Author: spiritedmama1 Page 2 of 36

I am more than just a Momblogger...
Join me on my journey of self discovery, finding myself and my purpose. Sharing my parenting woes, quirks and fails...
taking back my wellness and wanderlust lifestyle with kids in tow.

home scchol_schooling_learning_remote_working_covid10_pandemic_noraml_life_as_we_know_it_ceases_to_exist_parenting_kids_education_environment_find_your_happy_routine_spirited_mama_days_live

Remote learning and schooling whilst working from home during the COVID-19 Pandemic days

By spiritedmama1

On May 15, 2020

In COVID 19 PANDEMIC, Education, Schooling

It is Day 59 of our lock down, we opted to stay home before the national lock down was instituted. We’ve been out here and there to get some supplies at the shop. Even that was a “treat” just to do something that resembled some “normality” to the life as we know it, well used to know. But when life as you know it ceases to exist… The COVID-19 PANDEMIC days has brought about many changes for the world but for us as a family we have adapted remote learning and schooling to suit our needs.

Remote learning and schooling

How many hours a day do you school your kid(s)?

Are you a teacher? By definition I probably am but it’s definitely not my profession. Joshua, the eldest who is currently in Grade 5, has joined his google classroom sessions. It has taken weeks to find a rhythm that works but he is a champ and taking the reigns. Although we have daily “schooling” sessions, we are very relaxed about the timing of these sessions. Some days he starts at 9am other days he starts a 3pm. We are letting him take the lead… with a little guidance from us 🙂 Some days he will have one schooling session whilst other days he will have up to three sessions.

I commend his independent school for their plan of action they have taken thus far. Initially, I did get extremely frustrated with them because it’s as if they thought that we would have the kid sit and do “school” from 8am-2pm. Are you serious? How am I suppose to work from home and school my kid for a full “school day”? I was livid that they could comprehend that parents who are working from home should now suddenly set aside 6 hours in their day and follow the timetable, period by period.

The husband and I discussed this new way of schooling and came up with our own plan during the COVID-19 pandemic days. We tag team, assist and guide each other as a family, kids included. We prioritized the work. Those required for assessment purposes were bumped up and tackled first. Joshua is good with hitting his deadlines, even though he is only 10 years old. The work that needed to be completed in workbooks were and are still done on a more relaxed approach. We even use some time on the weekend to catch up on some exercises in his workbooks.

Noah is 3 years old. He just colours outside the lines and we let him! He is learning through play. We leave out some puzzles and we are definitely adapting screen time more efficiently. During this lockdown period, we have had more screen time than the last year. I dusted off my iPad and Noah is happily “playing” educational games.

We try and incorporate the whole family into the “schooling and learning” phase. With Joshua doing Art, we are all suddenly making clay pots and painting with acrylic paints. This gets the schooling session done but it was a combined effort to get some family time too. For us, remote learning is beneficial to the whole family during the COVID-19 pandemic days.

COVID-19 Pandemic days

As this is our new normal, well for now at least, we are adapting and changing with the times. We have found our routine for remote learning and schooling during the pandemic days. We have no idea how long this situation will prevail and honestly I am not too phased about finding an end to our lockdown days either.

Life as we know it has changed due the COVID-19 pandemic. Nothing will be the same. Are you ready for a “new” normal? Whatever it may be… I wish you well in your adventures. We are all in this together. We are all trying to navigate a new normal.

There is no one size fit all solution here. You need to find what works for you and YOUR family. I know of many who are trying to find their “happy” in these trying times. Without a doubt, the pandemic days are stressful. But let me leave you with some food for thought… What are you doing to find your happy?

Are you incorporating your family into your remote learning/schooling/working situations?

Stay Home and Be Safe!

Spirited Mama

My homemade pecan nut rusks, it’s easier than you think.

By spiritedmama1

On May 5, 2020

In Food & drinks, Recipes

I love homemade anything! And right now I need to feed my savages as they are hungry all the time. They love an on the go snack; so I leave a huge jar of homemade pecan nut rusks on the table and everyone can just grab some on the go. This is actually my Great Aunt Josy’s recipe which I adapted for my family.

Here’s my homemade pecan nut rusk recipe:

Ingredients:

1kg self-raising flour

5 cups of wheat bran

500g butter (melted)

1 cup of sugar [if you want to “taste” the sugar you’ll need to add a whole lot more 🙂 ]

5ml salt

10 baking powder

2 eggs (beaten)

600ml of milk (you can use buttermilk too)

50g pecan nuts

*Variations: you can add oats, coconut, seeds, dried fruit or berries and even chocolate. Be adventurous. I use pecans as this is what my kids like.

Method:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.

Mix flour, wheat bran, sugar, salt, baking powder and pecan nuts in a large bowl. Add the melted butter, beaten eggs and milk and mix well with a wooden spoon. Spoon into a large oven proof dish and bake for 1 hour. I was lazy and only used one dish but you can make two batches from this. Allow to cool before cutting. I wait about 10 minutes, so it’s still warm and easy to slice.

*Patience is required here. You need to dry out the rusks in the oven for 8 hours or so. Set the oven to 60-80 degrees C. Pack your sliced rusks on a baking tray and leave to dry out in the *lukewarm* oven. If I don’t get it done in one day, I just carry on the next morning. The rusks are still perfectly fine to dry out the next day too.

Some say you can do this overnight but I’ve never done it this way. Not sure if it’s just me being paranoid but I don’t like the idea of the oven being on whilst we are sleeping.

And that’s it. Store rusks in an airtight container. I prefer the glass “cookie” jar on the table.

homemade_rusks_recipe_spirited_mama_baking_eating_pecans_healthy_choices_snacks_eat_well_live_well

I’m off to have another cup of coffee and a rusk.

What’s your go to snack?

Spirited Mama

Sugar glazed donuts… My recipe so that you can make your own

By spiritedmama1

On April 20, 2020

In Food & drinks, Recipes

I wasn’t even aware that there was some donut challenge happening until someone asked me if I took part in the challenge. To be honest, I take deliberate breaks from my phone, social media as well as the television as I just feel overwhelmed with all the information. But that story is for another post.

For now, here is my donut recipe that I learnt from Mamma when I was a kid 🙂 Fun fact: Mamma and I once used a 20 cents coin to make those inner circles in the dough.

Donut Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups of cake flour
55g (about 1/4 cup) of castor sugar
2 packets of instant yeast
Pinch of salt
250ml (1 cup) of milk, warmed
100g of butter (melt in the microwave)
3 egg yolks
Oil to deep fry your donuts (I prefer Canola oil

Method:

Combine the flour, castor sugar, yeast and salt in a bowl, Just give it a good mix. In the centre, add the milk, butter and egg yolks. You need to mix this through thoroughly. Don’t fret as the dough will be sticky at this point.

On a lightly floured surface, knead your dough until it no longer sticks to your hand. Rub some oil in your bowl and place the dough back in the bowl. Cover the dough with some cling wrap and allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size. This could take from 60 – 90 minutes. Be patient.

Gently knead the dough again lightly on a lightly floured surface, until it is smooth again. Now you can roll out your dough until about 1cm thick. Don’t worry if you don’t have a rolling pin, you can also just gently press down on the dough with the palm of your hand.

Cut out round circles with a cookie cutter. Now here is where you can be creative and find a smaller round cutter to cut out the inner circles. We just used a test tube from Joshua’s Science kit. Let the cut “dough” rise whilst you heat your oil in a deep fryer or pot.

Tip: I deep fry the inner circles and pop them into a bowl of cinnamon and sugar mix. Perfect little bite size cinnamon bites.

The oil should be 180 degrees, so hot but not scorching the dough. Test your oil with a a small piece of dough. It should fry as soon as it hits the oil. Don’t be impatient. Take your time so that you get gold brown donuts instead of dark brown, scorched ones.

Deep fry the donuts for 2 minutes each side, I usually pop 4 or 5 in at a time.

If you are making the cinnamon and sugar coated donut, just pop the hot donut straight into the cinnamon mix and coat as desired. This is where the kids just shake a tupperware bowl 🙂 If you try to coat them once the donut has cooled the cinnamon and sugar won’t stick to the donut.

If you are using a sugar glaze, see my recipe for the glaze below, place the fried donut on a drip tray to get rid of any excess oil for a few seconds. Then just dip the warm donut into the glaze. I use a skewer as it is easier to work with and you won’t damage your donut. Place your glazed donuts on a drip tray and allow your the glaze to “set” whilst you finish off your frying.

Sugar glaze:

Over a low heat, melt 100g of butter in a small saucepan. Add 1 1/2 cup of castor sugar and let it dissolve completely. Now you can thin out your glaze by adding milk or water, to get your desired consistency. I prefer water as it breaks the sweetness of the castor sugar.

Tip: As the sugar glaze cools down it will crystallize. Just reheat the sugar glaze until everything is melted once again.

The donuts are best enjoyed immediately. If you do happen to have any leftovers, just store them in an airtight container. Pop in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and they will be yummy again.

I also like to substitute the cake flour with coconut flour. It give the donuts a delicious coconut taste. The donuts I made yesterday was made with normal cake flour.

Enjoy and happy donut making. I get about 20-24 donuts out of this mixture. Let me know how it goes.

Spirited Mama

Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns with more laughs and good times

By spiritedmama1

On March 13, 2020

In Entertainment, Lifestyle, Press News

The Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns with more laughs and good times: 9 Shows over 4 days, with more than 30 comedians

It’s official! The much-anticipated Johannesburg International Comedy Festival (JICF) returns with another mouth-watering feast of comedy over four hilariously jam-packed days, promising to be one of the biggest celebrations of funny on the continent for 2020!

The largest independent international comedy festival in Africa, JICF, rolls out its fourth edition with over 30 local, continental and international comedians taking over The Mandela, Lesedi and Space.com Theatres at the Joburg Theatre precinct in Braamfontein, from Wednesday, 15 April to Saturday, 18 April 2020.

Audiences looking forward to great comedy from the best comedians that Africa and the globe have to offer or just wanting to experience a fun night out on the town are in for a massive treat this year.

Once again, South Africa will be strongly represented by some of its funniest men and women proudly flying the flag up high at this year’s edition. The Mzansi contingent for the 2020 instalment includes Jason Goliath, Celeste Ntuli, Mpho Popps, Kagiso Lediga, Joey Rasdien, Conrad Koch and Chester Missing, Tats Nkonzo, Rob van Vuuren, Robby Collins, Mojak Lehoko, Yaaseen Barnes, Thabiso Mhlongo, Lindy Johnson, Ebenaezer Dibakwane amongst others to be confirmed in due course.

Continental acts confirmed thus far are African giants Salvado (Uganda) and Alfred Kainga (Zimbabwe) who are set to impress Johannesburg audiences with their unique Afrocentric style of comedy.

Over the next few weeks, more shows and international comedy talents will be added to the festival line-up with every indication of another bumper comedy extravaganza in store.

“I am excited to reveal that the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival is back with a bang this year. We are thrilled to bring over 30 of the most exciting acts in SA, the continent and the globe to Johannesburg for a few days of exceptional comedy and memorable fun. We are looking to build on the successes of the previous editions and provide our audiences with another novel and unforgettable comedy experience,” says Takunda Bimha, Founder and Director for JICF.

“We are excited to collaborate with this year’s edition of the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival. Our role is to amplify a great offering the festival has to offer to millions of South Africans. Through this partnership,SABC 2 will be broadcasting the Johannesburg International Comedy festival stand up offering comprising of the best from the previous editions which will take place every Saturday, over four weeks starting from the 11^th of April 2020. Through this partnership, premium comedy content will now be accessible to a wider audience, elevating the JICF to new heights. SABC 2 is now a channel where JICF belongs.” – Dichaba Phalatse, SABC TV Network Marketing Manager.

JICF proudly brought to you by SABC2 in partnership with Department of Arts & Culture and Savanna.

The current line-up of festival shows to look forward to are:

THIS IS SATAFRIKA

Wednesday, 15^th April 2020
Mandela Theatre

19:30pm

R250

Proudly brought to you by Kagiso Lediga, the grand opening show of the Festival will feature comedians, celebrities, pastors and other interesting Mzansi personalities. This show will be a comedy extravaganza of epic proportions and a hilarious take on all the funny goings on in South Africa today.

TRIGGERED

Thursday, 16^th April 2020
Lesedi Theatre
19:30pm

R200

Joey Rasdien

Lindy Johnson

Hosted by Joey Rasdien featuring Lindy Johnson and international comedians (to be announced soon), these hilarious comedians have got some things to get off their chests. Expect them to bring the heat to the stage! Do not bring your mother-in-law along to this show….or maybe do!

TRENDING COMICS

Friday, 17^th April 2020
Lesedi Theatre
19:30pm

R200

Hosted by Mpho Popps featuring Ebenaezer Dibakwane and a variety of international comedians. These comedians are tearing it up on the streets right now! Don’t miss this show as you are guaranteed laughs for days and a damn good night out!

STAND UP AFRICA

Saturday, 18^th April 2020
Lesedi Theatre

18:00pm

R200

Hosted by Tats Nkonzo featuring Thabiso Mhlongo, Salvado (Uganda), Alfred Kainga (Zimbabwe) as well as a number of continental comedians. Dubbed as a festival favourite, we bring you yet another mouth-watering line up showcasing some of the continent’s finest comedians. Loudly and proudly African we Stan!

JICF ALL STARS

Saturday, 18^th April 2020
Mandela Theatre

20:00pm

R250

Jason Goliath

Yaseen Barnes

Hosted by Jason Goliath featuring Celeste Ntuli, Rob van Vuuren, Yaaseen Barnes and various international comedians to be announced soon. JICF All Stars is a specially curated line-up of the finest local and international headlining comedians that will be a fitting climax to this year’s festival. Fans can expect this to be a comedy show of the year contender!

ONE NIGHT STANDS – Get up-close-and-personal with some of your favourite Mzansi comedians and their shows at this year’s festival: with more to be announced, the following have already been confirmed

Mojak Lehoko: presents Mojak & Friends

Space.Com Theatre

Saturday 18 April 2020 at 15.00pm

Chester Missing & Conrad Koch: How To End Racism

Lesedi Theatre

Saturday 18 April 2020 at 16:00pm

Robby Collins: Iyeza

Space.Com Theatre
Saturday 18 April 2020 at 16:30pm

The age restriction for all comedy shows is 16 years old.

“Our programming strategy for the past three festivals has proven to be a winning formula that’s landed well with our audiences. We are aiming for more of the same, if not even better this year. Particularly, I’m very proud of the local contingent that’s on our bill which combines some of the biggest names in South African comedy with the hottest comedy talent that’s coming out of the local scene today. With the array of world class continental and international talent that we will be announcing soon, this promises to be a truly vintage year for the Festival,” Bimha concludes.

The Johannesburg International Comedy Festival takes place at the Joburg Theatre, from Wednesday, 15 April to Saturday, 18 April 2020. For more information on the various show times, line-ups and comedians, visit www.jicf.co.za or www.webtickets.co.za . Tickets range from R150 to R250 and are now also available at www.joburgtheatre.com or by calling 0861 670 670.

With a variety to choose from, which comedian(s) are you most excited to see?

Spirited Mama

P.S. Remember the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”… In a world of busyness, we can all do with some good old laughter!

ABOUT JOHANNESBURG INTERNATIONAL COMEDY SHOW

Established in 2015, the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival has become one of the biggest celebrations of stand-up comedy on the continent. It showcases the very best in local and international comedy talent performing to thousands of fans in multiple shows across the different venues at the world-class Joburg Theatre. The festival continues to have a strong working partnership with one of the biggest properties in Europe, the Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland which turns 31 this year!

#JICF #FunnyAF

earth_hour_environment_family_friendly_fun_walk_night_cape_town_joburg_walter_sisulu_botanical_gardens_kirstenbosch_spirited_mama_wwf_nature_lovers

Looking for some unique Adventure for EARTH HOUR 2020 in Joburg and Cape Town?

By spiritedmama1

On March 11, 2020

In Environment, Press News

WWF is planning a unique Earth Hour Adventure in Joburg and Cape Town

On the last Saturday of March (28 March 2020), millions of people around the globe will participate in Earth Hour, one of the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment.

Residents of Johannesburg and Cape Town will have the chance to add their voice to the global drive for positive environmental change with an outdoor adventure to be held at the Kirstenbosch and Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, with the support of Virgin Active.

The first Earth Hour was held in Sydney, Australia, in 2007 as a symbolic lights-out initiative. Today it goes far beyond the symbolic action of “switching off” and has become a catalyst for climate awareness, education, conversation and driving positive legislative and policy changes by harnessing the power of the people and collective action.

THE EARTH HOUR ADVENTURE

At this year’s Earth Hour Adventure, Joburgers and Capetonians will take part in an after-dark, family-friendly race across the two beautiful botanical gardens using torches and headlamps to navigate hidden checkpoints along a 5km course. The ‘dash’ will be followed by a bring-your-own picnic on the lawns. Live entertainment will keep the good vibes going and everyone is asked to avoid plastic waste. Coffee lovers are encouraged not to leave home without their reusable coffee mugs!

Justin Smith, WWF SA Business Development Head, says: “This year’s Earth Hour Adventure takes place against the backdrop of a deepening climate crisis. There has never been a more important time to come together to shine a light on the issues that are holding us back. We can all make small changes in our own lives, and encourage our leaders to make the big decisions, like supporting renewable energy, that are better for people and the planet.”

He adds: “The Earth Hour Adventure is a great way for communities to come together in support of our precious environment. It’s a fun, family-friendly event in a beautiful natural setting and we invite everyone who can to join us to mark Earth Hour together.”

Both events are fundraisers for WWF-SA and proceeds go towards supporting their conservation efforts. For Nature. For You.

Event details

Date: 28 March 2020

Venues: Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden

Cape Town – Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Time: Gates open at 6pm, the ‘dash’ starts at 7pm.

What to bring: This is a strictly no waste event. Picnic basket and blanket (no food will be on sale and there will be no water stations), headlamps and torches, reusable coffee mugs, drinking cup, mug or bottle.

Entertainment: CPT MC: Good Hope FM Radio Presenter, Dan Corder. Artist: SA’s Latest Pop/R&B Star Kerwin.

JHB MC: Jozi-based Rap Sensation, Reason HD. Artist: Urban Culture Band L8 Antique.

Online tickets: Earth Hour Adventure

Cost: Adults – R180 and Kids R100 (under 6 years go free)

Do you partake or observe Earth Hour?

Spirited Mama

Some further info:

WWF is an independent conservation organisation, with over 30 million followers and a global network active in nearly 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. A local NGO that for 50 years has worked towards the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the well-being of all our people.

* WWF stands for the World Wide Fund for Nature

Nickelodeon_Kids_Choice_Awards_2020_family_fun_chance_the_rapper_shekinah_dstv_nickjr_sho_madjozi_beyonce_justin_bieber_kca_LA_nicktoons_will_smith_dua_lipa_tones_and_I_senorita

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 airing on Nicktoons (DSTV Channel 308), 23 March

By spiritedmama1

On March 9, 2020

In Entertainment, Kids, Press News

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards ( #KCA) 2020 airing on Nicktoons, DSTV Channel 308, Monday 23 March at 17:30 (CAT)

Chance The Rapper

The host for the Kids’ Choice Awards 2020, the biggest and slimiest awards show where kids are in control, is none other than CHANCE The Rapper; the Grammy® Award-winning superstar from The Forum in Inglewood, California. The news, which also included this year’s nominees, was announced by Annie LeBlanc and her sister Hayley via a Kids’ Choice Awards nomination event across Nickelodeon’s YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter handles and Nickelodeon.

With surprises at every turn, Chance the Rapper will bring his charisma and upbeat energy to the Kids’ Choice Awards, an epic celebration of kids’ favourite stars across the worlds of film, television, music, sports and more. Viewers everywhere will be able to experience the show on all Nickelodeon screens and platforms, as Nickelodeon offers a front-row seat to slime, stunts and celebrities.

Locally, the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 will broadcast on Nick Toons (DStv Channel 308) on Monday, 23 March 2020 at 17h30 CAT, 24 hours after the event in the USA. The show will also be repeated on Nickelodeon (DStv channel 305) on Wednesday, 25 March at 18h00 CAT.

Monde Twala, ViacomCBS Networks Africa Senior Vice President and General Manager commented: “Nickelodeon is a booming success around the continent and kids all over the globe are super excited about this year’s KCA’s. Twala continued, “We would like to congratulate all of this year’s nominees who are representing Africa at this global event. Viewers can expect lots of fun, slime, and laughter from 2020 Kids’ Choice Awards.”

The four prominent stars that have been nominated to represent Africa in the Favourite African Star category, include: Shekhinah (a Pop/R&B vocalist and songwriter born in Durban, South Africa), Teni (a singer, songwriter, performer, actress and social media sensation born in Nigeria) and Patricia Kihoro (singer, actress, radio presenter, event host, moderator, digital content creator and improv comedian born in Kenya) and Sho Madjozi (a rapper and songwriter born in Limpopo, South Africa).

Sho Madjozi is also nominated in the Global Music Star category, representing African music alongside fellow nominees: BTS (Asia), Dua Lipa (UK), J Balvin (Latin America), Rosalía (Europe), Taylor Swift (North America) & Tones and I (Australia).

Giving a nod to the prevalence of social media and content creators on the continent, the Favourite African Social Media Star category includes: Anne Kansiime (comedian writer, director and actress born in Uganda), DJ Cuppy (a musician, entrepreneur and philanthropist born in Nigeria), Chané Grobler (a prolific and popular social media content creator in South Africa), Prev Reddy, (a well-known Youtuber, actor, and comedian born in South Africa).

Chance the Rapper is no stranger to Nickelodeon having made a surprise appearance at last year’s Nickelodeon SlimeFest in his hometown of Chicago and taking home a coveted Kids’ Choice Awards orange blimp for “Favourite Collaboration” (“No Brainer” by DJ Khaled, featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Quavo) in 2019. He was also nominated for “Favourite Song” (I’m the One by DJ Khaled, featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, Quavo and Lil Wayne) in 2018.

Leading the pack with the most #KCA nominations are:

Avengers: Endgame, with 11 nominations; Taylor Swift, with five nominations; and Frozen 2, Henry Danger and Lil Nas X, with 4 nominations each.

First-time nominees include: John Cena, DaBaby, Tiffany Haddish, Tom Holland, Brie Larson, Lizzo and Megan Thee Stallion. Will Smith becomes the most nominated celebrity in Kids’ Choice Awards history, with another nomination this year bringing him to a total of 29.

Local fans can cast their votes on the official Kids’ Choice Awards website, https://kca.nickelodeonafrica.com/.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 nominees are:

FAVOURITE AFRICAN STAR
Sho Madjozi
Shekhinah
Teni
Patricia Kihoro

FAVOURITE AFRICAN SOCIAL MEDIA STAR
Anne Kansiime
DJ Cuppy
Chané Grobler
Prev Reddy

TELEVISION:

FAVOURITE KIDS TV SHOW
A Series of Unfortunate Events
All That
BUNK’D
Henry Danger
Power Rangers Beast Morphers
Raven’s Home

FAVOURITE FAMILY TV SHOW
Fuller House
Modern Family
Stranger Things
The Big Bang Theory
The Flash
Young Sheldon

FAVOURITE REALITY SHOW
America’s Got Talent
American Ninja Warrior
America’s Funniest Home Videos
MasterChef Junior
The Masked Singer
The Voice

FAVOURITE TV HOST
Ellen DeGeneres (Ellen’s Game of Games)
John Cena (Are You Smarter Than A 5^th Grader)
Nick Cannon (The Masked Singer)
Ryan Seacrest (American Idol)
Terry Crews (America’s Got Talent)
Tiffany Haddish (Kids Say the Darndest Things)

FAVOURITE ANIMATED SERIES
ALVINNN!!! and The Chipmunks
SpongeBob SquarePants
Teen Titans Go!
The Amazing World of Gumball
The Loud House
The Simpsons

FAVOURITE FEMALE TV STAR
Candace Cameron Bure (D.J. Tanner-Fuller, Fuller House)
Ella Anderson (Piper Hart, Henry Danger)
Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven, Stranger Things)
Peyton List (Emma Ross, BUNK’D)
Raven-Symoné (Raven Baxter, Raven’s Home)
Riele Downs (Charlotte Page, Henry Danger)

FAVOURITE MALE TV STAR
Abraham Rodriguez (Nate Silva / Gold Ranger, Power Rangers Beast Morphers)
Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair, Stranger Things)
Jace Norman (Henry Hart / Kid Danger, Henry Danger)
Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory)
Joshua Bassett (Ricky, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series)
Karan Brar (Ravi Ross, BUNK’D)

FILM:

FAVOURITE MOVIE
Aladdin
Avengers: Endgame
Captain Marvel
Jumanji: The Next Level
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

FAVOURITE MOVIE ACTRESS
Angelina Jolie (Maleficent, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil)
Brie Larson (Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel; Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame)
Dove Cameron (Mal, Descendants 3)
Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow, Avengers: Endgame)
Taylor Swift (Bombalurina, Cats)
Zendaya (MJ, Spider-Man: Far From Home)

FAVOURITE MOVIE ACTOR
Chris Evans (Steve Rogers / Captain America, Avengers: Endgame)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers: Endgame; Agent H, Men In Black: International)
Dwayne Johnson (Hobbs, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw; Dr. Smolder Bravestone, Jumanji: The Next Level)
Kevin Hart (Franklin ‘Mouse’ Finbar, Jumanji: The Next Level)
Tom Holland (Peter Parker / Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Far From Home)
Will Smith (Genie, Aladdin)

FAVOURITE SUPERHERO
Brie Larson (Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel; Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame)
Chris Evans (Captain America, Avengers: Endgame)
Chris Hemsworth (Thor, Avengers: Endgame)
Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Avengers: Endgame)
Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow, Avengers: Endgame)
Tom Holland (Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Far From Home; Spider-Man, Avengers: Endgame)

FAVOURITE ANIMATED MOVIE
Frozen 2
The Angry Birds Movie 2
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
The Lion King
The Secret Life of Pets 2
Toy Story 4

FAVOURITE FEMALE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE
Beyoncé (Nala, The Lion King)
Idina Menzel (Elsa, Frozen 2)
Kristen Bell (Anna, Frozen 2)
Tiffany Haddish (Daisy, The Secret Life of Pets 2; Queen Watevra Wa’Nabi, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part)

FAVOURITE MALE VOICE FROM AN ANIMATED MOVIE
Chris Pratt (Emmet Brickowski / Rex Dangervest, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part)
Josh Gad (Olaf, Frozen 2)
Kevin Hart (Snowball, The Secret Life of Pets 2)
Tom Hanks (Woody, Toy Story 4)

MUSIC:

FAVOURITE FEMALE ARTIST
Ariana Grande
Beyoncé
Billie Eilish
Katy Perry
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift

FAVOURITE MALE ARTIST
Ed Sheeran
Justin Bieber
Lil Nas X
Marshmello
Post Malone
Shawn Mendes

FAVOURITE MUSIC GROUP
BTS
Fall Out Boy
Jonas Brothers
Maroon 5
Panic! At The Disco
The Chainsmokers

FAVOURITE SONG
“7 rings”- Ariana Grande
“bad guy”- Billie Eilish
“Memories”- Maroon 5
“Old Town Road”- Lil Nas X
“Sucker”- Jonas Brothers
“You Need to Calm Down”- Taylor Swift

FAVOURITE MUSIC COLLABORATION
“10,000 Hours”- Justin Bieber & Dan + Shay
“I Don’t Care”- Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
“ME!”- Taylor Swift, featuring Brendon Urie
“Old Town Road (Remix)”- Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
“Señorita”- Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
“Sunflower”- Post Malone & Swae Lee

FAVOURITE BREAKOUT NEW ARTIST
City Girls
DaBaby
Lewis Capaldi
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Megan Thee Stallion

FAVOURITE GLOBAL MUSIC STAR
BTS (Asia)
Dua Lipa (UK)
J Balvin (Latin America)
Rosalía (Europe)
Sho Madjozi (Africa)
Taylor Swift (North America)
Tones and I (Australia)

OTHER CATEGORIES:

FAVOURITE MALE SOCIAL STAR
Brave Wilderness
David Dobrik
Dolan Twins
Dude Perfect
MrBeast
Ryan’s World

FAVOURITE FEMALE SOCIAL STAR
Annie LeBlanc
Emma Chamberlain
Lilly Singh
Liza Koshy
Miranda Sings
Merrell Twins

FAVOURITE GAMER
DanTDM
GamerGirl
Ninja
PrestonPlayz
SSSniperWolf

FAVOURITE VIDEO GAME
Fortnite
Mario Kart Tour
Minecraft
Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate

FAVOURITE SOCIAL MUSIC STAR
Asher Angel
Blanco Brown
Johnny Orlando
JoJo Siwa
Mackenzie Ziegler
Max and Harvey

FAVOURITE FEMALE SPORTS STAR
Alex Morgan
Lindsey Vonn
Megan Rapinoe
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Simone Biles

FAVOURITE MALE SPORTS STAR
Cristiano Ronaldo
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Shaun White
Stephen Curry
Tom Brady

For more information on the Nickelodeon 2020 Kids’ Choice Awards, log onto www.nickelodeonafrica.com, like Nickelodeon on Facebook or follow Nickelodeon on Twitter @NickAfrica using the hashtag #KCA.

Who are you rooting for at the Nickelodeon 2020 Kids’ Choice Awards? I have my favourites and so to do the kids. But the music, oh boy, SO GOOD!

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 is produced by Nickelodeon Productions.

Spirited Mama

Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids comes to life on stage at the People’s Theatre

By spiritedmama1

On March 8, 2020

In Entertainment, Kids, Press News

Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids comes to life on stage

Celebrating Peoples Theatre’s 20-year anniversary being based at Joburg Theatre, Jill Girard and Keith Smith are thrilled to bring back one of the audience all-time favourites for their first production in 2020, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS.

The magic of the jungle comes alive on stage in spectacular fashion, providing children, parents and all those with a love of joy and laughter, the ideal family entertainment to kickstart the year.

Previews of Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS begin on 2rd March at Peoples Theatre with the official opening taking place on Sunday, 8^th March.
The show runs until Sunday 26^th April 2020.

The jungle is soon going to be jumpin’ with a jazzy beat! Specially adapted from the classic Disney animated film, Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS features a host of colourful characters and your favourite songs from the movie.

Banished by the ferocious tiger, Shere Khan, a human boy named Mowgli and his panther friend, Bagheera, are on the run in the deepest parts of the jungle. On their journey, the two meet a sinister snake named Kaa, a herd of elephants and a giant bear named Baloo, who teaches them the swingin’ musical rhythms of the jungle.

After surviving a dangerous encounter with a band of monkeys led by King Louie, Mowgli and Bagheera are forced to run for their lives. When Shere Khan returns, our heroes rally together to defeat Shere Khan in battle and peace is restored throughout the jungle.

Disney The Jungle Book Kids is directed by Jill Girard and Keith Smith, with Musical Direction by Coenraad Rall, Musical Staging by Sandy (Dyer) Richardson, Set and Lighting Design by Grant Knottenbelt and costumes Linda Wilson

Baloo will be played by one of Peoples Theatres favourite performers, Luciano Zuppa, Baloo is an easygoing and fun-loving character who shirks at responsibility. He is a sleepy old bear who teaches Mowgli the law of the jungle and is well known for his song The Bare necessities during their adventure through the jungle Baloo eventually realises that the man village is the best place for Mowgli.

Bagheera is Mowgli’s mentors and protector, and is tasked with getting Mowgli to the man village but he is met with many obstacles along the way, Bagheera will be played by the wonderful Thokozani Jiyane, who was last seen playing the role of Marty the zebra in Madagascar Jr.

Kaa will be played by Bethany-Joy Jiyane and this will be her first performance for the Peoples Theatre. Kaa is surprisingly one of Mowgli’s wise mentors and friend. who is also feared throughout the jungle for her mesmerizing “hunger dance”. She plays her part in getting Mowgli to safety.

Bethany will also be playing the roles of Mrs Hathi and King Louie’s Wife.

Shere Khan, is a vicious man-eating Bengal Tiger who is the main villain and the archenemy of Mowgli and will be played by Clive Gilson. Peoples Theatre were very fortunate to work with Clive in Peter Pan in 2016 and are happy to have him back on their stage to bring alive the three characters he will be portraying (Shere Khan, Colonel Hathi and King Louie).

Says Jill Girard;

“Why the Jungle Book? 20 years at Joburg theatre! 30 years of Peoples Theatre!

Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS has always been a special production for both Keith and myself! It is a show filled with warmth and laughter, a show about loyalty, kindness, friendship and courage. We can all relate to Mowgli and his adventure in the jungles in India!”

She continues; “This is a story that has delighted generations of children and continues to do so, it is a story that comes to life on the stage as the audience become more and more involved in the exploits of Mowgli.

It is the ideal show to introduce and bring young audiences into the magic of live theatre, and in so doing, encouraging a lifetime of theatre going.”

Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS opens at the Peoples Theatre at the Joburg Theatre Complex with preview performances from Monday, 2^nd March. The official show opening is on Sunday, 8^th March. The season runs until Sunday, 26^th April.

Performance times are Mondays to Friday at 9am and 11am, Saturdays at 10:30am and 2.30pm as well as all Sundays and Public Holidays.

Ticket prices are R145 for general public or R100 for members of the Peoples Theatre kids Club (You can become a member for R120 membership fee – contact Peoples Theatre on 011 403 1563/ 2340 for more information).

To book tickets call Sean on 011 403 1563 / 2340 or email the theatre at info@peoplestheatre.co.za.

For more information visit www.peoplestheatre.co.za

Special school performances are available at R85 per learner plus for every 20 learners there is one complimentary ticket per educator – extra educators R85 each and all other accompanying adults are R105 each.

For more information and to make these bookings, contact the Peoples Theatre directly on 011 403 1563 / 2340.

“Look for the Bear necessities, the simple bear necessities. Forget about your worries and your strifes! Yeah man!”

I’ve been a parent for 10+ years and still today, after watching the movie, on repeat, I still love that song!

Have your kids, or you 🙂 seen The Jungle Book Kids? It makes for a wonderful family day out.

Spirited Mama

#JungleBookKids

Peoples Theatre creates memories for the whole family, enriching lives by the magic of professional theatre and thereby creating our audiences of the future. A storybook comes to life in the theatre!

paul_slabolepszy_suddenly_the_storm_montecasino_play_theatre_south_africa_naledi_awards_johannesburg_entertainment_lifestyle_spirited_mama_acting_shows

Paul Slabolepszy’s Suddenly The Storm returns to MonteCasino

By spiritedmama1

On March 4, 2020

In Entertainment, Lifestyle, Press News

Paul Slabolepszy’s Suddenly The Storm returns for an explosive season at Montecasino

Suddenly the Storm, Paul Slabolepszy’s highly acclaimed award-winning play, returns for a limited three-week season at The Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino from 12^th – 29^th March.

Launched initially to coincide with the 40^th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, Suddenly The Storm had its World Premiere at the Barney Simon at Jozi’s’s Market Theatre on the 7^th June 2016. A season at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town as well as Durban’s Playhouse followed, where the play continued running to capacity audiences and nightly standing ovations.

The play walked away with three Naledi Awards; Best New South African Script (Paul Slabolepszy), Best Theatre Set Design (Greg, King) and Best Lighting Design (Wesley France) as well as a Fleur Du Cap Award in Cape Town for Greg King’s Set Design.

Suddenly The Storm has been described as one of the most powerful South African plays since the birth of Democracy.

Set in contemporary South Africa, the play poses the question of whether the wounds of the past can ever really be healed.

Suddenly The Storm, a South African play

Suddenly The Storm features Renate Stuurman (as Namhla), Charmaine Weir-Smith (as Shanell) and Paul Slabolepszy (as Dwayne). Bobby Heaney directs.

The nail-biting story takes place in Johannesburg’s East Rand at the home of an ageing former policeman Dwayne Combrink and his much younger wife Shanell.

Combative, volatile, constantly on the verge of exploding, Dwayne and Shanell Combrink are two halves of a white South African working-class couple, living an uneasy truce as they struggle with the day-to-day trials of scraping together a living and dreaming competing dreams.

Beneath Dwayne’s angry, violent exterior lies the heartbreak that governs his attitude to life. Dwayne is a man in mourning. Shanell believes his current level of despair was sparked by the death of his childhood friend and recent work partner, Jonas, but the source of his mourning and anger lies much further back.

When the elegant and self-contained Namhla Gumede, born on 16 June 1976, arrives on their doorstep seeking answers to questions that have remained buried for 40 years, Dwayne and Shanell finally discover the truth.

What begins as a smouldering dark comedy, suddenly turns into a roller-coaster ride of startling revelations, of rage and recrimination, before the storm finally breaks.

This is theatre that throws up a whirlwind of mixed emotions – greed, love, loss and healing – touching on distinctly South African topics that make this country so rich and rewarding for those who can brave its storms.

The experience and proven track record of both Slabolepszy and Heaney coming together once again creates the perfect storm of talent – powerful acting, inspired writing and incisive direction – promising to make this production a truly memorable event.

Slabolepszy has never flinched from facing the harder truths. He uses the tool of story-telling to excavate underlying seams of racism, self-hatred, insecurity.

Says Director, Bobby Heaney; “Paul has the ability of making people laugh but then feel sick to the stomach when all is laid bare, yet it’s filled with hope, something we all need in these uncertain times.”

He continues; “It’s a terribly moving play and the message of optimism comes at a time when we are all foundering. While it’s a very real play, so utterly real, it’s highly entertaining.”

Slabolepszy adds; “There are so many stories in South Africa, yet to be told. Suddenly The Storm is a story, a play, that springs from the heartland and it will always be relevant because it explores issues that are seldom visited beyond the walls of that sacred space which is The Theatre. Warm and uplifting, the play doesn’t shy away from the hurts and injustices of the past and looks at what we are as a nation; where we have come from and where we could go when love and compassion become the values that guide us”.

Paul Slabolepszy needs no introduction; award-winning actor, playwright, screenwriter and director, he’s done it all over an illustrious career spanning 50 years.

He has written more than thirty-five plays as well as radio, television and film scripts.

His many plays include Saturday Night at the Palace; Mooi Street Moves, Boo to the Moon, Making like America, Smallholding, Braait Laaities, Pale Natives, My Low-Fat Almost Italian Wedding, the multi-award-winning The Return of Elvis du Pisanie and Heel Against the Head (with the inimitable Bill Flynn as Tjokkie)

Says Jaco van Rensburg, Executive Producer of VR Theatrical; “What a privilege to be working with industry giants such as Paul Slab and Bobby Heaney. Reviving this award-winning play is a dream come true for young theatre makers such as Wessel and I. Presenting new work is hard in South Africa, but we deem this important in a growing industry such as ours. We can’t wait to share this powerful play with Joburg audiences!”

Suddenly The Storm runs at The Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino from Thursday 12^th March – Sunday 29^th March.

Performances are Tuesdays – Fridays at 20h00, Saturdays at 16h00 & 20h00 and Sundays at 15h00.

Ticket Prices range from R100 – R240 and Bookings can be made through Computicket .

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES

Suddenly The Storm is part of the 2020 School Curriculum, and the play is being mounted with this in mind.

Schools making block bookings of 10 or more, qualify for great group discounts and can arrange for an after-show Q & A with the cast, answering questions about the play as well as explaining the nuts-and-bolts of how a play is written.

Should your school wish to be a part of this exciting opportunity, contact Geraldine at Geraldine@montetheatre.co.za for more information on the great school rates and discounts.

Suddenly the Storm is published by Wits University Press and is available at Exclusive Books and other bookstores.

SPECIAL Q & A PERFORMANCES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

On Saturday 21^st and 28^th March after the 16h00 performances, Paul and the cast will remain on stage for an audience Q&A / Talk-Back session to answer any and all questions the audience members might have about the play, the industry and the like.

The wealth of knowledge and experience by these renowned performers will be an unforgettable experience, so book soon to avoid disappointment. These two shows are set to be quick sell-outs!

Have you seen Suddenly The Storm?

Spirited Mama

#GoodTidings Advent Calendar to enjoy a #WasteFreeFestive Season with WWF

By spiritedmama1

On December 21, 2019

In Environment, Holidays, News

ENJOY A #WASTEFREEFESTIVE SEASON WITH WWF SA’S #GOODTIDINGS ADVENT CALENDAR

‘Tis the season to be jolly and South Africans are bracing themselves for a sunny festive season filled with family, loved ones and the gift of giving. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa wants to encourage consumers to reduce the amount of waste usually associated with the holidays.

”The WWF mantra is to “refuse, reduce and reuse” and then “recycle”. This includes asking yourself whether you really need what you’re about to buy, taking your own reusable bags along with you to the supermarket, cutting down on packaging, and choosing reusable, durable goods over single-use items. Once you’ve followed all these steps, we also want you to recycle as much as possible.” Says Eitan Prince, Digital Communications Manager with WWF-SA.

How to reduce waste this festive season

A fun, interactive way for consumers to make better choices this festive season is to sign up for WWF’s brand new #GoodTidings advent calendar which is brimming with clever waste curbing ideas.

Daily tidings come in the form of videos, demos, blogs, photo galleries, recipe cards and more created with support from WWF ambassadors including Chef Zola Nene, media personalities Zoe Brown, Carl Wastie, Claire Mawisa and sustainable fashion guru, Jackie May. Here’s a sneak preview on what you can expect from the calendar.

spirited_mama_wwf_waste_free_christmas_advent_calendar_festive_season_good_tidings_reduce_recycle_plastic

1. All that glitters is not gold

Sparkly glitter is undeniably festive but much of it’s made from microplastics which can end up polluting the environment or be consumed by fish, birds and other animals. Consider plastic-free décor such as glass jars filled with beautiful succulents and decorations made from fabrics or ribbon.

2. Gift wrapping alternatives

Wrapping paper – its festive, it’s fun, it’s fleeting. Each year tons of it finds its way to landfills so why not use leftover birthday wrapping paper or gift bags? “You could experiment with covering gifts with fabric, old newspapers or put them into any attractive tins, boxes or jars you may have lying around your home or office,” offers Prince.

3. Show love to local producers

There are many local designers and producers making exciting and innovative products from sustainable materials. Gems such as Uzwelo, who teams up with local communities to convert banners to fabric to make functional, fashionable and affordable bags, can all be found on the newly revamped WWF e-commerce site. Prince explains, “Proceeds from these sales help support the WWF’s vital work.”

The festive season no longer needs to be the season of excess and waste. By visiting www.wwf.org.za and downloading the #GoodTidings advent calendar with its waste busting tips, you’re on the right track to being part of the solution for a living planet while having a jolly good time as well. Don’t forget to share!

Happy Festive Season!

Spirited Mama

Stuck on what to buy this Christmas? Here’s Hasbro’s TOP TOYS & GAMES for 2019

By spiritedmama1

On December 12, 2019

In Christmas, Kids, Shopping, Toys

Stuck on what to buy this Christmas?

Christmas is only 13 days away! And I haven’t bought anything yet! Normally, I would have been patting myself on the back by now with everything being bought and hidden away from the kids. Last year, I still went to the shops on the 24th of December for last minute errands. Did I like it? Yes. The shops were not too busy and I was in and out in a flash with my purchases. Will I chance it again in 2019 to brave the shops on 24 December? I’m not entirely sure as this long weekend would be the ideal time for some Christmas shopping.

Hasbro’s Top Toy & Games Suggestions for 2019

Hasbro, one of the largest toy, game and entertainment experience companies, has released their anticipated 2019 list of suggested toy and gifting solutions including a wide range of ‘stocking fillers’. Hasbro’s commitment to creating the world’s best play experiences ensures there is something for everyone – from fun family activities to active play, imaginative play, creative play and so much more.

Here are some of Hasbro’s 2019 best sellers:

Joshua is beside himself because according to my 10 year old son, You can never have too many NERF guns! There is an exciting range of Nerf blasting options on offer:

The Nerf Trilogy DS-15 toy blaster has ejecting shells to heat up your Nerf dart-blasting action. Unleash a triple-dart blast with this Nerf N-Strike Elite blaster that shoots 3 darts at once from each shell.
The Nerf Fortnite AR-E blaster, inspired by the blaster used in Fortnite, is the only way to play Fortnite in real life. Drop into indoor and outdoor Fortnite action with this motorised, dart-firing Nerf Elite Fortnite blaster that features two flip-up sights to help you align your shot and an acceleration button to power up the motor.
Go into battle with the bolt-action Nerf Rival Helios XVIII-700 Pull back the bolt to prime the blaster and unleash rounds at a velocity of 30 meters per second. The bolt placement can be customised to accommodate right or left-handed battlers.

Transformers are Noah’s thing! I mean, I have never watch so many Transformers movies, over and over and over on repeat all day! At this rate I just want to get him the Bumblebee 🙂 but I can’t find stock!

Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege plunges fans into the epic fight to survive on the final day of the Autobot and Decepticon battle to control Cybertron. Build the ultimate battlefield with Transformers War for Cybertron: Siege toy figures with customisable weapon configurations.

On the Transformers Cyberverse animated series the Allspark can harness incredible new powers, including the power to convert Earth vehicles into Spark Armor: battle-ready gear that allows them to fight in new places and in new ways. Kids can collect assorted Spark Armor figures (each sold separately) to discover more exciting characters from the Cyberverse series.

Imagine teaming up and battling the Power Rangers’ toughest enemies with these Power Rangers Beast Morphers Action Zord figure assortment (which include: Beast-X Megazord and Beast Racer Megazord). Standing 25 cm tall, and with the included accessories, these action figure toys are ready for action against any foe.

Young fans of the Disney Frozen movies will love the Frozen 2 Singing Elsa and Anna Fashion dolls (each sold separately). Each doll includes a Frozen 2 inspired outfit, press the button on the bodice to watch the dress light up and hear a snippet of an original song from the Frozen 2 movie. Sing along while imagining scenes with Arendelle’s favourite sister duo. Kids can take magical Frozen adventures on the go with the Fold and Go Arendelle Castle portable playset. Inspired by Disney’s Frozen 2, this castle set has two floors of fun that fold up and fun accessories are included to decorate the rooms.

Baby Alive Happy Hungry Baby loves to eat. Mix baby’s food with water to make doll food that looks like the real thing. When you give baby her spoon, she opens wide and really eats her doll food. She also giggles, moves, and asks for more. With over 50 sounds and phrases, this sweet baby doll makes feeding and changing time feel oh-so-real and fun for little mommies and daddies. The Baby Alive Snip ‘n Style Baby is ready for you to brush, trim, and style her hair. Brush baby’s fringe with her interactive brush and watch it grow then hold the interactive scissors up to baby’s fringe and pretend to trim and watch the fringe get shorter! Includes 35+ sounds and phrases, and 12 hair accessories to style baby’s hair for any occasion.

Play-Doh continues to captivate kid’s imaginations. Picture a land of colourful dreams where unicorns poop Play-Doh ice cream. Meet Tootie, the hilarious unicorn ice cream maker who loves to create silly Play-Doh sundaes. As she dispenses Play-Doh colours this unicorn toy makes laugh-out-loud sounds and even changes her facial expression. There’s no stoppin’ the poppin’ fun with the Play-Doh popcorn maker toy, which includes everything you need to make creative Play-Doh popcorn masterpieces. Crank pretend popcorn into the 3 bucket sizes and mix it up with silly snack mixes. Add fun play food toppings like pretend pretzels, crazy candy, and more with the candy-themed stamps and moulds. Don’t forget to squeeze in some silly syrup or butter with the syrup tool. Little chefs can go pizza crazy with the Play-Doh Stamp ‘n Top Pizza Oven. Stamp a pizza crust in the oven, then go wild creating and customising with the variety of tools and moulds included.

Potato Head Movin Lips is an interactive talking toy, that’s fun and entertaining for kids as well as adults. Just attach his mouth and press the buttons, his lips synchronise to wacky songs and some funny phrases.

GET YOUR FAMILY TIME GAME ON WITH A WIDE RANGE OF GAMES TO SUITS ALL AGES FROM HASBRO GAMING

Meet MONOPOLY – a self-made investment guru, who is here to celebrate women trailblazers in the first game where women make more than men. Instead of buying properties, players invest in groundbreaking inventions and innovations made possible by women throughout history. From inventions like WiFi to chocolate chip cookies to space station batteries, MS. MONOPOLY celebrates everything from scientific advancements to everyday accessories. In the MS. MONOPOLY game, women get a higher payout at the start of the game and more money when passing ‘Go’, but who you are is up to you!

Monopoly Fortnite – in this thrilling Fortnite inspired edition of the Monopoly game, players claim locations, battle opponents, and avoid the Storm to survive. The gameplay, design, and components of the board game include elements inspired by the video game including Fortnite locations and loot chest cards. Instead of Monopoly money, players earn Health Points (HP). Like in the Fortnite video game, the last player standing wins!

Make Monopoly Cheaters Edition board game a favourite go-to game for game nights and other fun get-togethers. Lean into those iconic (yet unspoken) Monopoly moments in which rules are bent, money is borrowed, and funny business is welcomed. Fake a die roll, steal some bills from the bank, and even skip out on rent. Complete a cheat to get a reward but fail a cheat and pay the consequences. The pretend handcuff unit that may leave players “chained” to the board is a fun addition to the game.

The Connect 4 Shots game combines the gameplay of the original Connect 4 game with fast-paced, competitive excitement. Two players at a time race to get four balls of their colour in a row to win. Kids can also practice solo to prepare for a future Connect 4 Shots matchup.

If you’re looking for stocking filler ideas:

The Monopoly Deal Card Game is all the fun of the Monopoly game in a quick-playing card game. It comes with 110 cards including Property Cards, Rent Cards, House and Hotel Cards, and Wild Property Cards and ideal for on-the-go fun.

Have a blast with Play-Doh Colour Burst, it’s the classic non-toxic Play-Doh compound with an innovative way to mix and play. Use the roller or your hands to squish and blend the two colours together for a cool marbling and blending effect and watch the colours swirl and change before your eyes.

Blast into big fun with the Nerf Microshots Fortnite series of collectible, mini-sized Nerf toy blasters. Blasters in this assortment include replicas of the FORTNITE TS blaster, FORTNITE RL blaster and FORTNITE Llama blaster, inspired by the iconic purple pinata loot box used in the popular video game.

Look out for the Lost Kitties Mice Mania milk carton singles, which comes with a mouse or kitty figure, meme stickers, two hidden accessories and a collector’s sheet. Store the compound in the resealable carton so you can keep discovering over and over again.

Kids can image new adventures with their favourite rescue birds-in-training with the Top Wing Single Figure Assortment. Each poseable 7-cm figure is ready for action with five points of articulation and includes a snap-on ‘wings’ badge that kids can wear (figures sold separately).

The 15-cm Power Rangers Beast Morphers figures feature multiple points of articulation and design. With the included Morph-X key, kids can imagine unlocking hero powers in the Beast-X Morpher toy (sold separately).

The Marvel Figures assortment includes classic Marvel design. With these action figures kids can create scenes from the Marvel Universe or imagine their own incredible adventures. This assortment includes Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man and Thor.

Hasbro products are available from leading retailers including: Takealot.com, Makro, Toys R Us, ToyZone, Toy Kingdom, Game and Checkers.

Hope this helps you find some Christmas gifts and stocking filler ideas!

Have you bought your gifts and stocking fillers yet? Or are you on my bandwagon…I haven’t bought anything yet *yikes*

Spirited Mama

**Disclaimer: We were gifted some stocking fillers from Hasbro. Images were supplied too.

Living a SPIRITED life filled with wanderlust, emotions and everything in between

Author: spiritedmama1 Page 2 of 36

Remote learning and schooling whilst working from home during the COVID-19 Pandemic days

Remote learning and schooling

COVID-19 Pandemic days

Like this:

My homemade pecan nut rusks, it’s easier than you think.

Like this:

Sugar glazed donuts… My recipe so that you can make your own

Like this:

Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns with more laughs and good times

The Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns with more laughs and good times: 9 Shows over 4 days, with more than 30 comedians

Like this:

Looking for some unique Adventure for EARTH HOUR 2020 in Joburg and Cape Town?

WWF is planning a unique Earth Hour Adventure in Joburg and Cape Town

THE EARTH HOUR ADVENTURE

Like this:

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2020 airing on Nicktoons (DSTV Channel 308), 23 March

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards ( #KCA) 2020 airing on Nicktoons, DSTV Channel 308, Monday 23 March at 17:30 (CAT)

Leading the pack with the most #KCA nominations are:

Like this:

Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids comes to life on stage at the People’s Theatre

Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids comes to life on stage

Like this:

Paul Slabolepszy’s Suddenly The Storm returns to MonteCasino

Paul Slabolepszy’s Suddenly The Storm returns for an explosive season at Montecasino

Suddenly The Storm, a South African play

Like this:

#GoodTidings Advent Calendar to enjoy a #WasteFreeFestive Season with WWF

ENJOY A #WASTEFREEFESTIVE SEASON WITH WWF SA’S #GOODTIDINGS ADVENT CALENDAR

How to reduce waste this festive season

Like this:

Stuck on what to buy this Christmas? Here’s Hasbro’s TOP TOYS & GAMES for 2019

Stuck on what to buy this Christmas?

Hasbro’s Top Toy & Games Suggestions for 2019

GET YOUR FAMILY TIME GAME ON WITH A WIDE RANGE OF GAMES TO SUITS ALL AGES FROM HASBRO GAMING

If you’re looking for stocking filler ideas:

Like this:

Author: spiritedmama1 Page 2 of 36

Remote learning and schooling

COVID-19 Pandemic days

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

The Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns with more laughs and good times: 9 Shows over 4 days, with more than 30 comedians

Share this:

Like this:

WWF is planning a unique Earth Hour Adventure in Joburg and Cape Town

THE EARTH HOUR ADVENTURE

Share this:

Like this:

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards ( #KCA) 2020 airing on Nicktoons, DSTV Channel 308, Monday 23 March at 17:30 (CAT)

Leading the pack with the most #KCA nominations are:

Share this:

Like this:

Disney’s The Jungle Book Kids comes to life on stage

Share this:

Like this:

Paul Slabolepszy’s Suddenly The Storm returns for an explosive season at Montecasino

Suddenly The Storm, a South African play

Share this:

Like this:

ENJOY A #WASTEFREEFESTIVE SEASON WITH WWF SA’S #GOODTIDINGS ADVENT CALENDAR

How to reduce waste this festive season

Share this:

Like this:

Stuck on what to buy this Christmas?

Hasbro’s Top Toy & Games Suggestions for 2019

GET YOUR FAMILY TIME GAME ON WITH A WIDE RANGE OF GAMES TO SUITS ALL AGES FROM HASBRO GAMING

If you’re looking for stocking filler ideas:

Share this:

Like this: