Kiddy crafts – The Milk Memoirs

A Rookie’s Guide to Pumpkin Carving

Posted on October 19, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Jack o’lanterns 101

So you got yourself a pumpkin, and ready to embrace the season’s cutest and most favoured activity: pumpkin carving..but hold on, how does one actually go about doing it all? (In SA this is mostly a bit new to the majority) You’ve heard of pumpkin carving kits, and thinking, where on earth am I still going to track that down, and in any case do they even work? They look so dinky, like they won’t even last 5 seconds into it…

Well, fear not my little pumpkineers, I got your back.

Much like covering your Continue reading →

Easter Basket Ideas

Posted on March 16, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Love the idea of an Easter Basket, but not sure what to put in, or you’re running out of ideas? Well, then read on!

We’re steadily hopping down that bunny trail all the way to Easter. If fact, do you realise, it’s NEXT week?! Well, it is, and despite how much all the stores’ well-merchandised and prettily stocked shelves would like to remind me, it actually only hit me this week just how close we are!

So in my efforts to have all my shit together this year, and not scoot around the house like a maniac the day before,trying to Continue reading →

The Coolest Rechargeable Glow in the Dark Slime

Posted on March 4, 2016 by mommabeartrax

How to make Alien Slime

Since the girls have been really enjoying “playing” in the dark, thanks to our Star Gazing adventures (see here), a lot of our recent activities have been revolving around just that. So, in keeping with the star gazing theme (think aliens) I thought I’d add some fun with glow in the dark slime…Or as we call it: Alien Slime!!!

‘Cause, I mean, when you’re teaching them about astronomy, “aliens” is a totally legit topic to cover right? Right?! Right. Besides, I still I had Continue reading →

Galaxy Play Dough – The Softest No cook Play Dough Recipe ever!

Posted on March 2, 2016 by mommabeartrax

The Perfect Starry Night Sky Dough

So recently, the …errrmm…stars aligned for us as a family to have the perfect night for star gazing. A windless clear night with balmy temperatures of 35‘C….not to mention, no one had any sniffles. So for the first time in a very long time,Mike, myself and the girls all parked outside in our backyard on the mattress to enjoy a night of star watching.

With the girls now being a bit older, they got into it much more and absolutely enjoyed it. In fact, Parker reckoned as we packed up, “mom, I like playing in the dark”. Morgan piped up in agreeance. Which was all met by me cunningly rubbing hands together, plotting all the new fun little ways I could cook up, to help teach them about stars, planets and the basics of our galaxy. (Almost as if I’m any expert on it!Pfft!) But one thing’s for sure, these starry night adventures are Continue reading →

Our Dinosaur Adventure – Our list of 9 Awesome Dino-themed activities!

Posted on February 14, 2016 by mommabeartrax

Firstly…YOH(!) I cant believe how long I took to get this post out. It’s just been patiently sitting in my drafts folder since last winter, waiting for it’s time to shine. And finally it’s day has come. Although given how life has been up to now (see here), I think it’s perfectly understandable that lots of little things are going to fall through the cracks now and then. What matters is that we are gentle with ourselves, calmly come back to it, scoop ‘em up, dust them off, polish it up, and well….in this case, publish them!

I love the fact that our girls love cars and bikes as much as their baby dolls, love playing out well- choreographed fight scenes with me as the baddy, as much as they love playing tea time with their daddy. Love their Ninja Turtle figurines as much as their Barbies (maybe more actually – and somewhat remind me of my Barbie and her solid relationship with Bravestar: My Continue reading →

How to make your own Pillow Mist – a gentle sleep aid for young and old

Posted on January 14, 2016 by mommabeartrax

I’ve always heard of pillow mist, but as a hard-core insomniac, I was a bit iffy on the effeciecy of all that essential oil stuff. However, as my experience with more natural remedies and essential oils has grown over the years, I’ve learnt that often when these natural remedies “don’t work”, it was more because they weren’t being used correctly, as opposed to it being ineffective. So I knew it would be silly of me to write-off pillow mist.

And I don’t know about you, but this year, I’m getting my Continue reading →

Easy home made gifts: Cranberry White Chocolate Cookies in a Jar

Posted on December 21, 2015 by mommabeartrax

[UPDATE: Amended the flour content to the recipe after three out of five attempts, I discovered the most reliable amount to use for best results.]
I had been wanting to try this idea out for some time now, and with the recent teacher gift season we just had, I thought would be a great reason to get cracking on it. I had also been hunting for jusssst the right recipe for some time now – brownies, cake-in-a-cup, etc., but then I realised I’m actually a bonafide cookie monster (seriously, you should see my posts on cookies already), so why not just stay true to myself and go with that.

Of course, if you throw in a big bag of Christmas, and my major weakness for it, I thought something cranberry-ish would be just the perfect compliment to the season itself. Therefore, Continue reading →

My very own easy Gingerbread house recipe, a case of missing candy and free templates!

Posted on December 8, 2015 by mommabeartrax

[UPDATE 1: Ingredients list updated, accidental omission of one item- now rectified. Guess that’s what happens when you’re doing two things at once.]

You, guys!!!…I made my own Gingerbread house! From scratch! Like…wow! Ok, maybe not SO wow for you, but for me? It’s a big deal. Firstly, wow, because I never thought I’d be that person that would in fact bake a gingerbread house, secondly, to be so super proud of a tiny edible house(I mean, what’s up with that, right?)…And thirdly, because I don’t even LIKE gingerbread to begin with, and yet there I was mixing and whisking away!( as opposed to playing at the beach with my babies.) But it seems the Christmas cheer bug has bit me big time this year, so much so , I was practically Continue reading →

Home-made bubbles and bubble wands

Posted on December 1, 2015 by mommabeartrax

Summer is officially here…well, according to the seasonal calendar, at least. And I don’t know about you, but nothing says summer quite like watermelon, swimsuits, suntan oil and ….bubbles!

Yes, yes, bubbles are for all seasons…outdoor or indoor (if you don’t mind a bit of cleanup thereafter). But it really does for me! Longer days, and more time to play outside…and honestly, whats not fun about bubbles!? It’s an undeniable Continue reading →

A Monster Bash to celebrate Parker-Grace’s 2nd Birthday

Posted on November 26, 2015 by mommabeartrax

Once upon a time, a very pregnant me, sat in October counting down the weeks to the expected date of a certain little girl’s arrival…slightly panicked by the fact that she may indeed arrive right on Halloween. Now, whilst this may seem like no biggy to you, but for lil’ ol’ me who’s slightly nutty about the fun that is Halloween, I was doing my best not to seem like a selfish little kid not wanting to share my toys. I mean, I love birthdays (my favourite!) AND I totally Love Halloween too (another favourite!)..But having it smashed together? Well, wouldn’t that just mean dilution of the fun?!

Silly old me was admittedly ever so slightly Continue reading →