My baby.

Grown up. A big toddler. I no longer have to tell people her age in months.

Millie the birthday girl

The husbando and I have had a year to get used to this parenting caper. A year as someone’s mummy and daddy.

I’m a little sad. It’s been the BEST but the FASTEST year of my life. I’d love to do it – the sleepless nights, the sore boobs, the pooey nappies included – all over again.

But she’s a healthy, happy, sweet, determined and beautiful little girl and getting cuter, funnier and smarter by the day. We’re so lucky.

Which is why we threw her a big 1st birthday party.

I’ve gone and done the very thing I swore I wouldn’t before I had a child.

Happpy Birthday Millie!

Me a year or so ago (usually en-route to a 1st birthday party):
Why even bother throwing a 1-year-old a party? It’s not like they know what the hell is going on. It’s a huge waste of money. This baby birthday thing is getting out of control. A small family gathering is plenty.

Me the last few months:
Millie is turning 1! How exciting! Let’s throw her a party and invite all our nearest and dearest! I’ll order the invites now! What should be the theme? How big is too big for helium balloon arrangements? What should she wear? Oooh Etsy! I’ll have one of everything pink and cute and woodland, ok? Thanks!

It was a great day. Millie didn’t know what the hell was going on, but when she’s older we’ll show her the photos and tell her all about the room of people who love her and were at her 1st birthday.

We held it at a cafe/bar because our house is packed if any more than 3 people visit at once. It was the best idea I had. First birthdays are mostly for the adults so this ensured everyone was fed and watered and wasn’t subjected to my cooking.

Mister Fox starts to take shape as Millie’s woodland wonderland

I could decorate to make it look how it looked in mind and I could focus on Millie and chatting to everyone while someone else served the food (and cleaned up afterwards!).

I bought an inflatable ball pit to pop in the corner of the room for Millie’s little buddies. It was a huge hit.

Millie’s little friends Olivia and Isabel having a ball (geddit?)

I chose a woodland theme (deer, foxes, rabbits, toadstools, flowers, birds) and ordered invites and decorations to match. Easy peasy.

The woodland theme started with the invitations

Millie’s birthday cake was a giant cupcake. Without too much tweaking it looked like a toadstool. Bingo. We’d ordered cakes from this bakery before so knew it would look fantastic and taste delish.

The cake was a hit with the party girl

I went a little crazy on Etsy to gather the decorations. Once I had the theme in mind it all seemed to fall into place. Oh, and I had to have a glitter letter pom pom banner. Of course.

Little Dovie makes glitter name banners just perfect for parties

With the theme set months ago, I gathered bits and pieces as I went. Hubby said it was like the months before our wedding again. I was in full organising mode.

It’s all in the details

I always remember my birthday parties and being able to wear my prettiest dress. For Millie I picked my favourite Aussie children’s label and ordered a printed floral smock dress, bloomers and matching bib – I added some winter tights and leather bow moccs and her outfit was complete. Almost.
I found a dainty headband with tiny flowers and a bird sitting atop and snapped it up. It couldn’t have matched her theme or outfit better. She looked like a little woodland nymph.

Millie dressed for her party in Aussie labels Printebebe and Hubble and Duke

It was a great party, if I do say so myself. But like most events and milestones this year, it was over way too fast.

Better get planning for when Millie Moo is 2.

Millie’s 1st birthday party suppliers:
Invites: Creative Union Design
Venue: Mister Fox, Ringwood
Catering: Mister Fox, Ringwood
Balloon arrangement: Party Bazaar, Elsternwick
Pom pom banner: Little Dovie
Woodland bunting: Mozi
Cake & mini cupcakes: Little Cupcakes, Melbourne
Cake topper: Little Dovie
Mason jars & lids: Typo
Flowers: Simeon’s Florist, Elsternwick
Fuzzy bunny decorations: Bed, Bath N’ Table
Wooden toadstool figurines: WoodrockTurning
Crochet toadstools: Astash Toys
Deer figurine: Moppit and More
Lolly bags: Daiso
Inflatable ball bit: Big W
Balls for ball pit: Kmart

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What a magical experience it was. For any fan of Disney’s icy adventure it’s not to be missed. We haven’t been to a Disney on Ice show before, so weren’t sure what to expect. It was everything we hoped it would be – dazzling costumes and skating, bright lights, fog, snow and twinkling icicles paired with the tale and music every child loves (and mum and dad secretly do too).

Elsa patiently waiting for a train

We were at a Wednesday evening performance at Hisense Arena. Despite it being past almost-four-year-old Millie’s bedtime, her eyes were not getting sleepy for a second. She was far too excited for that.

Millie didn’t take her eyes of the skating rink Queen Elsa had a lot of mini imitators in the audience. PIC: Feld Entertainment

Her little face watched the entire show intently. She didn’t budge, wriggle or get distracted. She was in a Frozen trance – although did break into song on more than one occasion. She would nudge me and smile when a character recited her favourite lines and let out a big “oh no, Anna” at the pivotal last scene. Watching my girl in complete awe of the dazzling spectacle before her was worth the freezing cold train trip into town (plus side: the evening performance still had seats available and didn’t seem half as busy as weekend or afternoon shows). And I really enjoyed it too – who doesn’t love a good fairytale?

Let it goooo…

The immensely talented skaters actually looked like their characters, the show was schmick and ran for the perfect amount of time for its audience (1hr 45min including a 20 minute intermission).

Olaf provides the laughs. PIC: Feld Entertainment

Appearances by other Disney favourites bookended the show, pleasing the young crowd no end. Mickey and Minnie, Nemo and Dory, Timon and Pumba, Ariel, Cinderella and Snow White are just some of the characters who surprise the audience with a skate and a song. Millie was convinced ‘Cinderbella’ waved to her and it made her day.

Millie loved every second of Disney on Ice presents Frozen.

We were sitting on the side and close to the back of the arena (A Reserve Upper). It didn’t matter. The show has lots of movement and is performed to all sides of the stage so you don’t ever feel like you can’t see what’s going on. More expensive tickets are closer to the ice rink.

Disney on Ice presents Frozen is in Melbourne for three more shows tomorrow, then heads to Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney July 12-17 before returning to Melbourne July 22-23.

*MillieMummyMelbourne was gifted tickets to Disney on Ice presents Frozen for the purposes of a review.

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Millie – one of the luckiest one-year-olds in Melbourne – was one of the VIP guests at the City of Melbourne’s Christmas launch on Friday.

Millie was mesmerised by all the Christmas cheer in the CBD

Having Millie has renewed my love for the festive season (we escaped the ‘fuss’ back home and travelled to New York for Christmas two years ago). This year we’ve put our stockings up, bought a tree & hubby has switched on the outdoor fairy lights.

We’re reading Millie some Christmas-themed books and she now says “cinta” when she sees the bearded man in the red suit.

So you can imagine how much she loved the decorations, music and lights of the CBD at Christmas.

First stop was the Gingerbread Village by Epicure at the Melbourne Town Hall (enter corner Little Collins & Swanston streets).

The gingerbread Luna Park at the Gingerbread Village by Epicure

More than 2000 hours have been spent creating the intricate display which features Melbourne’s landmarks in gingerbread.

The detail is amazing, the smell is even better.

Millie is a spectator at a mini gingerbread MCG

Entry is via gold coin donation, with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish Australia.

The Gingerbread Village is open December 1-12, 10am-6pm and December 12-24, 10am-8.30pm.

The City Square has been transformed into Christmas Square with a magical forest, nutcracker soldiers, interactive candy canes and free photos with Santa. Santa photos are 10am-noon & 1-3pm (also 4-7pm Fridays) every day to December 24.

Get a happy snap with Santa at Christmas Square

Christmas buskers will be performing and sound and light shows are on at night, 9pm to 11pm.

The City Square has transformed into Christmas Square

Write a letter to Santa (include a stamped, self-addressed envelope) to get a reply from the big man himself. Santa’s post box is on the corner of Swanston & Collins streets until December 19.

A nativity scene blessing and a performance by the Australian Youth Choir is on at Christmas Square at 10.30am, December 3.

The Melbourne Town Hall is gift-wrapped for Christmas by day and at night becomes the backdrop for a very impressive animated projection from dusk to 11pm. Until December 25.

Toy soldiers stand guard outside the Melbourne Town Hall

The Myer Christmas Windows, Bourke St, tells the tale of Santa Claus and the Three Bears. The story and animation is on loop from 7.30am-1am until January 5.

The Myer Christmas Windows have been a delight for children for 59 years, attracting an estimated 1.2 million visitors every year

The free Santaland Express Train is on level 6 of Myer.

Crown’s Christmas Spectacular always draws a big crowd. The Atrium at Crown Towers comes to life with an animatronic, musical display every 30 minutes from 10am-midnight to Sunday, January 4.

Giant baubles pop open to reveal Santa’s friends and a 15m Christmas tree stays fully-lit 24/7.

Until December 25 Federation Square has a free snow installation called Whiteout, with huge interactive white spheres decorating the space.

Do you have a favourite family Christmas activity? Share it with us below

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Luckily King Thistle was part of the live show and Millie was one of a theatre full of youngsters grinning and jumping with anticipation before the curtain rose.

An excited Millie before the show

For parents who (almost unbelievably) don’t know about the incredibly popular ABC Kids program, the Little Kingdom – where everyone is very, very small – is home to young fairy princess, Holly and her best friend, Ben, who is an elf. They live in the Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass rise high above them and every day is an adventure.

Millie loved one her first theatre experiences

We caught one of many shows at Melbourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre over the Easter long weekend and it was the highlight of Millie’s weekend, even surpassing the excitement of the Easter bunny.

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom – Live on Stage is in two 30 minute halves, and sees Ben and Holly help Gaston the Ladybird clean up his messy cave, go on a trip into The Big World with tooth fairy Nanny Plum and plan a surprise birthday party for King Thistle.

The performance is direct from London’s West End and features full-size characters in colourful costumes, and had Millie enthralled. She selected a Holly doll from the merchandise stall on the way in, and cuddled her new friend all the way through the show. How I managed not to buy a whizzy light stick (it seemed every second child was holding one) was a small miracle.

It’s a lively performance with lots of audience interaction. Kids are encouraged to jump out of their seats and “fly like Holly” or sing along to some well-known tunes.

Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom – Live on Stage

Millie could see perfectly fine from her seat in the Dress Circle, helped by a booster cushion supplied by the theatre. She lost a bit of interest in the show towards the end, preferring to talk and dance with the other children in neighbouring seats, but she is only two! Most children had reached the end of their patience about half way through the last act, but it didn’t matter.

With a wave goodbye, Millie bid a very fond farewell to her favourite characters and is still telling everyone she went to the “Ben & Holly show”.

To see her happy little face throughout the performance reminded me to keep taking her to events like this. They’re only young once and I hope Millie grows up remembering all the wonderful things she did as a little girl.

There’s still shows on in Sydney, Newcastle and Perth before the Australian tour wraps up. Tickets are available from Lifelike Touring.

Millie and Holly dolly

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The Show is Victoria’s largest annual community event celebrating Victorian agriculture and attracting more than 450,000 visitors. It starts this year on Saturday, September 17 to Tuesday, September 27.

Don’t forget the Bertie Beetle showbag!

Conducted by The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, this year’s Royal Melbourne Show will give visitors more opportunities than ever to see and interact with animals, take part in fun, hands-on activities for families, indulge in award-winning food and be thrilled by the attractions.

So much to see at the Show

In addition to the popular Jayco Animal Nursery, where visitors can meet, pat and feed 500 lambs, kids, piglets and chicks, the outdoor animal display has doubled in size and will be home to sheep, cows, goats, alpacas, horses, pigs and more. Due to popularity, the animal attraction viewing area has also increased in size offering more families the chance to watch and take part in interactive milking and shearing shows as well as horse demonstrations.

Pre-purchase ride tickets to save 30 per cent

For foodies the Winning Tastes Pavilion will be the first stop. It will offer a taste of the city’s diverse food scene with pop-up restaurants and eateries including Bomba, Mr Claws and Pho Nom, while Mr Miyagi, Royale Brothers Burgers and Burn City Smokers will be serving up their signature dishes.

Sweet treats from Bibelot, Le Petit Gateau and LuxBite will be on rotation over the 11 days and Gelato Messina will be offering some new flavours inspired by the Show.

The Art, Craft and Cookery Pavilion will let you get hands-on with activities designed to inspire creativity.

Witness hundreds of animals on the arena for the Grand Cattle Parade on Saturday, September 24 and the Grand Cattle Parade of Champions on Monday, September 26.

Nightly fireworks will cap off your big day out.

The Show is the ultimate family day out

The Show will be open 10am-9pm. There are savings of up to 25 per cent on tickets and 30 per cent on rides by pre-purchasing tickets early at royalshow.com.au

The 2016 Royal Melbourne Show is a smokefree event.

See you there!

Pop on over to the MillieMummyMelbourne Instagram page to find out how to win a family pass to this year’s Show.

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Pacific Epping shopping centre in Melbourne’s north will offer something for every member of the family at the Pacific Epping Community Fair.

From today and running through to Sunday will be free family activities alongside shows from comedian Joe Avati, popular chef and TV personality Alice in Frames, and MasterChef winner Emma Dean.

Avati will start the giggles in a live comedy show on Friday, November 20 at 6.30pm and another at 8pm at The Urban Diner.

For culinary magic, grab the chance to be front-and-centre when Emma Dean whips up some tasty treats on Friday and Saturday, while the colourful Alice Z (Alice in Frames) will show her quirky cooking style on Sunday.

The delightful Alice in Frames. PIC: Instagram

Adding to the foodie fun, Hunter & Gather would like customers to share their favourite Christmas recipes, with the winning dishes being featured in the centre’s Christmas recipe card collection and created by Emma and Alice.

The Smurfs will be on site for a meet and greet on Friday, Captain America and The Hulk will be popping by on the Saturday and Curious George and The Man With the Yellow Hat will be saying hello to little fans on Sunday.

The Smurfs will meet and greet children on Friday at Pacific Epping. PIC: Instagram

Free Santa photos will be available and up to 50 per cent off will be offered by selected retailers for the duration of the fair.

Retailers, including Cotton On, will offer discounts during the fair. PIC: Instagram.

Pacific Centre chief executive Graham Terry says the team is excited to be celebrating the very best about their local community to kick off the festive season.

“We’re thrilled to be putting on a fair that creates a fun day out for the local community,” he said.

“It’s the perfect time of the year to be bringing everyone together with laughter, great food and activities for the whole family. We hope the community enjoys the festivities as much as we have organising them.”

An Urban Diner Community Pop Up Park will offer bocci, food tasing, a champagne bar and a DJ and performances by local groups and schools will feature throughout the fair on the community stage.

To start the fair off with a bang, fireworks will rocket into the sky at 9pm tonight.

Pacific Epping Community Fair is at Pacific Epping, 571-583 High St, November 20-22. Click here for a full event timetable.

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I won’t mention names but it’s a wonder some of my colleagues and I remember one work Christmas function where the leftover bottles of wine on the dinner tables were fair game.

Then there were the numerous lavish wedding receptions where afterwards I’d track down the nearest bar. For. More. Drinks.

I was a guest at my cousin Christopher’s wedding on Saturday at The Briars, a beautiful historic homestead and farm in Mt Martha. I was stone cold sober. I didn’t set foot on the dance floor. And I was heading home at 11pm.

What has happened to me? It’s simple. It is the chubby pink bundle of joy staring back at me from her pram. What has happened has a name: Millie.

Millie and I on Saturday at The Briars for my cousin’s wedding

Now just about every event I attend I have a plus one-and-a-half.

We stood behind the hay bales set up to watch the wedding on the weekend, pram positioned to make a quick push away in case of grizzles. It turns out Millie didn’t make a peep, only a couple of quiet giggles when somebody said hello to her.

The happy couple had a ‘no children’ policy, but said their rule referred to older kids who were able to run around and weren’t relying on their mums for a feed. Millie, the three littlies belonging to the groom’s sister (two of whom were in the bridal party) and another newborn baby boy were the only tiny guests.

The groom’s niece and nephew Leif and Ellia lead their new Aunty Cara down the aisle

I must say it was nice that Millie was able to be part of the day. Apart from my own wedding, this was only the second of the nieces and nephews on dad’s side of the family to get married, so it will be nice to tell her she was there.

The reception is the tricky part. It’s when mum and dad want to enjoy their meal but it’s baby’s bed time. Again, we need not have worried. Millie Moo sat in her pram at the end of our long table and cooed, shook her rattle and ate a whole jar of Heinz Organic puréed baby mush. Happy as Larry.

Set inside a chandelier-lit barn, the reception space offered plenty for Millie to look at. She was so busy sticky-beaking I think she forgot she was supposed to be tired and hungry.

I came prepared with a supply of rusks too, although messy they kept Miss M distracted and offered her gums some relief (I suspect she’s teething, but haven’t seen toothy pegs yet).

Not wanting to sacrifice my wedding style because of my breastfeeding status, I wore a dress but sat in the car to discreetly feed Millie after dinner.

I popped her back in the pram, gave her a jiggle just outside the barn so I could still hear the speeches and she was asleep by the bridal waltz.

We stayed overnight in the nearby ArtiZen cottage with family. It was ideal not to have to drive all the way back to Melbourne afterwards and also meant we were all refreshed upon arrival at the wedding, rather than grumpy and tired after an hour in the car.

It was all relatively easy with baby in tow. There’s just a lot more to remember now. It used to be all I had to remember was the wedding present and a lippy. I did feel so grown up and responsible, especially watching other guests tottering around in sky-high heels, drinks in hand.

Millie gets a kiss from my brother Matt at the reception

Just like the bubbly would help introduce you to fellow guests, you build a rapport with fellow pram-pushers at a wedding. Sympathetic glances and baby wipes were exchanged.

It was a lovely day. All the more so I was able to share it with my little family and wake up Sunday morning hangover-free.

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