is it a pram, a scooter, a buggy board....or all 3!

And while we are talking innovation, lets just check out the fabulous Mountain Buggy Free Rider. It it a pram? Is it a scooter? Is it a pram with a buggy board?...well its all of the above! A pram with a scooter that just clips on just like a buggy board but even better. No more dragging an exhausted left hip home from the park on his scooter up that big hill whilst trying to control the right hip in the pram in the other hand. It gives you all huge flexibility and more control! We love it...I want it...I need it!

Mountain buggy have just won a very prestigious award in 'the moving and travelling baby accessories' category for this design phenonomen at the Kind + Jugend trade show in Germany. Fabulous job Mountain Buggy...We love hip products like these!

Why we love Mr Phil & Mr Ted

Me, and Mr Phil & Mr Ted go back a long way....Well 3 and a half odd years to be exact. Hubby and I purchased our Phil & Ted Sport model back in 2007, and oh, what good times we have had, and great places we have visited. When left hip was little, he obviously had it all to himself. Now right hip is here, there is joint custody, and even though right hip usually gets relegated to the back, sometimes, she gets the privilidge of sitting up front when left hip fancies a stroll. Poor second child eh!

But things have moved on in Mr Phil & Mr Ted's world. Not only does it seem that 'everyone' have now joined the bandwagon, and also consider themselves good chums with them, but Phil & Ted themselves have created so many hip things of late, and my love affair with them (and everyone else's) just keeps getting stronger and stronger...

So, what exactly have they done to win so many hearts? 'Adapt and Survive' is Phil & Ted's motto, and adapt and survive they surely have. Those savvy New Zealanders have not only been growing their own brand (prams, porta cots, highchairs, car seats, carriers, and other hip things), but now Phil & Ted have taken over fellow competitor and fellow Kiwi brand, Mountain Buggy, so they certainly have their finger on the pulse. The P&T prams, with classy names like classic, sport, dash and vibe, are not only innovative, but also really clever. P&T know they we need to transport more than 1 little hip around, and they also know that we need to pound the pavements AND and climb every mountain should we wish too. Smart. But what's really smart is the new pram additions to the Phil & Ted family; the explorer, hammerhead, smart and sub 4.

The explorer is basically a brand new funkier version of the Sport (the one I have) and is even more fab and versatile with 7 different configurations to adapt to a growing family of little hips. Phil & Ted have created a fab guide to how it all works...make sure you have a good look.

The hammerhead (and my left hip would love this one as he loves a good old hammerhead shark), is the 4WD version of the Phil & Ted, with 4 snazzy wheels. Brand new, plus this concept is brand new to P&T as they mainly concentrate on the 3 wheeler. Saying that, there is one other 4 wheeler, and that is the rather funky and very handy super light and extremely versatile smart. This is more like a stroller than an actual pram, but looks so funky. We love it as its totally excellent for travelling with the hips as, not only does it folds up really easily, but you can also choose to use it as a travel system, or with a bassinet aswell. So very clever.

But I reckon I have saved the best and most exciting product till the end, and that's the Sub 4. Coming soon, the Sub 4 is classified as 'the world's fastest jogger'. You just have to check out the demonstration below, and get excited too. Adapt and Survive they say...well thats certainly what they are doing...thats why we love Mr Phil and Mr Ted.

hip tips from little melbourne

Today, I am passing the baton over to a fabulous guest blogger, Jo, from the wonderful Little Melbourne. THE guide to all the latest happening's in & around Melbourne for Babies, Toddlers and Kids. Those of you in Melbourne, those of you who want to be in Melbourne, and those of you who are planning an interstate or international holiday to Melbourne, you have to check out Little Melbourne.

Jo is here to tell us about her tips for travelling with the hips...enjoy, and thanks so much Jo.

So Jo, tell us a bit about you and your family?

In our little family you'll find:Jo - mumma and founder of Little Melbourne

David - Proud Papa

Ruby - 'Busy as a bee' Toddler

Henry - Our Christmas Day babe

& Ash - our senior citizen cat!

And where have you been of late with your little ‘hips’?

Auckland, New Zealand

How did you get there, and where did you stay?

We stayed at Grandma's house right next to the Botanic Gardens. She immigrated to NZ from the UK about 7 years ago.

We travelled with Air New Zealand.They were fine until we arrived at Auckland airport and we realised our Maclaren stroller was missing! After a restless night we received a phone call saying it had been located and sure enough a courier delivered it at 9.00am that morning. Very impressed!

On board staff did everything to make our journey as comfy as possible, we were given a few bottles of Only Organic food, a sippy cup, an activity pack and one flighty fished Ruby a muffin from business class!

Your biggest challenge?

Definitely getting Ruby to eat proper meals. This was a new challenge for us as she normally devours everything on her plate. There were tears, tantrums and lots of refusals, but she did find a new love though....Kumara (sweet potato) and happily devoured a 'fluffy' (babycino) at the many cafe stops.

Any big recommendations?

This time we did quite a bit of touristy stuff;

Kelly Tarltons Antarctic encounter, which was a bit over-priced and we personally found our underwater world in Melbourne way better.

Butterfly Creek was a big hit - a great day out with the family, there is an animal farm, train ride for the kids, playground, crocodile encounter, butterfly house, a cafe and so much more.

We made daily trips to the Botanic Gardens, fed the ducks, ran around on the grass with a ball, spent money at the cafe and like Melbourne, they have a children's garden too.

One of our highlights was the Ambury Regional Farm Park. The park sits on ash-covered lava flows from Mangere Mountain and has views across the harbour to the Manukau Heads and Waitakere Ranges. It's a working farm and you can mingle with the farm animals in their paddock. Bring the wellies!

Other than this, it rained A LOT during our visit, so we ventured off to lots of kid friendly cafes; The Library Cafe welcomes kids and families and I have never encountered a more friendlier cafe experience. They had it all and I felt happy to support their eco practises and the fresh organic food was divine!

What are your main tips for travelling with kids?

Be organised and always try to plan ahead (or have some idea of what you'd like to see and do!) I always research our destination before we head off and read lots of books about travelling and aeroplanes to our little one. We also took some time 'studying' a map of the world to give Ruby some kind of indication we were going on holiday and leaving home for a little while.

What would you not have left home without?

We have a list of things.......;

Trunki (hard case suitcase on wheels) was Ruby's fantastic travel companion. They're a must have for any toddler and so much fun at the airport when you need to get from A to B in a hurry.

Brauer's Calm - A natural medicine to help soothe irritable or restless children.This worked well for both flights.

Tiger Tribe magnetic play books - to ease the boredom.

Baby Wipes - We like Gaia natural's as the top closes and they don't dry out.

Sigg water bottle.

Rafferty's Garden smoothie pouches and muesli bars, they're quick and easy snacks for when you're on the go.

Whole kids organic sultanas - we love these

Ipod with a long playlist including favourite songs by Yo Gabba, In The Night Garden, Justine Clarke, Playschool and Music Class.

Ruby's bedtime friends, Teddy Bear, Minty, Dolly Katie and Suki.

Books, Colouring Books and Micador travel pack of crayons and pencils.

And finally, anything else you want to add?

Some great links we found very useful:

www.thelittlehiptraveller.blogspot.com - Great tips for travelling with the hipsters

www.kidsfriendlytravel.com - great site for visiting NZ

http://www.librarycafe.co.nz - Very Family Friendly Cafe

http://www.brauer.com.au - Brauer Calm Relief

www.metromum.com.au - To purchase Trunki

http://www.butterflycreek.co.nz - Butterfly Creek

www.littlestyles.com.au - Tiger Tribe Magnetic Play Books

a hip trip to the farm...

Picture this; the crisp fresh air, the lush green grass, (or perhaps the satisfying squelching of your gum boots through the mud), the morning sun, the distant 'baas', and 'moos', the clip clopping of the horses, the smell of freshly made coffee and hot buttered toast....

No, we are not away on a country escape, but rather the countryside is in the city, always. Melbourne's "own city farm", only 4km from the centre of Melbourne, Collingwood Children's Farm is such a perfect spot to take the 'hips' on a morning adventure. Open every day from 9am till 5pm (and costs only $4 per child and $8 per adult), there are cows to milk, horses to ride, guinea pigs to cuddle, pigs to oink at, earth worms to get grubby with, and much more. There are currently some gorgeous little spring lambs and calves to watch as they stumble over the grass trying to keep up with their mums and dads (just like a certain little Miss right hip of mine!)

Yes, some of us grew up with these animals on our doorstep, but just remember, some of our little 'hips' often don't have the opportunity to even step foot in the countryside, let alone stroke a lamb, or pat a horse. You will be so bemused by how excited they really get.

After frolicking around with the lovely little lambs and gregarious goats, a visit to the farm cafe is an absolute must. Organic, free range, healthy, you name it,..its a fabulous place to pop by for a great bite in a beautiful location. The cafe is located right next to the children's farm, so you can, and are also encouraged to head there even if you are not visiting the farm. The Farmers Breakfast, and the Goats Toast are faves of hubby and I (or the Ploughmans lunch if I am feeling a little bit homesick!), and the 'hips' were really happy with Toastie Soldiers and Babycinos.

The first sunday of the month is family day where there are cows to milk and tractor to ride. Another fabulous tip is to go to the farmers market (second Saturday every month) where entry is only $2 for adults and the 'hips' go free, and this entitles you to stay at the farm as well...what a bargain.

And even if you are not in Melbourne, and the chances are whilst you read this you are not, why not check out your local farm, as I am sure there is one. Where I grew up in the UK, we used to go to Godstone Farm on both school trips and family days out. Even though we lived in the countryside, it was still so much fun to have a hip day out on the farm...

travelling alone with the hips...please help?

Last month, a mum, travelling alone with her 2 young hips, had the fright of her life, when her 3 year old 'hip' fell onto the tarmac whilst climbing the stairs onto the plane. Mum, was behind carrying all the luggage, and the 18 month old hip. Miss 3 Yr old hip had climbed up the stairs by herself, and when she got to the top, turned around to look at her mum, lost her balance, and then proceeded to fall through the small gap between the stairs and the plane. She was airlifted to hospital but was later released unhurt! What a shocker...how would you feel?

It all happened on budget airline RyanAir, however they were very quick to advise soon after that they had toughened up their safety procedures. Surely though, its not entirely the fault of the airline, but also, the operators of the airport equipment. And perhaps us as 'responsible' parents?

But the real question is, if an airline sees a passenger struggling with a couple of 'hips' and the large amount of hand luggage that you inevitably need to carry when travelling with kids, should they not make it a policy to actually assist? Yes, parents should do all possible to control their kids, but really...sometimes its just not that easy, and we don't always have the luxury of travelling with an even ratio of adults to kids.

Any thoughts?

right hip in chilli red Walnuts...

Okay, I just bought the most beautiful Mary Jane Chilli Red shoes for little Miss Right Hip who is now rushing around everywhere. Just love them and so does she. We love Walnut Melbourne, and methinks I may have to get a pair for me (perhaps not the same, but from the rather funky mummy range). Perfect Spring shoes for out and about little 'hips'.

feeding the 'hips' in the air...

We all know that airline food can be a bit hit and miss. And when you are travelling long haul with the 'hips' you need to make sure they are fed and watered appropriately, however it can be a bit tricky. The key is, just like they say in the brownies, (or was it the cub scouts?)...be prepared.

Recently, I've experienced some brilliant airline food, however having chosen to fly with mainly Asian airlines such as Singapore and Malaysian airlines, perhaps that is why. Lots of yummy asian dishes and lots of choice. I do have to draw the line at noodle soup for breakfast though. Normally I would love this dish, but having it for brekkie just doesn't do it for me (especially when its actually probably about midnight in real time.)

My best airline meal was definitely Austrian Airlines Business class, where everything was beautifully cooked to order. and my worst, and most forgettable was Aerolineas Argentinas where they ran out of food by the time they got to us, so we didn't get anything!

Anyway, back to travelling with the 'hips'....as we mentioned before, preparation is key, and one thing I strongly advise is to make sure that you have contacted your travel agent / airline to book the appropriate special meals required. If not, at the very latest, contact the airline a week before travel and book an infant meal or a child meal. The great thing about booking a 'special meal' is that usually the flight attendants serve these meals first, which is great for kids. Best to keep them happy. Best not keep them waiting. This also means the parent can assist with the meal before their own meal comes. A great tip is to actually ask the flight attendant to save a specific meal for you (so they don't run out like my experience on Aerolineas Argentinas), and then you can really help the kids / infant with their meal. Then just press the buzzer and they will come and serve you, and take the empty kids trays away. Again, these meals can be hit and miss, but generally kids meals are not too unhealthy, and quite plentiful.

Be warned, infant meals again will be provided (if previously booked), however may not be age appropriate. My 12 month old was given 4-6 month old pureed food as the only option. So be prepared. The best alternative is to take along a few packs of Rafferty's Garden. The 'hips' just love to suck / squeeze the yummy food from the very handy tubes, and even older babies won't mind these as they are just so delicious.

Most airlines on long haul flights will also provide snacks. They are either offered between meals, or else, just head up to the kitchen area, and they usually have a basket of sandwiches, rolls, crisps, fruit etc for you to consume whenever you want. This is a perfect option for the 'hips' who may not have eaten their meal and need a snack. Of course, you must bring your own healthy alternative aswell; sultanas are great, as are a few favourite treats.

Make sure your 'hips' are well hydrated. Water really is the only drink they need onboard, however you can get milk from the flight attendants. Again, be prepared. Sometimes, if they are busy, they may not be able to warm up milk in a hurry. Try and get young 'hips' to get used to cold milk before travelling.

A few more tips;

Bring a bib. Pelican bibs are the best as they are plastic, so easily wipeable, and fold up, and also catch all the food before it goes all over the floor.

Bring wet wipes, and lots of them.

Zip lock bags are really handy for putting snacks in, or using to put bibs in etc.

Bring something to suck on for take off and landing.

And finally, a change of clothes for all.

Oh and enjoy, especially if its an Asian business class flight (as if...)

Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net (biscuits)

Kia Ora Aotearoa...travelling solo with an 18 mth old hip...

Now, from time to time we mention New Zealand, and not surprisingly (well actually, a bit surprising considering NZ is such a beautiful country) there are many Kiwi’s living in Australia who fly back home to show off the ‘hips’ to the family. The wonderful Fay kindly volunteered to give us an insight into her travels back home, and how she managed travelling solo with 18 month old Ally. Here’s what she had to say;

So, tell us a bit about you and your family?

I am a 30 year-old married stay-at-home Mum of one Hip (Ally) who is 18 months-old. We also have a wonderful 3 year-old Great Dane Cross who makes up the forth member of our family. My husband and I are both Kiwis and came over to live in Australia 3 and a half years ago and love it.

And where have you been of late with your little ‘hips’?

We have just got back from a two week 'holiday' in NZ (Cambridge - North Island), just Hip and I went to visit both sides of the family.

How did you get there, and where did you stay?

We flew with Pacific Blue (Virgin) and they were FANTASTIC! They saw I was flying alone with a toddler, and went out of their way to help. We had a whole row to ourselves both ways and even had help to carry our luggage off the plane to the baggage claim and the lovely lady got me a trolley too :) The air hostesses were lovely and played with Ally and didn't mind a bit when she went down to the staff section and played with the food trolleys. Outstanding service!

We stayed at my in-laws house, and luckily my wonderful In-Laws have purchased all baby equipment needed so we don't have to carry any extra's with us on the flight, (their way of getting us to go back more often)

What are your main tips for travelling with kids?

Be prepared for the flight!! It was the second trip Ally and I had done alone (Poor hubby never gets a holiday) the first when she was 10 months-old, so I knew what to expect, except this time she was walking! I packed snacks (favourite non-messy kinds), water (ended up buying a bottle on the plane too as she drank alot!), mini magna-doodle for non-messy drawing, a new toy that I wrapped up in wrapping paper for an extra surprise, a couple of other favourite non-noisy toys that I had packed away a couple of weeks before the flight to make them new and exciting again, nappies, wipes, spare clothes, and a portable DVD player that was worth its weight in gold! If possible only take one bag on with you if you are traveling alone, the less to carry the better!!!

What would you not have left home without?

Ally's sleep cuddly :) perfect for sucking on to make her ears pop!

And finally, anything else you want to add?

On the way back after going through the customs a security guy asked me why I didn't have a stroller, I explained the baby gear stays in NZ so we don't have to carry it on the flight. He then informed me that the airport have ones you can borrow from check-in and leave at the gate just before boarding - so will be doing that next time!!!!

a mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood...

These days, when we are heading out and about with the 'hips', it is highly unlikely that we can leave the house without left Hip clutching a few dinosaurs or a sharks, or something. Well, right now, its the Gruffalo that we cannot leave home without. Our household right now is obsessed with the Gruffalo complete with 'his terrible tusks, and terrible claws and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws'.

Books are worth their weight in gold when travelling and out and about with the 'hips'. Don't forget to pop some in your bag for those times when they need a bit of quiet time. Even if the 'hips' get a little travel sick, audio books are just brilliant, as are a good DVD on the portable DVD player if needs must!

The Gruffalo is one of the fabulous books written by Julia Donaldson and is currently a huge hit with my little hips. It has also been made into a short film which is just brilliant. Check out the short clip below...

Julia Donaldson also has a huge collection of other books that are definitely worth checking out; The Gruffalo's child, Tiddler, The snail and the Whale, Stick Man., Tabby McTat, Charlie Cooks favourite book, Room on the broom, Monkey Puzzle, to name but a few. Check out her website for some more fabulous books.

moral dilemma...leaving the 'hips' in the club?

Image: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Now, I classify myself as a serious traveller. Hubby and I met travelling. I worked in the travel / tourism industry. I speak several languages fluently. I have visited every continent in the world, and I just adore experiencing the different cultures, chatting freely to the locals, and just immersing myself, as much as I can, in the day to day life of the place that I am visiting.

Travelling with the 'hips' shouldn't change this...yes, you just need to be a bit more organised by perhaps booking accommodation, rather than just rocking up, having a plan and sticking to it, and basically be a tiny teeny bit less spontaneous. But, I still envisage that when left and right hip are slightly older, we shall be visiting those back of beyond places, and teaching them about different cultures, languages and religions, and taking them to the places that hubby and I have experienced.

So, here's the thing. We, as a family, have been 'invited' to join family at a centrally located destination of equal distance between Australia and the UK. All very well, and very very exciting, however as there are a few young 'hips' involved, it has been suggested that we all go to a place that caters for us all. So somewhere where there is a golf course, a good massage, lots of different things to do, good food, good weather, basically somewhere to enjoy some much needed R&R, and wait for it....(and I am not even sure if I can even say it)...a KIDS CLUB!

Now, I have always been a bit scared of kids club. Look, I have to admit...I haven't actually ever stepped foot into one - our family holidays were never anywhere near places that had kids clubs. When I stop to think about the idea of a kids club, pictures of young stage school kids enter my mind, and some a ridiculously 'keen' (in reality ridiculously hungover and totally not wanting to be sorrounded by little people) nanny getting everyone to make huge sandcastles or running around the pool wearing silly outfits. Or perhaps as a child I was actually secretly jealous of people who were allowed to go to a place with a kids club, as it actually might have been quite good fun.

But my problem is, I am a "real traveller who goes to places where other people don't go to", and am I really about to enter the world of 'kids club's, and 'all inclusive' holidays. Is this at all possible? Is it allowed? Is it actually fair to just leave the kids with strangers whilst I go off and laze around having a massage, or perhaps a relaxing cocktail by the pool with just my hubby?

Now of course, I don't think I am actually adverse to all of this, in fact, I reckon I could probably really enjoy sending the kids off to have fun with other kids for a couple of hours in the day, whilst we go off and have our own kind of fun. Its just a travel experience that I never thought I would do.

But, the more I think about it, the more tempting it is to have some real R&R and adult time, and living our normal lives millions of miles away from any family, it is something that hubby are not at all used to. I just think that a bit of compromise is in order - quality time with the 'hips' and then some quality time with the hubby whilst the 'hips' are in the.....kids club (yes, I said it!)

And yes, when the 'hips' are that little bit older, I am sure we will get back to all that 'real' travel!

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn./FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We love Mr Phil and Mr Ted

Me, and Mr Phil & Mr Ted go back a long way....Well 3 and a half odd years to be exact. Hubby and I purchased our Phil & Ted Sport model back in 2007, and oh, what good times we have had, and great places we have visited. When left hip was little, he obviously had it all to himself. Now right hip is here, there is joint custody, and even though right hip usually gets relegated to the back, sometimes, she gets the privilidge of sitting up front when left hip fancies a stroll. Poor second child eh!

But things have moved on in Mr Phil & Mr Ted's world. Not only does it seem that 'everyone' have now joined the bandwagon, and also consider themselves good chums with them, but Phil & Ted themselves have created so many hip things of late, and my love affair with them (and everyone else's) just keeps getting stronger and stronger...

So, what exactly have they done to win so many hearts? 'Adapt and Survive' is Phil & Ted's motto, and adapt and survive they surely have. Those savvy New Zealanders have not only been growing their own brand (prams, porta cots, highchairs, car seats, carriers, and other hip things), but now Phil & Ted have taken over fellow competitor and fellow Kiwi brand, Mountain Buggy, so they certainly have their finger on the pulse. The P&T prams, with classy names like classic, sport, dash and vibe, are not only innovative, but also really clever. P&T know they we need to transport more than 1 little hip around, and they also know that we need to pound the pavements AND and climb every mountain should we wish too. Smart. But what's really smart is the new pram additions to the Phil & Ted family; the explorer, hammerhead, smart and sub 4.

The explorer is basically a brand new funkier version of the Sport (the one I have) and is even more fab and versatile with 7 different configurations to adapt to a growing family of little hips. Phil & Ted have created a fab guide to how it all works...make sure you have a good look.

The hammerhead (and my left hip would love this one as he loves a good old hammerhead shark), is the 4WD version of the Phil & Ted, with 4 snazzy wheels. Brand new, plus this concept is brand new to P&T as they mainly concentrate on the 3 wheeler. Saying that, there is one other 4 wheeler, and that is the rather funky and very handy super light and extremely versatile smart. This is more like a stroller than an actual pram, but looks so funky. We love it as its totally excellent for travelling with the hips as, not only does it folds up really easily, but you can also choose to use it as a travel system, or with a bassinet aswell. So very clever.

But I reckon I have saved the best and most exciting product till the end, and that's the Sub 4. Coming soon, the Sub 4 is classified as 'the world's fastest jogger'. You just have to check out the demonstration below, and get excited too. Adapt and Survive they say...well thats certainly what they are doing...thats why we love Mr Phil and Mr Ted.

travelling with the hips.....don't forget your b.box

When the left and right hip and I flew to the UK, I needed to be organised. The hand luggage had to be kept to a minimum, and when the hips needed to have a nappy change, I just really needed to be SUPER organised. I needed to be able to do a quick dash to those lovely squashy aeroplane loos, and this required me to just grab my nappy changing equipment, and just go. Enter the B.Box.

No more rustling around in my bag, or the floor, or under the seat or in the overhead locker for nappies, wipes, change mat, and smelly nappy bags...I had the B.Box and I had total confidence in it. I just grabbed it from the seat pocket (easy to find as v bright in colour), grabbed the hips, and dashed to those little loos. So, what is the B.Box I hear you ask? Well, for those of you that don't know, take a look at this;

According to B.Box, its 'a plastic nappy wallet that fits into your lifestyle and your handbag'. The joy of it is that not only does it fits 2 nappies, but also has a built in wipes refillable area, and space for disposable nappy bags, comes with a very hip wipe clean change mat, and is BPA and PVC free (and looks VERY funky!)

My only slight criticism (and it really is just slight), is that it can be a bit of a tight squeeze doing the clasp up when you have a slightly bigger nappies.

It comes in 5 different colours and designs and I take it everywhere (in the car, in the pram, in my handbag, when you are travelling on a plane, train, bus, boat, helicopter even, everywhere...). And not only do I love it and highly recommend it, other people obviously agree with me as B.Box has just won the 2010 Australian Business Awards - best new product, and a couple of other awards, so get onto it and get yourself one. The B.Box are available here.

where to go in the snow with the hips part 2

So where to go part 2...this was going to be all about New Zealand and Australia, however, as we speak, Christchurch, New Zealand has just suffered a horrific earthquake, and parts of Victoria, Australia, are experiencing awful flooding resulting in mud slides in the high country and people trapped in their homes/villages or loss of goods / property etc. Some of the places that are flooded, are also places that were horrifically destroyed by the infamous bush fires in Feb 2009. Yet, whilst these places have suffered, and still suffer whilst rebuilding their lives, properties and businesses, they also suffer so much afterwards as tourists choose not to visit. Well, we just have to remember - they rely on tourism to keep them afloat, and get back on track. For many of these places, tourism is the number 1 income. So, when they want us to come and visit, come and visit we must.

Last year, myself, hubby, left and right hip spent the day up at Lake Mountain for some real fun family snow play. Being the 'foreigners' that we were back then (now we are proud Aussie citizens!), we were unaware of the fact that we would be travelling through many parts of country Victoria that were deeply effected, even destroyed by these horrendous bush fires. As we travelled through Narbethong and Marysville, we were deeply shocked, and brought to tears by what we saw. There were burnt out houses, trees, cars, and businesses... but there was also many signs of new lifes; houses were being rebuilt, people were clubbing together to help each other out, the community spirit was amazing. Even trees were budding new leaves as a sign of new times. The Marysville toboggan / clothing hire shop was operating out of a portable as were the famous Marysville bakery and The Lolly shop. Life was just moving on. So now, 18 months on, don't forget to head up to those places and stop and give your support. Winter or Summer.

So, now to places to other places to go to in the snow. In Australia, the main resorts are spread over Victoria and New South Wales. We have already mentioned Mount Buller, and Falls Creek, however the other place that comes highly recommended is Mount Hotham. It is, like Falls Creek, that little bit further away than Melbourne (approx 5 hours drive), however, definitely worth the drive up there, and as Victoria's highest ski resort, is more likely to have good snow coverage. There is the Milo Mighty Mites club for the little people to join, which is a totally supervised ski school, lunch is then provided and indoor activities are then encouraged...all this whilst mum and dad go out to ski! Mount Hotham also boasts some great ski in / ski out accommodation, however to lower the costs, a lot of families stay down in Dinner Plain village which is only a short distance away. In NSW, both Perisher and Thredbo are both very much worth considering, both offering great snow packages, and brilliant child ski schools.

Kia ora - over to our friends across the ditch in New Zealand. Now this is hubby's neck of the woods and he, to this day (even though I have shown him many a nice ski run in Europe) would swear that NZ beats everywhere else (how very NZ of him!) There are over 24 different ski resorts in NZ, so yes, the choice (bro) is there, and many a family would actually recommend NZ as it really can be more value for money than some resorts in Australia. It takes around 3 hours to fly to NZ from the East coast of Australia, and you can get to the slopes really quickly from most of the airports, so this really is great for travelling with kids. We have to admit, NZ is beautiful and has been many a backdrop for many a good flick of late (The Lord of the Rings to name one), and it does have a lot to offer so you could combine a ski trip with some other fun family activities.

So, whether you want to head to the North or South Island, there are plenty of ski fields to choose from. The North Island offers great ski and snowboarding terrain on Mt Ruapehu and the beginners/kids end up in the Yeti ski school in Happy Valley. Bliss! The South Island boasts a large ski terrain; Choose from The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt or Cardona, to name but a few, however Cardona one of the only resorts in NZ where guests can stay right up on the mountain, making it a real family friendly place to go (and claims to have the best ski school in the Southern Hemisphere...plus has a fab website!)

So cheers bro, the choice bro is all yours...

a big hip hooray for daddy's day...

So, Father's day has come round once again (well in Australia that is). So what do we get the man of the house? I say having myself and the left and right hip is enough of a treat, but yes, I suppose a bacon and egg sanga and a little lie-in in the morning would be nice too. But if you want / need to rush out and get something, here a few last minute tips (or perhaps get in early for next year!)

So the man in our house is going to be spoilt. Myself and the two hips have decided to spoil him and get him one of those trailers to put on the back of the bike, so we can go for a good bike ride together as a family. Yes, there's nothing better than getting those hips and out and about into the good old fresh air. The great thing about it too is the added bonus that hubby can take the hips out for a ride, and I can stay at home for once! Hoorah! Everyone's a winner.

Next up, how about getting dad a fabulous bag that he can use in his day to day life, but also fill with nappies, wipes etc when they are taking the hips out (because men seem to think they don't require a bag!) If hubby has a bag he likes, then of course he'll use it! You cannot go past a good old Crumpler. Very cool, very hip and best of all, Made in Melbourne.

And whilst we are on the subject of bags, and being out and about with the hips, how about a very groovy nappy box. The B.Box is a fantastic plastic nappy wallet, that fits brilliantly into a little bag (and I swear by it, and will be doing a review on the B.Box very soon). It accommodates wipes, nappies and a change mat, and comes in very funky colours so dad will be able to have his very own male friendly coloured B.Box!

Or how about getting Dad his very own Keep Cup. Yes, we have mentioned them before (first barista standard reusable cup), however, the great thing is they come in so many colours and different sizes, you can get Dad his very own Keep cup in his fave colours for when he is out and about with the hips.

And if all that is not enough, how about sending Dad off on his own special night out with the boys...but with a difference. Beer and Bubs is a session down at the pub, however, the men meet up with other men and chat about becoming a dad, supporting their partners, and assisting at the birth etc. What a brilliant initiative (and a fabulous way to give the man of the house a free pass to head down to the pub!)

And if all else fails - well, just give him socks once again!