Esprezzo - Noranda

This was not my most finest photography hour but it was kind of last minute to take some.

Esprezzo is located in the Noranda Palms Shopping Centre. It is the most awesome shops because all it really has is Coles, Woolworths, Red Dot, Best n Less, a chemist, newsagent and a few other little shops. You always get a parking spot straight away and get what you need quickly. In the middle of it all is the fabulous Esprezzo Café. The staff are friendly, the coffee REALLY good, food delicious and they love the kids.

 I often stop for the coffee and cake special when I just have 1 or 2 with me while grocery shopping but this time I had all 4 and my Mum. It was packed and hard to snare a table but after waiting a few minutes we got one, grabbed 1 of the 4 highchairs they have and ordered.

The kids enjoyed their ham and cheese toasty (top), Mum and I both had the tarts above, a greek salad, we got a bowl of wedges (background below), kids cupcakes (below left) and drinks (my blurry mega iced choc below). I loved the relish that came with the tart and sharing the greek salad with my Mum and a few of the wedges I was left very satisfied!

With plenty of highchairs and a short walk opposite there is a parents room with change table and chairs it is pretty family friendly though if you can't get an edge table it gets a bit hard with prams or trolleys. Free water available on the table near the drinks fridge.

It is often very busy especially Saturday when there is netball on next door and people having breakfast, not exactly a secret how good it is but now more than just the locals know.

The House of Honey - Sticky Spoon Cafe in the Swan Valley

 We love living close to the Swan Valley, so nice doing the West Swan Road - Great Northern Highway loop and stopping along the way. The girls NEVER let us go past the House of Honey without stopping to sample honey and lollies.

We were out of honey so headed out there on the weekend.

 We stuck to the honey theme and had Devonshire tea ($7.50) and a honey milkshake ($4.80).

 The lightest, fluffiest scone ever! Home made and including honey in the recipe, the girls wanted it topped with honey, jam and cream and they were delicious!

 I got a tiny taste of the honey milkshake and it was yummy. The girls had a little trouble with sucking honey up the straw though.

 Lots of yummy things on the menu, try the honey icecreams!

 So much fun in one little shop. Try the many types of honey at the tasting station before picking which one you take home.

 Honey lolly samples too!

Check out the bees at work.

Get your loyalty card when buying honey and also bring back your jars for a discount.

Jack and Jill's Garden cafe

I have been waiting to try out Jack and Jill's Garden and finally I got here! With a high tea voucher, 1 friend and 8 kids in tow we arrived late in the morning and the outdoor area was already packed!

I loved the indoor area. Great colour on the walls, the cute pink pompoms and we really liked the butterfly boards behind the counter.

outdoor play area

We were seated inside for the high tea but the kids happily went in and out to play outdoors or sat with us and did colour ins. We placed our orders straight away and went with the tea suggestion of strawberry champagne which was a loose leaf tea that came quickly and was lovely. The kids were soon drinking juice, eating popcorn and gingerbread men.

High Tea

 

It was busy. Being school holidays they were run off their feet. It took a while for our high tea food to come out but we were happy chatting and sipping tea. Amazing how quickly kids appear when sweets arrive at the table. My 3 year old (Miss Expensive Tastes) ate all the smoked salmon! We shared the slices and scones with the kids too.

Kids plate

The kids plate was pretty good at $6 for a sandwich, juice box and freddo. A bowl of fruit is $3, air popped popcorn $2.

There are toilets, change tables and plenty of highchairs. Service was friendly and very helpful. They are hoping to be able to gate the front entrance in the future.

Give this business a chance. It's a great concept which I'd love to see more of in Perth so support the little guys.

Cool Breeze Cafe - Bayswater Riverside Gardens

 Bayswater Riverside Gardens is one of my favourite spots. A beautiful park overlooking the river, fenced playground and now with coffee shop! Grab a small coffee for $3.80 or large for $4.50 and head off for a walk along the river or just sit in the playground while the kids have a great time playing. The coffee was really good!

 Home made treats galore at reasonable prices. I couldn't resist a chocolate brownie, gluten free and only $4. Banana bread and lemon & coconut cake were also on offer for $3 today. Homemade mini sausage rolls were $2.

 A few little treats for the kids too and a range of drinks and ice creams.

 The cute little retro green van, you can't miss it! Such a great addition to the Gardens area.

Opening hours vary, usually Mon-Thursday they close by lunchtime (often later in school holidays) then other days they are open until 6pm. Keep up to date with opening times on their Facebook page.

Yet another reason why Perth is the best city to live in!

What's on - May



 

 

Library & Information Week: Teddy Bears' Picnic
Date Monday 20th May, 10.30am - 12.00pm
Place Bayswater Public Library, 25 King William Street, Bayswater
Enjoy stories, songs and dancing at our Teddy Bears' Picnic with face painting and a bouncy castle in the park.
For bookings please phone 9271 2340

Library & Information Week: Scitech Early Childhood Roadshow
Date Tuesday 21st May, 10.30am - 11.30am
Place Maylands Public Library, The RISE, 28 Eighth Avenue, Maylands
A unique session in which adults and children play, explore and discover together.  The session will provide a safe, interactive environment for young children to discover how to be scientists every day.
Bookings essential - please phone 9271 2340

The importance of play workshop
Learn how to support your child’s play in an interactive workshop with CLAN WA. You will gain an understanding of the skills and concepts that children develop while playing and learn how to best support this process. The workshop is suitable for parents of children aged up to six years.
When: Tuesday 21 May, 9.30am to 11.30am
Where: Palms Community Centre, corner Nicholson and Rokeby roads, Subiaco
Bookings are essential as places are limited. To book, contact the city on 9237 9325 or email stacya@subiaco.wa.gov.au with your name, contact phone number, the suburb you live in, and how you found out about the workshop.

Adult Events
Library & Information Week: Life after "My Kitchen Rules"
Date Tuesday 21st May, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Place Gerry Leeuwangh (Morley) Public Library, 7 Dewar Street, Morley
Daniela Pirone and Stefania Muscara appeared on My Kitchen Rules in 2011.  Their chemistry and banter made them hugely popular with viewers.  The duo's passion for cooking comes from their Italian background and their focus is preparing hearty food for all the family.
Refreshments will be served 20 minutes prior to the event commencing.
Bookings essenital - please phone 9271 2340.

National Simultaneous Storytime
EVENT DETAILS
When: 11:00AM, Wednesday 22 May
We invite pre-school children and their parents to join us at Amherst Village Library's National Simultaneous Storytime session (11.30 am) when we join in with 170,000 kids around Australia to read another favourite from author/illustrator Nick Bland "The Wrong Book".
Organised as part of Library and Information Week, National Simultaneous Storytime promotes the value of reading and literacy, the importance of Australia’s book industry and the role of libraries.
Library events - online expression of interest
CONTACT AND ADDRESS DETAILS
Address:
Amherst Village Library, Southern River WA 6110

National Simultaneous Storytime
On Wednesday 22 May, the Association is hosting an interactive reading time to help Western Australians who are blind or vision impaired take part in the National Simultaneous Storytime.
The National Simultaneous Storytime is an annual event organised by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) where young Australians read a nominated book at the same time across the nation.
This year, children around Australia will read The Wrong Book by Nick Bland, and the Association will host the reading of the book in the Dr Geoff Gallop Library Resource Centre at The Perron Centre from 10.30am.
The interactive reading will include tactile representations of key characters and objects that feature in The Wrong Book.
In addition to hosting the event, the Association's Accessible Information Service has converted the book into a range of alternative formats including Braille and Simulated Braille books, narrated talking books, and pictorial descriptive books for people who are blind or vision impaired.
For more information or to register for the reading, please contact Tamara Kearney on Tamara.Kearney@guidedogswa.com.au or phone 9311 8202. Find out more about Accessible Information or our Library Services.

Library & Information Week: The Wrong Book plus Maria's Musical Delights
Date Wednesday 22nd May, 10.00am - 11.00am
Place Bayswater Public Library, 25 King William Street, Bayswater
Come and join in National Similtaneous storytime with Librarian Carolyn.  Listen as she reads from this year's Similtaneous Storytime book The Wrong Book.
Your child will also enjoy learning about music and musical instruments with Maria's Musical Delights.
For bookings please phone 9271 2340

Homework Help - Semester 2
City of Joondalup Event
22 May 2013
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Venue: Joondalup Reference Library
102 Boas Avenue
Joondalup
Audience: All Welcome
Category: Learning, Libraries
The City of Joondalup can give you access to some amazing exam and homework help resources that are available at home or in the library. This session will give teachers, students and parents an overview of these free resources.
Library staff will demonstrate tools such as YourTutor, YesTeachMe, ‘Ask a Librarian’, online databases and WACE materials.
Cost is free. Refreshments will be provided. Bookings are essential.
To book or for further information call 9400 4740.

National Simultaneous Storytime
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 - 10:30am to 11:00am
Celebrate Library and Information Week by sharing The Wrong Book by Nick Bland, with kids around Australia. Storytime will be presented at The Place on the mezzanine level of the State Library.
Storytime is free and no bookings are required.
State Library of Western Australia
25 Francis Street Northbridge

The Craft & Quilt Fair
Wednesday, 22 May 2013 - 9:00am to Sunday, 26 May 2013 - 4:30pm
The annual Craft & Quilt Fair is back in Perth for 2013. A one stop destination for craft and quilting enthusiasts offering craft supplies, displays and inspiring exhibitions, workshops, guest artists and live demonstrations – this is the biggest craft event on the West Coast!
This year’s Craft & Quilt Fair provides guests with the opportunity to take part in FREE workshops, exclusive Make & Take classes and our NEW Pop Up classes and Two Hour classes.
Highlights this year include ‘As Long as it’s a Bag’, creations by the Western Australian Fibre and Textile Association as part of a challenge to create anything... as long as it’s a bag! The wild and wonderful creations include bags made from tea bags, lolly wrappers and much more.
Also, showcasing her weird and wonderful creations for us is Loani Prior’s ‘Special-Tea’. Exhibiting the creations behind her new book ‘How Tea Cosies Changed the World’, Loani has elevated the humble tea cosy from a domestic object to a work of art. If you’re dubious that the humble tea cosy can be artistic, this is the exhibition for you!
For fans of quilting, the Fair is not to be missed. On display this year is The Best of Australia quilts, the always popular QuiltWest, and the prestigious AQC quilt challenge.
The Craft & Quilt Fair will truly inspire presenting new ideas and projects, a chance to learn and interact with industry professionals or the opportunity to shop the latest supplies. So if you want to stitch it, sew it, bead it, scrap it, knit it, try it, quilt it or stamp it – you’ll simply love this event!
Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre

2013 National Walk Safely to School Day
Hundreds of thousands of primary school children right around Australia will be making important steps towards a healthier childhood as a part of national Walk Safely to School Day. Now in it's fourteenth consecutive year, the Walk Safely to School Day initiative will be celebrated on Friday 24 May 2013. Walk Safely to School Day promotes the vitally important message: Active Kids are Healthy Kids. The event encourages parents, carers and their children to build regular walking to and from school into their daily routine. This year will see the exciting new addition of the Walk Safely to School Day App for Apple and Android phones, allowing children and parents/carers to track their kilometres travelled to and from school as well as a host of other fun and functional features to be discovered together.
When?
7.00am - 5.00pm Friday, 24 May
Where?
Primary schools across Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Western Australia

Library & Information Week: Baby Animal Farm
Date Friday 24th May, 10.30am - 11.30am
Place Gerry Leeuwangh (Morley) Public Library, 7 Dewar Street, Morley
Join in a special storytime and experience the joy of baby animals.
Bookings essential - phone 9271 2340

Once upon a time...
EVENT DETAILS
When: 10:00AM, Saturday 25 May
10am - 11am
Storyteller Glenn Swift will spin a tale to amuse and entertain all ages at Kenwick Library. Bring the whole family to enjoy an original story from this renowned storyteller.
Library events - online expression of interest
CONTACT AND ADDRESS DETAILS
Address:
Kenwick Public Library, Kenwick WA 6107
Telephone:
Kenwick Library, 9397 3099
Fees:
Free event. Bookings essential.

Fauna Nightstalk
Come and join us on Saturday 25th May for an exciting Night Stalk. Night Stalk is a great way to become involved in community conservation action and to learn about our native animals, their habitat and their threats. Learn what comes out after dark and spot the glowing eyes of the creatures as they begin their nightly hunt.
Become the hunter.......or the hunted.
Join a tour led by Joe Tonga of Natsync Environmental.
Place: To be advised upon registration.
Time: 5:30pm - 7pm
Suitable for ages 10 and up. Children must be supervised by a parent/guardian.
Numbers are strictly limited.
Please bring a torch (head torch preferred) and wear enclosed footwear.
Numbers are stricly limited, please contact joanne.drisoll@belmont.wa.gov.au or call 9477 7257 to register. You will be advised of the meeting location upon registration.

Guided Indigenous Walk
Description: Join local indigenous educator on an informative talk and walk through Manning Park. Learn about Nyungar seasons, bush tucker and indigenous use of wetlands and surrounds. Morning tea will be provided. Please wear enclosed footwear suitable for walking. Medium fitness required. Registrations essential. To book email customer@cockburn.wa.gov.au or call 9411 3444.
Location: Manning Park
Time(s):  9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Date(s): Saturday, May 25, 2013
Contact Name: Linda Metz
Contact Phone: 9411 3444
Contact Email: customer@cockburn.wa.gov.au

HBF Run for a Reason
Sunday May 26th
The Hollywood Private Hospital 12km category will commence at 8am followed by the Joondalup Private Hospital 4km at 8.45am. All competitors should be at the start location and ready to go half an hour prior to the relevant start times. The event start is located on the corner of William St and Hay St in the Perth CBD.
http://hbfrun.com.au/event-info/general-information

Funky Elephant - trunks

 My house is full of craft lovers, I can barely sit down before I get asked if they can make something so how excited do you think they were opening a box with the above in it? Add 1 craft lover who is also a love of all things dinosaur and she was in heaven!

The Funky Elephant trunk arrived just in time for the first weekend of school holidays and it was predicted to be a wet one. After some puddle jumping we settled down to get crafty.

 First up we got to make dinosaur tails! Very easy for both my 3 & 5 year old to do without any help. They stuck bright dots all over their tails then tied the elastic on and went roaring around the house!

dotty

 I love that the dots already have glue on them, just peel and stick!

RAWWWRRRR!

 Next it was time to make some wooden dinosaurs. Pop all the pieces out..

 and click them together to form an awesome dinosaur that stands up.

 Next it was time to paint. There were quality Micador paints included.

 And ta-dah! A rainbow dinosaur is born.

 The last activity we have been playing with for days. Who'd have thought the smallest thing for keep them entertained the longest? We used the play dough to make dinosaur fossils. There were 4 small dinosaurs included and some matchsticks. We used the dinosaurs as above..

 And the matchsticks to make dinosaur footprint fossils.

The instruction books are clear and simple plus they included some dino facts and jokes. The girls have said 'What do you call a sleeping dinosaur? A dino-snore! at least 50 times.

Funky Elephant was created by 2 mums and they have taken all the hard work out of craft time for you. Everything is included so you don't need to go and find the scissors, glue stick or paint brush.

You can sign up for 2, 6 or 12 months and delivery is included in the price. You can also add extras to it if you want to include siblings.

I think it would make a great present to send to a grandchild or niece/nephew if they don't live nearby, in fact I think I just found my niece who lives 8 hours away birthday present.

Recommended for ages 3-7

Find Funky Elephant online or on Facebook.

Bindoon Bakehaus & cafe

Kiddies Bakehaus

Half way between our home and my family farm is Bindoon and when you are travelling with kids the perfect place to stop is the Bindoon Bakehaus. It has come a long way from the little store it began in. When we arrived for this visit there was a fresh batch of playdoh just waiting for my 3 big ones to get in and create in the play kitchen. The dough is made fresh each day.

There is a huge selection of freshly made baked goods. Most people drop in for a pie or sausage roll and drink for the road but there is plenty of room to dine in. Pull up a table near the kids play area and sip on coffee before you get back in the car.

I recommend a loaf of Pumpkin Bread to bring home, delicious with just butter or even better with scrambled eggs for breakfast!

Right across the road is also a great park. We often have it to ourselves.

If you are after fresh fruit just picked from the trees check out the road side stalls for oranges, watermelon, grapes and more!