A new suburb has opened up in Ginnindera. it is called Forde and they are yet to build the first display village. But, they have built a very sizeable playground with some great architectural features as well as play equipment. It even has a band stand and fresh picnic areas.
Ten out of ten. But it's a long way to go for just a park.
Saturday 23 June 2007
Friday 22 June 2007
Kid Friendly Restaurants
In Canberra there is a certain inevitability that a kid friendly restaurant resides within the confines of a club. I imagine this is due to the fact that they have floorspace to spare and have a 'services for members' mindset. This is at odds with an actual restaurant's objective to serve as much food to as many people as quickly as they can.
As such, dining out with small kiddies in tow in Canberra involves a brush with the pokies, the reveler and those bang up for some grown up entertainment. Luckily, clubs are cleaning up their acts and washing down their character in favour of a greater throughput of customers.
So, a quick definition. A Kid Friendly Restaurant is a restaurant, as distinct from a fast food outlet, which has a dedicated children's play facility.
The Hellenic Club
I have to admit that I like the decor at the Hellenic club. All the columns and archaeological replicas are great. They have a dedicated kids room with colouring in activities, toys, plastic play equipment and a TV. It is a fairly sedate affair really but it is fully contained and locked with a carer on duty. The big downside is that they have very limited opening hours.
Lime Cafe - The Mawson Club.
I'm not at liberty to comment on the facilities at The Lime Cafe because I've never been there. I have a friend who assures me it is all great though. So one day I will partake.
The Labour Club - Charnwood
Me and Charnwood have a perilous relationship. I've already commented on what you might expect from a trip to Charnwood before. The new Labour Club in Charnwood took over the space from the Tavern and cleaned it all up. Or so I'm told. Apparently you can get banned for life for swearing nowadays. Thats a great family standard and I wish I could apply it at home with more rigour than I do right now. Though that would see myself on the street more nights than not. I have seen the equipment from afar and it is immense so I think Charnwood may get a look in this weekend.
That is all I have for now. Feel free to add your own locales in the comments and I'll update.
As such, dining out with small kiddies in tow in Canberra involves a brush with the pokies, the reveler and those bang up for some grown up entertainment. Luckily, clubs are cleaning up their acts and washing down their character in favour of a greater throughput of customers.
So, a quick definition. A Kid Friendly Restaurant is a restaurant, as distinct from a fast food outlet, which has a dedicated children's play facility.
The Hellenic Club
I have to admit that I like the decor at the Hellenic club. All the columns and archaeological replicas are great. They have a dedicated kids room with colouring in activities, toys, plastic play equipment and a TV. It is a fairly sedate affair really but it is fully contained and locked with a carer on duty. The big downside is that they have very limited opening hours.
Lime Cafe - The Mawson Club.
I'm not at liberty to comment on the facilities at The Lime Cafe because I've never been there. I have a friend who assures me it is all great though. So one day I will partake.
The Labour Club - Charnwood
Me and Charnwood have a perilous relationship. I've already commented on what you might expect from a trip to Charnwood before. The new Labour Club in Charnwood took over the space from the Tavern and cleaned it all up. Or so I'm told. Apparently you can get banned for life for swearing nowadays. Thats a great family standard and I wish I could apply it at home with more rigour than I do right now. Though that would see myself on the street more nights than not. I have seen the equipment from afar and it is immense so I think Charnwood may get a look in this weekend.
That is all I have for now. Feel free to add your own locales in the comments and I'll update.
Monday 18 June 2007
A Culinary Conversation
Fuzzy Wuzzy: I did poos!
Goatee: No you didn't, just lots and lots of wees.
Fuzzy Wuzzy: I go bath, do poos
Goatee: No, poos go in the potty or the toilet
Fuzzy Wuzzy: I do chocolate in the toilet. I put it in my hands and *rar rar rar* and then I eat it!
Goatee: May that day never come to my house.
Fuzzy Wuzzy: *blank stare* I want chocolate , pleeeeeeease.
I highly recommend Hansel and Gretel in Belconnen for chocolate. It goes well with their coffee. They have a big couch there too. It is surprising how much time kids can spend getting to know a couch and they do it all in the one fairly indestructible space.
And not a potty in sight.
Goatee: No you didn't, just lots and lots of wees.
Fuzzy Wuzzy: I go bath, do poos
Goatee: No, poos go in the potty or the toilet
Fuzzy Wuzzy: I do chocolate in the toilet. I put it in my hands and *rar rar rar* and then I eat it!
Goatee: May that day never come to my house.
Fuzzy Wuzzy: *blank stare* I want chocolate , pleeeeeeease.
I highly recommend Hansel and Gretel in Belconnen for chocolate. It goes well with their coffee. They have a big couch there too. It is surprising how much time kids can spend getting to know a couch and they do it all in the one fairly indestructible space.
And not a potty in sight.
Sunday 17 June 2007
Where not to go in Canberra
I take my kids to Charnwood shops on a regular basis. Disturbing? Not so much, at least, not until some sherbert snorting numpty started distributing pipe bombs around.
I realise this event didn't occur at the shops. But all the same it is hardly a long reach for someone to decide shops as a target instead of a letterbox. The chromosomally challenged nitwit who did this may only have been doing it for a laugh. They were only small bombs after all.
It still bears concern that pipe bombs can pack a severe punch precisely because they are so small. One hundred and eleven people in a crowd got injured by a pipe Bomb at the Atlanta games. I know how Charnwood gets crowded on a Friday night. There are lots of places there to hide a pipe bomb. That wasn't an invitation for all the yuppies to descend on the place by the way.
This being so close to firecracker night I have little doubt the calls for a ban will start anew. Where else could he 'possibly' have gotten the explosives? What can we do to save people from their own stupidity, or even the stupidity of others?
Some say build a solid wall around Charnwood. Some say build a solid wall around Canberra.
Still others say fill it with water while you are at it.
When Parliament is in session.
I realise this event didn't occur at the shops. But all the same it is hardly a long reach for someone to decide shops as a target instead of a letterbox. The chromosomally challenged nitwit who did this may only have been doing it for a laugh. They were only small bombs after all.
It still bears concern that pipe bombs can pack a severe punch precisely because they are so small. One hundred and eleven people in a crowd got injured by a pipe Bomb at the Atlanta games. I know how Charnwood gets crowded on a Friday night. There are lots of places there to hide a pipe bomb. That wasn't an invitation for all the yuppies to descend on the place by the way.
This being so close to firecracker night I have little doubt the calls for a ban will start anew. Where else could he 'possibly' have gotten the explosives? What can we do to save people from their own stupidity, or even the stupidity of others?
Some say build a solid wall around Charnwood. Some say build a solid wall around Canberra.
Still others say fill it with water while you are at it.
When Parliament is in session.
Dinnertime Success.
It took but one night of hardship. Just one night. Since that one tempestuous and morally questionable night Fuzzy Wuzzy has sat down at each meal and eaten the food I have put forward. Three nights in a row he has done it and I am very pleased. Lishy Dishy grudgingly admits success but still feels the method was far too cruel.
The first night was pizza and garlic bread, an easy meal. He always eats this.
Second night was butter Chicken with veges and rice. I fully expected a battle royale. But it was not to be. Mouthful after mouthful of spicy curry was utterly demolished.
Tonight I gave the Weber grill a first try and did a Lamb roast. He normally eats a lamb roast and veg with ease because all the food gets pureed together with gravy. It was big chunks of meat and veg with gravy on top. No argument. Straight down the hatch.
I am pleased as punch.
The first night was pizza and garlic bread, an easy meal. He always eats this.
Second night was butter Chicken with veges and rice. I fully expected a battle royale. But it was not to be. Mouthful after mouthful of spicy curry was utterly demolished.
Tonight I gave the Weber grill a first try and did a Lamb roast. He normally eats a lamb roast and veg with ease because all the food gets pureed together with gravy. It was big chunks of meat and veg with gravy on top. No argument. Straight down the hatch.
I am pleased as punch.
Friday 15 June 2007
Dinner Discipline
I have a friend who is a father of two and a chef. He blogs as The Culinarian about his food experiences. I've been reading the trials and tribulations of getting his kids to eat well. In particular is this post about dinnertime discipline.
My First son, Fuzzy Wuzzy, had great eating habits as a baby. My Daughter, String Bean, not so much. With much angst and confrontation at dinner time, String Bean has matured and relented with age and now eats whatever we put in front of her. Unfortunately, the last of her bad eating habits were shared with Fuzzy Wuzzy and now he won't touch anything that isn't 'easy meat' and carbs. My Second son, Stare bear, is doing well with mashed up family foods. We've never had to feed him a tin of baby food. Actually, he is quite the chirping baby bird when it comes to meal times. Just like his old man.
Given the Culinarians' success with his dinnertime discipline method, I decided to employ his method on my son. I started last night and plan to put down how things are going.
So, for dinner last night we had Lamb Ragout. The good wife, Lishy Dish, made this from scratch with white wine, gravy powder and select herbs. Lamb chops, carrot, pumpkin and beans were the bulk of the meal. Cooked half a day in the slow cooker and served on a bed of jasmine rice. In the end is was a good hearty stew with a mild and tasty flavour that is easy to chew up. No too 'out there' for a young palette.
Once it was ready to eat, I laid out the rules for the kids. You have to make your expectations clear ahead of events so your children don't start to think they are being singled out for torture when they act up, as is their inevitable want. I expected them to eat what they were given. They would get a chance to get used to the food but refusal to eat would result in immediate bed time.
Stare Bear ate his easily. He didn't finish his bowl but we always make more than he needs. Secretly, I think he is starting to hold out for the sweet stuff afterwards.
String Bean tucked in and slowly worked it down over half an hour. But only after having the first mouthful fed to her with a bit of cajouling. It was important to keep the TV off and the toys away so she doesn't get distracted. Every now and then we have to keep her momentum going by hand, but she eats it. That's the important thing.
Now to Fuzzy Wuzzy. As is his usual tack he takes the first mouthful following threats of no chocolate for dessert. From there he holds the food in his mouth without chewing it. After ten minutes and repeated warnings he is made to spit it out along with the mouthful of saliva that has developed. So that was it, the hammer came down.
He was straight off to bed, which means he was straight to the door crack whinging to be released. Eventually I had to unscrew his lightbulb. The door knob on on the inside has been removed for some time now (we get a lot of discipline issues with him).
Over the course of half an hour of begging Lishy Dish was getting worn down. We discuss whether this method is strict or over the line into cruel. I relent and agree to let him have another mouthful to try and prove himself. But he isn't coming out if he doesn't eat it quick. He doesn't eat it as I expected. But by now he has given up and has put himself to bed.
I was concerned he would be starving but this morning he didn't even show interest in breakfast. Even though I made him his favourite raspberry jam on toast he took two attempts to eat it.
Tonight shall dictate the level of success. I'll let you know tomorrow.
My First son, Fuzzy Wuzzy, had great eating habits as a baby. My Daughter, String Bean, not so much. With much angst and confrontation at dinner time, String Bean has matured and relented with age and now eats whatever we put in front of her. Unfortunately, the last of her bad eating habits were shared with Fuzzy Wuzzy and now he won't touch anything that isn't 'easy meat' and carbs. My Second son, Stare bear, is doing well with mashed up family foods. We've never had to feed him a tin of baby food. Actually, he is quite the chirping baby bird when it comes to meal times. Just like his old man.
Given the Culinarians' success with his dinnertime discipline method, I decided to employ his method on my son. I started last night and plan to put down how things are going.
So, for dinner last night we had Lamb Ragout. The good wife, Lishy Dish, made this from scratch with white wine, gravy powder and select herbs. Lamb chops, carrot, pumpkin and beans were the bulk of the meal. Cooked half a day in the slow cooker and served on a bed of jasmine rice. In the end is was a good hearty stew with a mild and tasty flavour that is easy to chew up. No too 'out there' for a young palette.
Once it was ready to eat, I laid out the rules for the kids. You have to make your expectations clear ahead of events so your children don't start to think they are being singled out for torture when they act up, as is their inevitable want. I expected them to eat what they were given. They would get a chance to get used to the food but refusal to eat would result in immediate bed time.
Stare Bear ate his easily. He didn't finish his bowl but we always make more than he needs. Secretly, I think he is starting to hold out for the sweet stuff afterwards.
String Bean tucked in and slowly worked it down over half an hour. But only after having the first mouthful fed to her with a bit of cajouling. It was important to keep the TV off and the toys away so she doesn't get distracted. Every now and then we have to keep her momentum going by hand, but she eats it. That's the important thing.
Now to Fuzzy Wuzzy. As is his usual tack he takes the first mouthful following threats of no chocolate for dessert. From there he holds the food in his mouth without chewing it. After ten minutes and repeated warnings he is made to spit it out along with the mouthful of saliva that has developed. So that was it, the hammer came down.
He was straight off to bed, which means he was straight to the door crack whinging to be released. Eventually I had to unscrew his lightbulb. The door knob on on the inside has been removed for some time now (we get a lot of discipline issues with him).
Over the course of half an hour of begging Lishy Dish was getting worn down. We discuss whether this method is strict or over the line into cruel. I relent and agree to let him have another mouthful to try and prove himself. But he isn't coming out if he doesn't eat it quick. He doesn't eat it as I expected. But by now he has given up and has put himself to bed.
I was concerned he would be starving but this morning he didn't even show interest in breakfast. Even though I made him his favourite raspberry jam on toast he took two attempts to eat it.
Tonight shall dictate the level of success. I'll let you know tomorrow.
Wednesday 13 June 2007
The Perils of my Children
When they were babies I'd carry them football style on my hip, so they'd use all their muscles to lift their head up and look around. Combined with the motion of walking it made for quite a workout for a baby. It sounds rough and cruel I know, I've been 'brought to task' over it it sometimes. But like any exercise you only do it for short periods. So not so rough or cruel after all. Some of our friends wrap their babies in cotton wool. When I feel how those babies flop in my arms like rag dolls, I see the dividends my method gives.
When my first son was a baby I punch him playfully in the gut and on the cheek. He would laugh uproariously. It is his own version of a jolly good tickling. I'd hold my daughter upside down over my head, it was her favourite thing ever. My second son loves a good bear hug and a nibble on the cheek. People have fretted insanely about this when I've told them. But they admit they fret more about the impression 'some people' may get, they don't fret that it actually might cause the kids harm. It doesn't because it is no more rigorous than a tickle no matter how energetic it may look.
If the kids are bungie jumping by age 12, my job will be done.
When my first son was a baby I punch him playfully in the gut and on the cheek. He would laugh uproariously. It is his own version of a jolly good tickling. I'd hold my daughter upside down over my head, it was her favourite thing ever. My second son loves a good bear hug and a nibble on the cheek. People have fretted insanely about this when I've told them. But they admit they fret more about the impression 'some people' may get, they don't fret that it actually might cause the kids harm. It doesn't because it is no more rigorous than a tickle no matter how energetic it may look.
If the kids are bungie jumping by age 12, my job will be done.
Thursday 7 June 2007
The Best of Free Canberra Playgrounds
Living in Canberra, we tend to be spoiled for choice when it comes to kids entertainment. Sure, we don't have amusement parks or constant visits from The Wiggles and High 5, but we have playgrounds. Both the free sort and the commercial sort.
Parks and Playgrounds in Canberra are very well serviced. Every suburb has multiple playgrounds, some have free BBQ's and some are better maintained than others. Actually, best to pack some disinfectant for the BBQ's in case you score a dodgy one.
Then there's the likes of Kids City/Rampage/Zone. A commercial playground and cafe in a warehouse. Brilliant! Low running costs make for cheap admission for parents which inevitably means high throughput. Mayhap a bit too much noise to be an 'escape'.
But for a cash strapped individual such as myself, I like the free playground and cafe variety. I also like a good free playground in general, so here is a list of spots I have found to my taste on the Northside.
Bunnings Belconnen
They have a nice little static playground with a coffee cart being operated by Dash coffee. It's indoors, heated, next to the nursery and outdoor displays and the biggest bonus is a fully enclosed fence with a pool gate. Trap the kids in there. Top marks!
The Mushroom
Belconnen Markets has a huge foam Mushroom acting as a roof for a great custom play area. It is fully astroturfed, has lots of play equipment and the innards of the mushroom itself form part of the playground. Good for playing monsters. Plus, it's at the markets, endless options for a high quality snack fest. It is kind of exposed to the howling winds though.
Cafe Injoy
Cafe Injoy is good in itself. Plus they have a pun name, how delightful! Now, upon the verge of the carpark, they have a fenced play... thingy. Well, it is a very small piece of playground equipment that only seems to have a small tube slide to its merit. Plus I don't think well of the gate lock, being within easy reach of wee hands. But it is Cafe Injoy. VERY outdoors though, no good for winter.
North Lyneham Shops
The playground next to North Lyneham Shops is an old wooden one. It is in need of replacement but still in fairly good repair. The bonus here is the great old equipment, the kind that is so big it is almost a deathtrap. Maximum kid thrills! The spiral slide is huge, the tyre swing uses a truck tyre and the roundabout is old, rusty steel with the force of a flywheel once you get it spinning. Plus BBQ's and lots of flat paths for the kiddies to ride their bikes on. Best pack your coats, it is totally exposed.
Yerrabi Pond
Yerrabi Pond in Gunghalin is a family community Mecca. There is a good sized playground for the little ones, gigantic flying foxes for all and sundry, skateboarding areas and the pond is nearby, just right for feeding the ducks. Some of the skate park is right next to the playground though. You need to keep a close eye on the kids lest they get cut in half by speeding emo's. There is a moderately sheltered BBQ area with public toilets to boot. Though, I usually avoid public toilets regardless of where they are and how modern.
What free playgrounds would you rate in Canberra, especially on the Southside?
Parks and Playgrounds in Canberra are very well serviced. Every suburb has multiple playgrounds, some have free BBQ's and some are better maintained than others. Actually, best to pack some disinfectant for the BBQ's in case you score a dodgy one.
Then there's the likes of Kids City/Rampage/Zone. A commercial playground and cafe in a warehouse. Brilliant! Low running costs make for cheap admission for parents which inevitably means high throughput. Mayhap a bit too much noise to be an 'escape'.
But for a cash strapped individual such as myself, I like the free playground and cafe variety. I also like a good free playground in general, so here is a list of spots I have found to my taste on the Northside.
Bunnings Belconnen
They have a nice little static playground with a coffee cart being operated by Dash coffee. It's indoors, heated, next to the nursery and outdoor displays and the biggest bonus is a fully enclosed fence with a pool gate. Trap the kids in there. Top marks!
The Mushroom
Belconnen Markets has a huge foam Mushroom acting as a roof for a great custom play area. It is fully astroturfed, has lots of play equipment and the innards of the mushroom itself form part of the playground. Good for playing monsters. Plus, it's at the markets, endless options for a high quality snack fest. It is kind of exposed to the howling winds though.
Cafe Injoy
Cafe Injoy is good in itself. Plus they have a pun name, how delightful! Now, upon the verge of the carpark, they have a fenced play... thingy. Well, it is a very small piece of playground equipment that only seems to have a small tube slide to its merit. Plus I don't think well of the gate lock, being within easy reach of wee hands. But it is Cafe Injoy. VERY outdoors though, no good for winter.
North Lyneham Shops
The playground next to North Lyneham Shops is an old wooden one. It is in need of replacement but still in fairly good repair. The bonus here is the great old equipment, the kind that is so big it is almost a deathtrap. Maximum kid thrills! The spiral slide is huge, the tyre swing uses a truck tyre and the roundabout is old, rusty steel with the force of a flywheel once you get it spinning. Plus BBQ's and lots of flat paths for the kiddies to ride their bikes on. Best pack your coats, it is totally exposed.
Yerrabi Pond
Yerrabi Pond in Gunghalin is a family community Mecca. There is a good sized playground for the little ones, gigantic flying foxes for all and sundry, skateboarding areas and the pond is nearby, just right for feeding the ducks. Some of the skate park is right next to the playground though. You need to keep a close eye on the kids lest they get cut in half by speeding emo's. There is a moderately sheltered BBQ area with public toilets to boot. Though, I usually avoid public toilets regardless of where they are and how modern.
What free playgrounds would you rate in Canberra, especially on the Southside?
Inception
Here it is, somewhere to crow about what being a dad and being a dad in Canberra is like for me. And hopefully, others will join me in time.
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