Wordless Wednesday : All the Kings' men and two Queens.

Chess Club - bringing back the good old days when I went with my Dad who ran a local chess club for kids.

I just beat him with help !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Easter Favourites

Toasting marshmallows ...

Old tractor

Free Milo at Milo Bar #MILO80 ...can you believe Milo is 80yrs old

CAPTION THIS ?

A very busy day at the Easter Show !

An InLinkz Link-up

 ♥

Wordless Wednesday ~ Przewalski's horse foals

Przewalski's horse foal born February 2013 These two fillies were born just three days apart!

Western Plains Zoo -

Name the foal on their Facebook page - they were so cute and playful. #not sponsored I just love the zoo.

InLinkz ♥

SPC Fruit Product of the Year + {Giveaway} - closed

Blogvertorial for Digital Parents Collective and SPC

It is hard to believe we are already half way through term one. I was just as excited as my boys when we were invited to try  SPC Fruit Crush-Ups.

Over their preschool years we tried some of the packaged fruit tubs but they didn't work for us - they were messy (my kids) and they didn't finish the tub . I wanted to try SPC Fruit Crush-ups because they were voted Product of the Year for 2013.
 

The daily grind of  choosing healthy appealing items to pack in the lunch box is exhausting . I run out of ideas when the clock is ticking and we have to leave for the bus in 3 mins.

I'm fortunate my boys love fruit and help themselves whenever they want a snack at home . I encourage it , often we can be down to our last 2 apples and 1 banana before I've realised it. I can see SPC fruit crushups being a good back up in the pantry or anywhere on the go.

For school I pack 2 serves of fruit (one for fruit break and one for extra), one sandwich and a snack (decanted from a larger pack) and/or treat (home baked or not). It's a squish sometimes. Crushups slip in easy.

Some of my friends struggle to get their kids to eat and enjoy fruit. I can see these being very popular with kids as a fun, nutritious snack.


The pester power of six year olds is under-rated. They have asked to try a few of the pouched and packaged products and to date it has only been the occasional yoghurt.

We tested SPC crushups out on busy afternoons with after school activities too. Crushups are a satisfying snack for the kids when they have 5 mins between the school gate and the speech therapist or anytime, especially in the car. The resealable cap is a fantastic idea for kids on the go.

I tried them too , they are a fruit puree that taste good ...not that I would eat them regularly. Just saying...

It is reassuring that they are 99% fat free; contain no known allergens, no artificial colours or flavours and no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. Each portion controlled pouch, contains over half the recommended daily serve of fruit . Smooshed up or not - it counts.

They are available in 6 flavours for kids to enjoy: Mango, Banana, Mixed-Berry, Fruit Salad, Tropical and Strawberry {90gms $1.29}. Joel didn't like the strawberry one but loves Fruit salad and Tropical. Sam likes them all. They enjoyed them semi frozen too like a wholesome fruit slushee.

To be honest I'd rather know they were having a fun, healthy treat I chose instead of purchasing things I don't like at school canteen. I am sometimes reluctant to spend money on prepackaged snacks for school especially when I don't know if they will eat it. The Crushups retail for $1.29 RRP which think is reasonable and affordable.

To celebrate SPC Fruit Crush-Ups being voted number one by more than 10,000 consumers in the Product of the Year awards!

SPC is offering the chance for one reader to win a whole school term's supply of Fruit Crush-Ups. 

• 8 packs each of the 6 different flavours - 48 single servings to help you fill your lunch boxes (and hungry little human beings) 

 1. Only Australian Residents are eligible to enter.
2. Entries not answering the question will be deemed invalid. The winner will be chosen by originality and creative merit, not by chance. Judges decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

3.There is 1 winner- 8  x pack of the six flavours as detailed above ($61.92)

4. Entries - Open 5/3/2013 - Close   20 /3/2013 11.59pm AEST. The winner will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au - the winner has 7 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn. 

5. Prizes are not transferable, changeable or redeemable for cash.  

6. Prizes sent out by PR firm directly will not be replaced in the event that they are stolen, lost or damaged in transit.

7. Subscribe to my blog HERE to receive MLDB updates. 

8. Follow via Facebook or Google Friend Connect on the sidebar >>>>

•  To enter tell me your best or worse lunchbox memory ...

Linking with #IBOT

 Winner : Amanda from AMJ

 ♥

Grateful for Square Eyes

I am grateful for the heartache, headaches and hilarity in our daily lives. Sometimes (especially with teenagers) it isn't easy but it is still enriching and worth every minute.

I have lived through the deepest sadness of losing a child.I know God had a reason, I am still working that one out. I am grateful for her brief life, though it wasn't the joy we all imagine when we first see those two little lines.

I am grateful for my two little boys (and the bigger one).I find that the hardest part is looking at my little boys wondering would they be here if my little girl was.

I am grateful IVF gave us the chance to 'birth' living children. Sadly not everyone can share the joys children bring.
 

Playing a trick on me ... Joel comes to announce Sam has square eyes from to much TV, then says BIG YELLOW square eyes ...I paid no attention ...then he lead 'blind' Sam to me !

I am grateful for my children because they give me a reason to clean smile, laugh, live and play (and bake gingerbread people). 

I pray the 'great' 'full' ness doesn't diminish and on days when I feel jaded I can focus on all these grateful things.

I am grateful that no matter how bad things seem and when they press all my buttons and I lose my cool -  my precious children are forgiving and still kiss & hug me goodnight.

(The 5 drops from the other day ...they rushed out with umbrellas to dance in the rain. 

Yesterday, we got 18mm)

 I am most grateful for the 18mm rain we got last night and hopefully it will be followed by more rain.

This year I'm trying to consciously seek out moments of grateful, be it the mundane or a little bit of magic in my own life .

What are you grateful for today ?

 ♥

Wordless Wednesday - Life at the Zoo

More fun taking the kids to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo...we bought yearly pass but have only made it once and a bit !

Chillin'

Pity about ugly structures near the Giraffes.

See the cute baby Meerkat - I can watch them for ages.

 What is your favourite zoo animal ? 

Please visit others linking up in the same row as you , so everybody gets a visit and comments.
Win Playstation PS3 here
♥

DIY - bringing new life to your home + {giveaway}

I confess , I am totally a  novice when it comes to sewing. I love browsing home furnishing stores and textiles for inspiration to bring new life to my living spaces.

Recently I was invited to attend The IKEA 2013 Catalogue and Living with Textiles launch.It showcased an inspiring introduction into the creative and limitless world of Textiles. A highly covetable , collection of stylish home furnishings and textiles at very affordable prices.

Plus a host of neat ideas for even the least crafty among us ...like me ! (and I was pleased you can do many without a sewing machine* ) I was amazed how 'seamlessly' IKEA has transformed simple Textiles into unique, personalised and statement pieces.

 
I especially loved the Children's extraordinary havens of play ...when they are not supposed to be sleeping ! The Children's range of textiles is awesome.

Ceiling canopy

Do you think this will encourage you and spark your child’s creativity ?
Would you let them join you with textas,

I love the TIDNY Colour in fabric ! We have a bolt of it ready to colour once I get new textas.

 
paint, scissors, glue and an open mind to transform their spaces into extraordinary havens of play!
Or then again  DIY - all by yourself.

Fancy a Teepee par'tee or picnic ?

We have these little $5 stools, I bought a while back - now I can't wait to play textiles with them.

I loved the Polka dots.

The new exciting IKEA interactive app has lots of ideas too.Hold your Smart phone or tablet over the phone to unlock an interactive world that leaves no cushion unturned.

I have the opportunity to share the exciting world of IKEA textiles with you - with two gorgeous copies of the SY – Love For Textiles coffee table book as a giveaway for two of my lucky readers.

WIN THIS !

 

This beautiful book will make anyone a DIY pro, and expand the creative horizons of even the most crafty designers. 

I'm excited about using the ideas in the book to bring fresh ideas into my about to be renovated temporary home. Easy ideas like refreshing a sofa with new cushions or throws, tranquil tricks with quick bed - headboards and maybe a canopy and new curtains.

My style is simple and snuggly - I like comfortable pieces and with two lively boys I have to be creative , so the less expensive fragile items the better. I also like to be bold and a little adventurous ...in the bedrooms.

To enter and win tell me your style or what room or area needs a little inspiration in your home.I'll chose the most original answers . Easy !

Closes 24th October.
Australian residents only.

PS - *I do own a sewing machine and I have plans to learn to use it more.

This is not a sponsored post , I received some fabric to colour in and I received a Book at the launch and the PR will be sending two two winning readers SY – Love For Textiles coffee table book.

Linking in with Jess @ I blog on Tuesday even though I published 8pm Monday.

♥

Up and down , Get up !

Yesterday, was a very long day we left home at 6am to travel to Sydney for my last review appointment. We arrived home at midnight. I felt for my husband.

Up and down the emotional rollercoaster the highways and by-ways is physically, emotionally and mentally exhausting - the round trip is 700km /10hrs... I wasn't driving. It's a relief my next treatments will be 15mins from home. 

The Oncology review clinic was running 2hrs late - we exited our 10:45 appointment at 1:30pm. We saw Dr #1 at about 12:45pm for 10 mins, then waited 15 mins in between to see the Oncologist for 10mins.

It was all good with nothing new to be learned. They don't even examine me. I'm not not complaining , just saying I'm glad we had another reason for the trip down to Sydney.

When you arrive you wait in big 'muster' waiting area before being 'drafted' in smaller waiting rooms down the corridor or waiting for your beeper to go off saying they are ready for you in Chemo or in Radiation.

I'm  a little bit thankful appointments were late, because I got to briefly catch up with my 'old playgroup' friend, A. She was diagnosed with Breast cancer a month prior to my diagnosis. A was there in big waiting area, waiting to be beeped for her chemo as the chemotherapy treatment clinic was also running very late.

We chatted about our eyebrows (or lack thereof ) , dark painted nails , diets & cancer food and positive ways of coping , as you do... In the 'quiet 'crowded waiting room I'm sure everyone was aware of us.


Not everyone looks sick , though you can easily spot the cancer patient from carer usually by the head gear or the ones gently guiding frailer looking older people . Some people talk in hushed voices, guarding their 'personal' and emotional space. They just stare ahead at the TV, their phone or iPad or old magazines. Styrofoam cups of tea, coffee and 'plastic' biscuits are available if you like.

Sitting there you feel such a strong range of emotions ; anticipation, anger (One lady was very 'agro' because the clinics were running so late) , hope, sadness, even boredom ... mirrored in the sea of faces that surround you. Though now the chairs are banked, fixed in rows and close together instead of around the walls you don't make so much eye contact.

This morning I was feeling down, as well as tired and cold (yes it's blowing a gale with wild weather here as everywhere). I'm grateful my SIL who minded our little boys, at the other farm due to our late return, was putting them on the school bus.

I couldn't summon the emotional energy to get up. I'm don't exactly feel depressed, in fact  I feel physically better this week. Some days are better than others. I think it is returning to the Dr's office and talking about cancer that reminds me of my diagnosis and the interruption that cancer has caused to our life.

We also visited our old home for 15 mins , it's empty (tenants vacated), while still filled with memories ...not to mention clean carpet, my big kitchen , my roses , a lush green lawn and our old life.I still love the farm, our 'homely shed' and living here. Just sometimes it feels lonely and isolated here. I miss my friends.

Eventually, I stumbled out of bed at 11:30 am , only after my darling hubby made me tea and toast in bed, then lit the fire and went off to borrow firewood from the neighbours ; ).


 

I happened upon this song - I like it ! GET UP !

I'm a bit fired up now by the song and the fire.Though going back to bed is still inviting ...did I mention it's cold , grey and blustery and my hammock is like a parachute in the wind. 


Do you ever feel like you just want to stop and catch your breath ?
Would you like to hit pause, lay low and stay in bed all day ?

♥

Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery on 1 April ~ Giveaway

A few years after I had moved out of my parent's home they had a kitchen fire (yes it was the CHIPS - and I think they disagreed on who left it on the stove ) - they had extensive internal damage to their kitchen , smoke and water damage to the rest of the house. They had to move out for over 6 weeks for repairs and cleaning.

wikipedia - not my parent's

They were lucky, no one was hurt and luckier still the local fire station was less than 2km away, so they arrived in minutes. It was frightening, hearing how quick the fire took hold at their home.

One day 6-7 years ago - I left meat pies cooking in a microwave convection oven where we worked, in the kitchen . I went outside to do something while it cooked. I suddenly heard the smoke alarm beeping madly ...both of us ran inside - the pie/maybe it was foil were alight inside the microwave - totally stuffed it too ! but  thankfully nothing worse happened than we also lost our lunch ! The smoke alarm had alerted me and I screamed for my husband !

In one of my jobs I regularly dealt with families who had loss everything due to fires and needed emergency accommodation in caravans on their properties for months, and even up to year.

When I was asked to post about changing your smoke alarm battery - I didn't hesitate for a minute.

By coincidence my husband had just installed three new smoke alarms. There where previously none , after I nagged asked him to do it - minutes hours before he had to travel to Sydney to work for 4 days.

NSW households (well everyone should)  are now being urged to revisit fire safety procedures as new research released by Duracell* reveals that 97% of Australian homes surveyed are not following the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) recommendations around home smoke alarms.

Australian fire services together with long-term partner Duracell, are advising residents to change their smoke alarm battery when they change their clocks – on Sunday 1 April, 2012 – in the lead up to this winter fire season, a high fire risk time.

"This weekend, when you change your clock at the end of Daylight savings, change your smoke alarm battery and make time to map out a home escape plan with your family" said Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins.

The Duracell Fire Safety Survey of Australian women aged 25-44 years old revealed:

• over half of women do not know that a spark can become a life threatening blaze in less than 3 minutes....about the same time as cooking a piece of toast  

• 68% of those surveyed either don’t know or don’t follow the recommendations for changing smoke alarm batteries,

• 58% don’t know how to correctly test whether smoke alarms are working and 95% don’t know how often to test them

•  Two thirds of homes surveyed are not changing their smoke alarm batteries yearly, as recommended by Australian fire services.

•  Nearly a quarter of mums believe their children know more about fire safety than they do ???

•  82% of working women have a fire escape plan at work, but only 11% have a planned and practiced one at home. 

• In most households surveyed (55%) the plan is simply to get out as quickly as possible ; 17% don’t have a fire plan at home because they have never thought about it 

•  Most married women claim their husband needs a reminder to prompt him to change batteries in the smoke alarms in the home. In most cases it’s the ‘low battery’ beep sound that acts as a reminder, but more husbands respond to a reminder from the wife (18%) than no prompting at all (9%).

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said, "Smoke alarms provide an essential early warning in the event of a fire, giving you time to evacuate safely – but only if they work. This is particularly important for people living in remote or rural locations who need to consider the time it may take emergency services to reach them.#"

 

#This is particularly important to us now living 20 mins out of town. We also have a fire extinguisher up on the wall.

Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service and Duracell recommend YOU:

1. Test your smoke alarm (by pressing the ‘test’ button) once per month to ensure the battery and the alarm sounder are operating and clean with a vacuum cleaner annually to remove particles that will affect smoke alarm performance
2. Replace the battery annually with a long-lasting 9V alkaline battery
3. Install smoke alarms in positions that will wake all occupants in the home and give them time to evacuate. For example,installing the alarms outside each sleeping area, with additional smoke alarms installed inside bedrooms where doors are closed at night and along evacuation routes if bedrooms are located upstairs.
4.  Develop a home escape plan and practice it regularly. 

Especially practice with your children - at school my boys they had a safety day 2 weeks ago. They came home to tell me what they had learned . The RFS visited the preschool last September too.

This weekend take 10 minutes and have a fire drill with your family. Teach them to feel for heat at the door before opening, stay low to the floor because apparently smoke kills more people than fire, etc -  this weekend a Fire Plan is top of my list. {Hubby & I have talked about it because we have both doors at the front away from the bedrooms and only have windows to exit from...we need to make sure the kids know}

A working smoke alarm is your best defense against fire so when you Change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery on 1 April  !

For more information on the recommendations for smoke alarm usage and home escape plans visit
www.changeyourbattery.com.au

To locate your nearest fire station go to www.fire.nsw.gov.au/contact
For NSW RFS please click here.

* Research was conducted nationally by Galaxy Research, on behalf of Duracell, in January, 2012. A total of 1265 women between the ages of 25 – 44 were surveyed

Did I mention our 18yr son is now training as a Fire technician (?I think it is his title) he inspects Fire extinguishers, equipment and fire safety systems at business premises. Now the twins also want to be fireman :).

 The GIVEAWAY -  NOW CLOSED

One winner will receive:

-        Duracell Fire fighter bunny, valued at $60

-        A smoke alarm, valued at $20

-        Colouring in posters, magnets, and temporary tattoos. 

-        Duracell AA Batteries (for the bunny), valued at $10

-        Duracell 9V Batteries (for the smoke alarm), valued at $10 

-        Fire Brigade Kids – an Activity and Colouring in Book – valued at $7.95

Australian residents only

Closes 10th April 2012

To enter -

Tell me how your family is fire prepared ?

Winner - Belinda 

♥