London Mums Blog tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1728412 2011-07-27T09:24:19+01:00 A parenting blog for local mums, by local mums TypePad LondonMumsBloghttp://feedburner.google.com Planning a Day Around London in Sun and Rain, Check Out These Ideas tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55455c93588330153903428a2970b 2011-07-27T09:24:19+01:00 2012-02-19T13:53:56+00:00 Getting out with the kids and enjoying all that London has to offer on a fine summer’s day can be a rewarding day for adults and children alike. There are animals in the city farms, wildlife ponds, lush trees, shrubs and manicured gardens. On the other hand, being far from home on a fine day suddenly turned cold and wet day can miserable, especially with very small children. Fear not! In London you can easily plan a weather-proof day summer day. Head to the farm, the ecology centre, the park and if the weather turns foul, head indoors and spend time soaking up some culture at one of the near-by museums. Kensington Gardens and The Natural History Museum Kensington Gardens in the midst summer is heaven. Let the kids run and tumble in the growing heath or dally in the dizzying delight of drifting dandelion seeds, look for exotic fowl on the Serpentine, check out the Peter Pan Statue or head over to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground with its swings, sand and massive pirate ship. If you need to warm up, head over to the Natural History Museum and continue investigating wildlife in the Cocoon at the Darwin Centre, the Wildlife Garden or the Investigate room. The Darwin Centre is a new addition to the museum that houses millions of specimens collected from around the world. Take the kids for an educational walk down the Cocoon where they can look at preserved Scarab Beetles, Luna Moths, and Tarantulas. Evan small children can enjoy looking the exotic collections while having a little run down the ramps. There is a great interactive area where you pack for a field outing. It is brilliantly put together. After the Cocoon, if the weather cooperates, take the kids into the Wildlife Garden and have a wander around the nature path. Look for moorhens in the wildlife pond, along with wrens and robins in the marsh areas, but do not miss the bee tree. There is a bee hive that is set inside a tree with a window to see the bees at work in their hive, absolutely amazing. For children ages 3+, the investigate room is the perfect place to learn a love for science. There are specimen trays filled with shells, animal skins, bones, preserved bugs, pine cones, tortoise shells. Further, there are microscopes and measuring instruments to really investigate the specimens. An attentive staff will guide older children through an investigation while the adult chases the toddler around. The Investigate room is open from 2:30 term time as schools have usually booked the room prior to that, and is open from 11:00 during school holidays. Coram’s Fields and the Foundling and British Museums: Right in the heart of London is a massive playground where adults are only allowed to enter with children so kids are able to really run far and free. Coram’s Fields boast penned sheep, hen, ducks and goats for children to look at. After taking in the wonders of animals, have a play in the sandbox, or in one of the four climbing frames. There is a high-quality Austrian bakery and sandwich stand in the playground that does amazing coffee. Should you need to head inside, the Foundling Museum is just around the corner; entry free is £7.50 per adult. While you will learn a lot about the first orphanage and art museum in London, and on weekends they have good activities for older children, the museum is not really pitched for toddlers. A good alternative for young children is the near-by British Museum. There is no entry fee, and you can seek shelter wandering around the Greek temples and Egyptian tombs. On weekends and school holidays they have amazing activities for the older children, but they do offer fun activities for the under five’s, too. Check the web site for details. Vauxhall City Farm and Tate Britain Slightly off the beaten path, a short walk from Vauxhall Station is a hidden gem, the Vauxhall City Farm. This free city farm is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10:30 – 4:00 and his home to over 80 animals. Unique to many city farms, there is a pen filled with rabbits and chickens; children are allowed to play and handle the animals in here. This can be a very messy, but it really is such a pure right of childhood to be able to chase a chicken or a rabbit around a barn yard and then hold them (usually accomplished with a great deal of adult assistance). Further, the farm has alpacas, turkey, cows, goats and horses. There is a small vegetable garden to play in, too. Should you need to get out of the rain, just over the river (15 minute walk with a pushchair, toddler pace much longer) is Tate Britain with its sentimental Pre-Raphaelites. Again, there is little at the museum actually pitched to toddlers, but the galleries are large and there is plenty to see. On the weekends and during school holidays there is an art cart available. The café has, among other things, child portions of fruit and veggies, great cakes and coffees. Ranelagh Gardens and the National Army Museum Just off the Embankment is the Chelsea Hospital grounds, an amazing expanse of gardens that are open to the public. The Ranelagh Gardens are completely fenced in and are comprised of hills, brambles, trails and a tiny shelter in case of sudden rain. There are no climbing frames, and the toilets are a bit of a walk, but it is such a special area to take small children to have an old fashioned romp running up and down hills, playing hide and seek in the woods or just plain old woodland exploration. Next to the Chelsea Hospital Ground is the National Army Museum (new Kid Zone to open 18th July). Should you need a break from the weather, head this way and enjoy the galleries and exhibits. If you are lucky, the Kid Zone may be open. They have timed entries from 10:00 and 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30; on weekends this schedule changes with pre-booked parties. This is the best indoor climbing frame play area in London. Not only is the entry free, the space is immaculately kept with family toilets. In the event that you have missed the entry, continue through the museum. The museum is fascinating and there are very toddler-friendly interactive play areas. Laura Evans

Inside/Outside Days Out in London: Where to take the kids when it looks like rain and Shine: by Laura Evans Vogel, founder www.london-baby.com and contributor to www.reallykidfriendly.com

Playing_in_the_rain_by_Clarity_Licsense_CC_embed_source 

Getting out with the kids and enjoying all that London has to offer on a fine summer’s day can be a rewarding day for adults and children alike. There are animals in the city farms, wildlife ponds, lush trees, shrubs and manicured gardens. On the other hand, being far from home on a fine day suddenly turned cold and wet day can miserable, especially with very small children.

Fear not! In London you can easily plan a weather-proof day summer day. Head to the farm, the ecology centre, the park and if the weather turns foul, head indoors and spend time soaking up some culture at one of the near-by museums.

Kensington Gardens and The Natural History Museum

Kensington Gardens in the midst summer is heaven. Let the kids run and tumble in the growing heath or dally in the dizzying delight of drifting dandelion seeds, look for exotic fowl on the Serpentine, check out the Peter Pan Statue or head over to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground with its swings, sand and massive pirate ship.

If you need to warm up, head over to the Natural History Museum and continue investigating wildlife in the Cocoon at the Darwin Centre, the Wildlife Garden or the Investigate room.

The Darwin Centre is a new addition to the museum that houses millions of specimens collected from around the world. Take the kids for an educational walk down the Cocoon where they can look at preserved Scarab Beetles, Luna Moths, and Tarantulas. Evan small children can enjoy looking the exotic collections while having a little run down the ramps. There is a great interactive area where you pack for a field outing. It is brilliantly put together.

After the Cocoon, if the weather cooperates, take the kids into the Wildlife Garden and have a wander around the nature path. Look for moorhens in the wildlife pond, along with wrens and robins in the marsh areas, but do not miss the bee tree. There is a bee hive that is set inside a tree with a window to see the bees at work in their hive, absolutely amazing.

For children ages 3+, the investigate room is the perfect place to learn a love for science. There are specimen trays filled with shells, animal skins, bones, preserved bugs, pine cones, tortoise shells. Further, there are microscopes and measuring instruments to really investigate the specimens. An attentive staff will guide older children through an investigation while the adult chases the toddler around. The Investigate room is open from 2:30 term time as schools have usually booked the room prior to that, and is open from 11:00 during school holidays.

Coram’s Fields and the Foundling and British Museums:

Right in the heart of London is a massive playground where adults are only allowed to enter with children so kids are able to really run far and free. Coram’s Fields boast penned sheep, hen, ducks and goats for children to look at. After taking in the wonders of animals, have a play in the sandbox, or in one of the four climbing frames. There is a high-quality Austrian bakery and sandwich stand in the playground that does amazing coffee.

Should you need to head inside, the Foundling Museum is just around the corner; entry free is £7.50 per adult. While you will learn a lot about the first orphanage and art museum in London, and on weekends they have good activities for older children, the museum is not really pitched for toddlers.

A good alternative for young children is the near-by British Museum. There is no entry fee, and you can seek shelter wandering around the Greek temples and Egyptian tombs. On weekends and school holidays they have amazing activities for the older children, but they do offer fun activities for the under five’s, too. Check the web site for details.

Vauxhall City Farm and Tate Britain

Slightly off the beaten path, a short walk from Vauxhall Station is a hidden gem, the Vauxhall City Farm. This free city farm is open Wednesdays through Sundays 10:30 – 4:00 and his home to over 80 animals. Unique to many city farms, there is a pen filled with rabbits and chickens; children are allowed to play and handle the animals in here. This can be a very messy, but it really is such a pure right of childhood to be able to chase a chicken or a rabbit around a barn yard and then hold them (usually accomplished with a great deal of adult assistance). Further, the farm has alpacas, turkey, cows, goats and horses. There is a small vegetable garden to play in, too.

Should you need to get out of the rain, just over the river (15 minute walk with a pushchair, toddler pace much longer) is Tate Britain with its sentimental Pre-Raphaelites. Again, there is little at the museum actually pitched to toddlers, but the galleries are large and there is plenty to see. On the weekends and during school holidays there is an art cart available. The café has, among other things, child portions of fruit and veggies, great cakes and coffees.

Ranelagh Gardens and the National Army Museum

Just off the Embankment is the Chelsea Hospital grounds, an amazing expanse of gardens that are open to the public. The Ranelagh Gardens are completely fenced in and are comprised of hills, brambles, trails and a tiny shelter in case of sudden rain. There are no climbing frames, and the toilets are a bit of a walk, but it is such a special area to take small children to have an old fashioned romp running up and down hills, playing hide and seek in the woods or just plain old woodland exploration.

Next to the Chelsea Hospital Ground is the National Army Museum (new Kid Zone to open 18th July). Should you need a break from the weather, head this way and enjoy the galleries and exhibits. If you are lucky, the Kid Zone may be open. They have timed entries from 10:00 and 11:30 am, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30 and 4:30; on weekends this schedule changes with pre-booked parties. This is the best indoor climbing frame play area in London. Not only is the entry free, the space is immaculately kept with family toilets. In the event that you have missed the entry, continue through the museum. The museum is fascinating and there are very toddler-friendly interactive play areas.

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 http://www.londonmumsblog.com/2011/07/planning-for-rain-and-shine-in-london.html Love Story on Stage Review tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55455c93588330147e0e4fc9b970b 2010-12-21T10:09:22+00:00 2010-12-21T10:09:22+00:00 Sponsored post Where shall I begin? I first saw Love Story when I was about 10. It flickered on our 12-inch black and white Sony TV, while I snuggled warmly into our worn honey-coloured sofa. I felt very grown up. My parents let me stay up to 11 pm to watch the end, having previously debated whether or not I was too young for the content (plot spoiler: the main character dies of leukaemia). By the end of the evening,... Susanna

Sponsored post

Love-Story-064_150x150Where shall I begin? I first saw Love Story when I was about 10. It flickered on our 12-inch black and white Sony TV, while I snuggled warmly into our worn honey-coloured sofa. I felt very grown up. My parents let me stay up to 11 pm to watch the end, having previously debated whether or not I was too young for the content (plot spoiler: the main character dies of leukaemia). By the end of the evening, I remember hiding my face behind a cushion, trying very hard not to let my older brothers see my tears. I think that was the first time I had such a strong emotional reaction to a film.

When the marketing folks asked if I'd like to see Love Story on Stage, I had two thoughts: The subject matter is depressing and could a stage production produce the same emotional reaction as the film?

Love Story is the famous tale about the short relationship between Jenny Cavelieri, the daughter of an Italian restaurateur, and Oliver Barrett, the son of very wealthy Massachusetts socialites. Oliver goes to Harvard and Jenny earned a music scholarship to Radcliffe. It's so 70s East Coast I love it. She calls him preppie (and swears a lot, that must have been edited out of the television version) and he falls (very hard) for the beautiful  and feisty collegiate. The story weaves love and bereavement, class and family tension. Predictably, the rich boy does not get on with his parents, and presumes they don't think his fiance is good enough for him. Now that I'm a middle-aged adult and a parent, I can see that perhaps Oliver's father was just a wee bit worried that he was too young to be married. It's a dysfunctional family relationship, and most of us can relate to that on some level.

The newly weds are cut off from Oliver's rich parents, but emotionally supported by Jenny's pizza-making father. You can feel the love in the fantastic pasta scene, where the financially struggling couple make due by eating mastochelli each evening. Jenny's health deteriorates as the musical progresses, I'm not going to tell you what happens in the end, you already know.

Because of the constraints of the stage, the story get squeezed into fewer scenes, but it is done seamlessly. It amazes me how sets can change from an office, to a formal dining room, to a kitchen to hospital bed with just a tables moved, flowers brought in and some tweaks to lighting. The music also ties the story together. Disappointingly, the famous song Love Story (which I played for my first piano recital) only make one short appearance.

By the end of Love Story on Stage I was discreetly wiping my tears away (and so was my theatre-going friend). The inspiring love story strongly comes through and it was an eye-opening experiencing it as an adult, rather than an idealistic preadolescent. And after the show I wanted to go out for pasta and buy a stripey college scarf.

Love Story on Stage is playing at the Duchess Theatre in London.

This post was written by Susanna, you can read more at her blog A Modern Mother.

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 http://www.londonmumsblog.com/2010/12/love-story-on-stage-review.html Red Magazine launches online! tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55455c93588330147e070fe6b970b 2010-12-07T07:34:10+00:00 2010-12-07T07:34:10+00:00 Red magazine has launched online! The website is packed with up-to-the-minute fashion, travel, beauty and food ideas. Red's editors do the research, offering the perfect options to help save time on daily tasks and decisions, from what to cook for dinner, to booking that luxury weekend away. There are also lots of offers alongside inspiring features and expert advice from Red's expert panel of opinion formers from the worlds of fashion, food, business, beauty, interiors and entertainment. Susanna

Redonline Red magazine has launched online! The website is packed with up-to-the-minute fashion, travel, beauty and food ideas. Red's editors do the research, offering the perfect options to help save time on daily tasks and decisions, from what to cook for dinner, to booking that luxury weekend away. There are also lots of offers alongside inspiring features and expert advice from Red's expert panel of opinion formers from the worlds of fashion, food, business, beauty, interiors and entertainment. 

 http://www.londonmumsblog.com/2010/12/red-magazine-launches-online.html Would you do this to your baby? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e55455c9358833013487e94607970c 2010-10-02T06:35:42+01:00 2012-02-19T13:55:14+00:00 To highlight the 1,000 women who die everyday in pregnancy and childbirth in poor countries, Oxfam organised the reconstruction of this iconic image to coincide with the Millennium Development Goals summit which took place in New York last month. Pregnant women from London took part in the reconstruction of the Charles Clyde Ebbets ‘New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam’ image in support of an Oxfam campaign. Well done ladies! Oxfam pregnant women recreate classic new york photo from... Susanna

Oxfam-mums-on-a-girder1 
To highlight the 1,000 women who die everyday in pregnancy and childbirth in poor countries, Oxfam organised the reconstruction of this iconic image to coincide with the Millennium Development Goals summit which took place in New York last month. Pregnant women from London took part in the reconstruction of the Charles Clyde Ebbets ‘New York Construction Workers Lunching on a Crossbeam’ image in support of an Oxfam campaign.

Well done ladies!