Pastello at NGV

This week, we ventured into the city by train to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). We were delighted to discover that the acclaimed Pastello – Draw Act kids’ exhibit was still running – it proved to be a fantastic, and free, event that even our under-one year olds enjoyed.

NGVforKIDS invited Melbourne-based Italian designers Erika Zorzi and Matteo Sangalli (Mathery Studio) to create this interactive space especially for children and families. ‘Pastello’ is the Italian word for pastel or crayon, and the exhibit is rather aptly named, with crayons on every surface, as well as projected onto a screen in the main entry.

With the help of Melbourne designers and a local crayon factory, the designers have created a range of objects out of coloured wax for children to use as drawing materials across three drawing zones.

The concept of the exhibit is to turn the idea of drawing on its head; kids can strap on crayon-studded shoes and helmets to make their marks on the paper-covered walls. Crayon coated cutlery and ropes make for unusual drawing implements, and kids’ artwork can be pegged on the display wall when they’re done.

They’ll delight in seeing what marks they can make by swinging the big crayon pendulums, and pushing the enormous crayon ‘boulders’ back and forth. While our kids were too little to do this, they enjoyed watching us make marks using the crayon utencils, and, of course, crawling around on the astroturf floor!

According to the creators of the exhibit, they wanted to ‘create a fun, memorable and playful space that encourages children to think outside the box to reconsider the act of drawing’. But the Pastello – Draw Act exhibit will challenge every visitor’s idea of mark-making – big and small!

Where: Ground Level, NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne

The exhibit runs until 31st August 2014, and entry is free.

Sensory quirks

My 11 month old (soon to be toddler), like most babies, loves to explore and is constantly getting himself into scrapes.  He charges around the house inspecting every cupboard, commando crawling under the couch to swipe at the cat and climbing up to turn up the volume on our stereo.   In search of his sensory fix, he has developed a few funny quirks that keep us laughing.

According to Lindsey Biel, occupational therapist and co-author of the book Raising a Sensory Smart Child, sensory play is key to cognitive development in toddlers. Lindsey Biel suggests that aside from the known five senses, there are two other senses necessary for development.  Vestibular sense is the ability to feel in balance while moving, and proprioceptive sense is the awareness of spacial depth and the relationship between the body and the environment. Anyone who has seen me park or throw a ball will attest that my proprioceptive sense is underdeveloped.

Babies and toddlers are just learning to make sense of their senses. Pun totally intended.   They are testing their boundaries and developing an understanding of how things work.  Some of the behaviour can seem bizarre to adults, but it does have a purpose.  Linsey Biel suggests exposing kids to different sensory experiences to help them develop.  Introducing new foods, letting kids help with the cooking, gardening or messy art play are all activities that get those little neurons sparking.

With sensory systems under development, it is not unusual for some toddlers to be highly sensitive to particular textures, tastes and sounds.  Tags on clothing, knitted jumpers or wet hands can cause some kids discomfort.  This is illustrated hilariously in Conversations with my two year old.  Kids also love repetition, and hearing a favourite sounds over and over again re-enforces neural connections.  So the next time you have to read a book for the umpteenth time that night, take solace in the knowledge that you are helping your kid learn!

Our sensory addict keeps us laughing with the following antics.  What do your kids do that make you laugh?

Forehead rubbing

Forget sweet cuddles prior to bedtime, my boy’s way of showing affection is to head butt us and then scrape his forehead against our heads or chest.  He extends this affection to the walls, the sides of his cot and the mattress.  Alarmed at first, we consulted google and our GP; apparently it is a very common self-settling quirk.

‘Slime’ aversion

Offer avocado to him to hold, and he only touches it with one finger and then shudders violently.  It is his favourite food, but you’d better not make him hold it.  The usually very independent eater must be fed his avocado on a spoon, lest he be put off his meal.  There is something hilarious about seeing a toddler get grossed out.

Books, books and more books.

He is a great lover of a novel.  Not to read them, but to spend hours flicking through them, eating them, climbing up them and tearing them.  I have lost count of the times I have found a bite sized chunk in my favourite read or chased him around the house saying ‘ yucky, spit, spit, spit, spit!’ after he’s gagged on a particularly yummy article.  If you have us over, watch out! He will make a beeline for your treasured collection too.  I’m thinking a phonebook would probably be the perfect gift for his birthday.

Playing drum on the toilet lid.

Why? Why ? Why?  Eeugh. The toilet lid is a favourite musical instrument.  If we leave the bathroom door even slightly open he is in there drumming up his own musical performance.

Naked bum!

All babies love being naked, mine included.  His favourite part of the day is when his nappy comes off for his bath.  He usually escapes here and trundles off with a naked bum, a top half on and ridiculously his socks still in place; or, even better, he’ll be totally free and naked.  Not content to parade in the hallway, he charges into the lounge to show off his naked status and celebrate the breeze on his little bum.

Nose picking.

Not his, ours! Every morning he affectionately hugs us, smiles at us and then shoves a finger up our noses.

Slimed

A new favourite pastime, his gaping open mouth will punch our cheeks and leave a trail of goo. It’s his blessing of sweet slobbery kisses.

Just a small bite . . .

Teething marks on everything is inevitable.  I’m used to finding bite marks in toys, on the bars of our table and all over his sippy cup.  Like a puppy, he needs to relieve the pain in his jaws; however, sometimes I think he does it just to find out what something feels like.  So if you are a visitor at our house, know that you are taking your own risks if you take off your shoes.  He has been known for taking a bite out of guests toes as he is crawling past.

Blanket baddie.

Blankets offend him.  If you are holding a blanket, he looks at you suspiciously.  They are evil.  Tuck him in and he will spend the next ten minutes kicking, squashing and pushing the blanket as far away from him as possible.  He is not content until that blanket monster is slayed.   Once the blanket monster is annihilated and limp at the end of the bed, he drifts off happily and peacefully to sleep.

Have some funny examples of your child’s sensory exploration?  Tell us below.

Art for one and all: Footscray Community Arts Centre

At Bubba West, we think one of the best things about Melbourne’s west is the spirit of community. There are several local organisations busily bringing diverse groups of people together in the pursuit of education, engagement, and enjoyment. Footscray Community Arts Centre is one of them, and has an exciting array of programs and activities on offer for everyone – from babies to the elderly. If you haven’t been yet, now is the time to check it out!

In our last interview, we brought you Footscray’s fantastic (and fantastical!) 100 Story Building, the social enterprise improving kids’ literacy and engagement. Now, we bring you Footscray Community Arts Centre (FCAC): a hive of local creativity where everyone’s welcome.

The pram-, child- and breastfeeding-friendly Centre collaborates with artists, the local community, not-for-profit organisations and others to run a huge range of arts activities, exhibitions and programs spanning circus, music, dance, design, and fine arts, to name a few.

The main gallery space, Rosyln Smorgon Gallery, within the main entry is spacious, with local community-based exhibitions frequently changing. Arriving at the Centre with prams was a joy; the wheels positively gliding over the polished concrete floors.

On our visit, several excited four year olds (and their mums) spent some time perusing the art on display, excitedly pointing out and discussing the works they liked best.

There were no solemn back-clad security guards, or snooty bespectacled gallery directors to shush the group or shoo them along – on the contrary, FCAC is all about engaging with all members of the community, and this includes kids. In addition to the curated arts exhibitions, the Centre’s cultural enterprise model is informed by engagement, collaboration and conversation with communities.

With local, national and international program outcomes, the Centre works closely with people with disability, Indigenous communities, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, marginalised and disadvantaged communities, and the communities of Melbourne’s west.

The Centre offers exhibitions, performances, theatre, film screenings and concerts throughout the year, as well a contemporary arts festivals and events. FCAC also runs workshops, masterclasses and training programs. Their Learning and Development program contributes to FCAC’s goal of subsidised community programs for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, using funding generated from ‘fee for service’ workshops. The workshops contribute to the core programs, such as Emerging Cultural Leaders, the Indigenous Cultural Program, and ArtLife, a multifaceted day arts program for people with intellectual disabilities.

Image courtesy of Footscray Community Arts Centre

Among the workshops on offer, there are some great options for children, including Kids’ Circus Club and Toddler Music (both featured on Bubba West this month), Kids’ Animation, Acting Up, Dance Story Time, School Holiday Programs, and the brand new and very exciting Baby Has a Curly Line music program.

Bubba West spoke with Simon de Lacy-Leacey, FCAC’s Creative Producer Learning and Development, and one of the Centre’s 18 full-time staff.

He says that, in an effort to increase accessibility, some of the children’s progams are run by casual drop-in, requiring no prior booking.

‘As a parent, you might be having a bad day, and it can be hard to commit to a regular class, so our casual classes are very popular,’ says Simon.

The classes are intimate – most of the music classes run with 8–12 children, while the circus class holds 5–6 – meaning the kids get lots of quality interaction with tutors.

‘The Baby Has A Curly Line course is a new one we have introduced,’ says Simon. ‘There’s one class for the 0–9 month age group, and one for 10–18 months, with workshops running each term.’

Through sound and song, music-making, and a range of engaging multi-sensory activities, babies and parents learn new ways to nurture and extend children’s natural musicianship. Babies experience the surreal through the integration of Sydney Nolan imagery, combined with auditory, tactile, motoric and kinaesthetic elements (stay tuned for the in depth Bubba West story!).

‘Another program that we’re quite excited about is Dance Story Time,’ says Simon. ‘We’re working with Ausdance to combine dance movement and literacy. Tutors go through all the childhood favourites, like Alice in Wonderland, or Where the Wild Things Are, and bring these stories to life with movement, getting the kids to act out the parts of the story.’

These drop-in sessions are designed to completely immerse children (aged 3–5) in the story, while improving literacy and getting them active, too! At only $10 per child, these sessions make a great weekly activity to look forward to. For older kids, the GamePlay workshops have been popular, where kids aged 10–15 learn the basics of video game design through developing a platform or puzzle game.

‘While we run all these great programs that the public sees, a lot of what we do here goes under the radar,’ says Simon. ‘We’re all about working with the wider community and we develop a lot of partnerships. For example, we’re currently working with AMES (providing assistance to newly arrived refugees and migrants), with a Refugee Week exhibition in June, and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre; so, there’s lots going on!

Image courtesy of Footscray Community Arts Centre

‘It’s all about access for all – FCAC’s mantra for 40 years – and working with the wider community here in the west. We focus on working with marginalised groups, and our eventual aim is to have some subsidised places in each of the fee-for-service classes.

‘We already have some supported places in our school holiday programs, which are provided to people through the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre courtesy of support from the Bendigo Community Bank in Seddon. Our April school holiday program was so successful we had to turn people away. We hope to have more places available in future for single parents out there. We’d love to take our Toddler Music into an outreach program.’

FCAC also works with schools, providing art and culture workshops. ‘We recently had Baby Guerilla come in and do a paste-up workshop with high school students,’ says Simon. ‘The kids loved it and created artwork on the side of FCAC.’

While there is a lot going on behind the doors of the FCAC, there are also things happening in the local community. Perhaps you’ve been past the corner of Donald and Barkly streets in Footscray lately? There, you’ll see the start of the animated mural project, an initiative by artist Christie Widiarto, supported by FCAC  through the Emerging Cultural Leaders program.

‘Christie’s idea was to combine stop-motion animation with the outcome of a mural to combat the graffiti issue here in the west. Christie’s told us that already some of the taggers have acknowledged what they’re doing and have said they’ll leave the wall alone,’ says Simon.

The wall mural involves painting repeated layers with slight changes to create the sense of movement, all captured in a series of photographs. The design will feature stories about Footscray. In particular, the project aims to give people aged 15–25 in Melbourne’s western suburbs the chance to contribute to the mural, learn animation, gain new skills through free arts workshops and connect with the community’s cultural leaders.

And there’s plenty more in the works at FCAC.

‘We’re looking at collaborating with PBS’s Rockabye Baby model here, as well,’ said Simon. ‘Live music for parents during the day time, so that kids can attend too. It would be kid-friendly music, but nothing like The Wiggles!’

With outdoor performance spaces, a basement gallery, perfect positioning beside the lawns of Happy River Café, and so much happening for the inner west’s littlest residents, Footscray Community Arts Centre will be on our list of favourite destinations for a very long time. See you there!

Footscray Community Arts Centre
45 Moreland Street
Footscray

 

Phone: 9362 8888

Fax: 9362 8866

Email: reception@footscrayarts.com

9 ways parenthood has improved me

People are always talking about how much work it takes to raise a child. Between the sleepless nights, endless washing, and supermarket-aisle tantrums, the uninitiated might think it’s a one-way relationship. But babies and children give back in more ways than just sweet smiles and cuddles. Here are just some of the ways having a baby has improved me:

1. I eat better

Like most pregnant women, I tried to cut out unhealthy foods. I ate more of those ‘power’ foods like salmon, spinach and nuts, and even eliminated caffeine for nine long months (with the help of rooibos, the delicious South African caffeine-free tea). Now that I’m breastfeeding, I try to keep up my good eating habits, knowing that my diet is fuelling my little girl through my milk. Not only do I eat better foods, but, rather than just scoffing a toasted sandwich in front of the computer, we sit down together to enjoy our food, chat and relax. Here’s hoping we maintain this when work and day care kick in.

2. I’M A BETTER SINGER
I’ve always been a pretty ordinary singer – I mostly hit the right notes, but that’s about it. It doesn’t faze my little one, who loves any sound that comes out of my mouth, from a cockatoo screech, to a comical belch (I know, it’s not a good lesson to teach!). What more inspiration could I need than the unconditional adoration of my fan!? At first, my nursery rhymes were feeble, self-conscious warblings that took place when there were no other adults around. Gradually, I abandoned sung louder, spurred on by tiny smiles of appreciation. Now, I sing so loud I know the neighbours can hear. I’ve even sung in the supermarket aisles. All the practice and added confidence has improved my tone and pitch, and, I’m learning that singing is fun, not embarrassing.

3. On that point, I’m less self-conscious

I have absolutely no interest in what strangers think of me these days, and that has been a radical shift. In my younger years, I was so self-conscious I hardly ever came ‘out of my shell’. But there’s nothing like giving birth to change that – a room full of people have seen you at your most vulnerable: half naked, screaming and leaking bodily fluids from at least one orifice. Attempts at ‘modestly’ breastfeeding in public would invariably result in my cover-all shawl being whipped away by the wind, a tiny hand, or gravity. It was much easier to not care who saw what. ‘So what if that old guy sees my boob?’ I asked myself once, and still carry that mentality. I rarely use a modesty shawl now, and it feels great to feed in confidence, not caring what the world thinks – or sees!

4. I appreciate family more

How great are grandparents!? My baby is lucky to have good ones, who are always happy to see her. It’s lovely to watch my baby and her family get to know one another. I also appreciate my parents more, now knowing first-hand the hard work they put into raising me. I hope my daughter will still want to visit me when she’s grown.

5. I’ve stopped swearing (mostly)

This is still a work in progress; but shit, I’m getting better!

6. I go out of my way to befriend new people

Pregnancy and childbirth has proved to be one of those times in life, much like starting a new school, when you have abundant opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. Those times are few and far between in life. Heaps of others have been thrust into this new world of parenthood and they’re keen to make new friends in the same boat. I’ve found new joy in socialising, and take any opportunity to meet other parents. I’ve even met up with strangers via Facebook: other mums seeking adult company and a listening ear. As a result, I am more outgoing, and hope I’m showing my daughter that she needn’t be the shy child I was. The friends I’ve made through parenthood will be around for the long haul.

7. I’m a safer driver

I was always a pretty good driver, but now I’m really good! There’s something about strapping your tiny fragile infant into a metal box, then speeding down a freeway at 100 kilometres per hour that makes you want to take things easy!

8. I am learning to ask for and accept help

This is still a work in progress, as I’ve always been pretty bad at this, but I’ve come to realise that people actually don’t mind helping. When I broke my wrist, it was pretty impossible to dress, bathe and feed my baby, let alone change her nappy. I was forced to ask for and accept help, and I discovered that family and friends were really very happy to be involved, and make things easier for me. I once read some heart-warming research on the topic: when someone helps a friend, their appreciation of that relationship increases more than that of the person receiving help.

9. I appreciate my partner more

This happens when I see him working hard for us, helping with housework, and not shying away from a dirty nappy. But mostly it happens every night – at bath time, when I hear baby splashes and squeals of delight, and watching him read bedtime stories with enjoyment.

Have you been improved by your kids? Tell us how…

Seen and heard: Improving access and attitudes to babies and children

Living in inner west Melbourne, we are blessed with quite a few kid-friendly restaurants and cafes.  What I love about this area is that many establishments go out of their way to make things more enjoyable and easier for parents.   I think this is a huge reason why we have such a strong, vibrant and connected community. Businesses and people look out for one another, genuinely care and try to accommodate all walks of life.   It is why I choose to live in this part of Melbourne.  When venturing out of our wonderful district, I am often shocked by how few venues cater for young ones and their parents.

Last night, we headed out for an early dinner and screening of my clever sister-in-law’s short film in Windsor.   We were unable to secure a babysitter and, as the film was only 7 minutes long, I decided to bring my boy along and walk out if he got restless.  The venue had no access for prams, and while the doorman was very helpful assisting us to lift the pram up the entrance, we next encountered 3 flights of stairs we had to navigate once inside.  While this is a slight annoyance with a pram, it got me wondering, what would someone do in a wheelchair?  If it seems undignified to hoist a child up stairs in a pram, then what would it feel like to an adult?  Later, in search of dinner on Chapel Street, amongst the plethora of restaurants, we struggled to find anywhere that would accommodate prams and restless babies.

I found the experience irritating, and a bit depressing, and it surprised me that on a street packed full of restaurants, there was not one that was appropriate.    This is not just an issue of access, it is about fair treatment for parents and children; it is about making sure that parents and kids are part of our community, rather than forgotten and at home.  It is about valuing our little ones as important and equal members of our society, rather than annoyances that need to be seen and not heard.

We live in a society where post-natal depression (PND) is rampant.  One in 7 women are diagnosed with PND every week  and many are believed to suffer without being diagnosed.  I can’t help thinking that one of the reasons that post-natal depression is so prevalent in our society is because we are asking parents to go into seclusion until their kids are grown.  Parents that have had full social lives and successful careers are suddenly left at home alone with new babies and little support.

For myself, getting out of the house and amongst other people is really important.  Being able to have a cup of coffee out with my baby makes a huge difference to my overall mood.  So a cup of coffee out, or dinner, may seem frivolous, but it is one way in which parents can feel connected to the community, interact with others and relax in different surrounds.  Happy parents make happy children and, later, happy adults.

I chose to become a parent and I love being a mum. As a teacher prior to parenthood, I was well aware of the challenges and joys of raising children.  I also knew that my social life would be different. What I hadn’t anticipated was the friends that stopped inviting us out, the waiter that rolled his eyes when I nervously tried to breastfeed my son for the first time in public, the passengers that made snide comments when we walked onto an aeroplane or train, and the countless venues that have been inaccessible for our small pram.

I’m tired of hearing the phrase ‘well, they chose to be parents, so they must have known that their social life would be impacted, why do we, as customers, have to put up with a crying baby?’.  That phrase irritated me even before I had kids.  We choose to be parents, but I’m not sure when we choose to be treated as second-class citizens.   I think general attitudes to children and parents in public need a little shake up.  Children are naturally inquisitive, active and, as a result, sometimes unpredictable and noisy.  That is how they are, and as a community we need to leave behind the archaic Victorian notion that they should be seen and not heard.  I would much prefer a crying baby in a restaurant to a noisy drunk.

The interesting thing is that, of all of the kid-friendly cafes and restaurants I have visited and reviewed, I am yet to witness a child have a melt down.  My belief is that when parents are able to relax, so are the kids.  Having spaces for children that are engaging and appropriate means that dining is a pleasant experience for all involved.  For a business, it also makes monetary sense; stay-at-home parents are potential week-day customers.

I really love it when businesses are creative and manage to accommodate for little ones as well as adults.  Before I had kids, I remember frequenting a pub in Brunswick that had a lawn with colourful cushions outside in the very busy courtyard.  Parents and kids happily spent an afternoon on the grass socialising, and those without kids could still enjoy a drink in peace.  The atmosphere was enhanced with the inclusion of families rather than detracted from.

While it is obviously not practical for every business to be kid-friendly, I would love there to be more conversation in regards to this.  I think it is reasonable for a business to expect that parents make sure that kids are not misbehaving and that they are not deliberately disruptive.  However, I believe that if kids are catered for, there is much less reason for them to act up.

What do you think? How can venues make things easier of parents?   Share your thoughts below, or, better yet, your favourite kid-friendly venue.  Lets get a conversation started.  It is time that parents and children are seen, heard and catered for!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dog demotion: ‘Fur Baby’ to ‘Pet’

Before I had my daughter, I was the doting adoptive parent of two fur babies – Penny and Pokey, the miniature pinschers.  I was a great mum; I bought them little winter coats, cuddled with them on the couch, took them out for doggy cinos (they do exist; just ask Seddon Deadly Sins!), and snapped hundreds of photos of them on my phone – playing, sleeping, eating… destroying something. I’m sure my loyal Facebook friends had quite a gutful of their adorable little faces.

Now, as far as dogs go, I’ve always known they are quite a handful: energetic, noisy, very fast, and extremely naughty (despite the hours and hours spent at dog school). But, I loved them anyway; it was easy to look past their flaws when they soaked up all my attention so appreciatively. Yes, I even had some professional photographs taken of my two darlings, which are proudly displayed in my living room. They are truly dogs that only a mother could love.

It was 2013, and Penny was about to turn two; I made doggy cupcakes, and everything was going swimmingly. Then I fell pregnant. Little did I know my relationship with Penny and Pokey was about to change forever.

It didn’t happen overnight, but week by week, as my belly grew, so did my maternal instincts, and I began to dote on little Penny even more than before. I even had frightening dreams about her being eaten, injured or lost – I knew I was subconsciously directing my maternal energy her way, and, of course, she lapped it up (no pun intended!).

I began to prepare the two dogs for the imminent arrival of their little brother or sister (yes, I used human sibling terminology!) by changing the rules; they were no longer allowed to sit on the couch, or have free reign of the bedrooms. Like obedient children, they followed the rules as best they could, at least when doggy excitement didn’t get the better of them.

In my last trimester, I started to worry about their barking. Would they bark and disturb my baby’s naps? I employed a squirty bottle of water as a discipline tool to curb their noisiness.

Then the nesting instinct kicked in, and I was paranoid about their germy paws soiling the carpets, their (imaginary) flea infestations, and molting. The dogs began to spend more and more time outdoors, coming inside mostly for increasingly frequent baths.

I still loved and cared for them, but they were slowly moving out of the ‘baby’ zone and into the ‘pet’ category.  When my daughter was born, the move was finalised. Not only were the two dogs now definitely just ‘pets’, but they actually began to annoy me. They got under my feet when I had my baby in my arms, barked incessantly at nothing, stole the baby’s toys, raced up and down the hallway floorboards with clattering toenails, and even, I was furious to discover, enjoyed thumping against the nursery door when baby was napping.

They just wanted attention, poor things, but I was not one to give it! Nowadays, my daughter is 10 months old; the photos on my phone are all of her, and my scary maternal dreams feature her only. I now bake healthy baby-friendly cupcakes instead of doggy ones, and it’s she who gets the daily bath, not the pooches. Don’t get me wrong, our dogs are still cared for, but, I am sad to say, I now see them through un-tinted glasses.

Their best saving grace? The fun I know my daughter will have with them one day. I already love watching her hug onto them, laugh at their antics, and ‘pat’ them while they patiently endure baby love. I remember my relationship with my childhood dog being a powerful one, and look forward to that for my daughter when she’s older.

Until then, Penny and Pokey are putting their best efforts into regaining my attention and affection, and if that means doing a fantastic job of cleaning the carpets after baby mealtime, then I guess they’re already halfway there!

‘Bring your baby’ exercise – in Inner West Melbourne

Being at home full time with my little one, it gets tricky trying to fit exercise into my schedule.  I do a lot of walking to keep fit but I’m in need of more variety.  On a recent walk in Footscray park, to my excitement, I discovered newly installed exercise stations along the river.  It occurred to me that the equipment is perfect for parents such as myself.  My little one can crawl around and play on the grass while I get a workout in the beautiful open air surrounds.  There are three stations set up along the river with a new track leading to them to complete a circuit.  With three pieces of equipment per station there is heaps of variety with rowing, step and cycling machines included.

Since that trip to the park I was inspired to find more exercise opportunities that I can bring my baby to.  Classes or groups are great as they get me out of the house and its good to have an opportunity to connect with other people now that I am no longer at work.  Here are the results of my search, check them out if you are like me and craving a bit more exercise.   Alternatively, I might even spot you at the park.  Who knows? Perhaps this could be the start of a Mums, Dads and Bubs Footscray Park exercise group.

West Footscray Neighbourhood House run a Pram walking group tuesdays at 10 am.  Its a great opportunity to catch up with others and get fresh air.  It is free and all walkers are invited to stay on for coffee and a chat afterwards.

Bay City Strollers provide structured workouts for mums with qualified trainers in the park. Sessions include walking with strollers as well as strength training.  The classes are designed to involve your baby as much as possible and there are also post-natal classes available.  Classes cost $20 per for a casual session or $18 dollars if you buy a 10 Class Pass.  They meet every monday and thursday at 9:30 am at Fearon Reserve in Williamstown.

The MAC provides classes for new mums on mondays at 11:30. Babies are welcome up to 12 months of age.  Casual classes cost $14.50.

Mumma Afro offers African Dance classes you can bring your bub to.  The classes are in held at the Kensington Scout Hall from 10:30 – 11:30.  Alternatively register your interest for her class running next term at the Yarraville Community Centre.

West Footscray Neighbourhood House run a pram walking group tuesdays at 10 am.  Its a great opportunity to catch up with others and get fresh air.  It is free and all walkers are invited to stay on for coffee and a chat afterwards.

Do you know of any others?  We would love to know about them, if you are thinking of forming a local group, don’t forget to let us know and we will add it to our event calendar.

 

 

 

Nosh @ Newport

We visit Newport fairly regularly – to go op-shopping, grab a coffee, see what’s happening at the Substation – so we couldn’t believe that we’d never discovered this fantastic eatery. But now that we have, Newport is looking like an even more exciting place to spend the day!

Nosh @ Newport is a relaxed cafe, with an amazing menu, equally amazing coffee, and plenty to entertain the kidlets. Let’s start with the all-important kids’ menu, which has been thoughtfully created to offer a variety of meal options to suit the variety of children coming through Nosh’s doors.

The kid-sized grilled chicken with salad and roasted chips (for only $5.60) is truly a mini gourmet meal, while the house beans with toast ($4.60), and traditional toasted sandwiches are sure to please the wallet as well as your little ones’ stomachs. The adult menu is even more impressive, with everything from kebabs and pork dumplings, to lentil and beetroot salad, and the scrumptious-looking steak sandwich.

Once meal-time is over, kids can grab a tub of crayons, and tear off their own large drawing sheet from the big roll of paper mounted to the wall. There are also toys provided for babies and toddlers, but our little ones were happy to gaze around the room, fascinated by the hanging plants and colourful bird-themed artwork.

The friendly staff brought us high chairs, and we found a pull-out baby change table in the bathroom. There was ample room for our prams indoors, but there is also plenty of space outside for when the weather is fine. Don’t forget to take the kids past the adjascent street art wall for some creative inspiration. Thanks to Nosh @ Newport, the suburb will be seeing a lot more of us in future!

Address: 24 Hall Street, Newport

Hours

Monday – Friday: 7am – 4pm

Satuday and Sunday: 8am – 4pm

 

 

8bit.

The old video store on the corner of Dennis street and Droop street has been undergoing a transformation.  Passing it every day on my walk, I have been intrigued by the prospect of a new eatery in Footscray.   The new, fun and funky 8bit opened sneakily tonight before its official opening tomorrow.  We hot footed there to get our burger fill and check out the new kid on the block.

The light and bright interior is surprisingly spacious and there was plenty of room for our pram.  We had a hard time deciding, but eventually ordered the 1 up Mushroom Burger and the 8bit with Cheese.  The burger buns were soft on the inside and perfectly toasted on the outside. The mushroom burger with a succulent grilled Portobello, was crispy and while vegetarian, suprisingly meaty. We especially liked the peanut butter shake.

The staff were super friendly and helpful, even playing with our son while my husband checked out the arcade games.  Speaking of which; little kids and big kids will be pleased to note that these are free to play and there are hundreds of old classics to choose from.

The venue is probably more suited to older kids as there are no highchairs, and while roomy, there wasn’t a change table in the restroom.  However, it is a great place to go for a cheeky treat and the arcade games are bound to keep kids busy while the adults grab a bite.  There are also milkshake flavours to please any fussy kid.  I aim to try the strawberry cheesecake milkshake next.

8bit opens at 11 am every day and is open late till 11 pm.

Address: 8 Droop st, Footscray

 

 

Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park

Melbourne’s autumn weather is looking fine and warm for the next few days. Why not make the most of it with some outdoor activities before the wind and rain of winter keep everyone in hibernation? The Point Gellibrand Foreshore area in Williamstown is a great location for a family day out, with picnic areas, playgrounds, nature, historical sights, the beach, and, of course, good coffee nearby!

Point Gellibrand Foreshore spans the coastal area between Ann Street Pier and Thompson Street, in Williamstown.  It was the site of Victoria’s first permanent settlement and seaport and was crucial to the initial growth of the state, so it’s a very important part of our local heritage. You can reach the Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park via Battery Road (this road’s bluestone wall is believed to have been worked on by convict Ned Kelly himself!). Pack the bikes, or your walking shoes, and start your day on the coastal trail that takes you around Port Phillip Bay. You’ll get beautiful views of the bay, and might be lucky enough to spot a cargo ship on the water.

At the eastern end of the Bay Trail, you’ll find the amazing Timeball Tower, built in 1849.  It was most likely Victoria’s first navigational aid of any distinction, and was also used to help shipmasters determine the local time; the large ball at the top would fall at exactly one o’clock each day. Older kids will appreciate the history and scale of this impressive tower, while younger kids will enjoy the gigantic anchor positioned next to it, and all the grassy space to run around in!

Head back along the trail in a westerly direction and you’ll be rewarded with a restful, and naturally wild, oasis with picnic tables, a barbecue or two, and a pretty good kids’ playground, complete with ‘binoculars’ to watch the ships out at sea. Little kids will have fun jumping all over the rubbery dolphins, and speaking into the communication pipes, while older kids will be climbing the ladders, using the swings, and traversing the rubber stepping stilts.

When the littlies get bored at this coastal park , head over to PG Sadler Reserve on the corner of Garden Street and The Esplanade. There’s even more green grass to play on here, plenty of shade, seats for the adults, plus swings, slides, an abacus, giant clock, monkey rings, and more. If the sun is shining and the weather is fine, stroll over to the beach adjascent, which is a calm location for building sandcasltes.