Rhymes Kids Music Festival Australia

If you were a music festival goer (gumboots, ripped denim, straw hat, lollipops) before the kiddlywinks came along and crave some semblance of a festival set-up for your mini-mes, this festival is for you. And the family.

It's called the Rhymes Kids Music Festival.

Rhymes Tour Director Adam Coward says: “Kids Music has made massive leaps forward with modern musicians becoming parents and wanting to create new genres and styles that not only their kids will like, but, they can enjoy just as much”.

'With K(indie) Rock' and 'KidHop' emerging as new genres (oh yes, where have you been?!) the musical worlds of parents and their children are kinda getting muddled. Yikes!

“We’ve seen this convergence happen in kids movies” says Mr Coward. “Shrek, Toy Story, Madagascar, Megamind, they are engaging the adult mind as well, allowing parents and children to sit together and enjoy the movie experience. We’re now seeing the same thing with music and it’s very exciting”.

For example, one of the acts at the Festival is Electric Lunchbox (Sydney), with complex harmonies, brilliant samples, effects, and lyrics that promise to leave little ones sporadically repeating them throughout the day (is that a good thing?). Meanwhile, Spikey & Friends (Byron Bay) will get rocking out to “Caterpillars Turning into Butterflies”.

Then there is Brett Campbell (Caboolture) with “Scary Monster” which takes you back to childhood memories of gurgling monsters in the drain (what? That's a myth, then?!)

These will no doubt be surprise packages amongst the big drawcards of perennial favourites including Hi-5, Zing Zillas, LazyTown, Justine Clarke, old fave Peter Combe - the man who started it all in Australia and is now making a big comeback.

What we are most looking forward to as a family of four is giving our kids their very first 'festival' experience, with fab music running on multiple stages (yes! multiples stages!) all day.

Check the site for where the 'headline acts' will be playing (in addition to the above acts, there will be Yo Gabba Gabba, Ben 10, Angelina Ballerina, Raggs, Tweenies, and more). The event will also allow emerging young music artists a stage in front of up to 10,000 to demo their new style of kids' music.

Plus, there will be lots of great interactive extras at each festival like magic light shows, silent dance discos, and cool exhibitor/'have a go' zones.

Thousands of tickets have already been sold and the rest are selling fast.

The tour dates are:

SYDNEY 17 JUL
MELBOURNE 30 OCT
BRISBANE 22 JAN

See http://www.rhymesfestival.com.au/ for more info on the event and on ticket sales.

All-new Disney Junior adventures: out now.

The delivery of Minnie, Mickey and Manny review DVDs to our house sent my three year old twins into fits of joy.

And all three titles - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Bow-Tique, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally and Handy Manny: Handy Manny’s Big Race - did not disappoint the mini critics.

New to Disney DVD from tomorrow, 6 July 2011, the newly launched Disney Junior, formerly Playhouse Disney, has released these first three exciting instalments.

First up, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Bow-Tique: Minnie’s sparkling-new bow-tique is open and myriad bows and bow-ties are on show. The signature Mousketools are required to find the perfect gift for Pete’s Aunt Mabel.

Fashion fun over and it's time for a daytime sleepover, a picnic in Mickey Park and other great adventures in four fabulous original episodes.

Next, Mickey Mouse is back in an all-new full length movie that takes the Clubhouse gang on a wild ride through Mickey Park, the desert, Mistletoe Mountain, even the jungle. All the while, kids need to find the special ‘Mickey Markers’. Bonus features: Handy Manny: Julieta’s Monster episode. It also features two fast-paced and exciting new eps: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Road Rally is perfect for little people interested in a non-stop travel adventure.

And lastly, it’s back to Sheetrock Hills for high-speed fun with the kiddies' fave handyman, Manny Garcia!

Manny and his team of talking tools try to turn a broken down old car into the fastest four wheels on the road, and win Wood Valley 500 race. Before they cross the finish line though a lot of teamwork is in order.

Handy Manny: Manny’s Big Race features great new music and all-new episodes - Bunny in the Basement/Fast Eddie’s Scooter - it's fast paced fun.

Disney Junior - formerly Playhouse Disney - is the newly branded, learning-focused direction for the brand, which reflects the emotional connection generations of consumers have to Disney storytelling and Disney characters, both classic and contemporary.

It is truly a delight to watch young minds and faces, eager to learn, engage in the new batch of DVD offerings from Disney Junior.

Available to own from 6 July 2011, RRP: $24.95 to RRP: $19.95.

Motherhood made me lose control - and possibly my mind

Did you read the header?

Oh yes, I have almost lost my mind, people.

No, there is no need to call a mental facility.

It is just another day in the paradise called 'motherhood'.

These days, women are much more vocal in owning up to how terribly difficult and constraining being a mum can be. How the element of no/little control leaves them gobsmacked. There are forums and blogs and websites aplenty. Women air and vent, and men (and women with no babies) run for cover.

Are these women mad, they think? Pfft, when Iiiiii have children it will be vastly differently. I will be all Zen-like and calm. There will be music, and games, and an air of... well, anything but what those crazy mums are talking about on the www.

But unless you are in that sphere, that world of mummydom, you cannot possibly imagine how life-altering motherhood can be.

Even if you have a gazillion nieces and nephews. Even if you are a childcare worker, or a teacher, or a nanny. Live-in, even.

Because when you have the job of rearing and teaching and feeding and comforting and averting a world war amongst siblings daily (Every. Single. Day), it takes on a whooole new perspective. Trust me on this one.

Planning on having a baby?

Please, take a seat. Get comfy.

Here are the cold, hard facts:

- You will never (and by never, I mean for the next 5, maybe 10 years) go to the toilet without someone beating the door down. You will finish your business while barracading the door with one hand. True. I do it almost daily. Unless I can sneak off to the loo without being noticed.

- You will become your mother/a 'broken record' - "don't take your jumper/socks/hat off". Insert your it's-for-your-own-good rant here.

- Your child will do a poo when you're about to leave the house. And running late.

- Those nutritious meals you worked so hard to make? Some days, they will be untouched in favour of "custard, Mummy, I want custard! Or ice cream!"

- Your property is no longer your own. Childproof all you like, someone will still get their grubby mitts on your precious things.

- Your mobile phone is the most fascinating gadget around. And must be played with at the exact same time you need to make a call. Or search for a phone number.

- Phone calls will be made in another room. Until they discover you have gone to said room. Then 'evil child' will make as much noise as possible. In direct proportion to how important the call is.

- Conversations. Interrupted ("Mummy is talking. Wait!"). Forever. Beyond annoying.

- Items of clothing will be strewn across the house. Until they learn how to 'pack away', it's your job.

- Toys. As above.

- Warnings of "it's cold outside, please put on a jumper, you have a cold" will be ignored.

- Walls? Carpets? Ha! They're for drawing, aren't they? (it takes TWO seconds, people. You will see).

- Clothing. It will be dirtied, changed, taken off, perhaps ripped several times a day.

- Dressing and undressing. Cute when they're 0-2; annoying when they're two+ (fiddly feet and spaghetti arms - you know what I am talking about here, parents!)

- In my house, a 'princess dress' is imperative. Five different costume changes daily. I am changing my daughter's name to Lady Gaga by deed poll shortly.

- Going out. Never the same again. Crazy critters will be demanding/bored/hungry/tired.

- Eating out: forget it, until they're... check back in with me. We haven't hit that age yet.

Think yours will be different?

Oh wait, did you just hear that? That was the sound of me falling off my chair in fits of laughter.

We allll think ours will be different because we go in thinking we can control our nerves, our patience, our tolerance levels. And to an extent, that is true.

But what we fail to factor in is what we cannot control. Our child's temperament, moods, special needs, illness, or frankly just being a right little turd.

Stay tuned for my next blog post called "all the ways motherhood made me a hypocrite."

And may I add there are AMAZING, WONDERFUL, GOTTA CATCH YOUR BREATH aspects of motherhood which blow me away. So many times a day I lose count. Sometimes they move me to tears.

I adore having a bath with my kids (yes, sometimes having my private time invaded is actually a pleasure. Mad, I know. Being at eye level in a bubble-filled bath with my beauties is crazy-good).

It takes my breath away when they interact with and hug and kiss their dad.

It knocks me for six when my daughter says, "Mummy, I am sorry. I love you", then proceeds to kiss my leg because that's as far as she reaches. This happens around 20 times a day lately.

I love waking up to them, and the barrage of cuddles and kisses that await.

I am gobsmacked at their daily progress and wonderment around their new world.

And I feel so ridiculously blessed I have them. Have to pinch myself, blessed.

But some days...

Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn & Hi-5

In what promises to be a fun day for kiddies and parents alike, the gang from Hi-5 - Casey, Fely, Lauren, Stevie and Tim - will be at this year’s Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn on Sunday May 29, 2011.

Hi-5 will take part in the specially created ‘Hi-5 Hike’ at 12.20pm, a gold coin-donation 200 metre event which encourages young ones to have some fun and get involved on the day.

At 1pm, families can take their spot on the hill and enjoy a special live performance by the fabulous five. Now in its 11th year, the event raises money to buy vital medical equipment that treats and saves the lives of children across Australia.

Not just for the elite; there is something for everyone – entrants can run, walk (or crawl!) up the steep 420 metre stretch of Mosman’s Awaba Street.

Created by Wallaby great Phil Kearns in 2001, the Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn continues to make a significant impact on the lives of sick children – to date raising over $10 million and purchasing over 600 pieces of medical equipment for children’s hospitals and health services from Liverpool to Blacktown, Armidale to Bingara and 150 other children’s hospitals and wards around the nation.

Starting at 9am, register in one of the many events on the day – male/female 60+, male/female 50-59, male/female 40-49, male/female 30-39, boys/girls 18 and under, open male, open female, boys/girls 12 and under, senior girls relay, senior boys relay, parent & child, special burn, elite invitational female, para burn, elite invitational male, pet & owner and the ‘no burn’ walk.

The Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn encourages corporate team entries for their team relay events.

Participate or spectate, the 2011 Humpty Dumpty Balmoral Burn promises an enjoyable day for the entire family – with animal farms, carnival rides, a jumping castle and refreshments available in the park all day where Humpty’s giant screens will capture all of the action on the hill.

Date - Sunday May 29 2011
Time - 9.00am – (registrations open 8am)
Location - Awaba Street, Mosman
Cost - Adult $30, Under 18 $15, Parent & Child $50 per family, Senior School Relay $200, No Burn Walk $25 or register on-line for an early bird discount
Website - www.humpty.com.au

Jurassic Lounge: Australian Museum as you've never seen it

Jurassic Lounge is here, people!

Every Tuesday night this summer, the Australian Museum opens its doors for after-hour sessions featuring art, live music, drinks and new ideas.

See Sydney’s hottest new artists, performers and DJs at this event. With a drink in hand, you can have a wander, and check out amazing live acts and exhibitions against a spectacular backdrop of dinosaur skeletons, precious gemstones and native animals. Now that is a very cool concept - it’s the Australian Museum as you’ve never seen it!

It's $15 at the door, which includes 1 free drink, and it's on every Tuesday, 5.30pm to 9.30pm until April 19, 2011. (Over 18s event).

Australian Museum is at 6 College Street, Sydney. Call 02 9320 6000 or see: www.jurassiclounge.com

Vital message for summer: from The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Hearing about a drowning is utterly heartbreaking. As a mother with a backyard pool I will confess to being stricken with fear at the very thought of it. I am not a strong swimmer and it has been of utmost importance to me to ensure my three year old twins are water-aware and feel confident in the pool. This does not mean it will ever eliminate the need for supervision. Oh no, not at all. In fact, I become a primal mother when we're in the pool, and watch their every move intently. But as these pictures show - courtesy of The Children's Hospital at Westmead - curious, young minds seek adventure... and in this case, these actions can have potentially disastrous consequences.

And the latest case of near-drownings due to lack of supervision have emergency doctors at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead warning parents about the dangers of crowded pools - there have been five near-drowning incidents in the past week.

While hospitals, major pool organisations and children’s safety groups have been busy building pool safety awareness in the lead-up to summer, there is still major concern over the safety of children in and around water after the five separate incidents.

Each year, as summer approaches, children spend more time venturing into the water to cool down, in both private and public pools. However, as Professor Danny Cass of the Trauma Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead says, supervision by parents must play a lead role in preventing drownings.

“In this latest group of near-drownings, four were in public access pools while the other was in a private pool. Each of these cases involved a lapse of supervision. This is a real issue, particularly when the child is at a busy public pool where there are large crowds of people. Supervision can become confused. Supervision around water means within “arm’s length” and with eye contact,” said Cass.

“Not only is supervision the issue, but also the fact that the child can easily be overlooked when in the pool surrounded by a large number of swimmers”.

Emergency and Trauma specialists at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead are urging parents/carers to be extra vigilant this season and to ensure that:

1. They intimately supervise their children around swimming pools and any other body of water.

2. They closely observe their child when swimming in public pools.

3. They maintain a secure pool fence for their private swimming pools.

Let's all strive to make this an accident and fatality-free summer.

Grover is the Old Spice man. Cute.

Now this makes a nice change from the Katy Perry/Sesame Street mini debacle.

Check out Grover in his turn as the Old Spice dude.

Good ol' fashioned, cheeky fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB4P_VMNGYQ

Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2010 - red carpet and awards photos.

Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2010 - last night I went along. I shoulda bought along the ear plugs I have in my bedside drawer (the ones a friend advised I buy when the twins were babies - to use when the other half let me catch up on sleep, so I'd muffle duo newborn squealing). I never did use them, but boy I needed them last night.

The pre-tween, tween, and teen audience (with a smattering of adults who came for fun - like me - plus adults who accompanied little people) well and truly made their presence felt.

With an orange carpet (to match the Nickelodeon channel logo) earlier in the day, kids had a real chance to warm up vocal chords before the real thing inside the Ent Cent. Wow-ser - the very mention of Justin Bieber, Taylor Lautner, or Miley Cyrus sent these little tikes into a frenzy. And then there was the green slime - fun to watch from the periphery. Seeing those little people shiver their tushies off post-event, I had to resist the urge to tell them to change into warmer, drier, cleaner clothes.

Ah yes, kids will be kids. And mums, well...

Photo credits: Justin Lloyd, Anderson David, Getty Images, and Charlie Brewer.