Silent Sunday

Partying with the children at the Lollibop Mini Disco – Ministry of Sound

The 12th February 2012, I finally get my foot in a nightclub for the first time in what feels like forever. Once inside, its fair to say, that, yes, I did swing my pants on the dance floor… Ministry Style! So, I’m officially back on the club scene, only, not in the way one would think … it’s in the company of my children… all three of them!

Who, would believe it if I told them I’d been clubbing it up at London’s Ministry of Sound, Living it up on the dance floor, beside none other than my 11, 9 and 2-year-old? Well, I’m guessing you’d think I was either one crazy lady who sneaks her children out in her handbag at the weekend, or maybe I’m just a delusional mess!

Actually, this mum is none of the above, in fact, this was an occasion for the children. As mentioned on the blog early last month, Lollibop, (the guys behind the “Must attend” festival of the year, designed solely for teeny boppers) would be bringing children a half term treat in way of the Lollibop Mini Disco, and of course this mum was heading straight for it!

There were no hundreds of sweaty ravers, waving lighters in the air, while downing vodka chasers, instead I danced amongst hundreds of tiny feet and waving hands, while drinking Ribina from a straw…. and loved it!

The Mini Disco had been created around children between the ages of 3-10 and although only one of my children fits the bill (Alice-Sara is nine) I decided to take Harley 2 and after much deliberation, Little man (aka a boy with aspergers) aged 11, along for the ride too.

I really wasn’t sure if it would appeal to the Little man and more importantly, how he would deal with the sensory input, example being, the crowds, noise, lack of light etc… Although Little man does have a degree of sensory sensitivities, that have at times caused a degree of distress, Little man is a huge fan of music and the louder the better! He also loves the sensations created by the vibrations of loud music and is crazy for disco lighting and special effects (meaning the smoke machine went down a treat)! I was hoping his sensory seeking ways would drown out any sensitivities, which, largely, they did! Then there is the fact that I want to be able to do things as a family, especially when time is against us, what with the half term lasting just one week and all that!  (see below Harley holding Scooby-Doo’s hand)

I wasn’t to concerned about the toddler, the fact Scooby Doo would be making an appearance, kinda sealed the deal for me!

The Disco kicked off at midday promising to provide five fun-filled hours of music, entertainment, special appearances and an array of specially designed and well thought out activities, such as Beatboxing, hula-hooping, story telling, bubble shows, magic and more besides. At set intervals throughout the day, a well-known Celebrity face graced us with his presence as he strolled onto the dance floor and when Mini boppers caught sight of him, they pelted themselves in his direction like crazed fans! Oh yes, Scooby Doo was extremely popular with all, including my “NOW” Scooby obsessed 2-year old. Seriously, at one stage, I became a tad worried he would find himself arrested for stalking this loveable dog who kindly took it in his stride, giving Little Harley lots of attention while engaging in a dance or two.

I felt that there was something for everyone, what with two main rooms, one more chilled and relaxed but just as fun in a host of ways, and the other room… this was were you came to swing your pants (your pull ups in the toddlers case)! Plus there was plenty of loud music resulting in a vibrating buzz throughout one’s body, to my Little man’s delight.

There was also a large baby changing/feeding area which if I remember rightly, is actually the clubs chill out lounge on a busy weekend. Having kicked back in it and chilled on occasions, it admittedly seemed a tad weird, seeing it filled with baby changing mats and a centre table filled to the rim with supplies (nappies, wipes…you name it)!

At 4 pm the children went dashing into the main room as TVs duo ‘Dick and Dom‘ took to the decks, doing what I can only describe as a brilliant job of engaging party goers young and old! what with there dancing games to a rather funky remix of “Postman Pat” Alice-Sara, my daughter instantly fought her way to the front, eager to be fully involved in all these guys had to offer. My youngest wasn’t to be held back either, as he jumped about energetically doing his thing and hopefully wearing himself out for the night ahead. Of course, what with the extent of tiny tots and their funky dancing, Little man my eldest stood with me on the sidelines looking in, though enjoying himself all the same.

The event was a delightful half term treat for what was very soon to become three very bored children. However, despite our enjoyment, it doesn’t have a patch on the main event… The Lollibop festival which is due to kick off this summer. I sure as hell cannot wait, maybe I  enjoyed it more than the toddler, though actually… this would be a hard task to undertake… he was bowled over by the likes of Bob the Builder, George pig, Ben & Holly and a host of others at last years event!

Let’s bring on the sunshine and get ready for the big one! Click HERE for Lollibop early bird tickets. Visit the Lollibop Facebook page for all the latest news and line up for this years event. 

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Lollibop’s Mini Disco at the Ministry of Sound London 2012

Last year was a lot of fun in the ‘Boy with Aspergers’ household! We got invited to some pretty amazing events, one of the best being the ‘Lollibop’s Big Bash For Little People’ back in August, where me and Harley (Little man’s baby bro) were lucky enough to obtain V.I.P tickets. The festival, held at London’s Regents Park, was an awesome summer spectacular, organised completely around tenny boppers, all the CBeebies favourites were present, as well as others, such as, Peppa & George pig & Ben & Holly from the Magical kingdom. A truly brilliant day was had by all and we just can’t wait for this years Lollibop festival. 

 However, in the meantime, the organisers of this magical event have pulled together something very exciting for the coming half term… Lollibop’s Mini Disco, being held at the not so mini ‘Ministry of Sound’ London.

 How can this mummy really not get excited about such a thing… Ministry of Sound holding an event for the littlest of ravers, whoopee… I have spent my fair share of time dancing to the sounds of the biggest club anthems under this night clubs famous roof, I cannot wait to see the little ones grace its dance floor.

Image by Atatiwa Flickr via Flickr

 

  The team behind the biggest kids event of summer 2011, are now bringing us this new one-off, very exciting half-term treat to the doors of the famous Ministry of Sound this coming February 2012. 

 The disco is guaranteed to keep children aged 3-10 years entertained, what with special guest appearances from the likes of Scooby Doo and award-winning children’s entertainer, Allin Kempthorne, how can it not? That’s not all, the event will delight little ones with its array of workshops and activities, such as Beat Box lessons, allowing older attendees to learn a new skill that is bond to blow the socks of their super impressed school mates when they return back to school following the half term break (not to sure the teachers will be impressed, but hay hoo)! If beat boxing really isn’t your child’s idea of fun, there is so much more to choose from, such as, hula hoop workshops, storytelling (for those that want to chill out) bubble shows and of course, dance games ( oh, now I have visions of my daughter really getting her groove on)!

Image via Wikipedia

 

 Lets not forget now… this is a party and parties require lots of music! Well, In true Ministry of Sound fashion, they’ll be plenty of dancing too when TV favourites Dick and Dom take to the decks.

 So… Don’t let your little ones find out about it from somebody else (yes, I do mean that spoilt little school friend) super cool and trendy mummy’s (yes…. like me) hear these things first. Those looking for the ultimate half-term treat need look no more, as it’s my opinion that you’ve just found it!

Tickets cost  £10.00 per person. Call 0208 365 9695 or go to www.lollibopfestival.co.uk for more details.

Drinks and light refreshments are available to purchase at the venue.

As for the fantastic LolliBop’s Big Bash for Little People  this will return in full this summer to Regents Park (August 17th, 18 and 19th, 2012)) Full line-up to be announced soon. www.lollibopfestival.co.uk

Note:

 ·     The event is aimed at ages 3-10 but those younger & older are able to come (No admittance for under 16s without an adult)

·      Space is limited to 900 tickets and will be sold on a first come first serve basis

·      Ticket prices are per person and are applicable to everyone over the age of 12months

Scooby-Scooby-Doo

Image via Wikipedia

Exciting news for all you Scooby-Doo fans (Yes, including this 29 year old mum and her brood).

 For all the latest Scooby-Doo news, including details of new television shows and all the latest Scooby products, (Video games, DVDs, toys, books and more) then get yourselves over to Facebook where you can now discover and be part of the first ever UK official ‘Scooby-Doo fan page’ 

Here, you can find all the above, plus loads of fun scooby-Doo facts, games & art work. Look out for, ‘Monster Mondays’  and ‘Fun Fridays’ when games & fun content is shared, ensuring hours of Scooby-tastic fun!

Click HERE to become a Scooby-Doo fan on Facebook.

As part of the launch the Scooby gang have invited me and the children to become part of the team by reviewing Scooby-Doo’s latest products.

Wow, how could we refuse, after all Scooby happens to be one of my oldest childhood friends, (as I write this the Scooby-Scooby-Doo tune is making it’s way around my head and out my month. What will the neighbours think)!

We received our package last week, from a very smiley delivery man. It was kinda like Christmas, in the fact I had no idea what was being sent out, (well, apart from the fact it was Scooby-Doo related that is).

 We were not to be disappointed when we finally got the box open, for we had been sent the awesome, ‘Hide & Seek Scooby’ Little man too deep in his bus route planning, failed to even look up. However, an extremely excited 8yr old, accompanied by a bouncing 20m old toddler resembling, ‘Tigger’ who was shouting, “See, see” were very keen to get Scooby out of his box.

I have to confess… I was now acting the big kid by declaring, “Mum needs to have a proper look first in order to establish how it works and its suitability, much to the children’s horror!

What you get:

Hide and seek Scooby is a soft interactive toy, that comes together with a remote control which acts as a locator. 

How to play:

The idea of the game is to get someone to hide the Scooby soft toy (be sure to switch him on first) then those with the interactive remote can try to track down Scooby. The locator interacts with Scooby giving the children spoken clues as they go, (a few being, “Your colder than a snowman, and “Your on the right path” etc.) The remote has a light system which also helps the children establish just how close they are to finding him. The light goes blue for cold, yellow indicates you’re getting nearer, and Red means your red-hot (very close to finding him).

Note!

Warning… This toy requires 7  AAA batteries between both Scooby and the remote. This toy is aimed at children 5 years and over.

Putting it to the test:

It was so sweet watching my toddler of 21ms hugging and kissing Scooby. Although the whole concept of the game, is a little much for Harley to understand,the toy itself makes a great cuddle buddy. Harley also had fun finding Scooby alongside his sister. I tried my up-most best to find the most sinister of hiding places, *Evil laugh* Alice loved the clues and the lights which indicate just how close you are to finding Scooby. After about ten minutes she successful found Scooby in the airing cupboard (where the children never visit due to spiders, ha-ha-ha what an evil mummy). 🙂

Verdict:

We all really like the hide & Seek Scooby, even little man had a little go with his sister which makes a pleasant and welcome change from arguing. 

Rating: *****

Hide & Seek Scooby is featured in our Santa’s Little helpers and can be brought from all good toy stores including Argos & Toys R us for £29.99 (price does very)

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