I LOVE YOU MUMMY

Anyone who knows me, knows that my Text message alert on my phone is Luke saying 'I love you Mummy' It melts my heart everytime I hear it.

From the moment he was born we have always told him that we love him and felt it was important for him to hear every day. He now says it back when we say it first.
This weekend he actually told me without me having to prompt him. I am such a proud, happy Mummy.

HAPPY EASTER!

Apart from it being a religious festival, Easter when I was growing up was all about receiving Easter eggs and it was the only time of the year my brother, sister and I were allowed to eat chocolate in the morning. Many children nowadays are being treated to Easter gifts like it is another Christmas receiving gifts as large as a Nintendo DS!

When Luke was weaning, I only ever allowed him to him naturally sweetened foods but he was introduced to chocolate by his Grandparents (my Dad!!) He instantly took an interest in it so we are careful not to have it in the house as much nowadays. This year I gave up chocolate and crisps for Lent so I have my own stash hidden away, I will be sneakily tucking in when Luke isn't in close proximity. We will probably be making rice crispie and cornflake cakes out of his Easter eggs which is still chocolate but mixed with cereal just doesn't seem as bad.
Happy Easter everyone and hope you have a good break.

CANDLE FACTORY & ICE CREAM FARM

I was struggling with ideas of where to go for a family outing on Wednesday afternoon and was given a few suggestions after my SOS on Facebook.

We decided to go to the Candle Factory at Burwardsley and then afterwards onto Cheshire Ice Cream farm at Tattenhall. Luke is at the age now where he gets excited about surprises and the journey was a real adventure. He loved looking out for Beeston & Peckforton Castles so I'm guessing we will be venturing out there again in the Summer.

The Candle Factory was buzzing with children all doing different activities, pottery painting, decorating wooden spoons, making badges, fridge magnets and rulers. Luke was spoilt for choice and was so in awe of it all that he decided he didn't want to make 'nuffing'. We went downstairs to watch the candle making but again, Luke wasn't interested in making one. He spent the morning at nursery making Easter Crafts and I think he was activitied out! I've never pushed him into anything he doesn't want to do, believe me its not worth it with such a strong-willed toddler!

Onwards to the Ice Cream Farm, this is much more Luke's scene and Mark's too! We had a quick look round the petting zoo and then into the shop to buy our ice cream. As I have given up chocolate for Lent, I had to abstain from my usual 'Ferrero Rocher' with chocolate waffle cone and settled for Strawberry cheesecake, it was delicious but just not the same. There is now an indoor play area here too which was opened last year, a great place for adults to chat and children to play. It is a frequent meeting place for myself and my old schoolfriends as they are all Tarporley based. I am looking forward to going back in the Summer for my Ferrero Rocher Ice Cream!

Entry is free for both of these attractions. For more information go to:- http://www.cheshirefarmicecream.co.uk/

FACEPAINTING

I've no idea why I bothered to paint my nails last night especially when I know I am going to get covered in Facepaint. It comes off skin no problem just not off nails and clothes very well.

Half of my day was spent at Stapeley Water Gardens at The Palms. I am now listed as one of their preferred suppliers and they have me in to do facepainting for all their school holiday family events. Its a great opportunity for promoting my parties and I have had a couple of bookings from being there.
There was many a Grandparent spoiling the Grandchildren, A childminder from Wales with 3 children and a Dad with 4 children! Bet they just love the school holidays. The most popular request today was a dalmation dog, its normally pink butterflies!

Tomorrow, Mark & I are having an afternoon with Luke after his morning visit to nursery. We had to quickly paint a boiled egg at 5pm for the Easter Competition. He insisted on a red pig, so we will see if he we manage to win a prize this year. We have decided on a trip to the Candle Factory in Burwardsley and then afterwards a trip to the Ice Cream Farm at Tattenhall.

Nantwich Children's Centre

Today was meant to be the last 'Tippy Toes' class at Nantwich Children's centre but between us we have failed to find a suitable venue with buggy park and spacious enough.
I was delighted when Jo Stainsby said we could carry on until the end of April.

Luke is my little helper at this class and handed out the rattles to the children and parents, held the bubble machine while the children popped them and gave out stickers at the end. In return he got a little treat in the way of a 'Cbeebies magazine'. I'm forever looking at new ways to entertain the children especially in the dance class and the magazine had the perfect thing. 2 inflatable dice, one is a numbered dice, the other has actions ie/jump, wiggle, dance, hop etc. We had a lot of fun trying it out in when we got home and I will be making my own to use in class.

I have made lots of my own props, my favourite creation is the life size 'Jack in the Box' the children just love popping out of it. I also adapted some little mice to use in 'Hickory Dickory Dock' dance. The mice were originally cat toys.

My mind is always working ten to the dozen but welcome any ideas that anyone could send my way.

Swimming with a toddler

Thursday started with Tippy Toes session at Sandbach and then picked Luke up from his Nannie's. He was deep into his lunchtime nap, much to his disgust I woke him which may not have been the best idea as he was a grumpy little man but it wasn't going to stop my plans to meet up with a friend for a swim. Luke has been swimming since he was 12 weeks old, one minute he loves it when I'm not allowed to hold him, the next he hates it when he's clinging onto me for dear life. This day he was the latter, holding on all through the session. He was born in the water so I always expected he would be the ultimate Water Baby, how wrong can a person be?

Today, we made the effort to go as a family to overcome his fear. He spent the first 10 minutes clinging on to his daddy like a koala then became very confident and splashing about and swimming furiously chasing his toys round the pool.

When I organised the first ever 'Bumps, Babes & Beyond' Show I met Anna Woodhart from Water Babies who runs Baby Swimming classes in South Cheshire. Here is a small biog about Anna. I've never taken Luke to one of her classes but I'm beginning to wish I had!

I first discovered Water Babies when my eldest son, Jack now 4, was about 6 months old. I was dreading returning to work and wanted to ‘do something else’- a feeling a think most new mums experience. I had also been looking into taking Jack to baby swimming classes and couldn’t find anything in my area, the closest was Liverpool!! So when I was reading my trusty Mother & Baby magazine one day and saw an article about 3 ladies who had quit their jobs, retrained and bought Water Babies franchises it seemed like the perfect solution. I literally put the magazine down, picked up the phone and off I went. Nine months later (after a huge amount of training and lots of hours of work!!) I launched my first class.

I am very lucky to be part of the world’s leading provider of baby and preschool swimming tuition, not only do we have the most highly trained teachers in the world, we also have a unique structured and progressive course that teaches you how to teach your baby. Nationally we currently teach over 20,000 babies per week water confidence and vital water safety skills.

I really, really love what I do- every day is different and exciting. We now teach over 600 babies and toddlers per week across Cheshire and Staffordshire and have just expanded into North Wales as well.

We have classes running 7 days a week in warm water pools across the area. If you would like some more information please call 01270 781239 or look at www.waterbabies.co.uk

Design & Artwork by Nicola Francomb

Had a brainstorming session in Costa Coffee with Nicki Francomb from 'Nicola Francomb Design and Artwork'. Now I'm into my 3rd year of trading, I've decided I need a new corporate identity which covers all my 3 businesses into one. Its exciting stuff and I'll be posting on here when it has been finalised.
I first met Nicki when she attended the Baby Sign classes at Nantwich Children's centre withe her daughter, Isabella. Bella was one of the first babies to sign 'milk' at that class.

In my previous life as a Travel Agent and Business Development Manager, I found Business networking to be a very useful in making business contacts and generating business. This was one of the reasons I organised the 'Bumps, Babes & Beyond Show' as it gave me the opportunity to meet other like minded people who were pro-active in developing their businesses. In my blog, I will be introducing other 'Nantwich Mumpreneurs' to help promote their businesses too.

Nicki says :- I have worked within the advertising industry for over 14 years working with some highly creative people. I'm a designer and artworker (that's the more technical side for those not in the know) and am working on becoming a web designer too.
I've set up my own business 'Nicola Francomb Design and Artwork', after having my daughter, offering my skills to everyone from other new mums starting out on their own up to established companies.
My particular skills lie within brand identity, brochure and ad layouts, point of sale and proof reading.
Please contact 07887 986228 for further details or if you would like to discuss any requirements with me.