Gingerbread house 2012!

Last year I made a Gingerbread house from scratch, it was pretty stressful especially as I am a disaster when it comes to baking. Mark asked when I would be making it as he would make sure he was out!

The days leading up to Christmas were mega busy but on the 23rd December, I decided to start on this years project. I was surprisingly calm making it, even when one of the pieces nearly cracked when lifting off the oven tray. However, I managed to get it glued together and stable for Christmas Eve when Luke was able to help with decorating it. We were totally impressed with our efforts and it was much more satisfaction than a shop bought one!

I'm now psyching myself up for 2013's version!

ZUMBA

Since starting Hullabaloo Kids in 2008, I have added an extra string to my bow each year. This year was no exception. After getting inspiration from an old friend from Jersey I decided to qualify as a Zumba Fitness instructor the first week in January. 

If you have been to a Zumba class you know how fun and exhilirating it is, if you haven't what are you waiting for? Its a dance fitness programme inspired by Latin rhythms, you don't have to be an amazing dancer to join a class, all you need to do is know how to enjoy yourself. 

I am aware there are many Zumba instructors in the area so I decided to come up with something a bit different and offer a Zumba Fitness class with a creche facility for childcare. Alison Bowett from Nantwich Childcare is running the creche which will be in a side room next to where the Zumba class will be held. I instantly thought of Alison as she childminded Luke before he started school and even had him to sleep over one night. 

Alison quotes: 'It can be hard to exercise and have time to yourself when you have young children at home so this is the perfect chance for parents to have fun and get fit while their children play close by in a safe and secure environment'  

We are starting our first class on Tuesday 5th February at 9.30am, it is ideal for anyone with school age children as they can do the school run and come straight to Zumba! The Zumba doesn't need to be pre-booked but the creche must be booked in advance through emailing alison@nantwichchildcare.co.uk

We are looking to expand to other areas and more classes so if you know of a suitable hall or would like to join a class please get in touch. You can email me on sharon@hullabalookids.net or call me 07973 479471.

BLOWING MY OWN TRUMPET

Oh my goodness, its been 4 months since my last post, how bad is that?
I've been so busy with starting new classes, finding new nurseries and appearing on the telly, as well as being a radio presenter and mummy too!

Since my last post, I have appeared on BBC North West, ITV Central, BBC Radio Stoke and had a 4 Page spread in The Sentinel about Bump Painting. I introduced this concept to South Cheshire last year and I've had an amazing response, it has really taken off.

Last week, I was shortlisted for a Small Business Award from the South Cheshire Chamber, sadly I didn't win but it was an achievement to be nominated and recognised for all my hard work.

I get to sing nursery rhymes and my own made up songs to babies and children in South Cheshire and to have little happy faces smiling back at is the best reward ever, I absolutely love my job it is amazing!

This was the bump I painted for ITV Central

Overwhelming Success

I am proud to announce that the Nantwich Baby Fair 2012 was an overwhelming success. My biggest fear about organising another one was not having the footfall, I'm sure this is every event organisers nightmare but on Saturday 23rd June, we had visitors from all around South Cheshire to the event at the Nantwich Civic Hall.

The doors opened at 12pm and I recall peeking out of the door at 11.50am to see people queuing to get in. I had bought in 100 Mama Packs as goody bags and these went within the first hour. By the time our special guests, Upsy Daisy and Iggle Piggle arrived at 1.30pm the hall was full with people and pushchairs. We also had dance and baby sign demonstrations, First Aid and Beauty treatments. Redshift Radio compered on the day and kept visitors informed with regular announcements.

The icing on the cake was when I got home and counted all the money that we had collected on the day, the raffle, the door and the tombola all raised a staggering £1077.20 all in aid of the One in Eleven Appeal for Leighton Hospital.

This week has been spent contacting the winners of the raffle prizes, I am still to deliver some which I haven't got round to yet.  

I would like to thank my husband, Mark who is my absolute rock. I would never have been able to do the event without his help and support, and my 5 year old son, Luke was an absolute star on the day helping out and behaving so well.

I have been asked if I will be organising another one, well, just watch this space...............

NANTWICH BABY FAIR - THE STORY SO FAR....

I have been up to my neck organising the Nantwich Baby Fair, there's nothing like putting yourself under pressure and I do wonder why I do these things to myself but I know it will be worth it in the end! The date of the event is Saturday 23rd June at 12-5pm at Nantwich Civic Hall. It's about 4 weeks away so the panic is starting to set it now. I've got a 'to-do' list as long as my arm but I will get through it, sleep is for wimps as they say.

So far I have nearly 40 exhibitors confirmed, there is such a vast range of suppliers. Baby sign and Toddler dance (of course!), Water Babies Swim school, Hypnobirthing, Baby casts and Imprint Jewellery, Music classes, First aid courses, Nutrition, Books, Baby & Child Photography toys and lots lots more! Also Redshift Radio will be at the event doing live interviews and playing out some tunes.

Also, a special guest appearance from Iggle Piggle and Upsy Daisy will thrill the children and you will be entertained by Miss Caroline's School of Dance who are doing a couple of dance demonstrations. 

There will be a raffle on the day and lots of giveaways. We are supporting the 1in11 Appeal for the New Neonatal unit at Leighton Hospital so please help spread the word to get people through the door on the day!

For more information go to www.nantwichbabyfair.co.uk or email me sharon@hullabalookids.net

LUKE IS 5!

On Saturday 28th April 2007 I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, that only seems like yesterday!
On Saturday 28th April 2012, my baby boy turned 5. Where did those 5 years go?
I was making such a big deal about it that Luke said to me on the eve of his birthday 'I don't want to be 5 mummy' when I asked 'Why?' he said 'because you don't want me to be 5'. He was right of course!

Luke's party was at Pizza Hut party where 11 of his friend's made pizza, helped themselves to the salad buffet and then ice cream factory. The highlight of the day was Luke's favourite character, Ben 10 (supplied by Mascot Surprise) presented him with his birthday cake.

In Luke's words, it was a totally awesome day!

Happy 5th Birthday Luke!

SCHOOL TRIP

Luke had his first school trip last week to Liverpool. I was a bit apprehensive about him going all that way on his own for his first trip so when his teacher asked if I would go along and supervise, I jumped at the chance. I thought I was the only neurotic parent worrying about the distance but it seemed all the parents were feeling the same.

The children have only been in school for 2 terms and know the drill of their routine when they arrive in class, so when they were told to sit with their lunch bags and coats on, many of them were confused. They all then had to put on high visibility tabards to walk to the coach. They all looked very cute walking to the coach hand in hand in twos.

I had never heard of 'Underwater street', it is situated in Water Street, Pier Head. I'm certain I was probably more excited than any of the children. It is an interactive Discovery centre for children with 6 zones, an art area where there was an actual mini cooper which the children could paint, a construction area with mini diggers and a ball pool and foam bricks to build a wall, imagination village which was 4 booths. These consisted of a pet parlour, where there were a number of cuddly dogs, a shop with a working till and money and post office, a pizza parlour, where the children could make a pizza with felt ingredients and a dressing up booth. Physical zone which included a climbing wall and balance beams, sensory area and a lab area.

We arrived at approximately 10.15am and left at 2.15pm, with a short break for lunch we still probably didn't get round all of it. All the children were well behaved and sat so well for both journeys, if I was travelling in the car with Luke for an hour I would always make sure I had plenty of activities to keep him entertained but for 28 children to travel without anything to keep them amused, they did brilliantly. I didn't hear 'Are we there yet?' that many times either really!

I am planning on taking Luke back there so he can show his daddy what he missed out on.

If you are interested in taking your little one check out the website http://www.underwaterstreet.com/