PARTY IDEAS

Party ideas for this week, in line with our Halloween theme we want to tell you about some Fear Factor and Fantasy parties

Fear Factor Parties

are not for the faint hearted. Quite a few party planners do them. We found one called Firefly Kidz Crew
that will come to your venue anywhere in Gauteng. Some of the challenges your child will face are:
-digging eyeballs out of a bowl of slime,
-taking marbles out of an ice bath with your toes
and using their mouth to transfer dirt worms from a dirty to a clean place.

Fantasy Parties

Goblins Cove Fantasy Restaurant in Hekpoort on the West Rand is filled with goblin statues, situated in a forest with birds and  a big playground. They organize fairy and goblin theme parties for younger kids and teenage children can spend the night in a 1929 Goblin’s express train coach.

HALLOWEEN EVENTS

Love it or hate it,  Halloween is here to stay. Schools, neighbourhoods and kiddie venues organise dress up competitions, trick n treating or craft activities. So, what do we have to tell you about.

Johannesburg
On Sunday Serendipity in Rosebank will be handing out prizes for the best dressed boy, girl, mum and dad.  There’ll be  a magic show, balloon modeling and trick or treating.  That’s Sunday from  8.30-11.30am or 11.30am-3pm, R70 per person, booking is essential

Then on Monday  October 31st Brightwater Commons will be hosting a Halloween party from 4-9pm.  There’ll also be jumping castles, water balls, bungee trampolines, a magic show and more

East Rand
They start celebrating a bit earlier, on Friday October 28th, Tissenati Animal Farm in  Benoni is  also offering prizes for the best dressed. They want your pumpkin art for pumpkin prizes, will play games and have a bonfire.   From 6pm to late, R10 each, Trick or Treat walk leaves at 7pm,  booking essential

Pretoria
Boo @ the Zoo Halloween weekend, Oct 29-30. From 8.30am-5.30pm. You’ll find a ghost house, ghoulish story-telling, a pumpkin decorating contest and a host of other family activities. Come dressed to win the best dressed prize!

SWIMMING LESSONS AT PUBLIC POOLS

We spent last week finding out which public pools offer free swimming lessons via the government sponsored Learn-to-Swim program and which ones have private teachers who use their pools.

Unfortunately we discovered East Rand public pools still have no phone lines. So we apologise on their behalf and welcome feedback from you about these facilities.

SWIMMING LESSONS AT PRIVATE SCHOOLS

The  private schools listed  teach babies, toddlers and all ages. Several of these schools have heated indoor pools which teach swimming throughout the year.

NEXT WEEK FOR HERITAGE WEEKEND

On Saturday at Lory Park Zoo in President Park in joburg. They’re doing something about an endangered bird called the GroundHornbill and then at 11am, the owl enclosure will be  opened for children to  feed the owls and learn about their habitat.

National Zoological Gardens in Pretoria has a  weekend program which includes includes storytelling sessions, face painters, jugglers and balloon sculptors while conservationists will demonstrate Komodo Dragon enrichment exercises, horse cart rides, Cape Fur Seal educational demos and more.

Then there are a few shows that might interest you.
The internationally renowned, grammy award winning, Soweto Gospel Choir will be performing with the magnificent South African Lipizzaner’ stallions- in celebration of the 63 years since the Lipizzaners landed on African shores.  That’s at 7pm on Saturday

Also on heritage weekend  the Barnyard theatre in Cresta has a performance of the classic fairytale, The Three Little Pigs a funky version for the whole family with a wolf called Biker Betty.

And finally there’s a wonderful place in Florida Park where your kids can ride on a Miniature Steam Train Its run by a group of volunteers called the Rand Society of Model Engineers. They are hosting a gathering to display and run model Locomotives for all to come and see and enjoy from Sept 23-25.

That’s it from me for today.

Have a memorable heritage weekend with your family.

Remember you can find more ideas of what to do with your family in the Gauteng region on www.Jozikids.co.za on your computer or your cell phone.

Spring Festival with Coaching Concepts, Florida park, Sept 3 , from 9-11am for 3-13yrs, free activity. A morning of fun and games for the kids at the Florida Albion Football club to celebrate the beginning of Spring. All kids must wear a football shirt (if they have one)

Body Mind Soul - Holistic Fayre, Benoni, 10am-3pm, R10pp, kids under 10yrs free.  Sept 3,4. A day of holistic fun and entertainment for people interested in Complementary Health, Alternative Healing, Holistic Lifestyle and Physical Wellbeing. Various free talks and demonstrations lined up on the day, including a Live Crossing-Over Session.

5th Birthday Party Rocky Ridge Estate, Kameeldrift, Sept 4, 10am-4pm, R10 pp or free for all Facebook friends. You and your kids are hereby invited to join us for our BIG 5th birthday party! Bring all your own eats & treats, camp chairs and come and enjoy our special day with us. Children will be allowed to play in our famous Fantasy Mini-Town, play parks and join in all the other activities organised for this special day! We promise there will be lots & lots of FUN-activities for the kiddies!

Spring Rose Care & Finger Pruning Demo, Ludwigs Rose Farm, Pretoria North, Sept 3, & 11 from 10am. You’ll find something for the whole family; fresh flowers, scrumptious breakfasts, premium coffee and cappuccinos, and for the kids, a huge playground and our Fairy Tale Garden. Don’t miss out on a fun-filled educational morning,

Then we have some fun stuff for moms both expectant and new.

Baby Boot Camp Stroller-based Fitness Classes for moms and expectant moms. Classes on offer in Fourways, Sandton, Kyalami plus a free water bottle at your first class. Prices range from R90 for a single class to R600.

LENGTH: 55 minutes
What you need: Water bottle, mat or towel
What your child needs: Stroller, snacks, toys, sun block, diapers, hat, blanket

Memory Moulds Belly casting kits for expectant mums to create lasting memories of your pregnancy. Kits cost R399 – store in Bryanston – next day delivery = R100

So all those new and expectant moms, happy running with strollers and belly casting.

by

I won’t sit here and attempt to write about your virtues. I wouldn’t wish that task on anyone. Because even the most skilled writer is going to struggle. The words don’t seem to do you justice really.

I was too young. I didn’t understand the enormity of what we were going through back then. I remember people being scared. And confused.

I remember this man.

You, this ray of hope.

You were going to lead us down this road. And we were going to follow you.

Like the smell of SPF20, Timothy Traddle and Mnet Open Time. You really were a part of me growing up. You’re tightly woven into the heartbeat of my South Africa. It wouldn’t make sense without you. I mean, the soccer World Cup only felt real once you showed up.

You know… there’s not a heart in this country that you haven’t touched.

I like knowing you’re around.

Like a grandfather, sitting on the stoep. Keeping an eye on all us unruly, neighbourhood kids. Smiling when we get on. Worrying when we fall and scrape our hands and quietly scolding us when we trip each other up.

I know you won’t see this. And I know it doesn’t really matter what some 23 year old girl in Cape Town thinks. I know you don’t need my approval. You don’t need me to say well done. You’ve done us proud. You deserve a break and you’ve done all that we asked and more.

It’s just that I sat in my car yesterday and heard you’re in hospital. I know it’s just routine tests. But my heart dropped. I told my friend that I’d cry buckets if something happened. She said she would as well. We’re softies this way.

Although when it comes to you. I think everyone’s just a giant marshmallow inside.

And maybe this post is a bit silly. But I realised that I had to ask.

I have one more favour Madiba.

Yes. It’s a selfish one.

But I want my grand-kids to see you. I don’t want to have to try and explain all that you are and all that you mean to us, out of the pages of some history book.

I’d actually just like it, if you could live forever.

Robs

by  Michael Marinus, an early thirties  dad of Megan(3) and James(1) who also works as a Chiropractor in Joburg

Dear Student.

When I think of all the exams I wrote whilst at school and during my university days, one recurring theme comes to mind. FEAR. It was my worst enemy during these stressful times and it is only recently that I came across some information about this ‘fear’ state of mind that I wish I had understood when I was in your position.

We all go through a certain amount of healthy anxiety when faced with an examination situation but it is how we deal with this emotion that ultimately decides the outcome. If we let it get the better of us, our chances of performing at our best become impossible. Fear is a state in which the brain changes gears and looks for excuses rather than opportunities. Let me explain.

When you are confronted with stressful situations and you allow yourself to be sucked down by negative emotions to the point of fear, a part of your nervous system activates something called the fight or flight response within you. This is your body’s way of dealing with fear and leaves you in a state where you are constantly agitated, the blood is flowing to the wrong bits of you and you cannot think clearly. This dulls the part of your brain that needs to be sharp when studying and makes it almost impossible to retain information in a way that it can be easily accessed during the actual exam.

Now, how do we make sure that we don’t end up in this position? Fear’s greatest enemies are preparation and confidence. The more you prepare, the more confident you will become in your ability, its that simple. For those of you who tend to worry and put off studying, make sure that a big part of your preparation is learning to calm yourself before trying to study. Half an hour spent putting yourself in the right mindset is a lot more beneficial than three hours spent in useless agitation in front of your books.

Cramming is not preparation. Believe me, I’ve tried it and it doesn’t work. Preparation needs to be a constant process that puts you into a routine as you approach the exam date. It is a proven medical fact that your brain needs time to absorb information and to truly have something sink in, you need to have encountered it at least 17 times during your preparation. This is why, as boring as it may be to go over and over your work, it is necessary if you want to be able to retrieve it when you are sitting in that room and its only you and your thoughts versus the questions.

Good luck to you all, take your time to think about what they are asking and most importantly don’t rush to be the first one to finish. Look over the paper to check you haven’t missed anything and you’ll be just fine.

provided by Matthew Ballenden

The safety of beauty and household products has largely been taken for granted but as you do with food, its vitally important to also scrutinise these ingredients.

The shampoos you apply to your body and the detergents you use in your home eventually end up down the drain and into our water system. It is therefore important that these products have no negative environmental impact during manufacturing and also when released into the environment.

Natural and organic detergents are generally not as strong as regular chemically-based detergents and require a little more effort in the cleaning process. People are often put off by this but a little sweat never harmed anyone in comparison to the damage non-environmentally friendly detergents are causing.

Every year a new Organic detergent is brought into the market and its effectiveness is getting better and better. There are no more excuses for not buying environmentally friendly body care products and household cleaners.

All one needs is white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, water, and a bit of elbow grease.

Not only are these ingredients cheaper than other products on the market, they come in fairly large containers from your local supermarket – white vinegar, for instance, is available in 2 litre bottles (plastic, unfortunately, but it is recyclable).

Visit the Fresh Earth Food Store website to learn more about natural detergents and cleaning products

by Jayshree Sita, mom to 2 gorgeous, lively kids, Amishka 9yrs and Vishen  5yrs.  She traded the glamorous life of a chartered accountant to become a teacher. She’s also an aspiring writer and artist who is passionate about self-development and keeping her family happy

After the long World Cup Holidays, my kids enjoyed another two weeks of holidays at the end of August.  So I was surprised that just last Wed, they were home again on mid-term break, for a full five and a half days.

Normally, this would have stressed me out a bit, because despite being a ‘stay-at-home’ mom, I have very busy days filled with home repairs, admin, shopping, studying and  assignments ( I am currently doing a  creative writing course) and all sorts of other obligations. When the kids are on a break, if I don’t plan  fun activities they tend to spend too much time watching TV and playing wii games, and  I end up feeling  guilty.

This time around, I decided to plan to do meaningful things with them. We drew up a list together. Some of the things we included and actually managed to do together were:

A visit to my mum & sister – so that they could appreciate time with Granny, Aunty and cousins in Lenasia, a township quite different from Sunninghill, and I could relax and read my book.

A clean out of some toys, books and clothes, and a drop off at Sefikeng Primary School which is located inside Leeukop prison- I wanted them to see the conditions at the school, and how different it looks from their own private school, and hopefully to recognise how privileged they are.

A visit to the Bryanston Organic Flea market – they loved this one, and spent an hour dipping candles and doing sand art.  We also purchased two beautiful works of art made from recycled paper – a chance for me to discuss caring for the environment.

A lunch outing at an adult restaurant-where they behaved themselves reasonably well and we played ‘hangman’ to keep ourselves entertained – so we didn’t need a jungle gym.

A visit to ToysRus. – one for my son, who had received a gift voucher for his birthday- he had to think carefully about what to buy, since his voucher had a limited value, so it was an exercise in decision making and how to spend limited resources wisely.

A drop off at the Mondi recycling bin of old newspapers- once again….an opportunity to teach them how to make a difference to ‘saving the trees’.

Having family friends over for Sun lunch – the mom is my very good friend, and the kids are friends with both my kids, hence their playdate was my playdate. I even gave my daughter a list of things to do to help me prepare for the guests .

A morning with Dad –My hubby took my son shopping for a new bicycle then proceeded to teach him to ride without training wheels.  He  also took my daughter shopping for her upcoming school camp, while I went to a book club breakfast and then bought  seedlings at a nursery, which my daughter planted with her Dad later that evening.

Board games- They even ended up enjoying a lo…ong game of monopoly- an old favourite of my school holidays.  Thankfully, I went bankrupt and could duck out of half way through the game.

All in all, it turned out to be a wonderful mid-term break!

We, like many South African families, live nestled away from the main roads and hub-bub of the city in a secure complex in the suburbs. This can, at times, be the cause of much frustration what with having to deal with body corporates and nosy neighbours, but it also allows for a safe environment in which our children can play, ride bikes and come 31st October, go trick or treating in the evenings without fear.

My wife and I found ourselves completely unprepared for this when the knock came on the door the year we moved in. “Trick or Treat” cried the ragtag bunch of miniature Batman’s, Princesses and Ben 10 lookalikes crowded around our front door shoving and jostling for position. We looked at each other in dismay and sheepishly ended up fishing in our wallets for coins and raiding the pantry for Safari dried fruit sticks.  That was, in our ignorance, all we had to offer.

This resulted in groans and half-hearted thank-you’s as they bustled out of our driveway shaking their heads in disbelief and comparing the contents of each other’s Pick ‘n Pay packets.  It has taken a hearty sweet collection and much convincing in the following years to entice them back to our door at Halloween and not have them scowl at us as they cycle past our house till Christmas.

Since having children of our own we have become more in tune with events like Halloween and now try our best to fill their baskets with ‘lekkers’,  sending  them home to their parents high on sugar for a night of no sleep, sore tummies and multicoloured vomiting.  Just what we would expect other parents to do to our kids.

This year my kids will be old enough to join in the fun and I am looking forward to haunting the complex along with them and all the mini Frankensteins, Wondergirls and hopefully the odd, proudly South African, Tokoloshe. Maybe we will even meet some new neighbours, one or two of whom I’m secretly hoping will be as unprepared as we were and the Scrooge McDuck title can eventually be handed over.

I encourage all parents to go pumpkins out this Halloween and share in your child’s and all the other children’s make-believe magic. Even if it is an American tradition, why not embrace it with South African style by dressing your little one up as Liewe Heksie while you do your best Johan van der Walt impression complete with teeth?  So give up an old sheet to transform your little angel into a growling ghost or use that tacky 70’s shirt taking up space in the back of your cupboard to complete his Austin Powers transformation!  Get involved and who knows, you might just look good in Superman leggings!

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

The golden leaves are waving in the crisp autumn air, little feet are scurrying onto porches lined with jack-o-lanterns, cries of “trick or treat!” are echoing through the neighborhood… Actually, that seems to be other people’s Halloween fantasy. Let me come right out and make a confession: I really do not like Halloween! I don’t like dressing up, I don’t like buying costumes, let alone sewing them, I’ve had to force myself to show enthusiasm going to the pumpkin patch to help the kids pick their pumpkins, I don’t like decorating the house, and most of all I hate all the candy coming home, on a weeknight to boot, when it seems like our goodie bags are still full from Valentine’s Day.

Imagine my delight about moving to South Africa: I’d finally be rid of having to deal with Halloween! But to my horror, I’ve since learned otherwise. Trick or treating seems to be the great new thing in all neighborhoods around us. What’s more, South African kids don’t seem to get the “or” part of “trick or treat” – from what I’ve heard, you end up dishing out candy and having your house vandalized. As every year, my kids are scheming what they’ll be this time, and trust me, it’ll involve brand-new gear. So not only am I looking at another round of trick or treating, I have the additional challenge of finding costumes and pumpkins and whatnot in a place I can’t even find apple sauce and chocolate chips!

But the good news is that at this time of year Joburg evenings are mild and balmy, so at least we’ll be strolling down the street in short sleeves, beer in hand, meeting some of our new neighbors while thinking of our friends back home who are breaking out the mittens and ski coats and freezing their butts off.

by Sine Thieme, a writer and mother of four who is new to South Africa and busy chronicling her experiences on her blog, Joburg Expat.

by  Michael Marinus, an early thirties  dad of Megan(3) and James(1) who also works as a Chiropractor in Joburg

I remember being asked about two years ago if I had kids. “Oh yes,” I replied “I have a daughter”. “You don’t have kids, you have a kid” the guy replied.  I was a bit taken aback by this and was left wondering how someone could make this distinction, if you had gone through the trials of the first six weeks, run the gauntlet of dirty nappies and midnight feeds how could someone say just having one child somehow puts you in another category.  It doesn’t, of course, but the difference between a house with one and a house with two or more children are vastly different situations and the arrival of my son has raised some interesting challenges for me as a father.

When two parents are in charge of one child, you get breaks. Necessary little five minute ‘time-outs’, which I used, to compose myself and return to the calamity with calm and enthusiasm.  For dads like me who do not have built in maternal instincts and just want to problem solve, it is important to be able to take step back and assess if problems need to be solved or left alone. When baby number two arrived all bets were off. We were both in there, hammer and tongs, feeding one, bathing the other and passing each other by.

Having one child is much like getting a pet while having two is like going for your zoo-keeping license and not all animals get treated the same way. As a father I did not expect my parenting style to differ so greatly between my two kids. My daughter runs rings around me while my son generally brings at my inner disciplinarian and my wife finds it the opposite way around. This is also true for friends of ours and they too worry that they are not giving their children equal attention or love. Men want men to be men, women want girls to be little darlings and hence we bring up a generation of daddy’s little angels and mommy’s boys.

My wife and I may not agree on all fronts when it comes to parenting but we both agree that the leap from no children to one child, as life altering as it seems at first is not as great a leap as from one to two. From finding friends to babysit, to late night dual coughing fits it can be quite a shock to the system of someone who thought they knew it all.  But however difficult it may be, you now have two beaming faces smiling up at you in the morning and two sets of laughs to melt your heart. The good completely outweighs the bad and when you make it out of the mists of the first few months of ‘double trouble’ and you look down to see two little friends holding hands and trying to push each other over a pot plant  you realize that you don’t know what you did without them.