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    Home » family

    By Amanda Smyth 79 Comments

    good timing and the Target toy sale + giveaway

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    This is a sponsored post.

    The girls’ birthdays fall a week apart in July.  The timing is educationally fortuitous according to the Big Sister’s Kindy teacher.  I tend to view it as having unknowingly committed myself to an extra year at home with the girls.  There’s another upside to mid year birthdays - they fall around the time of the annual Target Toy Sale.

    The year the Little Sister was born, the sale started while we were still in hospital.  Unable to attend in person – the exploding boobs, stitches and spontaneous crying rendered me not yet ready for a public outing – I deputised my friend Kate, who is no stranger to a good sale.

    My emotional state left Kate in no doubt about the importance of her mission.  The perfect present would reassure the Big Sister that Mummy and Daddy still loved her in equal quantity as prior to the small noisy pink arrival.  In my considered opinion, a Leapstar would adequately demonstrate our love and amuse her while I fed the Little Sister, with the added benefit of being reduced by some $50.  During my hours looking at the walls of our hospital room, I became convinced that every other mother in Australia would have the same idea.  I called Kate and gave her a pep talk; suggesting elbowing techniques and sensible shoes.  My personal shopper assured me she was no rookie and I spent the morning looking anxiously at my phone, awaiting an update.

    Kate came through with the goods.  There'd been no elbowing and certainly no sensible shoes.  The leapstar was secured and a few days later balance was restored to the Big Sisters universe*.

    the (now departed) leapstar
    the (now departed) leapstar
    deeply troubled by the Little Sister's arrival
    deeply troubled by the Little Sister's arrival
    balance restored in Casa de Cooker
    balance restored in Casa de Cooker

    The Little Sister’s birthday is my cause for consternation this year.  We'll be holidaying with Bearhands’ family and when the Little Sister’s second birthday dawns (and it’s all about dawn with the Little Sister) we’ll be in Cobbold Gorge.

    So I need a present that is small, portable, easily wrapped to avoid early detection and unlikely to make any maddening sounds that will make the long drive back from Georgetown any less pleasant that I already expect it will be.  I’ll be off to Target on Tuesday night to try to find the perfect (preferably waterproof) gift.

    Photo credit: Cobbold Gorge Tours
    Photo credit: Cobbold Gorge Tours

    To celebrate the start of their famous and fortuitously timed Toy Sale this week, Target have given me a $50 voucher to share with my readers.  To win tell me:

    what’s the most exotic location in which you've celebrated a birthday?

     

    This competition has now closed.

    Congratulations to Wendy Parks - haggis tacos were unbeatable.

    Fine Print:

    • Competition closes at 11.59pm on Saturday 29 June 2013.
    • This is a game of skill – best answer wins.
    • Open to Australian residents only.
    • Winner will be notified by email.
    • If you’d like a copy of the full Ts & Cs you’ve got too much time on your hands, email me and I’ll send you a copy.
    • As stated above, this is a sponsored post for Target Australia.  They're also supplying the prize for this giveaway.   All opinions, witty anecdotes and bad post-partum stories are my own!

    *Not really.  The leapstar story has an unhappy ending – a few weeks back the Little Sister dropped it into the bath.  Turns out you can’t balance the universe once you’ve been immersed in water. Older siblings around the world will sympathise with the Big Sister.

     

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary Preston says

      June 23, 2013 at 12:06 pm

      The Emergency Room, not exotic, though it had it's moments. It practically took until the next birthday to reclaim my sanity. Not even a cake!!!

      Reply
    2. Karen.E says

      June 23, 2013 at 3:59 pm

      Nothing exotic here 🙁 My last birthday was spent over the toilet bowl with all day morning sickness yuck!! My next birthday is coming up very soon and we have a precious baby girl so the all day horrid morning sickness was all worth it 🙂

      Reply
    3. Deb says

      June 23, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      My partner took me to the Taj Mahal for my birthday - and our guide jumped out of the rickshaw and bought me flowers. So sweet and memorable!

      Reply
    4. Heather Hopley says

      June 23, 2013 at 4:23 pm

      Travelling the Silk Road across China with my husband for my 50th. On the actual day we took a camel ride on the Gobi desert.

      Reply
    5. Dean Brandt says

      June 23, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Sitting at the back of a chuck wagon in a western themed restaurant in Canada called Buffalo Bills.The restaurant was like walking into a real western saloon.Cowboys,guns,indians,showgirls.Yeehaaa.and oh yeah all the sasparilla I can drink.hic

      Reply
    6. Nicola James says

      June 23, 2013 at 4:45 pm

      On the most extraordinary trip down to Antarctica, I was fortunate enough to celebrate my 50th birthday at Scott Base, with icebergs and penguins all around - breathtaking!

      Reply
    7. Jasmine says

      June 23, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Going camping at Chillagoe
      Was a big no-no
      Mozzies, a sore back, no reception
      How could I let this happen?

      Reply
    8. Di says

      June 23, 2013 at 5:09 pm

      Exotic still awaits me, but unusual seems to be an annual thing. My most recent birthday spent at a crematorium, receiving a warts and all tour of the place!

      Reply
    9. Jan says

      June 23, 2013 at 5:47 pm

      Ha! Ha! My 40th birthday at the Wahgunyah Pub!! That's as exotic as is gets for me!

      Reply
    10. Narelle Rock says

      June 23, 2013 at 5:49 pm

      Unfortunately I have never experienced a birthday in any exotic location, other than at home, smothered in my 4 kids, handmade cards and gifts and loads of hugs and kisses!

      Reply
    11. Rebecca says

      June 23, 2013 at 6:11 pm

      Yerp in the lock up cell,
      As my best friend under the alcohol spell
      Was a bit outrageous and to loud,
      In the winery crowd.
      The loyal friend that I am,
      I went with her in a wham!
      lets just say..... Never again!

      Reply
    12. Kylie B says

      June 23, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      In outback Australia while wild pig hunting with my dad and uncle. Riding 3 wheel motorbikes and swimming in a river and cooking marshmallows on the open fire.

      Reply
    13. linda1963 says

      June 23, 2013 at 6:48 pm

      Princess Margaret Hospital!!! My daughter and i share a birthday-and this was the date scheduled for her Tonsilectomy:-9

      Reply
    14. Elise says

      June 23, 2013 at 7:08 pm

      On a family trip to Florida a few years back, we spent my Husbands birthday at Disney World, and were lucky enough to have a very Disney send off when pulling out of the "Its a Small World" ride, as the gorgeous young man loading up the boats serenaded our boat with "Happy Birthday to you"

      Reply
    15. Amanda Gorton says

      June 23, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      The middle of the Pacific Ocean, on a Qantas jumbo, but due to the time lapse my birthday was missed completely!

      Reply
    16. Wendy_C says

      June 23, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      I surprised my husband with a trip to Uluru for his 50th Birthday.It was freezing cold as his birthday is in June but watching the sunrise above the great rock was amazing and something we will never ever forget!

      Reply
    17. Angie Boylan says

      June 23, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      I spent a very different and slightly exotic birthday in Canada trying to attempt a pub crawl in a snow blizzard one January a few years ago - that's been hard to beat!

      Reply
    18. Megan says

      June 23, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Kissing the Blarney Stone in Ireland! Totally unplanned, we took a long detour on a family trip....memorable though!

      Reply
    19. kerry santillo says

      June 23, 2013 at 9:29 pm

      When my husband and I were first married we didnt have alot of money, My birthday came up and my husband surprised with a picnic on the roof ( the flat side 🙂 of our house. Complete with champagne and nibbles and an old radio playing tunes. Nothing has beaten this birthday surprise to date ♥

      Reply
    20. Graham Buckingham says

      June 23, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      I once had a birthday in the northern territory at Ayres Rock and It was very memorable.

      Reply
    21. Kim m says

      June 23, 2013 at 11:06 pm

      I celebrated my 30th birthday on the beach with a picnic with my family at a Caloundra beach in Qld, it was relaxing, beautiful and perfect and about as exotic as my life gets!

      Reply
    22. Roberto Colombi says

      June 24, 2013 at 9:01 am

      In an 800-year-old Italian hillside town, with a bottle of chianti, bread and cheese, sitting on the ramparts, watching the sun set over the Tuscan Plains - couldn't get any better!

      Reply
    23. Marie Pohnetalova says

      June 24, 2013 at 9:06 am

      My partner surprised me with a sun kissed holiday to the Maldives - a week on pristine beaches, swimming in placid warm water, and a tan to die for.... happy 30th all right!

      Reply
    24. KCMS says

      June 24, 2013 at 9:21 am

      My husband and twins surprised me with a wonderful set up on the beach for my birthday, flowers, candles, and music for us to dance too!

      Reply
    25. Charmaine Campbell says

      June 24, 2013 at 10:32 am

      Might sound sad, but my most exotic birthday would have been my 18th which was spent getting waxed and learning how to do bikini waxing on my fellow beauty students. But my parents did take me to dine in at Pizza Hut for dinner afterwards.

      Reply
    26. nicole larsen says

      June 24, 2013 at 11:17 am

      Port Douglas warm, sunny and so romantic

      Reply
    27. sapna says

      June 24, 2013 at 11:47 am

      Nothing fancy here - I have always celebrated birthdays at my sweet home.

      Reply
    28. Emily Ellwood says

      June 24, 2013 at 12:02 pm

      The most exotic birthday was my dad's 37th birthday. It was during our travels around Australia and we spent it somewhere near Derby in WA at Ngumban lookout. We were the only ones there on what felt like the top of the world, sitting around our fire and watching the sunset! Definitely a birthday we wont forget!

      Reply
    29. Kristina S says

      June 24, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Not exotic but the hospital. I gave birth to my first born a beautiful baby girl and the best gift I will ever received

      Reply
    30. Ei says

      June 24, 2013 at 1:04 pm

      Birthday at my parent's house last year. No screaming baby, no dirty dishes, no yucky toilet to deal with all day, good enough for me!

      Reply
    31. sonya says

      June 24, 2013 at 2:09 pm

      The Dominican Republic! Beats having a birthday party any day!

      Reply
    32. jay says

      June 24, 2013 at 2:11 pm

      Well, it was in the Macdonnell Ranges in central Australia, and would have been lovely and romantic and exotic had my wife remembered it was birthday!!!

      Reply
    33. Jim says

      June 24, 2013 at 2:31 pm

      in my wifes arms

      Reply
    34. Chont says

      June 24, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      Well we're low income so unfortunately I've NEVER been anywhere exotic.

      Reply
    35. Linda Courtney says

      June 24, 2013 at 4:37 pm

      I was lucky enough to spend my 21st in Bali.

      Reply
    36. EDen matthews says

      June 24, 2013 at 5:56 pm

      Two of my birthdays were spent in hospital! One in labour and the other 2 years later having just had a baby! I sleep in a different room to my husband in the month of April now lol

      Reply
    37. Melissa O says

      June 24, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      My 23rd birthday celebrating in style in Las Vegas with great friends, the best food and an hypnotist

      Reply
    38. Jade O says

      June 25, 2013 at 8:00 am

      The most exotic location? The AFL grand final at the MCG for my 21st birthday, not that I remember much from that day or afterwards (I was in my own exotic location in my mind as it was that day!!!)

      Reply
    39. Stacey Shailer says

      June 25, 2013 at 3:27 pm

      Port Douglas for my 21st! My boyfriend (now husband) took me away for the weekend to celebrate, and it was the first time I'd ever been there (pretty bad considering I've lived in FNQ for my entire life!).

      Reply
    40. Beck Andrew says

      June 25, 2013 at 8:46 pm

      I don't have one 🙁
      My mum died 2 days before my birthday 🙁 but this year Im 30 and having a party

      Reply
    41. RITA PELLE says

      June 25, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      Our daughter was lucky enough to spend her 11th birthday in Disneyland California. Not exotic, but lots of fun.

      Reply
    42. Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel says

      June 25, 2013 at 9:24 pm

      Hahaha, what funny answers... I can't think of a single interesting place... this is no good!! But enjoyed reading the others very much!

      Reply
    43. Tracey says

      June 26, 2013 at 12:16 am

      Who needs 5 star accommodation, when I had 5 million stars! I spent my 30th in a tent with my family overlooking a beautiful river with a roaring fire nearby... Simple pleasures 🙂

      Reply
    44. eliz a buf says

      June 26, 2013 at 7:33 am

      on my 28th birthday, The Foreigner (as he was fondly known back then) proposed to me at the foot of the Eiger Glacier in Switzerland............ xoxo, buf

      Reply
    45. Paula says

      June 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

      I had my 30th in Disneyland any my 35th in The Bahamas, without the kids!!

      Reply
    46. Siobhan says

      June 26, 2013 at 8:39 am

      My last birthday was spent flying over Helsinki and spending a few hours in an airport that spoke no English and I couldn't even buy a drink as I had no local currency!

      Reply
    47. Author Bek Mugridge (@bekmugridge) says

      June 26, 2013 at 5:31 pm

      I was just looking into these leapstar things myself! Are they good or are you better off with an Ipad? Aah decisions! Sorry to hear it ended up in the bath!
      I did once spend 2 & 1/2 hours in a toy sale line up with a baby!
      The last few years have seen some very ordinary birthdays for me so nowhere interesting just at home and even baking my own cake no less! 🙂 XX

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:46 pm

        I think the iPad is probably better in the long run Bek - although the tears would have been mine if that had landed in the bath! 🙂

        Reply
    48. Have a laugh on me says

      June 26, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      That is SOO funny (sorry) that is was dropped in the bath. Great giveaway but I don't like my chances - so just reading, loving your work and giveaways and saying that pic of your 4 is perfect! (2 kids are enuff!!!) xxx

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:47 pm

        They sure are this week Em! 😛

        Reply
    49. Gemma Westacott says

      June 26, 2013 at 11:39 pm

      Supping far too much delicious Italian wine in Tuscany for my 30th, pre-kids.
      Nowadays it's more likely lemonade at the local park!

      Reply
    50. Cate says

      June 27, 2013 at 6:25 am

      Birthday always near Mothers day- I love being at home to celebrate. I even plan my holidays around it! Most exotic place therefore...the park!

      Reply
    51. Kerryanne Bourke says

      June 27, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Out bush with the family!
      Camping and fishing
      The kids are roaming
      then when the kids are in bed and stars about
      some casual drinks and laughs are afloat
      Memories are shared and some more made
      the tales for weeks and history to be remade!

      We now do it yearly with no other plans made
      history is told and experiences remade!

      Reply
    52. Ermelinda Porter says

      June 27, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      At the nThambo Tree Camp in the Kruger National Park, where I was privileged to see the most beautiful animals in their natural habitat

      Reply
    53. Becky S says

      June 27, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      A motel room shower, after too many drinks ive fallen asleep sitiing down over the plug hole and flooded our room and the ones either side of us. I dont think we will be visiting that place again.

      Reply
    54. One of My Own says

      June 28, 2013 at 9:17 am

      I celebrated a birthday in Scotland! I had to got to Edinburgh for work, so some colleagues took me out to a Mexican restaurant for dinner in honour of my birthday, and I got to eat haggis tacos!

      Reply
    55. lynndilou1lynne lilligton says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:27 am

      My Hubby did around the world meal for my birthday with different music and dishes for each course,

      Reply
    56. Kaz says

      June 28, 2013 at 11:57 am

      Bali! It was my first and last time overseas and I thoroughly loved it. Especially the bar tender giving me free drinks all day!

      Reply
    57. smilie2601 says

      June 28, 2013 at 4:33 pm

      A Birthday surprise getaway planned!
      Asking to take my hand,
      In Mauritius; overlooking the picturesque Indian Ocean,
      Said “Yes”! NOW 10 years of marital devotion!

      Reply
    58. Kirsten W says

      June 28, 2013 at 6:51 pm

      On a beach in Hawaii saying our vows. No family, no friends. Just me and my beau and lots of love!

      Reply
    59. Catherine Tuckey says

      June 28, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      I spent one birthday in a very, uh, "exotic" location. I was moving house, except I got stuck down the dark narrow hallway and had to call in a professional to remove me! I was born later that day via C-section 😀

      Reply
    60. Marina says

      June 28, 2013 at 9:53 pm

      Not exactly exotic, but during our wedding reception, at the strike of midnight it was my 25th birthday. I guess it was my biggest birthday party!

      Reply
    61. digismartsau says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:01 pm

      Hmmm...most exotic location...There were several spent in Tokyo and maybe one diving in Okinawa. Oh my...you know you're getting old when you don't remember birthdays gone past! 🙂

      Reply
    62. Tabatha Robinson says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      One time My hubby took me to Queensland to celebrate my birthday. We stayed for a week kid free!

      Reply
    63. Karina W says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:58 pm

      In Granada, Spain over plates of jamon and suckling pork!

      Reply
    64. Monica says

      June 28, 2013 at 11:11 pm

      I became a teenager when holidaying in Malta...13yrs old, with 3 months of blues seas, hot days, lots of swimming, no school and extended family spoiling! Bliss!

      Reply
    65. She'll B says

      June 29, 2013 at 7:55 am

      I spent a birthday in 'limbo'! Getting on a flight from the USA on Dec 6 and arriving back in Australia on Dec 8 ... Completely missing my birthday! Avoiding getting another year older - more exotic than a week at a Tahitian spa!

      Reply
    66. kirsten and co. says

      June 29, 2013 at 8:24 am

      Being surprised with a trip to Paris for my 40th birthday would have to be the most exotic location I've ever celebrated a birthday. Although there was the time, a couple of years ago, when we celebrated our wedding anniversary in the transit lounge at LAX airport. Not a birthday celebration and definitely NOT exotic but probably still worth a mention 🙂

      Reply
    67. Belinda Smetioukh says

      June 29, 2013 at 11:20 am

      Most exotic place I've spent my birthday was the French Alps....in hospital after a skiing accident! My friends all still went out for dinner to celebrate, whilst I 'enjoyed' delightful hospital food!

      Reply
    68. aussieminimalistmum says

      June 29, 2013 at 11:23 am

      South Africa, for my 20th birthday. We left South Africa bound for home on my birthday, stopped in Kuala Lumpur for a layover where it was still my birthday and arrived home on my birthday. Three continents, three days...best birthday ever.

      Reply
    69. Tania says

      June 29, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      Estonia in 1996. I was backpacking alone through Europe and treated myself to a night in a hotel in a seaside spa resort town. The next morning on my birthday, there was a knock at the door and a hotel worker was there with a long stemmed red rose for me! At first I thought it was from my boyfriend back home in Australia, but realised he didn't know where I was...slight blonde moment aside I remembered they had taken a copy of my passport when I checked in and were just being thoughtful, it was lovely!

      Reply
    70. Tabatha says

      June 29, 2013 at 2:35 pm

      I join all those not fortune enough to have had an interesting,exciting or exotic birthday.Mine have all been spent working or in hospital

      Reply
    71. Barbara Fehmel says

      June 29, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      What a bummer, I hate to have dirty dishes and washing after a while they start to smell. "PHEW"

      Reply
    72. Sue says

      June 29, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      I spent my 21st birthday in Samoa on a tropical island, very exotic and oh so beautiful.

      Reply
    73. laperkoke says

      June 29, 2013 at 7:32 pm

      Mine: the beautiful Queenscliff Hotel and on a vintage party bus, driving past dozens of hot rods and 60s cars along the bay.

      Reply
    74. MrsD says

      June 29, 2013 at 7:48 pm

      We celebrated Miss H's second birthday at Australia Zoo! Might not so exotic to the local Aussies's but to us - straight out of Blighty it was mighty exotic! And all she said all day was "Crikey, it's my birthday!"

      Reply
    75. Twinkle in the Eye says

      June 29, 2013 at 9:10 pm

      Does getting a free birthday viche shower at the local spa count as exotic? I think so as I had to strip down and lie there in the buff!

      Reply
    76. Roxenne says

      June 30, 2013 at 12:01 am

      Toucans and Leopards for my 21st! Sounds exotic. Reality - Boyfriend got drunk, fell asleep with stuffed Toucans. I wore Leopard print, it was the 80's.

      Reply

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    1. the blog post that saved me $745.16 this week says:
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      [...] afternoon, I compared ticket prices for our upcoming family holiday to Georgetown.  Four return tickets to Cairns on Jetstar = $1412.  The same four tickets booked via expedia  = [...]

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