Mum's the word Magazine Easter 2016

mum’s the word

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magazine Easter 2016

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a magazine by mums for mums

Bumper Easter What’s On Guide Easter fun for all the family!

Hello Shrewsbury!

Mum’s the Word is now in Shrewsbury

cooking with kids

puzzling times

win a family break

what’s on - local fun

mum’s kitchen

crafty creations

To subscribe to this magazine please contact us at info@mumsthewordmag.co.uk mums the word 1

At Burton Borough School we truly believe that it is not only what you learn that matters but the person you become as a result of that learning.

2016 iAl A Spec or f YeAr n t Bur o h! ug Boro

In 2015, 63% of students achieved 5 (or more) A* - C grades (including English & Maths)

Developing happy and fulfilled young people is what matters most to us

Join us on our journey...

For more information contact Headteacher: S J Richards BSc (Hons), MSc Burton Borough School Audley Avenue Newport Shropshire TT10 7DS

www.burtonborough.org.uk Tel: 01952 386500 Fax: 01952 386530

Email:burton.borough@taw.org.uk

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e m o c l e W mum’s the word Contents to magazine

Hey Mums!

Yaay Spring is here! I adore this time of the year as it gets me all excited about what’s to come. Let’s say a big hello to Shrewsbury - I hope you like my little mag that’s here to bring families together and keep you in the loop on what’s on your doorsteps. Get in touch with any requests or ideas as it’s always good to hear what you’d like to see in here from one busy mum to another.

There’s loads in this edition and watch out for Magenta - she’s my new creation (not entirely unlike me tbh but let’s keep that between us!)

I hope you all have an amazing Easter try out the crafts and cooking to keep the kids busy too and check out Facebook for some fab competitions coming up.

See you on the other side folks!

Nik x

Get in Touch...

mum’s the word

Magazine

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Parenting Puzzle

See what score you have from the horrors the kids leave you after bedtime.

12

Crafty Creations

26

Puzzling Times

28

Mums Kitchen

29

Kids Kitchen

30

Get Crafty with some Easter ideas for the kids and a DIY Easter Egg Hunt.

Keep the grey matter busy for a few minutes with some teasers.

A great way of cooking Jacket Spuds while everyone’s out ALL day!

Make your own yummy Bunny Bait to entice the Easter Bunny over for a visit.

Magenta’s Magical Mischief

Meet Magenta for the first of her stories of mischief and meeting her new friend.

email: info@mumsthewordmag.co.uk tel: 01952 461345 mob: 07549 946852 facebook.com/mumsthewordmag twitter: @mumsthewordmag

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Give yourself a break...

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efore we have our children our worlds are a very different place. The changes we undergo are so mammoth it’s no wonder that all the things we thought we were confident of before motherhood no longer have the same certainty.

I remember being pregnant having daydreams where I’d have have pictures in my head of a tidy house (for some reason with a lot of cream and white decor - what was all that about??), an

organised life, a fridge full of lovingly prepared nutritious food and my baby would be an absolute angel that I could set clocks by.

Erm....scrap all that! The reality was that if I could get showered and dressed before mid-day it was like a feat unknown to mankind and if anyone was brave enough to visit unannounced I couldn’t guarantee the World Health Organisation wouldn’t have intervened!

Special East er sessio for 2-5 years ns

3 hour w 5-7 years inorkshop for Shrewsbury

Sing, Dance, Pretend and play; where will your imagination take us today.

Drama, pretending and role-play lets laugh along the way boosting development through play in our age differentiated classes.

Find out about weekly classes, parties and one off holiday specials.

Contact Jane on 01691 898 508 or email JaneL@pyjamadrama.com www.pyjamadrama.com

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Add my return to work to this and I would have felt an utter failure if I’d listened to any of the older generations or the ‘perfect mum’ brigade so keen to belittle my progress! I found it quite funny how our ‘awfully British’ ways teach us that one shouldn’t brag yet as soon as you get one of ‘those mums’ who were lucky enough to have an easy baby that you couldn’t shut them up on how amazing they were and it turns out they’re part Superwoman don’t you know... (the only thing that kept me smiling was my absolutely certainty that baby number 2 would bring an upset applecart with it so to speak) Anyway I’m pleased to say there comes a tipping point for all of us. Something either just drops into place and ‘we get it’ and life gets that little bit easier or we just let go of our struggles a little. We absolutely will get so many things wrong we’d make learning rocket science seem a doddle by comparison.

But what is ‘right’ when it’s at home? Who even knows what it looks like?

One of the reasons I run this magazine (and believe me THAT makes those newborn baby days seem like a walk in the park having a teenager and toddler too!) is that I think we’re so hard on ourselves and I want us all to remember we’re usually doing a blinking good job even if it is buried under the disguise of an ironing mountain, chips for tea last night, not returning the forms to school on time or being late for school.

This isn’t a promotion but the adverts I feature in my mag are picked because the people running these businesses are lovely! They often ‘get it’ too and know that just half an hour with the kids enjoying themselves is worth gold dust to a shattered mum! Plus you often get other ‘real’ mums to compare your foibles with! So whether it’s a group you find or just a coffee - just for five minutes give yourself a break to remind yourself that you get a lot right too mums - even if it is just that you’ve got your pants on properly today! It all starts somewhere...

Horsehay . Wellington . Jungleland . Newport . Shifnal

Eleanor’s Musical Steps Eleanor’s Musical Steps Eleanor’s Musical Steps

@MusicalStepsEP @MusicalStepsEP mums the word 5 @MusicalStepsEP

Put a Spring in your Step

by Penny Shevyn

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s the daffodils bloom and blossom is starting to make an appearance, now is the time to give your parenting skills a spring clean! Here, local childcare expert Penny Shevyn, manager of the local independent, Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery, reminds you how to enjoy precious time with your kids and not get too bogged down with chores 24/7. With over 20 years’ experience in childcare and two children of her own here are some of her favourite tips....

Kids LOVE cooking Ok, it can be a messy affair but cooking together can make tea time fun for all involved!

Get the kids to help make their own tea – whether it’s spaghetti bolognaise or a round of sandwiches. They’ll be so proud they’ve made it themselves (albeit with a fair bit of help from Mum!) and it’ll make tea time seem less of a chore for you too. At Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery we regularly having cooking sessions with the children, it’s a chance for everyone to get stuck in and is a great way to build relationships with all the children. We love it!

Go for a walk Turn the TV off, ditch the ipad and wrap up for a family trek. As spring arrives there is so much to enjoy – challenge the children to see as much as they can whilst out and about. In a town? Try a bike, letter box, flower and bus stop for starters. In the countryside? A sheep, daffodil and bench could work. The more fun it is, the more everyone will enjoy it. And it’s good exercise too.

Our children really take pleasure from their time outside and we’re lucky at Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery to benefit from the lush grounds of the main school. We often take the children for walks which they all thoroughly enjoy.

Play cards There is so much to do with a pack of cards. Whether it’s building a tower, (or knocking it down!), playing snap with a three year old or ‘old maid’ with a five year old, cards are a great way for young children to familiarise themselves with numbers and makes for fantastic family bonding time.

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Having recently celebrated ten years, Birchfield Prepcare Nursery is located at the lovely Birchfield School, making it an ideal environment for little people. Enjoying the wonderful grounds and facilities of the school, Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery looks after pre-school children from six weeks to five years, all year round. Headed up by Penny Shevyn, the team of highly qualified staff are friendly, efficient and expert in creating that special home from home environment.

For further information on Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery please call Penny Sheyvn on 01902 375611 or visit:

www.prepcaredaynurseries.co.uk

Prepcare - Birchfield A5 Advert Flyer NEW_Layout 1 05/08/2015 11:24 Page 1

Birchfield Prepcare Day Nursery Harriot’s Hayes Lane, Albrighton Nr. Wolverhampton, WV7 3AF

O OPEN TO ALL. O Day nursery in the beautiful grounds of Birchfield Prep School.

O Quality day care for children from a few weeks to five years old all day and all year round.

O Benefits from Birchfield’s extensive facilities.

O Highly qualified staff.

O Awarded National Day Nurseries Association level 3 “Exemplary and Outstanding”.

O Employer of choice award winner.

Please Telephone:

01902 375611

www.prepcaredaynurseries.co.uk

Winner of the Employer of Choice award

NATIONAL DAY NURSERIES ASSOCIATION LEVEL 3: “EXEMPLARY & OUTSTANDING”

The many horrors achievements of the parenting game...

I

tend to think the ONLY way to survive parenting is to laugh A LOT! Maybe not in a maniacal ‘if I start I’ll never stop and then I’ll be sobbing‘ kind of way but this quiz I stumbled upon just sums up what happens to your home once ‘childhood’ moves into it. I’m hoping it makes you at least smile but you have to take a look around your lounge after the kids have gone to bed and give yourself a score based on what ‘goodies’ you tot up.

Juice, fruit, or ice cream stain on the sofa... 10 points Juice, fruit, or ice cream stain on the ceiling.. 50 points Artwork that you are dying to recycle but are not allowed to recycle and that you will recycle in seven months when your kid forgets about it... 20 points Anything from a birthday goodie bag (e.g. Cheap plastic non-functioning harmonica; superball; plastic parachute guy who, if thrown into the air, will fall no more slowly than if thrown without parachute). Each Parental Guidance - unless you’re made of ‘sterner item ... 10 points stuff’ I don’t recommend for your own sanity Sofa cushion fort... 20 points completing this exercise within a week of the end Bare sofa with no cushions (that you are sitting on)...

50 points of the school holidays...

(Continued on page 9)

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The small school making a impact

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arrow 1618 Church of England Primary Free School opened in September 2012, continuing the rich heritage of socially and environmentally-conscious education in this picture-perfect hamlet between Broseley and Much Wenlock.

Today, the school’s vision remains committed to that heritage; aiming to instil traditional values, manners and morals amongst its pupils, whilst preparing them for the everchanging demands of modern life. The school’s unique curriculum maximises learning though ‘hands-on’ experience both within the classroom and beyond. Head Teacher, John Newton says,

“

“

Though I know I’m biased, I can honestly say I have never known a school community quite like ours

“From the beginning, our children develop a strong sense of responsibility, appreciation and wonder at the world around them and the communities within it.

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We want our children to leave us, having achieved their potential academically, but more importantly, be strong of character, confident and motivated to make a positive impact on the people and world around them.

I feel fortunate to be part of our school.”

Indeed, charity is a key value of the school’s.

Over the past three years, the 85 pupils and staff have contributed in excess of £5000 to local charitable causes and, says Mr Newton, learned a great deal in the process.

“Empathising with and understanding the needs of others seems like an obvious lesson for all children to learn.

However, I’d suggest that the stark focus on academic outcomes that schools feel compelled to achieve can sometimes overshadow the practice of these key, human characteristics… We like to think of ourselves as the small school that can make a big difference.”

To find out more about Barrow 1618, surf over to their website:

www.barrow1618school.co.uk

Electronic device that your child has taught you to operate... 10 points Unfolded laundry in laundry basket... 5 points Child in laundry basket... 20 points Plastic tool set pieces... 1 point Classic wooden tool set pieces... 10 points One lone mystery tool set piece, even though as far as you know you don't own a set... 50 points One lone ludo piece... 10 points Abandoned Monoploy money, Risk piece, or sixsided die... 10 points/each Doll head eerily rolling around on the floor... 25 points Toy that your child out grew 5+ years ago... 10 points Child-made paper mache anything (most likely pinata)... 25 points Nail clipper on window sill... 15 points Nail clipper and a small pile of nail clippings on window sill... 25 points Undies (child)... 25 points Undies (adult)... 0 points

Sippy cup or bendy straw... 10 points Bendy straw in a glass of strawberry milk... 50 points Balloon... 10 points Helium balloon... 20 points Helium balloon, mostly deflated, hovering at eye level that will scare the bejesus out of you at one in the morning because you think it's an intruder or the ghost or your grandpa... 50 points Thomas the Tank Engine train tracks that you will step on at one in the morning after the balloon scares the bejesus out of you... 35 points Tin of pens and pencils... 15 points Tin of working pens and sharpened pencils... 50 points Reach under sofa cushion. If you find: a. Pen or pencil... 5 points b. Coins totaling more than fifteen cents... 10 points c. Game piece... 10 points d. Hair, lint and used tissues... 25 points for bravery Kid-related stain on your shirt or pants... 10 points Stain-free, wrinkle-free clothes... -10 points for lying

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Wolfie in the Wild @ Kaleidoscope’s Great Adventure Holiday Club Wolfie in the Wild gives children the opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and team building skills through outdoor education and alternative physical activities.

Activities include: • Orienteering

• Den Building

• Scavenger Hunt

• Knot tying

• Team Building

• Awards ceremony with Wolfie

Sessions at Kaleidoscope, Shifnal during May Half Term and Summer Holidays 2016.

For details please phone 01952 463259

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The Nursery with Outstanding Muchness...

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aleidoscope Child Care, a family based private child care company based at St Andrews School in Shifnal, has recently been graded Outstanding by OFSTED for the second time.

“We are all absolutely delighted that OFSTED have recognised the achievements of the whole team yet again. Our commitment is to always provide the very best care and education for the children at Kaleidoscope and we will always strive to find new ways of developing the service to parents.”

Children and staff at the nursery celebrated their OUTSTANDING achievement with a Mad Hatters Tea Party.

“

It was so much fun and we only need half an excuse for a party!

Nursery is a fun place to be! “

I

”

n association with Wolves Community Trust we are making exercise fun with the help of Wolfie.

• Wolfie Tots will start at Kaleidoscope after Easter for the pre school children, combining exercise, dance and activities about how to keep healthy.

• Wolfie in the Wild is a new addition to our school holiday playscheme “The Great Adventure Club.” The Wolfie in the Wild sessions will offer orienteering, den making and team building challenges.

To find out more about how Kaleidoscope can help you with your child care needs get in touch... www.shifnalchildcare.com Tel: 01952 463259 Full and part time sessions ~ Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm ~ 24U funded places for eligible 2 year olds 15 hours free for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child’s 3rd Birthday Highly qualified and experienced team ~ Breakfast club and after school club “The Great Adventure Club” Holiday playschemes for 4 – 11 year olds

Kaleidoscope Child Care “Creating ever changing patterns of play and learning through discovery, adventure, mums the word 11 awe and wonder, laughter and friendships.”

Crafty Creations School Holidays are usually loved or feared by parents of youngsters - everyone else says time flies but a day with a bored child can seem an absolute eternity! But fear not mums - we have some ‘crafty’ ways of keeping the little noise monsters out of trouble for at least a few minutes!

I often wonder what to do with the egg boxes so here’s a great idea. Any size of box is fine for creating an egg hunt - the smaller ones are possibly better for the younger ones?

Simply use plastic eggs and number them in order so little ones can follow the trail and pop a clue inside to lead them to the delights with the grand prize being at the end (you may need to speak to the Easter Bunny for this part as you want to be sure he’s happy for you to help)

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DIY Easter Egg Hunt

Top Tip...

If the children a re too you ng to read sim ply draw a picture of the ar ticle that the s urprise is hidden ins ide

Tissue Box Creatures & Baskets With sniffles and slobbers being rife in a young family we can get through our fair share of tissues! So here’s some perfect ideas on what to do with them.

Make an Easter Bunny or various creatures by covering a tissue box with paper and sticking on funny faces and ears. This is great for the bunny bait on page 27 too. Why not make your own bunny family, farm or zoo.

Alternatively you could glue a handle over the top of the box and decorate it and it makes a great basket for collecting eggs with.

One for Mum! ases!

DIY spring v

s love u know the kid Top Tip... did yo too - plus their bedrooms in s er ow fl h well es fr enjoy nature as to em th es ag it encour om! Bonus! as a nice bedro

Top Tip... organise all those annoying small items with many boxes stacked together - perfect for keeping on bookcases with pens and pencils

Spring brings with it my favourite flowers of the year - daffodils and tulips and the beauty of them is that they only ever need a simple jar to show them off.

Painting used jars a simple colour and adding a cute face is all these jars need to look great. Add some string or rafia and you’re all done!

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mums

What’s On

I love all of the seasons in their own way but you can’t beat the ‘awakening’ that the Spring brings - we’re all gagging to get outside and clear the cobwebs and with the extra school holidays too here’s loads of things to do with the family. Enjoy!

Children’s Eggsplorers Trail. Follow the clues around our Discovery Trail, Adventure Theme Park and African Village to find the eggs and unscramble the secret Easter Password! Hand in your completed trail to receive your prize!

There will also be an Easter Eggsplorers Craft Club where you can make your very own 19 March - 17 April Easter Bonnet! Also in our Discovery Room from Easter Eggstravaganza 12pm – 3pm, for those who are brave enough, Bring your Eggsplorers along and help our you will have a chance to get up close and onsite Explorer character ‘Livingstone’ find personal with giant snails and stick insects in the missing Easter Eggs onsite with a free our Minibeast www.wmsp.co.uk

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25 - 28 March

Easter Egg Hunt

Come and take part in a scenic Eaaster Egg hunt sponsored by Cadburys. Carding Mill Valley Visitor Centre www.nationaltrust.org.uk

25 March – 10 April

Self-Led Easter Trail

This pushchair friendly trail will take you on a tour looking for Easter chicks and bunnies hiding around the park. There’ll be a small prize for finding all the chicks and bunnies and solving the Easter puzzle. Available from the visitor centre every day of the school holidays between 11am-3pm. Trail maps £2 each.

Severn Valley Country Park. www.shropshire. gov.uk/severn-valley-country-park

25 March – 10 April

Easter Eggstravaganza (see pages 20-21)

The Great Egg Hunt at 12,45pm & 2.45pm is our most popular Easter activity, and with the reward of a chocolate egg it’s hardly surprising it’s such a hit. Youngsters can rummage around in the hay to find soft balls, everyone is ensured of finding a ball to get their choccy treat! With Crack the Code too there’s more sweet fun to be had be Easter fiends! Park Hall Farm, www.parkhallfarm. co.uk

25 March - 10 April

Self-Led Twig Man Trail

25 March - 10 April

Egg Dancing at Blists Hill

route. After the demonstration, everyone can have-a-go. Blists Hill Victorian Town, Ironbridge, www.ironbridge.org.uk

Enjoy the unusual spectacle of egg dancing, which will take place twice a day opposite the Print Shop. Once blindfolded, the townsfolk will dance across the street without stepping on eggs that are carefully placed along their

This trail through the woodlands and along the river meadows of the park will take you on an adventure with Twig man. Following all the clues on the map you will be able to solve the puzzle and win a small prize.Available from the visitor centre every day of the school

TELFORD Peppa Pigs Surprise

Wednesday 8 June, 1pm and 4pm Thursday 9 June, 10am and 1pm

Peppa Pig Book your tickets today... www.theplacetelford.com

01952 382382

Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in Telford in a brand new live stage show, Peppa Pig’s Surprise.

All bookings are subject to a £2 admin fee per booking.

Oakengates Theatre Limes Walk, Oakengates, Telford TF2 6EP mums the word 15

mums

What’s On

holidays between 11am-3pm. Trail maps £2 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt each. Severn Valley Country Park. www. Moseley is a great place for hide and seek. shropshire.gov.uk/severn-valley-country-park Come and hunt through the grounds to find the clues. There is a chocolate prize for finishing 25 March - 10 April from Cadbury www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ moseley-old-hall, Easter Half Term Fun Lots of fun activities to enjoy over the Easter half term in Telford at Pirates & Princesses Adventure 26 March Zone. Pirates & Princesses Adventure Zone Telford Easter Activity day/Egg hunt www.piratesandprincessesfunzone.co.uk Free Easter activity day including Easter egg hunt, fun and games, face painting and prizes.

26 March Saturday 26th March 12noon - 3.30pm The Fun Science Launch Potter’s House Church www.phcwolves.co.uk To celebrate the launch of Fun Science Shropshire we will be at Enginuity on the 26th March with some free hands on activities including slime making, hair raising on a Van de Graaff generator, candy floss making and more.This is a great time to do something different with the family whilst also finding out about Fun Science which will be offering science themed parties, workshops, assemblies and holiday clubs across Shropshire.Visit www. fun-science.org.uk for more information about Fun Science Shropshire.

26 March - 10 April

Eggciting Easter at Rays Farm

Easter fun! Follow the Easter trail,complete the fairy and troll trail, pet the animals and join in with Easter Crafts. www.raysfarm.co.uk

26 - 28 Marchl Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Hop to it! Come and hunt the bunnies hiding in our gardens. Join in the fun at Wightwick whatever the weather; we have trails and crafts for everyone over the Easter weekend and of course a chocolate Egghead prize at the end! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wightwickmanor-and-gardens

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26 March

Easter fun with Peppa Pig and Animal Farm

In celebration of the Easter weekend children’s favourite Peppa Pig will be coming to Victorian Arcade in Walsall at intervals between 11.30am and 4.30pm to see her fans. Victorian Arcade will also be hosting a free animal farm on the day giving children the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of animals such as pygmy goats, lambs, piglets and rabbits. The Arcade, Walsall, WS1 1RE

26 March 12 - 3pm

Easter bonnet parade, dress up for our fancy dress competition, play fun games & try out the Apley Easter egg hunt. enquiries@apleyfarmshop.co.uk

28 March

Easter Family Fun Day

Fabulous Easter Family Fun rolls into the Leather Museum once more! We’ve hilarious puppet fun with Fox’s Easter and hilarity aplenty with shows from museum favourite Barrington.

Plus walkabout mayhem with Simple Tom, face painting, drop in art activities and much more. www.walsall.gov.uk/leathermuseum

Wolverhampton Cheeki Monkeys Easter BIG 30 March - 15 April Baby & Children’s Market Newhampton Arts Centre. Hundreds of pre- Free Easter Holiday Active Camp Open Days loved bargains all under one roof and at a fraction of the price in the shops! Plus plenty to keep the little ones entertained! www.facebook. com/cheekimonkeyswolverhampton

28 March

Apley Easter Funday

Get in the Easter spirit this bank holiday Monday (28 March) at the Apley Easter Funday. Take part in our

Join us for FREE OPEN DAYS this Easter. To get a feel for the action at our Active Camps, children aged 4-14 are welcome to come along to one of free open days this Easter.

Open Day 1: Wednesday 30th March Open Day 2: Tuesday 5th April Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Free day only available on days stated above, 10am-4pm only.

2 April

Spring Into The Park

Choo, choo all aboard the Spring into the Park train.Our seasonal celebration of the great outdoors is back for its second year and will be hosted within the heart of Telford Town Park, voted UK’s best park. This year we are working in partnership with Telford Steam Railway and have lots of train themed activities running including miniature train rides* and a guest appearance from Thomas and The Fat Controller.

As always the event will be a spring extravaganza with activities happening in pockets across the park for you to get involved in. There will be bug hunts and pond dipping, hedgehog home and bird box making*, an Easter Egg hunt* as well live entertainment and a Fun Fair* in the arena.We will also be joined by Telford’s very own Animal Man who will be bringing along his Exotic Zoo to wow and amaze you. There will also be a face painter on hand to get your face painted* as your favourite animal in preparation for this Roarsume show? www.telfordtownpark. co.uk mums the word 17

mums

What’s On

17 April

Stig Of The Dump

Barney and Stig get on rather well together.

They have to manage without language, as Stig speaks no English, but that doesn’t stop them. Stig becomes Barney’s secret friend, not because Barney doesn’t tell anyone, but because no one believes that Stig is real.

They have a great time, improving Stig’s den, collecting firewood, going hunting, and even catching some burglars who break into Barney’s grandparents’ house. www. theatresevern.co.uk

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23 - 24 April

Shropshire Kids Festival (see Pages 22/23)

Have Fun – There will be fun for all ages, from baby zone and toddler fun right through to drama, sports and hands on learning there will be something for all ages.

Get Creative – Being creative helps little minds grow, the whole festival will be focused on education through fun.

Getting messy, getting hands on and getting involved!

Get Educated – Education is about expanding the world of youngsters and we will be doing that through play. Science, drama, engineering, technology and much more!

Local Food – From local food to eat to local food to get stuck in and learn about this event will be about eating healthy good food and where it comes from. www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk

25 - 26 April

James And The Giant Peach

The Arts Centre Telford’s junior youth theatre present Roald Dahl’s classic tale, as told James himself and his insect friends – Miss Spider, OldGreen-Grasshopper, Centipede, Ladybird and Earthworm. James’ epic journey across the Atlantic to escape his cruel Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker is explored through drama, music and dance. www.theplacetelford.com

29 April - 2 May

Shrewsbury Bookfest

This is an annual event which we have run since 1999, bringing children and books together for lots of fun, pleasure and entertainment.There will be a series of ticketed and free events all to do with children’s books.

Children’s authors, storytellers, theatre groups will visit Shrewsbury to deliver fun events and workshops for children, their families and carers and friends. Join us… we’d love to see you… www.shrewsburybookfest.co.uk

14 Mayl

The Magic Doors

These aren’t just any old doors, they are MAGIC DOORS! MAGIC DOORS that reveal extraordinary creatures and make-believe worlds. Join Penny, Olly and Max as they travel under water, down creepy corridors and battle hurricanes. Here they discover that play and friendship reveals the most important secret of all: even the strange and scary boy in the street can be their friend. www.theatresevern.co.uk

28 - 29 May Mr Maker And The Shapes Live!

Come and join your ultimate arts and craft hero MISTER MAKER, for his first ever live theatre tour!

Packed full of arty adventures there’ll be a big ‘make’ to take part in, super songs to join in with, a fabulous supporting cast, and not forgetting, The Shapes! Yes, you’ll be able to share the fun with Mister Maker’s colourful all-dancing friends Circle, Square, Rectangle and Triangle too! MISTER MAKER AND THE SHAPES will also be joined by a team of all-singing, all-dancing friends! www. theatresevern.co.uk

Eggciting Easter March 26th - 10th April 2016 Eggxtra Easter fun.

Follow the Easter trail, join in free Easter children’s crafts and pet our friendly bunnies.

May Half Term Complete our Fairy and Troll Trail. Win a prize for best dressed Fairy or Troll and join in free childrens’ crafts.

T: 01299 841255 E: info@raysfarm.com www.raysfarm.com Billingsley, Bridgnorth Shropshire WV16 6PF

FREE CHILD*

when accompanied by a full paying adult

Follow us on

*Valid until 30.06.16. Not valid with any other promotional offer or on Bank Holiday Mondays. Valid for one free child only on presentation of this advert.

MTW2016SPT

mums the word 19

Come and join The Great Egg Hunt at Looking for an action packed Park Hall day out with the kids? Then this is the place to be. A Farm! child’s paradise with animals, adventure, indoor play barns and lots of countryside to explore.

Easter is always amazing at Park Hall and its Easter Extravaganza begins on 25th March with the Great Egg Hunt (lots of chocolate involved in this one!). This egg hunt is a real farmyard experience because kids get to hunt in the hay and the reward is a yummy chocolate egg!

The Great Egg Hunt is on twice a day, but there’s also a clue hunt around the farm to find numbers to ‘Crack the combination’, and yes, you guessed it - if you can get the combination right it will open a chest with more chocolate treats.

Of course, Easter would not be Easter without tiny baby chicks to hold, cute cuddly lambs and goats to bottle feed and gorgeous bunnies to cuddle. But that’s not all, you can groom ponies, hand milk a cow, or lead the heavy horses across the stable yard. Jump on a tractor ride to see more of the farm and spot the new lambs frolicking in the fields. The highlight of your day will surely be the Pig Racing, you might even be lucky enough to pick the winner!

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A visit to Park Hall is a full, action packed day out for families, it really is a farm park like no other, there’s a surprise around every corner.

Adult Admission £8.80, Children £8.80, Concessions £7.80.

Family (2+2) £32.80.

No matter what the weather there’s always something to do at Park Hall, two massive indoor play barns ensure rain never stops play, with lots of the animal activities inside it really is an all-weather attraction.

Look out for the 15% off voucher in this magazine.

www.parkhallfarm.co.uk

Outside there’s a brilliant new outdoor attraction this season, a state of the art adventure play zone in the woodland that is already proving to be a great hit with the kids. You can find a 40metre Zip Wire nearby too, even adults can ‘have a go’! There are loads of adventure courses and driving fun for kids too. Or why not visit the museums - The Welsh Guards Collection, the Victorian School and the Iron Age Roundhouse and the ‘Trenches’

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So it’s going to be TOTALLY different from anything the town has ever seen before...

In the Quarry Park...

- Sensory Areas - Drama and Singing - 75m Water Slide - Storytelling - Arts and Crafts - Inflatable Fun - Tumble Areas for Toddlers - Dance and Rhythm - Foam Party - Engineering and Robotics - Creative Activities - Cookery & MUCH MORE more aimed at children up to 14 years old EDUCATIONAL FUN FAMILY

23rd & 24th April 2016 www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk 22 mums the word

SHROPSHIRE KIDS FESTIVAL TICKETS ON SALE NOW

T

ickets have gone on sale for a festival the likes of which Shrewsbury has never seen before. Shropshire Kids Festival will take place in the quarry on 23rd and 24th of April and it promises to be the biggest, most creative, fun filled weekend for kids of all ages.

With dozens of amazing activities to try from the massive 75m water slide to zorbing, a helter-skelter and a go-kart track, it’s going to be difficult to decide which activity to have a go at first. Organiser Beth Heath who co-founded the Shrewsbury Food Festival said: “This event really is going to be something special. There will be a number of zones with activities for kids of all ages from babies through to early teens. The weekend is all about trying something new, getting hands on, discovering a new passion and learning, but in a totally fun way.”

Festival zones will include outdoor sports where kids can partake in tennis, rugby and bubble football and indoor sports which will include jujitsu, karate and yoga. Competitive types will love the inflatable obstacle course and the ‘wacky races’, which will include a laughter inducing water balloon race and a highly anticipated space hopper race. While the races are free, there will be a chance to do good while having fun, by making a donation to the Harry Johnson Trust.

Serious skills will be on show throughout the weekend, as dance acts, singers and musicians share their talent on the festival’s main stage. And there are more creative activities with art and craft sessions being run by local company Compost Kids. If they still have the energy after all that, there’s also a circus skills tent, storytelling, kids cookery, and to top it all, a not to be missed foam party!

Tennis Music

ter Hel ter l Ske Water Balloon races

Hopp er Race s

ing

Zorb Foam Par ty

Jud

o

Kids Cooke

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us Circ s l Skil Inflatable

Even the youngest children have been catered for with baby sensory sessions, baby yoga, baby singing and toddlers tumble play area!

Fun

G Kartso

Tickets are priced at £6.00 per child and £1.00 per adult, which entitles a child to participate in most activities for free. Where there is a charge, a percentage will go to the events chosen charity, the Harry Johnson Trust. A local charity which offers help and support to children, who receive care from the Oncology team at The Princess Royal Hospital in Shropshire, as they go through their journey with childhood cancer.

For more details and tickets visit the festival’s website

www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk

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Just a ‘quick’ family break...

O

h boy did I chuckle when I saw this picture! We can all relate to it can’t we and I think romance has a heck of a lot to answer for because it’s the same rose tinted spectacles that convinced us that babies and children are a synch that are equally responsible for making us CRAZILY think that going on holiday will be a break!

We must be mad though - any sane person when actually detailing the logistics of putting a family holiday together would do a runner!

“

THE HOLIDAY LIST alone is akin to any adrenalin junkies initial fear!

”

Packing, laundry, supplies, emergency supplies, a list of lists and then organising it so that anything can be found (you REALLY don’t want to unpack that lot to search for the IPAD to keep your kids sane on the journey!)

Then you have the joy of being Entertainment Manager for the kids (and partner), Domestic Engineer, Chief Stuff Co-Ordinator, Wee-Stop Negotiator (why does hubby NEVER want to stop the car once the road trip has started??), Head of Catering Supplies and Family Mediator. Note 24 mums the word

you didn’t wear the Tantrum Diffusing hat as your romantic notions had you thinking this would all go swimmingly well and the family all love each others company!

With endless rounds of feeding everyone, occupying them all, getting them washed, dressed or changed (again) the ‘break’ itself is just a slightly different version of what’s at home coupled with an absence of some of the essentials!

But joking aside - all of these mammoth missions build up family memories so I’m absolutely sure they’re worth it. Looking back over the years we don’t remember the best TV days, or the best high score we had on Mario Brothers - it’s often time with our families or friends that we recall from a long time ago.

A day out somewhere that went wrong is nearly always in the memory vault but we still laugh about it now so there’s hope for you yet mums - it may be relentless having to think of every single situation that could come up but there’ll come a day when you’re on a peaceful holiday when the kids are grown up that you’ll remember these days fondly and the fact you didn’t get to even sit down for a week won’t be what you remember (assuming you survived the ordeal of course!).

Win a Four Day Toddler Break in Cornwall!!

H

endra is a family-run, award-winning family and couples holiday park situated in Newquay, ideally located to explore Cornwall.

We are surrounded by beautiful countryside, only minutes from Newquay's famous beaches, 14 miles from the Eden Project and within easy reach of hundreds of holiday attractions.

Hendra offers many superb facilities including children's activities, full entertainment, play parks, soft play and our own fantastic Oasis Fun Pools complex, providing indoor allweather fun with sensational water flumes and a beautiful outdoor pool. We have free Wi-Fi in The Terrace Bar and Restaurant, Coffee Express Cafe, Mario's Pizzeria, and The Club.

We specialise in providing holidays for families, especially those with small children during our Toddler breaks, which you can win through Mum’s the Word.

Hendra Holiday Park, Newquay, TR8 4NY Tel: 01637 875778

www.hendra-holidays.com

You can choose the Spring Toddler Break – 4-nights from Monday 2nd May or one of the Autumn Toddler Breaks – 4-nights from Monday 26th September, Monday 3rd October and Monday 10th October.

During these holidays there will be a range of exclusive activities for toddlers, such as entertainment. These breaks are stuffed full of activities for little ones including swim sessions, indoor activities, party dances, face painting, arts and crafts and more. There’s soft play, playgrounds, and acres of open space for running around in. Your little ones will love the daily Toddler Time fun session with Henry the Hippo too!

To enter simply email the answer to the following question before 5pm on Friday 8th April and the lucky winner will be drawn from the email hat...

What’s the name of Hendra’s Pizzeria? a) Luigi’s b) Yoshi’s c) Mario’s Email: info@mumsthewordmag.co.uk Terms and Conditions: A 4-night short break in a premium holiday caravan, (type subject availability), for a family with up to 3 children. Accommodation only for the dates shown, does not include supplements and a £50 refundable security deposit is required. Hendra’s standard conditions apply. http://www.hendra-holidays.com/hendra-holiday-park-terms-and-conditi

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With Spring nearly upon us it looks like the bugs are getting ready for some fun too - there are ten differences between these two pictures so let’s hope finding them keeps you ‘bizzy’ for a while...

I think we may have...gone a u know yo d Di overboard on the food fron d bbitsofanour at raphoto time...-ththis wh e n se at party ca ts rro pa contains twenty withoutshown d them items is be-hincan right you find s! all turning their headthem picture?

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I think we may have gone a little overboard on the food front this time - this photo of our party buffet contains twenty items shown on the right - can you find them all in the picture?

little nt this buffet n on the in the

More bugs...

Can you help the spider get to the middle of the web without getting his feet wet on the raindrops??

Mum’s Word...

See how many ways you can use this word in the family - who will win??

“infinite”Having no boundaries or limits

mums the word 27

mums

Celebrate Easter at

kitchen Holiday Inn Telford - Ironbridge Sunday 27th March

BAKED POTATOES IN meal for only Enjoy a 3 course THE SLOW COOKER

£14.95 person! £8.95 I love jacket spuds but hateper the wait for the oven to cook them so this is the perfect way to start them off before school and they’re ready for tea!

per child!

method

Simply poke your potatoes with a fork, wrap them in foil and pop them in your slow cooker. No need to add liquid – all the potatoes’ moisture is trapped inside as they cook. Set it on low for 6-8 hours and you’re good to go!

in gredients

Large scrubbed potatoes A selection of toppings to If you’ve ever got leftover chilli or bolognese this is much better 01952 the day527346 afterwards so pop your jackets in the slow cooker before suit all fusspots in the house! www.hitelfordhotel.com school and you have tea ready before you’re back home! functions@southwatereventgroup.com

Celebrate Easter at Ramada Telford - Ironbridge Sunday 27th March Enjoy a 3 course meal for only £15.25 per adult! £7.65 per child!

01952 425008 www.ramadatelford.co.uk functions@southwatereventgroup.com 28 mums the word

kids

kitchen Easter ‘bunny bait’

Now - this may seem like a bit of a ‘cheat’ as it’s not quite baking but I’ve never seen this before and it’s great fun! It makes loads and with the cereal or popcorn it’s not so sugar loaded so the Easter Bunny will still keep his ‘bounce’ easily!

method

Make a concoction to suit you! Choose the bulk ingredients such as sweet or salted popcorn, various cereals, pretzels and add all manner of delights - chocolate eggs, jelly beans, sprinkles - you name it the list is endless! You can also melt white or milk chocolate to bind it all together and put in a bowl or pots for the Easter Bunnies amongst you.

Great for parties too it’s so simple it’s culinary genius for kids!

in gredients

Anything from the cereal cupboard, sweet shop, childrens sweet stash!

Celebrate Easter at Holiday Inn Telford - Ironbridge Sunday 27th March Enjoy a 3 course meal for only £14.95 per person! £8.95 per child!

01952 527346 www.hitelfordhotel.com functions@southwatereventgroup.com mums the word 29

Magenta’s Magical Mischief The Big Move...

I

t was a lovely Saturday morning and normally Magenta would wake up happy and looking forward to a fun day getting up to all kinds of mischief. You see Magenta was a tomboy through and through which sometimes got her into a situation or two…

Magenta used to live with both of her parents in London as her mum was a fashion designer so they needed to live in the city, but her dad had moved out a little while ago to live in the countryside in Shropshire.

She was excited about seeing her dad but she knew she’d miss her mum and little brother and all of her friends – three weeks seemed such a long time to be away and she wondered if there was much for an 8 year old tomboy to do in the middle of nowhere??

Her mum interrupted her thoughts when she came into her bedroom full of excitement that Magenta didn’t feel. “Wake up Sleepy head - we have an exciting day ahead! Your dad can’t wait for you to see the new house and your room – let’s get you up and dressed and we’ll have breakfast on the way!”

Magenta perked up as she loved going on long journeys in the car so they packed some goodies along with her bags – she made sure she had her favourite necklace her parents had bought for her and off they went.

30 mums the word

The journey was fun as it was a lovely sunny day with music being sung to, I-Spy and other games being played and Magenta’s mum telling her stories about her own childhood mischief. Before she knew it they were driving through the beautiful countryside and following a river that led to her dad’s new house. It was amazing!

There was a lovely big garden with a huge oak tree in the middle and the house was old with flowers growing on it – nothing like their other house in London – Magenta loved it and couldn’t wait to explore all around! She ran up to her dad and gave him a huge hug!

“Dimples! You’ve grown!! Her dad said with a massive smile – he’d missed her so much and just knew she’d love their new home. “Grab your things I’ll show you your room” so they all went inside but Magenta just wanted to go adventuring!

“Dad - Please please please can I go out now – I can see my room later – I want to go and look at the river and check out which trees I can climb the best – pleeeease??”

“That’s fine Dimples but be careful near the river – you can have half an hour while your mum and I have a coffee and catch up” Her mum looked a little concerned that her dad was letting her go out alone but he just smiled at her and whispered “She’s fine – she’s an

excellent swimmer and always fixing problems so stop worrying – she’ll love it” All Magenta heard was “that’s fine..” She’d already run out of the house excitedly and started skipping towards all the greenery around her. The birds were singing, the sun was shining – how could she NOT love it here. She went down to the river and practised skimming some stones, she found some trees that were perfect for climbing and climbed as high as she could so that she could see what was around her – it was great fun and she loved her newfound freedom.

She sat by the river listening to the water thinking how different it was here - no cars, no grown ups, no rules.....no friends…”

All of a sudden she realised this was so perfect she wished her friends were here – or at least Toby as they always played together. She started to wish she could have a friend to share it all with. She knew she’d have fun but it was better with company – maybe she should ask her dad if they could have a dog?

She started to walk back home along the river a little less excited than before feeling a little lonely. Her hand went up to her necklace as she always held that when she felt a bit sad and she realised it had gone! Her favourite necklace! She felt really sad now and started to re-trace her steps to try and find it.

As she walked she heard a flapping commotion by the river. She rushed to see what it was and saw a magpie with fishing wire wrapped around its wing and throat. She took off her jacket and placed it over the magpie so she could pick it up. Once covered it just sat calmly and allowed her to pick it up.

She carried it home hoping it was going to be ok and rushed into the house once home forgetting all about her lost necklace.

“Dad – there’s a wounded bird! It was caught in the fishing wire and it’s around it’s throat – we need to help it” Her mum and dad came to see and as Magenta uncovered the magpie it was clear it knew it needed help – the poor thing. It let her hold him while her dad cut the wire loose. Magenta wrapped part of it back up and went and collected some worms from the garden to feed it.

They sat in the sun together – Magenta hand feeding

the Magpie which took the food happily and kept looking at her. She almost felt it saying thank you to her – she really liked the bird and wished it didn’t have to go so she kept hold of it a little while longer.

She walked around the garden talking to it, telling at all about her home in London and her new home here too. She hoped it would stay so much that she even found a box for it to use as a bed which she placed on her bedroom windowsill by the open window.

Finally she plucked up the courage to say goodbye and took it out into the garden. She took the jacket off of the magpie and it hopped away a short distance. It turned and looked at her – she thought it seemed unsure whether to leave or not but it then flew off towards a tree and sat looking at her.

She felt so sad it was going to leave that she sat on the grass just watching it and made a wish that it would be her friend. For a few moments she sat daydreaming about how she could have her own pet Magpie and it would go everywhere with her and share her adventures.

The magpie disturbed her thoughts by suddenly swooping onto the garden path, picking something up and flying towards her. It landed right on the middle of her lap and made her laugh!

“What are you doing you crazy bird” she said giggling but then she stopped suddenly. There in the Magpies beak was her necklace! Magpies love shiny things so it must have seen the necklace and given it to Magenta as a thank you gift! Magenta was overjoyed! Her magpie hadn’t flown away so she now has a new friend and he found her necklace too!

Magenta went into the house with the bird on her hand wondering what name she’d give to her new feathered friend. She really couldn’t wait for all the adventures ahead of them in her new countryside home – she was one happy little tomboy!

Look our for more of Magenta’s fun as her and her feathered friend are Mum’s the Word’s very own magical mischiefs finding adventure wherever they go! mums the word 31

Come and join us @ Revive for family fun and relaxation this Easter!

Family memberships available

01952 527344 Jo.Burton@Southwatereventgroup.com www.hitelfordhotel.com 32 mums the word