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I just received an email from Petra Vonk. They have launched their new website and I was so impressed I had to let everyone know about it! If you are looking for something fresh, an environment that inspires your staff and gets your office on a permanent creative buzz, look no further. Petra Vonk , based in Cape Town, specialises in creating the most inspiring and creative working environments I have seen in a while. They do interior design, graphic design, creative and strategic development ( from concept to campaign launch) and project management.
Check them out by visiting their website: www.petravonkdesign.co.za. I particularly loved this boardroom.
Do you know of other creative interior agencies in South Africa? Tell our readers about them
With Holidays just finished and the next ones around the corner, I have to tell you about a little known secret website full of fantastic colouring in, math, language and other projects and worksheets that you can download for free.
Over the last few days, my daughter has occassionally been sitting in my office with me, some of you may have even been privy to her superb telephone manner ( I may, be being, a little generous here) as she answered the phone ignoring my pleas not to do so. However when she was there, in order to feel like part of the office ( my office is work from home) I kept her busy with tonnes of worksheets from this website:
I really like the way they have separated the subject matter into what is appropriate for which age group and grade! It really does make searching easier. It even has a bit of a lesson planning tool! Check it out! If you find any similar sites please let us know so we can share with all our other readers! Have fun.
I seem to have induced an insatiable need to write tonight and perhaps a little self induced insomnia? You have probably noticed, I have been a little quiet lately.
This tends to happen in Winter for just about every year, as far back as I can remember. We are just so busy, even though its been quiet season there have been a thousand things going on and every little job we do, requires the same top treatment and energy from me and the team to be placed, whether its simply a babysitting booking or an au pair placement, from an hours work to 30 or more per job, what to do? What to do! I am always amazed what sitting behind a computer screen does to me when its cold and raining! I just cant, and don’t want to move. I tend to get lethargic about exercising ( when you work behind a PC screen all day this can happen to easily) and my diet goes on a binge for all things scrumptious. From red wine and pasta dishes to really anything that’s loaded with carbs.
Now that Spring is finally in the air though, and I am waking up early again without needing 3 alarms and a cup of coffee. To top it off, today we also started our annual detox. That means; no wheat, no red meat, no refined sugars, no alcohol and worst of all no dairy ( okay, I always end up cheating a little when it comes to dairy, but at least I try) for the next 10 to 14 days. I know it will be worth it though ( hopefully so will the sudden need to clean everything until it shines).
I have been preparing for this annual migration to my favourite ‘food time’ of the year, spring+ summer= fresh fruit and veg= alot more energy. It may sound weird but about a month ago I started my Multibionta onslaught of multivitamins in preparation for today ( I found their 30 day challenge really useful with the free daily sms reminder, take the challenge on www.30daychallenge.co.za). Finally my daughter and I went shopping with a list as long as my arm. We had so much fun browsing for anything fresh from strawberries to baby carrots and making up recipes for the week as we shopped. For tonight I put together a fantastic rye pasta dish with mushrooms, chicken , spinach, tonnes of fresh herbs and ( oh dear I have been naughty already) a dash of cream.
It was surprisingly lovely and we all enjoyed it. Even my hubby did and he doesn’t take well to rye or fresh anything. Usually he gets through detox on roasted nuts, bananas,white meat and as few greens as possible.
I wonder how many other people out there also go through a similar phase at this time of the year?If you happen to know of any good recipes that I should try to make our detox time a little more exciting ,please let me know. I love cooking and would love to hear your favourites dishes ( links welcome).
Anyway seeing as it is back to school tomorrow, I guess its time for a good night’s rest, honestly if I don’t get to sleep soon I might need a midnight snack, and if I have a snack now, its another 30 mins on the treadmill tomorrow.
Hope you all have a fantastic week that puts spring back into your step!
Being Nation wide school holidays ( with the exception of a number of schools) I thought its about time for all our readers to know what is hot and happening this week in Cape Town Johannesburg and Pretoria!
Beat the holiday blues away for you and the kids, below is a break down of some of the events happening this coming week, if you want to see what is coming up in the next month, please click here.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Western Cape
| Adventures in the Enchanted Garden with Buggles | R30 per child | Cavendish Square Shopping Centre, Cavendish Street, Cape Town | More information |
| Kids Play Zone-Cooking Class | Entrance is R80pp, w | Durbanville Business Park, off Klipheuwel Road | More information |
| Kids Play Zone-Holiday Programme | From R20 per child a | Durbanville Business Park, off Klipheuwel Road | More information |
| Mysterious Ways | R65 p.p. | Broadway Theatre, 88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town | More information |
| Numetro Cinemas: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | unreleased at time o | All NuMetro Cinemas in the Western Cape | More information |
| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | R40 p.p | Central Court, Canal Walk, Century City | More information |
| The Holiday Club | Entrance is R40pp pe | Helderberg Nature Reserve, Verster Avenue, Somerset West | More information |
| Thumberlina | Normal play rates ap | Plinka Plonka Play,171 Buitenkant St, Gardens, Cape Town | More information |
| Vodacom Funny Festival | R120 p.p, Discounts | Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, Rondebosch | More information |
Gauteng
| Annie Junior | R60pp for evening sh | Wits Theatre, Johannesburg, South Africa | More information |
| Grand Bird and Reptile Show | Entrance fees: R38 a | Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Drive Park town Johannesburg | More information |
| Holiday Programme at Johannesburg Zoo | R55 per child, for c | Johannesburg zoo, Upper Park Drive Park town, Johannesburg | More information |
| Jozi´s Winter Circus | Contact for Cost | Gold Reef City Theme Park | More information |
| Noddy | Special schools perf | People´s Theatre, Johannesburg Civic Theatre Complex, Braamfontein | More information |
| Numetro Cinemas: Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | Not available at ti | All NuMetro Cinemas in the Gauteng | More information |
| Pippi Longstocking | R60pp | 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown | More information |
| Shepherd´s Fold Stables Pony Camp | R220.00 per day plus | 55 Sunset Drive, Elandsdrift, Muldersdrift, Gauteng | More information |
| Sleeping Beauty | Adults:R 70.00 p.p; | Pretoria Youth Theatre,Gerhard Moerdjik Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria | More information |
Today I had the pleasure of watching Canal Walks Fred Abrahamse & Marcel Meyer’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with my daughter. I have to say, what an incredible performance! The sound and lighting were spectacular while the make up, stage and costumes left nothing to be desired, not to mention the fantastic performances of the actors and actresses involved .
It was an amazing performance! My daughter loved it and surprisingly so did I. I will admit, there have been a few performances in shopping centers we have attended where I was far from captivated, if not completely bored but Canal Walk certainly knows how to put a show together! They really weren’t kidding when they said”visual spectacular” and said “Its a tale sure to mesmerize even the most hyperactive of little bodies.”
Take the whole family along for an hour in the world of Snow White, Sneezy, Dopey, Sleepy, Doc, Happy, Bashful and Grumpy in their little cottage in the forest at Canal Walk.Its playing everyday from the the 27th of June to the 19th of July 2009 ( excluding mondays). For exact times visit Moms Gig Guide by clicking here.
To book your seat with computicket click here
I have got to put my hands together for the manager and staff of our latest party planners to be listed in the Western Cape, namely, Fantasy Kids . My daughter has just turned 8 and we have done the fairy, princess and pony parties to death. We needed a change! Basically, the original idea that my daughter had decided on, was rock and roll, however I felt that this may be wiser to do at a slightly older age. So I did what I always do when we are stuck for ideas, I started scouring magazines and the web for more original party ideas. When whose website should I come across? Why, that of Fantasy kids, of course. It took a total of 10 minutes for me to make up my mind on the theme after logging onto their website, which I found user friendly and easy to browse and we ended up going for the ‘Pamper Party’ option. My daughter is also in a new school this year, so to get everyone a little more well aquainted, we invited pretty much the entire class! 20 girls to precise.
Now I dont know if you have ever been left in charge of 20 children before, let alone trying to entertain all of them, if you have, you will know it is rather chaotic if it isnt a classroom environment, but I didn’t need to worry about a thing.At this age parties are more stop and drop, so there were no other parents around for the duration of the party. The Fantasy Kids staff were incredibly Professional, and 3 helpers arrived as if on que. They quickly sorted the girls into teams and set them up in a makeshift salon ( magazines in a circle on the floor and all the girls on pillows) in our lounge. They then took turns to wash their faces and got started with applying make up and having a genuinely amazing time. They proceeded for a short interval and icecream and then it was back to business. Nailart, nail polish and pretend stick on nails suddenly became the order of the day. It was the first time in my life I have experienced such a well coordinated and stress free birthday party.They were great!
Party Time
Fantasy Kids have also given us permission to distribute some vouchers to our clients valid until December 2010, so if you would like one just click here to download it. To find out more about Fantasy Kids click here or visit their website by clicking here.
Moms Gig guide for June 2009 was sent out 1 June 2009. Click here to view the online version.
Its your guide to what is hot and happening in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town for the month of June!
So fight off those” mom I’m bored” blues compliments of Sitters4U.
I recieved this chain mail this morning and had to share… Enjoy:
The Price of Children
This is just too good not to pass on to all. Here is something absolutely positive for a change. I have repeatedly seen the breakdown of the cost of raising a child, but this is the first time I have seen the rewards listed this way. It’s nice.
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with R1,681,470.00 for a middle income family. Talk about price shock! That doesn’t even touch college tuition.
But R1,681,470.00 isn’t so bad if you break it down.. It translates into:
• R93414.93 a year,
• R7784.49 a month,
• R1796.34 a week.
• A mere R254.52 a day!
• Just over R10.50 an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice is: don’t have children if you want to be ‘rich.’ Actually, it is just the opposite.
What do you get for your R1,681,470.00?
• Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
• Glimpses of God every day.
• Giggles under the covers every night.
• More love than your heart can hold.
• Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
• Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
• A hand to hold usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
• A partner for blowing bubbles and flying kites.
• Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.
For R1,681,470.00, you never have to grow up. You get to:
• Finger-paint,
• Carve pumpkins,
• Play hide-and-seek,
• Catch lightning bugs,
• Never stop believing in Santa Claus.
You have an excuse to:
• Keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh,
• Watch Saturday morning cartoons,
• Go to Disney movies, and
• Wish on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodlewreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother’s Day, and cards with backward letters for Father’s Day.
For a mere R254.52 a day, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
• Retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof,
• Taking the training wheels off a bike,
• Removing a splinter,
• Filling a paddling pool,
• Coaxing a wad of gum out of hairs, and
• Coaching a rugby team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.
You get a front row seat in history to witness the:
• First step,
• First word,
• First bra,
• First date,
• First time behind the wheel.
You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you’re lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great-grandchildren. You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match..
In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!
Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren & great-grandchildren!!!!!!!
It’s the best investment you’ll ever make!!!!!!!!!
Change…Are you ready for it? I certainly am, whilst most people spent their Easter weekend away with family, my family went to Saldanha, visiting family and can you believe it, working. Whilst my daughter had lots to do, my partner and I packed in an incredible amount of time into Sitters4U’s new website? Why? I have been so excited about our new launch and it looks like its finally here!We are about 6 hours work away!
Its got a new look and feel, its going to be extremely easy to navigate, all services are now accessible from the website, so a client need never download forms, fax or email a form, its now all accessible online.
To add to the current forms online, which include au pairs, babysitters and house sitters, New service forms previously only downloadable, include:
On the child care side we have Drivers, Tutors and Nannies;
Home care now includes online requests for Domestics.
and Frail care Services can now be requested online, include: Nurses, Paramedics, Care givers, Companions, Medical Administration Staff, other medical services, Treat a Senior options and Home Management services which include everything from gardeners and electricians to plumbers and more.
To make it even more incredible we now have online staff applications for each and every service, obviously as a candidate you will still need to come and see us but at least it makes processing your applications alot easier, meaning faster processing of applications as well!
Okay but that’s not all I have up my sleeve! We have also just launched a new child care course in Cape Town for Nannies, domestics and Au pairs. As far as I know it also happens to be the most well priced course at a rate of only R 500 per person ( the next course up starts at R 1500)! Very exciting stuff, covering:
• Basic Childcare
• Etiquette in Employers homes
• Communication between Employer and Employee
• Communication between Child minder and Children
• Safety
• Health and Nutrition
• Child Development, month to month
• Age Appropriate activities from newborn to Preschool
and with ongoing support and a monthly newsletter, this course is well worth it!
So watch out for the new website, launching in the next few days! Looking forward to the new challenges, clients and staff we will be assisting.
If you have been keeping up with my most recent articles ( not to difficult to do really seeing that with the moving, update preparation, etc etc I have not been able to post as often as usual), you will know that recently we went to the Exclusive books Kids National Geographic day in Cape Town.This was so much fun, my daughter and her friend really enjoyed hearing the stories and learning to draw a lion! A big Thank you to Exclusive Books for making that possible.
What I was not aware of at the time of going was that it was also Cansa Shavathon day! Shaving or spraying in solidarity with a cancer survivor” was the theme of this year’s CANSA Shavathon because hair loss is a common side-effect of cancer treatment ( said Sue Janse van Rensburg, National Executive Director of CANSA, who is a cancer survivor). Now unfortunately Im not very brave when it comes to my hair, I have had my hair cut extremely short at one time, it was disastrous and the girls were not keen for it either, however there were many showing their support by shaving it all off! We went for the alternative and sprayed! What fun just to add a bit of colour, show our support and really get into the swing of things! The girls loved it purple stars and pretty pink streaks and I got an idea of what I am going to look like once the grey hits,well if I also turned into a rocking granny one day who had purple streaks in my hair,still, I took the time to explain what it was all about. Sharing that moment to show our support put a big smile on all of our faces!
You can also show your support by visiting www.cansa.org.za or click here to go straight to the donate page.
