SOS CALL

Saturday was going to be a family day and as the forecast was good, we had planned on going swimming together. However, on Friday night, I received a phone call from the lady who trained me in facepainting asking if I could help out at a job in Crewe Hall for BSkyB's staff family fun day. It was too tempting for me to turn down. Mark totally understands and he likes having his Daddy & Luke days.

As it happened, it was a really good experience and I learnt a lot from the other facepainters. We were all different levels but working as a team. I was nervous at first but soon got into the flow as we didn't stop for 5 hours. The whole day was a success. I had never painted a St George's cross before today and as England were playing their first World Cup match, I painted plenty.

It was my first ever corporate event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was glad to get home to Mark and Luke and hear all about their day though.

BOOKSTART DAY IN NANTWICH SQUARE

Today was National Bookstart Day. A bear hunt started from Nantwich library which led onto the Square, the children were entertained with a story and songs.
I was booked to do facepainting for Nantwich Children's centre, there was crafts for the children, and also Family Information Service, Bookstart and Cheshire East Library.

I had a queue of children eagerly waiting for the 2 hours I was there. The best thing about my job is when I show them the mirror and I see a big grin, ts so rewarding. I love what I do and that is to make children happy and happy children equals happy parents. If only parenthood was that simple!

For more details go to http://www.bookstart.org.uk/Home

HULLABALOO KIDS & TIPPY TOES MERGE INTO ONE

After much thought and deliberation I decided to merge both my companies into one, Hullabaloo Kids Baby Sign & Tippy Toes Toddler Dance. I am now running them all under the 'Hullabaloo Kids' umbrella. You won't even notice the difference as it won't affect the classes, it just means I will be wearing the same t-shirt for all my classes now! I think it was confusing for everyone as people didn't know I ran both companies, and also the facepainting. I have now had my flyers re-designed to incorporate all 3 products into 1 flyer.

As soon as they are printed I will be distributing them out and about in Nantwich, Crewe, Sandbach, Alsager, Stoke, Whitchurch and afar. I have a list of nurseries, children centres, pre-schools, mother and baby groups and schools to deliver to, I'm going to busy the next couple of weeks.

I also have a new website and email address, www.hullabalookids.net and Sharon@hullabalookids.net
I hope you get to see one soon!

NANTWICH CHILDREN'S CENTRE

Nantwich Children's centre have the following events happening this month.

Friday 11 June - BOOKSTART DAY - 9.30am till 2.00pm
Join Bookstart Bear at Nantwich Library at 9.30am, follow the bear to Nantwich Square for lots of fun and games.

Monday 21 June - CHILD SAFETY WEEK - 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Crewe Fire Brigade are coming to talk to us about keeping safe in and out of home.

Tuesday 22 June - CHILD SAFETY WEEK - Don Broughton will be running a talk for parents to learn about dressing cuts and scolds as well as discussing head injuries and choking hazards.

Thursday 24 June - NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK - 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Pop along to our Breastfeeding cafe for a drink and a piece of cake (for breastfeeding mothers)

I will be at the Bookstart Day event facepainting so hopefully will see you there. Also, anyone who knows my son, Luke, knows that he has an unhealthy obsession with Fireman Sam so I will be taking him to see the fire brigade. I think he will be dumbstruck when he sees a real life Fire fighter!

ITS BEEN SO LONG SINCE MY LAST POST

I can't believe it has been over 2 weeks since my last post. I am absolutely snowed under with work and even though I have now finished all classes at Nantwich Children's centre my weekends are getting booked up with Facepainting parties.

The course I did last year was the best thing I ever did, it was a lot of money at the time but I have certainly made the money back and more and it is such a popular activity with children, I can't believe how long they wait to have their faces painted. The best part about it is when I show them in the mirror and they look at the reflection with a big smile, that makes my job so worthwhile.

My party bookings have gone through the roof the last few weeks and I am even doing a wedding too, I have been booked to entertain the children, now there's a challenge!

KIDS TRIATHLON

On Saturday 26th June, Alsager is hosting its first Kids Fun Triathlon which is sponsored by 'Warburtons Family Bakery'. Its an ideal way to encourage children to get active and healthy.

Liz Southall who is helping to organise the event asked for my help with promoting and raising the awareness of the event and also to do facepainting on the day. I met Liz through a local business who introduced us, they thought we would hit it off as our businesses were both children related. Since our first meeting we have helped each other out, well its a bit one-sided as I owe Liz big time for being a compere at the last 'Bumps, Babes & Beyond Show' at the Civic Hall. She also helps run 'Business For Breakfast' which is a local networking group who meet for lunch & breakfast. She was even a presenter on The Cat radio, she is like superwoman, I've no idea how she does it!

The Kids Triathlon is a fun and non-stop swim, cycle and run event for 7 to 16 year olds. Each child will receive a T-shirt, goody bag and medal. It will be a great day out for all the family with plenty of attractions including a play zone, entertainment, picnic area & stage shows.

Put the date in your diary and if you know of any local businesses wishing to book a stand tell them to get in touch.

For more details go to www.kidstriathlon.co.uk

UP THE WOODEN HILLS

Every Tuesday, my Baby Sign class is held at Market Street Church Hall in Nantwich it runs in conjunction with 'Nantwich Baby Group'. This was started up by friends, Alison Bowett and Toni Brookshaw in March 2009, 2 months after their first children, Isaac and Emma were born.

They met at baby clinic and quickly became firm friends and as there only toddler groups and no actual baby group in Nantwich, they decided to start their own! The group now has around 30 mums and babies coming along each week to enjoy a chat while the babies (and now Isaac and Emma are older, the toddlers) have a play. It really is a friendly group and only costs £1 which includes a cuppa.

After a year's maternity leave, Alison wanted to start her own business and because her life was now surrounded by all things baby related, she decided to combine the two and created the on-line website www.upthewoodenhills.co.uk which sells top baby brands at low prices. New stock is being added all the time so have a look for yourself and grab a bargain. Go to http://www.upthewoodenhills.co.uk