There really is no getting away from it. The sun is actually shining, quite strongly. The wee ones are off nurseries, playgroups and toddler groups until August sometime. Wimbledon is done, and won by a Scotsman. Scotland really doesn't get much more summery than this.
It's also researching season for those of us that work on Edinburgh for Under Fives. We currently have a group of around 50 brave parents, out and about with their pens poised, recording details about the best child-friendly places that Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife have to offer. We are so grateful to these brilliant people - we simply couldn't produce our book without them.
As editor, I'll be posting about various bits and pieces to do with Edinburgh for Under Fives in the next few weeks - including how I'm getting on with my own research! With a three year old and a seven month old, there's rarely a dull moment ...
If you want to blog about any aspect of being a parent in Edinburgh, or if you're interested in doing some research for us, contact me on efufeditor@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you.
Catch you soon!
Cathy
Monday, 8 July 2013
Thursday, 9 May 2013
My local library
As a second-time mum I am always on the look-out
for things to do with my new baby. Being on maternity leave means I have to
watch the pennies so if I can find an activity that is close to home and free,
I am happy. This is where my local library ticks all the boxes. What a fantastic
hub of activity for parents and carers. Actually, sometimes I think I should
move in as I am there so much.
Before having kids I never knew the local
library had so much on. This coming week I have a Mums’ and Babies’ Book Club where
for the first time in a year I have finished an entire book (not an easy feat
with a wee one) and PEEP (Parents Early Education Partnership) where we sing,
play and read books. Then there’s the Breastfeeding Café and I end my week with
a Bookbug session. When my son was younger I attended a baby massage course and
if I wanted to I really could fill my days with many more activities. All of
these events are free (or ask for a small donation sometimes for tea/coffee),
keep me from going stir crazy at home and I get to meet other mums and bubs.
If you haven’t done so already, why not check
out your local library? Or if it’s been a while why not take a look at the
noticeboard for all the latest activities, there’s sure to be something new
that you might fancy. With so many free events for children under five I can’t
rate my local library high enough. The latest edition of Edinburgh for Under
Fives has more details on Edinburgh libraries.
Until next time,
Kellie
Member of the EFUF committee
Mum of two boys who loves coffee and chocolate
Monday, 29 April 2013
Organising a birthday party for your wee one can
seem daunting, especially if you need to cater for children of different age
groups. I went to celebrate my niece's third birthday last week at The Hive
Play and Party Centre, a new soft play in Bathgate, West Lothian. The venue was
a hit and the birthday girl was treated like a VIP when she had her name called
out over the loud speaker which she was thrilled about.
The guests varied in age, from small babies (including my six month old) to children aged six. The older children had a great time in the sports area which had a basketball hoop and football. My baby enjoyed playing with some toys and had tummy time on the rug area. The toddlers had two levels to explore, including a very cool wall piano, slides and buzzing bees to ride.
Being new it's very clean and the decor is really bright with plenty of tables and chairs for parents to relax, there's even free Wi -Fi. The children had a good selection of party food, and the birthday girl received a free soft play visit as part of the package.
As far as parties go (and I've been to quite a few in my time) this venue rates high. The parents get to relax and enjoy a coffee and don't have to clean up the mess after, a win win in my book.
There are plenty more ideas for party venues in the latest edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives.
Until next time,
The guests varied in age, from small babies (including my six month old) to children aged six. The older children had a great time in the sports area which had a basketball hoop and football. My baby enjoyed playing with some toys and had tummy time on the rug area. The toddlers had two levels to explore, including a very cool wall piano, slides and buzzing bees to ride.
Being new it's very clean and the decor is really bright with plenty of tables and chairs for parents to relax, there's even free Wi -Fi. The children had a good selection of party food, and the birthday girl received a free soft play visit as part of the package.
As far as parties go (and I've been to quite a few in my time) this venue rates high. The parents get to relax and enjoy a coffee and don't have to clean up the mess after, a win win in my book.
There are plenty more ideas for party venues in the latest edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives.
Until next time,
Kellie
Member of the EFUF committee
Mum of two boys who loves coffee and chocolate
Monday, 15 April 2013
We are recruiting volunteers for our next edition, want to join in the fun?
As a mum of
two I am always on the look out for fun things to do in Edinburgh for kids. For
me a resource like Edinburgh for Under Fives is invaluable and being part of
the project is exciting as Edinburgh offers so much for children and there's
always fantastic new places popping up.
I f you like exploring Edinburgh, having fun with your under fives and
fancy getting your research published in a must-have guide then why not be part
of our next edition? You can take on as little or as much as you like and get
to see your name in print when it is released next year.
It's so great when you discover a hidden gem. Whether it's a park, new
soft play, child friendly pub or party venue, if it keeps the wee ones happy
then I am happy (especially if they serve good coffee).
Our volunteer researchers include mums, dads and grandparents but we'd
love to hear from aunties and uncles, nannies, foster parents - anyone who
spends time caring for children under 5. We couldn't get by without the support
of our researchers and we need new volunteers to help make our 14th edition
better than ever!
Find out more by coming to our researcher information evening on Tuesday
April 16 between 7.30 & 9 pm at St James Episcopal Church, 57b Inverleith
Row, EH3 5PX. There'll be a short presentation, coffee, tea and cake, plus the
chance to chat to the team and find out more.
If you can't make it you can still be involved, just email us at info@efuf.co.uk, we'd love to hear from
you.
Until next time,
Kellie
Member of the EFUF committee
Mum of two boys who loves coffee and chocolateThursday, 21 April 2011
Lovely weather we've been having ...
It's always a good opener for a conversation - just as well, as this is my first blog! Big thanks to our previous editor, who did an amazing job on edition 12! My mission is to produce edition 13 for you - ETA is spring next year, but my word we've already been busy!
Goodness gracious, but isn't this weather amazing? My question is, how have you been enjoying it with wee ones? I'll tell you what I've been doing - very boring, but someone's got to get the ball rolling. I've been to Inverleith Park and fed my daughter outside while looking at the ducks. Slight communications issue - when I said 'quack quack' to her, giving my best duck impression, she gave me a round of applause (presumably thinking I said 'clap clap'). However, we're working on it. She is only 10 months old after all.
We're looking to include quotes and little tips from parents (and their children, if they're at talking stage) in the next edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives, so let me know what you get up to on a sunny day in Edinburgh and we'll see what we can do to include it! Just email me at efufeditor@gmail.com
Have a great Easter weekend everyone!
Goodness gracious, but isn't this weather amazing? My question is, how have you been enjoying it with wee ones? I'll tell you what I've been doing - very boring, but someone's got to get the ball rolling. I've been to Inverleith Park and fed my daughter outside while looking at the ducks. Slight communications issue - when I said 'quack quack' to her, giving my best duck impression, she gave me a round of applause (presumably thinking I said 'clap clap'). However, we're working on it. She is only 10 months old after all.
We're looking to include quotes and little tips from parents (and their children, if they're at talking stage) in the next edition of Edinburgh for Under Fives, so let me know what you get up to on a sunny day in Edinburgh and we'll see what we can do to include it! Just email me at efufeditor@gmail.com
Have a great Easter weekend everyone!
Thursday, 9 September 2010
Excitement
Loved the fireworks. Did anyone else see the huge red firework that looked like a big mouth opening in the sky? Maybe I was just imagining it. With all the fun of the festival finished I was worried that September would be a dull month. How wrong I was - there is so much to do for the launch!
I've been talking to the lovely Nicola at Ocean Terminal and the EFUF ladies have been busy with the launch plans. We've got lots to do to make sure there are plenty of activities for all the under 5s and what party would be a party without balloons and cake? Still to get the invitations out, so if you're interested in coming along let me know.
Better get on....
I've been talking to the lovely Nicola at Ocean Terminal and the EFUF ladies have been busy with the launch plans. We've got lots to do to make sure there are plenty of activities for all the under 5s and what party would be a party without balloons and cake? Still to get the invitations out, so if you're interested in coming along let me know.
Better get on....
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