February 08 Newsletter

Hi lovely London Mums

Valentine's day is this month's highlight and London Mums have decided to partner with BLISS, the charity supporting One in eight families of babies born premature or sick. BLISS was established 27 years ago, and is the only national organisation dedicated to working for special care babies and their families. Since then over 22 million pounds have been raised towards our work helping babies born too soon, too small or too sick to cope on their own. Please help us this month support the intitiative KISS FOR BLISS (see more details below). Also check out for things to do during half term.

IMPORTANT SPRING PARTY UPDATE: DATE TO CHANGE TO 12th MAY 2008!!

Please be aware that due to unexected logistical circumstances the party will be now moved on the 12th May 2008 from 10,30 am to 1 pm. The party will have a spring theme with an international flavour. This time we will lot of surprises and prizes to give away thanks to a mistery sponsor - to be revealed soon!!! Watch this space... Please send us an email to register. Check the events page for more details.

KISS FOR BLISS CHARITY

A kiss is a unique expression of affection and love, and something that every new parent wants to give their child. But for 1 in 8 new parents, their baby may be too sick or too small to receive that much-wanted first kiss. This is why BLISS is launching Kiss for BLISS week for Valentine's 2008. So if you’re looking for an alternative way to express your feelings this Valentine's, why not send your loved-ones a virtual, animated 'Kiss for BLISS' and make a donation to BLISS at the same time? Visit www.nocardsthanks.com to find out more - your e-kiss will help to ensure that premature and sick babies have the best possible start to life. The card will go live on this website on 8th February (we will be their charity of the month from the 4th, with a trailer on their homepage for the e-kisses).

What the experts say

Check out the February article from our family nutrition expert Melody Mackeown. Everything you need to know about 'Smoking: what to do if you would like to quit'. Enjoy!

MUMPRENEURS' MEETING ON 6th February 2008 ANG MUMMOTIVATING NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Wednesday 6th February the mumpreneurs will meet up again. If you are already part of the group just need to turn up at Eddie Catz at 3pm and ask for the London Mums table. You have free entry to the centre as you will be in a guest list. If you haven't regsitered yet and want to attend, please send us your name and details and i will add you to the guest list. We welcome new mumpreneurs. To check a list of our mumpreneurs' businesses, go onto our Mumpreneurs' page.

Also I have come across another mumpreneurs' group meeting up in Wimbledon on the 5th February. This sounds really interesting and if I sort our my childcare for that day i will attend myself. It's called the Businessmums' Networking Lunch, Feb 5, with special guest Lizzie Vann of Organix. You can see all the details on the page: Motivating Mum and then just click on the Businessmums' Networking Lunch heading.

BABY SHOW - FREE TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY FOR LONDON MUMS

We have 4 pairs of tickets for The Baby Show at ExCeL London 29 February - 2 March 2008. Please check our site for more information and let me know if you want the tickets. London Mums go to the Baby Show for FREE!.

CARNIVAL PARTY THE ITALIAN WAY! UNMISSABLE! FESTA DI CARNEVALE al Playgroup Italiano (near East Finchley)

MARTEDI' GRASSO

5 Febbraio 2008 alle ore 1.30.

FESTA DI CARNEVALE

Porta i tuoi bambini in maschera -se vuoi- e ricorda: questo e' l'unico posto a Londra dove troverai FRAPPE E CASTAGNOLE!

CARNEVAL PARTY**

5th February at 1.30pm

You can fancy dress your children-if you wish- and remember: this is the only place in London where you can find FRAPPE E CASTAGNOLE!

INFO e booking to123stella@yahoo.co.uk.

The name of the Playgroup is 1..2...3...STELLA and is an Italian session of the CHILDREN PAVILION Playgroup, established in 1983 (it is a self-funded non-profit making registered charity group.). We welcome children between 0 and 5 years old ( or older if you wish ) together with a parent or an adult carer. At the moment we meet once a week: Thursday afternoon from 1.30 to 3.30. We are in North London between East Finchley and Golders Green. Address is: Criket Pavilion, Lyttelton Playing fields, Kingsley Way, London N2. / Tel.: 02084580630 - For more information, pictures and to see a map visit: www.123stella.co.uk.

THE LONDON MUMS XMAS PARTY DVD OUT NOW!

The official DVD of the Xmas party is now available. Please contact us if you have already ordered it or simply if you are interested in getting a copy.

Mums at Work - Meet with Sandra to discuss

I will email put in contact all mums who wanted to share their experiences with Sandra about going back to work and separation anxiety.

Remember the message from Sandra (January 2008)?

Good Morning, I am back at work since September and my Son is now 8 months and I have found going back quite hard...I was wondering if you could put me in contact with some other Working Mums in order to discuss ups and downs,tips,advices... Thanks in advance for your reply, Sandra - Please send your replies to monica@londonmums.org.uk

FREE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH TODDLERS DURING HALF TERM

WONDERTOTS at the V&A Museum of Childhood www.vam.ac.uk.

Free event:

10.15am - 12.00pm & 12.45 -2,30pm - Age: under 5's - Parent/toddler activity session. Dress for mess because every week you make something to take home.

ONGOING DIARY DATES

POLKA THEATRE

240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB. 020 8543 4888. www.polkatheatre.com.

Free event:

WORLD OF STORIES AND MUSIC - FREE, 10.30am on the first Sat of every month. Bkg: 020 8543 4888 from the Monday before each event. Little peas can enjoy Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy story Princess and The Pea, which has been adapted for under 5s. The show is being devised by Banyan Theatre's Joy Haynes - an experienced creator of devised puppet-based theatre. Princess and the Pea will use inventive transformations of everyday objects, projection and puppetry to tell the story of a clever queen, a girl who is not as she first appears and, of course, a tiny pea. Performances run until February 22nd 2008.