EVENTS

November 19

MERMAID PARTY IS A BIG SPLASH FOR 8 YEAR OLDS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 5-12 years, Events
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19
NOV

The secret ingredient to a successful Mermaid party

Just add water

Amidst the wettest springtime our kids have ever seen, what could be more appropriate for a birthday party theme than ‘Mermaids’? Especially as this time last year we were all sporting sunburns from a scorching Halloween. But this year was looking less like It’s Sunny in Philidelphia and more like Waterworld.

Half the state in flood and chaotic winds that would rip the toupé off a Trump’s behind, our mermaid party looked as beached as a bloated whale. But come hell or ‘literal’ high-water, we would make it work one way or another.
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November 13

HOW TO HOST A PRINCESS PARTY FOR 5 YEAR OLDS

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events
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13
NOV

Princess Kingdoms in a Pinch

With only ten days between Halloween and Alice’s 5th Birthday, we pretty much had to prep our Princess Party in a pinch. Last year’s Tinkerbell party was a sunny outdoor succes. The weather forecast this year looked bleak, so it had to be an inside job. Armed with streamers, balloons and our disco ball projector, I set to work on the Kingdom of Alice. (more…)
November 1

WHAT’S THE BUZZ ON HALLOWEEN?

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events
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1
NOV

Into The Halloween Spirit

There was certainly a lot of buzz around our house today, both figuratively and literally.

Primarily, because of the intensive weeks I spent meticulously prepping our Halloween decorations. Which were an absolute hit with the neighbours.

I pruned our leaf-less fruit tree weeks ago and left the prunings to use as a ghostly hedge. We dug holes in the front garden bed and installed the spindly prunings, which we decorated in coloured spider webs, plastic spiders and fairy lights.

I transformed my car into a giant redback spider. The legs were thin pvc pipes covered in rubber tubing. Secured to the car by straps that were sandwiched in place by the windows. A red fabric strip for the back, held down by elastic and paper clips (the wind was thine enemy). The look was completed by polystyrene balls cut in half, spray painted black and hot-glued to magnets to sit on the hood of the car. (more…)
October 21

THE BIG CAMP IN – HOME OR AWAY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, Sponsored Posts
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21
OCT

The Big Camp In – Victoria

Bursting at its seams like Kyle Sandilands’ Levis, our car is packed to the hilt, kids faces mashed against the glass as we venture to the great outdoors for The Big Camp In: Home or Away. A Fathering Project initiative that aims to inspire and equip fathers and father-figures to positively engage with the children in their lives – for the benefit of kids. A great opportunity to spend some quality mano-akido time with the kids and get some much needed fresh air…just breathe Daddy, breathe.

The best thing is, after registering our family for #TheBigCampIn, The Fathering Project was Yoda to my Skywalker and gave me all the supportive guidance I needed. Trumpets heralded and the clouds parted as the Official Activity Program was bestowed upon me.

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February 22

PARMESAN CHEESE: A HARD ACT TO SWALLOW

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, School Years
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22
FEB

Like an unprovoked kick to the nuts or texting while crossing the street — BOOM! I didn’t see that coming.

A suspected allergic reaction to Parmesan Cheese.

Say what now? He’s never been allergic to anything his entire life!…(Til now).

I sprinkled my pasta with the majestic tastiness of the jewel in the bolognaise crown. Indy sat beside me at the table and after a couple minutes, complained of itchy lips. The kind of itch that forced him to rub his shirt collar along it like a woodsman sawing timber at the Lumberjack Olympics. He asked what it was I’d sprinkled on and regaled him of the zesty glory that is, Parmesan Cheese.

He asked if he could try some. My eyebrow raised aloft. Torn between interest that he wanted to experience a taste explosion of immeasurable joy, and dread that it would be one less mouthful for my own tastebud pleasure. But hey, how can I resist those eyes. He tried some and I nodded slowly in anticipated delight, “So, what do you reckon?”

Doesn’t taste like anything.

Gaaagh! I reached for the metaphoric dagger plunged deep into my heart. I thought you were my son? Anyhow, 15 minutes later… (more…)
November 11

ALICE’S TINKERBELL AND FRIENDS BIRTHDAY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3-5 years, Events
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11
NOV

Who’s Your Favourite Fairy?

Shiver me timbers, another year gone and our little gal’s evolving from a princess to a Tinkerbell. That may not seem like much of a stretch, but of all the fairies she’s chosen to align herself with, Tink is by far the feistiest of the bunch. And seeing as our Alice doesn’t fall far from that tree, it came as no surprise when she decided this year would be a Tinkerbell and Friends Birthday party.
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February 1

OUR KIDS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, School Years
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1
FEB

School kids! We have school kids here.

Or as we like to say…

‘How the hell did that happen?’

It seemed like only yesterday, our kids weren’t in school. That’s because yesterday, they actually weren’t. They were very hungry caterpillars in a fairy garden. Then suddenly, BOOM. They’re bloomin’ butterflies, in the blink of an eye.

Today was Indy’s first day of school and Alice’s first day of 3 year old Kinder. Here they are with their new apartments on their back. (more…)
November 11

ALICE’S 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3-5 years, 3-5 years, Events
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11
NOV

It seems like only yesterday, our little girl was only two. Wait…that was yesterday. We can hardly believe that today she’s turning three, and that’s mainly because for the last year her mental development has taken greater strides than John Goodman’s waistline.

They say girls develop much faster than boys, and in our experience, that certainly holds true. If Indy was the conventional chemical-soaked, red-light, dark-room developer then Alice was definitely the Polaroid insta-matic. Say, ‘Cheese’. Bzzzzzt, ding! It was like she sprang from the womb spouting instructions and was walking before I could even get a second beard shave in. She’s growing way too fast for my liking. At this rate, she’ll be married and leaving home before the end of the week. (more…)
July 8

CRAFTING THE ULTIMATE FUN-FILLED MINECRAFT PARTY

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: 3-5 years, 3-5 years, Events
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8
JUL

A Minecraft Party Please

Unsure whether I fell asleep in a Delorean or put my clock ahead too far during daylight savings. The tiny Marge Simpson-shaped baby I held in my arms and watched open his eyes for the very first time in his new-born life, suddenly aged 5 years before my very own eyes. How can this be? It’s a joke, right? I have to be dreaming. After all, petrol is under $1.15, Gogglebox has been renewed for another season AND…Donald Trump is President of Dementia.

But sure enough, it’s ALL true. Our boy is five.

Hard to believe that only yesterday our toes were dipped in the relaxing serenity of a Balinese swimming pool and today, we’re completely submerged in the calamity of Lightning McQueen, YouTube Kids and Minecraft. None of which I had ever heard of or had any inkling about until our boy educated us on such matters. Now, it’s all a part of our every day lives, like Donald Trump memes or taking a dump.

So, it was no surprise when Indy told us he wanted to have a Minecraft Lego themed party for his 5th birthday. What was a surprise to us, is that he really actually meant it. So, it was off to the crafting-table blackboard to nut our heads together and plan a fun-filled occasion, for just such an occasion. Just one question first… (more…)
April 6

LIGHTNING STRIKES BACK AT TASMANIA SUPERSPRINT

AUTHOR: 40YrOldDad // CATEGORY: Events, Sponsored Posts, Videos
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6
APR

Lightning McQueen is Back, Y’All

The Disney/Pixar Cars Pit Stop and Lightning McQueen are back this year, at selected Supercars race days around Australia.

In celebration of the upcoming release of Disney/Pixar’s Cars 3 on June 22, the Cars Pit Stop will be the ultimate racing destination for families of all ages at the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship events this year. Disney/Pixar Cars, Mack Trucks and Virgin Australia Supercars Championship have again joined forces to bring Australian families the ultimate Cars experience. With activities for all ages, fans willbe able to see the new-look Lightning McQueen before the film releases. Plus, Mack the Transporter will be on show, creating the perfect backdrop for a family selfie! (more…)

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