Family Life Archives - Page 2 of 17

Popping the Camping Cherry

February 10, 2015 By: mamagrace7120 Comments

The camping cherry has been popped! Our kick arse Black Wolf 12 man tent has been christened!

Most importantly, we survived!

And despite my ramblings last week, we didn’t go completely “wild”

There was running water, electricity, public toilets, showers and BBQ’s. (Cheating!)

But hey, packing nothing more than half a sandwich bag for toiletries deserves virtual high fives all around, yes?

A collective “woohoo” at least?

Finally arriving at the camp ground, of course we got into a heated debate about which way the tent should be pitched.

Despite eventually letting Mr Surfer have his way, I quickly discovered that our respective egos would hinder us getting through a round of “Survivor”.

The twinions were completely wired – jumping on the air mattresses, looking out into the stars – our little fort didn’t turn in until 11pm.

Then somewhere around bright moon rising and possums stirring, Mr Surfer’s air mattress deflated and I wound up with two squiggly bodies on my bed. Arms and limbs everywhere.

The lack of sleep didn’t make a lick of difference to how breathtaking One Mile Beach is.

Back in the day of no children, we spent a romantic long weekend in the same place.

Funny how having children changes the dynamics completely.

The love is still there, though.

One Mile Beach Caravan Park is situated right behind the beach and is an ideal family get away.

With the Tomaree National Park close by, we had a few wildlife visitors drop by, including this massive mofo.

The problem with a weekend that’s close to perfect are the inevitable meltdowns encountered when time to depart.

K-Bear cried incessantly as we drove out of the complex. He left his heart at the pool with the slide.

Of course, there’s camping hangover to contend with – the exhaustion of packing up (that bloody tent!), an aching body crying for a proper bed and a long warm bath.

But being in the outdoors is addictive.

No doubt we’ll be back.

Joining Essentially Jess for #IBOT

Did you like this? Share it:

Of Smelly Boys and Scented Candles {Air Wick Giveaway}

December 9, 2014 By: mamagrace7130 Comments

***This is a sponsored post for Air Wick. However, all opinions are my own and I love me a nice scented candle, anyway***

If the near future ever sees you pay a visit to my humble abode, whatever you do, please ignore its pitiful, neglected state.

I am no Pinterest Queen of Domestic Interior Design.

My house is not conducive to having pretty trinkets, plush rugs or intricate ornaments.

Most have been spectacularly destroyed.

The few treasured pieces are safely kept away from twinions’ reach.

Instead, you will find sturdy heavy wooden pieces Balinese furniture and well-worn couches with ominous stains and blotches that have been hanging around since the boys first started solids.

Yup. That long ago.

I know it’s just a phase. One day, I’ll be able to buy nice furniture and curtains again. Well, I’m hoping, anyway.

With this male dominated house plagued with endearing odours of playground sweat, stinky vegemite sandwich breath and flatulence of the rotten egg kind, I rely on fragrances to keep me sane.

Like a bear feverishly collecting food for winter, I keep a stock standard supply of scented candles.

It drives my husband mad (“You’re going to burn the house down!”) but hey, he doesn’t seem to smell what I smell. Why is that?

Adding to my ever growing collection, Air Wick sent through three of their candle products:

Multicolour Silhouette Candle in French Vanilla Romance
Decorative Jar Candle in Cottonflower and Blue Bonnet (Fluffy Linen)
Decorative Jar Candle in French Lavender (Unwind Time)

Scented candles can tend to be either not having enough aroma or be overbearing.

Air Wick candles all have their distinct, yet subtle aroma.

My favourite would have to be the Fluffy Linen because well, who doesn’t like to indulgently lie in clean, fresh, heavenly soft bed sheets?

Lying next to my little boy the other night, gently patting him, I was sure he was slowly drifting into slumber.

A tender moment short lived by a subtle yet obvious puff of air from his tiny perfectly rounded bottom.

“Nunu…did you just do a toot toot?”

*Cue bursts of giggles and laughter*

Some say, no matter where they’ve been, how they smell, you love your children all the same.

So tis a mum’s life of smelly boys and scented candles.

Hosting an Air Wick giveaway, one lucky reader will win the three above mentioned candles!

All you have to do is:

Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email
Leave a comment on the post telling me: Which fragrance or smell that triggers a particular memory for you?

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents
Closing date for entries is 10pm AEST Tuesday, 16th of December.
The winner will be contact via email on the following Wedneday.
If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.
Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final.

Joining Essentially Jess for #IBOT

Did you like this? Share it:

Bali Beach Bargain Tragic

November 18, 2014 By: mamagrace7114 Comments

Immersing in the sun, surf and sand, the conventional domestic Australian life is a million light years away.

The sense of liberation from being on holiday releases all apprehensions, instead enticing adventure, excitement and cocktails by the pool.

Having your hair tied in plaits decorated with tiny beads by that sweet vendor by the beach (She does awesome massages too! Score!), was a great idea…at the time.

You sashay towards the tropical sunset in that batik dress from the markets, feeling adequately boho chic. Finally, you feel one with the locals…except that’s not what the locals wear.

Arriving back to the normalcy of suburbia, reality hits: You are a Bali beach bargain tragic.

What is it about beach holidays that skew your fashion sense?

A year since our trip to Bali, it’s finally hit me how many crazy purchases I bought. But this time, I’m not the victim. It’s the twinions.

Mostly thanks to these beauties:

This entire time they’ve been sitting at the bottom of the drawers.

Subconsciously, I’ve been trying to shove them right out of existence, ignoring how ridiculously loud they actually are.

This morning, in a vain attempt to get some wear out of them, I tried to convince K-Bear how cool it was to have all these animals on his pants.

He cooperatively put them on, but then looked down and gave me a look of disdain:

“Mama, you have GOT to be kidding me…”

In his almost 5 years, while he rarely protests what his mother dresses him, he wasn’t going to let her pull these ugly overalls, er…this one over his eyes.

As for practical reasons to wear them, there are none.

Guaranteed, I’ll be cleaning up a pee (or dare I say, poo) mess first before I manage to get to those fiddly buttons. Worse yet, the daycare teachers would never EVER forgive me.

Alas, I am a self confessed hoarder. As ghastly as they are, I’ll cling onto them like I am to the twinions’ pre-school years.

One day, they might be donated to charity (if anyone in their right, conscious mind will have them). Maybe they can somehow transpire into cool cushions.

Or am I just kidding myself?

Have you ever done a fashion faux pas on your kids? What was the ugliest thing you were made to wear as a kid?

Joining Essentially Jess for #IBOT

Did you like this? Share it:

Healtheries #snackosphere – Nibbles

November 10, 2014 By: mamagrace718 Comments

***This post is the third of a three part #snackosphere blog challenge series for Kidspot Voices of 2014 and Healtheries. Here’s the first post and the second one. ***

I was never a beach person.

Sand in my togs. Yuck.

And as you can see – no sunbathing or suntan required here.

But I am an ocean lover.

One of the nicest things about being married to a surfer is that some of our most special family moments are made up of the simple pleasures and salt water, air and sunshine bring.

I could watch for hours the twinions being chased by the thrills and spills of the ocean waves.

(Have you noticed it’s the best chasing game? And I don’t have to budge an inch!)

Best part after a trip to the sea?

The appetite you’ve built up.

Where nothing used to come close to having hot chips, the twinions now love nibbling on Healtheries Potato Wheels (Burger flavoured).

Calling them “orange chips”, the Potato Wheels have been a much healthier alternative because:

65% less fat than regular potato chips
Under 2% saturated fat
Wheat & Gluten Free

They’re the perfect portion controlled sized packets. (Key is save them as a sometimes treat).

So, with summer just around the corner (well, it might as well already be here), there’s plenty more days ahead by the ocean to look forward to and some nibbles to enjoy afterwards.

Do you belong to a family of ocean lovers? What are your kidlets’ favourite nibbles?

Did you like this? Share it:

Living with a Flatulence Filled Family {Harpic Giveaway}

October 30, 2014 By: mamagrace719 Comments

***This is a sponsored post for Harpic and best not to be read during food consumption***

Like it wasn’t bad enough growing up sharing a toilet with 2 older brothers, my life continues to be plagued as a mother and wife of flatulence fiends.

FIENDS, I tells ya!

We spend the first couple of years as parents on constant poo monitoring mode.

“Is it runny?”

“Is this yellow colour unusual?”

“Is this the first one for the day?”

Then, we go through the dilemmas of toilet training, which doesn’t need further expansion here as our stomachs (and mental state) have weathered enough during that trying stage of parenting.

But how do you handle it when they pop a fluffy? Particularly the Silent But Deadly’s (SBD’s).

How does so much toxic, pungent gas come out of one tiny bottom?

And how do they manage to carry on with their business like nothing happened?

Typical scenario:

Strong foul rotten egg smell inundates the room.

Me: Okay, who did a toot toot?

Nunu: Me! (Big satisfied smile)

The smile is sinister. His poop gas punishes my stomach.

For this innocent 4 year old, a stink bomb deserves just as much praise as letting out the big brown sharks in the loo.

Not quite, buddy.

So, I ask him, “Do you need to do a poo poo?”

“No” is the casual reply.

There’s that evil smile again.

And more passing wind.

Okay. I will ‘fess up. My bottom doesn’t emit pleasant smells of lavender or roses either. I like to let one rip as much as my boys.

But, I like to think I leave the SBD’s for the privacy of the toilet. Or under the doona.

Especially when it’s Dutch Oven payback time for Mr Surfer. That’s fair, yes?

You can imagine that scented candles and open windows are mandatory in our flatulence filled home. Not to mention the bathroom products necessary to keep our toilet in (at best) a bearable state.

Bet you’re hanging to come over now!

Harpic is a well-known, reputable brand that’s saved many an Australian toilet from the ugliest of messes and the most potent of odours.

We’ve been trying out the Toilet Hygienic Plus for the main loo and the Toilet Dual Action Block for the second one.

Our toilets have never smelt so civil and fragrant!

For all the times when the boys (including the big one) miss, there are the Toilet Wipes.

And boys being boys. They ALWAYS miss.

I have one of each of these products to give away to one lucky reader who could use some extra help for their toilet situation.

All you have to do is:

Subscribe to With Some Grace by Email

Leave a comment on this post telling me:

What’s been the funniest or stinkiest fart story in your home?

Terms and Conditions:

This giveaway is only open to Australian residents
Closing date for entries is 10pm AEST Friday, 7th of November.
The winner will be contact via email on the following Saturday.
If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.
Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final.

Did you like this? Share it:

Healtheries #snackosphere After School

October 23, 2014 By: mamagrace715 Comments

***This post is the second of a 3 part #snackosphere blog challenge series for Kidspot Voices of 2014 and Healtheries. You can read the first post here ***

While the weather here in Sydney has been all sorts lately, when it’s been awesome, it’s been UBER awesome.

Despite this, I like to make sure the daycare pick ups are quick and snappy. It’s an easy 2 minute drive there and by the end of the day, I just want to get it over and done with.

However, to make most of daylights savings, Mr Surfer, has been keen to take a leisurely walk to the daycare and walk the boys back home. It’s slowly becoming a special Friday afternoon family affair.

I was of course dubious at first because hello, witching hour.

Asking the boys to walk an extra half hour home (including a little hill) after a full on day at daycare at the week’s end…who isn’t asking for crazy tantrums?

But Mr Surfer comes home in time to make the scenic 15 minute walk with me and we bring along an ample supply of anti-tantrum rations – apples, fruit rolls and their favourite, chips.

Lately, we’ve been replacing the chips with Healtheries snacks and for after school, we tried the Potato Curls (Chicken flavour).

Initially, I wasn’t sure if the single serve packets would satisfy the twinions’ ravenous after school appetites.

At the same time, I was worried if it would ruin dinner. (Oh my, when did I turn into my mother???)

It’s a good thing the Potato Curls (just released last month in Coles supermarkets) have 70% less fat than regular chips because they’ve become a big hit.

There’s also less than 2% saturated fat as well as wheat and gluten free. As I mentioned in my last post, K-Bear is still isn’t in the clear from his peanut allergy so it’s nice to see that all Healtheries snacks are peanut free.

One little bug bear is its sodium content, being slightly higher (593 mgs per 100gms) compared to regular potato chips (479mgs per 100gms).

It’s all about portion control.

Each Potato Curl packet (at 12 gms) contains 129 mg of sodium while an average serving of chips (roughly 15 chips or 27 gms) which holds 129mg of sodium.

So for us, Potato Curls are a special treat.

Which is absolutely fine because so have these walks home.

Except for that time we got locked out. But that’s another story…

Did you like this? Share it:

Polar Opposites

October 14, 2014 By: mamagrace7123 Comments

A few weeks ago, I caught up with an old friend from my days in Tokyo along with his wife.

Towards the end of my time there, our polar opposite situations took a big hit on our friendship.

He was happy and lovedrunk in a serious relationship, leaving (what I thought) little time to hang out with me, who – in stark contrast – was very single, lonely and emotionally unstable.

It’s been 10 years since I left Japan and since then, he and his wife moved on to New York. Being a Sydney native though, he makes annual homecomings.

He first got back in touch with me three years ago when I was still trying to get the hang of being a mum of twinnies.

A little reserved on whether I was still in the angry, unforgiving state we last left each other, he seemed secretly pleased that even without motherhood, things had changed.

How can anyone hold a grudge for that long anyway?

While our catchups are still sporadic, we’re warming up to each other again.

Yet, our situations are still very different.

He’s caught up in the fast pace lifestyle of “New Yaaaawk”, a huge success in the financial software industry, making bucket loads of money.

While happily married, there seems to be the unspoken decision to not have children.

Despite all this, he leaves his ego (and man, I remember he could have a biggun!) at the Big Apple and immerses himself in all that is good about his home country – the fresh air, the gorgeous sunshine, the laid back appeal of drinking a beer while watching boats on the harbour.

While taking a walk to burn off our hearty fish and chips lunch, the conversation of mental health came up. Mine, in particular.

I was taking a big risk. He could’ve easily slammed me and be done. But I went with my gut feeling, told him about my journey with depression, stress and anxiety and took a giant leap of faith in our friendship.

Initially shocked, he was sympathetic. While perhaps unaware of the stigma with mental illness, he let me educate him a little, gently letting the conversation be guided by what I had to say, actively listening, holding back judgement. Though, it seemed there wasn’t any to begin with. Just pure concern.

We recalled our time in Tokyo, especially the tough times I went through, explaining that it could’ve been quite possible that even back then, I was unwell, not just a grumpy lonely old cow.

And he got it. I even think he appreciated that I opened up, despite all these years of silence between us.

I used to be shit scared telling friends about the state of my mental health.

There’s just that huge fear of judgment.

What I’ve discovered, though is that talking about it is not only cathartic, it reassures me of who my true friends are.

Trust me, for all of the many who have openly embraced my unhinged-self, there are those who don’t get it at all.

They get an immediate strike. Harsh and clinical?

No.

Just saving energy and emotion for those worthy of it.

But, I’m glad I’m talking. I need to put it out there. The more I do it, the more empowering it feels.

If you have concerns or seeking support regarding your mental health or someone close to you, call Lifeline (13 11 14) or beyondblue (1300 22 4636).

Joining Essentially Jess for another round of #IBOT!

Did you like this? Share it:

Healtheries #snackosphere – Break in the Snow

September 30, 2014 By: mamagrace7112 Comments

***This post is the first of a 3 part #snackosphere blog challenge series for Kidspot Voices of 2014 and Healtheries.***

I was initially little dubious about going but calling up Perisher Ski Resort, they assured me that there was enough of the fluffy white stuff. So much so, the ski season had been extended to the 10^th of October. So we scrapped in by two weeks.

We broke the road trip down to two parts: first night we stayed at my folks in Canberra.

Then, the next day was another three hours to Jindabyne. Break in the Snow

Staying at the Adventist Alpine Village, our clean, comfortable and cosy chalet was surrounded by roaming kangaroos and spectacular views.

Alas, by this stage, the twinions were really hyped up about seeing snow – the Frozen soundtrack was on repeat (Oh, Princess Elsa, I wish we could let you go…) and we were really banking on nature not to let us down.

Luckily, by the time we got there the following day, there was plenty of the stuff for the boys to have them slipping, sliding and snowman building.

In replenishing their boundless energy, we took along some Healtheries Potato Stix. While the boys are usually apprehensive to try anything new, they happily munched on these during our snack breaks.

Summarising our awesome weekend, here’s a little video I put together:

While we would all usually gobble down some potato chips to appease grumbling tummies, it was nice to know that Healtheries provide a healthier treat.

The Potato Stix in particular are:

Dairy Free
Preservative Free
Have no artificial flavours or colours
No added MSG.

With K-Bear still not completely out of the woods with his peanut allergy (he’s due for a tasting challenge before he starts big school), I’ve been excited by health food snacks before, only to be disappointed by the allergy warning fine print. “May contain traces of peanuts” – Fail!

Being the first thing I checked when I received my package from Healtheries it was a pleasantly surprise to discover that all the products they sent through are indeed nut free. Yay!

Looks like we’ve got some new goodies in our pantry. Tasty and healthy ones at that! Winning!

Have you been to the snow? What was your favourite part? Is the Frozen soundtrack still on repeat at yours?

Joining Essentially Jess for another round of #IBOT!

Did you like this? Share it:

Toilet Training Twins is Impossible {And Dettol Giveaway}

September 18, 2014 By: mamagrace7127 Comments

This is a sponsored post.

Despite what the books and the parenting seminars tell you, there is no method to the madness of toilet training twins.

Smug parents (you know the ones) who would gloat about how their not even three yet toddler transitioned to nappy free in a few short days just made me more frustrated about our situation. Then, I wanted to punch them in the face.

“Just because there’s two of them, your situation shouldn’t be any harder, right?”

Another imaginary punch. This time in the throat.

There is no such thing as toilet training twins. Why? Because you toilet train individuals.

What works for one, does not work for the other.

We were keen to try out all the tips that books tell you about encouraging the process.

We jived our way through the “Look who did a poo-poo in the potty!!!” dance, slapped high five slaps all around and offered rewards when those colourful stickers filled the charts.

Yet, amongst all the commotion and excitement around the toilet bowl, there was one twin who would sadly be left in dismay and confusion.

Being toilet trained is a huge milestone, as every parent knows. It is a time to celebrate another step of independence for a little person. Most importantly, it’s an extremely personal milestone.

The logistics of where to put the potty and methods of encouragement may not differ from training each child but the emotional dynamics can vary significantly. The danger of comparison is never far away.

Toilet Training Twins is Impossible

When we worked out that what the books told us wasn’t working, we took a step back and took a little break for our boy.

While one was now happily going to the toilet without any problem, we kept our excitement at a minimum and he didn’t seem to mind that one bit.

As the weeks past, we really had to make a conscious effort to stop worrying and more importantly comparing our toilet adverse twin.

Instead, we focused on reassuring him that there was no hurry. Whenever he was ready, we would be too.

Of course, the moment that mindset kicks in, everything falls into place and within days, our little boy joined his twin brother.

Dettol is a well-known and trusted brand in Australian homes and undoubtedly an integral part for many a toilet training triumph…as well as disaster.

Now that the days of training are far behind us but with two constant grubby boys, hand hygiene is a big affair in our house. Using Dettol’s Revitalise Antibacterial Hand Wash with Raspberry and Pomegranate keeps the germs at bay but also leaves behind a refreshing fragrant on your hands. It’s one thing to maintain a high level of cleanliness – it’s another to smell like a hospital.

We’re also very lucky that our daycare also enforces the importance of using hand sanitiser after doing their little business.

The journey of toilet training is just as big of a learning curve for parents as what it is for the child. In the race to try and get them nappy free and independent, it’s important to stop. Take things slow and focus on their self-confidence and emotional awareness.

For one lucky reader, I have some great Dettol products to giveaway!