Pop Dance sessions for children

I just had to tell you about my best friend's pop dance classes for children!! They have been running for a month now and are so popular that a local school has enlisted her to run a separate class there!!

Lana O'Brien, director of Your Time to Dance, trained at the exclusive Bird College of dance and has been working as a professional dancer ever since. Her last professional gig before moving back to Gosport was dancing and singing in the hit musical We Will Rock You in Germany and Austria.

Having attended classes at the now famous Pineapple Studios and worked with some truely inspiring and creative choreographers Lana really is the dancer who can teach your children the up to date moves and routines!

She currently runs 2 classes on a Wednesday at Christchurch Hall, behind Christchurch on Stoke Road. Each session costs £4 per child.

• 5pm  -5:45 for ages 4-7
• 6-6:45 for ages 8+

Routines to all popular music from Black Eyed Peas to JLS to Justin Bieber to Lady Gaga!

Defintely a great way for them to gain confidence, enhance coordination skills, keep them fit and healthy - not to mention having FUN!!

She also runs childrens parties if you fancy something different.

Also any mum's who fancy a work out with a difference come along to her ladies only adult dance fitness class. Same venue, Monday and Wednesday's 7-8pm £4 a session. It is so much fun and you burn calories too!!! :)

Your Time to Dance
http://www.yourtimetodance.co.uk/

Tried and tested baby group in Whitely

Hello!! I got recommended a fab baby group this week and have tried and tested it this morning in Whitely at Meadowside Leisure Centre.
Jiggywrigglers run baby groups for 0-4 years! I went to the baby group today (non movers)and it was fantastic. It starts at 10:45.

There are play mats put down for babies to lie down on and at the start toys are given out for them to play with. Once it starts there are puppets, interactive songs to sing and get your babies moving and musical instruments for them to play with. Remi is 6 months and had a great time wriggling along to the music.

It costs £2.80 per family (so if you have more than one baby it is the same price) and it includes a free cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit!! :)

I know that some people may get embarrassed about singing or are a bit nervous of going to these groups but there really is no need. I urge anyone with a young baby to give this a go.

The only downside to the one I went to today would be if you don't drive as it is in Whitely. HOWEVER - they run one on Friday's in Lee-on-Solent too so I will let you know what that is like this Friday.

Check out their website for days and times http://www.jiggywrigglers.com

Definitely a really worthwhile and enjoyable group.

Let me know what you think!!

Halloween at The Seahorse Pub

How's your half term going??? Have you managed to keep the children entertained thus far or are you desperately awaiting the return to school?!!!?!!

Well, on my travels (or those of my other half to be honest - come on there's a pub involved!!) I have come across a great idea for this Sunday afternoon. AND the best thing is it is for both adults and children.

The Seahorse Pub opposite Bay House School, Alverstoke is hosting a Halloween fun day this Sunday from 3pm - fancy dress.

Freebie games and activities: Apple bobbing, face painting, a bouncy castle and an Adults trick or treat!!! Plus there are prizes for the best costume!

And there is a BBQ as well (this is the only thing not free - as well as drinks obviously!)

So if you fancy rounding the week off with a bit of a laugh - GET YOURSELF DOWN THERE!!!

Please always drink responsibly (when in the presence of children at least!!)

Death of the i gadgets....

I had this vision that when I started this blog it would be updated daily... and it would have been that way if I hadn't tried to be all 'new age' - I went running a couple of months ago, trying to get back into it after having Remi-J, whilst listening to a playlist via my new runkeeper app. I was far too occupied being smug as the lady voice on the app was telling me how many miles I had done that I didn't notice the zip of the pocket in my jacket slowing opening and before it was too late my iphone was on the floor - SCREEN SMASHED!!

:((((((((

Gutted. Absolutely gutted.

So whilst I wait for Vodafone to send me the correct proof of usage form and... blah blah blah... I am having to use my laptop when I get the chance.

And with a very lively 5.5 month old baby and a 6 year old that requires my den-making skills (learnt from way back when growing up with 3 boys...) it is quite the challenge.

So, moral of the story - BUY AN I-POD/PHONE ARM STRAP FOR RUNNING - or just don't run. You choose.

PS. My 80GB ipod also died last night.... it is a sad day in the Marsden/Urry household...... hmmmm think I might just replace with an ipad!

Half Term is looming.....

Blimey it has taken me about 2 weeks to get this blog off the ground but at long last here it is.... If I haven't spoken to you directly about this I am hoping that you have heard the word on the street!! So here goes:

ARGH!! Half term is coming.... NEXT WEEK!! Normally I would be working but as I am still on maternity with Remi-J I am going to enjoy the festivities with Finley. Eeeeek!! I can't wait!!

So I have been scanning the web for ideas of things to do to occupy the chidren over half term - some do cost money but there are a few FREE things too.

If you have heard of anything else that you think is worth telling everyone about please do share by commenting :)

EVENTS WITH A PRICETAG

From 23^rd to Sun 31^st Oct @ Staunton Country Park, Havant – Halloween events every day The Monsters’ Parade, The Haunted Library,Freaky Face Painting, The Halloween Trail, Scary Storytelling, Frightening Food. Be sure to go in fancy dress as there are prizes for the best costume! Prices: Adult £6.95, Children (3-6yr) £2.95. No need to book.

From 23^rd to Sunday 31^st Oct. @ Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Halloween events throughout the week including pumpkin trails, spooky story telling, making scary sea creature masks, Tours by torchlight and much more.  A ticket for the Dockyard includes access on to all ships, harbour tours and Action Stations (for children). Tickets cost adults £19.50, seniors £16.50, children & students £14.00 and a family ticket costs £55.00 (up to 5 people with a maximum of 2 adults or seniors). Entrance to the Historic Dockyard is free for those wishing to visit the retailers, cafes and Antiques Storehouse.

From 23rd to Sunday 31st from 10am @ Gosport Submarine Museum - Spooky Tours around HMS Alliance. Entry to museum is £10 Adult, £7 child (5+), Family Ticket £28 (2 adults max, up to 3 children). Under 5's FREE

Tues 26th 2-4:30pm @ Gosport Submarine Museum - Spooky Sea Stories with Orange Apples. Entry to museum is £10 Adult, £7 child (5+), Family Ticket £28 (2 adults max, up to 3 children). Under 5's FREE

Wed 27^th October 18:30 @ Explosion Museum, Gosport – Ghost Walks around the museum including areas not normally open to public!! Tickets cost £5 - please call to book 023 9250 5603

Wed 27^th October 10:30 – 1pm or 3pm – 5:30pm @ Gosport Discovery Centre (Ages 7+) – Comic Book workshop with Kev F Sutherland who is a comic writer & artist who works for The Beano, Marvel comics and many more. Costs £5 call to book

Thursday 28th from 11am @ Gosport Submarine Museum - Scribbling Sea Monsters: As part of the Big Draw, lend a hand to create a mythical monster from the deep, dark sea as part of the national Big Draw campaign for drawing. Entry to museum is £10 Adult, £7 child (5+), Family Ticket £28 (2 adults max, up to 3 children). Under 5's FREE

Fri 29^th Oct 5-7pm @ Monkey Bizness, Gosport – Halloween Party (fun and games, disco, food) Tickets cost £7 (1 child + 1 adult) Book in advance to save disappointment 08458 739645

Sunday 31^st Oct 1-3pm @ Highlight (formally Jongleurs), Gunwharf Quays – Fancy Dress Party

£3.50 per person (under 6 months FREE)
£12.50 for a family of four

No need to book.

FREE EVENTS

Mon 25^th October  11 – 12 noon @ Gosport Discovery Centre (Ages 4-10 years) – ‘What’s in the Witches Cauldron’ : Stories and activities. Please call to book 023 9252 3463

Wed 27^th Oct  2pm @ Gosport Discovery Centre (under 5’s) – Story Time. No need to book

Wed 27^th Oct 09:30 – 11am @ Little Waves Childrens Centre, Gosport (under 5’s) – Spooky Themed Stay and Play

Fri 29^th 2:30 – 3:30pm @ Bridgemary Library (All ages) – Card Making Fun for children. Free Tickets available from the library

Sun 31^st Oct – No time specified @ Port Solent (All Ages) – Trick or Treat Party: Fancy Dress, children get to perform tricks to try and win treats. Fortune teller and face painting too.