A years Botanical Society of SA (BotSoc) family membership ( Kirstenbosch Gardens & 9 National Gardens in SA)

I  dont think anyone has ever had a bad outing/experience to Kirstenbosch Gardens. I was blessed with a years Botanical Society of SA (BotSoc) family membership. Although I would primarily visit  the Kirstenbosch my membership allows me free access to all 9 national gardens in SA, plus other member benefits. I cannot wait to become a regular. Or even visit these gardens on my next holiday
. BotSoc is a national NGO. Any member can enjoy visiting any/all SANBI national botanical gardens any time in the year with free entrance. You can visit Kirstenbosch (CT), Harold Porter (Betty’s Bay), Karoo Desert (Worcester), KZN (Pietermaritzburg), Free State (Bloemfontein), Lowveld (Nelspruit), Pretoria, Hantam (Nieuwoudtville), Walter Sisulu (Krugersdorp). So start planning family holidays and explore the gems each different garden offers. 

http://www.botanicalsociety.org.za/SitePages/Home.aspx


No worries  to pay entry fees every time. 
I can highly recommend getting yourself/ your family a yearly membership to enjoy the beauty of this tranquil, scenic place or enter this amazing giveaway, (below)

                    I asked a few readers to share their pics and experiences at Kirstenbosch Gardens :

Easter visit with friends by Shelley form Ezy Pzy kids stuff 









"
Kirstenbosch has always been a special place, but more so since we got engaged there nearly 10 years ago!  My husband had packed the perfect picnic basket for sundowners and popped the question on the rolling lawns overlooking the lake as the sun dipped below the mountains :)  

And because our wedding fell on a public holiday, it is now traditional that we go back to Kirstenbosch on our anniversary each year, now with two kids in tow :) "  Lisa from : Cape Town 
Foodies 

"Looking at all the pictures we have of memories made at Kirstenbosch, it becomes accurate to say that our daughter Kate has literally grown up there. Our Botanical Society cards allow us access to Kirstenbosch whenever the mood takes us (which is often!) Be it for a quick afternoon cup of tea to catch the last rays of winter sun with a ratty toddler, or for a family breakfast followed by a scamper 
on the green green grass. Kirstenbosch holds a warm, welcoming familiar place in our lives. We have our favourite places to walk and sit- we guard these secret places careful not to share them to too 
many people.

We are always left in awe of the beauty we find right on our doorstep and work hard at not taking how fortunate we are for granted " Simone teacher at Western Province Preparatory School

 



 





 


We did a picnic & family photo shoot there in 2012 - Leigh from Red lips and darling adventures 

Enter this awesome giveaway  where you and your family could win a years Botanical Society of SA (BotSoc) membership. To Kirstenbosch Gardens and free access to all 9 national gardens in SA, plus other member benefits. Winner will be announced on Monday 1 June : competition closes Sunday 31 May 

 

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Things a mom wished she'd done more of

Love his article from a fellow blogger.
http://findingjoy.net/20-mom-things-i-wish-i-had-done/

Take a read

She wished she'd

COMPARED LESS
READ MORE STORIES 
 SLOWED DOWN AND LET THEM HELP MORE 
FOUGH FOR MYSELF
LET THE DISHES WAIT 
NOT LET THE DISHES WAIT
FOUND MORE ONE ON ONE TIME 
GIVEN MYSELF A LEARNING CURVE 
TAKEN A PICTURE OF THEM IN THE SAME SPOT FOR EACH BIRTHDAY
 BEEN ON THE COMPUTER LESS
HAD LESS STUFF
LET GO OF GUILT FREE TIME 
CONNECTED WITH MORE MOMS 
WORRIED LESS
DOCUMENTED THE LITTLE THINGS TOO 
JUDGED LESS
HAD MORE FAMILY MEALS AROUND THE TABLE
WAS MORE CONSISTENT YET SPONTANEOUS 
EXPECTED A WHOLE BUNCH IF NORMAL 
CELEBRATED THE AWESOME NORMAL DAYS 

Don't wait for tomorrow to start living today 

Love of poppet post

I absolutely love poppet post and so does Carter and Matthew.


A monthly box delivered to your door via a courier service and filled with age appropriate educational activities or toys, helping keep your mind and baby/ toddler busy too. 

so what's in the box?

" Each month we put together a beautifully packaged range of fun and educational toys, books and activities that are hand picked to suit your child’s age and gender. Items included are chosen according to the specific developmental milestones of childrenfrom ages 0 – 5.

It’s simple! We work on a subscription model and deliver to your door once a month. Browse 
example boxes  Here

This month Matthew enjoyed spraying  different colour paints onto  brown paper, rolling hugs paints with fun patterns onto the brown paper,  playing with  playdough, learning  his colours from his colour activity book and playing  with finger paints in a sealed ziplock bag !

We look forward to a Poppet Post giveaway coming soon , for now take a look at their website and take advantage of this  great service ! 

 

Pink nail polish remover. ( why I've been so quiet)

pink nail polish remover 

Oh my hat ! Here's my last week behind me. 

I hope it makes you giggle, and may I not be alone 

Sorry I've been super quiet. This is how it goes 

One flat car battery needing a tow -to fit a new battery , 

To dad's car needing 4 new tyres. Not 2 like we hoped for but 4! 

And my 2 month broken washing machine needing 

To be fetched to be repaired in the factory meaning 

I have no water for the dishwasher. What a catastrophe !

Adding to that is mr moos 3rd birthday party tomorrow as he 

Turns the big 3 on Saturday. What a joy he is to us. 

So this week is all sorts of party shopping and today was

Extra hectic. 

Rushing from shop to shop for last minute stuff 

And home to click the kettle on before load shedding and 

Then off to fetch mr m from school and home to 

Do non electrical stuff. Like wash dishes and catching 

A moment to paint my nails after puzzle building and 

The tv comes back on and yeh for a moment to 

Breath. And put the dinner on before heading out to tutor 

While I turn my back I hear silence. I go outside to 

Find a moment  of speechlessness 

Pink nail polish from the tips of his hair to this nose , pants 

And. Yikes. Off I run to grab a full bottle of nail polish 

Remover and successfully got things cleaned ( besides the pants of course )

But oh dear there goes my manicure , guess I'll have 

To try that agin tomorrow 

Shuweeee

Now for cake building 

Pics to follow

Giveaways next week and 

Plenty thank yous 

Xxxx

Hugs 

Me

Oh wait did I mention Matthew has ecsema and he will have to patiently wait to Deturn pink and that he got new chalk today for the outside walkways but decided to miss the walkways instead and decorate some walls for us ..... Yeh for chalk. After wall it's really just dusting it off 

Stuff you don't know about OVERCOMING MOM

Some things you may or may not know about me : 

1. I have lived in a Cape Town my whole life 
2. My love  language is giving 
3. I am A very proud Christian 
4. I have one brother, 2 sister in laws, 1 brother in law , 2 nephews 
5. I live in a little cottage in a super beautiful area in the South of Cape Town
6. I taught grade 2 for 9 years after studying a degree in teaching, alongside my husband, then dating 
7. I love sushi, wine and fine dining 
8. I love trail walks & runs , yes don't laugh, I do.
9. I have been super blonde before, super dark before, long hair, short hair and medium hair 
10. I totally wish I was 20 kg lighter but as long as I keep trying and keep as healthy and as fit as I can be it's ok, life is short 
11. My husband teachers too
12. I have one little boy who makes me super super happy 
13. Favourite colours are pink & purple 
14. I'm a huge  +Woolworths South Africa  , +Exclusive Books , +Seattle Coffee Company 
15. I love love love mac make up so much 
16. I love earrings but can't wear them :( ears don't allow any metals
17. I m not a huge medicine fan but a huge vitamin omega fan. However for now a brain tab is needed for some needed balance & some great vitamins and omegas to give me that daily vooma x
18. I work a couple days a week tutoring some darling kids for my tutor group  calked. mindsgrowing   Mindsgrowing@gmail.com 
19. I hardly watch TV : no time for that and would rather read a book or a good old HELLO mag , but do make time for Greys, masterchef , and the odd movie now and again.
20. Talking about movies if time allowed and mom was closer , I would run for a good  old cinema movie , the hugest popcorn and soda, now that sounds appealing 
21. Wish I made more time for long candlelight hot baths with the amazing +Rain Productions 
22. I am blessed with a super mom, ,mom in law and wonderful friends
23. Matthew only started a play group at 2 years old 8 months and loves it, and will do another year in play school, before he goes to pre school 
24. I often drive my car with the Red petrol light on , putting in petrol kills me
25. I live in tights , not the best figure for them, but once you go zip free, you struggle to go back, comfy is key as a mamma
26. I like order and am a huge planner , but have so learnt to chill and kind of have no choice after baby.
27. I didn't breastfeed and I had a c section , and that's Ok
28. I wish I had baby bum skin, like I use to , but that's out of my control too, as long as I continue it's cleanse and moisture twice daily - environ product proud 
29. I'm a biggie on kids buckled in and no smoking whatsoever ever around kiddies, especially in cars.
30. Love pretty homey decor and all things girly 
31. I'm big on no cell phones or media or techy stuff in company , a bit old school that way. 
32. Big on fighting for marriages and happy families.
33. Wish I had oodles of money, a new car, a 3 bed roomed house, new clothes, and extra. Cash to spoil my loved ones, but for now , my little cute home, my reliable car, my good quality clothes, my home painted nails, my home made food, my supportive husband and the joy to be hone with my little beautiful blessing called my son : is way more important to me for now. 

Good ol grey

Still, sometimes, we have to see for ourselves. We have to make our own mistakes. We have to learn our own lessons. We have to sweep today’s possibility under tomorrow’s rug, until we can’t anymore, until we finally understand for ourselves...

That knowing, is better than wondering. That waking, is better than sleeping. And that even the biggest failure, even the worst, most intractable mistake, beats never trying.

Change is as good as a holiday and although the paths  we've hoped for aren't always what wed like, or see in others, it's ok, yes it's ok, we have on our plates and in our hands what we have, can push through, deal with, love, cherish , embrace and be so blessed &fortunate with. 

Tomorrow is a new day and I'm super excited 

Mommy Do I need routine? Tips by fellow bloggers&Readers

None of us mommies get a routine Right all the time or sometimes we are all 
for routine and sometimes we not.
I asked some fellow bloggers & mommy readers out there what worked for them
here is what  they had to say . . . 


Our routine is pretty much a case of survival - wake up, keep the kids alive and relatively entertained until bedtime :) We do try to keep the night time consistent with supper, bath, story, pray and then bed. For my sanity I try get them into bed by 6.30. ~ blogger ~ 3 kids 2 dogs 1old House

As a new mom the best advice I received from the Midwife was to follow the babies cues and they will develop their own rhythm.  I found this very challenging in the beginning as I am a person that loves routine so not knowing what time the next feed or sleep was, was quite frustrating.  However I followed this advice and tracked sleep and feeding patterns with an app called Sprout.  This allowed me to see patterns emerging and sure enough I could see a “routine” developing.  During the early days I watched My little boys awake times rather than having set times for him to sleep and I still do this 9 months down the line.  This works for me as sometimes his naps are 45 min and other times they are 2 ½ hours.  From 3 months we introduced a bedtime routine of bath, bottle and bed.  We still follow this basic routine but after bath now we have quite play time in his room (puzzles, books and cuddles), a story then bottle and bed. If we are out we try to keep to this routine even if we have to modify it slightly.  Most nights it works and by 7pm Hubby and I have a chance to have dinner together and relax. ~ overcoming mom reader 

In the early newborn days I full believed in letting Malakai tell me when he was hungry and when he tired and read his cue! Every day was so different because he struggled with colic , so I had to work around that and work around him. One thing I did keep consistent in those days , was at around 5/6 pm it was bath time then bottle in his room. So no matter how the day went, the night was always the same.To this day it's still the same for us . We follow his lead but also preempt things and are prepared for what the day holds. We find having this kind of flexible routine helps in having a happy toddler and happy parents . Our flexible routine suits our son and our family. ~ Cass Lee ~

I am actually kind of like one of those hippie parents to be honest. I never set any kind of routine. I breast fed on demand (trying very hard to stop now!), co sleep/slept. My husband and I figured when Jake was ready for something it would be easy and have found this to be true so far. What I have found that worked was listening to him. Babies set their own routine and if you keep to it they seem very happy. When we wanted something, like for him to start to go down at night in his own bed we would start doing it and after months it would become the norm. He now goes to sleep quite quickly with me lying next to him around 6.30/7 after a bath and some supper and on a good night stays asleep until 1.30. That's the routine that suits him at the moment, it will change when it no longer works. Not everyone's cup of tea but I never saw the point of strictly adhering to a routine I set when 
he changes so quickly. ~ overcoming mom reader 

I'm a mom who likes routine. My boys like to know what's coming next so we work alot with star charts and calendars. My boys are early rises so we choose to send them to bed early (7pm) so we get some adult time in too and have a hot cup of tea ;)  I strongly believe in a afternoon lie down even if it's just quiet time on the bed reading or playing with a toy quietly. We really do enjoy our family time together but believe that our kids need special alone time with nan granny and gramps too and they look so forward to special sleep outs at them ~ mamma&nanna 

I am a firm believer in routines!

I get home from work at 5:30 and after hugging and kissing everyone I start supper. While supper is cooking I spend time with the kids - Mikayla tells me what she learned at school and whatever else she feels like sharing and Knox lies on my chest. We eat supper at about  7pm - sometimes just before, after supper we draw or watch cartoons for about 30 minutes. I always make sure that 
Mikayla has no screen time for at least half an hour before bed as she gets nightmares, so at 7:30 it is bath time for both little ones (that also helps calm them down). After the bath I get Mikayla in her PJ's and put out her outfit for the next day and then I read a story to her and Knox. Mikayla goes to sleep at 8:15 and then it is time for Knox's feed - once he is done he goes to bed too. Wehn both kiddos are sound asleep I pack all the bags for them for the next day and get everything ready (hubby helps with this) - then we spend some quality time together for an hour or so. I like getting into bed at about 10pm. It works like a well oiled machine, I love routines! ~ caffeine&fairydust-~

In closing. You need to do what's best for you . For hubby, Matthew and I we had a perfect book baby till 24 months and thereafter things got tricky but because of the routine we had in place, it was easier to adapt and swing a few things around. 


As for now at 36 months. We wake around 7am, watch some telly and we hardly eat breakfast as there is no breakfast he has taken too, and I have tried everything. So doctors advice is put out some nibble bits : ham,cheese, raisins etc. He goes to school, comes home for lunch and somedays he naps others he doesn't. It's a toss up between 7pm bed time or 830pm bedtime. Night time routine for us is dinner, bath, small bottle and TV/story/cuddle. Lights off and bed. Carry to bed and we generally have a solid nights sleep. Except for the  occasional drenched leaking nappy, cold or too hot.....
While mr moo is winding down for bed, I tidy the kitchen and last bit or house, put out hubby and mr m'S  clothes  for the next day , I make their lunch. This makes waking the next morning easier, fresher & puts me in a way better mood. #atype

Xxxx happy routineyZ

Thai mommy massage Gardens Cape Town

Why don't you treat yourself or any mommy to one of  these awesome specials :
I sure can't wait to experience a massage fully clothed without oils.....

ENMASSE MASSAGE IS BASED IN GARDENS CAPE TOWN 
view their website Here


Mini Mama R300 (SAVE: R120)

• Gift voucher (tea/massage) – R100
• Enmasse tea tasting ceremony - R120
• Bunch of flowers – R200

Mama Mia R700 (SAVE: R145)   

• 60 min gift voucher – R425
• a Tea Tasting Ceremony - R120
• Bunch of flowers– R300

• An enmasse massage is tailored to your preference of  acupressure and assisted stretching. It is all about communication with the therapist to get the best results!
• A enmasse Tea Tasting Ceremony takes you through a journey across our range teas (45 mins)J  Tasting, talking and relaxing!
• Flowers are put together by Kenly Flower. A tasteful combination of lillies (star gazers), Nigella, Roses, white small daisies. Soft whites, Pinks and Greens.

On the day the flowers will be sent to her doorstep and we will email her that she has been gifted a voucher and a Tea Tasting Ceremony from you!


If you are interested please send them email Here with  the type of package you’d like to purchase and your mother’s: name, home address, email address, and mobile number.


They will then send you confirmation and bank details for an EFT transfer 

This offer Closes at 5pm on the 7th of May!

Mother's Day Hamper

Mother's Day is just around the corner.... Sunday 10 May 

Share this hamper with your mommy friends and you could win this great giveaway. 

Hamper with 
an infinity scarf, 
Sweet William greeting card, 
water erasable chalk pen,
 chalkboard paint, 
4 rolls of washi tape and 
a bronze metallic Sharpie. 

Like Cotton Candis Facebook Page. You will love it ! 

Tell a mommy about it and email me  Here

*winner will be chosen on Sunday 10 May

Mother's Day is soon. Giveaway : Mommy & me photoshoot

Why not do what I did and book yourself a mommy and me photoshoot with the awesome photographer Katie.  http://magicalmomentsintime.co.za

I met Katie on Saturday Morning at Wynberg park.
I had planned make up, 
Planned outfit and planned hairdo , 
well that didn't go my way ..typical early mommy morning  yikes..
But in anycase, the  morning went well and Katie captured some beautiful pictures. 
She not only captured true love, she edited and got the photos to me promptly and professionally. 
( even amongst being a mommy herself) 
Thank you Kate, great working with you. 
Here are some of them 

Katie ( based in Cape Town)  is running a Mother's Day special , and has limited spaces available.
Book her soon.

Bonus giveaway : go like Katie's  Facebook page 
tell a friend about this awesome giveaway by tagging their name on 
Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and you will be entered into winning a free mommy and me photoshoot valid for the above mentioned dates.

Please email me to enter : overcomingmom@gmail.com

*winner will be chosen Friday 8 may