EMERGENCY ... what would your kids do?

Okay ... Asked E today what he would do if mummy was on the floor or in the bed and he couldnt wake me up. Thought I should since its only the two of us here so often. So glad I did because he said that he would just get some food and watch some TV. :-/ Atleast now he knows what he should do.

So I made up a Photo Phone List with his grandparents number, mum, dad and emergency only numbers. Under the emergency I put a photo of him and his name, a photo of our phone and our number, a photo of our house and our address.

We practised a few times and then I got him to call Grandma and tell her 'We are just practising what to in an emergency'

If you would like to edit this for your kids click here to down load it in word.

Business Hot Seat - Jess Within Doula and Healing

Name: Jess Krop

Business: Within ~ doula and healing

How long have you lived in Toowoomba? 3 years

What do you love most about our region? The amazing people that we have met.

How many children do you have? 2.  A 6 year old boy and a 20month old girl.

What is your one piece of parenting wisdom that you would like to share with us? Trust your instincts!

What is your favourite book/movie? Margaret Atwood’s “The Robber Bride”

Do you have a mantra, motto or quote that you leave by? “Be the change you wish to see in the world” Gandhi

In three words describe yourself? Giving, fun and tired!

Other than your own … what local business do you love and why? Little Miss M designs.  Gorgeous handmade clothes and toys for the little ones.

Tell us about your business, why it is unique and what you have to offer Toowoomba Families: My work is about supporting women, wether it is during their births, in a healing treatment, or in holding the space at a workshop.  I am here to serve women and create a place where they can find their inner power and strength.  I love being in circle with women and I love being able to share the magic that happens with this community.

Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Within-Doula-and-Healing/55830883756

Web Address: www.withindoula.com.au

Special or discount offer term/condition:

For Toowoomba Families Likers, I extend the offer of a  10% discount on my next workshop of “Honoring the Woman” starting in October.  Offer Valid Until Sept 30, 2012.

Savvy Toys in the Hot Seat

Name: Lucy Halliday

Business: Savvy Toys

How long have you lived in Toowoomba? 9 yrs

What do you love most about our region? The county atmosphere and friendly community. There is so many great things for kids to do and learn about in our area.

How many children do you have? 1x  7yr old daughter Haylee.

What is your one piece of parenting wisdom that you would like to share with us? Life is about trusting kids to learn what they need to know and about helping them to learn and grow in their own ways. It is about respecting the everyday experiences that enable children to understand and interact with the world and their culture – Wendy Priesnitz

What is your favourite book/movie? Dirty Dancing

Do you have a mantra, motto or quote that you leave by? Judging people does not define who they are, it defines who YOU are!!

In three words describe yourself? Fun, Nutty, Passionate

Other than your own … what local business do you love and why? PIY – Invites  Laurinda does some of the most fabulous design work and very reasonably priced!

Tell us about your business, why it is unique and what you have to offer Toowoomba Families:

Savvy Toys have a large range of unique wooden toys games and gifts. We have something suitable for everyone. The most heard comment in our store is “it’s so nice to see great quality toys, and not all that licensed stuff from the department stores” We also have a fantastic play area in the store for the kids to play in while mums and dads browse our great range. Locals can also shop online and have their order delivered to their door for FREE or order online and have it ready to be collected in the store on the way past the store.

Facebook Link: www.facebook.com/savvytoys

Web Address: www.savvytoys.com.au

SPECIAL OFFER

Shop online at www.savvytoys.com.au & enter “ Local “ in the checkout to receive 20% off your entire order!! OR mention Toowoomba Families in store to receive 20% off your purchase! Offer valid until 14/8/12.

Family Fun at Lake Cressbrook

My family and I recently visited Lake Cressbrook (near Crows Nest) and what an amazing day we had. Lake Cressbrook is approxiametly 50km from Toowoomba which makes it a perfect day trip for Toowoomba Families. The dam is one of 3 water supplies for the Toowoomba Region. For those coming a bit further, there are camping facilities so dont let that put you off :) Even the drive from Toowoomba is just gorgeous.  The dam was constructed in 1983 and has surface are of 515 hectares, holds 81 800 mega-litres when full.

We packed a picnic and headed off with the grandparents, making a few other stops along the way to Perserverance Dam and Crows Nest, as we are new to the area we were really just wanting to get a feel for things to find some fun places to come back to.

At Crestbrook there is plenty do including fishing, boating, camping, bushwalking, there is also playgrounds, volley ball nets and bbqs. Unfortuantely, I did not get photographs of these as I didnt not want to photograph other peoples children.

When we got home I did a little research and found that their are natural populations of Spangled Perch, Eel Tailed Catfish and Eels. But also includes  stocked fish  such as Australian Bass, Golden Perch, Silver Perch, Mary River Cod, Snub Nosed Gar and Saratoga. You need a permit to fish at Crestbrook. Locals have told us that there is also abundant redclaw supply and the you need to regularly check your nets.

Information from the permit is available here: https://www.smartservice.qld.gov.au/services/permits/fishing/apply?formID=3

Entry into the Flora and Fauna Reserve is $2.50/car. Camping fees are $7.90 per person per night (under 5 free) or $31.60 for a family of two adults and any number of children(under 18). Fees are $7.10 per night per person for groups of 20 or more.

For more information click here: http://www.toowoombarc.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/sport-and-leisure-facilities/lakes-and-dams/1976-lake-cressbrook.html

We stopped off a Perserverance Lookout and I took these photographs. To this day I still love the one over the spill way.



At Lake Crestbook there is plenty to do: fishing, boating, playgrounds, bbq and bushwalking. 

Easter is just a hop skip and jump away.

With Easter just around the corner and super quiet house as E has gone to his parents for a few days I decided that it is time to get ready. Which got me thinking about Easter traditions.

We always have a family dinner, leave out a carrot and some water or milk for good old EB. We all exchange chocolates and often visit family and friends. Here is a sneak peak of Easter at our house last year.

What is Easter all about in your family? Do you have any traditions?

If you would like a personal letter from EB or a template for bunny feet  then I have uploaded a copy of them here. You can customise to suit your needs.

Happy Easter Everybunny xx

Who is behind Toowoomba Families...

Hello my name is Shallon Garton and I am the face behind the creation of Toowoomba Families. To me Toowoomba Families is an online community that connects Toowoomba Families with local businesses, services, events and activities. Today is just the beginning of our webpage and I hope over the coming months and years it will turn into much more!

As some of you already know I am a 'newbie' to the area and just starting to discover all the wonderful things this area has to offer. My family and I moved to Toowoomba in January, we are building our first home at Highfields and already we are loving the change of lifestyle. I am a 4th year Bachelor of Education Student at USQ and mum to almost 5yo E and married to my wonderful husband who encourages me in every adventure I take on. I also work part time at the uni tutoring students with disabilities and in my spare time I am on Facebook as Toowoomba Families.

In order to get to know the area better and to adjust to our new lifestyle my family has created a bucket list. So here it is for one and all!

52 Things to do in 52 Weeks of 2012

Our aim is do all 52 things as a family, with Karl working away that means an average of two things a week when he is home. We'll see how we go.

So here it is...

1. Make homemade playdough
2. Sit under a tree and read some books
3. Blow bubbles
4. Go on a family date: dinner and movie
5. Plant a garden / Plant a Christmas Tree
6. Watch stars together
7. Go bushwalking
8. Spend an afternoon playing board games
9. Go to the beach!
10. Make sock puppets
11. Stay in our PJs all day and watch movies
12. Go to a museum
13. Have a pillow fight
14. Visit a theme park
15. Have a sleep over at Grandma and Grandads - CHECK!
16. Go camping (even if it has to be in the backyard!)
17. Have a family photo shoot
18. Make homemade ice-cream - CHECK!
19. Build a sandpit
20. Write a letter to someone we love
21. Have a water fight with water balloons and water pistols
22. Go on a family bike ride
23. Have a BBQ and invite friends we haven’t seen in a long time
24. Play with lego
25. Pick strawberries  - CHECK!
26. Eat ice cream and waffles for breakfast
27. Go fishing
28. Have a treasure hunt
29. Go to a new restaurant
30. Go to the Show – a country one - CHECK!
31. Daddy and Ethan to cook Mummy pancakes in bed and let her sleep in
32. Mummy and Ethan to cook Daddy an omelette and let him sleep in
33. Ethan gets to decide what we do today!
34. Plant a Tree
35. Surprise visit someone
36. Have a baking morning - CHECK!
37. Go to the local pool for a swim
38. Have a picnic in the Japanese Gardens
39. Watch fireworks
40. Go to a rodeo
41. Put our handprints in concrete
42. Have a picnic in our yard - CHECK!
43. Go for a long drive
44. Invite friends for morning tea and bake the goodies!
45. Have a spring clean - CHECK!
46. Explore a town we have never been to - CHECK - Cabarlah Crows Nest, Bunya Mountains, - Highly recommend So Sweet!
47. Do the tourist things in Brisbane or Maleny.
48. Go bowling
49. A communication free day – turn off mobile phones and no internet access
50. Go to Carnival of flowers
51. Go roller blading
52. Fly a kitePlus:Attend Rhymes Childrens Music Festival - CHECK!

I think number 31 would have to be my favourite! Do you and your family have a bucket list. Part of the reason for developing this list was to remind us that family time is important and some times some of the most fun things are free!

Over the coming weeks I will blog about the things happening in our lives and fill you in as we check things off our bucket list. If you know of any must do activities please let me know as I will definitely check them out.

Until next time. x