19.6.13

Life Lessons from a Kids Concert

We were at a Yo Gabba Gabba concert at the Luna Park one chilly saturday morning having gotten three tickets during the presale some time in April. There were two shows then, at 10:30 am and 4:30 pm. We thought the afternoon show was way too late so we opted for the morning show. I looked for VIP tickets so we can go to a meet and greet with the cast but it was full so the next best thing was to go for premium tickets, or so I thought. After a few hours, it was announced that a 1:30 pm show was opened and by then I was kicking myself for settling for the next best thing. It did not help that we arrived at the venue when every one was seated, only to find out that our assigned seat was on the third row from the back.

Big Top brimming to capacity
By the time DJ Lance started leading the gabba crew to sing and dance, my two toddlers would rather sit and watch instead of sing and dance along like they usually do at home. They sang some popular tunes, some of which have helped us explain ideas and concepts to our young minds.

Two of my favourites were the following:

All my friends are different - the lyrics of this song very well echoed the message of a lesson our toddlers had - that we may all be different, but we are all special, and God loves us very much. I love that it is teaching children to be tolerant and accepting, even in the midst of obvious differences.

Get your sillies out - it was my first time to hear this song but it became an instant favourite. From the first few  lyrics that says " the sillies are crazy little creatures that live inside of us and need to be shaken out, we gonna have to jump shake and shimmy them out so come on let's all do it together", I couldn't help but love the song. The image that came to mind was that of a person going through a tough time, with  issues from both inside and outside trying to discourage and dishearten the weary soul. In an effort to get out and get rid of the tough situation, it is very easy to isolate oneself and stay away  from God, thinking that it is best to go to Him when things are sorted out or even question His relevance. The other thing is to try and do things on your own when you are supposed to "jump, shake and shimmy" them out not by yourself but with others.



The next time Yo Gabba Gabba comes down under, you can be sure that we will not settle for the next best thing. In life it is very easy to settle for the next best thing just so you get tickets into an "event". But God wants us to experience the best, not just sit and watch, but get front seat tickets and enjoy the ride with Him. The tricky bit is learning to wait on Him and hear His voice before we plunge in. The question is, are we willing to pay the price to get the full experience?

Maybe by next time our toddlers will not be shy but will dance and sing their hearts out, just like the many mums and dads who came as chaperones and ended up having the best time at the concert.

14.6.13

Easy Rainbow Cake

I know that I already mentioned this, but I think this rainbow cake deserves an entry of its own. A few months ago, I decided to make my beautiful daughter her birthday cake and it turned out rather well - well enough that a dear friend of mine is brave enough to trust me to make the same one for her son's birthday next month. Having gained more confidence, I thought I'd venture to make my darling son his birthday cake as well. I initially thought of making him one of those train cakes, but he saw the rainbow cake that I was looking at and he preferred it so that's what we both dreamt of making.

For his actual birthday, we made a test cake, but instead of using white icing, I used the chocolate frosting recipe that I have tried, tested and loved. Instead of following the lovely rainbow cake recipe I found, I thought I would make it easy on me and use the 4 ingredients cake recipe that I have used before. I made three mixes, divided it into seven portions and started colouring into my desired rainbow colour. I initially used my rectangle glass mould but it was not thick enough that even if I greased it, it still got stuck. I tried my round silicon mould and it worked better. However at that stage I already used up two portions and I wasn't very patient to make a new one so I thought because it was just a test cake, I might as well just use what is available.

We didn't really plan on him having a party but he got pumped when a dear friend promised him a birthday party and he kept raising the question since. I knew then that I had to make a better version of the test cake.
Having that bit of experience, I decided not to make the whole batter but  make separate ones and colour as I bake. I thought making 1/3 of the recipe (as opposed to 1 cup of each ingredients)  would be okay, but it still was not thick enough. I ended up doing 2/3 of the recipe but in hindsight, 1/2 would have been enough.

When I finished all seven layers, I searched for a white chocolate icing and found an easy one on the Cadbury kitchen  website. I was tempted with how easy it was  and how few the ingredients required to make, plus I only needed the microwave. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do. I thought it would turn out too sweet, because I used two packs of the white chocolate melts but in the end it tasted just right. I found it really hard to ice the sides though because the ganache hardened too much, it was not easy to spread.

For next time, I am going to try this white chocolate icing recipe.

If you have a tried and tested go to cake recipe, I suggest  that you give it a go and just colour the batter into your preferred rainbow consistency. Otherwise, you can try the one I used from 4 Ingredients. Take note that I have adjusted the amount based on how much I will need for each colour.

Cake Recipe
1/2 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup self rising flour

Preheat oven to 180C. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Tint the whole mixture with purple. Grease your favourite cake mould, line with baking paper and pour mixture. Cook for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Let cake stand for 5 minutes. Repeat six times and tint with the remaining rainbow colours.

Thanks Irene for the photos and collage
Thanks photovisi for the edit
 For the frosting, I am still experimenting so it is best to use what has already worked for you.

Place purple cake on board and add frosting. Top with blue cake. Repeat with remaining frosting and aqua, green, yellow, orange and red cakes, using frosting for each layer. Spread remaining frosting over the top and side of cake. Sprinkle with 100s and 1000s.Serve and resist the temptation to eat everything in one go.

13.6.13

Thinking Out Loud..

Far be it that it will be said of me that I do not care  because when I go to events,  I often catch myself  thinking  whether or not it is something we can replicate, localize and own. Having said that we found ourselves at a local school festival in another suburb,  give or take 70 kilometers away from us, at the invitation of one of our favourite families in all of Sydney. We had a sleepover at their beautiful   home the
birthday boy and his rainbow cake
night before, one our favourite boy called his birthday party that he completely ignored , having slept on our drive and didn't wake up til 2am. Good thing he eventually went back to bed and gave me some rest. We had to wake him up that morning lest he will miss his "party" altogether.


bubble play
yummy cake pops
dragon girl with Tita Irene
When we got to the school, which is where our friends' boys attend,  there was a program happening, probably showcasing local talents. I said probably because the whole time we were there, I  visited the area where they held an artwork display, got a cuppa in the adjacent room where the morning tea was beautifully presented and "sold" by gold coin donation.  The only other place where I spent most of my time was at the face painting area because my two favourite kids wanted a turn. The little miss wanted a dragon and she was happy to stay on the queue. The little mister wanted a spiderman but keeps moving around, thus, missing his spot.I must say I lost my patience but I wanted to believe that I was teaching him a lesson. In the end, it felt like I was the one who needed all the lessons.
one happy spiderman

dragon girl with Uncle Dada


  







free for those who wanted some
Right in front of the facepainting queue, the Smith's family had a stand with lots of fruits and vegetables to give away. Let me just say that we went home that day with a bag full loot, it looked like we did our fruits and veggies shopping for the week Maybe it was just as well that I got stuck in the facepainting queue.
fun slides



sausages and corn cobs, anyone?
more play area for kids
how would you like your hair coloured?

program
All Photos via Irene's Iphone
Needless to say it was a fun day especially for the little boy who thought it was his party! We thank our amazing friends for having us and for taking us to the school open day.

It really made me wonder if it is something we can do as a community event at the upcoming alumni homecoming. I know that the usual activity is for the silver jubilarians to do a tree planting or feeding or clean up. And before the haters, no-can-do, lets-see-if-they-can-pull-it-off thinkers even begin toexpress their opinion, let me be the first to admit that this is NOT a one man or woman show. It has to be a collaboration of many individuals, groups, batches and maybe even the alumni association with a common goal of giving back to the community.

I wonder if this can be done in the high school grounds? Or in the town plaza? Maybe from 10 AM to 2PM on Easter Sunday? I wonder if there are inflatable slides or jumping castle rentals available? I wonder if there are those who will make donations towards sausage sizzles, sandwiches and drinks so we can give away a free light lunch? I wonder if there are those who make  local delicacies and if there are those who are happy to make a donation in exchange? I wonder if we can make 500 goodie bags to give away to kids? I wonder if there will be people who can share their talents in music or dance for the program? I wonder if there are those who can bring their outdoor toys so kids who don't have can play for a few hours? I wonder if an easter egg painting competition can work? I wonder if there are people who will volunteer to man each activity? I wonder if someone else thinks this can be done in our little town of Tago with a total population of under 30,000?

Don't mind me, I am just thinking out loud! At this stage I  don't know if I will even be able to  make it home in the Philippine summer of 2014 but I am happy to help where I can. In the meantime, I am getting off my soapbox.



8.6.13

Of Freebies, Bumps and Babies

I don't know why I usually end up in such exhibits.Maybe I am a sucker for freebies and free tickets always come my way. Or it could be the goodie bags or the heavily discounted sales at the venue. Or is it the really cute baby and toddler stuff that are ridiculously expensive, even with the discount that I knew I wouldn't buy even if I had the money. Maybe it is the live programs for toddlers that they always have on. Either way, I found myself (with my family) one Saturday queueing at a full venue because the only other option was an arts and crafts market at a local school and going to the Sydney Olympic Park  sounded more exciting.

As I was walking around the crowded venue, I was once again reminded of the many beautiful things available in the market and I can't help but drool over them. At the same time it made me think how there are so many products out there that is not really necessary, they are just beautiful.And expensive. So it got me thinking - why don't I make a checklist of products that worked for us and maybe review some that I have actually used. But that's a topic for another time.

I guess the biggest win for us that day was catching Elmo and Cookie Monster and having had their pictures taken and we had two happy toddlers. We didn't stay long  because it was too full but when we
checked the program we found a meet and greet with them so we rushed back and found a short qeueu - woohoo!!

There was a fairy entertainment on the stage right next to the meet and greet and we made a quick stop and another picture taking. Our little girl wasn't as enthusiastic about having her pictures taken as she usually does - maybe the little mister has more modelling potential! (HAHA)

Not sure if I am a fan of this show. It really is no different from  the baby and toddler show at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. I thought that both compete for the same market but the latter has bigger venue and more room. And while I can't say I have taken the time to compare the details but it certainly gives an impression that the latter is considerably larger than the other.

I suppose this is it for now. If you are interested in the product reviews, come back and check this out again sometime.