Is that mud on your face?

{Photographs of Tiara, shared by her mum - Suzan}

Can you recall a significant time in your own childhood when playing in the rain, mean't puddles & more importantly mud pies & dirty clothes? And maybe the other kind of brown... Chocolate, was it a rarity that only special occasions would impress upon you, like Easter or Christmas?

If you were one of the lucky few, the delicious taste of dark, white & milk chocolate was more likely to enter your world a little more than just on special occasions.

Why talk about mud & chocolate?

It is the season of special events like birthdays & past events like Easter. The weather has also changed. So why not talk about mud & chocolate.

My daughter is nearly 12 months old & has an infatuation with the outdoors, like me. So much so, that as the weather turns in Auckland, for example - over cast, cool with light rain is more the norm the past few days - My little munchkin will still surge forward and aim for the nearest exit of our house to pursue the small puddles that adorn our paver's, then reach successfully the garden, where she will immerse her hands & feet in the dirt.

Or, I should say she will coax the dirt into mud and literally within in a matters of minutes be consumed by pleasure so great, that even I want to join in. 10 minutes pass, then 20 minutes & I realise the temperature drops some more. Oooh, we we are both wet & covered in mud. Invigorating yes and then my motherly instincts set in... it's time for warm milk & dry, clean clothes.

Thought for next time? Yes there will be a next time... add gumboots & raincoat to our attire hahaha.

Only recently, we enjoyed an Easter break with Rob's family in Kuaotunu {the Coromandel, NZ}. It was on this holiday, that our baby girl muscled through bits of chocolate, daily. My only regret, is that we didn't have our camera with us to be able to reflect on the joy that spread over her face when she was trying to lick remnants from her chin & mouth.

When did you last encourage your little ones to play in the rain, or get muddy after the storm? Feel free to share your tips on clothing or preparation too. And how often do you offer chocolate, in or without moderation to your child or children?

In closing, I can't wait to see my little girl indulge a little or a lot when her 1st Birthday Chocolate Cake is enjoyed. Roll on May 7th, 2010.....

My experience flying 15 hours with a 1 year old

by, Franda Zondagh Mumpreneur Yours, Naturally

http://yoursnaturally.webs.com

When my parents-in-law first suggested we go for a visit to South Africa, both my husband and I went: "NO WAY"

I mean; who in their right minds fly with a hyper, can't sit still for one moment, 14 month old boy. Just imagining sitting with him in a plane for 15 hours gave us the creeps. Don't get me wrong, he is a lovely, smiley little boy. But that is mostly when he is allowed to play and run everywhere. He can't even sit still on my lap for 5 minutes!

But they did manage to convince us that it won't be that bad, and we booked our tickets. Since he is under 2, he gets to sit with us (on our laps!!) for quite a lot cheaper, so we went with that.

In preparation I went to the $2 Shop, and bought a few small but entertaining toys I could stuff in the Baby Bag. I also purchased jars of baby food that I know he would like (not having arguments about eating his carrots on the plane) and snacks that don't have loads of sugar in it so he won't get any more hyper than he already is.

On the plane you are allowed a Baby Bag for your Baby - seperate from the rest of your bagage allowance. In this bag you are also allowed containers of baby food and formula in liquids that is more than 100ml, and you don't get the 7kg weight restriction that we had with our hand luggage.

And how was the flight in the end?? It was bad; I won't lie. But I think I will be more prepared next time! Here are my tips that I wish I knew before we went, and the things I tried that worked.

Do:

• Take cheap $2 toys to entertain. Don't show them to the baby before the flight so that they are new to him/her. Baby books are great.
• Take a bottle of Pamol or other paracetamol. If your baby get's sick (or even VERY cranky) it does help. Remember the syringe to give it with.
• Take sugar free snacks like rice biscuits etc..
• If baby is still using a dummy/pacifier TAKE IT. Its a life saver! Great for take off and landing too when they get earache. If they don't use one, encourage them to drink a bottle/breatfeed during takeoff, landing.
• Be friendly to the people around you - they will have to listen to your little one the whole time. Most people are actually quite lovely and helpful.
• When you check in your luggage, go early and ask for a basinette (only if baby is under 9kg's otherwise it's too small) or if there is an extra seat available. We had an extra seat next to us on the way there, and a basinette on the way back - I would choose the extra seat ANY time over the bassinet)
• Nappy change in a plane's toilet is a nightmare. Take LOADS of wipes.... and a set of clean clothes. Actually, make that 2 sets...
• You don't get any food provided for a baby - so make sure you take enough!
• Take a umbrella stroller to the plane - you can take it with on top of your luggage allowance without paying any extra.Take a blanket baby knows well on the plane. And a favourite cuddle toy if he/she has one.
• Sleep as much as you can before hand, you won't get ANY rest on the flight, and don't even think you would be able to watch a movie, or read a magazine. Your whole time will be filled with entertaining baby and trying to keep them from bothering other people.
• If you have stopovers anywhere, make sure baby play and run at that airport. Make them tired so they might sleep on the rest of the journey!
• Baby WILL have jetlag if it is a long flight.... so be prepared mentally that sleep for you won't be happening anytime soon. But for the jetlag I will need to write a whole new page really....

Good luck to anyone flying with a little one! Just remember; you WILL survive and keep on smiling!!!