. I tend to stay away from her site (or else I'd spend a fortune, sorry Andrea) So yep- I'm giving her a plug cause I think she deserves it (though by the sounds of how many orders she has a week does not need it)

I shouldn't be so hard on myself really- I must be getting out there somewhere in the big world wide web- Not only is my inbox full of Spam seo experts telling me how I need to spend thousands of dollars on seo as no one can find me on Google (um hello how did you find me?) but also lots of new suppliers contacting me asking me if I will stock their goods.. The pessimist in me thinks it's cause times are a bit tough, but the optimist in me says nah it's cause they're finally taking notice of Baby for life.

On the personal front I've been completely preoccupied with the prospect of purchasing another house. I cant give away any details as were still not sure which way where going, but it's very exciting, and very scary too! It's going to require alot of hard work, and I've got to make sure I"m up for it!

That's my week in a wrap up- up, down and all over the shop.

Wake Up Call

Today I'm daydreaming about opening another Baby For Life Shopfront... I'm looking up shop fittings, and display tables.. It's silly really.. I wouldn't open another shop right now.. But my brain is always active. And yeah some days I do miss my store. I felt as though a shop front was more of a ''real business'' than an online store. I still feel this a little- like I'm not as proud or as confident when I tell people I own my own online Baby Business.This is just how I feel about myself- not other online businesses.

There's been a few Pr events that I could have attempted to be involved in of late. I havent bothered and I'll tell you why. When I opened my shop front in Regional Vic (Lake Boga was our first shop) I made every effort to only stock items that weren't readily available anywhere in Swan Hill or surrounding area's. I prided myself that we were offering unique products and not stealing anyone's piece of pie so to speak. We maintained this when we moved into Swan Hill (though I was mad when many other businesses didn't have the same ethic and attempted to and some succeeded in stealing brands and items I stocked)
However when I had my second bubba Fox, and the business changed to online only I had to shift the focus in order to be competitive online. I was suddenly Australia wide and wowsers was that Overwhelming. Before I knew it I was stocking mainstream items that were available elsewhere. 

This weeks Pr Opportunity has been a wake up call. I went to my Awesome Biz mentor for some advice. I had an opportunity to get baby products in front of a big celebrity soon coming down under. When I asked how best to approach it she said "What do you have that no one else haves that such a celebrity can't find anywhere else?'' I really struggled with an answer for that. Had you asked me when I had my shop front- well you couldn't get anything I stocked in store locally. But now- well, online is BIG and getting bigger everyday. I would never suggest to anyone to start an online baby and kids business unless you are the developer and manufacturer- it is so flooded.. So, it made me think about why I started the biz in the first place, and how I could somehow get back to selling hard to find, unique and original pieces at Baby For Life.

That's where my brain is now at, and will be for quite some time. I'm thinking a change in focus for the Biz is required, though I'm not sure how quite to get there yet.

There's a 2 day Business Workshop /seminar coming up next month that I'm hoping to attend- Lots of information, the chance to listen to some inspiring speakers, meet other like minded people.. As long as funds permit (and time off my casual job) I'll be there..
So keep your fingers crossed for me, and please if you have any thoughts for Baby For Life please don't hesitate to contact me at info@babyforlife.com.au
Cheers
Bec

Month of May

I cannot believe how fast this year is going. It is May and this week I realized 2 things. Firstly It's my birthday on Saturday (the day before Mothers Day) and secondly Baby for Life will be celebrating our 3rd Birthday! I was meant to be all organized and have something wonderful planned for you all. But I havent quite got my act together. So my brain will be mighty busy between now and the 17th May!

On the Birthday front for me I'm not all that excited. I'm not down about it, but it's just another day really. I'll be hitting 31. Yes that's right, 31. I cant believe it. I feel about 25 most days. I get told alot that I look mid twenties so that's great! I'm hoping hubby and I, & fingers crossed a few close friends might be able to go out to dinner to celebrate. I think the last time I went out somewhere nice for a meal was Mothers day last year.D'oh.

Although the business hasn't grown as fast as I would have liked, I am stoked (you'll notice me use this word alot stoked- its my fav, and it means I'm extremely happy and proud about something) that I have lasted 3 years. Actually for those that dont know- we begun the business in August 2009, but wasn't official and running as Baby For Life till May 2010.
DID YOU KNOW 50% of small businesses fail within the first year. 95% fail within the first 5 years.37% of small businesses who employ less than 20 employees have a chance of surviving the first 4 years, and only 9% have a chance of surviving 10 years!
So the odds really are against me. I think it's because I've kept changing my business as A- it suited me and my family- and B as the economy has changed.

I was so gung ho at the start and willing to give it everything, now I know that there is indeed a cost for everything (and were not just talking money) so everything in my life now has to balance.

Dont be sad- I'll have something for you all for our Birthday Bash! So keep posted here and on Facebook! babyforlifeswanhill

Overdue Pirate Party

The Pirate Party

We had a Pirate Party for the celebration of Memphis' 4th Birthday. I meant to blog earlier about it, but for whatever reasons didn't get around to it till now.

I really don't know what I would have done without Pinterest. I seriously get lost on it, constantly. I go onto it with the intention of ''just having a quick look'' then an hour and a half later I'm yawning my head off & wondering where the time went.
It was the best place to go for my inspiration for the party. It beat google, and I google EVERYTHING!

Ok so being the start of January it was going to be a hot day. We were loaded up with icy poles, fruit kebabs (which were an absolute treat, & I'm sad I didn't get a picture of these as they looked great) We had hoses and water guns at the ready and by the end of the day all the kids including me looked like drowned rats. But golly it was fun.

I supplied eye patches, and made bandana's for each of Memphis' friends to wear during the party & to take home.

 Setting the scene as guests arrived was our Pirate Flag. As you can see it's pretty big- and a bargain I found off ebay. It's attached to a cardboard roll that hubby got from the carpet shop (for free) and its sitting over a metal star post so as not to fall over and kill someone.

 I also purchased these plastic pirate mugs for the kids to take home, but forget to tell everyone! Doh, well the kids got to use them at least!.

 These 2 Cardboard Pirate ships hubby and I made from bull bar boxes he scored from work for free. Nothing a good ol jigsaw couldn't cut! A bit of paint and Duct tape and we were so stoked with how they turned out!

Memphis all dressed up

The kids playing Cannonball

Now I'd love to take the credit for the creativity of these Pirate swords, but Pinterest was my savior throughout this entire Party. We made these out of the spare cardboard from the bull bar boxes. Hubby cut them out with a jigsaw, I painted the tops on both sides blue, and taped the bottoms with more duct tape (which made them look more real and softer for the kids to hold) then printed out skull pictures and stuck on top. Now in hindsight these probably weren't the safest thing to give to a bunch of 4 year olds. Some kids got a little carried away & lets just say these are quite dangerous! The cardboard was really hard!

Cardboard Swords

 I was really happy with how the goodie bags turned out. I was so torn with how I wanted to do them. I originally bought a template pack and had printed out those cardboard treasure shape boxes. But they were too small, had no handle and were too darn time consuming to cut and tape and glue. So instead I found a free printable , stuck some goodies in a ziplock bag and stapled the printable on top.
They each contained a telescope, chocolate gold coins, a pirate blower, a whistle, a necklace, a pirate wrist slap band (which I have since worn again since the party) pirate tattoos, pirate stickers & a lollypop.

Goodie Bags

Hubby managed to score this old boat for $40. He's pretty set on fixing it up so it can be a ""real boat'' but, I'm fairly confident this is where it will stay :) I bought the steering wheel off an outdoor playground shop on ebay for $39.00.

Pirate Memphis testing out his Boat






I couldn't justify spending $25.00 plus for some cardboard that was going to get smashed by kids with a bat. So I made my own. A simple box (that I cut all the edges apart then taped back together in a few places so that the box wasnt indestructible)I then paper macheed the box. I had 2 packs of tissue paper in my stash which I cut up and stuck on. Then printed out the pirate skull picture for front and back. There was a hole in the middle of the box on both sides (behind the pirate picture) but also a hole in the bottom.

Pirate Pinata

Action  Shot

Here is my attempt at a Pirate ship Cake. I'm not a baker, nor a decorator (that's clear to see:) but Memphis loved it! I made it the night before and was still putting the icing and licorice bits on it as guests were arriving. Again, I can be so organized with some things and others- I leave to the absolute last minute.

I didn't get much time at all for chatting with the other mums and dads, and luckily hubby helped out with bringing out the food. Oh the food, we had so much food and these Jelly Boats I made but forgot to bring out. We spent the next few days eating these :)

Now I believe there has to be some junk at parties. I'm not at all politically correct or new age health freak. No party is complete without some lollies (natural confectionery jellies) potato chips, as mentioned earlier fruit kebabs, icy poles, we also had savory kebabs- these had on them salami, kabana, cheese, and cherry tomatoes. For lunch hubby made pita bread pizza's. We have an electric stone base pizza cooker that we set up on a table outside- ready in just a few shorts minutes. No one really needed pizza, everyone was so full from the rest of the food.

Birthday Banner I made from a Free printable

Honestly, I dont know who had more fun- the kids or me!!! The kids were all so well behaved, they had a blast. It's now already end of April and Im finally blogging about this but guess what? Were already in the midst of planning the next party. It will be a joint party for Fox's 2nd Birthday and Memphis' 5th Birthday. We've got the theme chosen, and decorations planned to beat this party.. Not that there's any competition, and no one we know goes to this extreme for a kids party- but we do it cause it's so much fun. We get to build stuff, we get to be creative, and then on the day we get to be big kids and have fun and enjoy it.

My friends all said to me after this party that I should do kids parties and planning them as a profession. Id love to give it a go, but there's so many other things on my list I cant possibly do it all. 

Why I'm glad My credit cards got maxed.

Having a creditcard was like having a Big safety net. But one that wasn't really ours. We had been depending on it for quite some time now and it wasn't working for us. It seems my budget had been too tight and didn't allow us for enough breathing room. We'd then splurge on the creditcard. I guess in a sense we begun living beyond our means and then having to pay for it for what seemed like an eternity.

The day the cards were finally maxed, and we couldn't use them anymore I had a strange feeling. I didn't recognize it at the time nor understand, but upon later reflection knew it to be relief. We couldn't use the card anymore, it couldn't tie us down, and trap us anymore. It was then I turned a corner and got serious about our finances.
Id hate for you all to think I'm drowning in debt. Were talking single figures credit card and The normal sort of mortgage. But I hate owing people anything, hate owing money, and not being in charge of myself and my destiny.

I needed to take back control and start feeling good about what was happening. It was then I booked in an appointment with my accountant. He's an Awesome Man, I really respect him, and he has helped me a lot with both my personal & Business Finances. The thought oh but I cant afford him came into my mind. But then if I continue doing what I'm doing I cant afford not to see him. Long story short, there wasn't any huge area's I had missed in my budget, but quite a few small changes that would make a huge difference. I felt relieved and couldn't wait to get home and make the start. We had the option of cutting up our cards there and then but we chose to literally freeze them instead- waiting for the day till they were paid off in full. I cant wait for that day.

So I'd like to share with you all my journey. The majority of us all have debts of some kind, and as i find helpful hints and tips along the way id feel selfish not to share them. Perhaps some of you could share your idea's too? My money saving, debt cutting is already impacting all area's of my life- and in a good way. Im meal planning which means I'm cooking better meals, of better variety, and dare I say it from scratch! not a packet mix!  I'm buying less junk food, I'm being creative with activities we do with the kids, and I'm really giving alot of thought before making a purchase of any kind. There's no more impulse buying in this house! 

Anyway that's enough for now. I don't want to harp on, but you may be able to tell I'm excited. I have of late been a bit down and out about money (or lack of it) but now I'm back in charge it aint so bad :)

I'm becoming a scrooge & I love it.

Over 12 months ago I purchased a book for myself and my bestie. She like me, doesn't like to spend a lot of money, on anything. I had forgotten about the book until recently when she said she had made muesli bars from her book. And she had a tonne of them, and her girls love them!

This year I am on a mission to rid us of credit card debt. I'd like to be one of those people who has a rainy day Savings account. I'd like to not have to live like most people nowadays pay week to pay week. End goal would be to pay our house off earlier. So in the mean time, I'm now working nights, and have tightened the budget. I'm meal planning for up to a month at a time  (I cant always stick to it, but it is the biggest help for those nights when my brain wont come up with a healthy yummy meal)

I'm cooking meals that I can make for cheap, and that will go further than one night.
So back to the book. It's called The $21 Challenge. It shows you how to feed your family for a week on just $21. It has delicious recipes and Great idea's on saving money with cooking.
Now you'll spend a whole lot of time on this website too! I'm on their mailing list and get lots of emails with free tips, or you can subscribe and get entry to their vault which may hold all the secrets to the universe (I don't have a membership as yet- as I said Im becoming a scrooge:) and I cant vouch for the secrets thing , but it's an Awesome site.
http://www.simplesavings.com.au/21dollarchallenge/

Today Memphis had asked me for a treat, and I figured I hadn't actually ''made'' anything in a while so looked for an easy slice.

What do you know there's actually a recipe called "Easy Slice''
all it calls for is a pack of any plain biscuits (I had homebrand arrowroot )
200gr butter
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg (I actually ended up using 2 as I used our fresh eggs from our silky bantam chooks and these are much smaller)
and 200gr cooking chocolate for melting (I only had approx. 100grs, so used some of the kids easter choccies to melt in)
Crush the biscuits ( I used my blender as it was much faster, but if you don't own one a plastic bag and rolling pin will also do the job)
Melt the butter, add sugar and cocoa and mix well. Add egg stir again.
Then its as simple as pouring into a greased tray and press firmly. Refrigerate for 30 mins
Meanwhile melt chocolate and then pour on top.Leave it long enough in the fridge till the chocolate is set.
Then enjoy!

I then realized dinner time was soon approaching and I still had no idea what to cook for dinner. I'm due to do groceries which means the cupboards are a little light and I'm at the end of my meal plan. I grab the book and looking through the recipes to find one that I actually have the ingredients for. I come up with '"impossible Pie'' Really it's just like a quiche. But you throw in extra vegies to bulk it out. I  think at most it may have cost me $5.00 to make, and it fed me and hubby plus our 2 boys, and we only had half of it. It was so delicious and filling!
I'm so excited about trying new recipes AND saving money.. It's actually starting to become a challenge!
And I think I may have just found some inspiration for future blogs!

Parenting & Preschool

So today was my first time as parent helper at Preschool this morning.. I wasn't feeling really positive about it on the way there, had my grump on for the strangest of reasons. I guess I felt forced into having to help, as opposed to having the option to help. But once I walked in the door and was given permission to play with the kids I had a ball.

It was so interesting seeing all the different kids, interacting with each other, the ones that liked to stick together, the kids that liked to play alone. The loud kids, the shy and reserved kids. It is so hard not to judge- the child, the parents, and how they're raised. But I put my brain to off and let it be that it is not my place to judge or question.I am here to help supervise and make the kids day as safe and fun as possible. 

I'm not one to boast but I am good with kids. I play with them and really get in and down and dirty. However I know my limit. I can have high energy for a short span of a few hours (which is great especially as most kids activities dont tend to last any longer than that) but then I fall in a heap. My patience goes to zilch in 2 seconds flat, and the tv becomes my savior with my 2 boys.

I must admit that up until now, when I did the preschool drop off and pick up I'm quite reserved with engaging with the other parents. Ive never found it easy speaking to strangers & making new friends. I'm actually quite shy (which is why retail & hospitality is so great for me as it forces me to come out of my shell) But after today and how good I felt helping out, I'm quite happy about going back next month & also getting to know the mums & dads. 

It was actually quite an honor to get to know the little people and what makes them tick. As different as they all may be at the end of the day they just want to be loved and nurtured and have alot of fun!

So, clearly working at nights at the pub is taking me away from Baby for life. In the past 2 weeks whilst I've not been present on facebook, and doing things on the site sales have been dismal. Perhaps it also ties in with the fact that Victoria just finished school Holidays and elsewhere have started.. I hope its a factor and not just me. 

I'm working anywhere from 8-20hrs at nights per week. I love it. I am out of the house, interacting with adults- grown ups and the conversation has nothing to do with kids. Don't get me wrong, you know I love mine, and kids in general but gosh its so nice to expand my mind and thoughts to something else!
I am busy, moving, learning new skills and feeling good about myself again. Its very hard when ones own boss to pat yourself on the back for a job job done when Ive set the bar so high for myself I'd never reach it and therefore never please myself. My supervisors are pretty happy with me and the increase in my hours shows it.

I am still finding this work life balance, and I think I always will, absolutely impossible. I mean if I give lots of time online my house is a pigsty & the kids go crazy, if I work lots, I miss out on seeing the kids AND the house is a pigsty. I get all domesticated and do batch cooking , freeze stuff, and we eat like kings for a week, then I get tired from doing too much we eat toasted sandwiches, and all the frozen stuff (that was meant to last for a month ) in a week. And so the cycle begins again,.

It surprises me for someone who likes to control things so much and thrives off organizing that I'm not better at it, but well I haven't got there yet. I think I can only give my all 100% into only one thing at once.

So this weekend my first plan in place is to get these blogs happening more often, and perhaps set up a schedule for it all to attempt some organization.
But then I'm also hoping for some family time this weekend too.Hmmnn, surely I can fit it all in,.

Our Holiday -part 1

So were into day 3 of our Queensland Holiday. I feel like it's all going way too fast and were contemplating staying on here at the resort a few more nights..

1000 kms in the car on the first day. We stayed in a lovely little motel Called Tommos lodge in Narrabri and had the most refreshing swim in the salt water pool just after we arrived. It was heaven. The staff there were so friendly and we'd definitely stay there again.
Second day started off ok, and with just over 600kms to our destination we felt positive we'd made a good decision in driving (instead of flying) but by the end of the day and what should have taken 6 hours took us nearly 9 hours. We were so over it. Ask me once we return if id recommend doing it..

I felt a tad silly as we unpacked the car and it took 2 whole trolley loads (you know those tall trolleys like at hotels in the movies) to take our stuff upstairs to our room. But, I am so glad we bought so much- we've needed everything so far.
The boys duplo blocks, books, a tin full of matchbox cars, stacking cups, sticker books, you name it- all the boys favourite toys of the moment here with us.. Don't let this fool you- weve been non stop since we arrived, but even in the quiet times the boys are still occupying themselves with things to do- and they're happy to have familiar things from home. We also bought their 2 seater flip out sofa, again were all thankful for that.

The resort were staying at Zagames Paradise Resort- Family orientated. My review so far- Im fairly happy with it.. Our package includes 4 hours of childminding service per child per day. The rooms are clean and ours is spacious. The splash parks are to die for (if you have little ones this is soooo much better value than wet and wild where they can barely do anything) the food- well its resort priced but oh my is it delicious. Were doing a mix of supermarket bought (and prepared in our room with only a microwave) some bistro resort meals, and some we go out for.

The boys are exhausted everyday and so are we.. The one hour time difference from Victoria to Queensland is still playing havoc with our body clocks- especially where food is concerned. I think I may gain a couple kgs while Im here.

Were hoping to do SeaWorld tomorrow. Lots more things to see and I know Memphis will love the Dolphins and sharks. Oh and the new Pirate water theme park- just perfect after his party.

I must dash for now, Memphis is due to go play for 4 hours with the other kids in the kids play zone- we took him alone to Time Zone game centre this morning while Fox was in care, so now we get some one on one with Fox.

I hope you're all well, will be back in the next couple of days.

Big Sook

First full day at preschool tomorrow.
OK so I lost the plot at preschool interview this week & was almost a blubbering mess. After preschool comes big school and that is way too soon for me.. I don't think I struggled this much when I enrolled Memphis in daycare... Well I probably did but that was a lifetime ago.. I am struggling to remove him from daycare. Since I am after all an out of towner (having moved from Ballarat to Lake Boga 6 and a half years ago) I have only my mother in law as family and support here. So the daycare staff have been Memphis's extended family..i don't want to take them out of his life.
They do have a soft spot for him and I know they genuinely care for him... He wouldn't be there otherwise..
He will be attending preschool 3 days a week 9 am till 2pm.. I know he is going to thrive, he will love it.. He will miss his best friend jack from daycare, and I am truly upset about that. I know how hard it can be to connect to people. I don't think age makes one iota of a difference, were still people.

So I'm a tad emotional about that.

Also for those of you who may have read previous blog entries- you may know I suffer from endometriosis. Well it's not been kind to me, and despite pregnancy being a type of fixing for it( I say this as there is no permanent cure) I am still having issues.. So on Tuesday the 5th of February I am going into hospital for a small operation to remove it,.. I'm a sook, and I hate hospitals, and I've had this operation twice before but arghhhhhhhhhhh it sux big time... This is in the lead up to our 2 week family holiday to Queensland.. So yes we will be shut while were away as I am mainly a one woman show for Baby for life.

Ughh.. Being a woman on any given day can be hard, and being a woman with a reproductive pain issue and a mother and a organizer & everything else we do- well it's bloody impossible.. But I am a taurean.. Yep I'm stubborn and determined and somehow things work out..

I know I still haven't posted any pics form Memphis's pirate party,.. I think I kind of missed the boat on that one (NO pun intended) but you've got a blog entry- that's a start right!

Anywho, thanks for your time.. I hope I can manage to get some entries out before I go away, and maybe 1 or 2 while I'm away.. but then you'll all forgive me for enjoying my time off wont you?

Reflections of age

I don't know why I've struggled to start this blog.. I had so much fun.. I think I'm sad the party was all over so soon, and that's it for a whole year! But before I rehash the party (the pirate party, some of you may have heard about it) and the cool stuff we did I have some other stuff to reflect upon.

So my first born just turned 4.. Its strange how them getting a year older doesn't really hit you until the actual day and then its like where did the time go? and then in a matter of 2 weeks since his birthday Finally something has clicked and I have managed ( that's right me) I've taught my son 3 letters of the alphabet..
I've been concerned for quite a while that he was behind, and asking why wasn't he ''getting'' it? ( my besties daughter had long been able to read, recognize letters and names, and write names too) we read books together, we draw, and do the alphabet.. but for some reason now he gets it... Its funny cause right now he has full ownership of every m in existence. He sees the word smile on my wall on a banner and says mum that's my name- pointing to the m... I'm so proud..

His little friend just turned 3 only days after him... And he proudly( with some guidance)  wrote his friends name on the envelope.. Now he knows the letter A. And well I for ice-cream has sunk in too, and he does his little i's with the dots so very precise.

Also since turning 4 he now has to cut up his own food (we thought it was time he was allowed to use a knife) so he got a special new knife and fork set for xmas. I'm a big boy now he tells us, and will insist on doing it all himself until he is unable either through ability or tiredness kicks in.

I'm not sure if he's just started noticing how many cuddles his 1 year old brother gets, but of late he's been coming up and asking for a big cuddle.. He's really making me feel loved. I know its not his role to make me feel anything. But, he's been an independent little mite since the day he was born and then instantly became daddy's boy & only needed/ wanted me mum when he was hurt and or tired.. Its the bestest feeling to have your child consciously love you and want you.. He picks me flowers from the lawn (the few weeds around, he knows not to ruin mummy's garden by picking those flowers- see he's thoughtful) and he tells me he loves me. If he gives me 2 flowers that means he loves me 2 times!!!! Oh I'm cherishing these moments I assure you....

I hope to raise a thoughtful, respectful, hardworking, focused & genuine young man. Hmmn when I think about it, lots of traits like his daddy really :)

So I'm hoping next blog I Post will finally be about Memphis's 4th Birthday pirate party... More than likely not, I've had some inspiration for other posts of late.. Till then be sure to hug your wee ones tight and cherish every moment