Post on 19-Mar-2016
description
Summer 20122013
Welcome to the Summer issue of the Alphabet Street mini mag I have to say this Christmas has snuck up on me too quickly It only seemed like yesterday that we started planning our Christmas promotions and now we are at the end with Christmas only days away This mini mag has been an absolute pleasure for me working with so many talented people This issue we completed a full fashion shoot with the assistance of the very talented Liat Biderovsky from Lee Bird Photography and the ever so clever Belinda Ramanauskas from Styled by Belle We hope you love it as much as we do This issue is jam packed full of lovely from Summer fashion to Christmas Gifts ideas and we canrsquot forget activities to schedule in the diaries over the Summer holidays Thanks to all our contributors this month including All Abroad Bay Melbourne Mamma and Indispensable Me This will be the last mini mag for 2012 and look forward to some wonderful things happening with Alphabet Street in 2013 Penny Price OWNER
3
COVER Our Model Ayla
wears Oobi Baby amp Kids Smock Red Dot Dress
Alphabet Street Privacy Statement This issue of the Alphabet Street Mini Mag may contain offers or competitions that require you to provide information about yourself if you choose to take part in If you provide information about yourself including email address Alphabet Street will use this information to provide you will the products and services you have requested We will not onsell you details to a third party and will used for our publication only
Editorial Penny Price
All editorial and advertising
enquiries
einfoalphabetstreetcomau
ABN 89826197104
Photography Lee Bird
Photography
Mini Mag wwwalphabetstreetcomau
Lee is an accomplished award winning photographer who specialises in fine art portrait photography According to her wonderful clients who she prefers to call her muses Lee is able to somehow capture the essence of her muses in the images she takes The essence of childhood innocence family joy laughter and giggles wwwleebirdphotographycomau
Belinda Ramanauskas (ldquoBellerdquo) is the creative director behind Styled By Belle With a background in strategic marketing and incentives she has a passion for styling and creating WOW factor events Belinda is mum to two boys Aidan and Lucas and wife to former AFL player Adam Tracey is mum of two owner of Melbourne Mamma and a self
confessed shop-a-holic Melbourne Mamma is a guide to whatrsquos hot and where to shop for mums babies and kids
Rachael Spencer-Smith is owner of All Abroad Baby a place that brings together shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
4
5
7 Deck the Halls
9 The A-Z of Christmas
25 All I want for Christmas
The Anticipation of Christmas
35 Summer Means
39 Summer Styling
58 Summer Memories
65 Off the Beaten Track
with little ones 68 Holiday Happenings
30
Deck the Halls This Christmas with this wonderful selection
of Christmas Decor
1 Ruby Victoria Letterpressamp
Printmaking Christmas Garland RRP
$24 2 LOVE MAE Merry Christmas
Banner RRP $7995 3 OXFAM Shop
Capiz Christmas decoration from the
Philippines RRP $1495 4 Christmas
Wreath- Tiges and Wience RRP $40
5 Robert Gordon Australia Wooden
Advent Calendar RRP $8995 6 Cradle
Rock Santa Sacks Stripey Reindeer
RRP $ 3995
7
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Welcome to the Summer issue of the Alphabet Street mini mag I have to say this Christmas has snuck up on me too quickly It only seemed like yesterday that we started planning our Christmas promotions and now we are at the end with Christmas only days away This mini mag has been an absolute pleasure for me working with so many talented people This issue we completed a full fashion shoot with the assistance of the very talented Liat Biderovsky from Lee Bird Photography and the ever so clever Belinda Ramanauskas from Styled by Belle We hope you love it as much as we do This issue is jam packed full of lovely from Summer fashion to Christmas Gifts ideas and we canrsquot forget activities to schedule in the diaries over the Summer holidays Thanks to all our contributors this month including All Abroad Bay Melbourne Mamma and Indispensable Me This will be the last mini mag for 2012 and look forward to some wonderful things happening with Alphabet Street in 2013 Penny Price OWNER
3
COVER Our Model Ayla
wears Oobi Baby amp Kids Smock Red Dot Dress
Alphabet Street Privacy Statement This issue of the Alphabet Street Mini Mag may contain offers or competitions that require you to provide information about yourself if you choose to take part in If you provide information about yourself including email address Alphabet Street will use this information to provide you will the products and services you have requested We will not onsell you details to a third party and will used for our publication only
Editorial Penny Price
All editorial and advertising
enquiries
einfoalphabetstreetcomau
ABN 89826197104
Photography Lee Bird
Photography
Mini Mag wwwalphabetstreetcomau
Lee is an accomplished award winning photographer who specialises in fine art portrait photography According to her wonderful clients who she prefers to call her muses Lee is able to somehow capture the essence of her muses in the images she takes The essence of childhood innocence family joy laughter and giggles wwwleebirdphotographycomau
Belinda Ramanauskas (ldquoBellerdquo) is the creative director behind Styled By Belle With a background in strategic marketing and incentives she has a passion for styling and creating WOW factor events Belinda is mum to two boys Aidan and Lucas and wife to former AFL player Adam Tracey is mum of two owner of Melbourne Mamma and a self
confessed shop-a-holic Melbourne Mamma is a guide to whatrsquos hot and where to shop for mums babies and kids
Rachael Spencer-Smith is owner of All Abroad Baby a place that brings together shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
4
5
7 Deck the Halls
9 The A-Z of Christmas
25 All I want for Christmas
The Anticipation of Christmas
35 Summer Means
39 Summer Styling
58 Summer Memories
65 Off the Beaten Track
with little ones 68 Holiday Happenings
30
Deck the Halls This Christmas with this wonderful selection
of Christmas Decor
1 Ruby Victoria Letterpressamp
Printmaking Christmas Garland RRP
$24 2 LOVE MAE Merry Christmas
Banner RRP $7995 3 OXFAM Shop
Capiz Christmas decoration from the
Philippines RRP $1495 4 Christmas
Wreath- Tiges and Wience RRP $40
5 Robert Gordon Australia Wooden
Advent Calendar RRP $8995 6 Cradle
Rock Santa Sacks Stripey Reindeer
RRP $ 3995
7
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
COVER Our Model Ayla
wears Oobi Baby amp Kids Smock Red Dot Dress
Alphabet Street Privacy Statement This issue of the Alphabet Street Mini Mag may contain offers or competitions that require you to provide information about yourself if you choose to take part in If you provide information about yourself including email address Alphabet Street will use this information to provide you will the products and services you have requested We will not onsell you details to a third party and will used for our publication only
Editorial Penny Price
All editorial and advertising
enquiries
einfoalphabetstreetcomau
ABN 89826197104
Photography Lee Bird
Photography
Mini Mag wwwalphabetstreetcomau
Lee is an accomplished award winning photographer who specialises in fine art portrait photography According to her wonderful clients who she prefers to call her muses Lee is able to somehow capture the essence of her muses in the images she takes The essence of childhood innocence family joy laughter and giggles wwwleebirdphotographycomau
Belinda Ramanauskas (ldquoBellerdquo) is the creative director behind Styled By Belle With a background in strategic marketing and incentives she has a passion for styling and creating WOW factor events Belinda is mum to two boys Aidan and Lucas and wife to former AFL player Adam Tracey is mum of two owner of Melbourne Mamma and a self
confessed shop-a-holic Melbourne Mamma is a guide to whatrsquos hot and where to shop for mums babies and kids
Rachael Spencer-Smith is owner of All Abroad Baby a place that brings together shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
4
5
7 Deck the Halls
9 The A-Z of Christmas
25 All I want for Christmas
The Anticipation of Christmas
35 Summer Means
39 Summer Styling
58 Summer Memories
65 Off the Beaten Track
with little ones 68 Holiday Happenings
30
Deck the Halls This Christmas with this wonderful selection
of Christmas Decor
1 Ruby Victoria Letterpressamp
Printmaking Christmas Garland RRP
$24 2 LOVE MAE Merry Christmas
Banner RRP $7995 3 OXFAM Shop
Capiz Christmas decoration from the
Philippines RRP $1495 4 Christmas
Wreath- Tiges and Wience RRP $40
5 Robert Gordon Australia Wooden
Advent Calendar RRP $8995 6 Cradle
Rock Santa Sacks Stripey Reindeer
RRP $ 3995
7
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
5
7 Deck the Halls
9 The A-Z of Christmas
25 All I want for Christmas
The Anticipation of Christmas
35 Summer Means
39 Summer Styling
58 Summer Memories
65 Off the Beaten Track
with little ones 68 Holiday Happenings
30
Deck the Halls This Christmas with this wonderful selection
of Christmas Decor
1 Ruby Victoria Letterpressamp
Printmaking Christmas Garland RRP
$24 2 LOVE MAE Merry Christmas
Banner RRP $7995 3 OXFAM Shop
Capiz Christmas decoration from the
Philippines RRP $1495 4 Christmas
Wreath- Tiges and Wience RRP $40
5 Robert Gordon Australia Wooden
Advent Calendar RRP $8995 6 Cradle
Rock Santa Sacks Stripey Reindeer
RRP $ 3995
7
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Deck the Halls This Christmas with this wonderful selection
of Christmas Decor
1 Ruby Victoria Letterpressamp
Printmaking Christmas Garland RRP
$24 2 LOVE MAE Merry Christmas
Banner RRP $7995 3 OXFAM Shop
Capiz Christmas decoration from the
Philippines RRP $1495 4 Christmas
Wreath- Tiges and Wience RRP $40
5 Robert Gordon Australia Wooden
Advent Calendar RRP $8995 6 Cradle
Rock Santa Sacks Stripey Reindeer
RRP $ 3995
7
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
wwwminifashionistacomau
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Author event Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart
Author Esmeralda Tintner and illustrator Lisa Stewart will
be sharing their new version of the enchanting Christmas
time story The Nutcracker
Their book is currently a work in progress and they will
be reading performing and discussing how a picture
book is created
A miniature orchestra will also play Tchaikovskyrsquos
delightful music Free but bookings are essential
Phone 9481 8811
WHEN Saturday December 22nd at 2pm
WHERE The Childrenrsquos Bookshop- 6 Hannah Street
Beecroft
10
A special Christmas storytime at The Childrenrsquos Bookshop
Bunnings DIY Santa Workshops Bunnings have free childrens craft every Saturday amp Sunday from 12pm
Through out December the craft will be all based around Christmas
WHEN 15th 16th 22nd amp 23rd December
WHERE Bunnings Warehouse
Breakfast with Santa Rouse Hill Town Centre Enjoy Breakfast with Santa in the Food Terrace every Saturday
during December
Every child that attends will enjoy free entertainment from Santas
Elves and also receive a free gift
This is a free event with Santa roving the Food Terrace between
8am and 9am then returning to his Sleigh for Santa Photos
Featuring entertainment from Santas uni cycling Elf
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 8am-9am
WHERE Rouse Hill Town Centre
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Bella Vista Farm Carols by Candlelight and Christmas Markets
Christmas in the Hills With the help of St Paulrsquos Castle Hill St Bernadettes and
Wesley Uniting you will be able to enjoy a wonderful
celebration this Christmas
Bella Vista Farm gates will open from 3pm with
wonderful games for the children as well as a good
variety of markets both food and craft for all to enjoy
Christmas Kid Zone Chatswood Chase This Christmas let your little elves join Mrs Claus and the Christmas Elf to
decorate their very own gingerbread cookie PLUS the Fairy Face Painter
and Balloon Bender Clown will be there too
This complimentary activity for the kids is a one day only event on level 2 at
Chatswood
WHEN Thursday 20th December 2012 from 1030am - 130pm
WHERE Chatswood Chase- Level 2 near Eckersleys
Charity K-Mart Wishing Tree Appeal
Give to those less fortunate than ourselves this Christmas with a charity of
your choice
The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal is Australiarsquos largest Christmas gift appeal
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Australians the Appeal has collected
more than 5 million gifts for people in need over the past 24 years
WHEN From the 14th November until Christmas Eve
WHERE Find your local K-mart Wishing Tree
11
There will be Sheep shearing from 3pm as well as an animal farm a real Manger Santa Clause
and some of the NSW Mounted Police will be joining us The children can also enjoy pony rides
and the Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne will be conducting tours of the historic farmhouse
So many wonderful things to help make Christmas a lot of fun
WHEN Wednesday 19th December 7pm
WHERE Bella Vista Farm- Cnr Norwest Blvd and Elizabeth MacArthur Drive Bella Vista
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Carols in the Park-North Ryde
Join the Christmas Festivities bring your picnic to the park and sing along with the orchestra
and choir
WHEN 23rd December 7pm until dusk
WHERE Pioneers Memorial park
An exciting Christmas celebration for the local community
particularly families with young childrenHeld in Pindari Park
Pindari Street North Ryde
Free activities typically include Sausage sizzle and drinks
GLO candles Carol singing program Bible message Santa
Claus with lollies for the children
WHEN Tuesday 18th December 645pm-9pm
WHERE Pindari Park Pindari Street North Ryde
Carols on Norton and Lantern Parade
Darling Harbour Santa Fest Hold on to your Santa hat as the festive fun continues until 24
December with A Capella Carols by the Tree Harbourside
Christmas Fireworks Christmas Karaoke and special
performances under the stars by the Sydney Youth Orchestra
12
WHEN amp WHERE Thursday 20 December 7pm - 9pm -A Capella
Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Friday 21 December 7pm - 9pm -Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 7pm - 9pm- Karaoke Carols by the Tree
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Saturday 22 December 9pm Harbourside Christmas fireworks
Cockle Bay
Sunday 23 December 7pm - 9pm A Capella Carols
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 7pm - 9pm Christmas Eve Carols by the
Tree Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre forecourt
Monday 24 December 9 pm Christmas Fireworks Cockle Bay
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Dee Why Christmas by the Beach Christmas by the Beach will return to Dee Why on Sunday 23 December
Come along to enjoy the festivities and meet a very special guest Santa Claus
All day markets will run on The Strand from 9am-9pm A Christmas concert will be staged at 5pm
and see Santa on a jet ski at 545pm
WHEN Sunday 23rd December
WHERE Dee Why Beach
David Jones- The Magic Cave
The enchanted world of The Magic Cave is where Santa
and his friends get ready for Christmas Meet Santa
David the Talking Tree and watch the elves busily prepare
for Christmas Day
WHEN From Saturday 10 November until Christmas Eve
WHERE David Jones - 6th floor Elizabeth Street store
13
David Jones- Christmas Windows Christmas carols and songs have been handed
down from generation to generation David
Jones pairs these carols and songs with
traditional marionette puppetry which like us
have a long and well-loved heritage
The puppet maker brings these carols and
songs to life creating magical theatre that
kindles the imagination of young ones and
brings back fond childhood memories
WHEN Tuesday 6 November until Tuesday 25
December
WHERE David Jones - Elizabeth Street store
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
EQ Christmas Markets EQ is very excited to welcome back the EQ Christmas Markets
This year we will be holding these festive markets in the week leading up to Christmas
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 10am ndash 3pm
Saturday 22 December 10am ndash 3pm
Sunday 23 December 10am ndash 3pm
WHERE EQ Moore Park-Lang Rd Moore Park
Fun Festive Party Join the Woollahra Library amp Information Service for a Festive Fun Party at the
Watsons Bay Double Bay and Paddington Libraries
The party is suitable for Children aged 7 years and over and involves the following
fun activtites
Culinary creations - making snowmen from marshmallows or creating sugar mice
from icing
Designing your own card for someone special
Taking home a your free festive activity booklet
The party is free with food and refreshements Bookings are essential Read more
WHEN amp WHERE Watsons Bay Library 17th Dec 2012 1030am
Double Bay Library 18th Dec 2012 1030am
Paddington Library 19th Dec 2012 1030am
Greenwich Christmas Carols Sing in your loudest voice at this years Greenwich Christmas Carols
Entertainment starts at 6pm with carols underway at 645pmSausage
Sizzle Drinks and glow sticks available for purchase on the night
All funds raised go to Youth of the Streets
WHEN Monday 17th December 6pm
WHERE Leemon Reserve Robert St Greenwich
14
Five Dock Carols in the Park The Carols in the Park are on again this year at Halliday Park
McGrath Avenue Five Dock on Monday 17 December at
730pm
There are also lots of exciting surprises planned for the
evening - who knows who may drop in
Food and refreshments will be available from 6pm This is an
alcohol free venue
WHEN Monday 17th December 730pm
WHERE Halliday Park McGrath Ave Five Dock
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Harbourside Snowglobe Step inside Harboursidersquos inflatable Snowglobe this
summer and into your own winter wonderland
Make a snowstorm blizzard or flurry with piles of super
light and fluffy artificial snow and experience the magic
merriment and romance of a white festive season
A totally unique experience for everyone so bring your
family and friends and capture the moment
Donrsquot miss this amazing experience at Level 2
Harbourside Shopping Centre
WHEN Sunday 16 December 3pm ndash 430pm
WHERE The Edge-Fed Square
Illuminations- Sydney Town Hall
15
Golden Turkey Film Festival Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
Celebrate the very best of B grade Christmas
movie classics with the free Golden Turkey Film
Festival this December on the Urban Screen on
The Concourse Featuring seven of the best
worst and quirkiest festive movies ever made
yoursquod be a goose to miss out on seeing these
cinematic masterpieces on the giant outdoor
screen
WHEN Thursday 20th December
WHERE The Concourse Chatswood
The city will sparkle this Christmas as its streets and
spaces are adorned with beautiful banners lights and
decorations
The villages will feature decorations on Erskineville
Road Crown Street Redfern Street Darlinghurst Road
and Glebe Point Road and pretty lights at Shannon
Reserve ndash Surry Hills Turruwul Park ndash Rosebery and
Redfern Park Donrsquot miss the whopper of a Christmas
tree at Martin Place and the Sydney Town Hall
projections lighting up every night until Christmas
WHEN 29th November -25th December 830pm-1am
WHERE George Street Sydney
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Hersquos the reason for the season Head to a Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or
Christmas day service to listen to the gospel and celebrate the birth of Jesus
Jesus
Kids Christmas Disco Middle Harbour Yacht Club
The kids will love singing and dancing with Bop Till You Drop - there may also
be a visit from Santa Kids Disco is on each month at the Club from 6pm -
8pm Cost is $10 per child (inc drink amp snack) For bookings call the office on
9969 1244
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Lower Parriwi Road The Spit Mosman
Luna Park Santa Photos Ditch the queue at the shopping centres for Santa photos and head to
Luna Park instead Get your photo with Santa at Luna Park this Christmas
Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm Please note Santa may
need to take a short break during this time
Prices for photos are below
6 x 8 photo = $995
Two 6 x 8 photos = $1695
Two 6 x 8 and two 6 x 4 = $2195
WHEN Every day until 24 December between 12 - 230pm
WHERE Luna Park Milsons Point
Christmas shopping with the kids can be a little tricky so to make it
easier with our Christmas craft activity centre
Kids will have so much fun creating Christmas baubles to put on
the Christmas tree
No bookings required however please note the number of craft
item provided each day is limited
WHEN Wednesday 19 - Friday 21 December 11am-2pm
WHERE Westfield Eastgardens-Level 1 near Myer
16
Kids Christmas Craft Westfield Eastgardens
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Myer Santaland
Head to Myerrsquos Santaland where a trip on the Santa express
will be a magical treat for kids (and adults) of all ages Pick
up a golden ticket from the Station Master and ride the train
through the tunnel as the train tours the Santaland village
WHEN Santaland will be available until the 24th December
WHERE MYER Sydney
17
Monkey Mania Christmas Disco Kids will love the Christmas themed disco at Monkey Mania
Bankstown this month There will be music and dancing
and prizes for the best dressed Child $10 adult free with
every paying child
WHEN Friday 21st December 6pm-9pm
WHERE Monkey Mania Bankstown- 8 Greenfield Parade
Bankstown
Narabeen Carols by the Lake Carols by the Lake will have Carols BBQ Carols Bags Fresh Coffee and a
visit from Santa The community is encouraged to BYO Picnic and
blanket and to arrive early
The event will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display over
beautiful Narrabeen Lake
Carols by the Lake is free to the public
WHEN Saturday 22nd December 6pm-930pm
WHERE Berry Reserve Narrabeen Lake
Outdoor Cinema at Greenwich
Baths-The Polar Express
Enjoy this gorgeous Christmas Movie- The Polar
Express with the family overlooking Sydneyrsquos
beautiful harbour
There will plenty of activities for the kids to enjoy
including pool inflatables and music
WHEN Friday 21st December from 5pm
WHERE Greenwich Baths
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
For one night only Paddington Markets will be holding a Christmas Night
market filled with beautiful stalls for last minute gifts There will also be
entertainment gourmet food and live music
WHEN Thursday 20th December 4pm-9pm
WHERE Paddington Markets ndashOxford Street Paddington
PNP-Portable North Pole Experience the magic of Christmas with the PNP-Portable
North Pole console
The PNP console lets you create personalized videos from
Santa for the young and the young-at-heart This is the 5th
year Portable North Pole has offered a free personalized
video message from Santa Claus to your loved ones This
year at a small cost there is also an option to have Santa
phone your child This is a must do for every parent who
would love to see the joy on their childrenrsquos faces when
Santa send s a personalized message to them
WHEN Until Dec 24th 2012
WHERE wwwportablenorthpolecom
Palm Beach Carols by the Sea
Come together to cerebrate Christmas with
traditional carols at Palm Beach
Enjoy twilight carols at Palm Beach next to the
wharf in Pittwater Park Organised by St Davids
Church at Palm Beach
WHEN Wednesday 19 December 6pm-8pm
WHERE Pittwater Park next to Palm Beach Wharf
18
Paddington Markets Christmas Night Market
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
The angelic voices of the AGC have been heard at
many hundreds of public performances around
Australia and the world with the girls having
recently been selected to perform for Her Majesty
Queen Elizabeth II and for President Barack Obama
at the official reception functions hosted by the
Prime Minister at Parliament House
The Australian Girls Choir will be performing at QVB
on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd of December
WHEN From 8 December 2012 10am - 1pm
WHERE Queen Victoria Building between 12pm
and 2pm
QVB Christmas Carols Under the Dome
ReindeerCam is Santarsquos official
reindeer live feed At 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
Santa comes out to the reindeer pen
to feed them On various occasions
he will check the mail or will be
accompanied by an elf on his duties
ReindeerCamcom
On the back of the barn there is also a running ticker
feed of all the children on the good list This is a lovely
festive treat for the children to see Santa feeding the
reindeers by live web cam
WHEN Daily until Christmas Day at 11am 6pm and
9pm USA Eastern Standard time
WHERE wwwreindeercamcom
19
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Rotunda Carols by Candlelight Bring a picnic rug and spend an evening under the stars at Balmoral Beach singing to your
favourite Christmas carols
There will be a free shuttle bus via Spit Junction Military Rd amp Raglan St from 530pm
WHEN Saturday 22 December 2012 745PM - 915PM
WHERE Balmoral Beach
Rose Bay Christmas Carols
South Maroubra Christmas Show SHERBET frontman Daryl Braithwaite and SpongeBob SquarePants will headline this
years South Maroubra Christmas Show on the South Maroubra Village Green on
Sunday December 23 from 4pm-9pm The Snake Man of La Perouse will come out
of retirement for the show
WHEN Sunday 23 December 430pm
WHERE South Maroubra Village Green
20
Come along to Pannerong Reserve on Thursday December
20 and celebrate the festive season at the Rose Bay
Christmas Carols
WHEN Thursday 20th Dec 2012 530pm-800pm
WHERE Pannerong Reserve Cnr New South Head Road
and Wilberforce Avenue Rose Bay
Thursday Kids Christmas Craft Party
Itrsquos Christmas time
Celebrate the end of the school year with some fun
Christmas craft and make a gift to take home for
someone special
Booking open 6 December Phone 9978 4091
For school children aged 5
WHEN Thursday 20 December 4pm
WHERE Mosman Library
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Uh-Oh we canrsquot find anything for u
Donrsquot let greedy old Rudolph eat all the
Reindeer food this year Mix up an extra large
batch of magic reindeer food so Vixen (the one
in the middle who always misses out) can have
some too
Mix oats and edible glitter together Sprinkle on
lawn on Christmas Eve so reindeers can find
their way to your house
22
Now is the perfect opportunity to thank all our Alphabet Street supporters
in 2012 We appreciate you staying with us from year to year and we look
forward to providing you with even better and exciting things in 2013
Vixen
Woolworths Carols in the Domain
Woolworths Carols in the Domain is Australias
largest free Christmas concert In 2012 Carols
celebrates 30 years and we are looking
forward to a star studded event
WHEN Saturday 22nd December
1200 noon - Event Carnival starts
300pm - Pre-show entertainment on stage
830pm - Main concert Broadcast live on
Seven Network
WHERE The Domain Royal Botanic Gardens
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Yummy Treats Christmas is the one time outside of
Easter where there are festive specific
foods or drink that are only eaten at
Christmas Spend a day in the kitchen
with the kids and cook up some of your
favourite festive and yummy treats
Check out the recipes for White
Christmas Christmas Cake Christmas
Pudding gingerbread Yule log and Egg
Nog
ZZZZZZZZZZZ There is nothing like reading a Christmas
story to the little ones on Christmas Eve
before they settle down to dream of
what Santa will bring them on Christmas
Day If you would like some
recommendations of some of the best
Christmas Childrenrsquos stories click HERE
23
Christmas or Xmas Christmas has been referred to Xmas since the mid-16th century The
ldquoXrdquo in Xmas originally referred to x the Greek letter chi which is the
initial word for ldquoChristosrdquo or Christ in Greek In recent generations
Xmas is used much more controversially because some claim that it
attempts to remove ldquoChristrdquo from ldquoChristmasrdquo Xmas is often used as a
form of shorthand for Christmas and is not commonly used in formal
forms of writing
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
All I Want for Christmas Tracey Cotroneo from Melbourne Mamma
lists her 10 top gifts for babies girl boys
and stocking fillers this Christmas
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Babies
Haba Whirligig Clutch Toy
wwwjusttoynaroundcomau RRP $2495
Rainbow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Wall Art
wwwlovejkcomau RRP $7995
2 in 1 Baby Gym Playmat
wwwelctoyscomau RRP $6500
Alimrose Fairy Doll Rattle
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1895 Mesmerised Book
wwwhellocharliecomau RRP $1295
Very Hungry Caterpillar Jack-in-the-Box
wwwtarbeacomau RRP $3995
Moonbeam Huggie Bear
wwwtinywardrobecomau RRP $2995
Jellycat Boing Ball
wwwfunkmelbournecomau RRP $1495
Uncle Goose Classic Lower Case ABC Blocks
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $6495
Bunny Rabbit Night Light RRP $1895
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
26
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Boys
Fire Fighter Builder
wwwmoosaidthecowcomau RRP $6495
Train Box Set by Tiger Tribe
wwwshop4toyscomau RRP $5995
Explorer Case by Egmont RRP $36
wwworangesandlemonsboutiquecomau
Micro Scooter
wwwmicroscooterscomau RRP $17950 Jurassic Dinosaur Bag
wwwbuttonbabycomau RRP $3495
Planks
wwwgreenhatworkshopcom From $5900
Pirate Ship by Le Toy Van
wwwtlbccomau RRP $8995
Wishbone Bike RRP $239
wwwmelbournemammacomauwishbone
Automoblox C9 Red sports car
wwwlucaslovescarscomau RRP $5500 Prism Switch Kite
wwwkitepowercomau RRP $45
27
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Girls
Spineless Classics Alice in Wonderland
wwwspinelessclassicscomau RRP $6995
Pink Retro Toy Play Kitchen
wwwhipkidscomau RRP $199
Tiger Tribe Vintage Tea Set
wwwpeanutgallerycomau RRP $3495
Little Lamb Designs Sterling Silver
Bluebird Necklace
wwwlittlelambdesignscomau RRP $60
Mini Dollies Fairyland
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $2495
Living Like Lulu Apple Baskets
wwwlittletinkerscomau RRP $8995
Lil Fairy Door RRP $3600
wwwthelittlehomewarescompanycomau
Miss Ruby May Doll
wwwmissrubymaycomau RRP $5900
Tiger Tribe Dollhouse Box RRP $5995
wwwspoiltgiftandhomewarescomau Princess Castle RRP $3500
wwwnaughtsandcrossesbigcartelcom
28
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Top
10 Christmas
Gifts
Stocking Fillers
Tiger Tribe Super Clay Minis - Flowers
wwwcradlerockcomau RRP $495
Funny Face Magnetic
wwwrudyandthedodocomau RRP $1795
Guitar Nano Blocks
wwwmudpuddlecomau RRP $1195
Origami Paper
wwwenchantedbybookscomau RRP $999
Kaboodles Craft Kits
Create your own Picture Frame
wwwfreerangelivingco RRP $1500
Scribble Down Dinosaur Encounter
wwwboyosaurcomau RRP $895
Apple Patchwork Handbag RRP $995
wwwoobicomau
Makedo-Find and Make Flowers
wwwittybittygreeniecomau $1196
Sweetie Petite Doll Kit-Daisy
wwwbubbablingcomau RRP $20 Coq en Pacircte Paper Toys - Jet Set Pets
wwwlittlebooteekcomau RRP $1595
29
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Kate Anderson from Indispensable Me shares her childhood memories leading up to the big day
30
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Christmas 1975 I was 6 years old and obsessed
with the colour purple My family used to call me the
ldquoPurple People Eaterrdquo after that strange novelty song
I wore a lot of purple clothes back then So of course
I wanted a purple bike for Christmas - well a tricycle
to be perfectly accurate I was probably old enough
for a bike but the combination of poor gross motor
skills and protective parents ensured it had to have
three wheels It was all I wished for that entire year
Nearly 40 years later Christmas is almost here again
and the underside of our tree is filling up with
presents My young girls are getting excited This year
they havenrsquot really asked for anything ldquobigrdquo and quite
frankly there is not a lot that they need I am
delighted by their restraint but anxious that the gifts
we have organised for them are not very ldquomagicalrdquo
and not quite what Christmas memories are made
from
I am troubled in a first-world angsty kind of way
What exactly am I trying to deliver to my girls The
best toy ever The magic of Christmas I am not sure
Perhaps I just need to travel back to 1975 to see
Christmas through my eyes as a child
I can remember needing to share my fervent wish for
a purple tricycle with Santa Mum suggested writing
him a letter addressed to the North Pole I was by
then a competent writer - with my first year of school
under my belt I also drew a picture of a purple trike
just to make it clear And I mentioned the colour
purple more than a couple of times I also discussed
my wish with Santarsquos special intermediaries the ones I
had access to on a daily basis And though I canrsquot
remember the discussion - Mum and Dad tell me it
was persuasive and convincing My message
delivered I presumed (well hoped) that Santarsquos elves
were tinkering away in their workshop creating my
special purple trike just for me
So that just left the waiting and the anticipation On
Christmas morning I woke feeling strangely buzzy
and jumpy We had a couple of rules for this special
morning - no one out of bed before the 7am signal
from Mum And then we were all required to head
down the hall together So you can imagine waiting
in my bed the anticipation was excruciating I was far
from certain that Santa had said yes to my request It
was a big present the sort of thing I rarely asked for
and could barely imagine receiving I was almost
afraid to get out of bed in case of disappointment
But there it was purple and shiny and BIG and just
waiting for me to jump aboard It was more
beautiful than I had even imagined I felt giddy and
silly and smiley and just wanted to sit on it After all
the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to
Christmas I think I was in some kind of delirious
shock
At that point it seemed like the world was perfect
And for a little while after Christmas zooming up
and down our concrete back patio - Im pretty sure
it was
As the years have passed the warm-fuzzy feeling
generated by that Christmas and the purple trike
have grown All my childhood memories of waking
up on Christmas morning and wondering what
would be found under the tree share that same
feeling - first experienced in 1975 It became the
template for how Christmas morning was supposed
to feel Excited expectant and with that added early
lesson on the joy of delayed gratification
Now as a grown up and a mother myself I also
appreciate the pain and joy of my parentrsquos journey
that Christmas They too suffered from gift anxiety
wanting me to have the best possible Christmas
with the most perfect present And apparently a
purple tricycle was not an easy thing to find In
those days before internet searches my parents just
had to spend time doing the legwork Mum visited a
lot of bike shops and Dad spent a lot of time letting
his fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages He
tells a tale of the mad 100km round trip to a
warehouse in the city just two days before
Christmas to pick it up Halfway home he panicked
What if it wasnrsquot purple He hadnrsquot even checked
Unable to face the possibility of delivering the wrong
colour he jumped out of the car and ripped open
the box All good and safely delivered to be hidden
in his shed till Christmas Eve
So there is little wonder that I too LOVE the
experience of playing Santa for my children And
why I want it to be special and magical for them
both We also make our girls wait until an agreed
time before racing down to open their presents A
growing body of literature has linked the ability to
delay gratification to a host of positive outcomes
including academic achievement psychological
health and social success But I doubt that was ever
my parents intent Like me I am sure they simply
loved watching our eyes light up on Christmas
morning as we ran into the family room to discover
our special wishes (no matter how big or small) had
come true 31
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Christmas Memories
ldquoAt the age of 7 I received a gorgeous musical jewellery box with a dancing ballerina from my Nan It makes me sad to think I no longer have it given she is no longer with us However I thought I was the luckiest little girl in the world when I received it So beautiful delicate graceful and very special everything my Nan was Although such music boxes are not rare I can still recall unwrapping it on Christmas Day and watching the dancing ballerina for hours The box would hold all of my precious little knick knacks and would sit proudly on my bedside table With 3 boys of my own I cannot foresee giving anything similar as a gift but I do look forward to the day where I can possibly give such a gorgeous gift to my own granddaughters at Christmas timerdquo Natalie - marketing professional mum of 3
ldquoI was beyond excitement the year I got my Evel Knievel stunt cycle for Christmas Its the first year that I can remember asking Santa for something and actually getting it And the only toy I remember from my childhood that actually did what the TV ad showed it doing I spent an entire summer jumping the bike off the end of tables and benches and one time (our greatest triumph) from the edge of the pool across the water and onto a lilo I was a legend in my own backyard The only downside was that poor old Evel was the only boy doll in the house so he often got kidnapped by my older sister and was forced to play lsquotea partiesrsquo with Barbie I wish I still had my Evel I reckon my son would be interested in it for about half a day Mark - builder dad of 1
ldquoldquoA gift from my parents ndash my beautiful tin of Derwent pencils 36 in total Apparently the 72 seemed a bit excessive to those in charge of present giving I treasured those pencils always keeping them well sharpened but not too sharp Often reordering them in numbercolourshade order just for the joy of it Many an average work of art was created over the years with those pencils I loved the colours and how well they drew Yes I have given a set of Derwents to my own sons They are to be shared They are even watercolour too which means you can use a wet paintbrush to create water colour type effects The boys love and treasure them and
they too make sure every last one is packed away each time they complete a session of creative exploration They donrsquot spend the time to put them all back in numbercolour orderbut I must confess I have done it once or twice for old timesrsquo sakerdquo Rochelle - marketer mum of 2 My most wonderful present was my first big girls bike that I was given by my parents the Christmas I turned 10 (sadly that was 30 years ago) It was a BSA bike an English brand that my Dad had hunted down in Melbourne because that was the same brand of bike as he has been given when he was a boy in England It was bright red with a silver pack rack and a little wicket basket and white rim tyres a brown leather seat and BSA in white lettering on the frame So retro I rode that bike until I was 16() and I had truly grown too big for it then It was the best present and it meant that I could ride around the neighbourhood (no helmet) ride it to school and visiting my friends - the freedom Dad kept it in the shed when I moved out of home and I was so so sad when it was stolen when my parents were away on holiday a few years later I would love to have it now for my girlsrdquo Nat - illustrator mother of 2
ldquoMy very own watch given to me by my parents I thought it was absolutely great It made me feel important I was a lsquosomeonersquo with my watch on I had a school friend who coveted my watch and in turn for allowing him to wear my watch for a period of time he would give me money to go and buy peanut butter sandwiches from the tuck shop (Imagine ndash nuts at school) Now in my forties I no longer wear a watch and havenrsquot done for years Irsquom too prone to breaking them and besides the time is now on my phone lap top or upside down on someone elsersquos wrist when I need it I think I would perhaps buy a watch for my sons but I wouldnrsquot want to get them a digital one It would have to be a handsome analogue version so that they could learn to tell the time the old fashioned wayrdquo Stephen - international man of mystery dad of 2
Kate Anderson is mum of two girls and owner of Indispensable Me a Publicity project management and administration business in Melbourne 32
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Tilly amp Otto
fedoraespresso
RRP $15
Mini Sandcrabs
Short Sleeve Rashie - Bondi
RRP $4996
Swimshorts - Aqua
RRP $3195
Hide amp Seek
Cindy Cover-Up Purple Feather
RRP $4495
Eyetribe-Frankie Ray Sunglasses
Picnic-Pink Gingham
RRP $2995
Penny Scallan
Drink Bottle
RRP $1995
Cancer Council
Kids sunscreen
From $995
Saltwater Sandals-Shiny Yellow
Minibots RRP $6995
Tom amp Teddy
Penguins Swimshorts
RRP $4995
Roxy Kids
Go Fish Thongs
RRP $1999
Stay cool this summer with these must have summer
items for little ones
34
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
1 Outdoor Cinema Watching movies under the stars is a
wonderful experience for the whole family to
enjoy There are a number of Outdoor
Cinema options some paid and some free
but either way there are plenty of family flicks
in the outdoor cinema schedule that
everyone will enjoy Check out the following
options
OPEL Moonlight Cinema- will be screening
advance previews contemporary cult and
classic movies on on the lawns of Centennial
Park Mark in the diaries the following family
flicks
Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Dog Days -22nd Dec
Madagascar 3 Europes Most Wanted -28th
Dec
Paranorman -1st Jan 2013
Frankenweenie -4th Jan 2013
The Avengers -9th Jan 2013
Rise Of The Guardians -19th Jan 2013
Wreck-It-Ralph -25th Jan 2013
Aladdin -2nd Feb 2013
WHEN Dec 2012-Feb 2013
WHERE Belvedere Amphitheatre Centennial
Park
Pencil in the following family friendly movies
WHEN 16th January-3rd March 2013
WHERE North Sydney Oval- corner of Miller
amp Ridge Sts
Ben amp Jerryrsquos Openair Cinemas- are a
quintessential summer event with feature
films lighting up our huge movie screen from
dusk Donrsquot miss Family flick Wreck It Ralph
on Sunday 3rd February
Bring the kids down this Sundae Session or
relive your own childhood fun with Wreck-It
Ralph games on the lawn live music and
FREE ice cream
WHEN Sunday 3rd February 815pm
WHERE Dolphin Lawn next to Bondi Pavilion
Dive in Movies- are back this summer at the
Willoughby Leisure Centre
Float on the indoor pool or relax in the court
yard area while you watch some great family
friendly flicks Bring your own food and drinks
or purchase refreshments from the in-house
cafe Children 10 years and younger must be
accompanied by an adult Tickets $750 per
person (includes pool entry) Read more
WHEN Dolphin Tale -715pm Friday 21
December 2012
Over the Hedge-715pm Friday 18 January
2013
Ice Age 4 -715pm Friday 22 February 2013
WHERE Willoughby Leisure Centre
36
Starlight Cinema in North Sydney-will be
screening a wonderful selection of movies for
the family from January-March 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
2 New Years Eve Celebrations Therersquos no better spot than Sydney Harbour
to spend your New Years Eve celebrations
The Harbour of Light Paradetrade is an exciting
visual spectacle for all to enjoy in the lead-up
to our world-famous NYE12 fireworks
displays Imagination and creativity combine
with the magic of rope lights to produce an
amazing parade of illuminated vessels
There will be lots of pre-show entertainment
including Aerial Acrobatics Ted Noffs Fire Tug
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Smoking
Ceremony Harbour Bridge Pylon Projections
and the family fireworks display at 9pm
Read more
3 API International -Kids Day
meet and great tennis stars show bags
roving entertainment and much more
Read more
WHEN Monday 7 January 2013 Gates open
at 900am
WHERE Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
37
Some of the worlds best tennis players
including Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Sam Stosur Li
Na Fernando Verdasco are coming to the
Apia International Sydney 2013 Now itrsquos your
turn
Kids aged 16 and under receive FREE entry to
the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre
Come join on Kids Day Monday 7 January
2013 There are loads of activities to keep
young tennis fans entertained including the
kids interactive zone MLC Tennis Hot Shots
4 Sydney Festival The Sydney Festival is Australias largest and
most attended annual cultural event running
every January There is something for
everyone including a fabulous line up of
family friendly and free events Donrsquo miss the
Giant Rubber Duck at Darling Harbour the
Lah-Lah - Parra Opening Party The Listies at
The Famous Spiegeltent and lots more
WHEN 5th-27th January
WHERE Sydney Various
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Summer Playground - Stage - The Australia
Day Summer Playground in Hyde Park North
from 9am until 4pm is the best place to soak
up the family fun atmosphere as The new
Wiggles perform a free show accompanied
by the Dorothy the Dinosaur Show
There will also be a morning fitness class
Colouring Zone adorable animals at the
Animal Farm as well as a special ldquoGarden Barrdquo
zone for parents Jimmy Giggle will emcee
the proceedings throughout the day So make
the most of the Australia Day long weekend
and visit Sydney to experience some amazing
events the whole family will enjoy Read
more
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 9am-4pm
WHERE Hyde Park North Elizabeth Street
Ferrython- Sydneyrsquos beloved old gals the
four little green and yellow catamarans will
once again line up for one of Australiarsquos most
iconic free events
Come by and cheer on your favourite ferry as
they power down the Harbour and back to
the finish line under the Sydney Harbour
Bridge
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 11am-
12pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
6 Chinese New Year
Tall Ships Race - Starting at Bradleyrsquos Head
Sydneyrsquos Tall Ships will lead an impressive fleet
of historic and charter vessels as they make
their way up the Harbour to finish under the
Bridge This year the Southern Swan Soren
Larsen Bark Endeavour James Craig and the
RANrsquos Young Endeavour ar Saturday 26
January 2013 2pm-3pm e expected to do
battle
All public and private vessels are invited to
join in ndash just mind the 50m exclusion zone
around each Tall Ship
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
5 Australia Day Celebrations
38
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at Sydneyrsquos
famous Chinese New Year Festival
The 2013 program is overflowing with
cultural events authentic Asian markets
cooking demonstrations tours exhibitions
and entertainment most of them free
Blending traditional and contemporary Asian
culture the Twilight Parade will illuminate the
city as it connects communities across the
world The cityrsquos streets will host colourful
floats and thousands of parade participants
will wow audiences a show stopper full of
music light colour ndash and fireworks
WHEN Saturday 26 January 2013 2pm-3pm
WHERE Sydney Harbour
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Summer Styling
Photography Lee Bird Photography
Styling Styled by Belle
Hair and makeup Simone Clarke Youshiki Scissor
39
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids 40
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Ella wears Fabrik lemon picnic smock RRP $6995
Zac wears Organic boys custard tshirt by La Queue du Chat RRP $3590 Available from Little Frenchy amp Jimmy Navy Shorts RRP $4994 from Oobi 41
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlotte wears girls summer dress from Eternal Creation RRP $6495 42
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Ayla wears butterfly t-shirt Target RRP $14 and Shorts Gumboots RRP $3495
Scarlett wears Night Owl Together Dress from Minti RRP $4595 43
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlie wears aqua check shirt RRP $2495 amp yellow shorts RRP $2495 from Cotton on Kids
44
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Ella wears KissKiss Organic blouse in pink by La Queue du Chat RRP $5190 and Organic girl shorts pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $3490 from Little Frenchy
Scarlett wears Lexie Pink Chevron Dress RRP $4995 from Oobi
45
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Zac wears T-shirt Cotton On RRP $1495 amp Shorts Cotton On RRP $1695
46
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlotte wears Little Horn Balloon Heart Tee in Pink RRP $3495 amp Organic bloomer trousers pink stripe by La Queue du Chat RRP $5690 from Little Frenchy
Ayla wears Smock Pink Forest Dress RRP $3495 from Oobi
47
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
Charlie wears Mossimo T-Shirt RRP $30 amp Beastie Check Shorts RRP from Oobi RRP $4995 Hat from Gumboots $1995
48
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlie wears Blue amp White Fish Swim Shorts RRP $4995 from Tom amp Teddy
Zac wears SonnyBoy Noahs Arc shorts RRP $32 from Summaskye Gumboot sunglasses $995 Hat Stylists own
Scarlett wears Yellow stripe Bathers Gumboots RRP $2995 Hat Pumpkin Patch RRP $2499 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
Alya wears Roxy Aqua Stripe Bikini RRP $4999 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
49
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlotte wears Fabrik Miami Bikini RRP $4995 Hat Gumboots RRP $1995 Sunglasses Gumboots RRP $995
50
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Ella wears Roxy Rash Vest RRP $4999 amp Roxy Beach Shorts RRP $4599
51
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
From Left Ayla wears Oobi Out to Play Playsuit (Cherry check) RRP $4495 Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995 Ella wears Oobi Carmen Dress (Cherry Check) RRP $4495 Zac wears Dragstar Tee RRP $2998 from Monstar Kids amp Mossimo Shorts RRP $5995 Hat-Stylists own
52
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Scarlett wears Fabrik Explorer Jumpsuit Lattice Print RRP $6995 Charlotte wears Oobi Amalie Tiered Sky dress RRP $4995
53
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Charlotte wears Oobi Tinkerbell Marshmallow Dress RRP $4995 Scarlett wears Oobi Anastasia Dress Marshmallow RRP $6995
54
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Ella wears Paris Pink Kaftan from Kaftan Kids RRP $3200 Ayla wears Read + Bell Coco Kids Tunic - Watermelon RRP $3500
55
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
56
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Summer Memories
Sights sounds and scents quickly evoke memories of when
we were small We asked some Alphabet Street friends to
take us back in time to their childhood summers
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Thatrsquos me with my sister
What a cutie
59
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Sisterly Love
Julia Whitney Owner of Rudy and the Dodo
W
60
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Andrea Rembeck Owner Tutu Du Monde
I
61
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Alex Riggs FounderDesigner Oobi Baby amp Kids
I
62
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Julie Lemmon Owner
Cradle Rock
Kate Nelson Owner Meetoo
T
G
63
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Amanda Evans DesignerDirector
Cocoome Organic Sleepwear amp My Munchkin Home
M
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Did you enjoy the odd backpacker-style adventure before your little ones arrived If you look back
on old photos and feel nostalgic for those days All Abroad Baby has some top tips on how to do the
road less travelled with very little ones
65
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
BC (Before Children) my husband and I were
the intrepid travel types We caught the overnight
train from Thailand to Laos with the locals We
canoed down the Mekong and did homestays with
traditional Laos families We drove from Darwin to
Sydney over six weeks camping all the way We
even climbed 3726 metres above sea level to the
top of Mount Rinjani an active volcano on Lombok
in Indonesia
Then our little monkeys came onto the scene and
we kissed our Bear Grylls days goodbye ldquoWe never
did get to Machu Picchu Oh well Maybe in another
liferdquo wersquod thoughthellip
Donrsquot get me wrong we adore our little ones and
wouldnrsquot change our new lives as doting parents for
anything But when our second arrived we realised
we hadnrsquot been struck down with Panicky Parents
Syndrome like we had with our first
Before long we felt the need to regain a sense of
our old selves After all nothing makes kids happier
than seeing their parents doing things they love
Could we really go camping with a baby and a
toddler Or take a trip to one of our favourite
destinations South East Asia and venture beyond
the tourist havens
Sure we could We stuck to a few handy tips and off
we went Did anything go wrong Two small
mishaps while camping our airbed sprung a leak
and we had to buy a new one In Bali we forgot to
bring Vegemite (our toddlerrsquos daily staple) and paid
the equivalent of $13 AUD for a small jar
Here are All Abroad Babyrsquos top tips for intrepid
travel with little ones
bull Travel in summer The best part about holidaying in summer is that
you donrsquot need to worry about heavy coats and
clunky shoes which overload your suitcase or
luggage allowance Packing light is one of the keys
to having an enjoyable holiday ndash no one wants to
cart items that weigh more than your baby
bull Take a lightweight stroller Think light in regards to everything ndash even your
pram If yoursquore flying an umbrella stroller (called this
due to the way it easily folds) is accepted as hand
luggage on most airlines (double check with your
airline first) This means you can keep your stroller
with you right up until you board the plane
bull Pack your own nappies amp formula If yoursquore going to a foreign country and you have a
favoured brand of nappies take them with you (or
contact your hotel and ask if your brand of nappies
is available) In Bali nappies were nearly twice the
price they were in Australia The same goes with
formula ndash itrsquos a good idea to take it with you if
yoursquore going overseas
bull Hire a driver with kids car seats Hotels can arrange a driver with kids car seats to
pick you up from the airport You may even be able
to book a driver for a few days so you can venture
to places you canrsquot get to on foot or by public
transport We hired a driver in Bali this cost $60
AUD per day and we went all over the island
bull Find out about baby bedding If you need your hotel to supply a portable cot for
your baby ask them if they provide cot bedding as
well Not all mid-price hotels do (as we once
discovered) You may need to bring your own cot
sheets
bull Check out vaccine recommendations If you are going overseas visit your doctor and find
out if your children need any vaccinations
Recommendations can change so donrsquot go off
information you were given several years ago
bull Take a portable chair camping You will need somewhere to prop up your baby
Camping means no carpeted or wooden floors Just
dirt stones grass and flowers ndash all the things babies
love to put in their mouths If your baby isnrsquot in a
high chair yet a seat like the Bumboreg will do the
trick We took our portable IKEA high chair because
the legs detached
bull Test airbeds before you go camping Unless you fancy an unexpected trip to the closest
camping supplies store inflate your airbeds at home
and see if they deflate
All Abroad Baby is a website that brings together global shopping parenting and travel inspiration for mums of little ones
66
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
School Holiday Snapshot
Wind in the Willows Melbourne and Sydneyrsquos favourite family
entertainment continues its well-loved tradition
of bringing the animals home to the Royal
Botanic Gardens for summer Over the years an
audience of tens of thousands have delighted in
the simple pleasures of this rollicking
production Pack a picnic pack the kids and
join Rat Mole Badger Otter Portly and of
course Mr Toad as they bring to life Kenneth
Grahames immortal story of life on the
riverbank Read more
There are so many wonderful school holiday activities throughout the
summer holidays that we canrsquot list them all however check out some
of our favourites below
Wallacersquos workshop for budding inventors A full day program where budding inventors will
visit Wallace amp Gromitrsquos World of Invention and
take part in the Australian Inventions Trail and
Quiz Show Plus design and make your own
invention using modelling clay and enjoy a range
of other hands-on activities Includes a bonus
STAEDTLERreg Noris Clubreg aquasoft modelling
clay kit valued at $2495 Lunch and afternoon
tea is included
Read morehellip
WHEN Tuesday ndash Thursday only
8 ndash 24 January 2013
WHERE Powerhouse Museum Sydney
COST $80 per child $70 member child
Bookings essential
69
WHEN 4th to 27th January 2013 at 11am and 6pm from
Tuesday to Saturday (no 1100am performance on January
4 26 and 27 2013)
WHERE The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
COST Single tickets $25 family of four (1 ticket admits four
people) $90 handling fee may apply
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
The Great Adventures of Alexander the
Great Discover the bold and awe inspiring tales of
Alexander the Great in this unique family
theatre show
Alexander the Great filled the hearts of
generations with the spirit of adventure
When 12 year old boy Alex Average discovers
Alexander the Greats battle helmet he is
transported to a world of wild horses war and
wonder
On his quest he discovers the virtues of great
leaders and gains the courage and smarts to
save the city museum from being demolished
Join Alex in making the biggest discovery of
all the great in all of us
For children aged 3 and over
Read morehellip
The art of drawing Be inspired by well-known childrenrsquos illustrator
David Legge as he demonstrates different
drawing techniques and shares some tips
Read more
WHEN Sundays 13 amp 27 January 2013 230pm
WHERE Art Gallery of NSW
COST FREE
WHEN 6 January 2013 to 27 January 2013
1100am 1230pm amp 200pm (Sundays to
Fridays only)
WHERE Level G Theatre Australia Museum
COST $5 per person$20 per family (2 adults
and up to 4 children) after admission
Up late at the Library This family event will take you on a torchlight
tour of the extraordinary stained glass windows
of the Mitchell Library Discover the stories
behind the designs and make your own window
to take home Enjoy a pizza dinner in our
fabulous learning space
Suitable for the whole family Read more
WHEN Thursday 17 January 2013
500 pm to 700 pm
WHERE State Library of NSW
COST $15 per person incl GST
70
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Wet and Wild Join the Centennial Parklands Rangers for
some dip netting in the pond for water bugs
and some amazing aquatic art and fun water
play (you will get wet) For 2-5 years of age
Read more
Imaginocean A one of a kind live glow-in-the-dark puppet
show direct from the US ImaginOcean is a
Broadway musical spectacular for the whole
family
Tank Bubbles and Dorsel are best friends who
just happen to be fish and they are about to set
out on a remarkable journey of discovery It all
starts with a treasure map and as they swim off
in search of clues they sing dance and make
new friends including everyone in the
audience Ultimately they discover the greatest
treasure of all friendship
Jam-packed with toe-tapping original music
ranging from swing to RampB to big band this
show is a blast from the first big splash to the
last wave goodbye Read more
WHEN 10 January 2013 10am ndash 1130 am
WHERE The Learning Centre Centennial Park
Sydney
COST $15
Kids In The Colony Go back in time and find out what the family
and servants did each day at Elizabeth Farm
Put on an apron and cap and you will be
washing clothes and making beds and once the
hard work is done you can test your writing
skills with a quill and enjoy some 19th century
gamesAge 5+ Read more
WHEN Saturdays 5 12 amp 19 January11am -
12pm
WHERE Elizabeth Farm 70 Alice Street
Rosehill
COST Free with museum entry | Bookings not
required
WHEN 3 January ndash 27 January 2013
Running time 45 mins see website for timings
WHERE Sydney Opera House
COST $24-49 plus booking fee
For children aged 4+
71
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
72
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
Little Green Thumbs
Share your toddlerrsquos delight as you explore the
fascinating world of gardens and plants together
This fun session involves games craft and
gardening activities
Suitable for 3-5 year olds who must be
accompanied by an adult Read more
WHEN Fri 18 January 10-11 am and Friday 21
January 10-11 am
WHERE Eden Gardens North Ryde
COST $12 per child
Dig it
Archaeologists in training workshops
Become a hands-on archaeological detective
and investigate the history of Fort Phillip and
the site of Sydney Observatory Experience a
simulated archaeology dig find out what
happens to artefacts after they are lsquodugrsquo out of
the ground What is evidence and how can
you use the findings to discover what life was
like on Observatory Hill Plus make a simple
toy just like the children did that lived here 150
years ago In wet weather the dig is replaced
by a 3-D Space Theatre session
For 6- 10 years
Read more
Kung fu workshops
This beginners martial arts workshop will be
conducted by instructors from Jin Wu Koon
Shaolin Double Dragon Kung Fu Academy Martial
art is a great way to enjoy fitness stimulate the
mind and learn a life-long skill Read more
WHEN Tuesday 8 January and Thursday 10
January 10am - 1045am
WHERE Chinese Garden of Friendship Darling
Harbour
COST Free with garden entry ($6 adult$3 child)
WHEN 4 11 18 and 25 January
1030am ndash 12noon and 1 ndash 230pm
WHERE Sydney Observatory
COST Cost $15 child $13 members
Bookings essential
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alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013
alphabet street would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a
safe and memorable New Year
See you in 2013