When siblings first meet

Overnight we saw beautiful pictures of George and Charlotte heading into the hospital to visit their new baby brother. I think I was more blown away at how well behaved they both were! It made us think about how special that moment is when children meet their new little baby brothers or sisters. I remember when my youngest was born and Matthew who was 3 and Grace who was 1 came in to visit. It was truly beautiful. Looking back they had no idea how much their lives were going to change but at that moment everyone was excited to be meeting for the first time. 

Congratulations to William and Kate! 

xx

Newcastle Parking Woes

Being relatively new to Newcastle, I'm a massive fan. We are getting more and more amazing restaurants and cafes, cool little pop up bars and better shops, all set at the backdrop of some of the most beautiful beaches. And some of the things the city is doing are incredibly smart and forward thinking... except the parking. Sarge and I were in Honeysuckle this afternoon visiting the Little Unicorn Childcare Centre. Expecting to park at that carpark on the water, opposite the centre, we were met with barricades and a whole heap of construction. Being a mum in the burbs I'd had no idea that more than 250 carparks were removed only earlier this month from the area. What a debacle! Has this impacted you?

Bachelor in Paradise SPOILER ALERT

OMG Apparently Sam Cochrane 'proposes to Tara Pavlovic' in the grand finale episode, with a '$2,000 ring'! 

They said the big I LOVE YOU last night. Apparently Sam bends down on one knee, presenting Tara, 27, with a '$2,000 cushion-cut halo ring from GS Diamonds'.

Sam has said 'I just knew! Tara has everything I need in a woman,' A source said

'They are in love and it's completely genuine. They didn't argue once in Paradise - it's as if they were destined to be together!' 

'He told other boys they'd better not propose to anyone as he didn't want anything to ruin his and Tara's moment,' 

Sam has also reportedly moved out of his Sydney bachelor pad and into Tara's apartment on the Gold Coast as they gear up to tie the knot.

Bachelor In Paradise tonight at Monday at 7:30pm on Network Ten 

Know a local hero who needs celebrating?

Do you know a local hero in the Newcastle community? Westfield want to give them $10,000 to continue the good work they're doing.

Have a think of someone who promotes social well-being, harmony for local families, youth and inclusion project. Local Mumma and Westfield spokesperson said, "Westfield Local Heroes is about finding and celebrating those important people who go above and beyond to help make their community a better place,”  

Nominations for Westfield Local Heros open on Monday, April 23, and close on Wednesday, May 16.

12 year old boy does the unthinkable

Mum told me off once when my friend Sara was over and I got a little annoyed and went for a walk down the street packing several chocolate biscuits that I thought would last me for a very long time. They didn't have to in fact because Mum came along in her big red Merc about 2 blocks into our journey - spoilsport. This story is UNBELIEVABLE though. 

A 12-year-old stole his mum’s credit card, booked a flight to Bali and spent four days living a life of luxury after getting into a fight with his parents. The boy, who has not been named, booked the cheap flight to Indonesia after the heated argument with his parents. Before booking, he did extensive research on which airline would allow him to travel by himself without a written and signed letter from his parents. He managed to find a ‘cheap deal’ to Indonesia and booked the flight on a school day.

The boy then tricked his Nan into handing over his passport, packed his bag, grabbed his scooter and then headed to the airport by train to go on his solo adventure. At the airport, the boy used the self-service checkout and boarded a connecting flight from Sydney to Perth, and then another to Denpasar. The boy said he was shocked no one at Perth International Airport asked him why he was alone

‘They just asked for my student ID and passport to prove that I’m over 12 and that I’m in secondary school,’  While his parents reported him missing he was ordering room service at the  four-star All Seasons Hotel in Bali. Emma his mum said that she was ‘shocked, disgusted there is no emotion to explain how we felt when we found he had left for overseas.’

"It was great because I wanted to go on an adventure.’ After going on a plane and retrieving him from Bali Emma was quoted as saying he 'just doesn't like the word no'. Goodness me! Can you imagine being that mum? Thank goodness everyone is safe. 

When the bid to have kids ends...

She's known as 'our Kylie' and it was no secret of her desire to have children of her own. With her 50th birthday only weeks away, and her recent breakup, Kylie has admitted that her dream of having children may not become a reality. The age debate is a common and controversial one. So I'm asking our readers for their thoughts on this topic. Were you an 'older' mum, and what constitutes an older mum anyway? 

Who is Manuel Mendez?

When you're 6 years old and the daughter of Beyonce and Jay-Z, you need to look the part. And this is where Manuel Mendez comes in. He is none other than the personal stylist of Blue Ivy. Don't worry, you can follow along Blue's fashion journey on Instagram too, search for the hashtags KidsStyle and KidsFashion. 

Sick Mum staring down the barrel of a day looking after kids

Today I had lost my voice so I couldn't go to my radio job at NEW FM nor could I take my yoga class at The Ohana Room because society doesn't expect you to go to work if you're not well enough. Unfortunately the job of Motherhood never stops, even when you're tired and sick the alarm of the crying baby goes off all hours of the night and demands your attention all day. So I developed a plan, it's not a great one but maybe you could do it sometime? Because I knew there'd be no park or outside fun, I blew up the big double bed mattress of guests put it in the lounge room and witnessed my toddler jumping out all her energy. We got to nap time and she went down. The baby enjoyed rolling around on it too. 

Lock your doors...

Last night a close friend rang in a panic because she heard noises outside her Lambton house. Her partner and oldest child were out at a show and she was home with her little girl. So imagine her shock when she opened the front door to see a man passed out on her verandah. First she rang the police and then she rang her partner, who was still an hour away. We stayed in contact with her while she waited. Her partner beat the police, who evidently never arrived, and he woke up the man who was hostile towards him. So thankfully this story has a happy ending but it really could have ended differently. When alcohol (or I guess drugs too) are involved, things can get unpredictable and when you're a woman on her own with a child in the house, it just makes things even more tense. Newcastle is a relatively safe place to live, but I'd urge everyone to still ensure that your doors are locked. 

Aviccii found dead at 28 years of age

Wow as a Radio Announcer and a Mum this news has really saddened me this morning. Extraordinarily talented  Swedish EDM star Avicii, Tim Bergling has been found dead in Muscat, Oman on Friday. He was 28. Sources went on to say "The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy".

His death comes just days after he was nominated for a Billboard Music Award for top dance/electronic album for his EP "Avicii (01)." He was nominated alongside his peers, who have taken EDM mainstream of late ” The Chainsmokers, Calvin Harris and Kygo.

In the past few years he has suffered ill health, including acute pancreatitis in part due to excessive drinking. He also had his gall bladder and appendix removed in 2014. He quit touring but told Rolling Stone that it didn't come soon enough because he was in physical pain he said "I looked at myself like, f***, you should've really stood up for yourself more there. Come on Tim!" going on to say "I needed to figure out my life. The whole thing was about success for the sake of success. I wasn't getting any happiness anymore."

RIP Aviccii and love to his family from NHM x

My tips for travelling in the car with kids

My partner and I are going away for our first little family holiday this weekend as a blended family. So we are packing the car up with bikes and scooters as well as four kids under 6. Thankfully we don't have too far to travel on our maiden voyage but it did get me thinking about tips for travelling in the car with kids. So this is what has helped me in the past. Do you have any tips?

1. Craft bag - colouring books, pencils. The best hack I've seen for a while is using a flat baking tray so they have an instant activity desk. 

2. Always try to set off at sleep time if you can arrange it

3. Take baby wipes - you just never know!

4. Food! ALWAYS have snacks at hand, and bottles of water.

5. Charge up the iPad or tablets and load them up with non. wifi needing games.

Let me know some of your tried and tested tips.... lord knows I need them! 

Prince William loves what?

Friday night was always 'surprise night' in the Sargeant household growing up, this meant take away. WOW as a child I was a little dumpling and couldn't get enough of the good stuff. Some of my faves? A chicken, cheese and bacon burger from Red Rooster, a Big Mac from McDonalds or fried Dim Sims from the local fish and chip shop with a swimming pool of soy source. 

Surely the Royals don't partake in such take away nonsense? Apparently they do. 

Price William has announced at a meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM)  where he met Robert Brozin, who co-founded Nandos, that he and his security staff wer "fans" of the chicken restaurant. LOL

Pointing to his police protection officer, Prince William gushed: "This man here is your biggest fan, he's introduced me to Nando's. It's very good. He should buy a stake in Nando's." A friend said he's not surprised at this because Wills and Harry are down to earth and "accessible" to the point where they can enjoy fast food. 

Other Nandos fans include Oprah Winfrey, Ed Sheeran and David Beckham and Drake. 

Has your mum embarrassed you?

Rutherford woman Ashley McTackett made headlines the other day when she appeared on The Voice, and it wasn't for her singing abilities. Unfortunately no chairs turned for Ashley, though we think she was great, but following her performance, her mum screamed from backstage to tell the judges to turn their chairs. I think Ashley handled everything beautifully, I personally would have wanted to crawl into a hole, but even later in all the interviews I have heard, she has laughed it off. Good for her! Her mum is obviously very passionate about the success of her daughter and Ashley appreciates it. So, a quiet word to my own mum... When I eventually make my own appearance on The Voice (this is laughable), please stay quiet or stay home. 

There's a baby on the floor of the US Senate!

There’s a baby on the US Senate floor!  It's 2 week old Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, the daughter of Sen. Tammy Duckworth, and the first real baby to ever set diaper on the floor of the hallowed chamber. Some older male Senators voiced their disapproval Sen. Orrin Hatch saying "But what if there are 10 babies on the floor of the Senate?" Let's not forget Senator you too were a baby once - before you became a grumpy old man. 

This is great to see by the way Lillian my 4 month old is always at my business The Ohana Room and my boss Steve St John is cool with both of my babies gracing the studios of NEW FM and even his office. I had a meeting with him and the head of sales the other day with Lilly rolling around on the floor. I feel super blessed to have bosses like this. Does your boss let you take your baby to work? 

Plastic surgery... the latest campaign attacking women

We've seen quite a trend lately in the amount of people talking about the physical appearance of women on the television, and namely any cosmetic procedures or plastic surgery they may have had. Think Davina and Tracey from MAFS, the latter who sadly was so bullied that she has had a reversal on what she initially had done. Also Keira from Bachelor in Paradise and most recently one of the women on MKR. 

I think the saddest part about this is that obviously when someone chooses to undertake a cosmetic procedure it is because they haven't been happy with their appearance in the first place, so then to have another blow like what many of these women are experiencing, is really quite revolting. 

#choosekind 

Here's a tip for shopping with kids

When you were young you had nightmares of dragons and evil monsters, then you got older had kids and now you have nightmares about the milk running out and having to go shopping with the children. It doesn't matter how many little darlings you have 1? well done :) 2 wow ok now you're felling it :/ or 3 or more? Mummas how on earth do any of you manage 3 you absolutely incredible wonder women... we all DREAD shopping with them right? So many Mummas tell me they shop online but what if something runs out, or what if you're just a generally unorganised mess like me? Here's a mum hack tip for you buy or take out from home a neck cushion and place around the bubba in the trolly while you're out and about, you can even attach toys or keys to the top of this one and use the strap to keep them secure. We'd love to hear about your Mum Hack tip for shopping? Email us hello@nhmnewcastlehuntermummas.com or hit up our Facebook or Insta. One tip at a time is all it will take to drain away some of our Mumma shopping anxiety. 

Oh no I think we're out of milk! 

Love NHM x

How to get a flight upgrade

If you have a flight coming up, make sure you're not wearing jeans or sneakers. This is the advice of flight attendants looking to upgrade passengers. It's a fine line though, you shouldn't be head to toe in Prada but you need to look smart. Funny, this hasn't worked for me in the past... but that could be because I've also been lugging as much carry on as possible, had unruly hair... oh and I guess it could also have been the three kids trailing behind as well. 

$10 to Change a Nappy

A new service has started in the UK, offering to change a nappy for you for around $10. So would you hire someone to do it for you? Personally my toddler who I'm trying to toilet train has rather gross grown up poos but my 4 month old? because its just milk it doesn't bother me. I'm happy to change hers because well it's all rather cute and proper baby poo belonging to my bubba is not a problem. Would you pay for this service?

Mother of two confirmed as only fatality on doomed flight

We were saddened to hear about the tragic Southwest Airlines Flight. One passenger was killed after an engine exploded mid flight. Shrapnel from the engine caused a window to blow out and this caused Jennifer Riordan, 43, to be sucked out before being pulled back in again. 

Anzac Day in Newcastle

The traditional Anzac ideals of courage endurance and mateship are still relevant today, established on 25 April 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 killed or subsequently died of wounds or disease.

The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘Anzac’ to our vocabulary and creating the notion of the Anzac spirit.

In 1916, the first anniversary of the landing was observed in Australia, New Zealand and England and by troops in Egypt. That year, 25 April was officially named ‘Anzac Day’ by the Acting Prime Minister, George Pearce.

By the 1920s, Anzac Day ceremonies were held throughout Australia. All States had designated Anzac Day as a public holiday. In the 1940s, Second World War veterans joined parades around the country. In the ensuing decades, returned servicemen and women from the conflicts in Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, plus veterans from allied countries and peacekeepers, joined the parades.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the number of people attending the ceremonies fell as Australians questioned the relevance of Anzac Day. However, in the 1990s there was a resurgence of interest in Anzac Day, with attendances, particularly by young people, increasing across Australia and with many making the pilgrimage to Gallipoli to attend the Dawn Service.

Information provided by the  Australian War Memorial.

ANZAC Day Dawn Service

• Wednesday 25 April 2018
• 5am - 6am
• Camp Shortland, Newcastle Foreshore
• Toilets: Nobbys SLSC, onsite event toilets
• Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station, King Street parking station, Pitt Street Reserve Stockton Foreshore
• Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
• Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

ANZAC Day March

• Wednesday 25 April 2018
• 9am - 10am
• Hunter Street Mall and King Street
• Toilets: Corner Hunter and Perkins Streets
• Parking: On-street, Bolton Street parking station and King Street parking station
• Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
• Public transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/ and more detail to come

United Commemoration Service

• Wednesday 25 April 2018
• 10am - 11am
• Civic Park
• Toilets: Civic Park and Cultural Centre
• Parking: On-street and Gibson Street car park
• Park and Ride from McDonald Jones Stadium, Broadmeadow 3.30am to 12.30pm
• Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

Fort Scratchley Firing of the Guns and Open Day

• Wednesday 25 April 2018
• 12noon - 4pm
• Gun firing: 1pm and 3pm
• Fort Scratchley
• Toilets: Within Fort Scratchley
• Parking: On-street, Horseshoe Beach car park, Nobbys car park 1 and 2
• Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

Anzac Field of Remembrance

• Wednesday 25 April 2018
• 5am - 5pm
• Newcastle Museum
• Toilets: Within Newcastle Museum
• Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

Shadows of Sacrifice

• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Newcastle Museum
• Toilets: Within Newcastle Museum
• Public Transport: http://www.newcastletransport.info/

Local services Wednesday April 25

Hamilton Anzac march and dawn service - Gregson Park

• 5am  - March forms up near Gregson Park cannons
• 5.20am - March steps off proceeds along Steel St side of park before turning right near corner of Tudor Street
• 5.30am - Dawn service begins at Gregson Park
• 6.15am - Breakfast is available at Hamilton Public School across Tudor Street from Gregson Park. Provided by Hamilton Public School P&C Association.

Merewether Dawn Service and sub-branch brekkie - Townson Oval (Mitchell Park)

• 6.30am - Service begins at World War One memorial gates on the corner of Robert and Mitchell streets
• 7.30am - RSL Sub-Branch Members only breakfast at South Newcastle Leagues Club, Llewellyn Street Merewether, open to the general public from 7.30am

Wallsend: March to Federal Park and dawn service

• 5am - March commences in front of Wallsend Diggers, then into Nelson and Boscawen streets to Federal Park No. 1 Cenotaph, where the service and wreath laying will be held. 

•  6.15am - March back to Wallsend Diggers.

 
Stockton Dawn Service, march and main service

• 5am - Service personnel and veterans marching to the Cenotaph will meet at the Stockton RSL and Citizens Club. The march will start forming up from 5.15am, set off at 5.30am for the dawn service at the Cenotaph.
• 8.30am - Main march: All marchers should assemble in the area surrounding the General Washington Hotel at the corner of Hunter and Mitchell streets from 8am.
• The march will proceed along Mitchell Street to the Cenotaph. On arrival the Catafalque Party will form up on the Cenotaph, and the official Anzac service will begin at 8.45am, after which the contingent will return to Stockton RSL Club for the traditional get together and refreshments.

Lambton-New Lambton services and March 

• 7am-7.30am - Short service and wreath laying at the New Lambton war memorial gates, corner Tauranga Road and Hobart Road
• 8.45-9.15am - Short service and wreath laying at Lambton Park memorial gates, Morehead Street
• 9.45am - Wreath laying and Last Post service at Lambton Park War Memorial Swimming Centre, Durham Road
• 10.15am - March, forming up on Durham Road and proceeding via Karoola Road to the Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club. It is intended to halt the march 'off road' in the Club car park
• 11am - Main service at Lambton Bowls, Sport and Recreation Club, Karoola Road, Lambton.

Beresfield Chapter of Maitland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Memorial Service

• 5.30am - Form up at the Beresfield Community War Memorial at the corner of Anderson Drive and Allandale Street Beresfield.
• March to the War Memorial is approximately 200 metres.
• 5.40am - Dawn Service. In the event of inclement weather. the Service will take place at the Beresfield Crematorium on Anderson Drive. After the Service, Breakfast will be held at Beresfield Bowling Club.
• 9am - Traditional Anzac Day entertainment commences. For further information please call 0249 336 90

Shortland RSL Sub-Branch Anzac Day Service and brekkie

• 5.50am - Anzac Day Service in our Memorial Garden 3 Conmurra Circuit Shortland
• Breakfast after the Service for a gold coin donation.

[Article from Newcastle City Council]