Wordless Wednesday : Despicable Me

Guess who brought both iPad and Mini to Sydney ...much to his twin's - that was despicable - he did it on purpose attitude TOO.

J had 5 days with just my old iPod. Anyway, this Cheeky Minion had a Neurogenetic Clinic appointment at Westmead - for annual Neurofibromatois review. We encountered this big Minion in the corridor. Sam wanted this picture ! It is so HIM.

An InLinkz Link-up

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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

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Seat Kids Safe ~ {Giveaway} child car restraints

Giveaway brought to you by NRMA Insurance & Kidsafe Australia -Safety Campaign  -

This is NOT a Child Car restraint review !

Baby Car seats / child car restraints haven’t changed too much since we brought our eldest, adopted son, home as a 13 month old in 1994. We bought the best money could buy for our precious son and the baby shop fitted it.

The laws were not so strict about toddlers and preschoolers, but I was. I think our son was still in the same 5 point harness car seat till he started school at 5 yrs , then he went into a booster. I would not let friends take him for play dates unless they had a child restraint. When I worked we had a child restraint seat for each car.

The laws governing child car restraint have changed a few times over the last few years . While 90% people are aware of the current National laws for keeping 0-7 yr old restrained , their child car restraint seat may be, unintentionally, incorrectly fitted (Yes, some ignore it anyway) .

Last year , 70% of child car restraints inspected by Kidsafe needed an adjustment. I find it hard to believe and shocking that figure is so high. Four months ago we attended a professional check of car seats organised by our local council . We were surprised that we needed to remove the car seat retainer/locking clip. A Locking Clip normally helps ensure proper and effective car seat retention but wasn’t required in our case.

Making sure child restraints are exactly right can be tricky for parents to determine, so why not let Kidsafe do this for you, for free.

Dec 2007

One guy (a local car restraint professional) also said we didn’t need to bother with the restraints after they turned seven (a month ago). I am keeping them restrained as my twins are at only at 10%  (115cm) & 25% (118cm) height percentiles for their age - no where near the recommended 145cm. It is far safer and no trouble to keep them in correctly fitted child restraints, in my opinion.

I have had friends begrudge the money paying for car seat safety checks , even when it is for the safety of their kids. As well as grumbling about paying for new seats after a minor accident. 

A good friend works as a nurse in a busy Sydney Children’s hospital, Accident and Emergency, she was very vocal speaking OUT to our playgroup mums when she heard people talking about putting siblings 'out' of child restraints for a new baby and into booster seats or a seat belt. Tragically, she had seen children lose their lives due to incorrectly fitted seats or an absence of car safety restraints.

Fortunately, we rarely changed vehicles and still own the same car we bought the twins home in. Every time you remove seats or change cars you are advised to have them checked. When the twins were born we also purchased the best available at the time for 0-4 yrs (Given we also wanted them to last as long as safely possible). 

Sept 2011

We've had their child restraint seats professionally checked a few times over the years .The local hospital provided a free service 2-3 times a year to have a professional check car restraints. It was reassuring to drive away with the certainty that my children were seated safe. It took less than 10 mins a seat, for peace of mind for parents or carers .

Simple mistakes such as having the restraint at the incorrect height or a twisted harness may lead to a child being injured. When I was asked Tuesday for my assistance, in the form of a post, to help promote child safety when traveling in cars I was keen to participate.

A team working with NRMA Insurance and Kidsafe Australia have offered free restraint checking days in QLD and NSW . Encourage your friends and get the word out. Their goal is to educate parents and carers through these free restraint checking days.

They need your help in spreading the word to help keep children safe on our roads. Tell your family and friends to help spread the message about these important events to other parents and carers.

Parents can have their child restraints professionally checked and adjusted to make sure their children are seated safely – in just minutes and for free. 

GIVEAWAY

As part of the campaign I have Two child car restraints (rated three stars and above on the Australian Standards Restraint rating site: crep.com.au), as prizes to give away to my readership base:

• 1x 6 months – 4 years rearward/forward facing restraint (Safety 1st) 
• 1x 4 years – 7 years forward facing restraint (Infa-Secure) 

The seats will be delivered to the competition winners (one prize/one seat per winner)

Enter by leaving a comment telling me  ...

How do you keep children happy in the car ?

Terms and Conditions.

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 will be two winners - one seat per winner , please indicate in comments which seat you would prefer.
4. Entries - Open 8/8/2013 - Close 11.59pm 22/8/2013 AEST. The winners will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au after they reply - Winners have 7 days to respond or a new winner will be drawn.
5. The Prize is 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 or delayed in transit.
 
7. Subscribe to my blog  to receive MLDB updates.
8. Follow via Facebook or Bloglovin on the sidebar .

All opinions are my own.

The more parents who get their restraints professionally checked, the safer our children will be.

Winners : Katie P -  4 years – 7 years forward facing restraint (Infa-Secure)
Jody - Six Little Hearts  - 6 months – 4 years rearward/forward facing restraint (Safety 1st) 

Lego Ninjago - Temple of Light ~ Giveaway

Review and Giveaway

I received the 'awesome' LEGO Ninjago – Temple of Light to review with my six year old sons [actually 6yrs 8 months today] and I have 2 to giveaway. The arrival qualifying me for Mother of the Year !

My boys, like most of their classmates, love Lego Ninjago and watch the animated cartoon  so they know the cast of characters and their fancy names. The names Lord Garmadon and Sensei Wu roll off their tongues familiarly.

While I cannot get my head around them , they laugh and say try again.

Despite the age range being 8-14yrs Joel and Sam were able to construct the Temple of Light and The Golden Mech with minimal help in just over an hour. I was very surprised they hardly needed my help at all *sob*.

They each choose one thing to build and helped each other as well.They followed the Lego instructions - easily.

I watched them, to save the little Lego bits from being knocked to the floor and to talk about the characters while they they were building together. I am fortunate to have a genuine interest in something that my boys kids love to do. I love watching the figure and temple take shape and the intense concentration of their faces.

The final epic battle for the Land of Ninjago has begun! Take Sensei Wu and Lloyd, the golden ninja, deep into The Temple of Light. 

Sneak past Lord Garmadon and his minions to put the 4 elemental blades in place at the heart of the temple. Unite their elemental powers to awaken the Golden Mech for the final battle! 

Open the temple, jump into the Golden Mech's cockpit, arm yourself with the Golden Mech sword and fight for the freedom of Ninjago! Defeat Lord Garmadon !

This very impressive set Includes Golden mech and 5 minifigures with weapons: Lloyd (golden ninja), Lord Garmadon, Sensei Wu, scout and warrior

 

• Golden mech features poseable limbs, adjustable hat, cockpit with space for a mini-figure and a large golden sword.Golden mech stands 20cm tall

• Temple has opening and closing sides - clever little hinges , 4 elemental blade holders, trapdoor, weapons rack, gong and a ladder .

 

• Weapons include 4 elemental blades (fire, ice, lightning and earth), spear, ninja sword, 2 sai, crossbow with quiver, Lord Garmadon's staff, Sensei Wu's golden staff, katana and a golden mech sword. The weapons very important apparently.

The variety in the pieces available now (as compared to when DH & I were kids) is amazing. I am so impressed by the detail of this set.

PS : While I encourage creative thinking in free range Lego building I doing my bit to ensure they have ability to build from IKEA instructions in the future ...

You will be excited - I have 2 sets to giveaway thanks to

LEGO Ninjago – Temple of Light x 2 ($99.99 RRP each)

Tell me which is your child's favourite Ninjago character and why to win one of these awesome Lego packs ? 

I might get the little Ninja judges to help me on this one. 

Terms and Conditions: 

 
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 are two winners- 1 prize each of Lego Ninjago - Temple of Light prize as detailed above $99.95 each RRP.
4. Entries - Open 1/3/2013 - Close 11.59pm  18/3/2013 AEST. The winner will be notified by email, and posted to mylittledrummerboys.blogspot.com.au - the winners have 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 >>>>

Disclaimer : I received a  Lego Ninjago - Temple of Light set to review. No financial payment was received and all opinions are my own and my lucky Ninjas.

Congratulations to Ninjago Winners: 

Bec Sherman

Allison Tait  

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Toot Toot

Train enthusiasts/spotters, hanging and snacking !

 First Class Carriage all the way for us in private compartment {with a Lavatory nearby}...the others didn't know what they were missing. Though they probably heard and saw the double, double trouble ...with a third set of boy/boy twins from same kindergarten on the next carriage too)

Russell , the Kinder teddy from A's class was most unimpressed at being dangled out the window !

Father's Day Sept 2nd , 2012 , Steam Train Ride aboard the Heritage Express* 1928 Steam Train - 

Dubbo to Narromine - 

PS - Some of the same carriages were used on Cadbury's Joyville Train (Bottom right)

*This is NOT a sponsored post - it was great fun.

Lily was nominated in AMEX Great Service awards - in recognition of the service she provides for women at a very vulnerable time in their lives. 

So if you are on Facebook - Please Vote for Lily De Santis @ LilyBliss To You - Mobile Breast Prosthesis and Bra Fitting Service' In Home Services Category 
https://www.facebook.com/americanexpressaustralia/app_244455202324672 
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Wordless Wednesday ~ Six Skylanders

SIX -  'Birth'day Cake - 1 of 2

Happy birthday Skylanders Buddies - 

We did eventually have 2 cakes over 2 days . I also made make sure they each got their own Happy Birthday Song !

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Seven

Seven years ago  - we stood on the threshold - the IVF roller-coaster. I started the stimulation injections the next day, July 1st 2005 and I wrote my first blog post.

Today is a momentous day we (note plural) started our stimulation injections to grow the egg(s) that could become our maybe baby (or babies)

How could I have known one year exactly to the day later !

Six years ago ...we welcomed our little miracles to earth  part 1 and part 2.

Right in the middle of the World Cup at 35 wks and 4 days. 

Five years ago ... a double first birthday celebration
(PS : the photos disappeared off the post and the comments are hidden because of Intense debate)

not the box Mum !

Cute , wooly butts !

Four years ago -the tremendous twos 

Happy birthday Sammy

Happy Birthday Joel

Three years ago - well it was all about the cake !


Plus, I finally got around to making a video montage ...stay tuned for the next three years in a few weeks.




They are still my favourite songs - Let them be little - and Thank God for kids !

Two years ago ...then they were four.

This birthday, my husband was undergoing his own journey with cancer . He was 2.5 weeks into 6 weeks of radiation. It was a very quiet birthday this year.




One year ago -

I am so grateful for my cherubs , every day they are my reason for living. 

They bring magic to every day and sunshine in every smile.

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Wordless Wednesday ~ Little Rays of Sunshine

Love these smiles ... on Tractor mean for one !

From the archives ...can you believe they will be six in 5 days

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Wordless Wednesday ~ If you go down to the woods today ...

Off to teddy bears picnic

Win 2 x $550 Sony Playstation 3 Sorcery pack
Win KFC $30 voucher
Win Family Pass Sydney Eye Tower & Skywalk experience

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