2 new activities I have discovered this week-Aug 2016

Hi all,

Sorry in advance to making this a locally based post but I wanted to share two great new things to do that I have done at work this week since being back off my hols.


1. Street hockey-free two hour sessions this summer around Oxford (Sports for Streets)
https://www.facebook.com/SPORTFORSTREETS

In the local park there was a small group of children of different ages that came together for a couple of hours to play street hockey and best of all it was completely free!!! They are a community initiative who provide all their own equipment and the coaching and the children get to learn a new skill.  The people who run it were lovely and have all been semi professional/professional hockey players so really know what they are talking about.  They do play team matches but also fun games and all the children involved seemed to really enjoy it.

2. The Leys, Witney
http://www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk/family-fun/The_Leys/5177

This above image is an artist sketch of the play area at The Leys which includes play equipment, zip wire, splash fountains, swings, mini floor trampoline and more.  The equipment provides more challenges for older children and this is what I had heard from different parents so this is why I thought we would try somewhere new today.  When looking after older children you can often find that they outgrow the equipment at the conventional parks. Also on the grounds as well as wide open green space there is a mini golf course, skate park, tennis courts and a decent café to get an ice cream/coffee.  Such a lovely afternoon had and I'm sure we will be coming back soon.

What's out there for babies to do?

Parent and baby activity classes now are a regular part of a new parents schedule. Looking to get out of the house and meet new people with children of a similar age mums and dad's are signing up to different baby groups.  After speaking to my friend today if she has done any with her six month old daughter this gave me an idea to write a post addressing what is out there for parents and babies.

Swimming classes
Swimming classes are great but general consenus from parents of babies is that they are quite expensive.  It can be benefical as from a young age babies can get used to being in water


Baby massage
Simple techniques learnt in these classes can make for a more relaxed baby and help circulation and growing pains.  It can also be great for easing conditions such as colic and teething.  Great bonding for parent and baby.
http://www.netmums.com/baby/you-and-your-baby/time-with-baby-massage


Baby sign 
This is a great way to teach your child a way to communicate before they can vocalise the words.  Simple hand gestures/signs can be used with your child and before long they will signing back.


Buggy fit
http://www.buggyfit.co.uk/ 
My friend told me she enjoyed this.  I had never heard of this before and researched it online and thought it would be good to mention it in this blog.  Great way to keep fit and not have to worry about where you will leave your little one.




Pregnancy Yoga
This is known for being very relaxing for Mums to be.  Light gentle stretching to help with those aches and pains!


Have you experienced any of these classes? Would you take your child if not? Tweet me or get in contact if you know of any more unusual classes.

Turning 30 and the future...

This week i turn 30 and  I'm not excaly jumping around for joy at the thought but I'm not sure why.  Its not that I can change it is it? The clock constantly turns and time passes all of us by so we need to live our lives to the full.  Ten years ago I thought this was a very long way off but uh oh its not so much now.

I have been asked is it because you don't feel like you have achieved things you wanted before 30? No not at all I never was a woman with a "Plan" and have just had the approach that you take things as they happen.
Career wise I was set on being a teacher when I was twenty and when that didn't quite happen I was devastated.  Never the less I came out of University with a degree that I am still very proud of.  Now I think if I had of been a teacher it would not of led me to the job I have now and nannying which I am convinced I should of started earlier.
Also I met the love of my life a few months before I turned twenty and ten years later we have have been married six years this year and own our own house so not doing so bad there.  We also have seen our families grow and sadly decrease.  We have become an auntie and uncle to gorgeous nephew and niece who we absolutely adore and would do anything for.


The future....
Who knows???What will happen in the next ten years??? Hopefully lots more happy memories and good things.

So off I go to Sussex tomorrow after a not such great start to the week being ill. Off to celebrate a uni friends wedding, my birthday with family and then a week in zante with my hubby woohoo.

Summer to do list!(some are weather dependent)

1. Visit an outdoor pool
2. Eat lots of ice creams
3. If you don't have one invest in a paddling pool
4. Design boats for series of challenges across the paddling pool
5. Mini Olympic events in the garden
6. Go for picnics 
7. Go fruit picking 
8. Go for a bike ride
9. Have a football match worth friends 
10. Create challenges such as obstacle courses
11. Go on a boat ride/punting/rowing
12. Play a game of rounders
13. Climb trees
14. Have a bbq
15. Have a water fight
16. Think of something you can invent then design it
17. Visit a theme park
18. Take part in your local library reading challenge 
19. Play on a beach(if on your doorstep)
20. Enjoy the British outdoors

British summertime may be here???

Been enjoying some of the glorious British sunshine this weekend? I certainly have and have enjoyed  a lovely weekend sunbathing and out in Stratford upon Avon for the afternoon with my gorgeous best friend and her growing baby bump 😍😍. Certainly enjoyed my ice cream from the gelato shop there  which had so many yummy flavours to chose from!

This week is set to be a scorcher so hurrah for good nanny weather lots of good times to be had at the outdoor pool, water fights and no doubt some ice creams thrown in. I can't wait!! Have a good week everybody.

Activity of the week-welly walks

Are we loving the unpredictable British weather? Recently there have been some lovely torrential downpours all over the country typically as I'm driving to or from work.  Let's turn our frowns upside down and embrace the learning opportunities for the little ones and enjoy the simple art of Welly Walks.

Children love jumping around in some puddles. This week I read that a mum blogger living in Dubai has come for a visit and her children were waiting outside with their umbrellas waiting for rain.  I guess we are so used to it here that most of us would happily trade places with her.

Who knows what you may spot on your walk?  Why not take some buckets/carrier bags to collect some souvenir's from your trip and then after make a collage with the findings?


Make sure you keep those Wellies/raincoats in the car!!!

Activity of the week-Musical Washing Lines

Hello, hello its been a little while I must get better at writing blogs but to be honest I have a lack of creative genius sometimes.

Saying that I was going through some of my EYP coursework and came across an idea I thought would be a good activity of the week and that is Musical washing lines.

This activity is suitable for Babies and Toddlers and is another DIY home activity which you can create from things around the house and or their toys.

1. Use some string or washing line cord and attach to something secure, I would suggest draping at the childs height on a fence outside and stapling it to it.

2. Attach some items to the line,  These can be some bells, an old saucepan, a baby rattle, old cutlery(If age approapriate) or anything that jangles.

3. give them a stick or wooden spoon to hit the items with.  I found this photo online and have included it below to give you an idea of what I mean.  This however is a free standing one but as I have said use anything in your own house/garden and improvise.



Go on and have a go and let me know how it goes.