She's in for even more confusion when we let her stay up on New Year's Eve. See you on the other side!
Monday, 30 December 2013
And relax...
Did you have a Merry Christmas? EDtot was overwhelmed by it all and I think is still coming down off her excitement high. She doesn't really understand why friends and rellies are coming and going so much and why EDdad is only away at work for a couple of days. I hear her muttering to herself as she plays "no nursery, no, not today, maybe tomorrow, maybe chocolate" before launching into another round of Jingle Bells.
She's in for even more confusion when we let her stay up on New Year's Eve. See you on the other side!
She's in for even more confusion when we let her stay up on New Year's Eve. See you on the other side!
Saturday, 7 December 2013
ED Christmas Cracker
What a lovely day! It started well with EDtot waking up at 8:30am!! 8:30! Usually that means she's ill, but thankfully at the moment there are only the usual seasonal snuffles to contend with (touch wood). So we were all happy this morning after a decent night's sleep.
Unfortunately we missed the parade as we were too busy enjoying an impromptu pub crawl down the Lane. We did, however, find our favourite winter street market stall... the chestnut stall! Our pleas from last year have been heard and our local Rye Books have expanded into the chestnut/mulled cider market. We hear they'll be there every Saturday at the usual North Cross Road market. Hurrah!
The final destination for us was The Plough for both one final glass of bubbly and to buy our Christmas Tree from the stall outside. It was our top choice both thanks to the free delivery and the donation to charity that they made for each tree sold. And cos it was outside a pub.
After a trip to the playground and lunch at a local pub, we headed down to check out the East Dulwich Christmas Cracker - the Lordship Lane and North Cross Road street festival. It was a busy old afternoon on the Lane, but amongst the crowds we managed a rare sighting of the ED yeti.
EDtot was not impressed though and continued painting her Christmas tree at the craft stall for the afternoon parade.
The final destination for us was The Plough for both one final glass of bubbly and to buy our Christmas Tree from the stall outside. It was our top choice both thanks to the free delivery and the donation to charity that they made for each tree sold. And cos it was outside a pub.
So after a fun day out on the Lane, we now have to figure out where to stash all the rubbish that is currently cluttering our living room so that we can decorate the tree tomorrow. Don't you love December?
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
The Natural History Museum
We tend to avoid heading too far into West London, unless we happen to be driving, as it never feels like the easiest journey by train or bus. However, with EDtot's current dinosaur phase it seemed like a good time to introduce her to the wonders of The Natural History Museum.
So on a rainy Monday we set off on the train to London Bridge. As we had to make a slight detour to Hyde Park Corner to drop off a package (nothing remotely exciting), it meant we had to take the longer route of going via Green Park. Whilst there is a lift at Green Park, the walk between the Jubilee Line and Piccadilly Line is still really long. With all the changes of transport I had opted to sling EDtot, but with hindsight I really should have taken the buggy as she is getting a little too heavy for a whole day out in a sling. Well, to be fair it would be feasible with a sling if she was occasionally willing to walk and at a pace that meant we returned before Christmas.
So after a long journey on train, tube and bus we arrived at the Museum. It is a beautiful building, but unfortunately I only had my phone camera to hand so the shots are less than impressive. Despite EDtot being very familiar with the entrance to the museum thanks to her London Bus book, I was ill prepared for the fear that took over on seeing the massive dinosaur skeleton. EDtot most definitely did not want to walk at this point and was torn between keeping an eye on the beast and burying her head in my shoulder to avoid eye contact with it.
After much discussion EDtot decided to brave the actual dinosaur exhibition on the understanding she would be carried throughout. There is a lift up to the walkway in the exhibition so if you do take your buggy it is still possible to see the whole thing, but it does get very crowded. I could not believe it was a Monday with the number of people that were there. I don't think I would ever contemplate heading there on a weekend.
Most of the dinosaurs were labelled as "cute" by EDtot apart from the last one that was roaring away, but due to it's pose was deemed to be "taking a bow", not "preparing to attack". Thanks to Diddi Dance for that one! After moving on to the less scary animals, EDtot finally agreed to walk and give my back a rest. We managed a couple other exhibits before stopping for a sandwich on one of the many benches in the museum. I think there is a lovely garden we could have gone to for our little picnic, but on a rainy day it was easier to stay indoors.
We then set off on a far easier journey home which involved one bus from right outside the museum (although it is not a frequent service and does take a convoluted route) to Vauxhall and one more bus home. Definitely a fun day, but one to save for when you're feeling well rested and able to tackle London's transport system.
So on a rainy Monday we set off on the train to London Bridge. As we had to make a slight detour to Hyde Park Corner to drop off a package (nothing remotely exciting), it meant we had to take the longer route of going via Green Park. Whilst there is a lift at Green Park, the walk between the Jubilee Line and Piccadilly Line is still really long. With all the changes of transport I had opted to sling EDtot, but with hindsight I really should have taken the buggy as she is getting a little too heavy for a whole day out in a sling. Well, to be fair it would be feasible with a sling if she was occasionally willing to walk and at a pace that meant we returned before Christmas.
So after a long journey on train, tube and bus we arrived at the Museum. It is a beautiful building, but unfortunately I only had my phone camera to hand so the shots are less than impressive. Despite EDtot being very familiar with the entrance to the museum thanks to her London Bus book, I was ill prepared for the fear that took over on seeing the massive dinosaur skeleton. EDtot most definitely did not want to walk at this point and was torn between keeping an eye on the beast and burying her head in my shoulder to avoid eye contact with it.
After much discussion EDtot decided to brave the actual dinosaur exhibition on the understanding she would be carried throughout. There is a lift up to the walkway in the exhibition so if you do take your buggy it is still possible to see the whole thing, but it does get very crowded. I could not believe it was a Monday with the number of people that were there. I don't think I would ever contemplate heading there on a weekend.Most of the dinosaurs were labelled as "cute" by EDtot apart from the last one that was roaring away, but due to it's pose was deemed to be "taking a bow", not "preparing to attack". Thanks to Diddi Dance for that one! After moving on to the less scary animals, EDtot finally agreed to walk and give my back a rest. We managed a couple other exhibits before stopping for a sandwich on one of the many benches in the museum. I think there is a lovely garden we could have gone to for our little picnic, but on a rainy day it was easier to stay indoors.
We then set off on a far easier journey home which involved one bus from right outside the museum (although it is not a frequent service and does take a convoluted route) to Vauxhall and one more bus home. Definitely a fun day, but one to save for when you're feeling well rested and able to tackle London's transport system.
Sunday, 13 October 2013
The Dinosaur Trail
We really did have a beautiful summer, didn't we? The weather has turned now and autumn is in full swing. It is my favourite time of year though with all the colours in the trees and that lovely crisp smell in the air. If the wonderful summer weather meant you spent most days in your local park and you can no longer face going back to the same paths and swings, then have a look at one of the many other options we have in South East London.
Crystal Palace Park is accessible by many different bus routes, a train line and has a few car parks dotted around. There's a decent amount of things to see and do in the park including the usual children's play area, cafe, lake and a small farm.
The old One O'Clock Club has become a pre-school on weekdays, but on Saturdays and in the school holidays the centre, now called Diddy Dinos, opens for drop-in Pay and Play. I really missed the old One O'Clock Club so I was thrilled when I found out we could still pop along on certain days. EDtot loves the paint and craft options and the outdoor space has so much to offer the under 5's.
EDtot's favourite part of the park though is definitely the Dinosaur Trail. She loved sitting on EDdad's shoulders trying to "find" the dinosaurs hidden in trees. Can you spot any? :)
Crystal Palace Park is accessible by many different bus routes, a train line and has a few car parks dotted around. There's a decent amount of things to see and do in the park including the usual children's play area, cafe, lake and a small farm.
The old One O'Clock Club has become a pre-school on weekdays, but on Saturdays and in the school holidays the centre, now called Diddy Dinos, opens for drop-in Pay and Play. I really missed the old One O'Clock Club so I was thrilled when I found out we could still pop along on certain days. EDtot loves the paint and craft options and the outdoor space has so much to offer the under 5's.
EDtot's favourite part of the park though is definitely the Dinosaur Trail. She loved sitting on EDdad's shoulders trying to "find" the dinosaurs hidden in trees. Can you spot any? :)
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Bank Holiday Adventures (yes, the August Bank Holiday*)
I love those days when we act like tourists in London. They aren't a regular occurrence as we normally have something we need to do on our trips into Central London. So it was even more fun that our latest Tourist Day was unplanned.
We set off to Battersea Park Zoo for opening time at 10am. It is a children's zoo in a beautiful park and with the added bonus of being right on the river. There are the usual animals to see including lemurs, meerkats, snakes, otters, monkeys, donkeys and birds. The surprising thing about it is that there is also an amazing toddler playground spread out over one corner of the zoo and EDtot spent just as long there as she did checking out the animals.
After a quick sandwich from the cafe, we decided to continue our day out by heading down to the Thames. Although EDtot can get through the day without her midday nap, life is much easier all round if she manages at least an hour. So we drove around for a while and thankfully she dropped off so we headed to Bankside and eventually found a parking space.
We jumped on a Thames Clipper boat heading to North Greenwich. Well, jumped is a little misleading. We queued and waited and queued and waited. I don't know how busy they are midweek, but it was always going to be a slow affair on a Bank Holiday. EDtot has a few London based books and so was thrilled to spot landmarks from her own stories. I must try to find some Far East based kiddy books for our next trip to see the grandparents!
After Tower Bridge the journey speeds up considerably, which was lucky as EDtot had had her fill of bumbling along the river. When we arrived at North Greenwich we toyed with the idea of heading for the cable car which is a short walk away, but it was getting late in the afternoon so we settled on a mooch around the O2 and a quick play in the little fountain before jumping on the tube back to Waterloo.
It was too late to head back home for dinner so we rounded off the day with some sushi before enjoying a leisurely stroll along the Southbank to the car. A fabulous touristy day out with something for everyone.
*Apologies for the radio silence on the blog. It has been a busy ol' summer and updating the main EDtots site with the new term's activities has taken up most spare time.
We set off to Battersea Park Zoo for opening time at 10am. It is a children's zoo in a beautiful park and with the added bonus of being right on the river. There are the usual animals to see including lemurs, meerkats, snakes, otters, monkeys, donkeys and birds. The surprising thing about it is that there is also an amazing toddler playground spread out over one corner of the zoo and EDtot spent just as long there as she did checking out the animals.After a quick sandwich from the cafe, we decided to continue our day out by heading down to the Thames. Although EDtot can get through the day without her midday nap, life is much easier all round if she manages at least an hour. So we drove around for a while and thankfully she dropped off so we headed to Bankside and eventually found a parking space.
We jumped on a Thames Clipper boat heading to North Greenwich. Well, jumped is a little misleading. We queued and waited and queued and waited. I don't know how busy they are midweek, but it was always going to be a slow affair on a Bank Holiday. EDtot has a few London based books and so was thrilled to spot landmarks from her own stories. I must try to find some Far East based kiddy books for our next trip to see the grandparents!
After Tower Bridge the journey speeds up considerably, which was lucky as EDtot had had her fill of bumbling along the river. When we arrived at North Greenwich we toyed with the idea of heading for the cable car which is a short walk away, but it was getting late in the afternoon so we settled on a mooch around the O2 and a quick play in the little fountain before jumping on the tube back to Waterloo.It was too late to head back home for dinner so we rounded off the day with some sushi before enjoying a leisurely stroll along the Southbank to the car. A fabulous touristy day out with something for everyone.
*Apologies for the radio silence on the blog. It has been a busy ol' summer and updating the main EDtots site with the new term's activities has taken up most spare time.
Sunday, 25 August 2013
Sunday, 11 August 2013
Camp Bestival 2013 - an epic post
I don't do festivals. Crowds and portaloos are reasons enough to keep me away, but throw in camping and I run a mile. I can understand therefore why EDdad looked very confused when I suggested Camp Bestival. I guess it was partly for his sake as he likes both camping and festivals and partly for EDtot as I'd heard such good things about this family festival, I knew she would enjoy herself.
If I was going to introduce EDtot to the world of festivals, it needed at least to be a gentle start for both of us. Camp Bestival, the baby sister festival to Isle of Wight's Bestival, seemed like the ideal choice and to further ease the trauma of lugging huge amounts of belongings to a field far away, we chose the glamping option and booked a bell tent in the Boutique Camping section.
Boutique Camping unfortunately does not mean complete luxury. You're still in a tent in a field with shared toilets and showers, but I was very happy that we paid extra to have a spacious tent ready for our arrival complete with airbed, duvet, pillows and rugs on the floor. The toilets were proper flushing loos with nice sinks and mirrors and for the most part were well stocked with toilet roll and hand wash (not just hand sanitiser...actual hand wash!). The showers were Posh Wash ones and apart from one morning when a few were a tad chilly, they were lovely and warm. The queue at peak times was only around 20 minutes which is nothing compared to the wait on The Other Side of the Fence. The Others also had Posh Wash options, but as the numbers wanting to use them were far greater than in Boutique, I'm told the wait was sometimes over an hour (although in the middle of the afternoon, there was no queue at all).
Our Boutique Camping providers were Sleeping Bells and they had decorated the tents with lovely bunting and fairy lights. Their tents also had a little porch area which came in very handy as a buggy park or for cool boxes. Most importantly, they started off our CB experience with a much needed glass of Pimm's! By this time it was late afternoon so we headed into the main fields to explore.
Only one field was open on the Thursday to provide some light entertainment and food and drink. It was more than enough though as most people were still busy putting up tents and getting to know their neighbours. EDtot was quite in awe of the space she had to run free and the fact that most of that space was on a slope so running (and therefore falling and rolling) was just far more fun. It was absolutely lovely to watch her find her confidence and charge off down the hill - well, it was lovely for me as I sat on the rug outside the Wagamama Lounge watching her...EDdad was on chasing duty.
It is around a 10 minute slow walk (with buggy) from the Boutique Camping section to the main fields. The first day we didn't take too much with us as the plan was to return to the tent for EDtot's lunchtime nap. That turned out to be a flawed plan as EDtot really, really did not want to nap and so the rest of the weekend we packed up everything we would need for the day and stayed in the main fields from around 9am until 5pm. EDtot would eventually nod off in her buggy around 2pm which gave us an hour to relax, people watch and eat delicious Purbeck Ice Cream. After popping back to the tent to change shorts/shoes into warmer evening wear (the coastal breeze is quite chilly!) we would head back to the main fields for the evening's entertainment.
The choice of entertainment was overwhelming for a festival newbie. The first morning was spent getting to know the layout of the fields and check out the food options on offer. There were so many options! We didn't get to try half the delicious looking dishes being prepared, but ended up snacking a lot on smaller items like the sweetcorn in the kid's field and the scrummy waffles with bacon and maple syrup in the Young British Foodies tent. The YBF tent was definitely the best place to try something different and a few feet away the WI ladies were on hand to provide very reasonably priced sandwiches, cakes and a cuppa.
With so much to see and do, we didn't even realise until the last night that there were some amazing kiddy meals available in the Lower Kid's Garden. Up until that point, EDtot had stayed loyal to the mac 'n' cheese. I admit, not many vegetables made it onto her plate that weekend. As her meals the rest of the year tend to be fairly well rounded, I was not about to get hung up on that one. EDtot sensed the relaxed attitude to food and made the most of it for the first day, but by day two was actually turning down unhealthy snack options in favour of an apple. Never thought that would happen!
I had originally thought the festival was geared more towards the over 5's and whilst they probably do get more out of it than the tots, there is definitely a LOT for little ones to see and do. EDtot rolled around in the Soft Play tent, learnt dance moves on the Space Dance stage, created a beautiful picture in Art Town, gazed in awe at the beautiful, giant flags flapping in the wind, threw around hula hoops and diabolos, played for aaaages in the giant sandpit, cheered on her horse on the carousel, ran around as a fairy on fancy dress day, chased millions of bubbles at Bubble Inc, listened to stories in the Dingly Dell, oohed and aahed at the horses at the jousting, and danced, a LOT. She danced to Richard Hawley, The Cuban Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, the Levellers, the many awesome tunes blaring out of the Disco Shed and the all important Mr Tumble.
Mr Tumble was definitely the main draw for the under 5 crew. We were prepared for there to be huge crowds for his performance on the Saturday morning, but it was a real shame that so many adults decided to stand with their tots on their shoulders even when they had a clear view of the stage. Once a few people stood at the front, everyone around them had to do the same or suffer missing out altogether. It really wouldn't have taken much for an announcement to be made before Mr Tumble came on stage to ask all adults to sit down. I've heard that this was done in some of the tents for other kiddy shows. EDtot looked distraught at the possibility of only listening to the show so we had no choice other than to pop her up on EDdad's shoulders. She thoroughly enjoyed the show though and keeps watching the video of herself dancing to Best of Friends. Catchy tune.
We managed to catch a few other acts and shows, but mainly we wandered around the fields soaking up the amazing festival atmosphere. There were a few idiots who clearly didn't care at all about their or their kid's behaviour, but for the most part everyone was in good spirits and considerate of others around them. I was really keen before the festival to buy a trolley to transport EDtot and all our stuff around the site, but having read a few reviews online, I decided to wait and see for myself what it was like. Whilst I really liked the look of them, especially the pimped up ones, they seem better suited to families with 2+ young tots to ferry around. They are very heavy to drag up and down the hilly grounds of Lulworth Castle and you have to be quite determined to get them in and out of the main arenas without hurting or annoying anyone. Some of the aforementioned idiots were also quite happy to block the view of those behind them by bringing their trolley complete with canopy to the front of events. If you really must be at the front, at the very least take down the canopy!!
We ended up using the buggy everyday as EDtot napped in it in the afternoon and then fell asleep in it in the evening (although normally not until we were walking back to the tent around 11pm!). Even with just a buggy, I found it tiring trying to get around and manoeuvre through the crowds so for the Grand Finale Extravaganza we decided to just use the sling and it really made a difference to how quickly and easily you can get around. Luckily we had amazing weather all weekend so we didn't have to worry about dragging the buggy across muddy ground. It was only on the last night that the rain started, but even then it had cleared by the time we were packing up to leave on Monday morning.
As for the facilities in the fields, there were definitely issues with the number of loos available and with such long queues we did find we drank a lot less. My liver is grateful for that at least. I was very glad though that we hadn't started potty training EDtot as even the kiddy loos had long queues. I quickly learnt that the sawdust loos were the ones to head for as they were more spacious and definitely smelt less! My liver is also grateful for the lack of decent lager options, but if you like your cider, you'll be fine.
I was aware that if I tried to organise our weekend to catch various acts, I would probably make it far too stressful an affair for us as festival newbies. So we did miss a lot, but it made for a very laid back and enjoyable experience. I wouldn't call it relaxing (although that could have been remedied by a massage in the Soul Park), but it was very good fun. The biggest shame was that we didn't get to see more of our friends who were camping in different sections. The virtually non-existent mobile signal meant texts weren't received until hours after they were sent. It is difficult to co-ordinate times and places to meet in advance when you're dealing with lots of different aged tots all wanting to do different things and needing meals and naps at different times. The times we did meet up though, were great fun.
It's hard to describe what a brilliant atmosphere there is at Camp Bestival. You do feel like the organisers have really made an effort to make it a special event and to cater for all the family. My favourite thing about Camp Bestival is hands down the effect it had on my little EDtot. It brought her out of her shell and it was amazing to see her enjoying herself all day long. She hasn't stopped talking about "going 'amping wif Mr Tumble" so whilst I wouldn't say I'm a convert to the camping lifestyle, I think we can safely say we'll be back in 2014!
If I was going to introduce EDtot to the world of festivals, it needed at least to be a gentle start for both of us. Camp Bestival, the baby sister festival to Isle of Wight's Bestival, seemed like the ideal choice and to further ease the trauma of lugging huge amounts of belongings to a field far away, we chose the glamping option and booked a bell tent in the Boutique Camping section.
 |
| Boutique are the white tents waaaay off in the distance |
Our Boutique Camping providers were Sleeping Bells and they had decorated the tents with lovely bunting and fairy lights. Their tents also had a little porch area which came in very handy as a buggy park or for cool boxes. Most importantly, they started off our CB experience with a much needed glass of Pimm's! By this time it was late afternoon so we headed into the main fields to explore.
Only one field was open on the Thursday to provide some light entertainment and food and drink. It was more than enough though as most people were still busy putting up tents and getting to know their neighbours. EDtot was quite in awe of the space she had to run free and the fact that most of that space was on a slope so running (and therefore falling and rolling) was just far more fun. It was absolutely lovely to watch her find her confidence and charge off down the hill - well, it was lovely for me as I sat on the rug outside the Wagamama Lounge watching her...EDdad was on chasing duty.
It is around a 10 minute slow walk (with buggy) from the Boutique Camping section to the main fields. The first day we didn't take too much with us as the plan was to return to the tent for EDtot's lunchtime nap. That turned out to be a flawed plan as EDtot really, really did not want to nap and so the rest of the weekend we packed up everything we would need for the day and stayed in the main fields from around 9am until 5pm. EDtot would eventually nod off in her buggy around 2pm which gave us an hour to relax, people watch and eat delicious Purbeck Ice Cream. After popping back to the tent to change shorts/shoes into warmer evening wear (the coastal breeze is quite chilly!) we would head back to the main fields for the evening's entertainment.
The choice of entertainment was overwhelming for a festival newbie. The first morning was spent getting to know the layout of the fields and check out the food options on offer. There were so many options! We didn't get to try half the delicious looking dishes being prepared, but ended up snacking a lot on smaller items like the sweetcorn in the kid's field and the scrummy waffles with bacon and maple syrup in the Young British Foodies tent. The YBF tent was definitely the best place to try something different and a few feet away the WI ladies were on hand to provide very reasonably priced sandwiches, cakes and a cuppa.
With so much to see and do, we didn't even realise until the last night that there were some amazing kiddy meals available in the Lower Kid's Garden. Up until that point, EDtot had stayed loyal to the mac 'n' cheese. I admit, not many vegetables made it onto her plate that weekend. As her meals the rest of the year tend to be fairly well rounded, I was not about to get hung up on that one. EDtot sensed the relaxed attitude to food and made the most of it for the first day, but by day two was actually turning down unhealthy snack options in favour of an apple. Never thought that would happen!
I had originally thought the festival was geared more towards the over 5's and whilst they probably do get more out of it than the tots, there is definitely a LOT for little ones to see and do. EDtot rolled around in the Soft Play tent, learnt dance moves on the Space Dance stage, created a beautiful picture in Art Town, gazed in awe at the beautiful, giant flags flapping in the wind, threw around hula hoops and diabolos, played for aaaages in the giant sandpit, cheered on her horse on the carousel, ran around as a fairy on fancy dress day, chased millions of bubbles at Bubble Inc, listened to stories in the Dingly Dell, oohed and aahed at the horses at the jousting, and danced, a LOT. She danced to Richard Hawley, The Cuban Brothers, Grandmaster Flash, the Levellers, the many awesome tunes blaring out of the Disco Shed and the all important Mr Tumble.
Mr Tumble was definitely the main draw for the under 5 crew. We were prepared for there to be huge crowds for his performance on the Saturday morning, but it was a real shame that so many adults decided to stand with their tots on their shoulders even when they had a clear view of the stage. Once a few people stood at the front, everyone around them had to do the same or suffer missing out altogether. It really wouldn't have taken much for an announcement to be made before Mr Tumble came on stage to ask all adults to sit down. I've heard that this was done in some of the tents for other kiddy shows. EDtot looked distraught at the possibility of only listening to the show so we had no choice other than to pop her up on EDdad's shoulders. She thoroughly enjoyed the show though and keeps watching the video of herself dancing to Best of Friends. Catchy tune.
We ended up using the buggy everyday as EDtot napped in it in the afternoon and then fell asleep in it in the evening (although normally not until we were walking back to the tent around 11pm!). Even with just a buggy, I found it tiring trying to get around and manoeuvre through the crowds so for the Grand Finale Extravaganza we decided to just use the sling and it really made a difference to how quickly and easily you can get around. Luckily we had amazing weather all weekend so we didn't have to worry about dragging the buggy across muddy ground. It was only on the last night that the rain started, but even then it had cleared by the time we were packing up to leave on Monday morning.
As for the facilities in the fields, there were definitely issues with the number of loos available and with such long queues we did find we drank a lot less. My liver is grateful for that at least. I was very glad though that we hadn't started potty training EDtot as even the kiddy loos had long queues. I quickly learnt that the sawdust loos were the ones to head for as they were more spacious and definitely smelt less! My liver is also grateful for the lack of decent lager options, but if you like your cider, you'll be fine.
I was aware that if I tried to organise our weekend to catch various acts, I would probably make it far too stressful an affair for us as festival newbies. So we did miss a lot, but it made for a very laid back and enjoyable experience. I wouldn't call it relaxing (although that could have been remedied by a massage in the Soul Park), but it was very good fun. The biggest shame was that we didn't get to see more of our friends who were camping in different sections. The virtually non-existent mobile signal meant texts weren't received until hours after they were sent. It is difficult to co-ordinate times and places to meet in advance when you're dealing with lots of different aged tots all wanting to do different things and needing meals and naps at different times. The times we did meet up though, were great fun.
It's hard to describe what a brilliant atmosphere there is at Camp Bestival. You do feel like the organisers have really made an effort to make it a special event and to cater for all the family. My favourite thing about Camp Bestival is hands down the effect it had on my little EDtot. It brought her out of her shell and it was amazing to see her enjoying herself all day long. She hasn't stopped talking about "going 'amping wif Mr Tumble" so whilst I wouldn't say I'm a convert to the camping lifestyle, I think we can safely say we'll be back in 2014!
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Danson Park
The car is not EDtot's friend. She enjoys the first 10 minutes or so when she's clapping along to If You're Happy and You Know It, but she suffers at random times from car sickness so there's no guarantee a journey will go smoothly. As a wee baby she could at least be relied upon to fall asleep at some point, but now it takes nearly an hour for her to drop off and that's only if it is actually nap time!
So I do like to break up journeys and if you're heading down the A2, a lovely place to stop off is Danson Park in the London Borough of Bexley. We spent an afternoon there recently with a friend and her tot. The children's play area is incredibly sweet with a range of wooden animals to amuse the little ones as well as the usual play equipment and a water play area. With a pub restaurant on the other side of the car park to the play area, it provides a welcome break only 5 minutes away from our main route.
Where do you like to stop off for your tot to run around when you're travelling out of London?
Sunday, 28 July 2013
Skyline
Fancy a pint whilst enjoying the amazing skyline our fine city has to offer? Look no further than a local pop-up cafe/bar on top of a car park...Frank's Cafe.
Provided you stick to the quieter daytime option (it's open from 11am), there's ample space for little tots to explore without disturbing other patrons. EDtot opted for a spot of micro scootering in the empty part of the rooftop car park before settling down for a bite to eat from their lunch menu.
An amazing view and a pint. What's not to like?
Provided you stick to the quieter daytime option (it's open from 11am), there's ample space for little tots to explore without disturbing other patrons. EDtot opted for a spot of micro scootering in the empty part of the rooftop car park before settling down for a bite to eat from their lunch menu.
An amazing view and a pint. What's not to like?
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Parenting 101
As our little EDtot becomes a mischievous little two year old, I've been thinking back to those first few weeks when we brought her home and I had no idea what kind of parent I was going to be. Many of EDtot's little pals are becoming older siblings and it is lovely to watch the second time parents enjoying the early newborn days knowing pretty much how they are going to approach Round Two.
There are a huge number of books out there claiming to have all the answers to how to parent your child. I didn't read any before EDtot came along. Not for any anti-parenting book reason; I was simply preoccupied with the whole pregnancy and labour thing. I didn't consider what would happen once the dust had settled (quite literally as the builders only finished our kitchen the week after EDtot arrived).
Some pregnant friends had plans to cloth nappy, some had plans to ensure a routine was in place as soon as possible, some had already sorted out a nursery place for when their little one turned two (yes, the waiting lists can be that ridiculously long in SE22!). None of this had even crossed my mind. So it is just as much of a surprise for me as EDtot as to how we are going to approach each day and the challenges it brings.
I appear to have fallen into a group that some of my friends would chuckle heartily at. Having seen the efforts required when my closest friend adopted cloth nappies a few years ago, I had no desire to make my life any harder by following in her footsteps. But... have you seen how cute some of those designs are?!? My friend did it for all the right reasons - cost and eco-friendly. I fell into it, not literally, after being fed up with the poo-splosions that the disposables just would not contain. My friend had all practical ones with nippas and separate wraps. After trying a couple of second hand ones, I had a collection that could be the beginnings of a nappy demo library. (Have I mentioned how cute they are?)
The same could be said for my entry to the world of slings. I had a tot who was seriously unhappy to be anywhere except on me and for this reason alone I searched out a stretchy wrap to enable me to eat at least one meal a day and be able to go to the loo! I was hooked. Our wrap enabled a 4 week old EDtot to be fed as we wandered round Buckingham Palace, whilst my mum (who was over for a very short time) oohed and aahed over the Royal Wedding Exhibition. For the same reason, we ended up co-sleeping - in her moses basket, EDtot screamed; in our bed, she slept. We like sleep.
I know these two items are products and not parenting-styles, but there seem to be lots of people who associate them with particular ways of parenting. Many refer to Attachment Parenting and other similar titles. I don't even know what some of these terms really mean or encompass, but I guess some form of heading is required if for no other reason than to search for solutions on Google!
I can't really say which title best describes my parenting style. EDtot and I just seem to stumble from one day to the next and try to employ the best methods that I think will suit our current "phase" and lifestyle. I know I'd love for my style to be a far more patient, relaxed, gentle one, but sometimes life just gets in the way. I will persevere though and maybe one day I'll be able to coin a title all of our own and say, yes, that's how we roll.
There are a huge number of books out there claiming to have all the answers to how to parent your child. I didn't read any before EDtot came along. Not for any anti-parenting book reason; I was simply preoccupied with the whole pregnancy and labour thing. I didn't consider what would happen once the dust had settled (quite literally as the builders only finished our kitchen the week after EDtot arrived).
Some pregnant friends had plans to cloth nappy, some had plans to ensure a routine was in place as soon as possible, some had already sorted out a nursery place for when their little one turned two (yes, the waiting lists can be that ridiculously long in SE22!). None of this had even crossed my mind. So it is just as much of a surprise for me as EDtot as to how we are going to approach each day and the challenges it brings.
I appear to have fallen into a group that some of my friends would chuckle heartily at. Having seen the efforts required when my closest friend adopted cloth nappies a few years ago, I had no desire to make my life any harder by following in her footsteps. But... have you seen how cute some of those designs are?!? My friend did it for all the right reasons - cost and eco-friendly. I fell into it, not literally, after being fed up with the poo-splosions that the disposables just would not contain. My friend had all practical ones with nippas and separate wraps. After trying a couple of second hand ones, I had a collection that could be the beginnings of a nappy demo library. (Have I mentioned how cute they are?)
The same could be said for my entry to the world of slings. I had a tot who was seriously unhappy to be anywhere except on me and for this reason alone I searched out a stretchy wrap to enable me to eat at least one meal a day and be able to go to the loo! I was hooked. Our wrap enabled a 4 week old EDtot to be fed as we wandered round Buckingham Palace, whilst my mum (who was over for a very short time) oohed and aahed over the Royal Wedding Exhibition. For the same reason, we ended up co-sleeping - in her moses basket, EDtot screamed; in our bed, she slept. We like sleep.
I know these two items are products and not parenting-styles, but there seem to be lots of people who associate them with particular ways of parenting. Many refer to Attachment Parenting and other similar titles. I don't even know what some of these terms really mean or encompass, but I guess some form of heading is required if for no other reason than to search for solutions on Google!
I can't really say which title best describes my parenting style. EDtot and I just seem to stumble from one day to the next and try to employ the best methods that I think will suit our current "phase" and lifestyle. I know I'd love for my style to be a far more patient, relaxed, gentle one, but sometimes life just gets in the way. I will persevere though and maybe one day I'll be able to coin a title all of our own and say, yes, that's how we roll.
Sunday, 7 July 2013
Friday, 5 July 2013
I No Like
That's our current favourite phrase. Everything is placed in the No Like category at some point in the day. Even the much loved In The Night Garden balloon (bought on a recent trip to the Live Show at the O2 - t'was fab) has almost reduced EDtot to tears. The reasons are random. The poor balloon had the audacity to be too close to her...never mind that she had placed it there.
It is fascinating to watch her explore the world around her and categorise her Likes and No Likes. It also results in some lovely moments when Mama is placed in the Like box. Hopefully it'll stay that way for a while yet!
One thing that was definitely liked was our recent trip to Dalscone Farm. It is huge with an indoor soft play area and really good cafe. Outside is even more exciting and includes trampolines, ride on toys, bumper boats, mini racers, climbing frames, a sandpit, mini golf, a zip line, alpine slide and, of course, the animals. To top it all off, it has a massive toy shop (and it is separate to all the action so you don't have your tot pleading with you to buy something on the way out!).
Unfortunately... it is nowhere near South East London. It is in Dumfries. In Scotland. Far, far away. I would very much like it to move down South. I might pop that on a feedback form. It provided hours of fun for EDtot on our trip up to visit the Grandparents. It was only on the way out that we heard the first I No Like of the day and that was directed at our car.
It is fascinating to watch her explore the world around her and categorise her Likes and No Likes. It also results in some lovely moments when Mama is placed in the Like box. Hopefully it'll stay that way for a while yet!
One thing that was definitely liked was our recent trip to Dalscone Farm. It is huge with an indoor soft play area and really good cafe. Outside is even more exciting and includes trampolines, ride on toys, bumper boats, mini racers, climbing frames, a sandpit, mini golf, a zip line, alpine slide and, of course, the animals. To top it all off, it has a massive toy shop (and it is separate to all the action so you don't have your tot pleading with you to buy something on the way out!).
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Wimbledon
♪ Baah bah ba-bap, baah bah ba-bap, baah bah ba-bap baaaah... ♪ (surely that works if you've read the post title!)
Summer, Wimbledon, Pimm's... all things that seem linked in my mind. Or at least they did. We are days away from the start of the prestigious tennis Championships and that makes me think of only one thing... the ante-natal ward at King's College Hospital.
It was almost two years ago that I was sweltering away (we actually had a summer that year!), sitting on a bed in the hospital ward watching the tennis tournament. I had been referred to the hospital by my midwife for high blood pressure. They told me I would be monitored for four hours. It later transpired they meant "every" four hours.
So for four days I sat in the hospital watching Wimbledon. I'm sure many people would relish the opportunity to watch so much of the action on Centre Court. I would have enjoyed it too...on my couch...with the fan on. It was a scary, exciting and tiring time and the opening theme music for Wimbledon brings back memories of that week just before EDtot entered our lives. Pimm's reminds me of the days after...
Just kidding...I needed something stronger than Pimm's!
Summer, Wimbledon, Pimm's... all things that seem linked in my mind. Or at least they did. We are days away from the start of the prestigious tennis Championships and that makes me think of only one thing... the ante-natal ward at King's College Hospital.
It was almost two years ago that I was sweltering away (we actually had a summer that year!), sitting on a bed in the hospital ward watching the tennis tournament. I had been referred to the hospital by my midwife for high blood pressure. They told me I would be monitored for four hours. It later transpired they meant "every" four hours.
So for four days I sat in the hospital watching Wimbledon. I'm sure many people would relish the opportunity to watch so much of the action on Centre Court. I would have enjoyed it too...on my couch...with the fan on. It was a scary, exciting and tiring time and the opening theme music for Wimbledon brings back memories of that week just before EDtot entered our lives. Pimm's reminds me of the days after...
Just kidding...I needed something stronger than Pimm's!
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Sunday, 9 June 2013
And breathe...
Apologies to all for the radio silence these past couple of weeks. We had a family emergency that meant EDtot and I had to fly out on short notice. I had ummed and aaahhed over taking EDtot with me, but decided it would be easiest to do so as she has never been looked after by anyone else for more than a couple of hours and she really is a sensitive little soul so would not take kindly to being left with a stranger.
I reasoned that she would be able to accompany me on most activities whilst we were overseas and at other times there were a number of other relatives there who she at least knew. Whilst I don't regret the decision to take her, it did have a bigger impact on her than I expected. Her separation anxiety returned with a vengeance and her sleep, already affected by jetlag, became very erratic. I decided to just ride it out and let her cling to me (even in the shower!) and co-sleep for the duration of the trip.
It does still amaze me how difficult a phase can feel when you're in the middle of it. It doesn't matter that you know it will pass or that they won't still be doing it in 5 years time. Even after a couple of days, it can feel like it has been going on forever and will continue indefinitely. I also constantly felt that I was handling it all wrong and making it ten times worse or at least significantly harder for EDtot to recover from it. Listen to your instincts, they say. My instincts changed their mind depending on whether I was tired, hungry or just plain fed-up.
On a positive note, I can report that there is now a soft play room at Heathrow Terminal 3! It was a welcome distraction for EDtot before the long flight and meant she could at least burn off a little energy. There weren't many signs for it so head for the "family room" at the far end of the departure terminal, behind Zara. You have to head round the corridor and up in the lift to find it and once there make sure you keep an eye on the time as it can take a while to get to the boarding gate!
So we're now settling back into a routine and EDtot is no longer screaming if I stand up to go to the loo. I can't wait to get back to the classes and activities that we both love and that will hopefully help her shake off the last bits of anxiety. Some singing, dancing, climbing, arts and crafts combined with afternoons in the park is just what is needed. And hopefully we'll be able to make a suitable pressie for Father's Day at the next Happymess session!
I reasoned that she would be able to accompany me on most activities whilst we were overseas and at other times there were a number of other relatives there who she at least knew. Whilst I don't regret the decision to take her, it did have a bigger impact on her than I expected. Her separation anxiety returned with a vengeance and her sleep, already affected by jetlag, became very erratic. I decided to just ride it out and let her cling to me (even in the shower!) and co-sleep for the duration of the trip.
It does still amaze me how difficult a phase can feel when you're in the middle of it. It doesn't matter that you know it will pass or that they won't still be doing it in 5 years time. Even after a couple of days, it can feel like it has been going on forever and will continue indefinitely. I also constantly felt that I was handling it all wrong and making it ten times worse or at least significantly harder for EDtot to recover from it. Listen to your instincts, they say. My instincts changed their mind depending on whether I was tired, hungry or just plain fed-up.
On a positive note, I can report that there is now a soft play room at Heathrow Terminal 3! It was a welcome distraction for EDtot before the long flight and meant she could at least burn off a little energy. There weren't many signs for it so head for the "family room" at the far end of the departure terminal, behind Zara. You have to head round the corridor and up in the lift to find it and once there make sure you keep an eye on the time as it can take a while to get to the boarding gate!
So we're now settling back into a routine and EDtot is no longer screaming if I stand up to go to the loo. I can't wait to get back to the classes and activities that we both love and that will hopefully help her shake off the last bits of anxiety. Some singing, dancing, climbing, arts and crafts combined with afternoons in the park is just what is needed. And hopefully we'll be able to make a suitable pressie for Father's Day at the next Happymess session!
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| Previous creations at Happymess. Love the little egg guy and beautiful flower! |
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
If You Go Down To The Woods Today
Actually we were in for a bit of a surprise! But more on that later.
I remember family walks in the countryside being a regular occurrence when I was growing up. Our grandparents would even join in on what tended to be more of a hike than a walk. I used to love those days out although if you ask my mum now she'll probably say I whinged the whole time.
It's not always easy to get away for a day at the weekend to explore the countryside so we're very lucky to be able to just walk down to the local woods for a few hours to explore the local wildlife. The woods in question are Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood. They are a lovely expanse of trees, plants, birds and insects and most importantly are right here on our doorstep.
EDtot has not generally been the biggest fan of nature. She has preferred the safety of the picnic blanket to sitting on the grass itself. I was not therefore hopeful that a trip out to the woods would result in much more than a few minutes walk and a lot of being carried. We were pleasantly surprised to find she is now happy to get at least a little bit mucky.
We spent a few hours wandering round the trails with EDtot. Provided she had her trusty stick friend and the promise of another step to climb/jump off, she was very happy to walk the whole time. It was lovely to see her actually sit and play in the leaves and wipe the soil off her hands onto her clothes. For many that might not be an ideal day out, but considering her previous views on nature, it was refreshing to see her acceptance of dirt!
The trail around the woods can easily be covered with a toddler, but don't be tempted to take a buggy. A sling, some snacks and a bottle of water are all you need for a fun afternoon out.
I remember family walks in the countryside being a regular occurrence when I was growing up. Our grandparents would even join in on what tended to be more of a hike than a walk. I used to love those days out although if you ask my mum now she'll probably say I whinged the whole time.
It's not always easy to get away for a day at the weekend to explore the countryside so we're very lucky to be able to just walk down to the local woods for a few hours to explore the local wildlife. The woods in question are Sydenham Hill Wood and Dulwich Wood. They are a lovely expanse of trees, plants, birds and insects and most importantly are right here on our doorstep.
EDtot has not generally been the biggest fan of nature. She has preferred the safety of the picnic blanket to sitting on the grass itself. I was not therefore hopeful that a trip out to the woods would result in much more than a few minutes walk and a lot of being carried. We were pleasantly surprised to find she is now happy to get at least a little bit mucky.
We spent a few hours wandering round the trails with EDtot. Provided she had her trusty stick friend and the promise of another step to climb/jump off, she was very happy to walk the whole time. It was lovely to see her actually sit and play in the leaves and wipe the soil off her hands onto her clothes. For many that might not be an ideal day out, but considering her previous views on nature, it was refreshing to see her acceptance of dirt!
The trail around the woods can easily be covered with a toddler, but don't be tempted to take a buggy. A sling, some snacks and a bottle of water are all you need for a fun afternoon out.
Wednesday, 17 April 2013
Sunshine!
Isn't it just lovely now that the sun has reappeared and the weather is slowly starting to improve? Some of you may be far more creative with your time indoors, but I tend to go a little stir crazy if I don't get out for a bit each day. I found it quite difficult to motivate myself to just bundle EDtot up and head out to the park/woods for those all important nature play sessions whilst it was cold and grey.
I've finally been able to shrug off the winter coat and EDtot has been modelling her first pair of sunglasses. We're ready to start exploring more than just museums! Our first new discovery is one that has been under our noses the whole time we've lived here and we were completely unaware. The Centre for Wildlife Gardening is hidden on Marsden Road (SE15 4EE) behind a pair of decorative gates.
Walk down the pathway between the houses into grounds that are full of interesting mini habitats for tots to explore and with a lovely nature trail that includes a tot friendly sandpit and logs to inspire hours (ok, minutes if you're 2 years old) of creative play. With areas for the adults to sit and relax, it really is an idyllic hideaway.
Whilst you might be tempted to kick back with your feet up and a Pimm's in hand, you will need to keep a close eye on the tots as they can quickly disappear from view behind the many plants and find themselves at the edge of the enticing pond. Our EDtot is a fairly cautious soul, but even she was drawn to the cute frogs croaking at her from a few feet away.
The Centre is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. I can see us spending many more (hopefully) sunny days there. Big thanks to our friends who showed us this lovely garden and if anyone knows any other hidden gems, please do let us know!
I've finally been able to shrug off the winter coat and EDtot has been modelling her first pair of sunglasses. We're ready to start exploring more than just museums! Our first new discovery is one that has been under our noses the whole time we've lived here and we were completely unaware. The Centre for Wildlife Gardening is hidden on Marsden Road (SE15 4EE) behind a pair of decorative gates.
Walk down the pathway between the houses into grounds that are full of interesting mini habitats for tots to explore and with a lovely nature trail that includes a tot friendly sandpit and logs to inspire hours (ok, minutes if you're 2 years old) of creative play. With areas for the adults to sit and relax, it really is an idyllic hideaway.
Whilst you might be tempted to kick back with your feet up and a Pimm's in hand, you will need to keep a close eye on the tots as they can quickly disappear from view behind the many plants and find themselves at the edge of the enticing pond. Our EDtot is a fairly cautious soul, but even she was drawn to the cute frogs croaking at her from a few feet away.
The Centre is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:30am to 4:30pm. I can see us spending many more (hopefully) sunny days there. Big thanks to our friends who showed us this lovely garden and if anyone knows any other hidden gems, please do let us know!
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| Not the best pic of the grounds, but one happy tot wandering off exploring. (She doesn't often stray that far!) |
Friday, 12 April 2013
The Buggy Meltdown
I genuinely thought we had escaped the joys of the buggy meltdown. Alas it seems EDtot was merely biding her time.
We had decided to head to the South Bank on a rainy day and meet a friend for a stroll around the Tate Modern. I was prepared for EDtot to want to be carried a lot as the latest molar pushing through has reactivated clingy mode, but in fact she was having a fab time walking around,enjoying the space of the Turbine Hall, telling tourists where she was off to and admiring the neon lights in one of the exhibitions.
I was therefore woefully unprepared for the first ever total meltdown at being placed back in the buggy when it was time to leave. Most of EDtot's little friends had already expressed their buggy rage some months ago when they had found walking far more fun, but we had not experienced this joyous spectacle presumably due to her late entry into the world of mobility.
I never knew she was actually that strong or how incredibly difficult it is to manoeuvre even a tiny tot when they are arching their back and flailing around. It was quite a feat on her part and therefore probably worthy of the audience she had gained with her screams. I was not, however, enjoying the experience.
Thankfully the rest of the day was thoroughly enjoyable, in part thanks to the cocktails that followed, but I would love to know how others deal with the buggy battle. Do tell!
p.s. if you're heading to the Tate Modern with a tot, please note the under 5's zone has been removed.
We had decided to head to the South Bank on a rainy day and meet a friend for a stroll around the Tate Modern. I was prepared for EDtot to want to be carried a lot as the latest molar pushing through has reactivated clingy mode, but in fact she was having a fab time walking around,enjoying the space of the Turbine Hall, telling tourists where she was off to and admiring the neon lights in one of the exhibitions.
I was therefore woefully unprepared for the first ever total meltdown at being placed back in the buggy when it was time to leave. Most of EDtot's little friends had already expressed their buggy rage some months ago when they had found walking far more fun, but we had not experienced this joyous spectacle presumably due to her late entry into the world of mobility.
I never knew she was actually that strong or how incredibly difficult it is to manoeuvre even a tiny tot when they are arching their back and flailing around. It was quite a feat on her part and therefore probably worthy of the audience she had gained with her screams. I was not, however, enjoying the experience.
Thankfully the rest of the day was thoroughly enjoyable, in part thanks to the cocktails that followed, but I would love to know how others deal with the buggy battle. Do tell!
p.s. if you're heading to the Tate Modern with a tot, please note the under 5's zone has been removed.
Sunday, 31 March 2013
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Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Toddler Theatre
I love the theatre. There is something special about settling back to watch a live performance and immersing yourself into the story unfolding in front of you. Whilst I can lose myself in a good film at the cinema, there is nothing quite like the magic of a stage performance.
I was therefore very excited to find a theatre with performances just for kiddies and we booked our first ever show for EDtot at the Polka Theatre. We went to see Wash by Birdsnest Theatre and it was brilliant! I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting, but as the audience consisted of a bunch of (normally) energetic toddlers, I did think there would be a fair amount of shushing and scrambling to drag various tots back from the stage. In actual fact they all sat mesmerised by the beautiful story of a toy monkey needing its first wash.
The seating consisted of some cushions on the floor and the performance took place at the same level a few feet away. Luckily the audience numbers were kept to a reasonable level so there didn't seem to be too much craning to see the action, but it still helps to grab a front seat cushion on arrival! Be prepared to sit still though as moving around by the adults would mean some poor tot behind not being able to see.
The performance itself was a lovely mix of songs and movement and included an impressive amount of dexterity on the part of the musician who accompanied the action with a range of quirky instruments and everyday household objects to add a fun rhythm to the story.
EDtot sat happily throughout the show and the playtime at the end meant she could interact with the musical props and, most importantly, monkey himself. The theatre itself has a lovely play area for before and after the show complete with old fashioned rocking horses, books, colouring in and an outdoor play area if the weather is good.
We are still at the lunch time nap phase for EDtot (and her friend who joined us for the show), but we managed to grab a quick lunch at the theatre cafe before rushing home whilst trying to keep the tots awake in the car. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning out and I would happily take EDtot to see the same performance all over again!
p.s.we weren't asked to mention any of the venues/companies referred to...just in case you were wondering!
I was therefore very excited to find a theatre with performances just for kiddies and we booked our first ever show for EDtot at the Polka Theatre. We went to see Wash by Birdsnest Theatre and it was brilliant! I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting, but as the audience consisted of a bunch of (normally) energetic toddlers, I did think there would be a fair amount of shushing and scrambling to drag various tots back from the stage. In actual fact they all sat mesmerised by the beautiful story of a toy monkey needing its first wash.
The seating consisted of some cushions on the floor and the performance took place at the same level a few feet away. Luckily the audience numbers were kept to a reasonable level so there didn't seem to be too much craning to see the action, but it still helps to grab a front seat cushion on arrival! Be prepared to sit still though as moving around by the adults would mean some poor tot behind not being able to see.
The performance itself was a lovely mix of songs and movement and included an impressive amount of dexterity on the part of the musician who accompanied the action with a range of quirky instruments and everyday household objects to add a fun rhythm to the story.
EDtot sat happily throughout the show and the playtime at the end meant she could interact with the musical props and, most importantly, monkey himself. The theatre itself has a lovely play area for before and after the show complete with old fashioned rocking horses, books, colouring in and an outdoor play area if the weather is good.
We are still at the lunch time nap phase for EDtot (and her friend who joined us for the show), but we managed to grab a quick lunch at the theatre cafe before rushing home whilst trying to keep the tots awake in the car. It was a thoroughly enjoyable morning out and I would happily take EDtot to see the same performance all over again!
p.s.we weren't asked to mention any of the venues/companies referred to...just in case you were wondering!
Saturday, 2 March 2013
Long Haul
We recently jetted off to foreign shores for a holiday visiting relatives. It was a lovely trip and just what we needed after the latest phase EDtot had enjoyed (see Duvet Day). Considering we were staying at my aunt's (and most toddler necessities were provided), the suitcases should have been fairly empty.
In fairness, they were, but only due to being free of most of the items EDdad and I normally take on holiday. We had scaled down drastically in order to (a) allow for lots of shopping once there, and (b) make space for ridiculous items such as a noodle for EDtot to use in the pool! For some reason common sense had a little lie-in the morning I decided to pack. At least this time I didn't find a ski glove hiding with the swimsuits.
So here are our handy tips for travelling long haul with a toddler.
1. A night flight is always preferable in the hope that your tot's natural body clock will help them sleep. Be prepared, however, for that sleep time to be a lot later than you anticipated. If your tot is able to use a bassinet, it can be a while into the flight before they set them up and even then you will have to take your tot out and strap them onto your seat belt each time there is a chance of turbulence. Our outbound flight involved 4 instances of "potential turbulence" and I was far from the happiest camper when it took an hour to then get EDtot to resettle with hardly a bump to be felt. (Yes, yes, safety first and all that.)
2. Hand luggage needs to be practical. This may sound obvious, but you really don't want to be lugging a heavy bag around Terminal 3 whilst carrying your tired tot. A backpack or a good wheelie case can really help (especially as our EDtot insisted on being carried instead of using the stroller that we were allowed to take to the gate). And have your essentials (passport, boarding passes, etc) in a small bag on you to save emptying all the nappies out on the airport terminal floor whilst you search for them. You're normally allowed a small handbag in addition to your usual hand carry items.
3. Take their usual pj's and Grobag (or similar) on the plane. It can get pretty cold and a blanket is a pain to keep adjusting. Don't forget any obligatory soft toy from their cot! If your little one is used to a pitch dark room for bedtime, don't expect to get much sleep at first as there will always be a low overhead light or even the joy of a nearby reading light. Must try to get EDtot used to eye shades before the next trip!
4. Buy a specialist earplug to help your tot avoid the pain of air pressure changes. We used EarPlanes and they were an absolute saviour as not only did EDtot allow them be inserted into her ears, she actually let them stay in until we took them out! A flight to France last year had confirmed that she suffers badly during take-off and landing even with the help of chewing/drinking, but on this trip she didn't seem to notice. Make sure you buy them early though as we couldn't find any for kids in the shops and had to order online.
5. Time zones changes. I've found the quickest way to get over jetlag is to power through that first day. Keep busy and stay awake until local time bedtime. We tweaked EDtot's bedtime slightly in order to allow for a nicer holiday (and also to keep her slightly closer to UK time) so she ended up going to bed at 10pm and waking at around 9:30am. This meant not only could we all enjoy a family meal out at lunch and in the evening, but we also had a little siesta mid-afternoon whilst she napped. Nice.
6. And finally...if you don't own one, hire a sling before you go. I love my slings. I have not quite got to grips with flinging EDtot onto my back using a woven wrap (maybe the 'flinging' part is where I am going wrong), but it is really very easy in a backpack style carrier like an Ergo. Slings make so many parts of a holiday easier...getting around the airport, negotiating busy shopping districts, avoiding looking for lifts everywhere and of course, cuddling your tired tot. If you need to hire a sling, check out your local Sling Library. Here in SE London, we have the lovely Emily from the South London Sling Library to assist.
Have a lovely holiday!
In fairness, they were, but only due to being free of most of the items EDdad and I normally take on holiday. We had scaled down drastically in order to (a) allow for lots of shopping once there, and (b) make space for ridiculous items such as a noodle for EDtot to use in the pool! For some reason common sense had a little lie-in the morning I decided to pack. At least this time I didn't find a ski glove hiding with the swimsuits.
So here are our handy tips for travelling long haul with a toddler.
1. A night flight is always preferable in the hope that your tot's natural body clock will help them sleep. Be prepared, however, for that sleep time to be a lot later than you anticipated. If your tot is able to use a bassinet, it can be a while into the flight before they set them up and even then you will have to take your tot out and strap them onto your seat belt each time there is a chance of turbulence. Our outbound flight involved 4 instances of "potential turbulence" and I was far from the happiest camper when it took an hour to then get EDtot to resettle with hardly a bump to be felt. (Yes, yes, safety first and all that.)
2. Hand luggage needs to be practical. This may sound obvious, but you really don't want to be lugging a heavy bag around Terminal 3 whilst carrying your tired tot. A backpack or a good wheelie case can really help (especially as our EDtot insisted on being carried instead of using the stroller that we were allowed to take to the gate). And have your essentials (passport, boarding passes, etc) in a small bag on you to save emptying all the nappies out on the airport terminal floor whilst you search for them. You're normally allowed a small handbag in addition to your usual hand carry items.
3. Take their usual pj's and Grobag (or similar) on the plane. It can get pretty cold and a blanket is a pain to keep adjusting. Don't forget any obligatory soft toy from their cot! If your little one is used to a pitch dark room for bedtime, don't expect to get much sleep at first as there will always be a low overhead light or even the joy of a nearby reading light. Must try to get EDtot used to eye shades before the next trip!
4. Buy a specialist earplug to help your tot avoid the pain of air pressure changes. We used EarPlanes and they were an absolute saviour as not only did EDtot allow them be inserted into her ears, she actually let them stay in until we took them out! A flight to France last year had confirmed that she suffers badly during take-off and landing even with the help of chewing/drinking, but on this trip she didn't seem to notice. Make sure you buy them early though as we couldn't find any for kids in the shops and had to order online.
5. Time zones changes. I've found the quickest way to get over jetlag is to power through that first day. Keep busy and stay awake until local time bedtime. We tweaked EDtot's bedtime slightly in order to allow for a nicer holiday (and also to keep her slightly closer to UK time) so she ended up going to bed at 10pm and waking at around 9:30am. This meant not only could we all enjoy a family meal out at lunch and in the evening, but we also had a little siesta mid-afternoon whilst she napped. Nice.
6. And finally...if you don't own one, hire a sling before you go. I love my slings. I have not quite got to grips with flinging EDtot onto my back using a woven wrap (maybe the 'flinging' part is where I am going wrong), but it is really very easy in a backpack style carrier like an Ergo. Slings make so many parts of a holiday easier...getting around the airport, negotiating busy shopping districts, avoiding looking for lifts everywhere and of course, cuddling your tired tot. If you need to hire a sling, check out your local Sling Library. Here in SE London, we have the lovely Emily from the South London Sling Library to assist.
Have a lovely holiday!
Thursday, 7 February 2013
Duvet Day?
We're having 'one of those weeks'. You know those times when you want to just hide under the duvet? When illness is compounded by daily chores that don't get the hint that you're not interested. When suddenly a number of matters all require your immediate attention. Add to that a toddler, who better be going through a phase, and even coffee/wine (delete as applicable to time of day) is powerless to help.
EDtot's current phase seems to follow a theme of No, That Isn't What I Want And Nothing You Can Do Will Make Me Happy, Ever. It's an interesting one and she's certainly throwing herself into the role wholeheartedly. There is the odd slip in character when a biscuit derails her, but on the whole, she's nailed this one. A particularly fine performance included the scene on the Lane entitled I Don't Want To Hold My Water Bottle, But I Don't Want You To Have It Either. I was half expecting her to break into I Dreamed A Dream between sobs.
EDtot's current phase seems to follow a theme of No, That Isn't What I Want And Nothing You Can Do Will Make Me Happy, Ever. It's an interesting one and she's certainly throwing herself into the role wholeheartedly. There is the odd slip in character when a biscuit derails her, but on the whole, she's nailed this one. A particularly fine performance included the scene on the Lane entitled I Don't Want To Hold My Water Bottle, But I Don't Want You To Have It Either. I was half expecting her to break into I Dreamed A Dream between sobs.
Sunday, 3 February 2013
West End Girls
Not an Eighties revival. It was a day out for EDtot into Central London. We were off to meet my aunt and cousins for lunch and shopping. Whilst EDtot loves a good social lunch, the shopping part was bound to be traumatic unless I could work it around a nap.
The day before I had spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for play options around Oxford Street, but it would seem that the nobody has felt the need to open a soft play in the heart of London. A huge failing and missed opportunity if you ask me! Anyway, we settled on the next best option - an area for EDtot to roam free. The forecast was for rain so off to the London Transport Museum we went.
At £15 per person it is not a cheap outing, but if you live in London it is worth the money as that £15 buys you an annual ticket. It is based in Covent Garden and so will be a great stop off for us on our way into town by bus or train. The only downside at the moment is that EDtot is not quite walking yet. She can manage a short walk holding our hands, but is too scared to venture off on wobbly legs. So we end up hobbling around slowly or carrying her from one exhibit to the next.
In any event, it was a lovely way to start the day and after an hour in the museum with our friend and her little boy, we set off for Oxford Street. We had a lovely walk up through Chinatown and Soho, ducking and diving through narrow streets and picking up some delicious waffle balls on the way. They are a staple street food in Hong Kong and I am still trying to work out the correct recipe for them.
Selfridges' cafe was our meeting point with the aunt and cousins. I wouldn't tend to head there if I was on my own as it is canteen style service and I would end up with food tray and buggy going flying as I tried to manoeuvre through the tables. Thankfully it is all a lot easier when you have extra hands to help. After a relaxed lunch we decided to have a little wander around the store and at the same time try to get EDtot to nap in her buggy. I had specifically brought the Beast of a Buggy as it is more comfy, but she had other ideas and after I returned from trying on an outfit, I found she had convinced my aunt that life would be better for all concerned if she was allowed to get out of the buggy and walk.
So we enjoyed a snail pace shopping experience with one very happy toddler who was thrilled to have two hands to support her on her epic journey through the store. I'm not sure how well my aunt's and cousin's backs coped, but it worked well for me! We also found a mini-entertainment pit stop in the form of two toy cars in the kiddy clothes section. Big enough for EDtot to sit in and with a couch and telly beside it to relax in.
All-in-all, a successful jaunt into Central London!
The day before I had spent a ridiculous amount of time searching for play options around Oxford Street, but it would seem that the nobody has felt the need to open a soft play in the heart of London. A huge failing and missed opportunity if you ask me! Anyway, we settled on the next best option - an area for EDtot to roam free. The forecast was for rain so off to the London Transport Museum we went.
At £15 per person it is not a cheap outing, but if you live in London it is worth the money as that £15 buys you an annual ticket. It is based in Covent Garden and so will be a great stop off for us on our way into town by bus or train. The only downside at the moment is that EDtot is not quite walking yet. She can manage a short walk holding our hands, but is too scared to venture off on wobbly legs. So we end up hobbling around slowly or carrying her from one exhibit to the next.
In any event, it was a lovely way to start the day and after an hour in the museum with our friend and her little boy, we set off for Oxford Street. We had a lovely walk up through Chinatown and Soho, ducking and diving through narrow streets and picking up some delicious waffle balls on the way. They are a staple street food in Hong Kong and I am still trying to work out the correct recipe for them.
Selfridges' cafe was our meeting point with the aunt and cousins. I wouldn't tend to head there if I was on my own as it is canteen style service and I would end up with food tray and buggy going flying as I tried to manoeuvre through the tables. Thankfully it is all a lot easier when you have extra hands to help. After a relaxed lunch we decided to have a little wander around the store and at the same time try to get EDtot to nap in her buggy. I had specifically brought the Beast of a Buggy as it is more comfy, but she had other ideas and after I returned from trying on an outfit, I found she had convinced my aunt that life would be better for all concerned if she was allowed to get out of the buggy and walk.
So we enjoyed a snail pace shopping experience with one very happy toddler who was thrilled to have two hands to support her on her epic journey through the store. I'm not sure how well my aunt's and cousin's backs coped, but it worked well for me! We also found a mini-entertainment pit stop in the form of two toy cars in the kiddy clothes section. Big enough for EDtot to sit in and with a couch and telly beside it to relax in.
All-in-all, a successful jaunt into Central London!
Sunday, 20 January 2013
What a Week!
The Birthday Week is over and we are exhausted! It was great fun putting together the prize draws and seeing all the entries flood in for each fab prize. EDtot thoroughly enjoyed picking the winners' names out of a box with all the entries.
A big thank you to all the lovely people who donated prizes. If you don't already know them, here's a round up of what they have to offer:
Mothers Inc - onsite childcare whilst you enjoy your pampering experience. Fancy a massage or facial, but can't find childcare for such a short time? Mothers Inc. offers the perfect solution.
SE22 Piano School - your local piano teaching practice with students from ages 3 - 60. The school teaches from beginners to advanced levels in classical, pop, improvisation and jazz piano and holds recitals such as the one offered in the prize draw.
Cheeky C's - the fun, creative and exciting playgroup, which is split into different C's. Take your toddler/baby along to enjoy the construction, camping, creative, cosy, crazy, cooking, concert, costume, curious and concentration corners with a coffee corner for the adults!
Tippee Toes Music - the music and movement classes include action songs, musical instruments, movement props, puppets, colourful laminates, parachute play and oodles of bubbles! They also offer baby massage, soft play, parties and even a mobile creche for those special events.
The Dish and The Spoon - need a coffee, but know your little one won't want to sit still for long enough to allow the caffeine to kick in (for you; not them!)? Head to The Dish and The Spoon cafe and deli in Nunhead serving up Dark Fluid Coffee, cakes and more with the added bonus of a lovely play area to keep the kiddies amused.
Fuzzy and Friends - looking for a class that will fire up their imagination? Try out one that is all about learning through music and make believe. With free-play time before and after the sessions for the adults to catch up over a cuppa.
ShutterBaby - how could you not want that shot of your newborn all curled up on a pile of towels with a pair of angel wings? We left it too late to grab that special newborn pic, but luckily they tend to stay cute for a fair few years and ShutterBaby can help you capture those perfect pics.
Diddi Dance - jealous of the amount of energy your little one has every day? Channel it into improving their rhythm and co-ordination using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to Diddi Dance's own funky pop songs. They also offer fantastic party fun!
Babistic Baby - enjoy all the benefits that baby yoga can offer in a group session with other mums. Babistic Baby also offers baby massage and maternity reflexology sessions to help relax you and baby.
Bach to Baby - not only do you have the chance to enjoy a concert without hiring a sitter, your little one also has the chance to attend a live classical music performance and chill out to Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms!
Powerpramming - it is hard enough sometimes to get yourself up and out with a newborn let alone find childcare whilst you try to get your fitness back! Powerpramming is the perfect solution as you can bring your little bundle with you whilst you enjoy working out at your own pace.
Captured on the Rye - a home furnishing shop with a cafe area serving delicious coffees, hot and cold beverages and a selection of cakes. Check out the handmade designs that are screenprinted locally. Many lines are organic and Fairtrade cotton.
Thank you to everyone involved. Here's to another fun filled year!
xx
A big thank you to all the lovely people who donated prizes. If you don't already know them, here's a round up of what they have to offer:
Mothers Inc - onsite childcare whilst you enjoy your pampering experience. Fancy a massage or facial, but can't find childcare for such a short time? Mothers Inc. offers the perfect solution.
SE22 Piano School - your local piano teaching practice with students from ages 3 - 60. The school teaches from beginners to advanced levels in classical, pop, improvisation and jazz piano and holds recitals such as the one offered in the prize draw.
Cheeky C's - the fun, creative and exciting playgroup, which is split into different C's. Take your toddler/baby along to enjoy the construction, camping, creative, cosy, crazy, cooking, concert, costume, curious and concentration corners with a coffee corner for the adults!
Tippee Toes Music - the music and movement classes include action songs, musical instruments, movement props, puppets, colourful laminates, parachute play and oodles of bubbles! They also offer baby massage, soft play, parties and even a mobile creche for those special events.
The Dish and The Spoon - need a coffee, but know your little one won't want to sit still for long enough to allow the caffeine to kick in (for you; not them!)? Head to The Dish and The Spoon cafe and deli in Nunhead serving up Dark Fluid Coffee, cakes and more with the added bonus of a lovely play area to keep the kiddies amused.
Fuzzy and Friends - looking for a class that will fire up their imagination? Try out one that is all about learning through music and make believe. With free-play time before and after the sessions for the adults to catch up over a cuppa.
ShutterBaby - how could you not want that shot of your newborn all curled up on a pile of towels with a pair of angel wings? We left it too late to grab that special newborn pic, but luckily they tend to stay cute for a fair few years and ShutterBaby can help you capture those perfect pics.
Diddi Dance - jealous of the amount of energy your little one has every day? Channel it into improving their rhythm and co-ordination using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to Diddi Dance's own funky pop songs. They also offer fantastic party fun!
Babistic Baby - enjoy all the benefits that baby yoga can offer in a group session with other mums. Babistic Baby also offers baby massage and maternity reflexology sessions to help relax you and baby.
Bach to Baby - not only do you have the chance to enjoy a concert without hiring a sitter, your little one also has the chance to attend a live classical music performance and chill out to Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms!
Powerpramming - it is hard enough sometimes to get yourself up and out with a newborn let alone find childcare whilst you try to get your fitness back! Powerpramming is the perfect solution as you can bring your little bundle with you whilst you enjoy working out at your own pace.
Captured on the Rye - a home furnishing shop with a cafe area serving delicious coffees, hot and cold beverages and a selection of cakes. Check out the handmade designs that are screenprinted locally. Many lines are organic and Fairtrade cotton.
Thank you to everyone involved. Here's to another fun filled year!
xx
Thursday, 10 January 2013
EDtots Turns One!
We are so excited as next week we will be a whole one year old! Yay! Our own little EDtot wasn't too aware of her first birthday, but was very happy with all the attention she had that day. We, however, plan on having a huge birthday celebration that lasts all week! Woo hoo!
It has been a fabulous year and we are very grateful for all the support and unbelievably lovely comments we've had from our users in person and online. It is always nice to hear how useful the site is. The activity providers have also sent us some lovely feedback on how it has helped with their classes.
To celebrate all this loveliness, we have teamed up with some activity providers and local businesses to offer our fabulous EDtot-ers (that's you guys, by the way) lots and lots of brilliant prizes! All next week there will be prize draws for a different giveaway each morning and afternoon! (Lots of exclamation marks are needed!!!)
If you want to be first to hear of each Prize Draw, pop over to Facebook or Twitter and "like/follow" to receive our updates. Don't worry though, you don't need a Facebook or Twitter account to enter the draws as they will be run on the EDtots site.
We hope you enjoy our Birthday Week and we look forward to another fun year. Here's a taster of some of the people/companies giving away prizes:
* Diddi Dance * Mothers Inc * Tippee Toes * Fuzzy and Friends * SE22 Piano School * The Dish and The Spoon * ShutterBaby * Babistic Baby * Cheeky C's * Power Pramming * Bach to Baby * Captured on the Rye *
It has been a fabulous year and we are very grateful for all the support and unbelievably lovely comments we've had from our users in person and online. It is always nice to hear how useful the site is. The activity providers have also sent us some lovely feedback on how it has helped with their classes.
To celebrate all this loveliness, we have teamed up with some activity providers and local businesses to offer our fabulous EDtot-ers (that's you guys, by the way) lots and lots of brilliant prizes! All next week there will be prize draws for a different giveaway each morning and afternoon! (Lots of exclamation marks are needed!!!)
If you want to be first to hear of each Prize Draw, pop over to Facebook or Twitter and "like/follow" to receive our updates. Don't worry though, you don't need a Facebook or Twitter account to enter the draws as they will be run on the EDtots site.
We hope you enjoy our Birthday Week and we look forward to another fun year. Here's a taster of some of the people/companies giving away prizes:
* Diddi Dance * Mothers Inc * Tippee Toes * Fuzzy and Friends * SE22 Piano School * The Dish and The Spoon * ShutterBaby * Babistic Baby * Cheeky C's * Power Pramming * Bach to Baby * Captured on the Rye *
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