Winter is here. Everyone I know is pulling out their winter jackets and rain gear.

With the winter school holidays already on our doorstep there is no better time to get kitted out for all those rainy days and family holidays down south. As much as i love the thought of a 4 or 5 star resort somewhere – anywhere – warm and tropical, school holidays for me are all about being with the kids, getting outside in the fresh air and doing something we love together as a family.

Last year we headed to Pemberton and Margaret River, incredibly beautiful places that most West Australians know about. We trekked to Beedelup Falls so the boys could see a real waterfall, canoed, fished at a trout farm, took a train ride deep into the Karri Forrest, collected eggs from free ranging chickens, fed Kangaroos, cows and sheep and managed to get partially lost at the Margaret River Maze. Yes we did manage to sneak in one winery, but they also had a playground for the kids, so everyone was happy!  But by far the most popular part of our entire  trip was a visit to the caves. Yallingup’s Ngilgis, and the mammoth and Lake Caves of the region, all equally amazing in their own way. The boys still ask now when we can go back.

So, where ever you might be heading these school holidays make sure the kids are rugged up in some warm trackies or jeans and a pair of Slicks, gum boots and a beanie and enjoy the adventure. Sure, you may have to dodge a few puddles and a bit of rain, but its all worth it, you can finish off the day back in a cosy cabin with a hot chocolate and a board game in front of the fire.

We did junior soccer a couple of years ago, the mornings were usually fresh and dewy either from rain, cold or sprinklers. Watching the littlies with the seat of their pants and the ankles get soaked week in and week out as they chased after the ball or toppled over made me want to give them all a pair of Slicks® !

Great over a pair of leggings or tracksuit on those cold mornings, our cool new design shows off their favourite team colours. We know these are going to be a huge hit so get in quick!

Available in sizes 1 through to 6.

New colour combos will be added, so let us know if your team isn’t there and we will see what we can do!

When my first beautiful boy was born I was determined that, although we didn’t have a back yard I would make sure that he still got to enjoy and experience as much outside nature play as possible. Even during the winter months, when rain could keep us holed up inside for days, bored of the four walls and any more Wiggely songs! We would bundle up and head out as soon as there was a break in the weather, often only to find the local park or playground still sodden and in puddles. I wanted him to play in the fresh air! But I didn’t want him wet and cold, because that normally led to sick and grizzly.

It was on one of those mornings that I came up with my idea. A waterproof pant that I could keep in mothers’ bag of tricks or in my pram that could easily be slipped over what ever he was wearing, they didn’t have to be rocket proof! Just something that kept him relatively clean, protected and dry. .. Heaven. Practical and versatile were a given but they also had to affordable and look good to! And so began Slicks® and Run Jump Splash Play®.

The Original Slicks® pants continue to be a huge success but we are excited to add a great new design this season. Slicks® Straight leg Waterproof pant. Road tested- big kids especially love these, a must for winter wardrobes. Great detail and zip feature for ease over shoes this style is seriously cute for little ones but equally cool for the bigger kids, the reason we made it up to size 6.

Green/charcoal/black and Orange/charcoal/black *Black waterproof jackets also available to match.

I started Run Jump Splash Play® over five years ago! So ‘not the super mum’ it has taken me a while, going at my own pace in between raising two beautiful boys and all that married and family life entails.

The popularity of our Slicks® play pants has grown as word of mouth from happy mums across Australia tell their friends and playgroup Mums about them, which of course we are very thankful for! During this time I have received numerous and repeated requests for a waterproof jacket to match and now… finally…. I am very excited to say that it is available.

This seasons colours will be pink/navy/khaki in sizes 1 through to 4 to match this years original Slicks® pants . And also in a seriously cool black, sizes 1 to 6 so it can be teamed with some of our new straight leg or sports designs. Made from the same waterproof fabric and lined, lightweight and very, very cute. Those that have had a sneak peak love it, as I am sure you will to. Don’t miss out!

I was lucky enough to attend an Active 10 & Nature Play conference recently, presented by the W.A Government Department of Sport and Recreation. The focus was on the importance of free range play for children, children interacting with nature and how we as parents can encourage and participate.

Some of the keynote speakers included Martin LeBlanc from the USA, an amazing advocate for the Children and Nature Network; Josh Byrne from ABC TV’s Gardening Australia who spoke about back yard gardening and nature based play areas for young children, and Tracy Buchholz from Playgroup W.A. offering simple and practical ideas for children to connect with nature.

The days of ‘back by dark’ have disappeared. As a mother of young children today, I know I couldn’t and wouldn’t let my kids roam too far at all (at least not without me tagging along!) But that’s okay, I am sure most mothers out there feel exactly the same, but there are still hundreds of ways we as parents can still create opportunities, encourage and allow our children the wonderful gift of being outdoors, interacting with nature and enjoying the wonderful freedom of unstructured play.

Already an advocate of outside and free play for young ones, I found it an inspiring and informative morning, it was great to get some fresh ideas and it was a very strong reminder of how important it truly is.

For more information: natureplaywa.org.au

The photo shoot for this season was our best by far, you may recognise one or two familiar faces, because yes, my own boys Ryely and Millar appear again, along with gorgeous blond Tess one of our favourites. For the boy’s team handsome brothers Aaron and Mattie joined our cast this time along with some new little cuties Lexi, Anna and Amity.

Shot outside in the fresh air we let the kids do all the things that kid’s love, kicking the football around, water play in the sandpit, camping , fishing and gardening. They were clicked naturally, having fun and mucking about simply enjoying the moment. So don’t believe what they say about working with kids or animals… well, not sure about the animal part, but our kids were fantastic, thank you to them all and of course their patient Mums.

Added to that- a good photographer may have also had something to do with the outcome! John from Eternity Photography was a natural with the kids, unobtrusive and relaxed and he understood exactly what I wanted. When it came to choosing the final photos for our new website it was incredibly hard! I spent hours going over trying to pick the best of the best there were just so many. John has included an offer especially for you ( sorry Eternity is W.A based, so offer will only be available for W.A ) If you are anything like me and get the yearly professional shots of the kids done, his style will really capture what is beautiful and unique about your child.