Monday 21 March 2011

Circus Star - A Trip to the Circus



Memorable moments from our trip to the circus on Saturday...

Julia (Miss 4) is thrilled to be at the circus. We are sitting ringside and she is looking around, noticing everything, from the disco ball lights to the number of cactus painted on the backdrop. She is very excited to see the cannons, but I have to explain that although they are cannon-shaped, they are actually lights.

The performers are dancing - a flamenco type of dance - to set the scene for the next act. Julia turns to me and says "It's a bit boring Mum".

At intermission, Dad offers to buy Julia some fairy floss, which is gratefully accepted. She eats about half of the packet. Then she notices that blow up hammers, flashing light sticks and other toys are being sold nearby. Of course she asks for one, but is turned down. I tell her that she has had enough treats today, to which she laments "Oh why, oh why did we get fairy floss?"

Julia is fascinated by the most daring act - the Wheel of Death. As the performer completes his act, he pulls his long hair out of a hairband before he leaves the stage. Julia says "Mum, he looks just like a girl now".

Her favourite act - the clowns of course! I think her love of slapstick comedy comes straight from her father :)

I will be away on holidays for a few weeks - but I should have plenty to tell you about when I get back!

Circus Star
Deluxe Personalised Children's Book
$21.50 each with free shipping for delivery within Australia only.
Available now from Jelly Bean Books.


Monday 14 March 2011

When I Grow Up - Love, Animals & Bugs



Julia (Miss 4) has a beautiful book called "No Matter What" by Debi Gliori. I bought it some time ago as I just adored the sentiment behind the words in the story - and well, let's face it, I wanted the book for myself.

"I’m grim and grumpy," said little Small,
"and I don’t think you love me at all."
"Oh Small,” said Large, “grumpy or not,
I’ll always love you, no matter what."

"If I were a grumpy grizzly bear,
would you still love me?
Would you still care?"
"Of course,” said Large. “Bear or not,
I’d always love you, no matter what."

It's become a game (and a good one for the car) for me to say something like "Would you still love me if I were a giraffe? - I'd be too tall to kiss". Julia then replies, "I'll always love you, no matter what. I'd get a ladder and climb up to kiss you".

Julia brought the book to me today and pointed to a picture inside. "I want to be just like this one, Mum", she said. I took a closer look. The cartoon-style picture is of a large green bug, sitting at a dinner table, slurping soup through a long proboscis. "Why would you want to be a bug?" was my immediate question. "So I can eat soup all the time", was her reply.

Don't grow up too soon, my gorgeous child.

When I Grow Up
Deluxe Personalised Children's Book
$21.50 each with free shipping for delivery within Australia only.
Available now from Jelly Bean Books.


Thursday 10 March 2011

Barbie - Celebrations & More Giveaways!



Julia (Miss 4) loves Barbie dolls. She loves to undress and dress them, cook for them, play fairy tales with them and sleep with them.

Barbie's birthday was yesterday, March 9th. It's hard to believe that Barbie has been around since 1959! So whilst Barbie is celebrating her 52nd birthday (and she looks so good too!) I'm having a double celebration of my own.

Jelly Bean Books has just reached 1700 Facebook likers and Mini-Me Handcrafts has just reached 100 likers so let's have another giveaway!

Here's a Barbie prize package - a limited edition personalised book "Barbie goes Camping" from Jelly Bean Books and a gorgeous Barbie sized hand crafted poncho from Mini-Me Handcrafts.

For a chance to win this package, all you have to do is visit & "like" both of my Facebook pages, tag yourself in one Barbie competition photo on each page, then send me an email to chris@jellybeanbooks.com.au to confirm your entry.

Entries will close at 9.00pm (NSW) on Sunday 13th March 2011 at which time all tagged names which have been confirmed by email will go into a random draw for the package. The winner will be notified by email, then I will let you know the winner on Facebook.

Good luck and thanks for all your support!

Handmade Children's Ponchos & more
Available now from Mini-Me Handcrafts.

Personalised Children's Books
Available now from Jelly Bean Books.

Monday 7 March 2011

G-o-o-oal! - Joel's Hopes & Dreams



Joel is 13 years old and has a dream. Like so many other boys, he would love to play for the Socceroos one day. He has been playing soccer for the past 8 years and soccer is his passion.

What sets Joel apart from others is his amazing dedication to soccer which has enabled him to play and to play well. You see, Joel has Aspergers Syndrome and also has Type 1 Diabetes. His parents were told that he would never play team sports but his absolute love for soccer has spurred him on and he has now been selected to play for Wide Bay U13's. This is one step away from making the State team!

Unfortunately, there is quite a significant cost to play at such a high level and so the Facebook community has banded together to help Joel's parents Tracey & Sebastian meet this cost. There's an auction on Facebook right now at Help Joel Kick a Goal. The auction opens at 9.30am Monday March the 7th and finishes at 8.30 pm AEST Sunday March the 13th.

There are many absolutely fabulous items donated by amazing friends and very talented people on Facebook. Please take a look and place a bid on something to help support this amazing boy and help him to reach his goals, surpass his hopes and live his dreams.


G-o-o-oal! A Soccer Story
Deluxe Personalised Children's Book
$21.50 each with free shipping for delivery within Australia only.
Available now from Jelly Bean Books.