Warm, winter sleep-ins. A trip to Sea World or Wet and Wild (because winter in Queensland is perfect for that type of thing). Doona day, wrapped up warmly, watching DVDs, and eating popcorn.
Target got the holidays off to a good start, by inviting us to experience their annual toy sale at a VIP event.
To be honest, there wasn't much that was VIP about it, at least at our local store, and the kids and I were almost run over in the stampede for bargain-priced toys.
I'm not quite sure why people were so impatient and rude, because there were plenty of toys and the sale runs for quite a while, items get restocked, and competitors price match anyway.
But I am grateful to Target, because they they sent the kids a $20 gift card each, so they could go mad at the sale. (They also sent me a $75 card which I was too stressed to spend on the night. To be honest, I was too busy keeping an eye on the kids, and avoiding being run over by eager toy buyers to look for anything for myself, but I'm hoping I can spend it later!).
The kids added their own pocket money to this - about $10 each - and had a ball adding up how much they could afford, and comparing value for money and that kind of thing. See? It was educational as well.
(I'm sure people waiting behind us didn't enjoy the sight of my children counting out their coins at the cash register, nor the time it took to count out how much they owed. But we didn't enjoy having trolleys pushed up our arses, so I figured we were probably about even.)
So thanks to Target, I have a $50 gift voucher for a lucky follower to spend during the school holidays.
Thanks to the lovely peeps at Sony Australia, I have two prizes of a double pass each to see Men In Black 3. We saw the movie a few weeks ago, and apart from instantly regretting taking the kids in about the first few minutes (you'll see why), it was a typical MIB experience and pretty much fun for all. Mr 11 rated it: 'The best movie ever. Or pretty much the best movie ever." And Miss 9 said it was: 'Awesome, with a happy ending.". For me, it was escapist nonsense which we could all enjoy. Perfect really.
The kind people at Lenard's have given me a $20 voucher, for one of you to spend at any of their stores.
I got to taste loads of their yummy food at the recent Blogger's Breakfast in Melbourne, and I wish I had one of their friendly chefs at home to cook for us all the time!
And finally, the lovely ladies at Nad's have given me a facial wand/eyebrow shaper and wipes - so you can get beauty salon looks at home. Having had my brows waxed publicly at the breakfast, I can vouch for how quick, easy, and painless, they are to use ... although I've not been game to wield the wand myself just yet. Especially after my Nad's DIY Brazillian Wax almost ended in disaster.
But let's not go there ...it's school holidays after all!
To enter, please like my Facebook page, and then leave a comment below on what you'd most like to win.
How easy is that?
And now a few photos from our winter in Queensland so far ...
Some warming winter soup at our favourite local Asian restaurant Yum Yum Peking Duck, at Darra.
Missy Moo pours the tea ....
That's my girl ... Harmonie gets one of the ice dudes at Brisbane's Winter Festival to adjust her skates
My sk8ter kids
Show me the toys!