A Christmas Gift Which Grows !

GROW UP by Mishi Design is a toy which grows with your child, providing years of entertainment and play.

This wonderful Italian designed product will minimise toy clutter around your home and will Grow with your child from 12months to 3 yrs. This wooden toy is cleverly crafted to become a push along cart, a ride-on bike with a wagon and a trolley fantastic for shopping or for use as a pram.

• Baby walker suitable from 12 months
• Ride On suitable from 18 months and
• Trolley suitable from 3 years.

Arriving flat packed and requiring little assembly this toy is a hit with both children and parents! RRP $169.95

**Chosen by Sydney's Child as one of their favourite picks in the Christmas Gift Guide section (Nov 2008)**

TOTEM BOYS AND GIRLS 3D PUZZLE KIT - IMAGINATION IS THE ONLY LIMIT

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We came across this wonderful new brand of toys from Netherland which we simply couldnt resist bringing to you. If your looking for a gift with a difference, a modern and eco-friendly twist on lego which has entertained for generations then Totem is the answer.

Puzzle pieces designed to appeal either to girls and boys, children can either follow instructions in the manula provided or assemble the pieces to create their own designs. With 130 pieces to compose with, children will create for hours (and I must admit I love it too!).

This puzzle-like construction kit requires no instruction, children take to it immediately and start building 3D creations for all to envy. Houses, boats, cars, planes, horses - only their imagination is the limit.

And you get to contribute to a great cause with as its creators, Kidsonroof , donate 5% of its profits to specific Unicef projects.

Totem Boys and Totem Girls are available from Metro Mum for $49.99 and are an ideal Christmas and Birthday gift which will engage children and their imaginations for hours!

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FUNPOD HIGHCHAIR NOW AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA

By Mandi Gunsberger from Babyology

We mentioned the Fun Pod (pictured below) back in December and we wanted to let you know about the Fun Pod highchair that is arriving in Australia at the end of November.This is a Funpod, highchair and little toddler chair all in one, catering from 6 months to 5 years. We all want to include our children in food preparation - it's one of the great joys of life. Learning to prepare a meal, bake a cake, all the while sampling the results on the way, is a rite of passage that is fascinating to a child. This is where the FunPod becomes an essential tool for family life!

The top of the Fun Pod reaches chest height on children aged 12 months to approximately 5 years, preventing falls and injuries. Kids will be entertained with their own appropriate task, feel a part of the action and will be absolutely safe! In your choice of groovy black, red or maple.This new product makes the FunPod even more useful than before. The product comes as a regular FunPod with a Chair attachment. Simply slip the Chair into the FunPod to create the Highchair. The Chair can also be used as a stand alone seat, with or without the tray.

An optional extra is the FunPod WorkTop. The WorkTop converts the FunPod to additonal bench space when your child is not using it. The WorkTop can even be removed and used independently on the work surface.

Metro Mum are currently taking pre-orders for the FunPod Highchair, the price is $379. Highchairs will be available from 28/11/08.

MUNCHEE MUG - KEEPS SNACKS IN THE CUP NOT ON THE FLOOR!

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The Munchee Mug range is designed to keep snacks in the container, not all over the floor. An essential for toddler snack time inside the home and when out and about .

The new Munchee Mug takes care of your child's snacks with a specially designed lid that opens when they put their hand inside. After they have picked up their snack, the lid closes leaving the other snacks behind and not spilt all over the car, ground, pram!

It also comes with a fresh seal lid to keep contents fresh and clean, we don't leave home without our Munchee Mugs. Available in Pink, Red, Blue and Green.

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OCTOBER COMPETITION RECIPES

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We had so many entries thanks to all for their yummy recipes. Our winner recieve a Mum and Me Apron Set and Kiddie Food Kutter. Our runner ups published below recieve 50 bonus reward points.

CONGRATULATIONS MELANIE FROM KULIN, QLD FOR HER WINNING RECIPE!!

Chicken and Bacon Bake

Ingredients:
500g pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions sliced
200g smoked bacon
700g boneless chicken, cubed
2 tablespoons plain flour
1 cup of milk
1 chicken stock cube
200g broad beans (or peas)
150g cheese, grated
Salt & pepper to taste

Method:
1. Pre-heat oven to 180 C/
2. Cook the pasta for 10 minutes (or as directed on the packet)
3. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onions until soft
4. Add the bacon and chicken and fry for 5 mins stirring frequently
5. Stir in the flour
6. Gradually stir in the milk and crumble in the stock cube and bring gently to the boil, stirring until it is a smooth sauce
7. Stir in the pasta, broad beans and season to the taste
8. Pour into a casserole dish, sprinkle with the cheese and bake in the oven for 20 mins

Some other great recipes for you to try....

One for Baby -

Beef and green beans (with thanks to Olivia who wins 50bonus reward points)

Ingredients:
100g beef lean mince
50g green beans
160g potatoes

Method:Fry the beef without added fat in a non-stick pan until lightly browned, then add 1 tbsp water.Cook the potatoes in a pan, steaming the beans until tender.Place the beans and beef in a blender and whizz together with 1 tablespoon water until smooth.Mash the potatoes with 2 tablespoons water or baby's usual milk. Mash in the bean and beef mix.

A family favourite any time of year....

ANZAC BISCUITS (with thanks to Tenille and her son Callum who wins 50bonus reward points)

125 grams butter
2 tablespoons golden syrup
1 tablespoon boiling water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup coconut
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a saucepan gently melt the butter then add the golden syrup and heat, stirring until thoroughly combined. Put the baking soda in a cup or small bowl then pour in the boiling tablespoon of water.Pour this foaming mixture into the warm butter/golden syrup mixture and stir to incorporate - it will foam up. Now gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring well to incorporate.Place walnut size pieces of the dough on a buttered oven tray and then press down with the back of a fork to flatten.Bake at 175 degrees C for approx 17 mins.

Our November Competition will be published in our Newsletter keep an eye out !
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