Revisit the unfinished...

Oh rainy day, rainy rain - we know we need you, but you have been a frequent visitor of late. It's not that we don't appreciate you... it's just that, well it's just that I have a two year old with bundles of endless energy a-go-go....

So today - let's finish or continue on with the unfinished alphabet wall we started some time ago. Sometimes I think I can get a bit too busy with 'the new' and I want to teach our kids the value of: revisit, finish, amend, adapt and improve upon...

A while back - we used some brown packaging paper as backing (quite a thickish paper) and stuck onto it this paper wall alphabet from an Early Learning Centre (ELC) shop. The alphabet was a bit torn, it was in the reduced bin and was only a few dollars... What we started doing each day was to find a picture from the old Nat Geo's (from Reverse Garbage) to illustrate our letter of the day. We kinda stopped at 'L' though and it's time we do from M to Z.

'M': Moon, Mars, men, monkey... lets go!

Corner Cubbyhouse

I have not yet taken O to a paid indoor soft play kidz zone and today we had a full on introduction of the best kind! We were celebrating a friends birthday and their party was at Corner Cubbyhouse in Five Dock.

Firstly the parking is super easy - underground, lots of car spots on offer, and a lift transports you up to Corner Cubbyhouse!

Once inside there are a couple of key soft play areas; an under 2's area all gentile and calming when compared to the 3 to 12 year olds maze extravaganza - which is where O spent most of his time. There is also a jumping castle and a funnel tunnel tower (as I call it). So, the big kids maze has various entry and exit points, a small slide a mega slide and all manner of obstacles to climb on and over and through. O is only 2 years and a few months so I journeyed with him through the big maze - as well meaning kids of 10 years can be bit overly boisterous and accidental in their bumping of a toddler.

There is also a cafe with ample table and chairs for parents and adults. I saw signs for toilets and changing facilities - but there was no time for such ablutions when there was so much fun on offer.

It was school holidays and yet Corner Cubbyhouse did not feel too cramped and busy. It has natural light streaming in and is carpeted throughout and has a good all round happy vibe.

O had an absolute ball, got totally over wrought with excitement and expended a bundle of energy. I was equally knackered, but unlike O who could sleep in the car on the way home - I was the designated driver!

I will definitely return to Corner Cubbyhouse - next time I'll take Dad and he and O can play in the mega maze and wee J and I can chill in the under the two zone.

Check out the Corner Cubbyhouse for entry prices and full details.

Kidspace - The Australian Museum

The Australian Museum on College Street Sydney has a great space for kids, aptly named: Kidspace. Today we visited with a few friends.

I've been quite often over the past two years; first when O was small it was a good rainy day option, then when preggers with J - it was a good option as it was a contained space and I did not have to run too far to keep track of O and now with a three month old - it remains a super space for this same reason (safely trapped!).

Kidspace has little wooden teepee like tents with different things to explore inside - dinosaurs, spiders and the like... a box of tails to put on... reading corners... magnifying glasses with insects set in resin to examine (as pictured)... taxidermy animals... and loads more. The space is for under 5's and I think they have scheduled activities some mornings of the week. Kidspace also has change tables and a soft play area for crawlers too.

Entry - we also bought a family membership. Worked out that I had to take the kids by myself 7 times (a year) to make it worthwhile/cheaper than single entry. Most times I go with Mum and Hubby so then it's even less visits to make the membership option the better choice.

Parking tip - I drive and park at Interpark Domain Car Park it's a flat rate of $10 on the weekend. This site is also a good site to search cheap parking. Check rates before you go though.