Call me optimistic…call me crazy, but I have committed myself to flying to Brisbane in a fortnight to visit my parents.

Whoops!  No that’s not the crazy part.

This is: I am going on my own with the three children.

Granted a two hour flight is not that long.  But with three rambunctious, energetic preschoolers in tow, it has the potential to feel slightly longer than a lifetime!  But I know that all the moaning, complaining, and having to cart all three children to a toilet the size of telephone box because one of them wants to wee, will be worth it to give them a week in the sunshine with their beloved grandparents.

As much as they will all have a ball though, I’ll be honest, I know they will miss their Dad like crazy.  I certainly will.

Which is why I’m a bit excited about receiving a Hallmark’s recordable storybook to review.

Hubbster had great fun recording himself singing along to the ‘Hey Diddle, Diddle: Nursery Rhymes for Storytime,’ book.  He did all his usual ridiculous voices and silly sounds that The Woo, Foghorn and Bubble find so hilarious at bedtime.  And it was super-easy…even for someone who refuses to ever read instructions for anything!

Settled in bed one night last week (when Hubbster was late home from a job) I produced the gorgeous new book from behind my back.  Their little eyes almost popped out of their head when they turned the page and heard their Dad’s voice coming from the book.  It was priceless!

It was just as well that the pages were made of sturdy cardboard too…as in the excitement to see what vocal delights their Dad had in store for them on the next page there was a squabble over whose turn it was to turn the page.  Luckily though, the book withstood this, and there is no unsightly evidence!

So now, even while we are away (and he is basking in the peace and serenity of an empty home) Hubbster will still be able to read the kids their bedtime story!  What a fantastic idea!

I can’t begin to tell you how much I love this concept (based on the fact that my kids LOVE this concept) except to say that I have told my parents that we are going to buy one to take with us, so that Nana & Bampy can record themselves reading to the children.  (I have my eye on the ‘All the Ways I Love You’ book!)

I already have visions of the three of them sitting in Foghorns bed together at bedtime listening to Nana or Bampy’s voice telling them a story, and chattering excitedly about their special memories from their holiday.

Anyway…before I get even more sentimental and soppy…as I am sure you have got the idea by now about what a freaking awesome idea I think these books are…tell me which loved ones voice  your child would love to hear on one of these Hallmark Recordable Storybooks and you’ll go into the draw to win this “Lightening McQueen and His Winning Team,” book (which I have had to keep deftly hidden from the children).

That’s right!  I am giving this away to one lucky reader…even though I would actually quite like to keep it myself!  Vroom, vroom!

To enter:  Tell me which loved ones voice your child would love to hear on this Hallmark Recordable Storybook.

The winner will be chosen using a random number generator.

Competition closes at midnight Monday 3^rd October 2011.

Good luck!

These books are currently available for purchase via the Hallmark Australia’s online store website, with all orders shipped out within 48 hours.