The children had a play date today and I had a really good catch up with my dear friend Reneé.
We had been invited to a family playtime brunch event. It was no ordinary bloggers’ event. Before we arrived, I honestly thought the line-up of activities looked over-ambitious and probably too good to be true. It was as good as it looked on paper, better even!
After a dreadful night and very little sleep, I could barely keep my eyes open on the train, but luckily, I was greeted with coffee as soon as we arrived.
The children were ecstatic to see their friends and they got started on the activities available minutes after I had dumped all our belongings (how much do we carry around, seriously?) on Reneé’s pushchair. They started looking for clues for an activity trail organised by Tractor Ted. That gave them an opportunity to visit briefly all the rooms they would be in today.
They were then involved in a fun and interactive workshop with children’s TV presenter Lloyd Warbey.
They were all really focused for forty-five minutes, creating Halloween lanterns and helping each other. That gave Reneé and I some time to chat. Perfect!
We then discovered ‘the snow room.’ The clever people at Crystal Ski Holidays had turned a small room into picturesque alpine sensory room, using a giant picture of a ski slope, a deck chair and fake snow. Hours of fun were guaranteed for my little ones! Snow fell, snow angels were made, snow ‘castles’ were built (they are still in summer holiday mode!), winter coats and goggles were worn. How I long for a ski holiday…
Crevette won a mini Hornit at the raffle, and if you have not heard of these wonderful horns for bikes and scooters, look them up; they are fab! These mini horns, created by friendly Tom, come with lots of sound effects and bright lights.
I then spent ages chatting with Fran at the HomeSense stand, and the girls were desperate to take all the cute decorations she had carefully displayed (sorry, Fran!). There was a pretty reindeer in the room, and it was asking for cuddles, so Jumpy obliged him. She really wanted to take him home, bless her.
Mini Nom Noms provided us with delicious, healthy tajine and butter chicken and the children loved creating their own spice blends.
When I take Jumpy to events, I always bring a bag full of food she can actually eat, since it is quite tricky to cater for her allergies but today was refreshingly allergy-friendly.
She could have a range of snacks (Pop Chips, Bear Nibbles, Coconut Crisps, Heavenly Squishies), drinks from Rebel Kitchen and ‘real’ food as well! She devoured the portion of butter chicken the lovely ladies at Mini Nom Noms gave her and asked for more.
As I was chatting to a few people, Crevette got really enthusiastic with Love Face Art and Steph’s body art workshop. I kept seeing him trying the stencils and various colours on a lot of children and adults alike. Nobody seemed too annoyed and he was in his element.
As for the girls, they were enjoying a bit of storytelling.
The day ended with a lively, fun Drama workshop with Matt (Perform). All children were captivated the whole time. Impressive!
Reneé and I had a nice conversation with Sally, who organised the whole event, and complimented her on the level of organisation, food, range of workshops and the fact it was by far the most child-friendly event we had ever attended.
The day was not only filled with activities aimed at children. There were sessions about blogging and parenting. Return to Glory were offering neck ad shoulder massages as well as manicures, but I did not even manage to make it to them before the end of the day (sigh).
Oh, and we were given a goody bag so heavy I had to ask Hubby to pick us up at the train station. We discovered its contents as soon as we got home. We were given a cookbook (Olive It), snacks, Bananagrams, a Tractor Ted DVD and keyring, Jim Jam spread, lots of beauty samples, La Roche-Posay sunscreen…)
Thanks for inviting us, Talk to Mums. Brilliant day!
Je crois que vous avez passé un très chouette moment! Quand on voit la tête de Crevette, il n’y a pas de doute!
On a tous adoré, sans exception!
That would have been a fantastic day. Although I think I would have spent most of it in the snow room.
It looks like such a fun event! I love the picture of your little one with the falling snow, he looks like he is having so much fun. Such a magical picture x
What a fab write up of a truly lovely day. The kids are so happy in each others company aren’t they. Gorgeous pic of your little man too hon. All in all a fabulous way to spend a Saturday xxx
What a fab write up of a truly lovely day. The kids are so happy in each others company aren’t they. Gorgeous pic of your little man too hon. All in all a fabulous way to spend a Saturday xxxx
I know, they are all so sweet together. We have to try and meet more often. xx
I am so glad you had a brilliant day! The halloween lanterns look fab! I shall have to make some with my children!
Laura x x x
Ahhh looks like a whole lotta fun. x
Sounds like a fabulous day out. Thry really know how to throw an event!
Sorry to hear you buba has allergies we had a nightmare of three years with an egg and dairy intolerance. Poor little creatures.
Anyways I love they supplied real food for the little people. Squishies are a firm favourite here.
Wow, sounds like you had a wonderful day! What a fab idea to have a snow room, and the art and crafts look like great fun! x
I know, that snow room was such a hit with all of us!
Ah that sounds like a great day! Why didn’t we get invited…you get all the best invites ;)!!!!!
xxx
This looks absolutely perfect and what amazing company. I’d love to spend the day with both you lovely ladies some time, hopefully we will meet at an event soon! x
This sounds like such a brilliant bloggers event, one that the children can get so much out off as well as allow you be inspired and catch up with old friends, too. You’re right, what a special play date?! xx
It really was a fab day. I cannot think of anything Talk to Mums could have improved. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for their future events!