The problem was Maeve’s birthday cake. She'd made a choice from the Women’s Weekly Kids’ Cakes book; a castle. This wasn't a square cake with four upturned ice-cream cones as turrets either. No. The one she wanted had ornate gates made from icing piped onto baking paper and left to set before standing at the grand … Continue reading The birthday cake that kept on giving
School holiday highs and lows
Now I get it when parents say how excited they are about school holidays arriving and then how excited they are about school going back. This two-week break since Easter has been the first of the school holidays that we’ve had (since Elsie only started school this year). And I loved the first week. It flew … Continue reading School holiday highs and lows
Is my toddler lonely if she has an imaginary friend?
Sometimes your child says or does something really good (like winning an award at school for always using her manners) and you can’t help but credit your parenting. Like when the Goal Attack tries not to smile as she jogs back to her position after shooting a goal. But for every action there is an … Continue reading Is my toddler lonely if she has an imaginary friend?
When your 2yo can think on the spot better than you
Maeve has given herself permission to have one dummy in her mouth and one in her hand during the day. ‘We’re playing babies,’ she tells me when I remind her that dummies are (strictly) for bed. She quickly crawls across the lounge room floor towards Elsie and says, ‘Wah, wah.’ ‘You’re a big girl, Maeve,’ … Continue reading When your 2yo can think on the spot better than you
This is going to be good
I keep seeing drawings and crafty creations around the house that suddenly seem like they were done by a little kid. And stepping off the bus this afternoon will be a big kid. Will she be the same? Will she still love to make fun from nothing and curl up on my knee when she’s … Continue reading This is going to be good
Act because you need to act
Sometimes I grab a notepad or turn on my AlphaSmart and then turn to Anthony and ask, “What should I write about?” You know when your child sits poised with a red texta and the back of an A4 sheet of paper that’s printed with the last few terms and conditions of a flight you … Continue reading Act because you need to act
Who needs a treadmill?
When Elsie was 18 months old, we took her back to Townsville. Part of it was having the holiday we never had when she joined us 16 weeks early on the first day of our trip, and part of it was walking The Strand in a whole different state of mind. She walked along The … Continue reading Who needs a treadmill?
Advent calendar or not, the countdown is on
Is anyone else ticking things off their calendar like it’s a relief? ‘Oh thank goodness, we can tick that one off.’ Is that how I want to teach our girls to live their lives? Everyone’s talking about it. December is crazy when it comes to functions, break ups, Christmas parties, Christmas drinks, as well as … Continue reading Advent calendar or not, the countdown is on
The things our kids teach us
Earlier this year, Elsie said she didn’t need to go to school next year because she already knew everything. I hoped she wasn’t paraphrasing something she’d heard me say. At the time and since, I did my best to explain what school is and what she’ll learn and the fun she’ll have. Thinking back to … Continue reading The things our kids teach us
Writing by Larissa Patton 