RADIO GA GA

I've no idea where the last 2 weeks have gone but I have run 2 Gruffalo Workshops, a Pirates & Princess workshops, Facepainted at Wulvern Housing Family Fun Day and attended a Facepainting training with the Wolfe Brothers (who are very famous in the Facepainting World!) As well as the regular Baby Sign classes.

Also, to top it off, I have agreed to sponsor and present my own show on a new internet Radio Station called 'RedShift Radio', my show is entitled 'Toddler Talk' which will cover topics from pregnancy to pre-school, local and celebrity news, professional support and advice and much much more. I gathered if I didn't take the opportunity then somebody else would, its always been something I'm interested in and I have always listened to local and national radio so I thought why not give it a go?!

I'm busy preparing for it now and its less than 3 weeks till we're on air, launch date is Monday 6th September. How very scarey!

If you or anyone you know may be interested in sponsoring, advertising or appearing on a show please pass on my details:- sharon@hullabalookids.net or call 07973 479471 or go to http://redshiftradio.co.uk/Home for more details.

Hope you will be joining me over the airwaves very soon!

DIMENSIONS LEISURE CENTRE

I visited Dimensions Leisure Centre in Burslem for a swim a few weeks ago with a friend and her little girl and absolutely loved it. The pool was fantastic and I can't believe there are no photos on the website that do it any justice.
I haven't been able to swim since having laser eye surgery but seen as I have a few days off next weekend, I think we should visit as a family. Mark is a real water baby and hope Luke follows in his footsteps, although we did have the water wobbles a few months ago.

Here are more details about it from the site:-
Our modern, light and friendly centre offers a fantasy themed leisure pool with ‘dragon slide’, hot spa pools, ‘water rapids’ and a tropical beach bar.

On dry land, Dimensions also includes a sports hall, outdoor synthetic football pitches and access to Dimensions Health and Fitness Club. We also have a spinning studio and licensed café bar.

We offer a wide and varied range of leisure services for all the family:

* Leisure swim... A tropical water paradise with "Dino", our 65 metre dragon slide, rapids, fountains, spas, whirlpool, cascade pools and lots more fun for everyone.
* Family swim... A unique aqua leisure experience designed for families, with children in the water accompanied by adults.
* Swimming lessons
* Aquatots... A wonderful way for parents to introduce their toddlers to water, gain confidence and at the same time have fun with toys and floats. (Up to age of 6 years only).
* Aqua fit... A super energetic way to improve fitness in a structured class in water to music.
* Children's birthday parties
* Football
* Basketball
* Badminton
* Table tennis
* Roller disco
* Spinning
* Hockey
* Sporting events

For our opening times and programme information please follow the links on the right.

Please note: Children under 8 years of age must be accompanied in the water by a responsible person of at least 16 years of age. Lockers require a 50p piece (non-returnable).

Even on our busiest days, guests are guaranteed a minimum of 1.5 hours pool time. All instructions related to individual or general guest safety must be adhered to. Our programme is continually developing to cater for a wide a range of guests as possible therefore please confirm details with reception in advance. During term time, the Dragon Slide on Monday - Friday will be operational from 4pm. Sunday is Family Day, all children under 8 years of age must be accompanied in the water by a responsible person of at least 16 years of age. All features are subject to availability.

Don't take my word for it, go and see for you yourself!

WHATS HAPPENING WEEK BEGINNING 9TH AUGUST

Monday 9th August - GRUFFALO WORKSHOP - SANDBACH WESLEY CENTRE
10.00am till 12.00pm
We will be making Gruffalo masks to use during our Gruffalo Story.
Play Gruffalo themed games ie/pin the wart on the Gruffalos nose and
We will perform our Gruffalo choir in our mini show for the parents.

Tuesday 10th August - BABY SIGN - MARKET STREET CHURCH NANTWICH
11.00am till 11.30am
Regular Baby Sign class in conjunction with Nantwich Baby Group.
Baby Group opens at 10.30am. This week, Bridget from Bags and Gladrags will be there with her collection of purses and handbags. I will be modelling one of her bags that I bought in June.

Wednesday 11th August - WULVERN HOUSING FAMILY FUN DAY - Crewe
1pm till 4pm
Facepainting for all Wulvern Housing Families. Last year I had the biggest queue of children waiting for their face to be painted.

Thursday 12th August - GRUFFALO PARTY - SHAVINGTON CHILDREN'S CENTRE
10.30am till 11.30am
All things Gruffalo at the Gruffalo Party, fun and themed activities at the centre hosted by Hullabaloo Kids.

Thursday 12th August - BABY SIGN - MABLIN LANE CHILDREN'S CENTRE
2.00pm till 2.30pm

Friday 13th August - BABY SIGN - SHAVINGTON CHILDREN'S CENTRE
10.00am till 10.30am

Then I have a whole weekend off! What will I do with myself?!

MY BRAGGING RIGHTS

I started Baby Sign classes 3 weeks ago at Mablins Lane Children's centre and Shavington Children's centre. This was a 6 week pilot to see how much interest we would get. I wasn't too optimistic as it was during the holidays but how wrong could I be? I've had over 10 at each class.

Last week there were 3 babies who had learned to sign after one week and this week there was another one. I'm so proud that the babies have picked it up so quickly and credit to the parents who have been perservering with it.

After mentioning this to the Centre Manager, he told me how pleased he was with the feedback of the classes and has decided to take me on indefinitely! I just need to check my diary for when I'm free now!

GRANDPARENTS ARE A GODSEND

With my busy work schedule its good to know I can rely on Grandparents to help out in my hour of need. Over the past month, Luke has been looked after by my Dad and Stepmum, my In-Laws and my Mum. He does go to nursery 2 mornings a week but when I need to work just a half hour session, it doesn't make sense to book him into nursery.
Luke has a close relationship with them all and of course, is spoilt rotten!

As soon as Luke arrives at my Dad's and Stepmum's, he acts like such a diva, ordering his iced water with a straw and his Dairylea Dunkers. He is certainly not backwards in coming forward. Just not sure who he gets that from! The photo above is of my poor Dad who was totally worn out after looking after Luke for 6 hours.

My mum lives in Bolton so has never had the opportunity to help out with childcare until today when she came over to spend the afternoon with us. I came home from my session to find my mum lying on the settee with stickers on her glasses being fed grapes. They had the best couple of hours ever and it was nice to see how they had bonded. I only wish I'd have got my camera out in time.

Luke spends every Wednesday afternoon with Nannie & Grandpa (Mark's parents), they only live 4 miles away so he gets to see a lot more of them. They all love spending the time together and I love to hear all about it when they drop Luke back off to me.

Luke is so lucky to have his Grandparents and 3 Great Grandparents who love him to bits and spoil him rotten!

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

Another extremely busy week. Here's whats happening with Hullabaloo Kids:-

Monday 2nd August - 10.00am – 12.00pm
WALKING IN THE JUNGLE - Wesley Centre, Sandbach
We will be making animal masks from the ‘Walking In the Jungle’ book.
Learning how to move like the animals during Story telling, then we will sing and dance and put on a mini show for the parents.

Tuesday 3rd August - 2.00pm - 3.30pm
SPACE HOP - Summer Reading Challenge
Nantwich Library
Space themed crafts, story telling and free facepainting by Hullabaloo Kids.

Wednesday 4th August - 11.00am - 3.30pm
NATIONAL PLAY DAY - Shavington Leisure Centre
The Crewe and Nantwich Play Partnership and Cheshire East Council have organised a fun filled family fun day to celebrate Play Day in the Crewe area.
All activities are FREE OF CHARGE for babies - teenagers

Activities include: Climbing wall, mini-train rides, bouncy castles, face painting, arts & crafts, BMX activities, Zorb balling, fire brigade & Police, Connexions, Baby play plus loads loads more. Hullabaloo Kids will be running 'Baby Play' sessions.

Thursday 5th August - 2.00pm - 2.30pm
BABY SIGN - Mablins Lane Children's Centre

Friday 6th August - 10.00am - 10.30am
BABY SIGN - Shavington Children's Centre

Hope you can make it to some of these events, please and come and say hi!

SATURDAY I was meant to be entertaining kids at a wedding but they never sent a deposit back to me so I guess that is a day of rest.

SUNDAY, I am doing Facepainting at a Christening.

And as the saying goes 'No rest for the wicked!'