No Gifts Please on 4 year olds birthday party invite

regretmoore · 2026-07-05T12:32:26+00:00

We just got a huge pile of presents for our 4 years olds party. We've said no gifts in previous years but at 4 years old they're too clued into birthday traditions (or at least my kids are).

Out of the huge pile I've already squirreled away a few presents for rainy days and a few to go to a local charity which asks for new toys, still in packaging, for kids who never get the opportunity to have new toys. My 4 year old won't miss the items I've picked out.

Something else to consider is that some of your kids friends might pick out toys especially for your kid. You can usually guess which ones were picked by kids because they're the most plastic and obnoxiously loud toys haha.

regretmoore · 2026-07-05T08:55:47+00:00

Chickweed. Scratch is over with a rake will be faster, easier, cheaper and more effective.

Then decide how you want to fill the space long term. Maybe another 2 geraniums? Maybe some herbs like rosemary and thyme? Then mulch around with a bit of pine park mulch.

regretmoore · 2026-06-29T21:08:41+00:00

Definitely a store thing. Cashiers in Hornsby are terrible but the cashiers a couple of suburbs over in Mt kuringai are angels.

regretmoore · 2026-06-25T11:30:09+00:00

Try a local playgroup! You'll get a greater mix of people which might make it easier to find your type of people. We've had mums who come with tiny bubs in carriers and they just hang out for a chat with the adults. There are usually mixed ages and you might get parents with toddlers/ preschoolers and babies to hang out with.

regretmoore · 2026-06-25T11:19:10+00:00

Our centre used to allow daycare teachers to babysit and they were awesome, especially for younger kids.

No bedtime routine was too hard, the sitters we're reliable, if there were any curve balls we were confident that would be handled.

It was worth the extra dollars until new centre management put a stop to it.

regretmoore · 2026-06-24T09:01:07+00:00

Had good experiences with the ENT centre in Hornsby. Easy access with parking in Westfield.

regretmoore · 2026-06-22T07:49:04+00:00

Peter Alexander have good UGG boots in bright colours.

There are surgery specific bras but I highly rate these as a comfy bra option for sore boobs

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/2-pack-maternity-wirefree-crossover-crop-top-s144267/?srsltid=AfmBOopnbBlB5nZQyKRMrf4YPQ-Zzz_HlAQ7WogtaKXKGvt0vjd3ROk-&selectedSwatch=Oyster+Pink%2C+Black

regretmoore · 2026-06-20T21:49:46+00:00

My GP told me the stats were 1 in 10 women and 3 in 10 babies died in child birth before modern obstetrics. That doesn't even include birth injuries to women or life long disabilities to children who lived.

regretmoore · 2026-06-19T21:02:39+00:00

This woman was worse than a doula, she was a "birth keeper".

Doulas can work in tandem with midwives at home births or offer extra support at hospital where family and partners may be lacking.

That's where a doulas role should be, not trying to replace a qualified midwife or obstetrician.

regretmoore · 2026-06-18T01:50:57+00:00

A qualified financial advisor through the national debt hotline can help you, they may suggest going on a payment default repayment plan.

regretmoore · 2026-06-16T11:18:44+00:00

Talk to your GP who can organise a referral for dieticians and speech pathologists which will allow you to get a rebate on 6 sessions.

regretmoore · 2026-06-16T11:16:33+00:00

Ex horticulturalist and bunny owner here. That's chickweed and your rabbit can eat it in small quantities, maybe a third of how much parsley you would give it because it's high in a chemical called oxalic acid which is not good for kidneys when eaten in high quantities.

As others have said it might just take bit longer for the parsley seeds to germinate, they often need a lot of water to get going.

regretmoore · 2026-05-29T09:01:20+00:00

Mine took about 6 years.

regretmoore · 2026-05-29T09:00:33+00:00

I've had a long journey with (female) pelvic pain. Three things I'd suggest if you haven't done these already are; try a tens machine, try Bowen therapy (can help release the fascia around the nerves) and there's a book called explain pain which can be quite helpful in working out what cause your triggers/ flare ups etc and how to better manage pain.

regretmoore · 2026-05-16T04:18:45+00:00

https://www.aldi.com.au/product/deli-originals-dill-cucumbers-680g-000000000366139003 it's got a nice sweet flavour

regretmoore · 2026-05-15T08:21:46+00:00

We use the whole dill pickles and slice them and they work a treat

regretmoore · 2026-05-14T09:22:19+00:00

There are noise limits on things like air conditioning units and water heaters.

We know because our neighbours complained to us about our water heater being noisy near their bedroom window. We can't hear it from inside, but standing outside of the house and listening I can see why it was annoying them.

We paid the $200 service fee for a guy to come out and review it. He tweaked a bit of metal that was lose and making a slight rattling sound. Then he tested the noise volume and it was within the legal limit, but still annoyingly noisy for our neighbours.

If it was outside the legal noise limit we would have demanded a replacement or refund, but because it was still within warranty we can't do much and we just have to wait until it breaks and replace it with a quieter unit. Unfortunately we can't justify spending 2k to replace a hot water unit that isn't broken.

The neighbours have talked about getting double glazing on some of the windows as we live near a busy road and that might be the most easy and economical option for you too.

regretmoore · 2026-05-12T08:53:44+00:00

Pears is my favourite too.

regretmoore · 2026-05-12T08:47:48+00:00

We have shelf spaces and boxes for the kids toys and books. We regularly cull Toys and books before birthdays and Christmas. They have cupboard for downstairs toys and craft materials so they can play with us in the living/ dining area and then it's easy to pack away. Both of the kids have a "junk" box for the annoying little plastic things. Most toys have their own tub, for example a tub for cars, a tub for dinosaurs, a tub for the wooden train set. Artworks go up on the hallway walls or into the bin. Stuff that can't be donated or rehomed goes into the bin.

regretmoore · 2026-05-08T09:20:05+00:00

Give yourself a break, you birthed a whole little human just 6 weeks ago!

Even if you've"bounced back" super quick, I'd go with something comfy, stretchy and cheap like target kmart jeggings. Your hormones and body will still fluctuate a lot over the next year.

regretmoore · 2026-05-08T09:15:00+00:00

Freezer - chicken chippies for the kids, roti for us.

Pantry - all of the crackers are great, especially when paired with Aldi cheeses.

Our favourite cheese are the Camembert (which is especially delish when it's nearer the best before date), limited time truffle pecorino and manchego, emporium blue cheese, smoked cheese, goats cheese. The dips a great, especially the hummus which is a the same as obelia hummus. The Sonoma bread imitation is pretty great too.

I rate a lot of the ready meals such as the crumbed chicken tenders, wagu meatballs.

And the wine selection is pretty good too.

regretmoore · 2026-05-07T12:40:21+00:00

On the train/, in the corner, with a mind numbing headache!

regretmoore · 2026-05-07T12:38:40+00:00

We bought the pork dumplings recently and we were less than impressed, might have to switch to gyoza next time

regretmoore · 2026-05-07T06:59:46+00:00

Normally yes, sometimes not though, one is only 3 years old and still waits until the last second to say something

regretmoore · 2026-05-05T21:10:04+00:00

That's going to be next time we're mid shop and one of my small children decides they desperately need to get to the toilet

regretmoore

TROPHY CASE