where would a 3yo stick a hair-clip onto a bald man??

Had a lovely day with my monkeys today and Ella was full force into her box of a billion hairclips.. I think I had about 15 in my hair at one stage.. but she topped the 'daily funny' with the attack on my dad (who I must add is as bald as a bald man gets)... thanks dada!! you're a champ!!

the mum test

This email goes around and around and I always seem to receive it when I need a bit of a laugh... and I got it again today, so thought I would share it...

The Mum Test

I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter.  She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in her mouth. 

I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. 

'Why?' my daughter asked. 

'Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, And probably has germs,' I replied. 

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, 'Mum, how do you know all this stuff?  You are so  smart.' 

I was thinking quickly and replied, 'All mums know this stuff.  It's on the Mum Test. You have to know it or they don't let you be a Mum.' 

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. 

'Oh ...... I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad.' 

'Exactly,' I replied with a big smile on my face.

a little bit of colour.. yellow

its pretty hot today.. muggy.. sticky... eeek!! 

but there is no sun, so no real shadows.. 

i'm a photographer..

i like shadows!!

a little bit of... yellow... 

to make my day a little bit more sunny.. 

choose what you want to remember...

"every life has its dark and joyful hours... 

happiness comes from choosing which to remember" 

author unknown

I had one of those days yesterday and running on 3 hours of interrupted sleep didn't help a great deal either...

Ella was a bit wound up after a big weekend and a disrupted Monday evening as my hubby, Zaccy's soon to be godmothers and I had to go to a christening info session. Zaccy had been sick so he just wanted to be up to catch up on everything he had missed out on the previous days. It took me till about midday to get 'my' girl back to normality, by which time she started to turn on her cranky pants as she was tired and these days refuses to have a midday sleep...

We took Zaccy to the doc's to get a checkup and make sure he was on the mend and Ella was so sweet.. she distracted Zaccy while the doc, poked and prodded him. Made him laugh and giggle so I could sneak in a speed-grocery-shop of the staples and then sat quietly while I put him down for his nap when we got home.

I was so incredibly tired last night and when I closed my eyes as my head hit the pillow, all I could think of was Ella making Zaccy smile at the doctors and the supermarket, and the smiles and giggles and tackles they gave dad upon his return...

I know I didn't choose to forget what exactly made my day so crazy as I was intending to write about it today... but I'm so glad my head works the way it does..

and the winner of the itty biddy taggie blankie is...

Congratulations to Katherine from The Savannah Room.. you are the winner of the itty biddy taggie blankie!! Please email me an address where you would like me to post your blankie on kasiabearkids@optusnet.com.au.

Thank you everyone who started following my blog, became a fan of kasiabear on facebook (despite of my hiccup with deleting the original page and having to restart from scatch), commented on my giveaway post and also who posted a link to the giveaway.

This was my first giveaway (ever) and it was so much fun! I'm still very new to this blogging business... facebook business page and even more so.. starting a new business from scratch.. so thanks everyone for your support!!

and the winner of the itty biddy blankie is...

Congratulations to Katherine from The Savannah Room.. you are the winner of the itty biddy blankie!! Please email me an address where you would like me to post your blankie on kasiabearkids@optusnet.com.au.

Thank you everyone who started following my blog, became a fan of kasiabear on facebook (despite of my hiccup with deleting the original page and having to restart from scatch), commented on my giveaway post and also who posted a link to the giveaway.

This was my first giveaway (ever) and it was so much fun! I'm still very new to this blogging business... facebook business page and even more so.. starting a new business from scratch.. so thanks everyone for your support!!

little zaccy is sick again...

We have a running joke with my husband that Zaccy keeps getting sick because he needs some time alone with mum.. well.. he's pulled a sickie again :o) Oh my little man, I so wish you would just have a couple of weeks in a row without any sicknesses!!

I was planning to do a bit of sewing for kasiabear kids, but that's just not going to work with my little man's fascination with electrical cords.. so instead we are sorting through some much needed areas in the house.. I'll post some pics a little later..

It is kinda nice when its just us two.. so the computer is getting turned off now.. till midnight and me and the boy... we're gonna have some fun!!

my little man is a bit sick..

My little man needed some alone time with mum so has pulled a sickie.. so needless to say.. there won't be a lot of sewing going on today.. hopefully Friday.. 

I have a few fun patterns ready to go so look out for a few samples being posted soon..

The itty bitty blankie giveaway ends midnight tonight (yes.. I'm staying up) so get your comments in..

Also a quick mention.. check out my personal blog sometime.. kasiabear... a little bit of me, as I will try and keep this blog just for kasiabear kids. I will post most of the happenings on here to my personal blog too.. as this IS a little bit of me..

Whatever you are doing.. have fun doing it!!

the itty bitty taggie blankie giveaway..

the first giveaway on kasiabear kids is closing at midnight tonight.. 

the cutest itty bitty taggie blankie...

I was given many loveys, blankies, teddies and cuddly things when both of my kids were born. Although adorable for their first year, they were all very big, bulky and a little too cutesey for my liking. I didn't want either of my kids to become dependent on these purely because of their size... but since, I have read a lot about the benefits of having a security object. 

I made one of these itty bitty blankies for Zaccy and when making it, remembered about the fascination kids have with tags so I thought I would add these too... if he never bonded with it, at least it was a good little sensory toy for him while he was a bub. 

So I would love to start my pre-launch giveaways with this little guy..

 

This itty bitty taggie blankie is made with snuggly blue minky fabric on one side and a gorgeous floral design by Kitty Yoshida on the other. I have used gross-grain ribbons for the tags and included a matching ring to clip the blankie onto pram straps when on the move. The fabric section measures 13x13cm, which makes it just a lovely size to slip into any pocket. This would make a gorgeous baby shower gift or a newborn gift. 

For your chance to win this itty bitty taggie blankie, leave a comment telling me what you think of this little idea as a permanent item for kasiabear kids.

If you really want to win you can earn up to 4 additional entries;

• become a blog follower of kasiabear kids
• write about this giveaway on your blog and leave the URL
• become a fan of kasiabear on facebook
• share this giveaway with your friends on facebook

(please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Giveaway ends and will be drawn on February 1, 2010. International entries are welcome. 

introducing kasiabear kids

kasiabear kids

is all about fun.. the simple sort of fun that people just tend to overlook...

its about wearing fairy wings to the supermarket..

its about dressing up as a fireman and going to the park..

its about skipping around the block instead of taking a walk..

kasiabear kids

is clothing and accessories that will make you smile...

you can check out the kasiabear kids blog here

I am a mum of two beautiful kids, Ella my soon to be 3 year old girl and Zaccy my 9 month old little guy... I love them to bits and want to make their childhood an adventure, a journey filled with fun and laughter while they learn about the world.

My background is graphic design and photography, so in short.. I'm a visual sort of person. I like things to look nice, I love dressing my kids up, just so I can take gorgeous photos of them in the park for no special occasion apart from it being a Tuesday. There are some great kids clothes out there and I have a lot of fun trying to 'hunt' them down... and often by the time I do my kids have grown out of the sizes available...

... So I decided to create my own fun clothes and accessories for kids including BOY's... yes BOY's clothes, as there only seems to be a very limited amount of anything for little guys that is not, either branded with the latest cartoon character or make a baby look like a miniature grandpa in brown pants and checkered shirts or brown t-shirts...

so here goes... my official launch date is the 4th of July 2010 but I would love to share my journey with you and love feedback on the items I create along the way..

A mum only really has 5 years with her kids when she can truly submerse herself if everything they do 24/7 and have any sort of influence how they spend their day. Then they head off to school and wear a school uniform.. then university maybe.. then to work where (in general) you have to be kind of serious and fun becomes something you have on weekends...

so have fun now... any minute you can.. have fun!!

beautiful quotes

"when i approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments: tenderness for what he is and respect for what he may become." louis pasteur

Lil-L is going to be an astronaut... it all came about one day when we were getting out of the trampoline and she looked up and saw the moon. She asked me to lift her up to touch the moon. I wished I could have, but I am after all only 162cm tall. I apologised and explained to her that she would need to become an astronaut to touch the moon.. this was when she was just two years old.

Almost a year later she still remembers our little conversation and often talks about this and is quite dead set on becoming an astronaut. Who knows.. will keep you updated :o)

little squares..

I love these little squares Ella did last week for me!! One of my favourite pieces of her artwork...

a bouquet for ella's room..

Had a great time with Ella today making a bouquet of flowers for her room... she loves art, craft and getting messy in general!! she got hold of a packet of cupcake cases the other day and made them somewhat unusable for cupcakes, so I put them aside for a future project... alright.. so I couldn't bare to throw them out and was getting sick of them sitting on top of the bookshelf :o)

here is our little creation..

diy matchbook favors

these are so adorable... pity they're probably not appropriate as favors for a christening...
will have to remember them for another occasion... found them here

sooo white, clean & crisp...

ok.. so i love white too..

i soo wish i had a bigger house sometimes..

imagine these beautiful crisp white floors

i love this room!!

my friend got these for her birthday..

they are measuring cups!! how fantastic!!

urban ears... mmmm...

oh.. little man..

couple of Ella's chrissy decorations...

had to pack away christmas... so thought i would post these so i can have a look at them whenever i like

she is soooo sweet!!

love these red kids rooms...

just had a look at the design dazzle blogspot and fell in love... a few inspiring ideas for Ella's room I'm thinking.... hmmm....

love those little square shelves

soooo lovely and minimalist... hmmm..

little peter rabbit had a fly upon his nose...

lil'L just started singing this as we sit outside enjoying this glorious weather... really have no idea of the words or the song but am so loving learning them all and especially so when lil'L sings them is such an adorably sweet little voice.

My family migrated to Australia when I was 8 years old so I don't remember any of the nursery rhymes from Poland and was too old to learn the Australian ones... but am so loving this journey with my little monkeys!!!

things that made me smile today... little bunnies...

just such a cute little blog.. the little bunny just made my visual day...

fifi-lapin

beautiful quotes

"children reinvent your world for you." susan sarandon

so incredibly true... and in so many different ways... they reinvent the way you do things, the way you look at everything around you and also the way you manage to somehow exist on half the sleep (if not less) than you used to...

goodnight

itty bitty blankie giveaway

the first giveaway is here.. the cutest itty bitty blankie...

I was given many loveys, blankies, teddies and cuddly things when both of my kids were born. Although adorable for their first year, they were all very big, bulky and a little too cutesey for my liking. I didn't want either of my kids to become dependent on these purely because of their size... but since, I have read a lot about the benefits of having a security object. 

I made one of these itty bitty blankies for Zaccy and when making it, remembered about the fascination kids have with tags so I thought I would add these too... if he never bonded with it, at least it was a good little sensory toy for him while he was a bub. 

So I would love to start my pre-launch giveaways with this little guy..

 

This itty bitty blankie is made with snuggly blue minky fabric on one side and a gorgeous floral design by Kitty Yoshida on the other. I have used gross-grain ribbons and included a matching ring to clip the blankie onto pram straps when on the move. The fabric section measures 13x13cm, which makes it just a lovely size to slip into any pocket. This would make a gorgeous baby shower gift or a newborn gift. 

For your chance to win this itty bitty blankie, leave a comment telling me what you think of this little idea as a permanent item for kasiabear kids.

If you really want to win you can earn up to 4 additional entries;

• become a blog follower of kasiabear kids
• write about this giveaway on your blog and leave the URL
• become a fan of kasiabear on facebook
• share this giveaway with your friends on facebook

(please leave a separate comment for each entry)

Giveaway ends and will be drawn on February 1, 2010. International entries are welcome. 

who's your favourite hairdresser?

I am sooo very tired and exhausted after a 41 deg day spent at home with my little ones, parents and hubby... I think we all well and truly got cabin fever by the end of the day and it was pure chaos!! The only quiet moment was when my dad and EPL took Lil-L to the pool for a swim.

Cabin fever and chaos aside we still managed to get in so many laughs during the day that my stomach muscles are hurting once again.. I just had to share this one with you before I head off to the land of nod myself...

Lil-L and babu (my mum) are playing hairdressers... babu is combing Lil-L's hair and making her look pretty then its Lil-L's turn to play hairdresser so she simply says to babu...
"your not pretty.. you need to sit down so I can be your hairdresser"

This whole hairdresser thing started off when I was doing my final Christmas Pressie Drop-Off and took Lil-L with me to drop of a bottle of wine to my hairdresser. As we were walking out the door she turns around, looks straight at my dad (who is completely bald and the little hair he has, he shaves #1) and asks..
"who is your favourite hairdresser dziadzia? Followed up a couple days later with, "did a dentist cut your hair?"

Classic!!

beautiful quotes

"give a little love to a child and you get a great deal back." john ruskin

for my mama and tata...

You will never really know what kind of a parent you were or if you did it right or wrong. Never. And you will worry about this and them as long as you live. But when your children have children and you watch them do what they do, you will have part of an answer... robert fulghum

Having my parents back in the country after over a year of living in Australia completely family-less apart from my gorgeous husband and beautiful babies.. I am feeling really blessed to have them both back and in our everyday lives. The smiles that are shared between grandparent and grandchild is just an absolute pleasure to observe from a distance.

Each parent has a different approach and different style in parenting and although I may do a few things differently than my parents did.. I am who I am because of them and simply put it... I love my life.. I love my kids and I love being me..

Thanks mum & dad!!

xx

welcome 2010!!

What a year 2009 was!! A complete and utter roller-coaster in our family... but so many wonderful memories were made during the ride, I am kind of sad that it's all over.. but simultaneously am so excited about what amazing adventures with my beautiful family 2010 will bring...

Wishing each and everyone of you a gloriously, beautiful, fun and laughter filled new year... treasure each and every second with your kids and loved ones... catalogue it in your head, so when you get old you can go through the filing cabinet and put a smile on your own face...

welcome 2010!!

lil-L the talking tornado

When I was pregnant with lil-L I read heaps about talking to your baby about everything you are doing all day long to get their vocabulary up. Being a first time mum I went along with everything I ever read just in case it was right. I don't know what worked exactly, but at 2 years and 8 months she seriously does NOT stop talking.

It is truly amazing how much she picks up and just how quickly and even more so the fact that she has the vocabulary of a much older kid but the understanding of the world as a 2 8/12 yo. Funnier still is that she mimics everyone around her and especially me.

Look out for posts labeled 'Talking Tornado'....

beautiful quotes

"never fear spoiling children by making them too happy. happiness is the atmosphere in which all good affections grow." thomas bray

beautiful quotes

"our children will create a world we cannot imagine, they will accomplish things we cannot even dream..." kathryn t. shaw

my first birthday as a mother of two

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday for the first time as a mother of two... it was just heaven! The kids weren't any nicer than normal.. they were just themselves and thats what made it so special. Daddy had organised a voucher from them for me to have a hot stone massage (something I've been wanting to do for ever) and a full facial (something that I never really intended to do in my life) and Lil-L refused to give me the present or the card she made for me :o) Eventually I got it and read the little book that came with the voucher about all these amazing things they have on offer at this new Wellness Centre.. wow!!

We headed off to mothers group and due to sicknesses there was only three of us so the girls sang me Happy Birthday and blew out my candles for me.. ate all the teddy bear cupcakes that S worked so hard at making for me... again... gorgeous as their little chocolate covered faces made me smile far more than consuming the decorations myself would have.

Both Lil-L and Zaccy slept for me beautifully when we got home and gave me a chance to have a bit of me time. A couple of my closest friends dropped by. Auntie G looked after the munchkins while me and EPL went out for a kid free dinner. When we got back I got to have a good old chat with Auntie G a great day in a nutshell...

What absolutely made my day though was when Auntie G and myself were giving Lil-L a bath and she said that I needed to soak my feet in her bath... so I did.. then she said I needed to take off the prickles off my legs... so I did.. then she told me to put keeem (cream) on my legs... so I did... and when I made the comment following this spontaneous pampering of "I love birthdays, I wish I had more".. Lil-L casually replied, "Santa can give you more birthdays". I just love her to bits!!

Have fun guys!! I sure am!!

fave finds for christmas

I've been a bit flat out fixing my hubbys computer.. in short... I soo love my mac!!! I just wanted to get these goodies on my blog asap so there is still time before chrissy to order them.

The website to check out is www.thehipinfant.com.au. They have some amazingly gorgeous stuff and really well priced.. I'll try and put up as many of my fave finds before little feet come tapping down the hallway to find me..

Goki House Wooden Shape Sorter.. the cutest shape sorter ever!! and its made out of wood which is even lovelier!!

Hip Stuff Bowling Set Giraffe.. just amazingly cute!!!! and so unique!

Hip Stuff Milk Tooth Holder Cat.. only $4.95... the best stocking filler ever!!! again so much sweeter than other tooth boxes i have seen

Goki Shaker Building Blocks.. two in one really, you get the rattles and building blocks in one. wish we didn't have so many building blocks or that one would most certainly be added to the toy box!!

Hip Stuff Wooden Fire Engine.. you can't go wrong with this one at $12.95, after all its red and wood and just stunning!!

Janod Magnetic Aeroplane.. this is my absolute favourite of them all... you will soon realise that i love planes and this has it all.. its wood, its magnetic and its a plane.

Sparkle T Party Favours Cheeky Monkey Whistles (set 6).. the hip infant has some great party favours too, check out that section great alternative for lolly bags!!! these are only $12 for a set of 6

Alimrose Handsqueaker Horse Denim.. both my babies had these... well zaccy still does... 

its a great toy to leave in the cot for them to play with when they wake up. lovely, safe, soft and a great toy to put in their memory box when its all over. 

Haba Clutching Toy Buzz Buzz.. these are just adorable and absolutely timeless. 

I could stay here for ever and pick out stuff from this site, but little zaccy is starting to chat to himself and will be calling out for me any sec.. so must wrap this up... seriously.. check out this site there are some great finds here

xx

over and out and back to my favourite job in the world... mother

i got me a promotion too just last weekend.. the little guy is off and racing.. well crawling

fave finds for christmas

Alright... so its no secret that I love my kids and am slightly obsessed with sourcing the most adorable, exciting, educational and amazing things I can possibly find and afford... Christmas is not far away and I am happy to say that I am done.. and dusted!! as far as Christmas shopping goes.

I don't like shops, and thats not a secret either!! I hate spending valuable daylight hours walking around shops that are loaded with run of the mill toys and even worse.. branded toys. I have a marketing background and understand where these guys are coming from, but what my child watches on TV or at the movies etc does not need to plastered all over their clothing... just needed to get that out!

Online shopping was the go this year. I searched and found some amazing toys and would love to share them with you, as well as some really cool online shops..

My Fave Finds

Geomag G-baby
available at www.urbanbaby.com.au

The Geomag range of G-baby toys is a unique play system, where all the magnetic pieces work together in different ways. Use them in the bath, on the playmat or in the stroller - the possibilities are endless. Each G-baby element is made in Switzerland of Makrolon, a unique plastic with the highest level of reliability and safety.

A G-baby toy helps to develop your child's gross motor skills and imagination. Suitable for babies 9 months +

It's the perfect gift for a newborn, or for a first birthday party - a toy that will grow with your child's imagination.

Micador
available at www.urbanbaby.com.au

This range has quite a few fab items but these are my absolute favourite!!

Micador early stART Link & Learn are colourful shapes that click or link together for fun and educational play. They are designed just for 2 to 4 year olds and are safe and easy to use.

Link & Learn helps develop fine motor skills and creative expression in children through construction. The possibilities for unique creations are endless. They are also designed to develop problem solving and colour recognition, and they can be used as an aid to counting.

I just couldn't wait for Christmas with these when they arrived.. lil-L just loves them!!!

Badger Range
available at www.urbanbaby.com.au

After ordering the night night balm for lil-L and realising how amazing these products were, I ended up getting the whole set. My absolute favourite is the anti-bug-balm. I've put a bit of info about the anti-bug-balm below, but you have to check out this range for yourself! This would be a great gift for a new mom!!

Australia... summer... flies. Yes we all hate them, so you slather yourself and the children in chemicals to ward them off. Sure, we don't like the chemicals, but we hate the flies more! Not to mention those buzzing bloodsuckers, the mozzies.

Well, guess what - Badger Anti-Bug balm, with a great new formulation, is blended to strike fear in the hearts of biting insects everywhere.

It smells good, feels good, soothes dry skin & it works. What else do you need to know? Oh yeah, it's 100% natural, and nearly all organic, and totally good.

Online Shops

www.etsy.com.au - great handmade stuff for the whole family

www.urbanbaby.com.au

www.metromum.com.au

www.huggiesbookclub.com.au

www.thehipinfant.com.au

www.stuckupkids.com.au

www.haggusandstookles.com.au

www.mymunchkinhome.com.au

www.mummysfavourite.com.au

www.mybabyrocks.com.au


alright guys... I'm off to bed, I will post some more of my fave finds as soon as time allows..

happy shopping!!

best dollar ever spent

I keep reading about just giving in to the obsession kids have with pulling tissues out of tissue boxes for shear amusement of the child and five minutes to yourself.

Well... I needed a few minutes the other day (well a lot more actually) and I remembered the tissue box which was sitting peacefully on our bedside table as I tried to fold a few clothes while singing and dancing to my now crawling super zac... needless to say the singing and dancing while folding laundry was not as entertaining as I hoped it would be, and face it.. the bed was just too high off the ground for me to continue this lame form of entertainment.. after all, I have no musical bone in my body and certainly cannot dance to save my life...

  

So I gave in... and got sooo much more than 5 minutes!! I got the laundry done and zaccy zac just loooved this sensory experience (as you can see by the excessive drool marks on his bondsies). And for those environmentally conscious.. I saved the tissues as they were all clean for wiping up of little mishaps that happen around our house.

absolutely the best dollar ever spent!!