PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ARCHIVED NEWSLETTER

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"No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal.”

Bill Cosby

 

 

NEWSLETTER # 11

 

MARCH 2009

 

What is happening in the Western Cape?

DAVY DRAGON’S GUIDE TO THE NIGHT SKY

Date: 7 February - 29 March 2009

Davy Dragon gets his own weekly sky guide show! Join Davy Dragon as he learns all about the sky above so that he can fulfil his dream of becoming the world’s best flying dragon! This is a playful introduction to astronomy, especially for the under 10s. Just right for inquiring young minds.For kids aged 5–10

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CIRCUS IN SUN VALLEY

Date: 5 - 8 March 2009

One community that appreciates circus shows for years now is Sun Valley and is again a definite stop for McLaren Circus on their current Western Cape summer tour.The highly rated 90-minute production includes various aerial acts, clowns, acrobats, magic and their beautiful performing animals. The ticket office will open daily at 10 am.

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CREATING CHILDRENS PLAY SPACES WORKSHOP

Date: 6 & 20 March 2009

A WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS that includes décor ideas & the psychology of play

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OMMIBERG/ROUND THE ROCK FESTIVAL 2009

Date: 7 March 2009

09h00 - Grape picking & stomping - Come and see if you are up to the challenge to stomp grapes the traditional way. Great prizes up for grabs.

10h00 & 15h00 - "My naam is LOLLOS" - kids entertainment

11h00 to 19h00 - Kids entertainment/activities

All Day - Picnics

All Day - Horse Riding & Quad Bikes

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ROOIKAPPIE EN DIE WOLF

Date: 7 Maart 2009

Dié klassieke sprokie, oorspronklik deur die broers Grimm, is tot ’n vermaaklike toneelstuk verwerk deur Gaerin Hauptfleisch, wie ook die regie behartig en selfs een of twee verassende verskynings op die verhoog maak as die teësinnige faktotum en algemene alles regmaker.

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FULL MOON PICNICS ON PAARL MOUNTAIN

Date: 13 March 2009

Come have a closer look at the moon from Paarl Mountain, on Saturday 7 February from 18:00 until 22:00. We will even turn off the lights for a better view! (Remember your torch)

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MA'S WAT OMGEE

Date: 14 Maart 2009

Ons word 2. Kom hou saam met ons partytjie. Koste R30/mamma
R5/kind

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MOTHER CITY MOM COFFEE MORNINGS

Northern Suburbs

Sat 14th March @ 9.30 am  – Café Rossini , Durbanville

Tues 24th March @ 10am – Bugz Playpark, Cape Garden Centre

Cape Town Central 
Sat 7th March @ 9.30 am at Plinka Plonka Playcentre

Southern Suburbs

Tues 17th  March @ 10am at Manukas in Tokai

It is a great opportunity to meet other moms in your area and see some fantastic products for moms and kids on show!

 

 

What is happening in Gauteng?

THE 'TSHWANE XPLORER' ROUND TRIP

Date: 7 February 2009

Bring the whole family for a super train trip. Also bring your picnic lunch aboard the train on the very popular Sunday afternoon non-stop round-trip. Steaming on a 2.5 hour vintage train ride around the nation's capital, and briefly out into the country, you will get an entirely different view of our city.

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DANNY, THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD

Date: 2 - 28 March 2009

The themes explored in this piece revolve around adolescence and childhood innocence, freedom of choice, the choice between doing what's right or wrong and the wonderful bond that exists between parent and child.

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THE WINE AND FOOD LOVERS PICNIC

Date: 7 March 2009

The picnic will be held in the luscious gardens of Gottlieben Guest House, Taste wine from top estates, olives & cheese. Guest will be able to sample food and taste wine from top estates, whilst listening to live music. There will be kids entertainment at no charge. Food Stalls. Enjoy a lovely day out!

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THE CRADLE MAPLOTTERS DONKEY DERBY

Date: 14 March 2009

This annual event is becoming a regular feature in the Muldersdrift Country Calender, this our 4th year and we offer the following : Gladiators, Horse Show, Junior Gladiators, Live Band, Food Stalls, Country Produce Stalls, Big Screen for Sport. Competitions include: The Ugliest Dog, Toss the Wellie & Cow Pat, also a Petting Pen, Jumping Castle, Kiddies Play Ground. And many more fun things!

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CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

Date: 20 - 22 March 2009

This first time Chocolate Festival promises to bring a sensational line-up of exhibitors, chefs cooking with chocolate, entertainment, a fairyland for the younger visitors, a theme park with jumping castles and inflatable toys, musicians, puppet shows, drumming to list but a few to be enjoyed by the visitors.

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LIVING AND LOVING KIDS AND BABY EXPO 2009

Date: 26 - 29 March 2009

The Living and Loving Kids & Baby Expo is truly a unique experience where you can discover what is best for you, your pregnancy, baby, child as well as the rest of your family. 

 

 

 

FEATURED LISTINGS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Germaphobic"
 


I was not always germophobic. Once upon a time - when we had only 1 child, I never took cover at the sound of a sniffle. Exposure builds immunity was my rationale. I put up a tough front. It was only when our second son was born that I realised there is no such thing as 1 sick child. Never.  You can bet your moms best china that not long after you took the first one to the doctor, another trip to the doctor is sure to follow.


I suddenly found myself doing things like throwing myself between the sneezer and the child (the sneezee), saying loudly, "Move away, move behind me, you don't want to get sick!!" Going into a public toilet telling the kids, "Now don't touch anything-- it is dirty and full of germs!!,


But as Murphy would have it, the child of a “germapobic” parent is normally the kid who eats the dog or cat food out of the pet's bowl, raids the garbage for a snack or plays with his toy boat in the toilet.


I realised that it is important to keep a clean home, and to keep our kids clean and to do what it takes to keep them healthy. BUT, we cannot protect our children from everything no matter how hard we work or how good a parent we may be. Some of us need to reign in our efforts, otherwise we will freak out our kids with our fear.

 
   

 

FUN RECIPE

 

 

Cheesy Chicken Fingers

 

16 pieces of chicken breast fillets cut into fingers
2-3 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/2 cups of crushed cornflakes
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 180°C

 

Melt butter in a shallow bowl, put coarsely crushed cornflakes into another shallow bowl and mix in cheese.

 

Dip chicken pieces into butter first, then into cornflakes/cheese mixture.

Arrange chicken on a baking pan, and bake at 180 °C for about 20 to 30 minutes, until chicken is done.

Turn chicken half-way through to ensure even browning.

Serves 4 to 6.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE
 

 

Top Ten Kids' Instructions On Life

 

1. "Wear a hat when feeding seagulls."
   - Rocky, age 9

 

2. "Sleep in your clothes so you'll be dressed in the morning."
   - Stephanie, age 8

 

3. "Never bug a pregnant mom."
   - Nicholas, age 11

 

4. "When your dad is mad and asks you, 'Do I look stupid?' don't answer him."
   - Heather, age 16

 

5. "Never tell your mom her diet's not working."
   - Michael, age 14

 

6. "When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone."
   - Alyesha, age 13

 

7. "Never tell your little brother that you're not going to do what your mom told you to do."
   - Hank, age 12

 

8. "Never dare your little brother to paint the family car."
   - Phillip, age 13

 

9. "Remember the two places you are always welcome-church and Grandma's house."
   - Joanne, age 11

10. "When you want something expensive, ask your grandparents."
    - Matthew, age 12
 

 

UPCOMING MOVIE FOR THE KIDS

 

 

Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience

 

Release date: 6 March 2009

Running time: 76 min

 

From Bruce Hendricks the same director who wowed you with the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert film comes another fantastic Disney Digital 3D musical extravaganza featuring the pop band The Jonas Brothers who head to the big screen in their very own high-energy rockumentary feature film event.

 

For the uninitiated who did not see their first feature Camp Rock, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas are three clean-cut siblings from New Jersey, USA who are blazing a musical trail around the world. More and more young fans are being pulled in by their tractor beam of clean living Christian values as well their downright catchy power pop songs. Now the craze that has swept America like wildfire has reached South Africa's shores.

 

Like the Hannah Montana film that came before it, the film blends excerpts from the brothers' red-hot "Burning Up" concert tour, including guest performances from Demi Lovato who appeared alongside the boys in Camp Rock as well as singer Taylor Swift, with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, off-the-wall segments, swarming fans and a lot of JB-style humour - giving fans never-before-seen insights into the lives of Kevin, Joe and Nick.

 

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN ARCHIVED NEWSLETTER