Part of my New Year's resolution to be more horizontal, was to spend more quality time with each of my two boys. I'm sure everyone with kids would probably agree that this mix of quality time is hard to juggle and get right. With this in mind, I asked Groover what he would like to do - his response "to go to the zoo with just you." He was super excited and to be honest, so was I. I couldn't remember the last time we had some special "Groover and Mummy time". Well something that didn't involve a trip to Safeway or taking him to a public toilet whilst BC stayed with Daddy etc etc!

We got there early in the morning and we were both pumped! Groover already assigned himself "map reader" and we were off to see the Meercats ... our personal favourite. After seeing lots of different animals and getting lost (only a little as he was directing us) ... we had a nice picnic lunch. Groover chose to have lunch with the elephants and I asked him what his favourite bit was so far ... his response - "holding hands with you and chatting". I was gobsmacked whilst trying to hold back the tears. I wasn't expecting that at all! His usual response would be food orientated "the yummy cookie I had" or something to that effect. So needless to say we are going to have more "Groover and Mummy Days"! It doesn't even have to be a trip out somewhere ... just something he chooses to do and with just me.

When we were leaving the Zoo, Groover said "maybe next time we can bring BC along so we can show him all the different animals." I was really proud of him to think of BC as well. Now to plan a special day with just BC!

By the way, we are friends of the Zoo and I would really recommend this to families with young children. It just means you can spend a couple of hours wondering around looking at the animals, playing in the playground and then leave. As membership entitles you to unlimited access to the Zoo , you don't feel as though you have to spend all day there to get your monies worth. Something we are going to use more often this year!

Every year I like to make New Year's resolutions and try to stick at it! Ahhh, famous last words. In the past, my New Year's resolutions usually consisted of "I'm going to eat healthier and exercise more" ... sound familiar?

Well this year ... this one point was no where in sight! Instead, I've decided that "I'm going to be more horizontal!" Ok, before your mind starts working overtime ... I mean more easy going, chilled, not sweat the small stuff! I've just felt that over the past few years I'm getting more uptight with things that wouldn't usually bother me. Maybe its just me getting older and more anal!?

I'm finding that in the last couple of years, I'm probably not as patient or chilled like I was in the first few years of being a Mum. I hate to say it, but I've turned into a nagger - "pack up your bedroom, how many times have I asked you not to do that, don't forget to wash your hands, hold the cup with both hands, " etc etc. Every time I say the same things over again, I cringe but I just can't stop. Well this is it ... I'm going to bite my tongue a bit more and let them be - if its not going to really hurt them ... its not a big deal!

So far, so good! Ok, so its only been a week into 2008 - but hey... baby steps!

Anyone out there with New Year's Resolutions they would like to share? Outing ourselves might make us more likely stick to it!

It was a crazy end to 2007, but what a way to finish another fab year! I launched ickle kids - Activity Packs for Kids on the Go at the start of December and the feedback about the products and my site (http://www.icklekids.com.au/) have exceeded all my expectations and I couldn't be happier! All the hard work of creating my own website has finally paid off and what a great time to launch.

As well as being on-line, I am also selling through parties so people can see, touch and play with the ickle product range. This is a great way of getting feedback and a fab way of meeting new people.

After having ickle parties, taking and packing orders ... came Christmas, which is all a bit of a blur now! Both my boys had loads of fun on the actual day and really loved what Santa brought them. Groover (my eldest) and I have a tradition of baking our own cookies for Santa and needless to say, Santa ate all his cookies but left only a few crumbs! Groover and BC (my youngest) also made the reindeers a special mix of oats sprinkled with sparkles.

Christmas came and went too quickly for us ... and now to pack away the tree and our decorations (arrrgh!)... maybe a job for tonight!