Budding Chefs Cooking Class at Taste Budds Cooking Studio

My ten year old son loves to help out in the kitchen.  Because I have a twelve year old daughter, I'm often guilty of stereotyping and overlooking him when I'm needing a little help with the cooking and the baking.  But that stereotyping is definitely a thing of the past!  Everest went to a cooking class at Taste Budds Cooking Studio, and I can tell you, he is a true Budding Chef!

He participated in the 7th class of a series for 8-16 year old "Budding Chefs".  The series is teaching kids about the foods of the world.  The menu for Everest's class was American... we got this! How great was it that he was able to learn to cook his favorite food: Hamburgers, fries (potato wedges), and a milk shake!  

The class started promptly at 10:30.  We arrived about 15 minutes early to allow time for parking, washing hands, and donning a chef's apron. Drop offs were welcomed, or there was a lounge for parents to sit and observe their Budding Chefs while sipping a tea or coffee.  

Everyone was excited to get started!  Everest's class just happened to be full of boys, with only one girl.  This smashed my stereotype once again!  

Chef Brendan and Gemma were in charge of teaching the class. They did a lovely job instructing the students with patience. I was thrilled to have someone else teach my son to cut properly with a knife.  I just closed my eyes and looked the other way!

It was a proud moment to see Everest's perfectly sliced potato wedges!

The Budding Chefs all had a chance to make their own hamburger patties.  

 I was happy to hear the chef teach the kids about avoiding foodborne illness, and how important washing hands was after handling raw meat.

I'm thinking making the patties may have been a favorite part for most.  If you look closely, you'll see a meatball mid-air!

Yes, that's right, the kids did all the cooking!  They cooked on the stove top, and used the oven.  I don't have a photo of it, but they helped with wiping and washing up all the cooking supplies too.  

Everest enjoyed using the blender to mix up the Banana Milkshakes!  

Chef Brendan instructed the kids on the importance of making your meal look amazing on the plate.

Everest may not have mastered the art of plating, but by this time he had worked up quite an appetite.  I have to admit, the aromas in the studio were amazing, and I was hoping he planned to share!

At the end of the class, the kids sat down together and shared their meal.  They all ate every bit!  I did manage to scavenge a couple of bites of burger and potato wedges, and it was gourmet!

The next Budding Chefs Class is 27 July, and the country is England!  The menu is Cornish Pasties and Apple Ambers.  Click here for more information.

Discovering Parent Magic

I am the mom of three amazing children, each with a very distinct personality, and I wouldn't have it any other way.   However, at times all the different personalities in our home seem to CLASH!

Without getting too specific, we have the emotional one, the perfectionist, the boss, the one that holds everything in until explosion, and the pleaser.


I was happy to check out a workshop with Discover Parent Magic to see how our different personalities effect the harmony in our household, and what to do about it.  What I discovered about each member of my family was invaluable.




Discover Parent Magic offers workshops that equip parents with "Powerful Parenting Strategies" to: 

• Determine the behavioural and personality style of your child
• Understand what makes your child tick so you can effectively parent each child to maximise their true potential
• Discover your child's primary style of communication, are they are thinker, a feeler or something else?
• Learn practical insights to apply immediately for a more harmonious household

The location in Swanborne was easy to find, and parking was not a problem.

Upon entering the workshop, I didn't quite know what to expect.  What I found was a cozy group of parents all wanting the same thing... information on how to be the best parent possible! 

A cup of tea and a biscuit in hand, and I was ready...

The presenters were Discover Parent Magic founders, Deb and Kate, who each had an impressive list of credentials behind their names.  You can read more about them here.

Each attendee received a booklet of information to go along with the presentation.  I used mine to furiously scribble notes, as almost everything that was said, I wanted to remember.  

Deb and Kate took turns presenting information on the DISC Model of Human Behavior.  They shared personal stories along with the information, which really helped bring to life the general characteristics of the four personality types.



At the end of the workshop, there was  time to sit and visit with the presenters, and other workshop attendees. It was nice to be able to exchange experiences with other parents that may be going through some of the same parenting struggles.  

I left the workshop with a very clear picture of the personality types of my three children. Just as I predicted, they each have a different type, which means I must tweak my parenting style to meet the needs of each child.  What I learned, is that each personality is motivated by different things.  My "one size fits all" parenting approach was not going to cut it.  

Surprisingly, one of the most useful things I learned at Discover Parent Magic was not only the personality type of my children, but also the personality type of my husband, and myself.  I really never thought about how my personality fit into the picture before.  I just thought I was the boss of my kids, and that was that.  But now I realize that families are much happier when we all understand each other, and that includes me.



When I woke the next morning, enlightened, it was interesting to see my little "personalities" demonstrating their characteristics.  I was much more conscientious about how I interacted with  each child as an individual.  It will be an ongoing process, but just knowing what makes each one tick will certainly make my job easier, and more fun!

The next workshop is Saturday, 22 June at 1:30-4:30 pm in Swanbourne

Tickets are only $60 and can be purchased here:

http://www.discoverparentmagic.eventbrite.com.au 

Ready? Steady. Go!

Hagen had a fantastic time at Ready Steady Go Kids!
He's still talking about it.
I have to say, I was just as thrilled with the class as he was.

For the first time ever, he was not clinging to my leg and forcing me to participate with him.
From beginning to end, the session was well organized, fun for the kids, full of positive reinforcement, and they learned actual sport skills!

Ready Steady Go Kids is a physio-designed program that teaches pre-schoolers fundamentals for 10 different sports including: soccer, tennis, cricket and t-ball.

The day of our first class, the kids learned about Basketball.

The session was full of excitement and fun with a creative way of learning sport skills.  The kids hopped like kangaroos, soared like airplanes, threw basketballs with their chicken wings, and raced around in their hula hoop "cars".

Things started off with a welcome song, warm-up, and stretching.

Next, the kids learned the fundamentals of basketball including dribbling, throwing, shooting baskets, and even how to "slam dunk!"

It was a super positive environment, and each child received individual attention.

Half way through the session, the basketball skills they learned were carried over to an obstacle course.  The kids had a ball, running around, taking their turn at each station.
















The session ended with cool down, closing song, and group "cheer".  There were plenty of smiles to go around.  The kids left feeling energized, self assured, and with an extra dose of self esteem.


As we were leaving, Hagen said, "that was so fun Mommy, thank you for bringing me to basketball class."  We can't wait until next week, Hagen is going to learn to play golf!

I love the way the Margaret River appeals to all members of my family.  We try to mix the wine tastings and breweries with equal amounts of fun activities for the kids.  This time the kids "hit the jackpot" when we visited  Xscape at the Cape Fun Park in Dunsborough.

Something for everyone:

"Wacky Putt Jokes 'N' Pranks -18 Holes of miniature golf

"Jump 'N' Tramp" Trampolines

Train rides every half hour

"Jungle Mountain" & "Tiki Mountain" 

Inflatable Bouncer

"Mine Shaft Maze"

There were two different combo packs available for the kids depending on their height. One combo for kids under 120cm, and another for kids over 120cm.  The taller kids were allowed on "Jungle Mountain", but not allowed in the "Kid Zone" and vice versa.  I loved this feature, as it meant my younger son was not going to be trampled by bigger kids, and my older children could play on "big kid" stuff without the worry of stepping on the little ones.  

The Mine Shaft Maze, Wacky Putt, and Jump 'N' Tramp Trampolines were allowed with both combo packs, so the kids enjoyed those activities together.  

There was even a small fenced in area for the really little ones to enjoy.

The kids were each given a wristband that gained them entry into each activity.  



The size of the Fun Park was perfect.  There was plenty to keep the kids busy for a few hours, but the park was small enough to feel at ease with three kids running in separate directions. 

The grounds were lovely with plenty of shade trees and places for parents to sit while the kids burned off steam.  


The buildings and surrounds made me feel as if I stepped onto a farm or small plantation. Even the toilets were charming.





The kids did not stop from playing long enough to enjoy anything from the cafe, even though I offered several times.  I did however glance at the menu and was delighted to see a nice selection of "homemade" food with very reasonable prices.  

Xscape at the Cape serves local Yahava coffee and straight from the cow ice cream from Millers Ice Creamery. YUM!  

The Mine Shaft Maze:

The kids raced against the clock and each other through the maze.

The kids loved the "vortex" entrance to the maze.

The "Kid Zone"

Hagen enjoyed playing, bouncing, and climbing around the two play zones where only kids under 120cm were permitted.

 The train leaves the station every half hour:

 Jump 'N' Tramp Trampolines:

These super bouncy trampolines had the kids flying through the air!

Wacky Putt:

This 18 hole miniature golf course was a real hoot! Each hole had a joke or a prank that had us giggling.  Be aware of spiders, and water shooting animals as you putt your way around!

When asked their favorite part of the Fun Park, my two older kids (ages 9 and 12) both said they liked the Wacky Putt and the Trampolines the best.  My three year old enjoyed riding the train.  It was a fantastic afternoon.  The kids were content and tired out, and I was surprisingly relaxed and content myself.  I didn't have that "frenzied feeling" I usually get at amusement parks.  We will definitely visit Xscape at the Cape Fun Park on our next Margaret River holiday. 

Xscape at the Cape Fun Park is located on the corner of Caves Road and Quindalup Siding Road in Dunsborough.