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Born to Party!
CAROUSEL ICE CREAM Carousel Ice Cream has been operating in Melbourne since 1993. All the ice cream is made on-site using as many local ingredients as possible. As well as ice cream, Carousel also offers frozen yoghurt and gelato. Carousel Ice Cream can make a stunning ice cream cake for your child's birthday, working with you to pick the perfect size, flavour (there are over 40 to choose from) and design. The cake is then crafted carefully, just for your child. Excitingly, Carousel is also able to host children's birthday parties at their shop in Bayswater North for an event crammedfull of ice-creamy delights! YOYO'S AND INFLATABLE WORLD Inflatable World is the most exciting, high energy party venue in the Knox area. Every weekend the Knox Indoor Sports Centre is transformed as countless play spaces such as obstacle courses, slides and jumping castles are inflated
to fill the room. Book your child's party here and you can enjoy watching their happy faces and laughter as they run, jump and bounce over the different equipment, all under the careful watch of supervising staff. Hosting your child's birthday at Inflatable World is easy - just turn up and decorate your allocated party table. We can provide the party food for you or you can bring it yourself. Our cafe serves hot drinks for the adults and you can pre-order platters of food and even an ice cream cake from our friends at Carousel Ice Cream if you wish. At Inflatable World, we can pretty much guarantee smiles all round! REPTILE ENCOUNTERS Why not do something a little bit out of the box for your child's next birthday party? Kids are usually pretty excited come birthday time, however if they know there's going to reptiles coming this goes to a whole new level!
Reptile Encounters have recently
PH: 1300 760 354
Open Daily
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built an exciting party space perfect for hosting kids birthday parties. So, for parents who are hesitant to have kids running around the house, we now have the perfect alternative.
Reptile parties are a unique idea for kid's birthdays. Not only will the children experience something different, but they are guaranteed to be entertained. Imagine getting to hold a crocodile or snake on your birthday and get up close to a range of native fauna. Parents can sit back while a trained wildlife professional keeps their kids engaged and entertained for an entire hour.
Josh from Reptile Encounters has been providing these parties for over 12 years. "It's great to see the kids really engaging with our wonderful animals because they are the wildlife ambassadors of the future," says Josh. ANIMALS ON THE MOVE Looking for a hands-on, fun and
educational experience for your child's party?
We offer animal learning experiences, animal care programs and educational pet parties. Our aim is to increase children's appreciation and awareness of animals and promote a connection with nature.
Why not invite all your friends to a farmyard party? Our farmers for the day can help your children with handling and feeding the animals. We can take the stress out of your child's big day. We offer the whole experience, you can even play our 'Pin the Tail on the Piggy' game! Animals on the Move's Party Pets 2U aims to help educate children about animals and their well-being, while they enjoy the benefits of their company. Cuddle Babies is perfect for parties, shopping centres and public events due to its smaller animal pen set-up with cuddle bunnies, ducks, chickens and guinea pigs. hild's
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Wide range of Ice Cream Birthday Cakes Including our famous `Marble Crunch’ cake
U Premium Ice Cream U Low Fat Frozen Yoghurt U Zero Fat Gelati U Crunchy Shakes U Gourmet Ice Cream cake U Milkshakes U Low Fat Smoothies U Mountain Ice Cream Mon – Thurs 9.30am – 9.00pm | Fri & Sat 9.30- 10.00pm F2 – 3/96 Canterbury Rd, Bayswater Nth PH: 9720 2911 | www.carouselicecream.com.au | Sunday 10.00am – 9.00pm
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Team Zakharia, Ninja Warrior's first married couple.
A ninja obsessed family
By Rachel Hickingbotham
DUE to his busy work commitments as a school vice principal, Ziad Zakharia had precious little time available to train, so he watched every single episode of American Ninja Warrior to study the competitor's technique.
Wife Amanda, on the other hand trained intensively at a kid's ninja course at a Melbourne play centre as there was no specialised ninja training centres around at the time.
Amanda finds it amusing that her husband - who is vice principal at Fran Dando Sports Acadamy at Ashwood - got all the way to the end of the course because he had studied the technique. Unfortunately, she didn't make it as far as her husband 'Zak' because although she had the physical strength, she didn't know the correct techniques.
After competing on the show, Amanda says that they "got a huge bug for all things Ninja".
Although they did not manage to get all the way to the final of Ninja Warrior, they were determined to continue to perfect their ninja skills. So much so, that they ordered a 'Warped Wall' for Christmas that year and put it in their front yard.
From there, the entire front yard was gradually filled with all manner of ninja obstacles. Not just a climbing frame with a mini-tramp, but a full blown course that they trained (and played) on every day. In total, they were able to create 30 obstacles all on their property. "It looks like a steel jungle," laughs Amanda.
Outdoor gym equipment is not new to the Zakharia kids, 11-year-old Zane and 7-year-old Ariana. Their mum had already converted their backyard into a personal training studio including gym and pool for added water-based training.
Both kids have also become incredibly skilled after the family started their own home business, a mixed martial arts class with boxing, kickboxing and, of course - Ninja.
Since 2017, 'Ninja' has become a sport in its own right with the formation of the Ninja Challenge League (NCL) following in the footsteps of the Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association (UNAA) in America. In Australia, adults and kids can compete in a national competition called the Ninja Warrior Challenge. The kid's part of the event called Ninja Kids is entirely dedicated to children and is run within the rules of the UNAA. In this event, kids compete to be the fastest through a gymnastic course, which includes balance and speed obstacles, swinging, tumbling and parkour. The UNAA combined with other Ninja Associations around the world are now lobbying for the sport to become part of the Olympics.
Earlier this year, Amanda and Zak joined forces with fellow Ninja, expert rigger and stuntman Luke Ha to set up their own fully equipped, custom built Ninja training facility. Now that's big leap from 'front yard ninja'.
KEEP IT LOCAL – THE BEST ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS IN YOUR AREA
TENNIS COACHING JON’S TENNIS ACADEMY Venues: Glen Waverley | Rowville | Devon Meadows/ Narre Warren
Choose from HOT SHOTS – For childr en aged 3-11 Learn with modified equipment in a fun filled environment SQUADS – For children aged 11+ Further your skills in a group environment GLITTER GIRLS – For girls aged 3-18 Encourage girls to participate in sport and boost confidence HOLIDAY CAMPS – For childr en aged 3-18 For ALL abilities with fun activities during the holidays Includes prizes and medals! CARDIO TENNIS A fitness based FUN tennis program run with music Pedometers are used to calculate steps 12443151-SG12-20
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Classes for ages 18 months - Adults Ballet|Jazz|Tap|Hip Hop|Lyrical Contemporary|Acro|Performance Group Classes held in Mount Waverley dancer@studiod.com.au Ph 0490 366 136 www.studiod.com.au
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Ninja siblings just hanging around, Zane and Ariana Zakharia.
Junior Ninjas Zane and Ariana Zakharia.
Mother and daughter Ninjas, Amanda and Ariana on the ninja course in their yard.
The benefits of family camping Camping can bring families closer together.
By Rachel Hickingbotham
IT has now been proven that campers are happier and less stressed than those who don't go camping. According to a study carried out by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA), campers say that camping makes them closer to their partner and kids, more grounded and more in touch with nature as well as feeling healthier. As a parent who likes to camp, I have to agree. When we are happier and more relaxed, our whole family benefits.
Here are four reasons why you should take your kids camping. Don't worry, if you have never been camping before or don't have enough equipment, we have a genius tip for you at the end of this article. 1. You will become closer as a family The CIAA study found that 93 per cent of campers believe camping brings families closer together . Putting up tents, making food together, collecting wood and cleaning up are all team jobs when you are camping. These little tasks are rarely left to one person when camping and when many hands come together, families can enjoy each other's company.
When you are away camping, there is less to do than a usual busy weekend of sport, social events, home and garden duties. Free time like this is precious and can encourage more chatting and spontaneous activities like card games or walks. Anna Carmichael from Go Camping Australia website and blog comments that this time together "can make some children learn to get along with each other." 2. You will be reminded about the joy of natur e Waking up and being outside straight away is extr emely rejuvenating. Many of us spend way too much time indoors these days and kids have become less
Being outside will encourage kids to be active in ways they may not at home.
confident about the world around them. A UK study showed that less than 20 per cent of children climb trees these days. We don't know the figure for Australia, but many will agree that our kids are outside exploring less that we did as kids.
Apart from the fresh air, being outside will encourage kids to be active in ways they may not at home.
"When you get up in the morning and depending on your campsite, there is a world of possibilities. Hiking, canoeing, playing in a creek, collecting firewood, climbing trees, clambering over rocks and playing hide and seek. If you have brought your bikes, riding on dirt and over bumps is so much more fun - all that new territory to explore, says Anna.
"Just remember to have some snacks ready; exercise and fresh air makes kids hungry!" 3. You will be surprised by the simplicity "Not many of us probably sit in our backyar ds at night and look up at the sky with our children - there is always something to do around the house, or something to see on TV. When you are camping, sitting around looking up at the stars is something you can do. Sit with your children, and be amazed at the stars above you, the tranquillity and the clean air. Telling tales around the campfire and seeing children mesmerised by the story (and not their Nintendo DS) is priceless!" says Anna.
A change of scenery itself can be a mood booster for everyone and inspire your family to enjoy the simple things. Find a creek, take your shoes off and paddle, practise skipping stones or have 'leaf-boat races'. It's amazing how having less toys and devices around can inspire simple play. We should not underestimate just how much fun a child can have outdoors. Once they are away from the wi-fi, the world can open up to them. Playing in a creek can be one of life's pure joys and not just for the kids! Join them in building a small dam and watching the water changes paths and see how far that leaf boat can go. 4. You will (all) learn something Camping is a great way to teach kids about their envir onment, animals, bugs, rock formation and any other knowledge you can share. They can also learn some amazing life skills such as meal preparation which they may
not engage in at home as well as building fires and setting up camp. Perhaps you or someone in your camp can teach a skill like fishing, chopping wood or orienteering. For some, their biggest lesson might be what to do without screens and wi-fi (that goes for adults too!).
Other lessons can come from the experience of problem solving. We have had many 'learning opportunities' while camping like the night we had to come up with make-shift repairs to a broken tent pole. My husband and son came up with a wooden spoon and gaffer tape solution and still laugh about it now. When kids are involved in problem solving, their leadership skills and creative thinking can come out in surprising ways. Embrace that and don't be too quick to take over.
Camping hack for first time campers Perhaps you don't have enough camping gear or have no idea where to start. Don't let the lack of gear or confidence in how to pitch a tent get in the way of giving you and your family a camping experience. There are a number of websites that now that let you hire a caravan or camping equipment, and many will show you how to use it. Just hop online and search for businesses near you.
Lastly, we would like to acknowledge other families in our regional areas, who have suffered from drought and fires this summer. We suggest taking a camping trip to these regions, and not only have a fun holiday but also support these small towns and regions who are doing it tough. Search #emptyesky for inspiration on how you can support local farms by stocking up homegrown and homemade goodies on your way home.
Thank you to the family camping experts at www.gocampingaustralia. com. Check out their website for some awesome activities with kids and other camping tips.
Busting pelvic floor myths
By Eliza Henry-Jones
WHEN I am eight months pregnant, I can still simultaneously manage to sneeze and not pee. This, in late pregnancy, is regarded as a sort of miracle.
"Enjoy those muscles while you've got them!" a family friend advises me.
Other friends tell me that I'll definitely wet myself the first time I ride my horse after having a baby. I am, quite rightly, terrified.
Pelvic weakness is too often normalised following pregnancy and birth - particularly traumatic, vaginal births. But we have much more control over our recoveries than we think.
I spoke to Jen Vardy, a mother of four and physiotherapist with a keen interest in women's health, about the misconceptions surrounding pelvic floor health and what we can do to keep ourselves strong.
The first thing we talk about is time. Our bodies take a while to heal. Often, our bodies can still be healing up to two years after giving birth. This shocks me. I had, like so many other mums, assumed that my body would spring back within a matter of weeks after birth.
"Education is a big part of an appointment," Jen tells me. "We screen for any issues that may be there and that screening includes comprehensive birth history, prior obstetric history and also encompasses fluid and dietary intake that can influence bowels - touching on lots of sticky subjects!" Jen laughs.
One myth that Jen encounters regularly is that there is no point visiting a physiotherapist before the typical six-week postpartum check-up. While it's unlikely that a physiotherapist will do an internal examination earlier than six weeks due to the risk of infection, it is an opportunity for concerns to be addressed, an initial program planned out and mums getting information on pelvic floor health and perhaps beginning some gentle exercises. "During the six week post-natal check, with either your GP or your obstetrician, the focus is widespread - baby, feeding, PND risk and mental health screening, scar or stitches. "It usually does not include a check of your pelvic floor. I think that's why it's important that we start to normalise a pelvic floor check for all women post-natally."
Examinations with a physiotherapist after the six-week mark can generally be either internal or external.
"There is an option to assess pelvic floor using a real-time ultrasound but that doesn't convey information about muscle tone and strength. We can see if someone is activating or not, but can't assess the strength of the muscles," Jen explains.
"Another thing you miss is if there has been any tissue stretch or potential for prolapse. But the ultrasound is an avenue if someone doesn't feel comfortable having an internal. "
Alarmingly, most women don't know how to activate their pelvic floor muscles - a vital skill for any sort of pelvic floor strengthening.
Jen tells me about recent research that found between 60% and 70% of women will incorrectly activate their pelvic floor when given written instructions on how to do it. "This is some of the feedback we can give to mums during an internal exam," Jen explains.
"Whether they're correctly using those muscles."
Another misconception that Jen frequently encounters is the idea that muscles will just improve on their own. "Natural recovery will see them improve. However, why don't we encourage all women to get as strong as they can?" Jen points out.
Jen finds the work she does incredibly rewarding.
"I love working with pre-natal women, to maintain fitness, to deal with issues like pelvic girdle pain and lower back pain that may occur during pregnancy and that also gives me the opportunity to plant to seed to strengthen pelvic floor before baby arrives," Jen says.
"What the body's going through is such a massive thing and we're so lucky to be able to go through this journey and while it can put our body under pressure, it's an amazing thing."
Gut bacteria linked to anxiety in kids
GUT bacteria might predict a child's risk of future anxiety, according to a new study.
Researchers believe children with a lower amount of Prevotella when they are one-year-old are more likely to have anxiety-like behaviours, including shyness, when they turn two.
More than 200 children took part in the Barwon Infant Study that tested their poo samples at one-month, six and 12 months of age as well as their behaviours at two years.
They found those with lower instances of the bacteria at 12 months of age were more likely to be shy, sad and showed indications they may be a higher risk of going on to develop childhood anxiety.
Study leader Professor Peter Vuillermin, from Deakin, Barwon Health and MCRI, said the study found less Prevotella in children who had recently taken antibiotics.
"Growing evidence supports the idea that antibiotics, poor diet and other factors in the modern world are leading to the loss of our traditional gut bacteria, and in turn, health problems," he said. "There is intense interest in the relationship between gut bacteria and brain development, but most of the evidence has come from experiments in mice. This is one of the first human
studies to compare the composition of baby's gut bacteria to subsequent behavioural outcomes."
In previous cross-sectional studies Prevotella abundance has been associated with both autism and Parkinson's disease.
The research team now hope to build further evidence to consider Prevotella as a gut bacteria key to both identifying health risk, and potentially, as an intervention to improve health outcomes.
"One day we could get to the point where we can look at a child's poo at 12 months, and if they are showing levels of bacteria that put them into a high-risk category for anxiety we can offer an early intervention," Dr Amy Loughman said.
"This might be a supplement of Prevotella or other bacteria, or it could be in the form of behavioural and family support to bolster their psychosocial environment. But we need to get more research behind us before we can reach that point."
In the meantime, parents are encouraged to follow Australian dietary guidelines and feed children a diet high in fibre, including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and to work with their doctor to minimise the use of antibiotics.
Health Tips on healthy eating from Susie Burrell
By Eliza Henry-Jones
PREPARING healthy food for your children - whether they're just starting solids or jetting into the teenaged years - can be difficult.
Susie Burrell, one of Australia's most well-known dieticians, knows all the tricks in the book for getting kids to engage with healthy eating habits. Turns out, we need to start by focusing on what we're eating, particularly when we're around our children.
"The most powerful thing parents can do is model healthy eating behaviours themselves," Susie says. "Next, only keep the healthy foods at home that you want your kids to eat and enjoy family meals together as often as possible."
Anyone who spends time with toddlers will probably know one (or 50!) who just love white food - rice, bread and pasta.
Susie, an ambassador for healthy spread brand Mayver's, notes that these sorts of foods are very easy to overeat and don't have much nutritional value. So what foods are important for fussy toddlers?
Susie recommends a focus on nutrient rich lean proteins such as oily fish like salmon, which is very important for omega 3 fats, lean red meat for iron and then at least two serves of brightly coloured vegetables such as peas, spinach, carrots, sweet potato or beans every day.
"Offer these foods at 1-2 meals each day to ensure optimal nutrient intake," Susie advises.
"And then add some dairy, wholegrain carbs such as wholemeal bread and good fats like avocado and 100% Mayver's nut spreads, where there are no allergy concerns in the family." It can sometimes take 7-10 introductions of a new food before a
Banana Nut Bites Recipe by Susie Burrell • 2 mashed bananas • 1 cup Mayver's Peanut Butter • 1 cup oats shredded coconut
METHOD: 1. Blitz bananas, peanut butter and oats together in food processor 2. Roll into balls then roll in coconut to cover 3. Put in fridge for two hours to set Notes: For a chocolatey twist, add some cacao powder or substitute regular peanut butter for Mayver's Organic Peanut & Cacao Spread.
child will accept it.
Parents can help though. "Make the foods taste and look appealing," Susie says. "Let the kids see you eating new foods and as long as kids eat a few different vegetables and types of fruit, it doesn't matter if they don't eat everything you offer.
It's important to let children make a mess with their food, particularly when they're very young and experimenting with new tastes and textures.
Susie also recommends setting firm boundaries around food. One mistake Susie notices parents making is encouraging fussy eating.
"Giving kids too much choice and letting kids snack too much so they refuse to eat their main, nutrient rich meals," Susie points out.
Eat the sorts of healthy, nutrient rich foods you'd love your kids to eat, sit down together for meals and enjoy the family time.
Some easy, healthy recipes that parents can make with their toddlers
Leading dietician Susie Burrell at home.
■ https://www.lifestylefood.com.au/ recipes/24450/susie-burrellssandwich-sushi ■ https://mouthsofmums.com.au/ recipe/banana-ghosts/
■ http://www.shapeme.com.au/blog/ balanced-breakfast/
■ https://www.girl.com.au/banananut-bites.htm
Scientists working on peanut allergy vaccine
RESEARCHERS at the University of South Australia are working to develop a vaccine to cure potentially lifethreatening allergies to peanuts.
The vaccine would help reprogram the body's natural response to peanut allergens.
Severe allergic reactions can include impaired breathing, swelling in the throat, a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and even death.
Peanuts are one of the most common food allergies and the most likely food to cause anaphylaxis or death.
In Australia, there is particularly high prevalence of peanut allergies with one in 200 adults, and almost three in every 100 children affected.
Dr Preethi Eldi, who is leading the project, says it has great potential to change lives.
"Parents are constantly protecting their child from being exposed to peanuts in all forms - from popular breakfast cereals and school snacks, to biscuits, cakes and even health foods - whether at home, school, or in social situations.
"And, it means being vigilant and imposing very stringent dietary restrictions, not only for the child, but often, also for family members," Dr Eldi said.
"If we can deliver an effective peanut allergy vaccine, we'll remove this stress, concern, and constant monitoring, freeing the child and their family from the constraints and dangers of peanut allergy." Professor John Hayball is also working on the vaccine and explained it would trick the immune system into seeing peanut allergens in a new light, so that the body responds normally.
"We're effectively reprogramming the body to see peanuts as an entity that can be cured by a vaccine, rather than an allergen that elicits an allergic reaction," he said.
It is being developed in partnership with Biotechnology company, Sementis and UniSA's Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory.
Education Fifty things to do outdoors with your kids
AN independent school for girls in the UK has come up with a bucket list of fun and outdoor activities for children to tick off before they turn 5.
Burgess Hill Girls in West Sussex developed a list of 50 things for girls to do to get them outside, build their curiosity and love of nature, and get them away from their screens.
It follows research showing that many preschoolers are spending less and less time in nature.
Some of the things to do include hunt for worms or fly a kite.
The school, for girls aged 2.5 to 18, has made headlines around the world with the novel idea.
Headteacher Liz Laybourn told Danielle Galvin they know young children love to play on their parent's phones, iPads and tablets, and have even mastered the "swipe" action early on.
"In the same vein, playing and exploring seems to be a thing of the past and children are not developing some of the most important life skills - resilience, ability to failure, taking risks, adaptability, being comfortable in the environment and trying things that they have never been encouraged to do," she explained.
"It was relatively easy to think of the 50 things, as many we had ourselves done as young children, and then we thought about the types of activities we now encourage our nursery pupils to do. "Our focus as a school is on outdoor learning and allowing the pupils to try real live things.
"Education is best when it is alive." Ms Laybourn explained while they weren't necessarily witnessing young children being addicted to screens, it's an ongoing issue for both parents and educators.
"Not necessarily screen addiction but a definite lack of dexterity in their motor skills due to being used to swiping screens rather than using keyboard skills," she said.
"Phones and tablets are an easy option to keep children active when out for dinner or when parents are busy. "Once they get a taste of it they just want more and more.
"It can be a real challenge for parents."
The school posted the challenge with a graphic on their website in January, encouraging parents to take part and share their successes.
"We have created this list to encourage girls to be bold and curious from a young age and challenge themselves to try new activities."
"It is specifically targeted at girls of pre-school age to help them learn essential skills before they start their first year of school."
The list encourages girls to mix potions, make slime and mud pies, and gaze up at the stars.
Although there's one activity Ms Laybourn had to explain - egg rolling. "Egg rolling is when the children paint hard boiled eggs - make them truly pretty and individual and then find a really steep hill to roll them down," she said.
"A tradition in some areas of the country but great fun!"
The list of activities is aimed at girls heading into school.
Nurturing care at Green Leaves
GREEN Leaves Early Learning is recognised as a provider of high quality early education in Australia that exceeds traditional childcare offerings. They specialise in the fundamental stages of educational development, from nursery through to kindergarten (6 weeks - 6 years).
Through their commitment to raising the benchmark for early education and care across the country, they're determined to do things differently. State of the Art Facilities Each centre is purpose built with bespoke facilities including innovative lear ning hubs with vast educational resources, play spaces with discovery tracks and edible gardens, a fully equipped chefs kitchen, barista lounge and more! Convenience and Peace of Mind Green Leaves provides convenient all-inclusive fees. This covers nappies, linen, hats, sunscr een, as well as nutritious chef prepared meals and snacks. Extra-curricular activities are also included, such as language, music and movement classes, events, excursions and even visiting shows. Learning Journeys Bachelor qualified educators deliver to the national framework, STEAM (Science, T echnology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) and play-based learning to provide children with opportunities to reach their potential and prepare them for the transition into school. Each child's learning journey is individually mapped to suit their needs and interests.
Innovative Technologies Age-appropriate technology encouraging exploratory play and pr omoting sensory experiences for the children, while the parents have access to a user-friendly app keeping them informed and connected throughout the day.
With more than 30 centres around the country, they know that nurturing is where it all begins. Discover the Green Leaves difference for yourself by popping in for a coffee and tour at any of your local Green Leaves learning havens. There are Green Leaves Knox, located in Wantirna South; Green Leaves Waverley Gardens, located in Mulgrave; and Green Leaves Forest Hill, located in Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre. To find more information about the above locations visit greenleaveselc. com.au.
Ten steps to get the kids to school on time EducationEducation
By Julie Cliff
IF you have school age kids you will have no doubt spent hours in the mornings yelling "hurry up, where are your shoes, clean your teeth faster, turn off the telly, hurry up (again)" and racing out to the car and swearing at the traffic.
But it doesn't have to be like this. Follow these 10 steps to get to school on time with less stress and less shouting! Research 1. Know how long it takes everyone to get r eady: Even if the kids have been at school for years, do a dry-run on the weekend, and time each stage - shower, dressing, breakfast, pack bag. Also time how long it takes you to drive to school, park the car and walk to the classroom. Once you know this information you can plot out your morning. The most important times being the time your alarm goes off and the time you walk out the door. Stick to these times and you will rarely be late again! After School 2. Unpack school bags: Each afternoon the kids need to unpack their bags as soon as they walk in the door . Put lunchbox on sink to be washed out (or straight into the dishwasher, or better still, get them to wipe it out and put it away for the next day). School work, diary and take home books put in a dedicated spot. Before bed 3. Kids to shower: Save arguments over wasted water , knotted hair and shampoo in the eyes by getting the kids to have their shower in the evening. 4. Prepare clothes: Get all school clothes out and lay on bed. Ensure shoes are under the bed (there are few things worse than looking for shoes as you are trying to get out the door in the
Getting the kids to school on time is no easy task!
morning). Add underwear, socks and hair accessories. 5. Pack lunches (or at least non perishable): Add as much to the lunch as you can the night before. In theory, you certainly can pack the whole lunch including sandwiches and put them in the fridge overnight. At least spend some time on the weekend cutting up fruit - this will keep for at least three days, longer for some fruit. 6. Set the table for breakfast: Decide what's for breakfast the night before and get out plates, bowls, spoons etc along with cereal or bread. 7. Set an alarm: Parents have great success giving ownership to the kids here. Give them an alarm clock, let them figure out how to set the alarm and leave them to get up when it goes off in the morning. In the morning 8. Checklist: Create a checklist and ensur e kids tick off all their 'jobs' (breakfast, get dressed, pack bag, etc) before they are allowed free-time. 9. Time to go: Know the time you need to head out the door to the car and set an alarm in your phone with a five minute warning. 10. Parents/caregivers: Follow all of the above for yourself so that you aren't the one holding things up in the morning! Next steps? Following at least a few of these 10 steps will drastically change how your school mor nings run. Julie Cliff is a Professional Organiser at Space and Time which helps busy working mothers live easier, far less stressful lives through simple, easy to implement organising systems to clear the clutter - both mentally and physically. Sound familiar? Julie would love to hear from you via info@ spaceandtime.com.au
Zookeeping for a spectrum of Australian animals
ARE you interested in learning what it takes to work in the zoo industry?
How about working alongside an amazing array of Australian wildlife, learning how we can look after nature and save the planet? Pathways at Reptile Encounters might be for you!
Pathways is a program designed for teenagers (15+) and young adults who are on the Autism Spectrum and are wanting to learn about zookeeping. The program focuses on learning about occupational health and safety, appropriate behaviour in the workplace, caring for animals, sustainability/climate change and more advanced topics such as reptile healthcare.
The goal is to help prepare participants for the workplace and help them determine what their best path is as well as providing a safe space for them to flourish.
There are opportunities to feed lizards, create enrichment items for our birds and macropods, learn to handle animals correctly and so much more. It's an NDIS registered program created and run by university qualified facilitators.
If you are interested in joining Pathways contact Reptile Encounters and come in for a meeting. You are sure to love Connie the Barking Owl, Charlie
www.knoxmonashkids.com.au Reptile Encounters offers a Pathways program where participants learn about zookeeping.
the Saltwater Crocodile, Victor the Carpet Python, Pano the Yellow Spotted Monitor as well as many other native animals.
Call 1300 4 CROCS for more information or visit www. reptileencounters.com.au
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Tips for having kids at a wedding
By Danielle Galvin
I'D always loved the idea of having children at my wedding.
In primary school, I was a flower girl at my cousin's wedding and it was one of the most vivid, favourite memories I have of my childhood.
I remember dancing the night away with my extended family, and how excited I was to have my hair up in a bun, ringed with flowers.
I wore a dress made by my late aunty.
When I got married in December last year, both my children, aged 9 months and 4 at the time, were there.
Earlier in the year my daughter was a flower girl at my best friend's wedding, and she was one of about 10 children who attended.
Gone are the days when kids aren't welcome at weddings.
At ours, there were numerous babies and a few toddlers too.
During the planning process, we thought long and hard about how to make it as easy as possible.
The priority was making sure they were well looked after, happy, comfortable and that we could also enjoy the day (it was 12 years in the making!)
With this in mind, below are some tips if you're planning on having children attend your wedding, in the bridal party or if your kids are coming along to an upcoming wedding: 1. Hire a nanny or pay a relative or someone you trust to babysit Having someone dedicated to the children all day is important, particularly during the afternoon when people are getting ready and into the evening as they get tired.
Hiring someone local who comes highly recommended is a great option,
or if you're looking for something more affordable, asking a teenaged relative is another idea.
At our wedding, we hired a local nanny who had great reviews, and she was beautiful with my two children, and my 10-month-old nephew.
It was the best money we spent, especially because my four-year-old wasn't 100 per cent on the day and found it all a bit overwhelming. 2. Have a designated play area If you search social media you'll see photos of teepees set up with toys, activities and small tables for kids to play at after the ceremony and leading into the reception. It's a great idea, especially if there are going to be lots of kids from toddler age up. 3. Buy activity packs One thing we learned from a recent wedding is that children don't care about speeches, as lovely as they are. The reception for them can often be the most tiring, boring part.
That's why it's great to engage them and cater to them as much as possible. Activity packs with colouring in books, stickers and more is a good way to keep them busy, even if only for an hour or so. 4. Be conscious of nap times. Weddings can be a long day for everyone involved.
If kids are in the bridal party and need their hair done or might be required for photos, it's always good to try and plan out the day and try to factor in a nap or at least some rest time for any children attending, before the reception.
It can be an overwhelming day for them and a nap may help put them in a good mood, whether that's in a car ride on the way there or a quiet spot at the house where you're getting ready. 5. Stay somewhere close by.
Having kids at a wedding doesn't have to be stressful.
We weren't to know at the time, but booking a venue with accommodation on site was a lifesaver for our children. It meant they were all in bed by 8pm, asleep and content.
It also meant that for our guests who had children in attendance, they also put their children to bed so they could enjoy the night.
Most had a relative stay too, to tend to the children.
Most asked a relative to stay as well on site so they could be with the children until the end of the reception. Another idea is staying somewhere
close by, as opposed to trying to drive home late at night. 6. Know when to call it quits. As parents, most of us are in tune with our children when we can see they are over-tired, cranky and a meltdown is imminent.
If possible, if you have a young child in a wedding party who is also invited to the reception, get someone to pick them up early in the night.
By 8pm most preschoolers would be getting tired and ready for some down time.
Why I’ll only have two children
Full house ... how do you know when you've finished adding to your family?
How to know you’re ’done’ having children
By Danielle Galvin
FOR some parents, the decision on how many children to have is an agonising one, very often a source of great conflict.
When one parent wants just one more, and the other is adamant to be ’done’ having children.
Perhaps the discussion has changed over the years, and one party is left frustrated, scared, resentful.
For others, the decision appears easy. Career progression, financial burdens and many other factors come into play, and both parents are on the same page.
But what about when the decision doesn’t seem so black and white?
Regardless, it’s an intensely personal one to make.
Ann Davidman is a renowned marriage and family therapist based in Oaklands, California who helps couples and mums decide if they want children in the first place.
She describes herself as a Motherhood Clarity Mentor and says regardless of whether the woman is a mother already or not, deciding to have another child, involves the same process.
Her advice is for women to start by setting aside what she calls the “external factors” clouding your judgement - whether that’s age, finances or even concerns about the world you’re bringing your child into. “If you’re focussed on those factors, there’s no way to figure out what you want,” she said.
“That’s part of the process, identifying all those externals that pull at your psyche and put them aside.
“Figure out what’s in your heart, what you really want for you.”
She hastens to add that someone may want three children, but decide to have one or two because of certain conditions in their lives.
But it’s important to recognise that desire in a tangible way.
“When a couple already has a child and they are trying to figure out have a second, I don’t think you can have a conversation around what are the pros and cons, and how this will impact the child we already have,” she said.
“That is an important conversation - but the timing of that conversation needs to come after both of those people have gone to their own corners, and looked inside and (thought about) really what do I want just for me?
“When they each have that clarity, they need to share that with each other, not convince each other of how they each feel, but so each person can hold and honour what the other person feels and what they want.
“When both people feel like the other person really gets where they are at, then you can talk about what are the conditions or what would have to happen so we both are happy.”
Ms Davidman says the process doesn’t need to drag out, even though for many couples the battle is ongoing. “There are people who are one of three siblings, so in their mind they should have three children, so that’s more about a projection,” she said.
Her advice is to know why you have made the decision - to stop having kids, or to try for another.
“I have a strong opinion, that if people know why they are making a decision, whatever that decision is, they will be much happier down the road,” she said.
When either parent remarks that they are “so done” it can mean different things for different people.
“The subtext of ‘I’m done’ can be either I’m done, I can’t take it anymore, I’m so exhausted, it can be reactive,” she explained.
“But it can also be a from a place of clarity, as much as I wanted another, I am done procreating, I am happy with the one or two children I have I want to give them everything I have, I don’t want to raise another child.” To find out more, visit https://www. motherhoodisitforme.com/. Ms Davidman has also released a book with Denise L. Carlini, called Motherhood - Is It For Me? Your Step-byStep Guide to Clarity.
By Melissa Meehan
I always wanted to be a mum.
For me it was something I felt I was born to do.
I've been blessed with two beautiful girls and it's everything I ever wanted.
But how do you know when you're done having kids?
For me. The decision was easy. Before I met my husband I always wanted three. He wanted one.
So we agreed on two, and I always thought I'd be able to twist his arm for a third.
But after giving birth to my second daughter in August - I know for sure that I'm done. I always marvelled at the female body. How a woman could be growing a baby while still living her normal life, beaming with that pregnancy glow.
I never experienced that glow - the closest I got to it was working up a sweat while heaving into the nearest toilet bowl.
And let me tell you. I vomited a lot - right through both pregnancies. The second was way worse than the first (despite ALL of the medication).
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a severe type of morning sickness that causes constant vomiting, nausea and dehydration.
This meant I vomited numerous times every day that I was pregnant.
It was bad with my first but my OB (helpfully after I was already pregnant with number two!) told me it gets worse with every pregnancy.
This time around I was prescribed a pharmacy (that's the collective noun for numerous tablets, right?) of drugs - some given to cancer patients to help them cope with the effects of chemo therapy.
And I was still sick more than five times a day.
I was working two days a week in the city and doing two days a week at home and looking after a very active toddler too. It was exhausting. I was lucky that my boss saw I was struggling and allowed me to work from home when I needed. And then I went into preterm labour at 32 weeks.
They were able to hold her off but I was hospitalised on strict bed rest until she arrived five weeks later.
By then I was taking 20 tablets a day to minimise the vomiting, dull the nausea and keep the baby healthy and inside for as long as possible.
The emotional and physical roll that pregnancy took on me was intense, and while I love my girls more than anything in the world I couldn't go through it again.
It not only puts the baby's health at risk, but mine too. And for me to be the best mum I can be, I need to be able to run on all cylinders.
Seven tips for better work-life balance
By Rachel Hickingbotham
WHEN you are a parent trying to work and keep everyone happy, the juggle struggle is real. While searching for solutions for a better life, I discovered that "balance isn't something you find, it's something you create, by crafting your life with purpose". These words from life coaches, Kate and Debra from Flourishing Mothers inspired me to design my own happier and more balanced life. 1. Decide what 'balance' means to you The first step is to get clear on what you need and want in your life. This is where your values come in and consideration of where you are at in your life right now. Flourishing Mothers suggest that we "make sure we're giving our energies to the things that are most important to us. Because, when we live our lives in balance with what's most important, our life makes sense to us, feels 'right'. We feel satisfied, energised and motivated. And when we don't, we feel sluggish, irritable or unhappy," says Kate and Debra. 2. Write your Essentials, Important & Dream Lists ■ What are the essential, nonnegotiable tasks in your life? These could be the things that you do for your children that you cannot share and the work hours you have committed to and cannot change. ■ What are the next most important tasks or events in your week? You might include exercise, housework, meal- logistics, connecting with others and self-care. ■ Lastly, write down everything else you would like to add to your life but is not essential. This is your 'dream list'. 3. Introducing 'Block Scheduling' for your weekdays Block scheduling or 'time-blocking' is a game changer for working parents. Put simply, it is a way that you decide
An example of a Block Schedule.
when you wear your 'parent-hat' and when you wear your 'working-hat' each day.The beauty of this daily plan is that it ensures you get your tasks ticked off each day but allows you to roll with the punches of parenting as well. It will take some time to get used to and become disciplined to stop what you are doing and move from block to block, but it is worth persisting with. Tips for creating your own Block Schedule: ■ Grab a piece of paper and divide up each weekday into blocks. It is best that all blocks are 2-3 hours long.• Label the blocks whatever you like, but keep them simple such as: Morning, First Work, Lunch, Second Work, Afternoon, Dinner & Bedtime and Evening Block. ■ Take your Essentials, Important and Dream Lists and start slotting them into your Block Schedule. Start with your essential commitments, then
your important tasks and then see what time you have left over. 4. Divide and conquer If you have a partner or someone you can share the load with, now is the time to get them involved. Set up some time to talk. "Communicate your needs with your partner and work out how you can divide essential tasks, suggests psychologist and busy mum of two, Brigid Foster. Divide up the kidtransporting and meal-logistics with your partner. "Organise pickup and drop-off of kids and share childcare with your partner and friends. Utilise your supports and help them out in return," says Brigid. 5. Make planning a priority Add 'planning time' to your essential tasks list. Business & Marketing Coach, Claire Riley suggests that you gift yourself time & space to focus and 'set up' every day. Taking some dedicated time each morning to enjoy some ritual grounding activities always equals a more productive, effective day and more connected to how you show up as a parent. Make it a habit each morning to transfer tasks from your to-do list into the block of time they are best tackled in. If you have a partner you are sharing the load with, try and schedule in a planning chat at least once a week so your social, home and kids' schedules are sorted out for the week. 6. Get focused "You're not doing anyone any favours by trying to do it all at once. Pick one thing at a time to focus on. There will be time for the other things later," says Claire. The key to making this system work is to focus on what 'block' you are in and sticking to your task list. Set a timer for when your planned block is ending and focus until your timer goes off. Stop what you are doing and move onto the next block. What you don't get done, you can move into your next work block. When the timer goes off, you won't always slide from one task to another seamlessly, but you will get better over time. 7. Be kind to yourself Make self-care a daily consideration. "Pay attention to self-care - you can't pour from an empty cup," says psychologist, Brigid Foster. "Practice mindfulness and be present in your downtime." It is also important that you know your limits. Not everyone goes at the same pace. If you are awake in the night with a baby or have an illness, then factor in the time you need to rest and don't expect to tick off as many items on your to-do list. "Be honest with yourself about what you can achieve," says Brigid. This is when delegation and outsourcing can help.
Following these tips will not result in a perfectly balanced life, but have a go at blocking your time and sharing the load. You may soon see that over time, a more balanced life is simpler after all.
Mum Kelly Egginton with Lara. Pictures: Rob Carew
Baby journey through cancer, surgery and IVF Parents Kelly and Luke Egginton with children Lara and Patrick.
By Melissa Meehan
IMAGINE being told you had three months to fall pregnant before facing a lifetime of infertility.
That's exactly the news Chirnside Park mum Kelly Egginton faced, with son Patrick just three months old in her arms. Pregnancy had already been a bit of a rollercoaster for Kelly and husband Luke - they had spent more than 12 months trying to get pregnant with Patrick and had found out they were pregnant with him during a visit to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
It was only months earlier Kelly's appendix had burst while she was at work, later finding out what caused it to burst was a mucus producing tumour. Weeks later she received a phone call from the doctors saying she needed to see a gastroenterologist and would likely need chemotherapy at Peter Mac. "I went to Peter Mac and they pretty much said I needed to have an operation and hypec (a type of chemo) to mop up any tumour cells that had gotten into my abdominal cavity," Kelly said.
"And at the same time they would do a bowel resection to remove polyps found in my bowel during testing.
"That was pretty confronting - it was big surgery and we had been trying to get pregnant with Patrick for over a year by then."
So Kelly set about asking whether the chemo and operation would affect her chances of getting pregnant.
And luckily, they said she would likely be on the waiting list for a while and it was OK to keep trying.
By her next appointment at the cancer hospital - Kelly was pregnant. Patrick was born the following May and Kelly was back at Peter Mac within six weeks of his birth.
They began all the pre-operation testing, including scans that picked up she had two tumour masses sitting near her liver.
"So that was added to the list of surgery," she said.
Again, Kelly asked about whether the procedure would affect her growing family.
She and Luke had never discussed how many children they would have - but coming from big families they always thought it would be more than two.
They were sent to the Royal Womens' Hospital IVF clinic armed with questions - and were told the type of chemotherapy Kelly would need could gravely affect their chances of becoming pregnant.
"They said the chemo could destroy, or affect my uterus and ovaries," Kelly said.
"It might ruin my eggs, my uterus all of that, they couldn't guarantee that it would 100 per cent be fine.
"So we had to go back to Peter Mac and they gave me the OK to try again for three months to get pregnant - but it had to be with full on IVF."
So with a newborn in tow, Kelly and Luke started their IVF journey.
They went straight into a stimulation cycle but Kelly got pretty sick from that through ovarian hyper stimulation, which meant they couldn't do a transfer in the first month.
They were able to harvest 14 eggs, 10 of them fertilised and three made it to day four for freezing.
She had her first transfer on 9 October 2017 and received a positive pregnancy test soon after.
But her HCG levels didn't rise high enough for doctors to be happy, so she stopped medication and had in effect a miscarriage.
So faced with her final month, and two attempts that were unsuccessful
Kelly Egginton.
Kelly tried again.
"It was a fair bit of pressure. Early on I was thinking 'this is good for my babies to be further apart?', but as we got to the last month I thought to myself 'I'll go back to Peter Mac if it doesn't work and ask for one more month'," she said.
"The second time - it was upsetting, I was quite upset about it but I had a cry and moved on."
Kelly had her third and final transfer in November and was successful.
Lara was born the following July and Kelly was back at Peter Mac six weeks after she was born.
So with two kids under two, Kelly and Luke started another journey - her treatment and recovery.
By September she was told there was no delaying the surgery and she would need to have treatment before the end of the year.
"It was confronting, even though I knew it was coming, I had this new baby in my arms and we were talking about major surgery," she said.
"It was always in the back of my mind that I was not going to be able to care for them, play with them, change nappies, put them to bed ... but we were able to go to a Wiggles concert before my surgery."
The operation lasted almost five hours and Kelly was in hospital for eight days. It was a success. They didn't find any other disease either, a relief for Kelly who had consented for them to take away any organs affected by the cancer cells.
"The recovery was pretty hard - the operation was on December 3, 2018 and I started to feel OK between Christmas and New Year," she said. "It was hard." But Kelly says she couldn't have got through it without Luke.
"He was amazing. I only saw him once in the eight days I was in hospital and then I went back to hospital for another four days because of fluid around my lungs," she said.
"I didn't see the kids which was hard but I knew they were being well looked after by Luke so I wasn't worried about them."
Lara was still very young, but Patrick was a little clingy to Luke when Kelly returned home.
It took him a little while to warm to his mum again after Dad had been the sole carer for so long.
Kelly is now fighting fit and has been given the all clear.
"It was a bit of an emotional rollercoaster - but its just part of my journey," she said.
"I don't feel too emotional about it - but I think having two kids sped up my recovery and that was great."
For now Kelly will continue six-month check-ups at Peter Mac and hope the surgery and chemotherapy has done its job.
Fiction author on writing families Books
By Eliza Henry-Jones
WHEN I sit down to write a novel, I always end up writing about families. There's something intoxicating about delving into a world that's so intimate. There are rituals and habits and patterns in families and so much that is left unspoken. In How to Grow a Family Tree, I wanted to explore addiction, adoption and the different forms that family can take.I've always been fascinated by how families find ways to function when someone is struggling. How there are peaks and troughs and moments when everyone pretends that things have changed. The main character, Stella, is 17 and a lot like me when I was 17. She reads self-help books and tries to equip herself with skills that will allow her to help the people she loves.
I've been particularly interested in writing about families since I've become a mother. My son is a toddler now and I find myself thinking a lot about what makes a family. For me, family is not about blood - it's about the people who are there for you and who you're there for. It's about shared history and passions and principles. But it's more than that; what draws a family together is something that can't be quantified. Juggling writing with motherhood is an endless balancing act. Mostly, I don't have the uninterrupted time I've always needed in order to write a novel, so I'm having to slowly relearn how to daydream and write. I've found that motherhood in general is a process of unspooling things and reconfiguring them (over and over).
When I teach, I'm often asked how I come up with characters. My characters pop into my head but sometimes they don't feel real to me. Often, I'll have to start the story over and over again, like striking a match, until the whole thing flares into life. When this happens, the characters feel real to me - writing becomes less effortful. It feels less like creating a world and more like simply observing and documenting it.
The writing world is divided into "plotters" and "pantsers". Plotters are the writers with carefully curated storyboards and plans and summaries for everything that's going to happen in
Eliza and her dog, Hugo, at home on the farm.
their story. While I have nothing but profound respect for plotters, I, myself, am a pantser. We pantsers fly by the seat of our pants. We have no real idea where the story's going to take us, but we don't really mind. There are dead ends and lots of backtracking and confusion and (often) a lot more reworking than if you're a plotter. I wish I were a plotter. I've tried to force myself into plotting, but in my heart, I'm a pantser.
At the moment, I'm working on my sixth novel and I keep expecting to have a moment where I finally discover
Let us help
the secret to writing them. The thing is, each novel is different. Each one is a brand new beast. Each one is a process of trial and error, wanting to throw my computer across the room and eating my bodyweight in chocolate.
But it's worth it. Fiction has such a huge capacity to help us grow. It can confront us, comfort us and teach us things we'd have no other way of learning.
Eliza Henry-Jones also writes for Star News Group's Kids Magazines, including this publication.
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Books Teaching children about sounds
By Danielle Galvin
AUSTRALIAN author, Barbara Murray, is a passionate authority in teaching phonics to children, and believes it's critical in helping build a foundation for successful reading, writing and spelling. Ms Murray, a former primary school teacher and well-known author of the literacy program, Sound Waves, has recently released a beautifully illustrated boxed set of books aimed at children in the first year of primary school.
The set, called Sound Stories, is an introduction to help children develop an awareness of the 43 sounds, or phonemes, that make up Australian spoken English.
The Australian National Curriculum recommends that all Australian primary schools include phonemic awareness and synthetic phonics in their literacy program.
Ms Murray explained that phonemic awareness is initially innate.
"It comes naturally to children. They start with sounds when they are babies," she explained.
"As they get to talk, they forget the individual sounds.
"All you are doing is refreshing their memory of the sounds they picked up originally.
"You don't have to teach kids to talk,
The boxed set is available through Barbara's website.
Author Barbara Murray is a passionate about teaching phonics to children.
you do have to teach them to write." Sound Stories provides a story for every sound of Australian spoken English in the one set of books, with illustrations from Sarah Hardy.
Sound Waves is a resource used in classrooms all over Australia and in countries overseas.
Ms Murray had been teaching the phonemic approach in her classroom for 30 years, before coming up with the idea for Sound Waves.
"Teaching was my passion and a phonemic approach featured daily in all my classes across the whole primary school. " I loved developing a curiosity about language in my students."
Ms Murray believes developing an understanding of phonemes doesn't have to be daunting.
In fact it's quite simple. As an example, the "eer" sound is featured in a story called Tameer Nearly Disappears and follows the baby reindeer Tameer who disappears into icy water, only to be rescued by her fierce and fearless reindeer father.
Words in the story and illustrations that promote the "eer" sound include Tameer, reindeer, nearly, disappears, fearless, fierce, tearful, clear and cheer. "I designed each 'Sound Story' so that delightful, engaging illustrations will entice children to observe, imagine, predict, draw conclusions and create a possible storyline as part of an open discussion with others present, before the story is read to them," Ms Murray said. l u h
"Discussion about the words that name and describe items and actions in the illustrations and the common sound heard in these words, follows." The four books in the set are: ■ Book 1: An Introduction to Consonant Sounds, Part 1. The Bolton Boys' Balloon Adventure and other stories ■ Book 2: An Introduction to Consonant Sounds, Part 2. Robbie Robot to the Rescue and other stories ■ Book 3: An Introduction to Vowel Sounds, Part 1. Anna Ant's Antics and other stories ■ Book 4: An Introduction to Vowel Sounds, Part 2. Bertie Bird and the Earthworm and other stories The books have an RRP of $24.99 and can be purchased from bookstores. The faster and cheaper way is through http://www.barbaramurray-author. com.au/
Children’s books...
Say Cheese! Frances Watts, Illustrated by Marjorie Crosby-Fairall A trio of meerkats taking selfies is pr etty darn cute to say the least. It's the kind of cover that will make you want to take a book off the shelf! Sure enough, the meerkats aren't the only cute animals in Say Cheese! The bright and colourful children's book features a host of wild animals who attend South Furriest Public School. There's plenty of fun to be had on school photo day - there are students who are too hard to fit in the frame and spots and stripes that don't go together. You get the picture! Scholastic, RRP $24.99
Daring Delly Country vs City Matthew Dellavedova This latest offering from Aussie NBA champ Matthew Dellavedova is a slam dunk! The story will enthral ballers aged 7+ with plenty of court action. Dellavedova (or Delly as he's widely known) draws on his own childhood experiences of playing basketball to deliver a fun read. The story centres on Delly, a determined boy who is excited to play for his local team but is thrown a curveball when a storm damages their home court. How is the team going to train for their next game in the city? Can they win? Scholastic, RRP $14.99
Ella at Eden: New Girl Laura Sieveking The hugely popular book character among young girls, Ella, r eturns in a new format. Ella is off to high school in this title aimed at tween readers who are well versed with the Ella Diaries. New Girl - the latest offering in the Ella and Olivia series - is a great read for young girls, particularly those who may be curious about boarding school. There are lots of twists and turns as Ella goes from enjoying her new school to dealing with some unexpected dramas including insulting the school diva and tracking down a mysterious thief. Scholastic, RRP $15.99
Fire Watcher Phoenix Kelly Gardiner The second book in the compulsive fantasy trilogy by awar d-winning author Kelly Gardiner. The historical timeslip fantasy takes readers from 1941 to 1666 as Christopher Larkham tries to go back in time to find his new friends and discover more about the power of his phoenix ring. However, not all goes to plan and he finds himself in a smaller, older river port town where a Viking invasion leads to one helluva fire. How did the ring get Christopher here and how can he get back to his own time? A thrilling read for kids aged 8+. Scholastic, RRP $14.99
How to Make Banana Muffins Stella Hong A personalised book that's sure to want to get your child into the kitchen and cooking some delicious banana muf fins. This book is one of two new offerings from Story Antics, a unique personalised children's book offering. In this colourful and engaging book, you can insert yourself and your child into the story. Basically your child becomes the chef! The picture instructions are easy for toddlers and preschoolers to follow. You'll be inhaling those muffins in no time! Story Antics, RRP $19.99
11 MARCH
'GAME AWARE' - PARENT SESSION Information session for parents on gaming and young people. Wheelers Hill Library, 860 Ferntree Gully Rd, Wheelers Hill Bookings essential. Email: familyservices@monash.vic.gov.au 12 MARCH
EASTER AT CARIBBEAN GARDENS Easter Egg hunts, visit from the Easter Bunny, face painting, wooden Easter egg decorating. Rides open (weather permitting) as well mini-golf and playgrounds. Street Food area, the cafe or use the barbecues in the picnic area. 9am-3pm. Caribbean Gardens, 1280 Ferntree Gully Rd, Scoresby.
15 MARCH
What's on this autumn
Free Activities include carnival rides, face painting, photo booth, reptile display, animal farm and more. 10am-4pm. Gilbert Park Reserve, Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield.
21 MARCH
LIVE AT WARRAWEE 2020 FESTIV AL Watch the sun come down, listen to live music and enjoy delicious food. Includes a dedicated kid's space. Gather your family and friends and bring a chair or rug. 4pm-9pm, Warrawee Park, Oakleigh. 21 & 28 MARCH
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING FOR P ARENTS Specialised training for parents. Sessions held over two Saturdays. Cost $20. Held in Clayton and run by Monash Council Youth Services. Bookings essential. Phone: 9518 3900 26 MARCH
GAMING & YOUNG PEOPLE Guest speaker Steven Dupon from the Institute of Games will discuss the impact video games have on your young person and how to best manage gaming in the family home. 7pm - 8.30pm. Knox Civic Centre - Function Room 4, 511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South.Bookings essential. Phone Knox Youth Services on 9298 8000.
28 MARCH - 19 APRIL
KABLOOM - FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS Enjoy the splendour of millions of flowers across five acres. Festival also includes circus and drumming workshops. Treasure hunts, obstacle course and maze, storytelling, fairy garden and more. Plus Easter Egg hunting sessions everyday over the Easter weekend. Tesselaar, 357 Monbulk Rd, Silvan. Bookings at www.kabloom.com.au
11am. Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Bookings essential. Phone: 9729 7287. 1 APRIL & 6 MAY
BABES TO KIDS MARKET A fantastic opportunity to buy or sell some new and pre-loved clothing for all ages. Baby and kids clothing, maternity wear, toys, cots, prams, change tables, bibs, blankets and all types of accessories. First Wednesday of every month, 8.30am - 3pm. Caribbean Market, 1280 Ferntree Gully Road, Scoresby, Victoria 5 APRIL
31 MARCH - 12 APRIL
EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN All activities, rides and entertainment are free. Gate fee of $7 per car still applies. SkyHigh Maze is open daily (extra entry fee applies) Free activities include easter egg hunts, treasure hunts, bouncy castle, pony rides, cooking classes, mini-golf and more. Daily activities updated online and on the SkyHigh Facebook page. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, 26 Observatory Road, Mount Dandenong Open every day during the school holidays from 11am to 5pm. 31 MARCH
EASTER FUN DAY Free family event run by Knox City Council. The fun includes unicorn rides, spooky homestead tours and Easter crafts. Miller's Homestead, Corner Melrose Court and Dorrigo Drive, Boronia 12pm-3pm 6 APRIL, 4 MAY, 1 JUNE, 6 JULY
LEGO CLUB WHEELERS HILL School age children can get creative with Lego each month at Lego Club. Free, no booking required. 4pm-5pm. Wheelers Hill Library, 860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill.
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KNOX
