April 08 Newsletter

Dear London Mums

Spring is arriving slowly this year... So I guess before the summer we can look forward to a few indoor events to cheer us up and our little angels.... Don't forget to book your space for the Spring party on 12th May and also let us know if you are interested in attending our first book event with international book author Megan Faure visiting us on 20th June as well as coming along to a farm trip with your child/ren during the summer. Tempus fugit... Time flies!

LONDON MUMS SPRING PARTY 12th MAY 2008 at Eddie Catz

The party will have a spring theme with a fun multicultural dancing theme. There will be a lot of surprises and prizes to give away ... Check the events page for more details and registrations.

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY: Are you in tune with your baby?

'Are you in tune with your baby?' Ben Bailey, senior devices manager at BT, discusses how music can help your baby sleep - and more. To read this article click here www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips/mumtips.html

LONDON MUMS BOOK CLUB! - FIRST EVENT IN SW LONDON

'BABY SENSE'- Babies don't come with a manual... This is an old saying. Now they do come with a manual and this is 'Baby Sense' by Megan Faure & Ann Richardson.

MARK YOUR DIARY FOR THE FIRST LONDON MUMS BOOK AND PAMPERING EVENT (FOR MUMMIES ONLY!):

AUTHOR MEGAN WILL MEET US ON 20th June 2008 - Evening time/venue: Eddie Catz from 7 pm. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE INFO!

VISIT OUR MUMPRENEUR SUSANNA'S FREE EXHIBITION: Garden City Village - A Photographic portrait of Dover House Conservation Area - 8th April at 6pm

I am very proud to announce that one of our mumpreneurs, Susanna Rosti Rossini, will have her photographic exhibition in Putney. You are welcome to attend. The project aims to paint a picture of the present days of the area, very green, pleasant, lively and characterised by a friendly community, ready to help.

At the same time the project aims to find out how the social needs of the local people could be even better met. The exhibition will open on Tuesday 8th of April 2008 at 6pm at St Margaret's Church Hall, Putney Park Lane. Local residents will have a chance to share their ideas and comment the photographs.

Susanna Rosti Rossini, interior architect and photographer, is a local resident and has received an art grant from the Wandsworth Council in order to support the setting up of the exhibition.

She exhibited previously in photographic exhibitions in Milan, Amsterdam and London. The most recent one was in the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability in West Hill.

She has been previously awarded an art grant from Wandsworth Council in 2006.

NEW PRODUCTS TESTED AND RECOMMENDED BY LONDON MUMS

Please check the page www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips

LONDON MUMS ART CLUB - NEW REVIEWS AVAILABLE NOW!

Books, CDs and DVDs for the whole family reviewed and recommended by London Mums www.londonmums.org.uk/mumtips

EDDIE CATZ EVENT on 10th April - Brazilian Party 5-7pm

Tickets: Children 15 pounds - Adults 2 pounds. A lively musical concert by famed Putumayo artist Gui Tavares who will transport children from the rainforests of the Amazon to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro with the amazing Brazilian tunes featuring popular folklore tales. The children will sample some Brazilian specialties and see a Capoeira Brazilian martial art demonstration by Professor Polvo. To top it off, children will receive a gift bag with a Putumayo CD sampler and other goodies. A portion of Putumayo's proceeds from the sale of this CD and event will be donated to the Axe' Project www.projetoaxe.org.br in support of its efforts to educate and defend the rights of disadvantaged Brazilian children.

FARM TRIP IN THE SUMMER

Please let us know if you are interested in joining in a farm visit this summer. It's early days but we want to get organised. Kindly let us know your preferred month in the summer for this kind of activity.

MESSAGE BOARD

FROM EMMANUELLE and TODDLER CHARLOTTE: please find details of a charity appeal which does not cost anything and will help children. May be London mums can get involved by voting for their favorite nursery rhymes. If we reach 50,000 votes by 30th April a 50,000 pounds donation from Openreach to I CAN, the children's communication charity, will be triggered and the nation's favourite nursery rhyme will be revealed. Communication is an essential life skill. The words, rhythm and sounds of nursery rhymes are a fantastic way for children to develop their speech and language. It's free to vote and you get the chance to win great prizes www.rhymestars.co.uk.

FROM SUSANNA: Check the link below if you love Kew Gardens. The Marianne North Gallery is part of Kew Gardens and is a listed building in need of some renovation. Therefore they are launching a fundraising event: every single painting is available for adoption.www.kew.org/mng.

MUMMOTIVATING NETWORKING LUNCHEON

The Wimbledon mumpreneurs' group will meet again on the 29th April. Rachael Taplin of Mums in Control will be speaking. It looks to be a great lunch, as in addition to relating her story, she'll be talking about regaining self confidence after being out of the workforce and sharing tips on selling yourself and your business. There will also be Organix goodies for everyone to take home, a belated present from our last speaker, Lizzie Vann. You can see all the details on the page: Motivating Mum and then just click on the Businessmums' Networking Lunch heading.

CHARITY WALK: Help the Aged Big Spring Walk on 26th April 2008

Help the Aged is looking for Londoners to walk and donate/fundraise at an event in London's Hyde Park on Saturday 26th April which will be a fun day out for families and friends to come together to raise funds for a good cause. There will be a choice of two interactive walking routes with refreshments and entertainments, including live music at the finishing line. The longer route will be around 5 miles (8km) with the more family orientated route being around 1.5 miles max (2km). Admission: Adults £5, Children Free. If you need any further information, please don't hesitate to call 020 7239 7590 or visit www.helptheaged.org.uk/walk

USEFUL INFO FROM NHS Direct

Folic acid - the facts If you want to try for a baby, it's important that you're fit and healthy. One way to do this is to improve your diet and lifestyle, to give your baby a good start. Folic acid supplements can help. Find out the facts about folic acid...www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Tips and advice on what to do when you're trying to conceive... www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

SCARY REPORTS ON UK NURSERIES AND CHILDMINDERS - Whistleblower raises child safety fears

Story from BBC NEWS: www.bbc.co.uk

LONDON DIARY DATES

DISCOVER EGYPT WITH KIDS

There is a cool exhibition on Tutankhamun at the 02 dome. The London Mums baby art club will be organising this trip. If you are interesting in joining in, please let me know.www.visitlondon.com/tutankhamun.

ONGOING DIARY DATES

V&A MUSEUM

ACTIVITIES at the V&A Museum of Childhood - Everyday in the museum free drop in activities for schools and families - 10,30am-4pmwww.vam.ac.uk.

Also FREE event - WONDERTOTS at the V&A Museum of Childhood :

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.

TATE MODERN

FAMILY ZONE, open during gallery hours, FREE - Bankside, London SE I Open Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm. 020 7887 8888. www.tate.org.uk.