Lily and Pete

Wooden Toys

2011-05-02T21:37:00.000-07:00

There is just something special about wooden toys. They have a certain charm which can not be found in other toys.

We just had to write about some of our most popular wooden friends. It is just so easy to see why kids and adults alike just love them!

1. Push-a-long Monkey (These adorable push a-long toys come in a few different designs).
2. Animal Train Set
3. Animal Puzzle Set
4. Pull a-long toys Like the Pull-a-long Lady Beetle.
5. Shape Puzzle
6. Fire Engine
7. Giraffe Bowling Set
8. Skipping Rope
9. Mini Monkey Pull Back Car
10. Bulldozer Truck

Wooden toys - never perfect like their plastic counterparts however their imperfections are part of the reason we cherish them a little more.

Visit us online for our complete wooden toy selection Baby Clothes, Kids Clothing and more!

Perfect Baby Gift

2011-04-18T18:16:00.000-07:00

We often get asked, "What is the perfect baby gift". The answer is simply there is no perfect universal baby gift, just as no two babies are the same, no two mothers are the same either. However there are definitely a lot of nice options out there.

We have put together a list of some of our most popular baby gifts

1. Baby Blanket - A beautiful and unique baby blanket for either the cot or pram.

2. Newborn Baby Clothes - up until 3 months baby is usually in rompers, as much as you love to dress a baby up, one piece suits are the most practical and comfortable, most importantly always choose 100% cotton.
Helpful hint - babies grow very fast, try to avoid buying 0000 or smaller, safest option is starting with 000.

3. Baby Clothes - If you prefer to buy baby an adorable outfit, choose sizes, 3-6 months 6-12 months onwards.

4. Books - Start baby's book collections. Reading to babies and young children is so important and they just love it and you can never have too many books.

5. Toys - Toys can be a great gift, try something different and go for wooden toys, many times they can be used as part of the room decor until baby can enjoy them. Unique and different soft toys are a great option also and can become a life long companion for little ones.

There are so many great options for baby gifts and shopping for new babies is such joy however sometimes it can be overwhelming. When in doubt, our best advice is to ask the new parents, what they need.

Love the things they do

2010-02-16T03:09:00.000-08:00

Becoming a mum has been the best thing in my life and every day that followed the birth of my precious little girl just keeps getting better. Sure there have been and continue to be sleepless nights and lots of other ‘charming’ things, however overall what a wonderful journey so far!

At 19 months she is just so much fun, picking up new words and talents with each day I just “love the things she does”.

She has discovered the meaning of ‘funny’ and every time something makes her laugh she holds her tummy and proclaims ‘funny’ ‘funny’ and laughs with all her heart.

She loves music, loves to sing and dance and just has the cutest moves! And of course we have to dance with her.

And she just loves books and will often try to read the book to me.

And she just loves other kids, so much so that she will often walk away from us to introduce herself to another child nearby.

On the weekend we went to our local park where there was another little boy playing (probably 6 months older), they immediately struck up a friendship... that was until the little boy so innocently called my little girl ‘baby’ she quickly turned around and proceeded to call him baby and said bye bye.

I love hearing stories from friends and family about their little ones- there are so many sweet stories so many precious little ones and so many smiles and ‘funny’ things.

So whatever special talent your child has .. just love the things they do!

Working with children..A breeze

2009-09-01T06:56:00.000-07:00

It has been said never work with animals and small children and after my first photo shoot with three little ones under the age of two.. I now know it was a wise person who said those seven words.

I definitely thought it would have been easier task. The shoot saw us running around, not only trying to get smiles from the little ones but at one stage just trying to get one young model somewhere in the direction of the camera.

Our young models wore the latest designs from Appaman and Tea Collection and played with the cutest wooden toys, whilst the camera snapped away. There were plenty of fun and cute moments captured.

When it comes to working with young children- you should know, they don’t always smile, or look at the camera, occasionally you get a tear and often they just want to do their own thing however at the same time you a guaranteed lots of fun, energy and spontaneity.

A big thank you to my fabulous and very talented friend Caterina from Caterina Photography www.caterinaphotography.com.au whose patience ensured a perfect end result.

Photos will be on the new website, which is coming soon

1st birthday invitations

2009-06-05T05:52:00.000-07:00

Who thought, planning a 1st birthday party would be such tough work..and I am only at stage 1 the invites. I forsee many late nights in preparation for my Little one's big day.
Picked the invite design however I was completely stuck for wording, so I consulted my good friend 'google' and voila a number of verses to choose from!

I thought I would share the verses to save everyone some time.

Come to my party and celebrate a bit.
See my first cake, I'll be wearing it!

A little cake, a lot of fun.
A little host who's turning one!

First smile, first laugh, first tooth, first step, first birthday!
Join us in celebrating ___'s special day...

One little candle placed on the cake.
One first birthday wish to make!

A year of precious moments new and fun.
Our beautiful princess is turning one!

First birthdays are special and barbecues are fun.
Please join us to celebrate as _______ turns one!

Have some cake, join the fun,
CHILD'S NAME is turning one!

One little candle, one little cake,
one first year to celebrate!

I learned to laugh and squeal, then sit and stand,
and I can walk now if you hold my hand.
But the fun has only just begun,
lookout world, I'm turning one!

We can't believe it's been a year,
CHILD'S first birthday is already here!

She's cute and sweet and so much fun.
Our little princess/angel is turning one!

Time flies when you're having fun.
Can you believe it? I'm turning one!

Come for the fun!
Our little PRINCE/PRINCESS
NAME
is turning one!

Splish splash, it's a birthday bath.
Come get soaked, we'll swim and play
as we celebrate ______'s first birthday.
Bring your suit and towel,
we'll take care of the rest.
This pool party will be the best.

Happy Mothers Day!

2009-05-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

As I get ready to celebrate my first mothers day. I am excited. Excited to be celebrating this special day, I had previously celebrated only as a child. Not for the gifts and flowers and not for the cards- Just being able to reflect and be proud of whom I have become and what being a mum represents...
The day I became a mum, gave me a new purpose and it keeps getting better and better. The sleepless nights, the tears, the challenges are outweighed by the cuddles, the giggles and the kisses.

I really do feel so lucky and privileged to now be a member of the ‘mothers’ club.

A tribute to all the mothers in the world, to first time mum’s, (like myself) to experienced mums, to mothers with lots of children... to grandmothers and great great grandmothers... we all unite with one precisous thing in common.

A special tribute to all the mothers that have left us, we will miss you- your love, your warmth your special embrace and your smiling face.
To my incredible friend, who left us tragically way too soon- you were a terrific mother with the most pure heart, the mothers club has lost a most valuable member.

And to my mum, who is my hero, my best friend- you inspire me everyday, thank you for being my mum- and thank you for being a wonderful grand mother.

To all mothers, there is nothing like a mother’s hug, her kind words and gentle embrace. However you spend your day, wishing you all a special and wonderful mother’s day.

Who needs toys..when you have grass

2009-04-05T03:16:00.000-07:00

It amazes me when I look around at the mountain of toys taking over my home, what my daughter will play with. Surrounded by toys she will somehow find a tiny piece of paper and happily play.

As parents, grandparents, aunts & friends, we spend much time and of course money, searching for the latest and greatest toy for our special little person, yet the toy always come second to some unusual and usually unexciting item.

Today, we packed the car for an afternoon picnic, with many, many toys in tow, I was quite proud of myself for being quite organised and thinking of my little one. Once we arrived, I set up the blanket with the variety of toys- (still proud), only to have my little one crawl to the corner of the blanket and be mesmerised with the grass, one piece at a time. After numerous attempts to win her over with toys, I left her content with her grass.

Looking at my daughter play with the grass, opened my eyes to something I quite often forget.. we don't always need something, we are surrounded by life's unique treasures, we just have to open our eyes to them...one piece at a time.

Banana enough for me

2009-03-29T02:58:00.000-07:00

After two weeks of owning the new "Wiggles go Bananas DVD", I now feel comfortable to share my thoughts.
For me it wasn't a DVD I loved from get go and funnily enough it was the same for my little one. After so much hype, I couldn't help but be disappointed in the beginning.

However, not one to give a review without giving the DVD a fair go, we watched it a few more times and now have been converted. I guess any music that has the ability to make a grown man (Lily's Dad), sing slightly off key and very loudly at work 'we do the chicken walk' is surely a hit. I might add byt the end of the day he had colleagues singing the same tune.

The songs are quite different from previous DVD and it was a fun seeing Kylie join the group.

Overall to appreciate this DVD, you may need to watch it a few times but if you are a Wiggles fan then you will enjoy it.

I'm a big girl now..when do our babies stop being babies

2009-03-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

At some stage in our lives we realise our babies are no longer babies. And whilst it may seem premature,the first time I experienced that moment was seeing my 9 month old wearing proper pyjamas and not a all in one bodysuit.

I know she still is a baby and will always be 'my baby'..however she is not the dependent newborn I brought home in July last year. She is becoming a toddler entering a new, more independent stage in her life. Exploring and understanding more and more each day...sometimes a little too much.

She really is at a fun age, more playful and full of get up and go..and when something funny happens she laughs and laughs..and when I look at her in amazement, she looks at me as to say ' I'm a big girl now'.. yes you are- your my big girl.

Sleep..a luxury for a selected few

2009-03-21T01:00:00.000-07:00

Officially becoming a sleep deprived mum has made me wonder two things, the most obvious is ofcourse when will I sleep again and the second, which of us actually enjoy a good nights sleep.

If we actually think about it, from the moment we experience love and heartache the sleepless nights begin. Then by choice we choose to forgo sleep to spend way too many hours socialising at the coolest parties and hippest venues.

Momentarily sleep returns to lull us in, only to be taken away so quickly once our precious little ones enter the world.

Too scared to think further into the future, I have to ask am I destined to never sleep again?

Exciting times ahead

2009-03-15T03:05:00.000-07:00

I am very excited and at the same time nervous..my website is being built.
Still so much to do before it is launched but one step at a time.

On the hunt..

2009-03-09T02:36:00.000-07:00

Still on the topic of The Wiggles.. how hard is it to find their new DVD?
After 3 separate shopping trips all in pursuit of "The Wiggles Go Bananas" I have come home empty handed..well there is always tomorrow :-)

To Wiggle or Not to Wiggle

2009-02-25T15:23:00.000-08:00

When it comes to The Wiggles I don't believe there can be any fence sitting, you either love them or try in vain not to love them.
My 8 month old is hooked, which means the whole house is watching and listening to their unbelievably catchy tunes.. Not surprisingly we are quite quickly increasing our DVD collection.
The Wiggles have invaded our lives to the point that this mother is excited to have purchased tickets to her first Wiggles concert (hooray!)
Watch this space for a review on "The Wiggles Go Bananas" concert.

Can we really be SuperMums?

2009-02-22T02:42:00.000-08:00

I can't help but wonder..As mothers can we have it all?

- A great bond with our baby- A Spotless house - The perfect job- which of course is flexible and fits into our schedule - Home cooked meals on the table - A wonderful family life.. well the list is endless..

Endless and possible?

Welcome to Lily and Pete

2009-02-18T19:28:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Lily and Pete.

This blog is for mums who are on the lookout for fun and interesting things for themselves and their babies.

Lily and Pete