May Madness ...

ickle Kids and some other small businesses run by WAHMs (Work at Home Mums) have gone a bit "crazy" over the month of May and we have come together to bring you some great specials! 

ickle Kids are offering a free gift (photo display wall hanging valued at $9.99) for any orders over $40 (not including postage). These brightly painted picture clips will fit into any child's bedroom - perfect for showing off their travel photos, artwork, and cards. There are six designs to choose from: 
 

Just type "May Madness" in the discount code when checking out and send an email to laine@icklekids.com.au to choose your free photo display wall hanging.

 

Great ickle toys for the school holidays ...

Its not that long to go until the school holidays for most of us in Australia. So why not take full advantage of the "May Madness" offer and plan ahead? Here are some great toys that will get you through long car journeys, keep the kids amused when you're at your holiday destination or to take to the grandparents' house.

 Browse our huge range of products online today http://www.icklekids.com.au
  Great for your ickle preschoolers ...

These cheeky wooden monkeys are perfect to play on a rainy day or to take with you with you on holidays. Build them up and watch them fall! How many can you knock over with one bowl ... great for counting, simple subtraction etc.

Priced at $13.99 - what a bargain!

ickle planning tips for the school holidays ...

If you are going away for a period of time during the holidays, remember these ickle tips to get you prepared:

1)  Tell a few of your trusted neighbours 
*when you're leaving and coming back
*leave them contact details of who to get in touch with if something happens to your house
* ask them to collect your mail
* to put out the rubbish bins if you're going to miss the rubbish pick up (the bins might be a bit too smelly if they are left there for a couple of weeks!)

2)  Cancel your usual deliveries and services 
* deliveries such as milk, paper etc.  It will be obvious that there is no-one home if there are piles of newspapers on the drive
* services such as your house cleaner, child care, the kids extra cirricular activities, dog walker etc

3)  To look as though you are home 
* put lights on timer switches so it automatically comes on at a certain time
* ask someone to house sit even if its on the weekends or a couple of nights over the time that you're away
* if possible leave a car in the drive -  ask friends or family if you don't have a second car
* get someone to mow your lawns
* someone once told me - hang out washing on the clothes line to look as though you are home ... a great tip!

4)  Secure the home and garden 
* lock the gate to the backyard
* ensure all doors and windows have locks on
* make sure things that will help burglars to break in such as ladders, gardening tools etc are locked away 
* ensure all sensor lights are turned on around the outside of your house
* ask a trusted friend or family member to regularly check in and around the house
* an obvious one, make sure the home alarm is switched on and that all the "alarm stickers" are visible on outside doors and windows. If the alarm is to go off, make sure your neighbour knows what to do or who to call. If you do not have an alarm system, consider getting a "dummy alarm" which looks like the real thing. Some of these alarms even come with "dummy alarm stickers" 
* if you keep a set of house keys outside, make sure you collect them before going on holidays
* take photos of your valuables and keep them somewhere safe
* try and hide valuables in rooms burglars rarely go to if they are in a rush e.g. kitchen, laundry, bathroom, kids bedrooms etc.

5) If you are having work done to the house and garden, do not tell the "workers/contractors" that you will be on holidays. Just give an excuse as to why the work has to stop, either that or avoid going on holidays whilst workers are coming in and out of your house. This might sound obvious, but we know people who have been burgled twice in the space of 6 months whilst their pool was being built. Some might say coincidence but we doubt it!

We hope these tips will give you a few ideas on how to prepare yourselves before you go on holiday. If you have any of your own great tips to share, please email me at laine@icklekids.com.au We will be adding a section called ickle Travel Tips on our website and contributions from customers will be also be included. 

'Till next time ...

To all the Mums - we hope you have a great Mother's Day this Sunday. To all the kids and hubbys - make sure you spoil your Mum (and wives) on this special day!

Cheers and happy travels,
Laine
www.icklekids.com.au