After a halloween themed storytelling session at Fairyland on Military Rd, 2 year old Sam and I decided to check out the new Mosman site of The Barn Cafe, one of our favourite kid friendly haunts in Rozelle.
It has a gorgeous setting in the new Headland Park - fabulous views towards the heads - and offer a small but tasty menu and good coffee - but sadly none of those fab homeware goodies we love in the Rozelle shop! Still kid-friendly, with plenty of traffic free space to run around in the pergola covered deck outside. Sam managed to get an entire chocolate paddlepop all over his t-shirt while I enjoyed a yummy vegetarian wrap.
We took a stroll along the coastal pathway, and enjoyed the sculptures and the old gunners cottages, which have now been converted into artist studios. This Sunday (November 11th) there is an Art in the Open festival with plenty of activities for all ages. Although it isn't a classic kids park (no playground!) there is good coffee, toilet facilities and lots to explore. Definitely a thumbs up from our family!
Fairyland has weekly storytelling sessions on Wednesdays from 10,30am - more like a mini kids party really, with games and craft activities as well in the gorgeous upstairs themed rooms. But definitely one more for the girls, and for kids with a longer attention span than my busy Sam. $10 per child will give you some magic on a Wednesday morning.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Earlybird Adventures
Parents around Australia are rejoicing with the governments decision to start daylight saving a month earlier next year. But right now, in late October 2007, I am still getting up at hours I didn't previously know existed.
This morning, two-year old Sam decided to start his day at 4.30am. Instead of hiding at the other end of the house, amusing him solo for two hours, I decided to go to the only place I could think of that might have some action at that time of the morning.
The Sydney Fish Markets are only a 5 minute drive from our home, and Sam is currently obsessed with boats. And yes, it was a hive of activity with plenty of fishing boats arriving and unloading, as well as the early-morning rowers out on Rozelle Bay.
But even more importantly, one of the cafes was open (hello, large latte with an extra shot) and so was the bakery (hello, breakfast for Sam). We sat by the jetty and chased seagulls, and waited for the phone call signalling Dad and big brother were finally up and about.
By the time we got home, it was perfect timing to start getting ready for the school run. But by the time I dropped them off, I felt like it should be late afternoon. Bring on Sunday - I can't wait to wind those clocks forward!
Readers - please comment with your favourite ideas for early morning distractions, and we can compile a top 10 list for next spring.
This morning, two-year old Sam decided to start his day at 4.30am. Instead of hiding at the other end of the house, amusing him solo for two hours, I decided to go to the only place I could think of that might have some action at that time of the morning.
The Sydney Fish Markets are only a 5 minute drive from our home, and Sam is currently obsessed with boats. And yes, it was a hive of activity with plenty of fishing boats arriving and unloading, as well as the early-morning rowers out on Rozelle Bay.
But even more importantly, one of the cafes was open (hello, large latte with an extra shot) and so was the bakery (hello, breakfast for Sam). We sat by the jetty and chased seagulls, and waited for the phone call signalling Dad and big brother were finally up and about.
By the time we got home, it was perfect timing to start getting ready for the school run. But by the time I dropped them off, I felt like it should be late afternoon. Bring on Sunday - I can't wait to wind those clocks forward!
Readers - please comment with your favourite ideas for early morning distractions, and we can compile a top 10 list for next spring.
Monday, October 15, 2007
An inner city beach
Greenwich Baths is the closest thing to a beach in the inner west/north.
This shark-netted harbour pool is kiddie-heaven. The kiosk supplies plenty of free buckets, spades and beach toys, as well as books and a train set by the cafe. The coffee, gelato and kiddy lunch packs are highly recommended. It's a perfect meeting place for mothers groups - lots of space for the kids to run around in a fenced off private area.
Sun loungers are available for mums and dads who aren't too occupied with paddling kids. You can watch the boats go by in the reflection of the city skyline, and for a full days adventure try catching the ferry to Greenwich Point from Circular Quay.
Leave the pram at home - it's a steep descent to the beach and there are also stairs up to the toilets and change facilities.
Entry: $3.20 per adult, $2.10 per child (kids under 4 free)
Albert St, Greenwich
Open September through April
This shark-netted harbour pool is kiddie-heaven. The kiosk supplies plenty of free buckets, spades and beach toys, as well as books and a train set by the cafe. The coffee, gelato and kiddy lunch packs are highly recommended. It's a perfect meeting place for mothers groups - lots of space for the kids to run around in a fenced off private area.
Sun loungers are available for mums and dads who aren't too occupied with paddling kids. You can watch the boats go by in the reflection of the city skyline, and for a full days adventure try catching the ferry to Greenwich Point from Circular Quay.
Leave the pram at home - it's a steep descent to the beach and there are also stairs up to the toilets and change facilities.
Entry: $3.20 per adult, $2.10 per child (kids under 4 free)
Albert St, Greenwich
Open September through April
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
All Aboard
I thought we were crazy. And the skipper looked slightly alarmed. Four parents, four over-excited children aged 2-5, four tiny life-vests, a six pack of beer and a bottle of wine were loaded onto a yacht for a four hour tour of Sydney harbour.
But it worked better than I could have hoped. No one ended up overboard. The kids were thrilled to play house down below deck while we parents (almost) relaxed. Two year old Sam squealed with delight at the bow of the boat while we took on the swell at the heads. Five year old Dylan took control of the helm for a short while and steered us to safety. And our relaxed English friends played the traditional Sydney game of "which harbour-front real estate would we buy if money were no object" while their kids ate marmite and cheese rolls.
We did the yacht charter thing once before, when Dylan was just 6 months old. Of course we were first-time parents, terrified he would drop into the water as we loaded him on in his baby-seat, worried the boat would sink, worried a shark would leap across the deck etc etc. And naturally it was all fine and he slept most of the 4 hours in his baby-seat, lulled by the rocking of the waves. But this time it was even more fun, to share the experience with our lucky children.
So don't wait for overseas guests to turn up - take your kids on this quintessential Sydney experience today! We can highly recommend East Sail at Rushcutters Bay, and Brian the unflappable skipper.
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