Planning California with a 3-year-old, teen, 70 something and in between... PT. 1

Sorry I haven’t been around for a wee while, so much to do with so little time...

We are now into the plans for our trip to California in May. Mild panic has set in as we haven’t booked any accommodation, hired our car, or planned where we are going when we get there - but we are going - all 7 of us! Ages 3, 18, 22, 40, 46, 62 and 73 J

So I will blog as I did for our New Zealand trip with my findings and resources along the way...

Twitter is great... I follow Matt @Landlopers who has been able to put me in touch with other Tweeters who may be able to help with our plans as they have first-hand experience of California. These are not child-friendly advisors but know the areas! Here are their websites:

http://landlopers.com/

http://spencer-spellman.com/

http://vagabond3.com

Tas, this ones for you! x

Our basic plan is to fly into San Fransico and out from Los Angeles our loves between us are, in no particular order; wine, extreme typography, music, history, sun, beaches, adventure, food, films, water, trains, Disney and Robert Pattinson – the latter meeting is a must for my daughter, I think she may be the only one slightly disappointed! L but she can dream (she is the 22 year old)

So now you know what we are looking for in a holiday, I will let you know how many of the list we get to tick on our family adventure...

Today I am working on a basic itinerary – will post it when done, any help and advice along the way greatly received...

Braving the January sales with toddler in tow – Westfield Stratford toddlercar

I have to confess to not really being a very patient shopper. I generally don’t like trawling around the shops even when I have money to spend and am an ‘in, choose and out’ kinda girl. I know what I like and what suits me so shopping is usually a quick trip unless I am with my husband. He is the opposite extreme – he browses, tries on, contemplates, leaves the shop, browses some more, tries on more, contemplates more – you get the picture! 

So when he said ‘shall we go to the new Westfield in Stratford between Christmas and New Year -  and my 21 year old daughter (who usually babysits my toddler when i have to shop with hubby) said she can come too – my heart really sunk! Not only was I going with an indecisive hubby, shopaholic daughter but had to take our 2 year old too on one of the busiest shopping days of the year!

I really shouldn’t have worried, the whole experience was much better than expected. We arrived early to beat the crowds at 9.30 and, thanks to the fantastic cars to hire for toddlers, were able to shop for 3 hours (with a coffee break in between). This has never been heard of before in our household and we didn’t even have to use the soft play area to placate Freddie. We all came back with some bargain sale items and Freddie got an Olympics double decker red bus for being an absolute star!!

Kiddy Cars are available on the lower ground floor and cost £5 to hire, well worth every penny in my book!  Children must be over 12 months and no taller than 104cm. The flags also help if you split up for a while as they stick out in the crowds. You do need to arrive early to secure one as they seem to be quite popular as when we returned ours at 1.30 they were all out...

Westfield Stratford has lots of services for families with babies, toddlers and children under 5 including:

Parent rooms throughout the complex offering changing facilties, play areas, child size toilets and sinks, private areas for feeding and microwave. There are also tv’s for older children. Playworld – areas for play, wristbands for children with child safety hotline and kids club – visit their website for more details

http://uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/kids/kids-services

Stone painting - probably the perfect craft activity for our tot!

Freddie loves arts and crafts but like most 2 year olds has a very short attention span so the activity today of making festive stones for his teachers was perfect for him. The mixture of going out and searching, washing, painting and sprinkling meant it ticked many boxes for a great days activity. And he managed to do everything himself which was a first!

In the morning we went out stone hunting, Freddie picked them all himself and they varied in size, shape and colour.

We got home, had a snack and then set about washing them in Fairy Liquid and dried them off with an old towel. He especially liked the sound they made when they clanked together!

Next we glazed them with a mixture of PVA glue and water and left them to dry. This meant Freddie could get back to his train set followed by lunch!

After his afternoon nap the stones were ready to paint. He specifically didn't want the undersides of the stones painted which thankfully meant not too much mess :)

By the time the last one was painted the first one was ready for a sealing of glue and so it went on until all the stones had a glupey seal, he then sprinkled glitter and stars and again we left them to dry while we had dinner and played a few games.

Once dried he chose which ones to give to his teachers (the others are for special family and friends) and I helped him wrap them in tissue paper.

We had a great day today and he really was proud of his art...

The Snowman - Peacock Theatre - A must for families wanting to share a little bit of warmth this Christmas!

We set off early for our outing to The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn with fingers crossed that Freddie wouldn’t have a meltdown due to the lack of sleep we had all had the night before. Another story for another time...

We needn’t have worried as his favourite thing ever – Trains! – set him off in high spirits, the train was on time too which helped!

We arrived at the theatre and after purchasing a flashing snowman made our way to our fantastic seats in the 3^rd row of the stalls , but I would think most seats would be good as the Peacock Theatre is quite intimate as far as London theatres go.

The show opens with a wonderful curtain of snow and the young boy, James, waking in his bed – the story that follows is both magical and festive and, much to the surprise of my hubby, had every child and adult in the house transfixed for an hr and 50 minutes, from toddlers to grannies and grandpas.

The music, costumes, stage and choreography is perfect and what you would expect from a production linked to Sadler's Wells and offered clever distractions throughout the show for any toddlers or youngsters who might have been bored.

Many fantastic characters join James and The Snowman on their adventure to the North Pole including dancing foxes, badgers, rabbits, more snowmen, Jack Frost and of course Father Christmas.

Freddie hasn't stopped asking to see ‘the boy’ again even though we keep telling him the show is called ‘The Snow Man’ which just shows how powerful a production can be when the only non costumed character sticks in a 2 year olds head!

A must for families wanting to share a little bit of warmth at Christmas we loved it!

For more details and tickets visit the Salder's Wells website

The Enchanted Christmas House – Freddie's 1st Santa visit didn't quite go to plan!

The Enchanted Christmas House is located in the London Art House in Islington. This magical wonderland offers children from 18months to 9 years + a festive treat to remember.

Our visit was booked for 10.30 and Freddie was very excited to be meeting Father Christmas to ask him for a “choo choo twain and tea pot” but when he actually came face to face with the man in red it was a different story...

Once you arrive you are taken through to the Garden of Winter Wonder, an area full of Christmas trees and fairy lights with various areas for imaginative play including; a puppet theatre, a mini bouncy castle, the seaside, karaoke, drums and an area with lots of role play toys such as a dolls house, cooker, .....

Freddie could have spent hours here! Video here: Snow not included!

The show begins on a small stage and offers a theatrical experience from here on with a host of Christmassy characters from Mrs Christmas, Father Christmas and his elves to Aladdin and a rubber duck! These characters and more appear from time to time throughout the rest of the journey.

The first room we were taken to was the Elves Workshop where Freddie made a Christmas tree and other festive decorations, at one point a large white rabbit entered the room and Freddie was for the first time ever not scared of a person in a furry suit! He enjoyed the renditions of Sleeping Bunnies especially when the giant bunny went to sleep right next to him!

Soon we were off to the Gingerbread kitchen, a wonderfully decorated room with enormous sweets and candies adorning the ceilings and walls. Freddie just had to decorate two gingerbread men with coloured icing, balls and sweets and half way through this was summoned to Santa...

We shot down the stairs with Mrs Claus and as we arrived Freddie stopped in his tracks, Santa sat in a wonderful grotto surrounded by lots of presents and snow but Freddie froze. All of his words had disappeared and he wouldn’t go within 4 feet of Father Christmas! Father Christmas took it all in his stride and chatted away and gave an early pressie to Freddie. His first meeting with Santa was a memorable one even if it didn’t go according to plan!

Back to the Gingerbread Kitchen for a few more songs and fun and then we ventured off to Aladdin’s Cave singing a “walking, running, hopping, stopping” song along the way.  Freddie began to loosen up and sing and hop along too... However, in Aladdin’s cave he spied the Duplo and that was it! He did join in the treasure hunt briefly but the theatrical experience had left the building for him as his second favourite toy was on offer! Every other child in the room joined in the fun as Aladdin summoned up a variety of characters by rubbing his lamp...

So to the finale and a mini stage show featuring all the characters from the day along with some new characters with songs, dancing and lots of audience participation which our little chap thoroughly enjoyed along with every other child!

After 2 1/2 hours of fun everyone was offered some food which included meatballs, pasta, houmos, carrot sticks,  pitta bread, very yummy cakes, chocolate and satsumas with a variety of drinks including water, juices, tea, coffee and a mulled wine which was actually rather good!

The venue is ideal for an enchanted festive treat with each room wonderfully decorated. The staff were very friendly and attentive and the acting was good too.

We had a great time but now for the crunch, a ticket will set you back £49 per person with a family of four ticket costing £159 (a saving of £37) and under 18 months go free. Is it worth it? There are certainly a lot of hands needed to make the event work so I can see where the cost goes and £49 for the little ones is definitely worth its ticket price – the question is whether the price tag is justified for the adults, probably not and so I would suggest to get more for your money go take a couple of kids along with one adult rather than a couple of adults to a child.

Since writing this the Enchanted House people are offering half price tickets to adults of for 3rd and 4th December...

Cost aside the whole experience was fantastic for children and every child in the place had a wonderful time. Freddie fell asleep on the way home clinging to his present from Father Christmas the whole way...

For more details and dates visit The Enchanted ChristmasHouse website.

Santa's Grottos in Hertfordshire

Father Christmas is busy popping up at various locations throughout Hertfordshire from shopping centres to family parks, here is a list of a few we thought you might enjoy... if you want to see our list for London click here London Santa Grottos

Paradise Wildlife Park – FREE to season ticket holders

Broxbourne

Every weekend from 26th November and then daily from Monday 19th December.

11.30am to 12.30pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

£4 per child to receive a present from Santa in his Grotto!

Website: http://www.pwpark.com/index.html

Willows Farm Village

St Albans

Santa's Spectacular Grotto & Festive Farm Fun

23rd November - 24th December 2011
10am - 5.30pm - last entry 4pm (Closes 4pm Christmas Eve - last entry 2.30pm)

Website : http://www.willowsfarmvillage.com/explorewillows/currentevent.html

Van Hague - FREE

Great Amwell

Santa’s Grotto

Every weekend from Saturday 19th November to 11th December
Every day from Wednesday 14th December to Saturday 24th December
9am to 6pm Monday - Saturday, 10am -5pm Sunday

Van Hague are also doing a special tea with Santa see website for more details

Website; https://www.vanhage.co.uk/events

Hitchin Garden Centre

Father Christmas at a Winter Wonderland

£7 per child includes a FREE magical journey through a 'Winter Wonderland', a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto, a gift and an 'I've seen Father Christmas' badge.

A charge of £1.50 will be made for each adult accompanying a child to visit Father Christmas.

Website: http://www.thegardencentregroup.co.uk/christmas/father-christmas-grotto

Harpenden

Santa’s Grotto with the Christmas Carnival on Sunday Nov 27^th

Website: http://www.harpendia.com/Xmas_Carnival.html

Notcuts Garden Centre

St Albans

Santa’g Grotto and book to have tea with the man himself

Through to Christmas eve.

Website: http://www.notcutts.co.uk/Information/Garden-Centres/St-Albans/C

Harlequin Shopping Centre

Watford

Santa will be taking up residence inside the workings of his snow ride ‘The Super Duper Looper’ and will be receiving guests from Friday 11th November. All visitors will have the opportunity to experience a ride on Santa’s 3D roller coaster, and little visitors can meet the man himself and get a lovely wrapped gift

Website http://www.theharlequin.uk.com/Whats-on/Events/Santas-Grotto

Santa’s Grottos in other Shopping centres

The Galleria - Hatfield

Westgate Shopping Centre – Stevenage

And a little further afield...

Stotfold Watermill

Bedford

Christmas at Stotfold Mill 26th & 27th November 2011

10:30am - 5:00pm. Visit Santa in his grotto. Mince pies and mulled wine in the Tea Room. Gifts for sale. Free entry.

Website: http://www.stotfoldmill.com/events.php?pg=index.php

Mead Open Farm

Bedford

Santa Land

Santa and his elves will be in residence from 26^th November through to 23^rd December

Website: http://www.meadopenfarm.co.uk/

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland- A Toddlers View

We headed off to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for the opening night on Friday with our 2 ½ year old.  It was an all-round toddler Winner!

The Park is filled with wonder and excitement, whatever you are looking for, from shows, to rides, to eateries ,bars, shops and market stalls it really does spark a bit of Christmas spirit.  It is open 10m -10pm through to January 3^rd, except for Christmas day.

We parked in the park itself and headed off in the dark for a stroll along the Serpentine. In the distance the sky was illuminated by the park’s Giant Observation Wheel which reminded me of a large snow flake. As soon as Freddie clapped eyes on it he was on a mission in the right direction for once! As we got nearer, his mouth opened wider at this enormous wheel. Like most toddlers he has a thing for wheels and this was the biggest and brightest he had ever seen.

On entering the park from this end you are greeted, much to his delight, with a huge static stream train and an old fashion organ. The giant talking tree received a different reaction as he is a little scary in the dark!

The whole park is very well laid out although I am not sure how it would fair when too busy. To give Freddie a little more freedom we attached his backpack and lead which was a god send as we didn’t need to worry about hands – which are not fashionable in toddler world for Freddie at the moment.

The must visit ride for him was “Santa’s Flying Sleigh”- his first ever roller coaster experience was a memory to behold and his dad and big brother enjoyed it too.  Second on the list was Santa’s Workshop, an even smaller roller coaster which Freddie went on by himself and lots of traditional roundabouts where the London bus was a firm favourite.

By the giant wheel you will find Santa Land, a wonderland for children; it is surrounded by the Santa Express, a miniature railway line with the only access being via a bridge or over the railway’s crossroads. In this area there are lots of activities for young children, an inflatable snow man bouncy castle, mini carousels and fairground rides, hook a Santa game, Elves workshop and Father Christmas himself who is free to visit between 10am and 6pm.

If you are looking for a little getaway, head to the fantastic Speigel tent which offered a relaxing atmosphere, food, drinks and highchairs and had a live jazz band when we were there – this is a great brief escape from the busy lights and music outside.

There is plenty to do for families with pre-school children, but away from a toddlers view for a minute, it will cost a fair bit. If your toddler is happy to soak up the Christmas atmosphere with you and maybe go on one or two rides then it’s an all-round toddler winner! However if you have a little one who wants to do everything he sees be prepared to dent your wallet. In Santa Land (an area specifically for the younger audience) Hook a Santa costs £3 a go! Ok you win a prize every-time but if you have more than one child it is pretty expensive.

Taking the cost aside the experience is a festive pleasurable one and we managed to lose over 3 hrs here. Our toddler had three expressions throughout the whole time, mouth open, squealing with delight and grinning from ear to ear. 

More details can be found on their website – if you want to avoid the queues you can pre –book the circus, giant wheel and ice skating.

Most of Winter Wonderland is level for buggies with only gentle inclines. There are baby changing facilities at various disabled toilets around the site.

Visit Tot Friendly for more family days out suitable for babies and toddlers