5 Great Finds: Free Audiobooks

We hope you will enjoy this week’s selection of audiobook resources which you can access for free!

I loved listening to some stories from my childhood, like Peter and the Wolf and Sparky’s Magic Piano. They are JUST as I remembered them!

Enjoy! Meeks xo

Huge range of Classic Children’s Stories

Kiddie Records

Borrow Current Audiobooks for 14 days (Wellington Library Members)

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Hunger Games

Huge Directory of Classic Audiobooks

Audiobooks for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store

Audiobooks App

Audiobooks App

Audiobooks for Android Phones

Audiobooks App

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5 Great Finds: Bookplates, Virtual Assistants, Thank You Box, Apple & Spice Cupcakes and Alphabet Flashcards

BEAUTIFUL BOOKPLATES

I am in loooove with the many, many bookplates available from My Home Library [via ohdeedoh]. (There were sooo many I wanted to share with you, but I think that you should have a look and pick out your favourites!)

By Mick Inkpen

By Quentin Blake

By Rebecca Elliott

By Martin Ursell

FREE VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS FOR A WEEK! (For New Zealanders)

Out and about and need directions? Want to know what shops stock a certain product? Want to know what shops currently have a sale on kid’s shoes? These are just a few things that I have used “Tag” for.

My hubby and his brother started the company up so that everyday people like you and I have access to our very own Personal Assistants. Those examples I mentioned were all request that I sent via text messages (very, very handy when I was out and about), you can also email requests in. Other clients use Tag to book appointments, find out info about movie sessions, restaurants, shops etc.

This week Tag are offering their services for FREE on Facebook for a week. Give it a go, and put a request up on their wall!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/TagPersonalAssistants?ref=ts

http://www.tagnet.co.nz/

CUTE DOWNLOADABLE THANK YOU BOX

All you need is a piece of A4 Cardstock and you too can have this cute little thank you box to put party favours in, or a wee present for someone. Check out Yellow Mum’s blog where she offers lots of lovely things you can download on her “Freebie Friday”.

http://yellowmums.blogspot.com/2010/08/ff-striped-birthday-favor-box.html

APPLE & SPICE CUPCAKE RECIPE

I have a bunch of bruised apples that I would love to turn into this amazing Apple & Spice Cupcake by Cathie at m.e. I also think that part of me just wants to sink my teeth into that icing! YUMMO!

http://melbourneepicure.blogspot.com/2010/04/apple-spice-cupcakes.html

GORGEOUS ALPHABET FLASHCARDS

Jill from Homemade By Jill has put together these adorable alphabet flashcards for her wee boy, and for us! I also think they would look great on the wall!

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/08/alphabet-flashcards.html

5 Great Finds: Photography Tips, $2 Train Tickets, Picnik Tutorial, Funny Twilight Song, List of Children’s Books

GREAT TIPS FOR TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY

This article by Digital Photography School is jam-packed with great advice for your budding photographer, or even adults who want to learn a bit more about photography! I’m excited to try some of their ideas!

http://digital-photography-school.com/13-lessons-to-teach-your-child-about-digital-photography

Source: Digital Photography School

$2 ALL DAY TRAIN TICKETS (for Wellingtonians)

You can spend $2 and travel on the Hutt Valley line, Paraparaumu line and Johnsonville line between 9am and 3pm on Tuesday 13 July, Wednesday 14 July, Thursday 15 July! Thanks Tranz Metro! (and thank you Nancy for letting me know!)

http://www.tranzmetro.co.nz/Detail.aspx?ID=5b75b561-505d-4796-bbbe-67c41d2a2d50

EASY TO FOLLOW PICNIK TUTORIAL

Jill from Homemade from Jill walks us through the free Picnik programme to make these lovely printables. Picnik can be used for photo storage and manipulation as well. This looks like fun!

http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-make-printables-without-photos.html

FUNNY VIDEO ABOUT THE TWILIGHT CRAZE

I came across this video on Shanna’s blog Just SO and just cracked up at the words in the song!

A LIST OF BOOKS LOVED BY CHILDREN

Alicia from A Magical Childhood has taken the time to collate a list of books recommended by children! I can see that this wonderful list is going to keep us busy at the library for a long time to come! Thanks Alicia!

http://magicalchildhood.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/childrens-favorite-novels-and-the-winner-is/

GRAB A BUTTON IF YOU WERE FEATURED!

5 Great finds button

Discovery Date: Admiring Wellington and a Good Book

I forced myself outdoors for my discovery date today. I had to take advantage of the fact that the rain had stopped (for the moment.)

I took my camera and headed into Wellington city.

I love how our city and the people can progress, but does not turn its back on the beauty from the past.


On your walk down Lambton Quay you are bound to pass buskers and even workers digging right in the middle of the footpath.

I ended my discovery date at Astoria in Midland Park. I grabbed myself a yummy tart and hot chocolate then found a table outside.

There were moments I actually wished I had sunglasses, and other times, a scarf! That’s Wellington for ya!

Recently, I received a surprise package in the mail. My best friend had bought me my very own copy of “A Mother’s Book of Secrets“! (She’s so good to me…totally spoilt!)

Shawni Eyre Pothier co-wrote it with her mother Linda Eyre. It is a BEAUTIFUL book, which I am sure a lot of mothers can relate to.

It is filled with real life experiences and practical tips as well.

I think what makes it special, is that it is written from Shawni’s point of view, which is from the trenches of motherhood. As well as Linda’s point of view, which is looking back on motherhood with a bit of perspective.

Some of my favourite quotes so far:

“There isn’t a more difficult yet more important and magnificent career than that of a mother”

Linda Eyre

“Sometimes success is when we don’t get through the to-do list but instead stop long enough to notice the little things. To savor moments. Not only to notice the delight in our children’s eyes, but to help create that delight.”

Shawni Eyre Pothier

(Shawni has a blog called 71 Toes. It’s a great blog, so be sure to check it out!)

My 5 links for the week

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day! I felt very pampered from morning till evening. (Now, if I could just work out how to get that kind of treatment for the other 364 days of the year I will be set!)

EXCELLENT video tutorial on DIY Stenciling.

Cheri from I Am Momma Hear Me Roar! has provided this easy to follow video tutorial on how to do your very own stenciling using freezer paper. (I *heart* video tutorials!)

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/search/label/freezer%20paper%20stenciling

You have to check out this awesome born to ride t-shirt she made her son:

http://iammommahearmeroar.blogspot.com/2010/03/born-to-ride.html

She has got some serious talent!

A HUGE collection of flower tutorials!!!

Alison from Oopsey Daisy has provided a massive collection of flower tutorials. Felt, paper, fabric…you name it, she probably has included it.

http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/04/wednesdays-wowzers-3-dozen-flower.html

Check out this flower topiary that by Julia Sandvoss that was featured.

http://buzybunny.blogspot.com/2010/03/spring-paper-flower-topiary.html

FREE Birthday Printables.

When you join up to HowDoesShe‘s newsletter, you get these free birthday printables as well some other free printable goodies. Awesome!

http://www.howdoesshe.com/free-birthday-printables

A BIG batch of cookies to suit the whole family.

Nicole from Planning with Kids and Kate from Picklebums swear by this recipe. Not only does this recipe make a huge batch of 100+ cookies…but you can separate the batch out so each child can add their own extras like chocolate chips, 100s & 1000s, raisins etc. You will be able to keep all the punters happy with different cookies made from the same batch.

http://picklebums.com/2008/05/31/so-many-biscuits/

http://planningwithkids.com/2008/07/02/school-holiday-activity-baking-biscuits/

A GREAT reading list for children.

What books spring to mind from your childhood?? I remember Judy Blume books, Anne of Green Gables and who can forget “The BFG” by Roald Dahl?! Trevor from Literacy, Family and Learning has a whole bunch of posts to choose from, each containing comprehensive lists, that will keep you busy at the library for the rest of the year! (Follow Nicole aka Planning Queen on Twitter because she is great at finding fab links, like this one!)

http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/search/label/lists%20of%20books

I like the link to Chapter book for young readers

http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2009/08/chapter-books-for-younger-children.html

and Chapter books for Young Girls aged 6-12 year olds

http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2009/11/chapter-books-for-girls-6-12-years-old.html

(this is what my copy of anne of green gables looked like…ooo the memories!)

and tips on how to help to get boys into reading with suggested books.

http://trevorcairney.blogspot.com/2009/11/getting-boys-into-reading-through.html

My 5 links for the week

Free Downloadable Quote: Ok, Stephanie Fizer is seriously talented! She is offering this free downloadable print by Henry David Thoreau. Love it!

http://stephaniefizer.typepad.com/blog/2010/04/a-free-print-for-you.html

Her etsy shop is packed with lots of yummy things she has created. Check it out!

Loads and loads of cute handwriting fonts! Fonts for Peas section of kevinandamand.com is literally oooozing with cute fonts. People submit samples of their handwriting, and then they turn it into fonts that they (and we!) can download for free! Genius!

http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/

They even have downloadable doodles too!

Want to read a book, but don’t know what to choose? Over at Diapers and Divinity, Stephanie has posted her “book report” on books she has recently read, and a list of books she would like to read. What is also great about this post is the “comments” section, where people have added their favourite books. (Make sure you check out the link back to a similar post she wrote, because there are a lots of recommendations in the comments section as well!)

http://diapersanddivinity.com/2010/04/13/book-report/

A really cool experiement you can wow the kids with! At Household Hacker they have something called “Scientific Tuesdays” where they post videos of experiments using household items. I can’t wait to try the experiment where they melt a styrofoam cup using household nail polish remover! Wow!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4eRbiunL4M&annotation_id=annotation_363303&feature=iv

A great way to document your child’s life. Enjoying the Small Things is a wonderful blog that I recently discovered. Kelle’s photography skills are amazing! She puts together a book for each year of her child’s life using Shutterfly. It is beautiful!

Here is a link to see the book and the contents:

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/04/it-is-finished.html

Here is a link where she talks a little bit about how she made it:

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/03/i-lied.html

Here is a link with pictures they took once the book arrived:

http://www.kellehampton.com/2010/04/right-now.html

Discovery Date: Nourishing the mind…and the body

I have been trying to play catch up from this past week, which has been busy in our household.

After dropping my daughter off at Playcentre, I was torn between using my time to work (chores) or to play (discovery date).

I ended up compromising….I spent 5 mins in different areas of the house tidying up: hallway, dining, living room and family room, and 10 mins on the kitchen.

Then I went to the local cafe and ordered a chicken ceasar salad and read my book (reading North & South at the mo…it’s getting to the good bit!)

In my 9 years of motherhood, I don’t think I have ever sat down for a paid meal during a week day by myself!

I can’t wait to go to an actual restaurant in the city for one of my discovery dates….that would be indulgent! (If you don’t know by now…I love food!)

A few years ago, I would not have been interested in dining by myself. But when I first started doing discovery dates, I got up the courage to go to a restaurant in the evening all by myself. The restaurant ended up being  practically empty (!) but still, I was proud of myself for trying something new.  Since I haven’t had much Thai food before, I asked them to recommend something and it was SOOO good! The owners were fantastic! A great experience for a newbie!

Who knows, if it is the fact of calling it a “discovery date” means that you push through barriers you have in your mind. For me discovery dates are all about giving yourself permission to do things you love, to appreciate the moment, and to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.

Most important investment

“Meditation, walking, gardening, inspirational reading, listening to quiet music, or just sitting and taking in the present moment are soul choices that restore us to ‘ourselves’. They bring our scattered sense of self back to the centre where it belongs.

Looked at that way, the time you give to ‘being’ could be the most important investment you make each day.”

STEPHANIE DOWRICK

From her book “Choosing Happiness: life & soul essentials”