Things I Discovered Because My Daughter Asks Lots of Questions

Four year olds are notorious for asking lots of questions and Noodle has more questions than most four year olds... or at least it feels that way to me. I like to encourage her zest for learning and in the rare event when I don't have all the answers or where I think something can be better demonstrated with pictures than words, we turn to the internet. In the process, I have discovered some interesting things too.

DO YOU GET SPECIAL WHEELCHAIRS FOR CHILDREN?

Noodle wanted to know more about children with disabilities and how they get around. We discovered that there are some super cool wheelchairs out there- so funky that Noodle wanted one too. I explained to her how privileged she is to have the use of her limbs and how much more precious this is than any wheelchair. You have to admit that some of these are pretty awesome though.

Picture courtesy of http://www.karmanhealthcare.com/blog/

Picture from www.friendshipcircle.org

Picture from pinterest.com

 

Picture from http://www.faceboat.org.au/stories/index/cool-wheelchairs-pimp-my-ride

WHY DO WE NEED MOSQUITOES?

We all know how annoying they are but surely there is some reason that we have them right? I was fairly sure they fitted somewhere into the food chain but was not quite sure why our ecosystem needs them. It turns out that they help filter algae from water. They are food for birds, bats and spiders and their larvae are great food for fish and other aquatic life.

HOW DO BEEKEEPERS GET THE HONEY WITHOUT BEING STUNG?

I partially knew the answer to this but Youtube is so much more descriptive, from the special protective suits to using smoke to prevent the bees from becoming agitated and stinging. Then, to actually get the honey out of the hive, the hive is spun in a centrifuge honey extractor which gets the honey out but leaves the hive intact.

FIRE RAINBOWS

Well she actually just wanted to learn more about rainbows but then we stumbled on this. How spectacular are these.

As per www.amusingplanet.com: 

" “Fire Rainbows” are neither fire, nor rainbows, but are so called because of their brilliant pastel colors and flame like appearance. Technically they are known as circumhorizontal arc - an ice halo formed by hexagonal, plate-shaped ice crystals in high level cirrus clouds. The halo is so large that the arc appears parallel to the horizon, hence the name.

Brightly colored circumhorizontal arc occur mostly during the summer and between particular latitudes. When the sun is very high in the sky, sunlight entering flat, hexagon shaped ice crystals gets split into individual colors just like in a prism. The conditions required to form a “fire rainbow” is very precise – the sun has to be at an elevation of 58° or greater, there must be high altitude cirrus clouds with plate-shaped ice crystals, and sunlight has to enter the ice crystals at a specific angle. This is why circumhorizontal arc is such a rare phenomenon"

WHAT DOES GOOGLE LOOK LIKE?

We explained that Google is not a person but she Googled this anyway. This came up with cool pictures of Google's headquarters- their pipe cooling system and funky offices.

IF THE EARTH IS ROUND AND SPINS, WHY DON'T WE FALL OFF?

Youtube explains gravity to a four year old way better than mommy ever could!

Our Favourite Toys for Toddlers and Pre-schoolers

Toys cost a fortune these days. As parents, we often wonder which are the best toys to buy, the ones that will last more than a few days without breaking, which our kids will not get bored of and which will benefit them in some way. 

This will of course vary from kid to kid, but here are some of the toys that, between Noodle and Squish, we have gotten the most use out of.

1. Any ride on toy

The single toy Noodle has used the most over the years is one of those cheap plastic push motor bikes. We bought one for her first birthday and she has been using it ever since. At the time, it was about R100 cheaper for a plain one than for one with cartoon character stickers on. We bought the plain one and personalised it with our own stickers, some fabric paint decor and even a personalised number plate. 

Noodle got a beautiful ride on car with all sorts of sound effects from family members which she used to enjoy and is now one of Squish's favourite toys. 

2. Building blocks

My mother kept our Lego blocks from when we were little and we have since added to this collection. The new ones fit perfectly into the thirty year old set and I have since discovered that the Megablocks brand of blocks are also good quality and fit into the Lego branded blocks. Around the age of two, Noodle went through a phase where this was the only thing she would play with. Squish loves them too, though we still stick to the bigger ones for him as they can be a choking hazard.

3. Peg board

Both kids love this peg board that my sister got for Noodle. The little ones press the pegs into the board to create the picture of their choice (either from the designs provided or their own). This is great for developing fine motor skills and allows them to explore their creativity. 

I only allow Squish to play with the bigger pegs as the smaller ones may be a choking hazard.

4. Anything that can be pushed or dragged 

Favourites in our household for both kids are toy trolleys, prams and wagons that can be pulled or pushed. Noodle takes it a step further, connecting all the toys she can to each other with string and towing them with her bike or car.

5. Disco-Robo 

This toy is not particularly educational, but it is the coolest techy toy ever and even the adults love it! This robot has a very good quality, built in MP3 player. You download your favourite music and Disco Robo dances to the beat. (It also responds to clapping and will dance to the rhythm of your claps). 

Disco Robo also talks and you can chat to it using a cellphone app (it will answer basic questions), or use your TV remote to enable additional functionality- extra dances, jokes and speech. There is an attachment that lets it spin on its head too.

What are your kids' favourite toys?

How to Survive Cold Winter Nights While Breastfeeding

Last year, when winter approached, I wondered about how I would survive the cold with boobies exposed for half the night without getting frostbite on my nipples (TMI? Sorry!). Okay, we don't exactly live in Antarctica but Johannesburg winters do often mean temperatures plummeting into the negatives overnight.

 I did not think I would still be breastfeeding by now, but somehow, I have found myself going through yet another winter breastfeeding through the cold nights, with my son. Last year this meant no blankets as he was tiny and I was afraid of smothering him, the same applies this year as  he is determined that nobody should be allowed the luxury of blankets or duvets (if he falls asleep he wakes up as soon as I try to cove him with a blanket). I thought I would share my night time  survival tips.

First of all, dress appropriately. If you have ever breastfed, you will know that clothing can pose a challenge as you need to wear clothing that allow baby to access the milky bar when needed. This gets even more complicated when it comes to pyjamas. Obviously, the starting point is a good nursing bra. Then, get some nice, warm breastfeeding pyjamas. I get mine from a place called Sleepy Sleepwear, who have a few branches and some agents who sell it too. The ones I have are made of a warm velvety material and has a slit that allows it to open up at the bra-line so that you can feed with minimal skin exposure. 

The problem is that I have only ever managed to find one set in a size small, so when that one is in the washing, I need to make a plan B. I know there are tutorials online for making your own ones, so if you are the resourceful type you make your own. (This will not work for me as I am useless at sewing). There is also another local brand called Peek-a-Moo, who do similar long-sleeved tops, but for now they only seem to do these in thin t-shirt material, which are awesome for day wear or as pyjamas  for when there is a slight chill in the air but not for very cold weather.

 I find that low cut winter pyjamas or those with zips or buttons help, but I hate having the top of my chest cold and exposed. So I add a wooly snood to the mix. Sexy turn on? Definitely not. Warm, yes! I have also heard of mommies who have turned to adult zip-down fleece onesies as breastfeeding pj's.

The next important thing is to keep the room that you will be feeding baby in warm (heaters,insulation etc).

Lastly, consider co-sleeping, if only for winter. Not having to get out of bed means conserving precious body heat.

If anyone else has useful tips to share, I would love to hear them. 

Exploring Jozi- Melville's New 27 Boxes

This morning we explored the newly opened 27Boxes in Melville, a unique shopping centre which replaced an old abandoned park with shops made up almost entirely of shipping containers.

If the thought of shipping containers makes you picture dark and dingy, think again, while it is of course very hipster (as expected for the very Bohemian Melville area), this development is also very chic and trendy. It is surprisingly light, airy and colourful inside, contrary to expectations.

The development has a good mix of stores, ranging from designer clothing, jewellery and homeware to flowers, candles and art pieces. Oh and there is food, lots of food, from quirky takeaway stores, deli's and coffee shops to quaint little patisseries and a home-made ice-cream store. This is a foodie's dream. As expected, there are also stores that cater for those seeking food of the organic, green variety.The sweet aroma of coffee, waffles, macaroons, cronuts and cupcakes wafting through the air made me wish that I was not fasting today. 

My two favourite stores were a baby store upstairs, which had very cute little formal outfits for boys (something that is hard to find) and Krag Drag, an eclectic store downstairs with funny t-shirts and all sorts of proudly South African ware. I loved the Marie biscuit scatter cushions and Black Cat peanut butter chairs.

There is an outdoor area with an amphitheater which will apparently be used for live performances. There is also a little play area above the amphitheater, which was a bit on the sad side but looked like they were still busy working on it.

A couple of minor complaints- the centre is not particularly wheelchair or pram friendly, I had to leave the pram behind in the basement parking lot (which is made of brick and concrete by the way) to navigate the steep staircases up to the shopping levels. I am happy to see parking in the area though- we often frequent Bambanani just across the road and I always battled to find parking on the road.

Also, most of the shops are a bit on the pricey side, but I guess this is to be expected given their bespoke offerings.

It seems like work was still being done in some areas so it will be interesting to see what things are like when everything is done. One thing is for sure, this is nothing like your typical Johannesburg shopping center. 

Where to find it: 4th Avenue, Melville (aka the famous '7de Laan').

(Disclaimer: this is NOT a sponsored post and I am in no way affiliated with 27Boxes.)

Introducing This Month's Featured Blogger Laverne Vermeulen

Her blog may have only been around for just over a week but this blogging mama is making waves. The astounding number of hits to her page pay tribute to this. Laverne Vermeulen is the mastermind behind Shell Shocked Mummy, a diary documenting her inspirational, no holes barred journey to adopting her precious angel Kennedy Gray. I love her witty but  honest style of writing- I have come across a rare few that have the ability to simultaneously tug at both your heart strings and your funny bone.

Her first post '2 failed adoptions, 1 dimpled baby, 0 regrets' introduces this journey, what led her and her partner Sergio down the adoption route, the tale of two adoptions that were not meant to be and ultimately being united with her dear little princess.

"This may be the most important post I shall ever write. It’s the story of how I reached destination motherhood.

Mine was never destined to be a boy meets girl tale. This I know, because I live a sitcom/dark comedy type of life. It’s just that dramatic! Simple was never going to cut it. God knows I can take a joke. So he sent me on the scenic route."

Mind you, she makes it cleat that you should not feel sorry for her- in contrast, by post two, she (almost)  makes us biological mommies feel jealous.

"There are some things that we can and should celebrate, the things that level the playing field some. The little bonuses that the fertility Gods have granted us. In case you haven’t thought of them. I have ever so kindly listed them for you.

1. I got to drink actual wine at my baby shower. No lame-ass juice for toasting. 1- 0 to the infertilites {new word}
2. No need for stretchy pants and that weird wrapping of my tummy after the birth. What? I have sisters and I have eyes.
3. I will say it again. My boobs are exactly the way they were before Kennedy came. Score!
4. Hormones. This needs no explanation.
5. Weight gain. This is a big one. No pun intended. No need for me to own extra “fat” clothes. I had done this before and it had nothing to do with pregnancy, there is NO way I am going back there.

I could go on and on but I really don’t want to start making fertile woman feel bad about themselves and jealous of me. That fate, my dear, is for a select few only."

If you have ever considered going the adoptive route, Laverne also gives some great insight into the process, how to make a great impression while applying and how the prospective adoptive mommy can get her rightful share of attention while she is 'paper pregnant'.

Picture from www.shellshockedmummy.com

What are you waiting for? Go check out her site!

Learning to Juggle... Work and Play

It's that time again, school/ creche holidays. That means I have both Noodle and Squish home with me all day. I love spending time with my kids, but I have a couple of extra challenges this time around. I recently had to let go of my domestic worker/ nanny (don't ask) and have not found a suitable replacement. This means no help with the kids (which I don't mind, except when I have screaming kids in the background while on business calls) and lots of extra cleaning, washing and ironing (my least favourite chore) on top of WAHM'ing (and blogging). We are also still fasting, so my energy takes a major dip by the end of the day.

I have learned to get the bulk of my work done in the mornings while Noodle is at school. Working around one child- challenging but doable. Working around two (one of whom asks questions non-stop) not as easy!

If you have read my previous blog posts, you will know that I enjoy doing activities with my kids (and Noodle has come to expect this over holidays). So I feel like I have been short-changing them a little bit and allowing them watch more television than they should, due to a lack of time on my part. 

Here is one very quick activity we have managed to get up to:

I let Noodle and Squish make their own banana lollies. Noodle proudly did it all by herself (see messy picture below) while Squish got a little help from me.

This is the 'recipe' we followed from one of the Dora the Explorer recipe books. Noodle used to be obsessed with Dora. This wore off for a little while, but after the Dora show at Nickfest, both Noodle and Squish are Dora obsessed now.

We replaced the ice-cream sticks with cinnamon sticks (mostly because I did not have ice-cream stick but I also think it will add a bit of flavour). I also let them add some colourful sprinkles as a special treat.

I have also gotten lots of colouring books and Lego blocks for both kids and jigsaw puzzles out to keep Noodle busy (except Squish keeps breaking her puzzles while she is busy, so I have to intervene).

 Hopefully I will find time for more fun activities soon. For now, on with the juggling.

The Work From Home Series- Getting Paid!

I haven't done a 'Work From Home" post for a while and though one is overdue.

Today I am going to discuss what might be the most crucial part of running any business, whether from home or anywhere else- actually getting your clients to pay you. After all your blood, sweat and tears in starting up a business, you do actually want to be paid for your work. 

If you do the work, obviously you will get paid for it, right? Wrong. Bad debt is one of the factors that is most likely to sink a small business. If your business is new, you might be slightly lenient with credit terms, hoping that this will help you build goodwill with clients. Unfortunately, when it comes to paying up, there are too many out there that are inclined to take advantage and this is one area that you can't afford to always play the nice guy- like that (slightly annoying) LunchMoney Lewis song goes... I've got bills I've got to pay... I've got mouths I've got to feed.

Here are some suggestions for making sure that you get your money in when you need it:

FROM THE WORD GO

The best way to ensure that you get paid is to make sure that expectations in terms of payment are made clear from the very beginning to avoid misunderstandings later on.

• Make sure you keep careful accounting records and that clients are invoiced straight away.
• Make sure that you are clear about any terms of supply of credit.
•  Do a credit check before providing credit to anyone- or at the very least for any big deals. 
• You can consider investing in debt collecting software.

WHEN A CLIENT FAILS TO PAY

You may have sneaky clients who try to withhold paying bills as long as they can so that they can benefit from interest derived. Perhaps they simply forgot to pay, payment was overlooked or there is some minor problem that can quickly be ironed over. Here are some steps that you can take while there is still room for giving your client the benefit of the doubt:

• You may want to start by sending a friendly e-mail reminding them that that payment is still outstanding and reattach your invoice and banking details for ease of reference.
• If they still don't pay, you may want to give them a phone call or even a visit for large sums outstanding. At my first job after university, we had a lot of bad debtors (which happened to be large corporate clients with plenty of money). My boss used to have me physically drive over to the clients for a courtesy visit, engage in chit chat, hand over some promotional material and then slip in a pile of invoices before leaving- sneaky but effective.
• If a client admits to having trouble paying due to financial reasons, you may want to work with the customer to come up with a mutually agreed payment plan- rather that than not getting paid at all!

TIME TO GET NASTY

• If the above does not work, you may need to hand the client over to a debt collection agency or an attorney. 
• In a worst case scenario, you may need to litigate to  get your money in. This will destroy any relationship with the client, but at this point they are obviously not the type of client that you want anyway. However, this should be a last case scenario as it can be time consuming and you will incur legal costs along the way.

Five Fun Things to Do with Old Broken Crayons

We recently found ourselves with the remains of many crayons from times gone by and went looking for ideas for things to do with all the stumpy remnants. 

Here are some ideas. For all of these, you will have to peel the paper off the outside of the crayon first.

1) With Eskom loadshedding you can never have too many candles. Our attempt at this was a bit of an aesthetic fail but Noodle loves her new candle. 

Peel the paper, divide into different colours and then melt down individual colours to make candles by pouring one colour at a time into an old jar (we used an old mayonnaise jar). Be sure to melt one colour at a time and let it cool as our colours mixed to make a giant pool of brown.

This is what it should look like (this is not what mine looked like): 

Picture courtesy of: http://adventures-in-making.com/diy-crayon-candles/

2) Heat up some rocks in the oven and then draw on the crayon (be careful with young children that this is hot enough to melt the crayon but not burn them). I have not done this one yet with my kids, but have gathered some rocks and hope to post the results when done.

See how here:

http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/26914/melted-crayon-art-using-hot-rocks

3)  Melt the crayons and place into silicone moulds to create fun, shaped crayons- like our little stars below.

4) Shave bits of crayon, pres between two sheets of paper and iron to create an abstract masterpiece. 

5) Tape a row of crayons to your canvas. Hold upright and heat with a hairdryer until it melts to create a beautiful creation. Example here (also on our to-do list):

http://blog.admissions.ucla.edu/tag/crayon-art/